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 Nazrin Abdul 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. Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (TSE:BAM) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 4 days. The ex-dividend date is usually set to be one business day before the record date, which is the cut-off date on which you must be present on the company's books as a shareholder in order to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is important because any transaction on a stock needs to have been settled before the record date in order to be eligible for a dividend. Thus, you can purchase Brookfield Asset Management's shares before the 28th of November in order to receive the dividend, which the company will pay on the 31st of December. The company's next dividend payment will be US$0.4375 per share, and in the last 12 months, the company paid a total of US$1.75 per share. Looking at the last 12 months of distributions, Brookfield Asset Management has a trailing yield of approximately 3.5% on its current stock price of CA$71.12. We love seeing companies pay a dividend, but it's also important to be sure that laying the golden eggs isn't going to kill our golden goose! We need to see whether the dividend is covered by earnings and if it's growing. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Fortunately Brookfield Asset Management's payout ratio is modest, at just 33% of profit. Generally speaking, the lower a company's payout ratios, the more resilient its dividend usually is. See our latest analysis for Brookfield Asset Management Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. TSX:BAM Historic Dividend November 23rd 2025 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Companies with consistently growing earnings per share generally make the best dividend stocks, as they usually find it easier to grow dividends per share. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. That's why it's comforting to see Brookfield Asset Management's earnings have been skyrocketing, up 43% per annum for the past three years. The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. Brookfield Asset Management has delivered an average of 17% per year annual increase in its dividend, based on the past two years of dividend payments. It's great to see earnings per share growing rapidly over several years, and dividends per share growing right along with it. Pace University won the 22nd Annual National College Fed Challenge. Pace University won the 22nd annual national College Fed Challenge on Friday, a team competition that encourages undergraduate students to learn about the U.S. economy, monetary policymaking, and the role of the Federal Reserve System. Teams analyze economic and financial conditions and formulate a monetary policy recommendation, modeling the Federal Open Market Committee. The team, from New York, New York, represented the New York District and included Suraj Sharma, Giancarlo Raspanti, Gianna Beck, Brooklyn Bynum, and Alex Tuosto, and alternates Tri Nguyen, Kristina Nasteva, Gunnar Freeman, Oliver Ng, Sheira Dery, and Amirkhan Mamatov. The team's adviser was Gregory Colman. This year's College Fed Challenge included 139 schools from 36 states across the nation. Participating teams submitted video presentations or participated in local competitions last month. Eighteen semi-finalist teams then participated in question-and-answer sessions held earlier this month, and six teams were invited to the Federal Reserve Board for the national finals. The other national finalists were Harvard College in second place and University of California, Los Angeles in third place. Teams with honorable mentions include University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago, and Davidson College. "Fed Challenge offers undergraduate students an opportunity to learn firsthand about monetary policy and the work of the Federal Reserve," said Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell. "I thank these students for the dedication, creativity, and analytical skills they demonstrated as they grappled with real-world economic challenges." Teams were evaluated on their economic analysis, responses to the judges' questions, teamwork, and presentations. For media inquiries, please email [email protected] or call 202-452-2955. Images: Instagram/farahkhankunder Today, November 15, 2025, marks a red-letter day for actors Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa as they welcome their little baby girl into the world. Their joy is doubled by the fact that November 15 is also their fourth wedding anniversary. Rajkummar and Patralekhaa announced the new arrival this morning with an Instagram post that read We Are Over The Moon. God Has Blessed Us With A Baby Girl Blessed Parents Patralekhaa and Rajkummar with the proud father captioning the post The greatest blessing God has given us on our 4th wedding anniversary. Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa have had a long and eventful journey today to this joyful date. Rajkummar had seen Patralekhaa in an advertisement and thought she was cute, but they really met in 2014 on the sets of Hansal Mehtas film CityLights, which featured them in the lead roles Rajkummar played Deepak Singh and Patralekhaa his very supportive wife Rakhi. Their friendship blossomed in close quarters and, in time, transformed into love. The couple married in November 2021. The duo had announced the pregnancy in July 2025 with a joint Instagram post that read Baby On The Way Patralekhaa & Rajkummar (sic), an announcement that was met with many good wishes and much joy from across the Bollywood industry and from the couples countless fans. Significantly, Rajkummar and Patralekhaa spent time in New Zealand during the first part of the pregnancy, exploring the countrys many charms we think it was almost like an early indulgent babymoon! The attractions and experiences that the couple enjoyed included the Hobbiton movie set, the Maori rock carvings accessible via Lake Taupo and a floatplane flight over it, the silica-rich pools at Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Spa, an immersion into nature at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, a glimpse into the Maori way of life at The Haka Shop, a wine and sculpture trail in Brick Bay, and retail therapy in Britomart. Rajkummar also threw himself into some more active adventures as well. Congratulations to the new parents! Also Read: Patralekhaa And Rajkummar Rao Celebrate 4th Wedding Anniversary! Paying a heartfelt tribute to the martyrs, the Bollywood superstar said, "My humble tribute to the innocent people who lost their lives in the 26/11 terrorist attack, the Pahalgam terrorist attack, and the recent Delhi blasts. And my respectful salute to our brave security personnel who were martyred in these attacks. When someone asks you what you do, say with pride that I protect the country. If someone asks you how much you earn, smile slightly and say, I earn the blessings of 1.4 billion people. And if they turn around and ask you again, Arent you ever afraid? Look them in the eye and say, those who attack us feel it." Shah Rukh Khan recently attended the Global Peace Honours 2025 in Mumbai, where he paid a tribute to the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year and the recent Delhi blasts. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Filmfare (@filmfare) The actor saluted the mothers of the brave hearts for raising such brave people, their fathers for instilling resilience in them, and their partners for helping keep their spirits high. SRK gave a reference to his dialogue from the film Don and continued, "They always say India never bows down to anyone. Its not been stopped or defeated. Its sovereignty has never been stripped away. Because as long as this nations superheroes, the men in uniform, are there, to take away this countrys peace, mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai (is not just difficult, it is impossible)." The Jawan actor then spoke about the importance of speech and said that peace gives birth to better ideas and thinking. King Khan urged people to forget caste, creed and discrimination and walk the path of humanity so that the martyrdom of the heroes is not in vain. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Filmfare (@filmfare) After his speech, SRK joined a group of young girls and performed on the song Ye Jo Des Hai Tera from his film Swades. On the work front, the actor will next be seen in action-thriller King. Also Read: PHOTOS: Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan Visit Abu Dhabis Natural History Museum COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Nov. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to attract high-spending international visitors, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, in collaboration with Vietnam Airlines, organized the Vietnam Tourism Promotion Program in Copenhagen, Denmark, on November 19, 2025. The event is a key tourism promotion activity aimed at showcasing an image of Vietnam as a dynamic, friendly, and culturally rich destination to international audiences, while officially announcing the launch of the direct flight route between Ho Chi Minh City and Copenhagen. This is the first non-stop air service connecting Vietnam and Denmark, opening up new opportunities for tourism cooperation, trade, and cultural exchange between the two nations, as well as strengthening connections between Vietnam and Northern Europe. According to the plan, Vietnam Airlines will officially launch the Ho Chi Minh City - Copenhagen route on December 15, 2025, with a frequency of three round-trip flights per week operated by the modern Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The new route will reduce travel time between Vietnam and Denmark to approximately 12 hours, offering passengers a seamless and comfortable travel experience. Ho Chi Minh City - Copenhagen: Departs at 22:45 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays Copenhagen - Ho Chi Minh City: Departs at 10:50 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays The launch of this direct route marks a strategic step in Vietnam Airlines' expansion of its European network, serving as a key bridge for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Northern Europe. It also reaffirms Ho Chi Minh City's position as Vietnam's leading economic, cultural, and tourism hub, a vibrant regional destination and an aviation gateway connecting Southeast Asia with Europe. As part of the Copenhagen program, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, in collaboration with Vietnam Airlines, the Hanoi Department of Tourism, and the Saigontourist Group, will co-host a tourism promotion roadshow, introducing the distinctive product ecosystem and signature travel experiences of the "New Ho Chi Minh City" - a dynamic, innovative, and globally integrated destination built on three key pillars: Ho Chi Minh City - a financial, cultural, and international tourism center, representing creativity, a dynamic business environment, and premium urban experiences in the region; Binh Duong Area - a center for industry and MICE tourism, developing high-quality products in convention, trade, exhibition, and business tourism, strengthening the link between the economy and the tourism sector; Ba Ria - Vung Tau Area - a coastal economic and resort destination, renowned for beach tourism, water sports, and high-end leisure, enriching the city's tourism portfolio and expanding the visitor experience. Ms. Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, emphasized that the launch of the direct flight to Copenhagen holds special significance in reinforcing the City's role as Vietnam's international tourism gateway and its largest tourist reception center. The new route will also create favorable conditions for expanding connections and attracting visitors from the Nordic market to Vietnam and vice versa. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism highly appreciates Vietnam Airlines' efforts to expand its European flight network and its decision to select Ho Chi Minh City as the Vietnamese destination for the new direct route connecting Vietnam and Denmark. The close cooperation between the two sides plays an essential role in enhancing the synergy between aviation and tourism, broadening opportunities for international collaboration and cultural exchange, and promoting the City's sustainable tourism growth. Instagram: @visit.hochiminhcity Facebook: @visitvibranthochiminhcity LinkedIn: Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City TikTok: @visithcmc YouTube: Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2829607/Ho_Chi_Minh_City_Department_of_Tourism.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ho-chi-minh-city-partners-with-vietnam-airlines-to-promote-vietnamese-tourism-in-northern-europe--launching-direct-flights-between-ho-chi-minh-city-and-copenhagen-denmark-302623941.html LONDON, Nov. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's music industry came together to celebrate eleven groundbreaking artists being honoured as this year's winners of the Aga Khan Music Awards in a ceremony last night at Southbank Centre, London. The winners - from Morocco, Bahrain, Turkiye, Iran, Lebanon, India, Mali, Palestine, Greece, Pakistan and Senegal - represent a wide range of musical heritages and their evolutions. These artists have all made exceptional contributions to the wellbeing of their communities, and, in some cases, are the last remaining master musicians of their traditions. Among this year's laureates are the legendary khyal maestro Ustad Naseeruddin Saami and distinguished qawwals the Warsi Brothers, who both trace their heritage to Amir Khusrau - the esteemed Sufi poet, musician, and visionary polymath who profoundly shaped the cultural history of South Asia; Bahrain's Qalali Folk Band, which has been preserving the cultural memory of the nation's pearl divers for over 100 years; Palestinian oud player and vocalist Kamilya Jubran, a trailblazer in contemporary Arabic music; and Iranian composer Sabha Aminikia, founder of the Flying Carpet Festival, which brings moments of joy to children living in conflict zones. The laureates, selected by an independent seven-member jury from a pool of over 400 nominees, share a prize fund of $500,000. The Awards ceremony headlined a four-day festival celebrating music from the Great East and marked the first time the Aga Khan Music Awards have taken place in the United Kingdom. His Highness the Aga Khan said: "I am honoured to carry forward a vision deeply rooted in my father's belief in the power of music to bridge cultures and uplift the human spirit. The Aga Khan Music Awards reflect values that lie at the heart of the Aga Khan Development Network: pluralism, intercultural dialogue and the spiritual connection that communities around the world find in music. In many of the regions we serve, music is an integral part of daily life, woven into the rhythms of prayer, celebration, memory and identity. We continue to support artists and traditions that speak not only to heritage, but also to hope." Further Information Free to use images View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/trailblazing-artists-from-across-the-globe-honoured-at-the-aga-khan-music-awards-302623974.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 23, 2025) - Bitzero Holdings Inc. ("Bitzero" or the "Company"), the company focused on sustainable Blockchain and High-Performance Computing data centers, is pleased to announce that its voting shares will begin trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") under ticker symbol "BITZ.U" at market open on November 24, 2025. "This strategic milestone comes at a pivotal moment for Bitzero, during a historic bull run in the crypto market and surging demand for data center capacity," stated Mohammed Bakhashwain, President and CEO of Bitzero. "Combined with our aggressive infrastructure expansion strategy and our low-cost operations, this move will allow us to deliver even more capacity, faster, to meet market demand and provide exceptional value for investors. I'm extremely proud of our team for making this opportunity a reality." Bitzero has among the lowest cryptocurrency mining costs in the industry, at ~US$0.04 per KwH. Bitzero's energy, IT and crypto infrastructure deliver an all-in breakeven cost of US$56,000 and Bitcoin mining efficiency at 20j/ths. The Company currently owns four data center locations: two in Norway, one in Finland and one in the U.S. with a combined energy growth capacity of over 1GW, powered by clean, sustainable power. In just four years, Bitzero has centered its focus on data center and cryptocurrency operations through sustainable energy practices and community integration that combine performance and stakeholder value with environmental responsibility and stewardship. This unique approach to developing low-cost, renewable energy and compute infrastructure has already attracted over US$100 million in investment (including in-kind contributions at fair market value), also from high-profile investor Kevin O'Leary of Shark Tank fame. "When I invest in any asset class, I aim to own both the asset and the infrastructure behind it," O'Leary said. "If you believe in Bitcoin, why not also invest in the tools that make it possible? That's the energy, the power, the data centers - and Bitzero delivers on all of that." For more information, visit www.bitzero.com. Bitzero's Bitcoin Mining Product and Operations Metrics Bitzero announces unaudited production and operations updates for October 2025. Mining Margins* Metric Bitzero Energy Cost kWh 0.04 $/Kwh Daily Energy Cost -$ 38,189 Pool Fees (2%) -$ 355 Gross Profit2 / day $71,034 Gross Profit2 /month $2,131,035 Mining Margin3 % 46.24% Mining Monthly Metrics* Sep-25 Oct-25 Monthly Total Hash Rate EH/s 1.759918616 1.84 Average operational Hash Rate EH/s 1.73 1.788 Bitcoin Mined 23.85 23.47 Bitcoin Hodl 20 16 Bitcoin Sold 3.85 27 % of Bitcoin Production Sold 79% 95% Hodl ($M) 2,300,000 1,488,000 Bitcoin Mined Per 1EH/s 13.79 13.13 Bitcoins mined per EHS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC AVG RANK EHS 1.175 1.328 1.349 1.381 1.408 1.42 1.362 1.362 1.75992 1.788 Bitcoins mined 21.24 21 22.79 21.82 22.836 21.22 21.67 21.3 23.85 23.47 Bitcoins mined per EHS 18.0766 15.8133 16.894 15.8001 16.2188 14.9437 15.9104 15.6388 13.5518 13.1264 All financial figures are unaudited and presented in United States dollars unless otherwise noted. About Bitzero Holdings Inc. Bitzero Holdings Inc. is a provider of IT energy infrastructure and high-efficiency power for data centers. The company focuses on data center development, Bitcoin mining, and obtaining strategic data center hosting partnerships. Bitzero Holdings Inc. now has four data center locations in the North American and Scandinavian regions, powered by clean, low-carbon energy sources. Visit www.bitzero.com for more information. Press Contact: bitzero@nextpr.com Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information in this release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding: the expected timing and commencement of trading of the Company's voting shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"); the Company's business plans and objectives; the development, operation, and expansion of data centers and Bitcoin mining facilities in Norway, Finland, and the United States; the anticipated use of proceeds; the Company's growth strategy; the Company's ability to create shareholder value; and other statements regarding future events, performance, or results. Forward-looking information is based on management's reasonable assumptions at the date such statements are made, including, but not limited to: the timely receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals; the availability and cost of hydroelectric power and mining equipment; the costs associated with operations will remain consistent; the Company's ability to execute its business strategy as planned; the price and network difficulty of Bitcoin; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; the CSE listing will be beneficial for the Company's growth; and the absence of material adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations, or the business environment. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk that final CSE approval is not obtained on the anticipated timeline or at all; risks inherent in IT infrastructure and cryptocurrency mining businesses; fluctuations in power costs, Bitcoin prices, and network difficulty; reliance on key personnel; risks related to insurance, litigation, and regulatory compliance; risks associated with the Company's limited operating history and ability to manage growth; risks relating to political and economic conditions; local laws may impact Bitzero's business; and other risks described under "Risk Factors" in the Company's public disclosure documents available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. *Non-IFRS Measures As a Canadian reporting issuer, Bitzero prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). Under IFRS, the Company employs the revaluation model where increases in the digital currencies' carrying amount is recognized in other comprehensive income and under accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss) in equity, while decreases are recorded in the consolidated statements of income or loss and comprehensive income or loss. However, increases are recognized in profit or loss to the extent that it reverses a revaluation decrease of digital currencies previously recognized in profit or loss. The non-IFRS measures disclosed herein, such as "Gross Profit" and "Mining Margin," are used by management to assess the cash profitability and operating performance of the Company's mining activities. "Gross Profit" is calculated as mining revenue less energy costs and pool fees, and "Mining Margin" is calculated as gross profit divided by mining revenue. These measures are not presented as subtotals in the Company's IFRS financial statements and exclude other direct costs, operating expenses, depreciation, and non-cash items included in IFRS measures such as operating loss or net income (loss). As described in the footnotes below, gross profit is reconciled to IFRS by starting with mining revenue and subtracting only energy costs and pool fees, rather than all direct and operating costs required under IFRS; mining margin is calculated using this gross profit figure. As such, these non-IFRS measures do not reflect changes in the value of assets and liabilities, are not standardized under IFRS, and may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other issuers. Further information regarding non-IFRS measures is provided in the Company's MD&A and listing statement dated November 19, 2025, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Management believes these non-IFRS measures provide investors with additional insight into the Company's ability to generate cash from operations and supplement IFRS measures of financial performance. [1] Gross Profit is calculated as revenue from Bitcoin mining less energy costs and pool fees. This is a non-IFRS measure and is not a subtotal in the Company's IFRS financial statements. In the Company's IFRS statements, revenue and direct costs are presented separately, and gross profit as described here excludes other direct costs (such as depreciation, salaries, and equipment rental) that are included in IFRS "Direct Costs." Therefore, gross profit as disclosed is lower than the IFRS operating profit or loss, and is reconciled by starting with mining revenue and subtracting only energy costs and pool fees, rather than all direct and operating costs required under IFRS. [2] Mining margin is equal to gross profit divided by mining revenue, which is based on an average Bitcoin price of $196,400 in the month of October, 2025. Mining margin is a non-IFRS measure and is not presented as a subtotal in the Company's IFRS financial statements. In IFRS reporting, profitability is reflected in operating profit or loss and net income (loss), which include additional expenses not captured in mining margin. # # # # # NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275649 SOURCE: Bitzero Holdings Inc. Megastar Chiranjeevi attended the muhurat as the special guest, with the team coming together as the first shooting schedule began Headlined by the powerhouse Prabhas, this epic film is the next big move from the hit-making duo, producer Bhushan Kumar and blockbuster director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Adding to the excitement is the talented Triptii Dimri, who creates a fresh new pair with Prabhas. After setting the screen on fire in Animal, Triptii continues her creative journey with Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Bhushan Kumar, and Pranay Reddy Vanga. _SPIRIT_ is a T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures production, crafted to be a massive pan-world entertainer. Big scale, raw emotion, and explosive storytelling, this one is being built to blow minds. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The cameras are rolling. The countdown has started. Get ready. After exiting from Sandeep Reddy Vanga-Prabhas biggie Spirit, the latest reports suggest that the actress has taken the same step for Kalki 2898 AD 2. While the fiasco between Deepika and Vanga has been garnering headlines for quite some time, a new report has emerged discussing the actresss demands for Spirit. The actor had reportedly demanded 25 crores for approximately 35 days of shoot, along with a 10% profit share, extensive entourage expenses, and even expressed unwillingness to deliver dialogues in Telugusomething the director felt strongly about. To top it off, confidential plot details from Spirit were allegedly leaked, which raised serious concerns among the producers," the source told News18. According to the report, Sandeep believes actors speaking their own lines. Contrary to speculation, her restricted filming schedule of under 8 hours a day was never the primary issue. In filmmaking, working hours are fluid and depend on location, lighting, and various technical factors. You could shoot for 2 hours or 8, depending on the scene. What truly matters is flexibility, collaboration, and respect for the craft. Its about commitment. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga believes actors speaking their own lines builds authenticity and emotional connect with the audience," the source added. The director revealed in an interview, It doesnt belong to the same space. There are similarities in how the characters have aggression and rage. But those are just the ingredients and not the story. The buzz around Aanand L Rais Tere Ishk Mein, backed by Bhushan Kumar, was already at an all-time high and the excitement soared even further as actors Dhanush, Kriti Sanon and Director Aanand L Rai took their promotional tour to Delhi. The city, where majority of the films heartwarming and iconic scenes were shot, welcomed the stars with open arms. The duo and director kicked off their Delhi appearance at the media press conference where they charmed everyone with their wit, shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes from filming in Delhi, and spoke about the joys of bringing this intense love story to life. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The excitement didnt stop there. Three of them later visited India Gate, a location where they relived shooting Shankar and Muktis scenes from the film. Fans flocked to the spot, turning the tourist spot into a cinematic spectacle as Dhanush and Kriti recreated the on-screen magic in real life. From bustling streets, spending time with the local media to experiencing the familiar charm of India Gate, Delhi became the ultimate set as Dhanush, Kriti Sanon and Aanand L Rai celebrated _Tere Ishk Mein_ with fans and media alike. Comparisons with Animal and Kabir Singh The director revealed in an interview, It doesnt belong to the same space. There are similarities in how the characters have aggression and rage. But those are just the ingredients and not the story. I never found Dhanushs character in Raanjhanaa to be a stalker. It is just my perspective of a boy from Benaras, and that is his expression. I dont understand why we take everything on ourselves. We are just telling stories to entertain, added Rai. Gulshan Kumar, T-Series, and Colour Yellow present Tere Ishk Mein, produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma, produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar. The film directed by Aanand L Rai and written by Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav, is an A.R. Rahman musical with lyrics by Irshad Kamil. Starring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, the film is scheduled to release worldwide in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu on 28th November 2025. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Irpinia Earthquake rocked southern regions of Italy on November 23, 1980, claiming the lives of 2,700 people while injuring more than 8,000 others. In the aftermath of the earthquake, Italy created more robust civil protection mechanisms and invested in seismic research and monitoring One of the most devastating natural disasters in the history of Italy occurred on November 23, 1980, when the Irpinia earthquake struck the southern part of the country. Large parts of the Campania and Basilicata regions were devastated in the earthquake. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. On this day in 1946, the Haiphong Massacre took place in Vietnam. During this incident, French naval forces violently bombarded the Vietnamese port city of Haiphong. It is considered to be the spark that ignited the First Indochina War. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that took place on this day across the world. Irpinia earthquake struck Italy One of the deadliest natural disasters in modern Italian history was the Irpinia earthquake that struck on November 23, 1980. Large parts of Italys Campania and Basilicata regions were destroyed in the quake. The 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit at 7:34 pm local time, when many families were at home preparing for the evening, which amplified the human toll. Its epicentre lay between the towns of Eboli, Potenza and Naples, an area known for historical seismic activity but poorly prepared for such a powerful event. The shaking lasted nearly a full minute and was strong enough to flatten entire towns. Villages such as SantAngelo dei Lombardi, Lioni, and Laviano were almost completely destroyed. More than 2,700 people were killed, around 8,000 injured, and an estimated 3,00,000 left homeless. The regions mountainous terrain and narrow roads made rescue efforts extremely difficult. Many survivors, trapped beneath rubble, had to wait for days before assistance could reach them. The earthquake exposed serious weaknesses in Italys emergency response system, while slow government action triggered widespread public anger and international headlines. Italy eventually launched a massive reconstruction effort, with aid pouring in from the European Community, the United States, and numerous international charities. https://youtube.com/shorts/XErWTgdOsnM?si=tlQHeA_BbUxmbwjv Despite the tragedy, the Irpinia earthquake spurred significant reforms. Italy strengthened its building codes, created more robust civil protection mechanisms, and invested in seismic research and monitoring. The disaster also prompted long-term demographic changes, as many displaced families migrated to larger cities in search of work and stability. The Haiphong Massacre took place The Haiphong Massacre took place on this day in 1946, making this one of the most brutal early episodes in the First Indochina War. This marked a decisive break between French colonial authorities and the Viet Minh forces seeking independence for Vietnam. The conflict had been intensifying throughout 1946, with rising tensions around control of customs revenues, port operations, and the governance of northern Vietnam. Haiphong became the flashpoint. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The immediate trigger occurred when a dispute erupted over the inspection of a Chinese vessel suspected of smuggling. A confrontation between French naval personnel and Vietnamese authorities escalated into armed skirmishes. Over the following days, negotiations failed, and mistrust deepened. On November 23, French forces issued an ultimatum demanding the Viet Minhs withdrawal from key areas of the city. When it was ignored, the French Navy launched a devastating bombardment. The attack involved heavy artillery, naval gunfire, and air strikes aimed at Vietnamese positions but ultimately engulfing civilian neighbourhoods as well. Large portions of Haiphongs residential districts were destroyed. Casualty figures remain contested, with French reports estimating around 500 deaths, while Viet Minh sources claimed that as many as 6,000 civilians were killed in the assault. What is undisputed is the scale of destruction and the profound trauma inflicted on the population. The massacre eliminated any remaining possibility of peaceful coexistence between France and the Viet Minh. Just weeks later on December 19, the Viet Minh launched a nationwide uprising, marking the official beginning of the First Indochina War. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This Day, That Year The first episode of the British science-fiction television series Doctor Who aired in 1963. The first issue of Life magazine was published in 1936. In 1863, the Battle of Chattanooga during the American Civil War began. With inputs from agencies Sheikh Hasina was the newsmaker of the week. Once the most powerful person in Bangladesh, she has now been sentenced to death. The former PM is living in exile in New Delhi. So what will India do? We discuss this, the China-Japan tensions and MBSs White House visit in our roundup A woman waves Bangladesh's national flag beside an effigy of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina during a protest in Dhaka. Bangladesh's special tribunal court found found the former PM guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. File photo/AFP Indias neighbourhood has been volatile over the past year. Bangladesh is on edge once again after the death sentence of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and Gen-Z protests have returned to Nepal. Pakistan is a constant headache with its war-mongering. Tension is also brewing between China and Japan. This comes after Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi suggested that her country could respond militarily if China moved to take control of Taiwan. Now, Beijing is piling up pressure by warning citizens against travelling and studying in Japan, suspending seafood imports and halting Japanese movie releases. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the West, Donald Trump has a busy week. He had two big meetings at the White House: First, with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, for whom he rolled out the red carpet. And the second was with New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, which went surprisingly well. The president also signed the bill to release the controversial Epstein files, marking a big turning point in the fight over the documents. The US Justice Department now has 30 days to share all the information from the investigation into the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, who once socialised with Trump. After the Gaza peace plan, Trump has a 28-point proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. It will force Volodymyr Zelenskyy to give up additional territory in the east, cap the size of its military, and agree never to join Nato. But will Kyiv compromise? We analyse whats next in the Russia-Ukraine war and more in our weekly wrap. 1. More than a year ago, Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in Bangladesh and forced to flee to India, where she is living in exile. Now, she has been sentenced to death by the countrys International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity for her role in the crackdown on the 2024 protests. We explain the death sentence and what is next for her in these stories. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 2. After the death sentence, there has been an increasing speculation over the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in New Delhi in exile. Bangladeshs foreign ministry said after the verdict that it was obligatory responsibility for India to send back the former prime minister. While India has an extradition treaty with its neighbour, can it turn a deaf ear to Dhakas plea? We look at the extradition treaty and New Delhis options. A demonstrator celebrated after the verdict in cases against the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in Dhaka on November 17. Reuters 3. Alls not well between China and Japan. And it all started with one remark by Japanese PM Sanae Taikichi. After she spoke about responding militarily if China moved to take control of Taiwan, Beijing has been seething. After two weeks, the spat shows no sign of ending. In fact, China is flexing its economic might by warning its citizens and students from travelling to Japan, suspending film releases and banning seafood from the country. Can Tokyo withstand this? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Chinese tourist group visits the Sensoji temple, a popular sightseeing spot at the Asakusa district in Tokyo, on November 18. Amid escalating row over Taikichis remarks, China warned its tourists not to travel to Japan. Reuters 4. The Jeffrey Epstein saga continues to unfold. After a months-long fight to prevent the disclosure of the Epstein files, Donald Trump took a U-turn. He has signed a bill that compels the US Justice Department to release the documents. So what happens next in the scandal involving the sex offender and many of his influential friends? Will the full information be released soon? A person holds a placard with images of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein during a rally in New York City, on September 20, 2025. Reuters 5. Trumps association with Epstein is no secret. Its a subject that has been haunting his second presidency. So when a woman reporter asked the president a question about the files, he silenced her. Quiet, quiet, piggy, he remarked. However, this is not the first time Trump has snubbed a woman journalist. He has a poor track record. Quiet, piggy! Donald Trump snaps at female reporter asking about the Epstein files. pic.twitter.com/QNzVwlWg2O Pop Base (@PopBase) November 18, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 6. The White House has an important guest earlier in the week Saudi Arabias Mohammed bin Salman. Trump rolled out the red carpet for the Crown Prince. He secured big investments and military hardware, the most prominent being the F-35s. Here is why the US promise to sell the jets to Saudi Arabia is so controversial. Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attend the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, DC, on November 19. Reuters 7. After Gaza, a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine is in the works. But there is a catch. Kyiv has not been part of the talks. Its hatched by the US and Russia. The proposal is said to pressure Ukraine to give up land and the desire to join the Nato. So what else is in this plan that aims to end the war? 8. Our last story is about outages. Half of the worlds internet stopped working on Wednesday yes, once again. From ChatGPT to X, several websites were down. At the centre of this was Cloudflare. What is this invisible service? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thats our reading list for this Sunday. Have a good one. If you want to understand the news better, you will find more such explainers here. PS: On a lighter note, we tell you the story about the worlds first kiss. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model . Does the November share price for FDM Group (Holdings) plc ( LON:FDM ) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. 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 (3.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.7%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035 (1 + g) (r g) = UK14m (1 + 3.0%) (9.7% 3.0%) = UK216m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK216m ( 1 + 9.7%)10= UK86m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is UK177m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of UK1.4, the company appears about fair value at a 17% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. LSE:FDM Discounted Cash Flow November 23rd 2025 The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at FDM Group (Holdings) 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 9.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.315. 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 FDM Group (Holdings) SWOT Analysis for FDM Group (Holdings) Strength Currently debt free. Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Opportunity Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Threat Dividends are not covered by earnings. Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 3 years. Next Steps: Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For FDM Group (Holdings), there are three additional elements you should look at: Risks: To that end, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with FDM Group (Holdings) (including 1 which is significant) . Future Earnings: How does FDM's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every British 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. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said Sindh may not be part of India today but remains tied to the country through deep civilisational and cultural links and suggested the region could even reunite with India in the future. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that while the Sindh region is not part of India today, it remains deeply connected to the country through civilisational and cultural ties and could even return to India someday. Speaking at an event, Singh said the province of Sindh, located along the Indus River, went to Pakistan after the 1947 Partition, forcing large numbers of Sindhi Hindus to migrate to India. The region shares a border with Gujarat and Rajasthan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Quoting former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, who was born in Sindh, Singh said Sindhi Hindus of that generation had never emotionally accepted the separation of Sindh from India because of their reverence for the Indus River. Id like to recall Advani jis words that Sindhi Hindus, especially those of his generation, still havent accepted Sindhs separation from India, Singh said. For Hindus across India, the Indus River has always been sacred. Many Muslims in Sindh also believed that the Indus was no less holy than the Aab-e-Zamzam of Mecca. #WATCH | Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "...Today, the land of Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilisationally, Sindh will always be a part of India. And as far as land is concerned, borders can change. Who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India again..." pic.twitter.com/9Wp1zorTMt ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2025 Singh added that the cultural bond between India and Sindh remains intact. Today, the land of Sindh may not be part of India, but civilisationally, it will always belong to us. As far as territory is concerned, borders can change. Who knows tomorrow, Sindh may return to India again. The people of Sindh, who hold the Indus River sacred, will always be our own. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He also praised the Sindhi community in India, saying they rebuilt their lives from scratch after the trauma of Partition and have since made significant contributions to Indias economic and social development. Singh had made similar remarks last month in Morocco while addressing the Indian community there. He said growing discontent in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) could eventually lead to its merger with India without any military action. PoK will be ours on its own, he said. Demands have already begun. You must have heard the sloganeering. Recalling his address to the Indian Army in Kashmir five years ago, Singh added: I had said then that we will not need to attack PoK. It is anyway ours and one day, PoK itself will say, Main bhi Bharat hoon. That day will come. During the funeral, the Syals wife, also a Wing Commander, paid a final tribute to her husband and fellow officer Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot who tragically died when his Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Mk-1) crashed during the Dubai Airshow, was laid to rest on Sunday in his native village of Patialkar, Himachal Pradesh. During the funeral, Syals wife, also a Wing Commander, paid a final tribute to her husband and fellow officer. #WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: Wing Commander Afshan salutes her husband, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, as she pays her last respects to him. Wing Commander Namansh Syal lost his life in the LCA Tejas crash in Dubai on 21st November. pic.twitter.com/DPKwARut4r ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 34-year-old Wing Commander, died on Friday (November 21) when his fighter jet suddenly dropped during a routine aerobatic display at one of the worlds largest aviation events. He is survived by his wife, a six-year-old daughter, and his parents. A court of inquiry is currently investigating the exact cause of the accident. This video shows Wing Commander Namansh Syal was flying with absolute control just seconds before his bird Tejas went down. What caused this heartbreaking tragedy is something only he or our experienced Combat Air Warriors can truly understand. Salute to the brave brother pic.twitter.com/RQF2QQub8Y Major Surendra Poonia (@MajorPoonia) November 22, 2025 The IAF honoured the Wing Commander, calling him a dedicated fighter pilot and thorough professional known for his unwavering commitment and exceptional skill. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The final rites were performed after the pilot was accorded a full gun salute by fellow IAF officers who had gathered to pay their respects. The loss drew condolences from public figures, including Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and actor Kamal Haasan, who called him a brave son of India taken far too soon. Gelatin sticks are powerful industrial explosives used mainly for controlled blasting in mining, construction, and roadwork. They contain nitroglycerin-based compounds and are highly dangerous if stored or handled improperly The explosibes were found near the Government High Secondary School in Dabara village in Almora. A major security scare in Almora, Uttarakhand, has put police on alert after a large stash of explosive gelatin sticks was found just a few feet from a village school. The explosives were discovered near the Government Higher Secondary School in Dabara village, Sult area, and authorities are now investigating where they came from and what they were meant for. The school principal first raised the alarm after spotting suspicious packets in dense bushes near the building during an inspection. He immediately alerted authorities, prompting a quick response from local police. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Police cordoned off the area as soon as they arrived, given the large quantity and dangerous nature of the explosives. Bomb disposal teams and dog squads were called in from Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital to inspect the site. Officers recovered 161 gelatin sticks, weighing over 20 kilogrammes, hidden in several packets scattered in the bushes. SSP Devendra Pincha told reporters, A total of 161 gelatin sticks were found near a school in Dabra village. Police and the bomb disposal squad examined the area, and nearby locations were also searched. Gelatin sticks are powerful explosives normally used in mining and construction. Their illegal storage so close to a schoola highly sensitive zonehas raised major concerns. We are investigating why these explosives were brought to the village, Pincha added. Police have registered a case against unknown persons under the Explosive Substances Act and relevant sections of the BNS. Four teams have been formed to trace the source of the explosives and determine their intended use. The discovery comes amid heightened security nationwide after recent blast incidents and large seizures of explosive materials in other states. Authorities are now working to find out whether this cache is part of a wider criminal or terror-linked plot. The conviction of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, delivered in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunala domestic tribunaland culminating in a death sentence, has thrust South Asia into one of its most sensitive political flashpoints in decades. For Dhaka, the verdict is not merely a legal pronouncement; it marks the dramatic unravelling of a political dynasty that has influenced Bangladesh since its birth. Hasina is not only a four-term prime minister but also the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of Bangladeshs 1971 liberation and a figure whose struggle was intimately intertwined with Indias own regional and humanitarian commitments during the war. Her familys historic relationship with Indiaforged in exile, sanctuary, and shared sacrificehas long underpinned the unusually close strategic, security, and developmental partnership between New Delhi and Dhaka. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is against this heavy historical backdrop that Bangladesh has now formally asked India to extradite Hasina following the tribunals ruling, which centres on the security forces lethal crackdown on the mass student protests of JulyAugust 2024. The decision has sharpened political rhetoric within Bangladesh and triggered a flurry of urgent, discreet consultations in New Delhi. For India, the request presents not just a legal quandary but a profound diplomatic dilemma: should New Delhi comply with an extradition demand involving a leader whose political lineage is inseparable from the very foundations of IndiaBangladesh friendship? Or should it refuse, thereby risking a serious rupture with an increasingly fragile neighbour at a moment when both countries critically depend on stable cooperation in trade, energy, connectivity, and border management? The Verdict and Its Regional Stakes The tribunals decision on November 17, 2025, found Sheikh Hasina guilty on multiple counts related to the deadly suppression of student-led demonstrations in 2024; the court handed down capital sentences to Hasina and several senior officials in absentia. The convictions are the culmination of a year-long, fraught processoften accused of being politically motivatedthat began after mass protests, which toppled the government, and Hasina fled to India in August 2024. The verdict has been hailed in Dhaka as a milestone of accountability; criticsinside Bangladesh and abroadhave warned that trials in absentia and the speed of political retribution risk exacerbating national polarisation and eroding due process. For New Delhi, the calculus is complicated by three overlapping realities. First, India and Bangladesh share an extradition treaty framework and long-standing legal contacts; Dhaka is therefore asserting a formal right to demand Hasinas return. Second, Hasina has been resident on Indian soil since fleeing in 2024, making any decision non-hypothetical. Third, bilateral relations have already been strained since the overthrow of Hasinas government, and Bangladesh continues to await an elected goverment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD New Delhis earlier comments on the conduct of Bangladeshs interim administration and its push for inclusive elections were publicly rebuked in Dhaka, leaving a residue of mistrust. Together, these facts turn what might otherwise be a standard treaty case into a geopolitical test of Indias neighbour policy. Legal Tools, Political Choices On paper, Indias response could be framed within standard extradition law: an extradition treaty typically lists extraditable offences, prescribes procedures, and allows state discretion where the requested person faces the death penalty or risks of unfair trial or where the offence is political in character. In practice, however, the legal rubric is inseparable from political judgement. New Delhi can lawfully refuse extradition on grounds such as potential for political persecution or if mandatory safeguardsa fair hearing, appeals and non-application of the death penaltyare absent. Several analysts point out that extradition is as much a diplomatic judgement as a legal one: accepting Dhakas demand would amount to active collaboration with a government that, even in pro-government narratives, is confronting sharp internal division; refusing it would be portrayed in Dhaka as sheltering an accused human-rights violator. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Beyond legal technicalities, New Delhi must weigh immediate national interests: supply chains (including electricity agreements and cross-border energy projects), porous border management, counterterrorism cooperation, and the stability of a strategically located neighbour. Prior transactions, including energy imports and rail/port linkages, underscore that both economies are interdependent even as political trust frays. A precipitous rupture would not only disrupt commerce but also hand greater diplomatic space to other external actors eager to expand influence in Dhaka. Conversely, acceding without careful safeguards could damage Indias international standing on rule-of-law and human-rights grounds. Risks of Escalation and Regional Spillovers Domestic reaction in Bangladesh to the tribunals verdict has already been volatile: episodes of arson, explosions and clashes have been reported around Dhaka; the security establishment is on high alert. The prospect of large-scale unrest or retaliatory violence is real, and if unrest deepens, it will produce refugee flows, cross-border criminality and pressure on Indian border states. There is also an electoral calendar to consider: Bangladeshs interim administration has set national elections for the first half of April 2026. The verdictand any ensuing diplomatic standoffcould reshape the pre-electoral environment, harden partisan narratives and influence who stands where in the campaign season. For India, the worst-case scenario is sustained instability that preempts orderly elections and creates a governance vacuum in which non-state actors and third-country rivals can entrench themselves. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias Strategic Choices Indias policy toolkit in this particular case is narrow but not empty. A strictly legalistic refusal to extradite, supported by a carefully worded public statement emphasising legal safeguards and the extraordinary risks of capital punishment in trials held in absentia, would be defensible but it should be paired with robust, visible diplomacy aimed at preventing escalation. New Delhi can offer to host a mediated dialogue under neutral auspices, propose an independent review panel of legal experts, or encourage multilateral observation of any retrial in Dhaka that meets international fair-trial standards. Such moves would signal that India is not shielding individuals from accountability while also dissuading Dhaka from taking unilateral punitive steps that spill across borders. A second pragmatic track is compartmentalisation: explicitly agreeing to preserve cooperation on immediate, mutual concerns (energy supply stability, border management, counter-terror cooperation, and trade facilitation) while suspending certain high-politics interactions pending legal and political de-escalation. This would protect the day-to-day functional ties that matter to millions on both sides, even if diplomatic warmth cools. It is, however, politically costly because it formalises a downgrade in bilateral trusta price New Delhi must consider against the cost of doing nothing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Norms, Leverage and Credibility Indias longer-term response will hinge on whether it chooses to prioritise principled restraint or transactional gains. A principled posture grounded in human-rights consistency and legal norms would protect Indias international credibility, especially among middle-power democracies that watch South Asia closely. Yet such a posture must come with active diplomacy to avert immediate fallout. A transactional posture, one that treats the case as a bargaining chip to extract concessions on infrastructure, investment, or border cooperation, risks short-term gains at the expense of long-term trust and the moral high ground New Delhi claims in many forums. There is no perfect choice. The smart policy is to blend principle with prudence: be transparent about legal constraints; offer conditional engagement on legal review and safeguards; and simultaneously mobilise regional and international interlocutors to lower temperatures. Indias objective must be to ensure that legal accountability, if pursued, follows procedures that preclude violent backlash and that any international criticism of Bangladeshs process is channelled constructively rather than punitively. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Conclusion The Hasina conviction and Dhakas demand place India in an unenviable position where law, politics and geopolitics collide. New Delhis response will reveal not only its posture towards a turbulent neighbour but also how it balances legal obligations with geopolitical prudence. The imperative is clear: avoid transactional reflexes, use legal mechanisms with care, and prioritise stabilising diplomacy. In a region where proximity is destiny, the best strategy is to be a steady, predictable partnerone that defends the rule of law while preventing a convulsion next door from becoming a wider regional crisis. The coming weeks will test New Delhis capacity to do precisely that. (Amal Chandra is an author, political analyst, and columnist. He tweets @ens_socialis. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) Even as the government is proceeding confidently towards building a global blue economy for the future, the recent publication of new deep-sea fishing rules can add much more than is understood. The idea is to fully exploit the nations marine wealth spread across the 223-lakh Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), starting with fish and other food products, which have great export potential, hence forex possibilities, too. To begin with, a greater catch, without over-exploitation or glutting the local market, too, can help increase the intake of protein and essential minerals among people, particularly the economically weaker sections of the society that cant otherwise afford other high-protein food products. But there is more to it, and that is what the new rules imply. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There is an old adage popular among academics studying the nations marine wealth in the context of the EEZ, which is likely to be expanded further, that most fish in our waters die of old age and natural causes, as there is little or inadequate exploitation. At the same time, over-exploitation in nearer waters, closer to the shores, however relative, has led to multiple disputes among fishers of our own land and those involving their counterparts from neighbouring countries, particularly Sri Lanka, but also Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, among others. Domestic disputes involve protests and mid-sea battles between artisanal fishers and mechanised boats on the one hand, and bottom-trawlers on the other. The tendency of the latter class to intrude into the five-kilometre waters if there is a good catch has been amply recorded. So there have been quarrels between mechanised fishers and artisanal fishers on the one hand, and between mechanised fishers from two adjoining states within the Indian Union. Typically, Andhra fishers have been known to arrest wanton intruders from adjoining Tamil Nadu, with their boats and catch, and demand high costs and fines from the owners in the Tamil Nadu capital of Chennai and neighbourhoods. It is a kangaroo court of sorts, but that works, and that alone works, according to the Andhra fishers. Seldom does the law and order machinery intervene, as seldom do those arrested register a formal police complaint to begin with. In a way, the new deep-sea fishing rules are only a codification and/or updating of the policy that has been around for a long time. The idea has a greater focus this time, to help the deep-sea fishers just as the Centre has been supporting and subsidising farmers on landto produce more. The success of the new rules depends on reaching and engaging the fishing communities along the nations 11,099 km coastline. This is apart from the freshwater river fish industry, which is much more in the unorganised sector than coastal fishing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to the official statement, the coastline and EEZ together provide livelihood to more than 50 lakh people in the fishing community. The spin-off effect on families and communities will be much more. A focused study needs to be undertaken to evaluate the cause-and-effect factor in this sector. The new rules, for instance, mark a shift towards community-led models, combining digital innovation with sustainable fishing practices. Joint Enforcement Going by present experiences, it is better said than done. Yet, the need for introducing standards about the length of individual fish species that can be caught and the mandatory need for returning the younger ones into the sea cannot be gainsaid. It is here the governments enforcement machinery is non-existent or ineffective. To be precise, elsewhere in the world, neighbouring nations have been sharing their fish catch or have even fixed upper limits for total catch by their deep-sea fishing vessels, mostly in the private sector. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Such nations also have joint enforcement mechanisms that at times stop overloaded vessels, check their catch against the annual/seasonal allocation made for individual nations, and together dump the stored catch into the sea if it exceeds the bilateral agreement. There can also be monetary penalties on the fishing corporates, seizure of vessels for non-compliance and even penal proceedings in courts. What Enforcement India and the Indian deep-sea fishers need to know is the way the system has worked successfully in those nations/regions. Hence, there should be lesser difficulty in Indian authorities enforcing the standardisation rules exclusively for Indian fishers. Suffice it to point out that the new rules clearly prohibit foreign deep-sea vessels from poaching in the Indian EEZ. The question is if the Centre would legally authorise the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to intervene effectively in such cases like the way the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) has been acting in the mid-seas, arresting fishers on board Indian bottom-trawlers mostly from southern Tamil Nadus Rameswaram coast, with their vessels, on the twin chances of violating Sri Lankan sovereignty on their side of the IMBL and also for poaching. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After Parliament cleared the government-moved law a few years back, Sri Lankan courts too have been handing down harsh punishments on Indian fishers arrested mid-sea. Pending a negotiated settlement, there is a clear/interim need to educate the Rameswaram fishers over the Sri Lankan laws, which too would require revision if there is a mutually agreeable solution. This by itself should hasten the need for a negotiated settlementor educate the Rameswaram fishers on the ground realities, which are far from what they have known it to be and want it to be for generations and centuries. Cultural Inhibition Together, the Centre and the Tamil Nadu Government began implementing a jointly funded deep-sea fishing project for Rameswaram fishers as far back as 2011, if only to ensure that they did not continue with the banned bottom-trawling and purse seine nets. The greater concern was to dissuade them from crossing the IMBL, which is a creation of the times, and also not to interfere with the livelihood of the Sri Lankan Tamil fishers, who were just recovering from three decades of ethnic war and its economic consequences, given the presence of the LTTEs Sea Tigers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The AIADMK Government of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was diffident despite the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), charged with the task of resolving the Palk Bay dispute amicably, coming up with the deep-sea fishing proposal as a viable long-term alternative. However, once she got hooked on to it, successive state governments did try to promote the causebut were not adequately successful. As was already known, the Rameswaram fishers in particular were not known to have stayed out in the sea for more than one night at a time. For them, long stays under the deep-sea fishing scheme were unacceptable. It was a cultural inhibition for them, and the Centre especially was aware of it even at commencement. However, it was Cyclone Ockhi in 2017 that disincentivised deep-sea fishing for Rameswaram tradesmen. Unconfirmed reports that hundreds of fishers from the southernmost Kanyakumari, long experienced in deep-sea fishing, had died in mid-sea when Ockhi struck were enough to put off Rameswaram fishers. No serious efforts have been made either to disabuse them of their perceptions from the past. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD De-politicising Palk Bay Today, for the Palk Bay fishing issue to be resolved amicably, negotiations are not the real way out. Even if the Colombo Government, independent of party or ethnic affiliation, agrees to it, the Tamil fishers of Sri Lankas North would continue to be uncompromising. Yes, they agree to let Rameswaram/Indian fishers in under conditions, but the topmost in the list is for the latter to give up bottom trawling and purse seine nets. It is not an attractive proposition for the Indian fishers, who are still ready to risk getting caught by the Sri Lankan Navy along with their trawlers and sent to prison for long terms by Sri Lankan courts. Its not going to work in any negotiations. What then is the way out? De-politicising Palk Bay fishing very consciously should be the first step. In Sri Lanka, for instance, there is a nascent belief that Tamil fishers of the North are now siding with the ruling JVP. Hence, the chances of the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake taking Indias side are just not on. Within India, competing political parties should understand that while the Palk Bay dispute, especially the SLN arrest of Rameswaram fishers, is a live political issue, it has never ever been an electoral factor. It has not decided the Assembly or Lok Sabha polls in the Ramanathapuram LS constituency, of which Rameswaram is only a part. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the midst of the Sri Lanka Navy frequently arresting Rameswaram fishers and their incarceration by local courts, Tamil Nadus DMK Chief Minister M K Stalin has been writing to External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to obtain their freedom. The Centre follows up on the same and has been able to obtain their freedom in many, if not most or all, of the cases. All of it has exposed the Rameswaram fishers to the limitation of bilateral relations and internal laws, with the result that they have been realistic enough not to overdo their demands and protests. So much so that, ahead of the 2011 Assembly elections, an all-party delegation of Rameswaram trawler fishers met leaders of all political parties in the state and urged them not to hijack what was a livelihood issue for them. Persuasive Way Out Indications were that the governments at the Centre and the State would work together independent of their political and ideological differences once last years Lok Sabha polls were behind. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EAM Jaishankar revived another part of the fishers dispute by reopening the Katchchatheevu issue. Like AIADMKs Jayalalithaa before them, the two BJP leaders, in the midst of the LS poll campaign last year, blamed what they called the ceding of the unmarked tiny islet to Sri Lanka on the ruling Congress at the Centre and the DMK in the State, way back in 1974/1976. Today, when the State is on the cusp of yet another Assembly election next year, there is anxiety in circles concerned that contesting political parties should not take a short-sighted view of Katchatheevu, where local fishers have long since conceded that no fish grow any more. All of it leaves the Rameswaram fishers with a fast-tracked limited option of looking at deep-sea fishing as the only way out. They need to be told that, like the (now-certified destructive) bottom-trawling that was introduced under Norwegian assistance, bottom-trawling will be more profitable and less hassled compared to the risks that they are facing while crossing the IMBL, which is for real and is not going to be changed. They also have to be educated and convinced that there is no way the Sri Lankan Tamil fishers of the North are going to agree to any shared fishing until the Indian counterparts give up bottom trawling and purse seine nets. Possibly by deploying grassroots-level fisheries and revenue officials, and also by roping in local village panchayat leaders, the fishers should be encouraged first and trained next to take to deep-sea fishing. Their reservations flowing from cultural habits like overnight-stay-only-at-sea and real-life apprehensions after Cyclone Ockhi are not insurmountable if the government presses the local officials, community leaders, NGOs and also church leaders into moulding their views. Truth be acknowledged, many, if not most, trawler owners in Rameswaram are self-sufficient in terms of funding, but the financial assistance now being offered for deep-sea fishing would check against risks in the medium term. The idea of a mothership and the like is alien to them all, and the governments at the Centre and the State should coordinate efforts to take Rameswaram fishers out in those motherships and expose them to the emerging realities in the Indian Ocean waters and how they too need to readjust themselves if they have to prosper. In fact, a decade or so back, two motherships from Australia anchored off the Chennai Port. In the absence of adequate preparations to provide exposure to even local fishers who had taken to deep-sea fishing already, they spent a couple of months and went away. In fact, the mothership concept is only the next step to deep-sea fishing, or the more modern and more fisherman-friendly version, as it ensures that the captured fish can be stored without rotting and can be sold at attractive prices on a later day rather than being disposed of almost immediately. Yes, there are cultural adjustments that they need to make; the fishers need to undergo them, but they also know that there are no fruits without sweat. Considering that many, and possibly most, trawler-owner families have their next generation taking to computer and management education in a big way, their exposure to other worldly ways is an advantage that the governments at the Centre and the State should pressand the nation would stand to benefit! (N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and author, is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) Jalore, in Western Rajasthans Marwar region, rarely makes the news. Hence, it came as a surprise to find a story about the place, mentioning the district as the planned setting for an inland port. The news item further stated that this port would be developed by creating a 262-km waterway connecting Jalore with the Gulf of Kutch. The resultant waterway is expected to reduce pressure on rail and roadways. While Jalores appearance in the news did come as a surprise, its connection with Gujarats immense coastline did not. For a thousand years, and perhaps even more, Jalore has been one of the towns in the Marwar region that formed part of an old route to Gujarat. It was a route that existed before cities such as Jodhpur and Jaipur took shape and when the Mewar region around Udaipur was still thick forest, with Chittorgarh as a mighty bastion. Armies and merchant caravans heading to and from Delhi took a circuitous route via the Marwar region to the coast. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Jalore Fort walls and the countryside around Jalore is an old settlement; its hilltop fort was originally built between the 8th and 10th centuries by Paramara dynasty rulers who reigned here. By the 12th century CE, the region was controlled by the Chauhans. The reign of Udayasimha is notable for its prosperity. Unfortunately, it also brought uninvited visitors to the place, visitors who had realised that control of Jalore was vital to ensure an uninterrupted supply of wealth from the coast. While Udayasimha had managed to fight off the Delhi Sultanate ruler Iltutmish in 1228, the early 14th century brought a far more formidable opponent to Jalore. Gateway into Jalore Fort Ala-ud-din Khiljis forces controlled not just North India but had also penetrated deep into the Deccan. For his attack on Jalore, historians have come up with an assortment of reasons. At the time of the attack, Jalore was ruled by the Chauhan descendant Kanhar Deo. It is believed that around 1304-05, Kanhar Deo had accepted the overall suzerainty of the Delhi sultans and was part of the Delhi court. The reasons for his breaking away from that arrangement are hazy. One account holds Ala-ud-din remarking that no king of the land dared to face the might of his armies. Insulted by this, Kanhar Deo rose in revolt. Another version mentions a Khilji princess falling in love with Kanhar Deos son Viramde. Unwilling to get into this alliance, Viramde slipped out of court back to his kingdom, triggering the conflict. The most interesting version is contained in the Kanhad-de-Prabandh, a treatise which brought together a host of bardic narratives and oral histories of the region. Written in the 15th century, the Prabandh speaks of the valour of Kanhar Deo. It says that when the Khilji commander Ulugh Khan was returning from a raid into Gujarat, bringing with him the Shiv linga of Somnath, Kanhar Deo attacked the army and recovered the idol. The Prabandh also mentions the possible alliance between a Khilji princess and Kanhar Deos son, stating that the Jalore clan saw this as an attempt to subdue them via matrimony and declined. Conflict followed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If Khilji was a formidable enemy, conquering Jalore Fort was no easy task either. The fort stands on a rocky hill over 1,200 feet high. Today, a visitor has to climb over seventeen hundred steps. In the mediaeval era, an invading force would not have convenient steps to ease out the climb. A climb obstructed by high walls and tall gateways. And the defending garrison would have been raining fiery arrows on them and firing at them. Yet the fort of Jalore fell. In an era where gunpowder had not yet been harnessed into artillery, the capture of this fort needed something special. Beyond traitors within and being surrounded and starved out. A clue about what could have happened comes from another, similar fort about 52 kilometres away. It was July 1308. A huge Khilji army surrounded the hilltop fort of Siwana. This was the same force that had captured Malwa and had taken Ranthambore and Chittor. Siwana, in comparison, was puny. But it had one advantage the sheer height of the fort. The hill it stood on towered over the countryside. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The view down from Siwana Fort A strong rampart wall protected the fort. The hillside was covered with dense vegetation, making access difficult. The approach to the fort was via a serpentine path which was open to constant attack from the garrison above. Like at Jalore, the Siwana garrison felt it was prepared to withstand a long siege. The troops were well armed and supplied, and the fort contained large open tanks for water storage. Siwana was then ruled by Satal Deo, linked to an offshoot of the Paramaras. The fort had faced attacks earlier, and there had been skirmishes with Sultanate armies moving through the region. This time was different. The Sultan himself was involved. It was a fight to the last. Huge siege engines were erected on mounds, and from these, stones were catapulted into the fort. At some point the invaders got their hands on a traitor that old weakness in Bharat! From this person, they got a vital piece of information the location of the water reservoirs inside the fort. The siege engines had found a new target, and this time, the weapons hurled were not stone but the carcasses of dead cattle, being fired to land in the water tanks. With the water contaminated, the fort became a lost cause. The invaders forced their way in. Satal Deo tried to retreat towards Jalore but was killed in November 1308. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Topkhana Masjid in Jalore town Jalore too was let down by a traitor who showed the attackers a way in. The defenders were overwhelmed, and the ruler was killed. Today, the forts of Jalore and Siwana lie in a little-visited corner of a very touristy state. Inside Jalore Fort are a few Jain temples and abandoned palaces. In the town below, stands the Topkhana Masjid, which clearly shows evidence of temple material used. While Jalores Jain temples bring in a few visitors, Siwana is entirely silent. Hopefully, the inland port will not just bring in much-needed prosperity but will also put these old forts on the tourist map. (The author is a heritage explorer with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) Japan must lead with principled resolve in a precarious situation. Tokyo should stand tall, not in isolation, but as a pillar of a free and open Indo-Pacific China toughened its stance on Japan on November 16, 2025, as it sent its coast guard through the waters of the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands amid its diplomatic feud with the other nation. A diplomatic spat between China and Japan has intensified since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament that if China attacked Taiwan, it could trigger a military response from Tokyo. The comments sparked an angry response from Beijing. China is asking its citizens to be careful about studying in Japan. It mentioned safety concerns while suggesting people avoid travelling there because of new tensions over Taiwan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to the media, China will suspend Japanese seafood imports. Tokyo should stand strong against this pressure. It needs to protect its democracy and independence. By taking a firm stand, Japan is also protecting the peace and prosperity that has helped all of Asia. China and Japan have repeatedly faced off around the islands, which Beijing calls Diaoyu and Tokyo calls the Senkaku. China regularly conducts such patrols around the islands, but the latest patrol activity was the first since Takaichis Taiwan comments. Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to take control of the island, by force if necessary. An attack or invasion by China on Taiwan could have serious political and social consequences that would ripple around the globe, and it would spiral into global conflict. This could invite the US and other countries as well. Both China and Japan should ease the rising tensions diplomatically by opening various channels of communication before it gets out of control. For now, its effects are being seen on economic aspects and people-to-people relations of both countries. Tokyo needs to reassure Beijing. Its leaders recent words dont mean Japan is changing its policy. Meanwhile, the world should encourage China to be careful and show restraint. Japans Prime Minister Takaichi should have talked directly to Chinas Premier Li Qiang. They are at the G20 summit (November 22-23), but there are no plans for their bilateral meeting. It would have been a good chance for a conversation. Japan should strengthen its defences. This means better missiles, cyber tools, and sea monitoring. It helps prevent future problems. It is important for Japan to gather support from other countries. Many of Japans neighbours are also wary of Chinas power. Working together makes everyone stronger. Tokyo should clearly share its own story. It must show its deep commitment to finding peaceful solutions. In order to strengthen Taiwans resilience without inciting open conflict, Japan should strengthen its non-military ties with the island. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Finally, foster domestic consensus. Japanese unity in the face of outside pressures is ensured by educating the public about these issues, which strengthens resistance to misinformation. Chinas perspective is worth mentioning. Beijing views Taiwan as its territory. Nobody benefits from escalation. If dialogue were to be revived, it could reduce misunderstandings. Yet concessions cannot come at sovereigntys expense. Japan must lead with principled resolve in this precarious situation. Tokyo should stand tall, not in isolation, but as a pillar of a free and open Indo-Pacific. For in defending its islands and ideals, Japan defends us all. The waves may churn, but resolve can calm the storm. (The writer is a columnist. His articles have appeared in various publications like The Independent, The Globe and Mail, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, etc. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bucha survivors and Ukrainians reject a US-backed peace plan offering amnesty to Russian troops, fearing it rewards impunity and ignores the trauma of 2022 atrocities. A mother with her children pray during service at the Holy Apostle Andrew church in Bucha, Ukraine, on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) Mass graves, shattered churches and the lingering trauma of occupation still define daily life in Bucha. But as survivors continue to reckon with the horrors of 2022, a new threat has stirred fresh anger across Ukraine: a US-backed peace plan that would reportedly grant a sweeping post-war amnesty to Russian troops and officials accused of atrocities. For many Ukrainians, the proposal feels less like a path to peace than, as one priest in Bucha put it, a green light for more bombing, killing, a move they fear could reward impunity and deepen the wounds of a country still fighting for justice and sovereignty. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In Bucha, where hundreds of civilians were killed in 2022, survivors view the proposed amnesty not as reconciliation but as a fresh blow. Their unease mirrors a wider national concern about the implications of clearing Russia, and its military and officials, of alleged crimes. The Church of Andrew the Apostle stands beside a mass grave where civilians some shot in the streets, others showing signs of torture were buried, a stark reminder of the horrors many fear could be overlooked under the proposed deal. Father Andriy Halavin, who leads the parish in the still-damaged church, said any amnesty would legitimise further violence as the war grinds on. Its a green light, he said after holding Sunday service. It means you can keep bombing, keep executing soldiers, all with confidence that nothing will happen. The mass killings were uncovered when Russian forces withdrew from the area after their failed attempt to seize Kyiv during the full-scale invasion in 2022. Father Andriy said many perpetrators have already been identified. Justice, he insisted, is not about revenge but about proving that accountability still matters especially as Ukrainians are being asked to weigh painful trade-offs for peace. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The proposed 28-point peace deal followed secret negotiations by envoys of Russia and U.S. President Donald Trump. Ukraine would relinquish territory beyond land currently controlled by Moscow, reduce its military, and give up on NATO membership. In return, Kyiv would receive international security guarantees and reconstruction assistance. At Buchas military cemetery, Vira Katanenko, 66, visited the grave of her son Andrii, who was killed in battle in the Donetsk region last year. For her, the peace plan and the proposed amnesty are unthinkable. I cant accept that, she said. They want forgiveness for all war crimes, including Bucha? Thats horrifying. Let them come here let Trump himself come here. Let him and his family come, see our pain, and maybe then theyll change their minds. European leaders insist peace talks must include Ukraine and protect its sovereignty. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the plan represents one of the wars most difficult moments, pledging to work with Washington but to seek changes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A short drive from Bucha, mourners gathered for the funeral of serviceman Ruslan Zhyhunov, a 41-year-old machine gunner killed in eastern Ukraine. Uncertainty surrounding the peace plan weighed heavily among relatives and neighbors as they watched the burial in the rain another reminder, they said, of how fragile any promised future now feels. How can you exchange the territory of your ancestors for something? For what? asked Andrii Honcharuk, a 71-year-old retired territorial defense volunteer, who attended the service dressed in uniform. The war will not end soon. We will still be dying for a long time. With inputs from AP. The Dutch military on Saturday opened fire on mystery drones flying over Volkel Air Base in the countrys east. However, the countrys Ministry of Defence noted that no wreckage was recovered from the site. A Dutch F-16 fighter jet is seen at the Volkel Air Base in Volkel, Netherlands. File Image: Reuters The Dutch military on Saturday opened fire on mystery drones flying over Volkel Air Base in the countrys east. However, the countrys Ministry of Defence noted that no wreckage was recovered from the site. The statement noted that security staff at the base reported the drones flying over the base between 7 pm (local time) and 9 pm. The detection prompted the air force to fire ground-based weapons to take them down, the ministry said in a statement. The drones left the area and were not recovered, the statement said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Netherlands and neighbouring Belgium had multiple unidentified drone sightings in recent weeks. Both the Dutch military and civilian police have been investigating the incident, in which it was unclear why the drones were flying above and around the air base. No further details have been provided in the probe, citing security reasons. It is pertinent to note that the Volkel Air Base is used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force. After multiple incidents, in the Netherlands, the use of drones near all airports is prohibited for flight safety reasons, in addition to other security reasons around military facilities. In light of this, Air traffic above the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven has been suspended. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said counter-drone assets were ready to intervene. While many Ukrainian allies alleged Russias involvement, the Kremlin has constantly denied the accusation that it was involved in them. Bangladeshs interim government of Muhammad Yunus has sent an official letter to New Delhi seeking the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina after the countrys International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her to death. Bangladeshs interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has formally asked New Delhi to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, after the countrys International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) sentenced her to death. An official letter was dispatched to India on Friday, state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported, quoting foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain, who did not provide further details. On November 17, the tribunal handed the 78-year-old leader the death penalty in absentia, alongside former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, after finding them guilty of crimes against humanity. Both are currently in India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A third accused, former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, appeared in person and received a five-year prison sentence after serving as an approver in the case. Hasinas Awami League government was ousted on August 5 last year during a student-led uprising widely referred to as the July Uprising. Three days later, Nobel Laureate Yunus flew from Paris at the call of the protesting students to assume the charge of the interim government as its chief adviser. Hasina and the two others were accused of adopting brutal means to tame the protestors while a UN rights office report said about 1,400 people were killed in between July 15 and August 15 last year. The interim government had in December last year sent a diplomatic note verbal seeking Hasinas extradition when India just acknowledged its receipt with no further comment. However, hours after the ICT-BD verdict was delivered last week, the External Affairs Ministry issued a statement saying India has noted the verdict announced by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh concerning former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end, the statement read. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Law adviser Asif Nazrul on November 20 said the interim government would send a letter to Delhi to return Hasina and her home minister adding that the government was also thinking about going to the International Criminal Court to bring them back as they were now fugitive convicts. We will hold a meeting soon to decide whether we can approach the International Criminal Court regarding the return of these convicted individuals, Nazrul told reporters. Three days later, he reiterated the plan saying we are going to issue a letter requesting the extradition of Hasina and Kamal and added we believe India has an added responsibility to return them. With inputs from agencies In no time, CoreWeave (CRWV) has become one of the most talked-about names in AI, but the goings been rough of late. The Nvidia (NVDA)-backed cloud infrastructure business has just slashed its sales outlook, sending its stock into a steep slide and spooking the broader market in the process. For perspective, the stock has plummeted over 42% in the past month alone. However, while most investors went for the exits, Cathie Wood did what Cathie Wood does; she doubled down on CoreWeave stock. ARK bought hundreds of thousands of shares as the stock continues its dive, a classic buy the dip move signaling that she sees something Mr. Market is missing. Cathie Wood boosted her stake in Nvidia-backed CoreWeave as the stock continued to slidePhoto by Bloomberg on Getty Images Why Cathie Wood still moves markets Cathie Wood remains an anomaly in the investing sphere, as she treats stocks as long-term tech revolutions, instead of quarterly trades. Fund manager buys and sells Through ARK Invest, shes running a concentrated, high-conviction portfolio spread across disruptive themes, including areas like AI, robotics, and crypto. A big part of why investors follow her intently is for her transparency. She publishes her trades daily and is unafraid to lean into volatility. Perhaps her sharpest bets include backing EV pioneer Tesla in 2016, long before the company achieved cruising altitude or captured investor zeitgeist with robotaxis and Optimus robots. Moreover, she has leaned into Nvidia, with Ark buying shares as early as 2014, before it became an AI picks-and-shovels Goliath. She has also embraced Bitcoin and crypto platforms as a parallel financial system. So far in 2025, her flagship ARK Innovation ETF is up nearly 55%60% year-to-date, compared to nearly 13% for the S&P 500 on a total-return basis. In other words, Woods flagship fund is outperforming the broad market by over 4x this year. CoreWeave becomes latest AI battleground Now, the ARK Invest boss is buying the dip in CoreWeave. She scooped up 350,734 shares, spending nearly $24 million as the stock slid almost 30% over the past few trading sessions. Related: Cathie Wood buys $16.2 million of sinking AI stock Importantly, this isnt her only bold swing in AI. Shes tiptoed back into Nvidia, adding more shares for the first time since August. She scooped up 93,374 shares of the chip giant ($17 million worth). Though its not a massive position, its a clear re-entry into the name that defines the AI trade. In footage released by the Supreme Court, Bolsonarosentenced to 27 years for plotting to block Lula from taking officedescribes using a soldering iron to tamper with his ankle monitor Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro speaks to the press at the Federal Senate in Brasilia on July 17, 2025. (AFP) Brazils former president Jair Bolsonarocurrently detained over suspicions that he was planning to escape while appealing his conviction for an attempted coupadmitted on Saturday that he deliberately tampered with his ankle monitor out of curiosity. In footage released by the countrys supreme court, Bolsonaro, who has been handed a 27-year prison sentence for his role in a plot to block Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from assuming office after the 2022 elections, described how he tried using a soldering iron on the electronic bracelet. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The video shows the device burnt on the edges and heavily damaged, though still attached to his ankle. Bolsonaro broke his ankle monitor in an attempt to escape, but it failed and his arrest was justified. pic.twitter.com/edg07Ev7jb Righy (@righy) November 23, 2025 According to the court, he tried to disable his electronic ankle monitor in what they believe was a plan to escape. Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered his preventive detention, citing both the tampering incident and concerns about a demonstration planned near Bolsonaros residence. The rally had been called by his eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who urged supporters to fight for your country. Moraes warned the gathering could create chaos conducive to his escape. Flavio Bolsonaro, in a livestream, accused Moraes of endangering his fathers life, suggesting the damage to the device could have stemmed from desperation or shame. He also hinted that Bolsonaros close proximity to the US embassy raised fears he might seek asyluma concern echoed in the court order. Bolsonaro is a close ally of US president Donald Trump, who dismissed the latest developments, saying, Thats too bad. The 70-year-old former leader has been moved to a federal police complex in Brasilia for medical evaluations before being transferred to a prison facility. A source familiar with the case shared images of the modest holding quarters equipped with basic amenities including a mini-fridge and television. Outside the police headquarters, reactions were sharply divided. Some opponents celebrated with sparkling wine, calling the arrest long overdue. Supporters, wrapped in Brazils green and yellow flag, denounced the move as political persecution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bolsonaros detention complicates the political landscape ahead of Brazils 2026 presidential race, leaving conservatives without a clear standard-bearer. His lawyers said they plan to appeal, arguing the decision endangers his health, which has been fragile since a stabbing during his 2018 campaign. The former president has faced mounting legal challenges, including a September conviction for leading a criminal organisation allegedly plotting to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Justice Moraespart of what prosecutors described as a plan to secure his authoritarian hold on power. China on Sunday sharply criticised Japan over recent comments on Taiwan, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi calling Tokyos stance shocking and accusing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of crossing a red line by signalling possible military involvement if China attacked the island. Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday called it shocking for Japans leader to openly send a wrong signal on Taiwan, according to an official statement the latest escalation in a dispute that has strained bilateral ties for more than two weeks. Wang, the most senior Chinese official to comment publicly on the matter, said Japan was crossing a red line that must not be touched, according to the statement published on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He accused Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of attempting to intervene militarily over Taiwan, referring to her November 7 remarks in parliament, where she said a hypothetical Chinese attack on democratically governed Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo. The dispute one of the most serious between China and Japan in years has now spilled over into trade and cultural exchanges. On Friday, China raised the matter with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, vowing to defend itself. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. Taiwans government rejects those claims and insists that only the islands people can determine their future. Japans Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment on Wangs remarks on Sunday. A day earlier, responding to Chinas letter to the UN, the ministry dismissed Beijings accusations as entirely unacceptable and reaffirmed that Japans commitment to peace remained unchanged. Taiwans Foreign Ministry on Sunday also condemned Chinas letter, saying, The letter not only contains rude and unreasonable content but also maliciously distorts historical facts. Furthermore, it violates Article 2(4) of the U.N. Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force in international relations. Wang said China must resolutely hit back to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that the response was also necessary to defend the hard-won postwar achievements secured with blood and sacrifice. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He warned that if Japan persists in its wrong course and continues down this path, countries and people would have the right to re-examine Japans historical crimes and resolutely prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism. China is Japans second-largest export market after the United States, importing about $125 billion worth of Japanese goods in 2024 mainly industrial equipment, semiconductors and automobiles according to UN COMTRADE data. The documents, made public by US lawmakers earlier this month, include a letter attributed to Chomsky where he described the discussions he had with the disgraced financier as a most valuable experience. US linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky (R), is pictured during a press conference after visiting former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, arrested for corruption in the Federal Police Superintendence in Curitiba, Brazil on September 20, 2018. (Photo by Heuler Andrey / AFP) Newly released emails and documents suggest that renowned linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky maintained a far closer and more regular association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein than previously disclosed, with contact continuing for years after Epsteins 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. The documents, made public by US lawmakers earlier this month, include a letter attributed to Chomsky where he described the discussions he had with the disgraced financier as a most valuable experience. This revelation complicates Chomskys previous claims that his relationship with Epstein was limited to occasional academic or political discussions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The most critical document released is an undated letter of support, written to whom it may concern and bearing a typed signature of Chomsky, citing his position at the University of Arizona. In the letter, Chomsky stated he and Epstein had been in regular contact with many long and often in-depth discussions since they first met. The philosopher praised Epstein for his limitless curiosity, extensive knowledge, penetrating insights and thoughtful appraisals, and even credited Epstein with teaching him about the intricacies of the global financial system in a way professional journals could not. Furthermore, reports indicate Chomsky acknowledged receiving approximately $270,000 from an account connected to Epstein while managing the finances of his first marriage. Chomsky has insisted that not one penny came directly from Epstein, but the transaction still links the academic to the financiers orbit. Offers of residence and ongoing friendship The correspondence also points to a more personal connection, including a 2015 email in which Epstein offered Chomsky the use of his luxurious residences in New York and New Mexico. In a separate 2017 email, Chomskys wife, Valeria Wasserman Chomsky, apologized to Epstein for missing his birthday, adding, Noam and I hope to see you again soon and have a toast for your birthday. This communication took place nearly a decade after Epsteins conviction, underscoring the duration of the relationship. These documents were part of a wider release detailing Epsteins extensive network among academic, political, and business elites, which has already prompted consequences for other high-profile figures. Former Harvard University President Larry Summers recently relinquished a teaching role after his own email exchanges with Epstein were disclosed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The revelations come as pressure mounts on officials to release more files related to Epsteins case. Neither Chomsky, who was reported in 2024 to be convalescing following a stroke, nor the University of Arizona immediately responded to requests for comment. Europeans have submitted a modified version of the United States peace plan for Ukraine that pushes back on proposed limits to Kyivs armed forces and territorial concessions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C), next to US special envoy Steve Witkoff (2nd L) and US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll (4th L), faces the Ukrainian delegation during discussions on a US plan to end the war in Ukraine at the US Mission in Geneva, on November 23, 2025. Image- AFP European officials have agreed on a proposed cap for the size of Ukraines armed forces as part of ongoing peace negotiations in Geneva. The European counter-offer recommends limiting Kyivs military to 800,000 personnel, pushing back against the 600,000 cap included in Donald Trumps 28-point peace plan unveiled on Friday. Ukraines army currently numbers about 850,000, still making it one of the worlds largest even under the revised ceiling. The suggested limit marks a major shift from three years ago, when Moscow proposed a peacetime Ukrainian force of just 85,000 during talks in Istanbul. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to a document seen by Reuters, European countries earlier submitted a modified version of the US plan that challenges both the troop cap and proposed territorial concessions. The European draft states that territorial swap negotiations should begin from the Line of Contact, rather than accepting any areas as de facto Russian, as outlined in the US proposal. The counter-proposal was prepared by the European E3 Britain, France and Germany and retains the US plan as its foundation, but offers point-by-point deletions and amendments. It also calls for Ukraine to receive a US security guarantee comparable to NATOs Article 5, strengthening Kyivs security assurances under any future deal. It pushes back on the U.S. proposal for the use of Russian assets frozen in the West, primarily in the European Union. Ukraine will be fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine, the document says. The US plan proposed that $100 billion of frozen Russian funds would be invested in a US-led effort to reconstruct and invest in Ukraine and that the US would receive 50% of the profits from that venture. The US also proposed that the balance would be invested in a separate US-Russia investment vehicle. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and head of Ukraines delegation Andriy Yermak both hailed good progress in talks underway in Geneva Sunday to discuss a proposal to halt the Ukraine war. We have very good progress, and we are moving forward to the just and lasting peace Ukrainian people deserve, Yermak told reporters, while Rubio said of the talks, which were continuing into the evening, that they were probably the most productive and meaningful so far in this entire process. With inputs from agencies France rejected claims made by a Pakistan-based media outlet, with the French Navy accusing it of spreading misinformation and disinformation by falsely attributing remarks about Indias Operation Sindoor and Rafale jets to a senior naval officer. The Rafale aircraft that Murmu flew in on Wednesday was at the forefront of Operation Sindoor. Image Courtesy: @rashtrapatibhavan/X The French Navy has slammed a Pakistan-based media outlet for pushing misinformation and disinformation by circulating fake claims about Indias Operation Sindoor and strikes on Pakistan-backed terror sites after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which killed 26 civilians. The condemnation came after a Pakistani channel attempted to portray France as endorsing Pakistans Air Force following the post-Pahalgam confrontation with India. The Marine Nationale the naval arm of the French Armed Forces categorically rejected the claims, saying no such remarks were ever made. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD [#FAKENEWS] These statements were attributed to Captain Launay who never gave his consent for any form of publication. The article contains extensive misinformation and disinformation. pic.twitter.com/crVrFFABkx Marine nationale (@MarineNationale) November 22, 2025 [#FAKENEWS] These statements were attributed to Captain Launay who never gave his consent for any form of publication. The article contains extensive misinformation and disinformation, the Marine Nationale wrote on X. Geo TV and its correspondent Hamid Mir had falsely attributed claims of air superiority including the downing of multiple Indian Rafale jets to French naval commander Captain Launay. French Navy exposes Pakistans false narrative The clarification followed a November 21 article by Geo TV claiming that a French commander had confirmed Pakistans air superiority and claimed Indian Rafales were shot down during border skirmishes. The French Navy said the report not only misquoted officers but even botched the officers name, referring to him as Jacques Launay instead of his real name, Captain Yvan Launay. Reiterating its stand on X, the Marine Nationale said: These statements were attributed to Captain Launay, who never gave his consent for any form of publication. The article contains extensive misinformation and disinformation. Paris dismisses sensational Pakistani claims as fiction The disputed Pakistani report sensationally alleged that the commander had praised Pakistans Air Force during the May 67 faceoff involving over 140 fighter jets and even confirmed that Indian Rafales were shot down with Chinese support. The French Navy said none of these assertions were true. According to France, Captain Launays actual role is limited to commanding the naval air station at Landivisiau, where Rafale Marine aircraft are based far from the Pakistani medias portrayal of him as a senior figure involved in IndiaPakistan military assessments. His conference presentation, the Navy said, was purely technical, focused on Rafale Marine missions and high-intensity air combat challenges. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistani outlet misquotes again to fit propaganda line The Pakistani outlet further falsely claimed, Addressing why Rafales radar system failed to perform properly during combat, Captain Launay said the issue was operational rather than technical. There was nothing wrong with the war machine, but the machine was not used properly, he explained, adding that Rafale can compete and defeat the Chinese J-10C in any combat situation. Fifty children abducted from a Catholic school in Nigeria have managed to escape, a Christian group said on Sunday. The escape comes after gunmen stormed St Marys school in Niger state on Friday, kidnapping more than 300 students and a dozen teachers in one of the countrys biggest mass abductions. Fifty of the more than 300 children abducted from a Catholic school in Nigeria have escaped their captors, a Christian group said on Sunday. Gunmen stormed St Marys co-education school in Niger state on Friday, seizing 303 children and 12 teachers in one of Nigerias largest mass kidnappings. The attack came just days after armed men raided a secondary school in neighbouring Kebbi state and abducted 25 girls. We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said in a statement, noting that the children fled between Friday and Saturday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The kidnapped boys and girls aged eight to 18 represent nearly half of St Marys student body of over 600. According to CAN, 251 primary school pupils, 14 secondary school students and 12 teachers remain in captivity. The Nigerian government has yet to comment on the figures. As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims, said CANs Niger State chairman, Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who also owns the school. The surge in attacks has heightened security fears in Africas most populous nation, prompting widespread school closures. Since the abduction of nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok more than a decade ago, Nigeria has faced recurrent mass kidnappings, largely carried out by criminal gangs seeking ransom. Armed groups often target remote boarding schools with minimal security, and most captives are released after negotiations. The documentary includes astrophysicist Eric Davis, a former adviser to the Pentagons AATIP programme, who claims that President Bush privately told him about the incident during a conversation in 2003 A newly released documentary, The Age of Disclosure, is generating traction by claiming that former US President George H.W. Bush was privy to classified details of an alleged 1964 alien encounter at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. The documentary features an interview with astrophysicist Eric Davis, who served as a scientific advisor for the Pentagons Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Programme (AATIP). Davis asserts that President Bush (who served from 1989 to 1993) privately disclosed the incident to him during a conversation in 2003. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Daviss testimony, the former Naval aviator and CIA Director claimed that three spaceships approached the base, with one craft reportedly landing on the tarmac. This landing, Bush allegedly revealed, allowed a non-human entity deboarded the craft that landed and interacted with uniformed Air Force and civilian CIA personnel. Crucially, when Bush, then a figure with high-level access, sought more comprehensive information about the extraordinary event, he was allegedly stonewalled. Davis quotes the former President as having been told that he did not have a need-to-know. The documentary, which premiered on Amazon Prime, does not present any physical evidence to substantiate the claim. The documentary also includes other notable testimonies, such as that of physicist Hal Puthoff, a former AATIP member, who claims that multiple types of extraterrestrial beings have been recovered. Additionally, Stanford immunologist Gary Nolan details the horrific burns and internal scarring sustained by military personnel who allegedly came into contact with unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). Dan Farah, the documentarys director, expressed his hope that the film will significantly accelerate the push for UFO disclosure. He believes the evidence presented will encourage global leaders to break the silence on extraterrestrial life. I think this film puts us in a different place, Farah commented. It sets the table for a president to step to the microphone and more comfortably tell all of humanity that were not alone in the universe. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Guinea-Bissau began voting on Sunday in closely watched presidential and legislative elections, with President Umaro Sissoco Embalo aiming for a rare second straight term in a country long marked by political instability and coups. Polls opened in Guinea-Bissau on Sunday for pivotal presidential and legislative elections, with President Umaro Sissoco Embalo seeking to become the first leader in nearly 30 years to secure a second consecutive term in the coup-prone West African nation. Embalo faces 11 challengers, including his main rival, Fernando Dias a relative newcomer backed by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), the historic movement that led the countrys struggle for independence from Portugal. PAIGC was barred from fielding its own candidate this year after authorities said it missed the filing deadline. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Analysts expect a tight contest between Embalo and Dias. If no candidate crosses 50%, the race will go to a runoff. Embalo, wearing his trademark red keffiyeh, cast his ballot in the eastern city of Gabu and voiced confidence about his chances. I call on everyone to vote massively, to elect the person who will bring stability and progress to Guinea-Bissau, to build this country, he said. A nation shaped by coups and a booming cocaine trade Since gaining independence in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced at least nine coups before Embalo took office in 2020. Embalo claims he has survived three additional attempts since then, though critics accuse him of exaggerating or engineering political crises to justify crackdowns allegations he rejects. Embalo has campaigned on a promise of stability, infrastructure development, and wider access to clean water. But opposition groups have questioned the legitimacy of his presidency this year, arguing that his mandate expired in February. Dias, meanwhile, has accused the president of seeking to weaken democratic institutions and centralise power if re-elected. In an interview with Reuters ahead of the vote, he criticised Embalo for failing to curb the countrys entrenched cocaine trafficking networks. He is the head of government. Nobody does anything without his authorization, Dias told Reuters. Embalo denies any links between his administration and the drug trade. Yet a report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) in August warned that cocaine trafficking through Guinea-Bissau may now be more profitable than at any other time in the countrys history. Casting his vote in Bissau, customs officer Jorge Monteiro said the countrys leadership needed the will to take on criminal networks. Regarding drug trafficking, only the political will of our leaders can help our country wage a crusade against this scourge, he said. Polarised politics and tight controls on campaigning Voting proceeded smoothly in Bissau on Sunday morning, with most polling stations opening on time. Nearly half of the countrys roughly two million citizens are registered to vote. But observers noted a charged political atmosphere. The current electoral climate is extremely tense, with a very polarised political landscape, said Lucia Bird Ruiz-Benitez de Lugo of the GI-TOC. She added that while the opposition enjoys strong grassroots support, its campaign activities have been very restricted, making the competition uneven. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Voters themselves appeared split as the campaigns wrapped up on Friday. Tailor Saico Cande expressed hope that Embalo would resolve Guinea-Bissaus security and food crises. But businesswoman Berta da Goya said she remained uneasy about Embalos dissolution of parliament after what the government described as a coup attempt in late 2023. Polls are scheduled to close at 1700 GMT, with provisional results expected within 48 hours. Mossad says Hamas has been building covert networks across Europe to prepare weapons and plan attacks, with several plots disrupted through joint operations with regional security agencies The spy agency said it worked with European partners on an investigation that led to the arrest of suspected militants. (AP) A developing intelligence trail has indicated that Hamas has allegedly been working to establish covert operational networks across Europe, according to Israels Mossad. The agency said these efforts involved discreet cells preparing weapons and coordinating activities across several countries. Mossad stated that close cooperation with European security agencies led to the discovery of weapons, the prevention of attacks and the apprehension of suspects linked to the groups overseas activities, according to details reported by the Times of Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Plots disrupted as European agencies uncover weapons and arrest suspects Mossad said that multiple plots targeting Israeli and Jewish communities in Europe were disrupted with the assistance of regional partners. Security services in Germany and Austria reportedly detained several suspects and seized significant weapon stockpiles that investigators believe were being stored for potential use on command against civilian targets. One breakthrough highlighted by Mossad occurred in Vienna last September, when Austrias DSN security service found a stash containing handguns and explosive materials. The discovery was later connected to Mohammad Naim, son of senior Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim, who is allied with Gaza-based leader Khalil al Hayya. Mossad also accused Hamas leadership abroad of quietly supporting these activities. The agency claimed that involvement by leaders in Qatar in advancing operations was not new, alleging that public denials were aimed at preserving the groups international standing. A meeting in Qatar between Mohammad Naim and his father in September was noted in the statement, with Mossad suggesting it could signal formal backing for activities in Europe. Investigators are also examining figures linked to Hamas operating from Turkey, including Burhan al Khatib, whom German authorities arrested in November and who officials say had previously been active in Turkey before moving into mainland Europe. Broader action across the continent continues, with German intelligence agencies intensifying measures not only against individuals but also against charities and religious organisations suspected of providing financial or ideological support to Hamas. Mossad said that Hamas has accelerated its foreign operations since the October 7 attack on Israel, attempting to strengthen clandestine networks abroad using methods similar to those adopted by Iran and its allied groups. The agency said it is working to disrupt dozens of attack plots worldwide in efforts to protect Israeli and Jewish communities. A Houthi-controlled court in Yemens capital has sentenced 17 people to death, convicted of working as part of the espionage cells linked to US, Israeli and Saudi intelligence services. A Houthi-controlled court in Yemens capital sentenced 17 people to death on the charges of spying for foreign governments, which remained one of the largest verdicts since the group tightened its grip on the countrys north. This marks the latest development in which rulings were headed down by the Specialized Criminal Court in the capital Sanaa on Saturday, according to the Houthi-run SABA news agency. This has drawn criticism from rights advocates and Yemens internationally recognised government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Detail of convicts The defendants were convicted of working as part of the espionage cells linked to US, Israeli and Saudi intelligence services. The court handed down a death sentence to the firing squad, with the sentences to be carried out in public, which is seen as a warning to others accused of collaborating with foreign states. The court also sentenced a man and a woman to 10 years in prison, while another defendant was acquitted. Allegations and charges Prosecutors charged the convicts with gathering and passing sensitive information to foreign intelligence officers, including members of Israels Mossad. The indictment also claimed that the defendants helped recruit other Yemenis and provided targeting data that allegedly enabled strikes on military, dismantling security, and targeting civilian locations. Abdulbasit Ghazi, a lawyer representing some of the defendants who were convicted, said the group retains the right to appeal. Over the course of the past two years, the rebels have detained dozens in a crackdown focused on the UN and others working for international aid groups and foreign embassies. The rebels repeatedly alleged without evidence they were spies. The UN fiercely denies the accusations. The sentences come as a major crackdown on individuals suspected of spying, after a series of Israeli airstrikes and the killing of Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb Nasser al-Rahawi. Chevron Corp. (CVX) outlined a sustainable cash flow plan during its November 12 Investor Day that implies a potentially sizable dividend hike. It has averaged 7% over the 25 years, outperforming rivals. Even with a 5% hike in January, CVX stock looks undervalued. CVX closed at $149.98 on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, near a recent low of $148.90 on Oct. 10. Moreover, it's well off recent peaks of $160.72 on Sept. 25 and $161.83 on Sept. 2. More News from Barchart CVX stock - last 3 months - Barchart - As of Nov. 21, 2025 At today's price, given Chevron's $6.84 annual dividend per share (DPS), CVX stock has a dividend yield of 4.56% ($6.84/$149.98). However, Chevron has already paid out four quarterly DPS payments. Chevron has a 38-year history of raising its DPS. Its next dividend in January will likely be at least 5% higher. Future Dividend Hikes I discussed this in a recent Barchart article: (Chevron's Free Cash Flow Rises - An Expected Dividend Hike Could Push CVX 14% Higher."). I projected that Chevron might raise the DPS by 5% to $7.18. That implies that the future yield is now almost 4.8%: $7.18 / $149.98 = 0.04787 = 4.787% However, in its latest Investor Day discussion, the company seemed to imply that it might raise its DPS by 7%: Chevron has led its peers in dividend per share growth over the last 25 years with an average annual increase of 7%. Moreover, the company stressed that it expects to buy back a lot of shares: The company has repurchased shares in 18 of the last 22 years and expects to repurchase $10 to $20 billion per year through 2030 The CFO stressed its superior shareholder returns, and the company said it " expects to extend its track-record of leading dividend growth and consistent share repurchases through the commodity cycle" All of this suggests that there is no doubt that Chevron will certainly raise its dividend. So, how will that affect CVX stock? Average Yield and Price Target Morningstar reports that the market has given CVX stock an average dividend yield of 4.08% over the past 5 years. Seeking Alpha reports that it has been 4.40% over the last four years. Similarly, Yahoo! Finance has a 4.21% average 5-year yield statistic. So, let's assume that over time, CVX stock will revert to an average yield of 4.21%. Here is how that works out. We can divide the 5% higher DPS by 4.21%: $7.18 DPS / 0.0421 = $170.55 per share The Israeli army says 11 Hamas members were killed and six detained after a 24 hour pursuit around a tunnel site in eastern Rafah. Gazas civil defence agency said 21 people were killed and dozens more injured in Israeli air strikes on Saturday. (Representational Image/AP) The Israeli army said on Saturday that its forces had killed 11 Hamas members and arrested six others during a daylong operation targeting what it described as underground infrastructure in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, despite the ceasefire. According to the Times of Israel, troops said the arrests took place as operatives attempted to flee from a Hamas tunnel in an IDF-held area. A military statement noted that soldiers located and apprehended additional members who attempted to flee from the underground infrastructure, marking the end of what it called a 24-hour pursuit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pursuit triggered by tunnel emergence The military said the operation began on Friday when 17 operatives emerged from a tunnel in eastern Rafah, an area where dozens of Hamas members are believed to be holed up underground, and attempted to return to Hamas-held areas of the Strip. According to the IDF, six were killed in airstrikes shortly after exiting the tunnel, and five were captured by troops of the Nahal Brigade. On Saturday, Nahal soldiers opened fire in two separate incidents and killed five more operatives, before detaining the final suspect. The army said the six detainees were transferred to Israels Shin Bet security agency for questioning. Hamas has not commented on the Israeli claims. Operation unfolds within ceasefire zone The latest announcement followed the armys statement a day earlier that it had killed five Palestinians who surfaced from a tunnel in Rafah on Friday, saying they posed an immediate threat to forces operating in the south of the enclave. Rafah lies inside zones held by Israeli troops under the yellow line arrangements introduced with the ceasefire that came into effect on October 10. Israeli media report that about 200 Hamas fighters are trapped in the Rafah tunnel, with Israel rejecting appeals from Hamas and mediators for safe passage to areas under the groups control. Many killed in Gaza Gazas civil defence agency said 21 people were killed and dozens more wounded in a series of Israeli air strikes on Saturday, as Hamas and Israel again exchanged accusations of breaching the fragile ceasefire. It was one of the deadliest days since the US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas began on October 10, following two years of war. The Israeli military said an armed terrorist had crossed the so-called Yellow Line inside the Gaza Strip, behind which Israeli forces have withdrawn, and had fired at Israeli soldiers. India and Italy on Sunday announced a joint initiative for cooperation in combating financing of terrorism, as PM Modi held talks with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni and discussed ways to bolster bilateral ties in several areas, including trade, defence and security. India and Italy on Sunday unveiled a joint initiative to strengthen cooperation against the financing of terrorism, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Johannesburg. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the G20 summit, covered ways to expand bilateral engagement across trade, defence and security. The two leaders adopted the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism, reaffirming their shared commitment to combating terrorism in all forms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The India-Italy Strategic Partnership is growing from strength to strength, greatly benefitting the people of our nations, Modi said in a post on social media after the meeting. Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The India-Italy Strategic Partnership is growing from strength to strength, greatly benefitting the people of our nations. @GiorgiaMeloni pic.twitter.com/rX4NUYpl3x Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 23, 2025 India and Italy are announcing a Joint Initiative for cooperation in combating financing of terrorism. This is a necessary and timely effort, which will strengthen humanitys fight against terrorism and its support networks, Modi said. Prime Minister Meloni expressed solidarity with India on the terror incident in Delhi and reiterated Italys strong commitment to working together to combat the scourge of terrorism. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Modi said he also discussed further advancing bilateral cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space and education. The two leaders had interacted briefly on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, earlier in June this year. Both leaders adopted the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism. The initiative aims to deepen bilateral cooperation on countering terrorism and collaboration in global and multilateral platforms, including the Financial Action Task Force ( FATF) and the Global Counter terrorism Forum (GCTF), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The two leaders reviewed and positively assessed the developments in the bilateral Strategic Partnership across sectors such as trade and investment, defence, security, space, science & technology, education, and people-to-people ties, it said. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the progress being made on the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29, which would benefit the two economies and peoples, it added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The two leaders welcomed the two Business Fora held in New Delhi and Brescia this year with robust participation of the respective industries. They noted the ongoing efforts to increase business, technology, innovation and investment partnerships aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of both economies and building resilient supply chains. They appreciated the recent visit of an Italian Space delegation to India, which would augment collaboration in this domain, both at the government and private sector levels. Prime Minister Meloni reiterated Italys strong support for the conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement and for the success of the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in 2026. The two leaders looked forward to continuing their dialogue and working together in multilateral and global platforms for upholding their shared values of democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development. India-Italy trade is estimated at about USD 15 billion in 2023-2024, while Foreign Direct Investments from Italy into India are estimated at about USD 4 billion since the year 2000. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Jaishankar spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Sunday and reiterated Indias view that the RussiaUkraine conflict should end as soon as possible to pave the way for lasting peace. The conversation came amid heightened global diplomacy over a controversial US peace proposal. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said he held a phone conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, during which he reiterated Indias long-standing position that the RussiaUkraine conflict must end at the earliest and give way to an enduring peace. The call came just weeks after their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers Outreach Session in Canada, where the two ministers discussed bilateral issues, developments on the battlefield, and possible pathways toward peace. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Had a telecon with FM Andrii Sybiha of Ukraine last evening. Appreciate his briefing on the ongoing developments related to the Ukraine conflict. Reiterated Indias support for an early end to this conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace, Jaishankar posted on X. The conversation took place amid intense diplomatic activity over a contentious US-drafted peace proposal currently circulating among global stakeholders. Sybiha, in his own post, said he briefed Jaishankar on ongoing peace efforts and upcoming diplomatic engagements, stressing that India has an important role in advancing a just peace in the conflict. The exchange comes as the war shows no signs of slowing, even as pressure mounts on Kyiv and Moscow to re-engage in meaningful negotiations. President Donald Trump recently intensified that pressure, urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept his 28-point peace plan by Thanksgiving, calling it a good and necessary deal to end the war. Speaking outside the White House, Trump said that if Zelensky refuses, he can fight his little heart out, while adding that the proposal remains open to negotiation. Asked if the draft was his final offer, Trump replied, No, we would like to get to peace One way or another, we will get it ended. He also repeated his claim that had he been president in early 2022, the war never would have happened. Zelensky, however, signalled serious concerns about the plan, warning that Ukraine faces a very tough choice either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner. He added, Either a difficult 28-point plan, or an extremely difficult winter, the most difficult one and further risks ahead. A life without freedom, dignity, and justice, and being forced to trust someone who has already attacked us twice. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has set a Thursday deadline for Kyiv to respond, adding to the pressure on Ukraine as winter fighting intensifies. What is the 28-point proposal? The draft document prepared by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Russias Kirill Dmitriev lays out sweeping territorial, military, and political concessions aimed at ending the war. European governments, which were not consulted until the draft leaked, have already criticised it as heavily tilted in Moscows favour. According to the proposal, Ukrainian forces would withdraw from areas of Donetsk still under their control, while effectively acknowledging Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea. The plan also seeks to freeze front lines in the occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. It further recommends capping Ukraines military at 600,000 personnel, basing European fighter jets in Poland, and offering Kyiv unspecified reliable security guarantees. In return, Russia would see sweeping sanctions relief and be welcomed back into the G7, restoring the G8 format. Israel launched an air strike on southern Beirut on Sunday, targeting Hezbollahs second most senior leader in its first attack in the area since early June. According to CNN, the operation aimed at Hezbollahs Chief of Staff Haytham Ali Tabatabai, though it remains unclear whether he was killed. Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in the Dahiyeh in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Tuesday. (Photo: Associated Press) Israel said it carried out an air strike in Beirut on Sunday targeting Hezbollahs chief of staff, hitting an apartment building in the capital an escalation the Iran-backed group said crossed a red line. Lebanons health ministry said five people were killed and 28 wounded, without identifying the victims. The strike hit the Haret Hreik neighbourhood in Beiruts southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. Hezbollah confirmed a senior commander was the intended target but withheld the name. An Israeli government spokeswoman also declined to identify the individual. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An AFP correspondent reported that the blast ripped through the third and fourth floors of a nine-storey building. Debris littered the street, damaging cars, as rescue crews searched inside for survivors. Ambulances and fire crews evacuated a wounded woman on a stretcher, while Lebanese soldiers secured the area. The National News Agency said three missiles struck the building. Netanyahu orders strike amid vow of maximum enforcement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said he authorised the operation the latest Israeli strike inside Lebanon despite a year-long ceasefire with Hezbollah. In the heart of Beirut, the IDF attacked the Hezbollah chief of staff, who had been leading the terrorist organisations build-up and rearmament, the statement said. Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times. Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a sharp warning: Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have his hand cut off. He said Israel would continue its policy of maximum enforcement. Hezbollah official Mahmud Qomati, speaking at the site, said the attack crosses a new red line. The targeting was clearly aimed at a key figure in the resistance, he added, without naming the person. Sundays strike was the first in Beiruts southern suburbs since June 5, when Israel said it hit a Hezbollah drone factory. A weakened Hezbollah faces growing pressure Hezbollah has been weakened since it opened fronts against Israel in support of Hamas in Gaza in October 2023, a confrontation that escalated into two months of war. Since then, Israel and the United States have increased pressure on Lebanon to curb the groups military operations demands Hezbollah rejects. Hezbollah will not be allowed to rearm and operate inside of Lebanon and we expect Lebanon to hold Hezbollahs feet to the fire on this, Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hezbollahs terrorist activities constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and the IDF will continue to operate to remove any threats to the citizens of Israel, she added. Netanyahu earlier told his cabinet that Israel will continue to do everything necessary to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its threat capability against us. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the international community to intervene to stop Israeli attacks, saying Beirut reiterates its call to intervene firmly and seriously to stop the attacks on Lebanon and its people. On his second day in South Africa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg and introduced as many as 6 new global initiatives. On his second day in South Africa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg. While the event is being boycotted by the United States, the prime minister introduced as many as 6 global initiatives in partnership with countries around the world. On Saturday, PM Modi emphasised that these exchanges reaffirmed a shared commitment to global progress and prosperity. The Prime Minister met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the day-long interactions at the summit hosted by South Africa. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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.@10DowningStreet @Keir_Starmer pic.twitter.com/LzQk7QPnaS Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 22, 2025 He also met other leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, before the main session began. 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 after he met with Starmer. The Prime Ministers meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung was their second this year. PM Modi said it reflected the strong momentum in our Special Strategic Partnership, adding that both sides discussed ways to deepen economic and investment linkages. Following his meeting with Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Modi said India and Brazil would continue to work closely to boost trade and cultural linkages for the benefit of our people. He also described his discussion with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as very productive. Modi later shared a family photo with fellow G20 leaders, posting, Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to global progress and prosperity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trilateral tech alliance with Canada and Australia One of the key highlights of the Saturday meeting was the prime ministers announcement of a new trilateral technology and innovation alliance between India, Australia and Canada as he met his counterparts Anthony Albanese and Mark Carney. We are delighted to announce an Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership today, Modi said in a social media post after meeting Albanese and Canadas 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. 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 Meanwhile, the Canadian government also released a statment after the meeting, noting that the initiatives 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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. The meeting between PM Modi and Carney also reflected the warming of ties between India and Canada. The article specifically questioned Epsteins connection to Israeli intelligence, highlighting long-standing claims and rumors that the billionaire pedophile had been an asset or otherwise worked for Israeli intelligence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked controversy after sharing an article that alleges the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once had ties to the countrys intelligence services and claimed to have meddled in Israels elections. The Prime Minister posted the piece from the American socialist publication Jacobin on X (previously Twitter), amplifying long-circulating rumors and bringing them into the political mainstream. The article specifically questioned Epsteins connection to Israeli intelligence, highlighting long-standing claims and rumors that the billionaire pedophile had been an asset or otherwise worked for Israeli intelligence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Netanyahus post follows a recent revelation that newly uncovered text messages showed Epstein consulted with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Baraka longtime political foe of Netanyahuduring the countrys 2019 parliamentary election. More from World Slovenia to hold new referendum on contested assisted dying law Also read | Has Trump opened a can of worms by signing the Epstein files release order? The Jacobin report alleged that leaked emails involving Barak suggested Epstein was involved in activities on behalf of the government, stating that the financier was quietly carrying out work on behalf of the Israeli government. The article is titled, Jeffrey Epstein Claimed to Have Meddled in Israels Elections. However, the report itself noted that despite the various connectionsincluding Epsteins friendship with Barak, his numerous trips to Israel, and his Jewish backgroundthere is no substantial evidence of any ties between the Israeli intelligence and Epstein. The action by the Israeli PM comes as the United States Congress overwhelmingly moved to compel the Justice Department to release its full, unredacted files on the Epstein investigation. At Cop30 in Brazil, nearly 200 nations agreed to triple adaptation finance but avoided fossil fuel commitments, exposing deep divides amid the absence of US leadership. Delegates from Ethiopia, host of COP32, pose for a photo at the COP30 U.N. Climate Summit, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Belem, Brazil. (AP Photo) In the turbulent final hours of the UN climate summit in Brazil, Cop30 negotiators managed to secure a deal that exposed both entrenched geopolitical rifts and the difficulty of forging collective action. Hammered out after gate-side protests, pressure from oil-exporting nations and vocal dissatisfaction from several delegations, the agreement reflected the limits of global climate cooperation in the wake of the Trump administrations decision to step back from international climate policy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A deal reached under pressure and in disarray With delegates exhausted and deadlock deepening, Cop30 President Andre Correa do Lago warned that failure would reward those who oppose climate cooperation. His appeal came as talks teetered on collapse amid fierce disagreements over fossil fuels, finance and forest protection. Nearly 200 nations endorsed the final compromise, which included a commitment to triple adaptation finance for developing countries but avoided any mention of fossil fuels, the main driver of global warming. The omission left many countries frustrated and led observers to describe the outcome as anything from a diplomatic win to a very bad joke, signalling the widening gap between ambition and political reality. The two-week path to the final deal involved all the human drama associated with extreme fatigue, frustration and obstinance: Indigenous protesters charged the conference gates; Saudi Arabia threatened the deals collapse if its oil industry was targeted; Panama called the talks a clown show; and the closing ceremony was suspended for an hour as host Brazil tried to sort out objections. US absence casts a long shadow The conference unfolded without a formal US delegation, after President Donald Trump abandoned climate cooperation and dismissed global warming as a hoax. It marked a stark break from past summits, where Washington helped push global ambition alongside the European Union. EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra admitted forging consensus was a major blow without the worlds largest historical emitter. The EU ultimately conceded on its push to include fossil fuel transition language, facing resistance led by Saudi Arabia whose Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was freshly welcomed at the White House. For many developing and climate-vulnerable nations, the result fell far short of expectations. Panama called it complicity, not neutrality. Forest-rich nations complained that the Forest COP delivered no meaningful progress on halting deforestation. Adaptation funds rise, but ambition stalls Developing nations did secure a key win: a commitment to triple adaptation funding to help countries cope with rising seas, extreme heat and intensifying storms. The Alliance of Small Island States called the deal a win for multilateralism, even as others stressed its limits. Former US Vice President Al Gore described the agreement as the floor not the ceiling, noting that although oil-producing states blocked a fossil-fuel phase-out, Brazil will now lead an effort to craft a global roadmap with support from more than 80 nations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The true test of COP30s fractured compromise lies ahead. Brazil must now shepherd negotiations toward a fossil-fuel transition plan and mobilise the expanded pool of adaptation finance. Analysts warn that trust in the process remains fragile after a summit that many participants described as opaque, politically strained and procedurally messy. As one expert put it, COP30 showcased both the urgent need for climate cooperation and the increasingly volatile global politics that threaten to derail it. With inputs from agencies Relentless rains and severe flooding across central and south-central Vietnam have killed scores of people, displaced thousands, and left rescuers searching for the missing. At least 90 people have been killed across six provinces. (Reuters) Relentless rains and floods have killed at least 90 people in central Vietnam since the weekend, while searches continue for nine others still missing, according to AFP reports. More than 52,000 homes have been submerged, and half a million households and businesses have been left without power, prompting tens of thousands of residents to evacuate from flood-affected regions. Rainfall in several areas over the past three days has exceeded 1.5 m, rising even beyond the 1993 flood peak of 5.2 m in some parts. The country has faced repeated bouts of extreme weather in recent months, with typhoons Kalmaegi and Bualoi leaving a trail of death and destruction only weeks apart. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Death toll rises across provinces as rescuers battle difficult conditions Rescuers raced on Saturday to find more than a dozen people still missing after a week of heavy flooding across Vietnam, where authorities confirmed at least 55 deaths on Saturday. South-central regions have been lashed by relentless rain since late October, and several popular holiday destinations have endured repeated rounds of flooding. Entire city blocks in coastal Nha Trang were inundated this week, while deadly landslides struck highland passes around the Da Lat tourist hub. Mountainous Dak Lak province was the hardest hit, recording more than two dozen fatalities. State media reported rescuers still plucking people from treetops and the roofs of homes as floodwaters receded there on Friday. Multiple highways remained impassable on Saturday, and around 300,000 people were without power, following an earlier blackout that initially affected more than a million. Natural disasters have left 279 people dead or missing in Vietnam and caused more than $2 billion in damage between January and October, the national statistics office said. Although the country is prone to heavy rain between June and September, scientists have identified a pattern of human-driven climate change that is making extreme weather increasingly frequent and destructive. US secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the 28-point peace was authored by the US and called it a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. US secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday rejected accusations from the lawmakers that the 28-point peace plan aimed at mirroring Russian demands. He insisted that the peace proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine was drafted by the US. Rubio posted on X, that the peace proposal was authored by the United States and wrote It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. The peace proposal was authored by the U.S. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine. https://t.co/JWbAQ04kcw Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 23, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine, he added. Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican, told reporters at a conference in Halifax earlier on Saturday that Rubio had called him and other senators and said it was a proposal that the US had received and passed on to Ukraine. Rounds said, He made it very clear to us that we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives. It is not our recommendation, it is not our plan." Content of the peace proposal The leaked outline contemplates US recognition of Russian control over Crimea and separatist-held areas in Eastern Ukraine. The proposal also envisions security awareness for Ukraine while limiting its military size and ruling out Nato membership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly rejected any settlement requiring territorial concessions or closing the door to Nato. He signalled that major changes will be required to shape the peace plan. Officials from US and European countries met in Geneva to discuss the peace plan and will present revisions before any deal is presented to Kyiv. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (With inputs from Reuters) Several international airlines are cancelling their flights to and from Venezuela after the United States Federal Aviation Administration warned major airlines of a potentially hazardous situation when flying over the country. A view of a departures and arrivals screen is seen at the Simon Bolivar International airport in Maiquetia, La Guaira State, Venezuela June 3, 2024. AFP Several international airlines are cancelling their flights to and from Venezuela after the United States Federal Aviation Administration warned major airlines of a potentially hazardous situation when flying over the country. The announcement came amid brewing tensions between the two nations. According to Flight Radar 24, Brazils Gol, Colombias Avianca, Chiles LATAM, Trinidad and Tobagos Caribbean, and TAP Air Portugal cancelled their flights departing from Caracas on Saturday. The official website of Simon Bolivar Maiquetia International Airport also indicated the same. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amid the cancellation of flights, Aeronautica Civil de Colombia said in a statement that there were potential risks of flying in the Maiquetia area due to the deterioration of security conditions and increased military activity in the region. Meanwhile, TAP Air Portugal also confirmed that it is cancelling flights scheduled for Saturday and next Tuesday. This decision follows information issued by the United States aviation authorities, which indicates that safety conditions in Venezuelan airspace are not guaranteed, the company told Reuters. The US issues a warning The announcements from multiple international airlines came shortly after the US FAA issued a notice on the matter, citing worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela. The American authorities noted that these threats could pose significant risks to aircraft flying at all altitudes. In recent weeks, there has been a massive American military buildup in the region, including the deployment of the US Navys largest aircraft carrier, at least eight other warships, and F-35 aircraft. Four US officials told Reuters that the country is poised to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days. Two of the officials also revealed that covert operations will likely be the first part of the new phase against President Nicolas Maduro. President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice, one of the officials told Reuters on the condition of anonymity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The sources noted that all options are under consideration, including the attempt to overthrow Maduro. Venture capitalists have funnelled $23 billion into crypto companies so far in 2025, despite the $1.4 trillion November meltdown. Indeed, the latest market freefall is making investors more selective rather than fearful, Shane Molidor, founder of crypto advisory firm Forgd, told DL News. The recent market downturn is likely to smother ongoing fundraising efforts for all but the highest quality companies, Molidor said. Cheque sizes are smaller and investors are performing stringent due diligence. But top operators are seemingly immune to the slump. Blue-chip names, such as Kraken, Ripple, Polymarket, and a handful of others, have remained insulated, he said. As capital consolidates around the strongest operators, those market leaders will widen their lead. Spencer Yang, managing partner at crypto-native advisory firm BlockSpaceForce, told DL News that macroeconomic headwinds are still weighing heavily on investor decisions. Because of the prolonged government shutdown, markets are struggling to interpret what the Fed is actually signaling, Yang said. The US is still wrestling with a form of stagflation, and that lingering uncertainty is weighing on every risk asset class, crypto included were seeing a clear risk-off shift. Even so, seven crypto firms raised more than $253 million this week, DefiLlama data shows, with big cheques coming from market titan Citadel Securities, Coinbase Ventures, and stablecoin giant Tether. Here are the biggest raises this week. Kraken, $200m Crypto exchange Kraken secured $200 million in a strategic round from Citadel Securities, valuing the firm at $20 billion. It follows a previously undisclosed $600 million raise in September at a $15 billion valuation from top institutional investors, including Jane Street, DRW, Oppenheimer, Tribe Capital, and Arjun Sethis family office. The combined $800 million in fresh capital strengthens Kraken ahead of its targeted 2026 IPO. The company plans to expand internationally and build new payment products. Kraken more than doubled year-over-year revenue to $648 million in the third quarter and recently bought futures platform NinjaTrader for $1.5 billion. Citadel Securities president Jim Esposito said the Wall Street behemoth is backing Kraken as it helps shape the next chapter of digital innovation in markets. Obex, $37m Stablecoin incubator Obex raised $37 million in a round led by Framework, LayerZero Labs, and Sky. Stablecoin protocol Sky is also allocating a further $2.5 billion to projects incubated by Obex. Based in San Francisco, Obex runs a 12-week programme to help teams build institutional-grade stablecoins that pursue real-world yield. Top graduates receive nine-figure allocations of USDS liquidity from Sky. Each project is designed to operate independently within the Sky ecosystem. Usha Vance broke the silence after photos of her without a wedding ring triggered online gossip about her marriage. The spokesperson of Usha Vance issued a brief statement and cleared the rumours about the couple. United States Second Lady and wife of Vice President JD Vance, Usha Vance addressed the swirling speculation about her marriage after she was spotted without her wedding ring. Usha along with First lady Melania Trump visited Camp Lejeune, a US military camp in North Carolina on November 19 where she was photographed without her wedding ring which stirred public attention sparking a wave of online rumours about the couples relationship. In the image during her official visit, Usha appeared in a burgundy outfit, who was seen greeting service members and families. What drew the spark was her bare left ring finger. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Social media was swirled with online gossip, with some commentators suggesting the missing ring signalled a looming separation of soft launch of a divorce from the Vice President. The episode followed weeks of heightened scrutiny of the couple after an onstage embrace between JD Vance and Erika Kirk, widow of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, which went viral on social media and fuelled gossip. The warm hug between JD Vance and Erika at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi on October 29 attracted attention on social media. Declining the rumours In a bid to quell the speculation, the spokesperson of Usha Vance issued a brief statement and told People that Usha, a mother of three, spends her days doing a lot of dishes, giving lots of baths, and forgetting her ring sometimes". JD Vance and Usha met at Yale Law School and married each other in 2014. The couple has two sons, Ewan and Vivek, and a daughter Mirabel. The pair recently faced a backlash after Vance openly spoke about hoping his Hindu wife could one day embrace Catholic faith. Erika saw similarities between Vance and Kirk Erika at the University of Mississippi last month addressed the audience, saying that she saw similarities between Kirk and Vance. No one will ever replace my husband. But I do see some similarities of my husband in Vice President JD Vance. I do. And thats why I am so blessed to be able to introduce him tonight, Erika said. Slovenia holds a new referendum on Sunday to decide the fate of assisted dying law for mentally competent, terminally ill adults whose suffering had become unbearable and when no viable medical solutions remained. One man recalls his wife's impossible decision as Slovenia votes on assisted dying. Image credit: Reuters Slovenia is poised for a pivotal vote as citizens return to the polls on Sunday deciding whether a law legalising assisted dying law, marking a significant moment in the history after critics mounted a campaign against the legislation. Legal developments and background In July 2025, Slovenias parliament formally legalised assisted dying for mentally competent, terminally ill adults whose suffering had become unbearable and when no viable medical solutions remained. This law came into existence after several European countries, including Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland allowed terminally ill adults to receive medical help to end their lives, following a 2024 referendum in which the majority of Slovenians supported such measures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Campaigns and referendums Despite initial parliamentary approval and public backing, opposition swiftly mobilised. A coalition of civic groups, receiving a majority from the Catholic church and conservative parties, gathered more than 46,000 signatures surpassing the threshold needed to trigger a binding referendum on the law. The critics still argued that legislation violated the sanctity of life and risks coercing vulnerable individuals labelling it as a crime. Supporters including the Prime Minister Robert Golob, have advocated for the personal dignity and autonomy that the law will grant for the personal dignity of the Slovenians. More from World Thousands rally in Manila over corruption scandal that implicated top Philippine officials The Catholic Church has said allowing assisted dying contradicts the foundations of the Gospel, natural law and human dignity. Prime Minister Robert Golob, who voted in advance, has urged citizens to back the law so that each of us can decide for ourselves how and with what dignity we will end our lives. Public opinion Recent polls published by the Dnevnik daily, based on 700 responses show that about per cent of Slovenians currently support the law, 31 per cent rejected it and 15 remain undecided. Sundays referendum will be binding; if the public rejects the law then the parliament will be prohibited from revisiting similar legislation for the next 12 months. While several European countries already allow terminally ill people to receive medical help to end their lives, in others it remains a crime, even in cases of severe suffering. The results The outcome of the referendum is expected to be closely watched, with partial results anticipated late Sunday evening. This will remain the much awaited decisive result to one of medicines most profound ethical challenges. The G20 summit in South Africa ended on Sunday with an unusual diplomatic clash after Pretoria refused to carry out the traditional presidency handover to a lower-rank US representative. The move came after the United States boycotted the meeting, prompting US President Donald Trump meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 21, 2025. File Image/Reuters The G20 summit concluded on Sunday with an unexpected diplomatic standoff after host nation South Africa refused to hand over the rotating presidency to what it considered a junior US representative. The tension unfolded even as the United States which boycotted the two-day summit is due to assume the G20 presidency in 2026. Pretoria declined to take part in the traditional handover ceremony, citing protocol norms, after a White House official warned President Cyril Ramaphosa against running his mouth about the US and President Donald Trump. South Africa argued that because Washington chose to send a lower-rank embassy official to the leaders summit, it would reciprocate with a similarly ranked delegation for the symbolic passing of the G20 gavel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The dispute followed Trumps decision to boycott the summit, accusing South Africa of imposing racist and anti-White policies and persecuting its Afrikaner minority allegations firmly rejected by Pretoria. South Africa saw the US decision to send only a diplomatic official as a deliberate slight to Ramaphosa. South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola underscored the perceived protocol violation, saying: The United States is a member of the G20, and if they want to be represented, they can still send anyone at the right level. He added: It is the leaders summit. The right level is the head of state, a special envoy appointed by the president of that country, or it could also be a minister. He noted that the handover may instead take place later, possibly at the foreign ministry headquarters. USSouth Africa rift widens Tensions deepened when Ramaphosa claimed the US had reversed its boycott and was attempting to join the summit at the last minute a claim the White House denied, insisting its officials would attend only the handover. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed Ramaphosas remarks, saying he was running his mouth a little bit against the United States and the president of the United States. South Africa also broke with long-standing G20 practice by releasing the leaders declaration on the opening day of the summit rather than at the end, despite US objections to a South African agenda focused on climate change and global inequality. Lamola reiterated that Ramaphosa will not be handing over to the charge daffaires from the US, stressing again that Washington must send representation at the right level. Government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya reinforced the stance: The President will not handover to a junior embassy official. Its a breach of protocol that is not going to be accommodated or allowed in this instance. Pretoria added that no such handover has ever occurred in G20 history and allowing one would set an unwelcome precedent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite the boycott, the US had sought a symbolic handover to a lower-ranking diplomat a request firmly rejected by South Africa on protocol grounds. Boycott, backlash and further tensions South Africa currently holds the G20 presidency under the groupings rotating system. The United States is set to assume the role next year, with Trump planning to host the summit in Miami, Florida. Earlier, Leavitt provoked additional criticism when she confirmed the US would not participate in formal G20 talks and again used disparaging language about Ramaphosa. The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa. I saw the South African President running his mouth a little bit against the United States and @POTUS and that language is not appreciated by @POTUS and his team, she said. Her comments followed Ramaphosas assertion that Washington had shown a change of mind over its boycott at the 11th hour. Trump had already declared that no US official would attend the summit, arguing that South Africa shouldnt even be in the Gs anymore. He also cited claims of violent persecution of white Afrikaner farmers allegations widely rejected by South African authorities as justification for the boycott. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US President Donald Trump clarified on Saturday that the controversial Russia-Ukraine peace plan is not his final offer for Kyiv as Western allies raise concerns over the key criteria of the proposal. 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 US President Donald Trump clarified on Saturday that the controversial Russia-Ukraine peace plan is not his final offer for Kyiv as Western allies raise concerns over the key criteria of the proposal. The remarks from Trump came shortly after Europe, Canada and Japan said the plan had elements essential for a just and lasting peace, but would require additional work. The Ukrainian allies went on to cite concerns over border changes and caps on Ukraines army. Security officials from the UK, France, Germany, the US and Ukraine are now expected to meet in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss the 28-point proposal. It is pertient to note that Trump has given Ukraine until 27 November to accept the 28-point plan, while Russias President Vladimir Putin said it could be the basis for a settlement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When asked on Saturday if the current draft was the final offer for Ukraine, Trump told reporters at the White House, No, not my final offer. One way or another, we have to get it [the war] ended, so were working on it, he added. Meanwhile, US Secretary Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are also expected to be among those taking part in talks in Geneva on Sunday. Western leaders worry about Ukraines future The Saturday joint statement regarding the Ukraine peace plan was signed by leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany and Norway at the G20 leaders summit in South Africa. Two of the top EU officials present at the international event were also among the signatories. 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, the statement said. We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraines armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack. The implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to Nato would need the consent of EU and Nato members, respectively, it added. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone call with Zelenskyy, followed by a call with Trump, while he was at the G20 Summit in South Africa, the BBC reported. While speaking to Trump, a Downing Street spokesman said Starmer relayed the discussions that have been taking place between Coalition of the Willing partners [Ukraines allies] in attendance at the G20 summit today. The leaders agreed their teams would work together on the 28-point US peace proposal in Geneva tomorrow. They agreed to speak again tomorrow, the spokesperson added. The controversial plan The widely leaked US peace plan calls on Ukrainian troops to withdraw from the part of the eastern Donetsk region that they currently control, and de facto Russian control of Donetsk, as well as the neighbouring Luhansk region and the southern Crimea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. The plan also proposes freezing the borders of Ukraines southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions along the current battle lines. It is important to note that both regions are partially occupied by Russia. The US draft will reportedly also limit Ukraines military to 600,000 personnel, with European fighter jets stationed in neighbouring Poland. Kyiv would receive reliable security guarantees, the plan says, although no details have been given. The document says it is expected that Russia will not invade its neighbours and Nato will not expand further. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trumps Saturday clarification came a day after he said that Zelenskyy would have to like the US proposals, adding that otherwise Ukraine and Russia would continue fighting. In light of this, Zelenskyy addressed the nation, delivering a warning that the country might face a very difficult choice: either losing dignity, or risk losing a key partner. Today is one of the most difficult moments in our history, Zelensky added, pledging to work constructively with the Americans on the plan. Trump on Sunday defended his proposed peace plan for Ukraine, saying the RussiaUkraine war was the product of weak leadership in Washington and Kyiv and insisting the conflict would have never happened under stronger leadership. US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's meeting in the Oval Office of the White House was widely seen as an ambush. File image/AFP US President Donald Trump, facing criticism from Kyiv over his proposed peace plan, said the RussiaUkraine war was the result of weak leadership in Washington and Kyiv, arguing the conflict would have NEVER HAPPENED under stronger stewardship. The war between Russia and Ukraine is a violent and terrible one that, with strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian leadership, would have NEVER HAPPENED. It began long before I took office for a second term, during the Sleepy Joe Biden Administration, and has only gotten worse," Trump wrote on social media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The RussiaUkraine crisis traces back to 2014, when mass protests in Kyiv toppled President Viktor Yanukovych, prompting Russia to annex Crimea following a disputed referendum. Soon after, fighting erupted in Donetsk and Luhansk between Ukrainian forces and Moscow-backed separatists. Despite attempts at peace through the Minsk agreements, clashes persisted. The conflict escalated dramatically in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion, turning the situation into a prolonged and brutal war. Trump was not in office during either the 2014 annexation or the 2022 invasion; he won the presidency in 2016 and exited in 2020. In his latest remarks, Trump reiterated his long-standing claim that Joe Bidens weak leadership emboldened Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin would never have attacked! It was only when he saw Sleepy Joe in action that he said, Now is my chance! The rest is history, and so it continues. I INHERITED A WAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED, A WAR THAT IS A LOSER FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE SO NEEDLESSLY DIED, he wrote. Trump also criticised European countries for continuing to buy Russian oil, arguing that such purchases undermined sanctions intended to pressure Moscow. He further claimed Ukraine had shown zero gratitude for US efforts. UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. THE USA CONTINUES TO SELL MASSIVE $AMOUNTS OF WEAPONS TO NATO, FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UKRAINE (CROOKED JOE GAVE EVERYTHING, FREE, FREE, FREE, INCLUDING BIG MONEY!), he said, accusing Biden of sending billions in US military aid to Kyiv. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Top US and European delegates met in Geneva to discuss Donald Trumps 28-point plan for ending the Russia-Ukraine war. To end the never ending Russia-Ukraine war, top delegates from the United States, Ukraine, France, Britain, and Germany gathered in Geneva to discuss Washingtons draft plan to end the escalating crisis. The diplomats assembled for Donald Trumps controversial 28-point plan. The central figures included US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Russian invasion reached its fourth year dismantling the national security and intensive food crisis. Italy also sent a delegate, reflecting broad continental involvement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trumps peace proposal US President Donald Trump said Zelensky had until Thursday to approve the 28-point plan, which aims to neutralise the war within its limits. The draft plan declared by Trump required cede certain territories and restrict the size of the military and its territory reducing the capability of the armed forces renouncing their aspirations to join Nato. National security advisers from the so-called E3 alliance of France, Britain and Germany will join the discussions, alongside the European Union European Union European officials have responded by forwarding an alternative draft peace deal to both Washington and Kyiv, aiming to safeguard Ukrainian interests, uphold security values, and counter concessions. European and other Western leaders said on Saturday the US peace plan, which endorses key Russian demands, was a basis for talks to end the war but needed additional work, as they seek a better deal for Kyiv before Thursdays deadline. Losing dignity Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned before the talks that Ukraine risks losing dignity and freedom or the support of Washington" depending on the negotiations. The US has put forward their stance that no final deal will be disclosed until a direct meeting between the presidents of Ukraine and US. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the plan as the basis of a resolution to the conflict, but Moscow may object to some proposals in the scheme withdrawing troops from occupied areas. The White House said on Saturday that South Africa is refusing to facilitate a smooth transition of its presidency of the G20 to the US. Heres why it is an issue The White House said on Saturday that South Africa is refusing to facilitate a smooth transition of its presidency of the G20 to the US. The allegation from Washington came after the South African Foreign Ministry said it would hand over the presidency to the US on an appropriate level. Soon after the assertion, the G20 issued a joint declaration on the climate crisis, neglecting the American objection to it. On Saturday, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had pushed to issue a G20 leaders declaration addressing the climate crisis and other global challenges despite consistent and robust US objections. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She noted that the US President Donald Trump was looking forward to restoring the legitimacy to the G20 in the US 2026 host year. Earlier, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told a news conference on the sidelines of the summit that the US wanted to implement the handover through the charge daffaires of its embassy in South Africa. Handover issue Lamola stressed that the South African Foreign Ministry (Department of International Relations & Cooperation, or DIRCO) wants to differentiate between the handover and the deliberations that are currently happening at the summit, which many leaders and their appropriately-designated officials attended. He explained that the handover must happen at the head of state level, or at least a minister who is properly designated by the president of the United States of America. So now that they have assigned a charge, weve said DIRCO has equivalent officials of the charge, hence we will do the handover at DIRCO offices anytime from Monday, he announced. Lamola maintained that this cannot in any way strain relations, since it will be done at an appropriate level. We will accord them the equivalent respect by assuring that the person who does the handover is an appropriate, equal, equivalent of the charge, he said. The only thing we said is that our president cannot hand over to a charge daffaires in the leaders summit attended by so many heads of state, he said. Relations between the United States and Pretoria have seen significant strain after Trump returned to the office. The ties plunged to their lowest after the Trump administration alleged that White South Africans are facing discrimination. Established in 1999, the G20 comprises 19 countries and two regional bodies the EU and the African Union. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies. Ukraine carried out a major drone strike deep inside Russia on Sunday, hitting a heat and power station in the Moscow region and sparking a large fire that cut heating for thousands of residents. The attack marks one of Kyivs most significant hits on Russian energy infrastructure since the war began. Ukraine launched one of its most significant strikes deep inside Russia on Sunday, hitting a heat and power station in the Moscow region with drones. The attack ignited a large fire and left thousands without heating, marking a sharp escalation in Kyivs campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. Now in the fourth year of Europes deadliest conflict since World War Two, Russia has intensified its assaults on Ukraines electricity and heating systems. Kyiv, meanwhile, has largely concentrated on disrupting Russias oil refineries, export terminals and pipelines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But before dawn on Sunday, Ukrainian drones targeted the Shatura Power Station, located roughly 120 km (75 miles) east of the Kremlin, according to Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov. Videos posted on Telegram showed flames and thick black smoke billowing into the night sky. Reuters verified the location but could not confirm when the footage was filmed. Some of the drones were destroyed by air-defence forces. Several fell on the territory of the station. A fire broke out at the facility, Vorobyov said. He added that backup power had been activated and mobile heating units were being moved into the area, where temperatures hovered around freezing. All efforts are being taken to promptly restore heat supply, he said. Shatura is home to about 33,000 people. A local resident reported a complete loss of heating. Three transformers caught fire in the strike, the Kommersant newspaper reported, citing the emergencies ministry. Russian attacks in recent months have repeatedly caused power and heating outages across Ukraine. Kyiv has sought to hit back by undermining Russias oil revenues and by striking energy installations in Russian-held Ukrainian territories and in Russian regions bordering Ukraine. Until now, however, it had not caused major damage to energy facilities serving Moscow and its wider region, home to more than 22 million people. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Russias defence ministry said it shot down 75 Ukrainian drones on Sunday, including 36 over the Black Sea and several near Moscow. Flights at Moscows Vnukovo airport were briefly suspended for about an hour. The Shatura plant, one of Russias oldest power stations, was established after the Bolshevik Revolution under Vladimir Lenin. Once fuelled by peat, it now runs primarily on natural gas. This meeting was the most recent step in Ukraines diplomatic effort to gather strong international agreement for its peace conditions, which demand that Russian forces completely leave and that Ukraines borders be returned to their recognised state A man jogs with his dog outside the Missions of the United States of America in Geneva, on November 23, 2025 ahead of discussions on a US plan to end the war in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Geneva on November 23, 2025 morning for discussions on a US plan to end the Ukraine war, after Washington signalled room for negotiation on the controversial proposal. Ukrainian, European and Canadian officials were also gathering in the Swiss city. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) Top diplomats and national security advisers from Ukraine and its Western partners convened in Geneva on Sunday to assess a new peace proposal put forward by the United States. The meeting served as the latest round in Ukraines diplomatic campaign to build a powerful global consensus around its terms for peace, which insist on the full withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraines internationally recognised borders. Ukrainian officials stressed that the meeting was not about negotiations with Moscow, but about uniting the international community behind a shared vision for peace grounded in the UN Charter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A major priority for Kyiv is coaxing greater support from nations in the Global Southcountries like Brazil, India, and Saudi Arabiawhich have so far remained neutral or cautious. Winning these states over is seen as essential to strengthening Ukraines position and increasing diplomatic pressure on Russia. Ukraine and its Western allies want many countries worldwide to support the plan. They believe this global support will prove that the conflict is not just a local fight, but a clear danger to the basic rules of international law. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was awaiting the outcome of the gathering, calling a positive result necessary for all of us. He added on Telegram that Ukrainian, American, and European teams remain in constant coordination, emphasising that bloodshed must be stopped and guarantees must be secured to prevent the war from reigniting. Much of the summit focused on breaking down the key components of the 10-point plan, with sessions dedicated to nuclear safety, energy security, and accountability for war crimesissues central to any future settlement. Yet the core obstacle persists: Moscow rejects any peace plan that does not acknowledge what it describes as new territorial realities, referring to the four regions it illegally annexed in 2022. The Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed the Geneva talks as a propaganda exercise, insisting that no meaningful progress is possible without its participation and acceptance of its demands. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite this, Ukrainian officials hailed the summit as an important milestone. By consolidating a unified international stance, they believe they are laying the foundation for a future peace processone that cannot be shaped on Kremlin terms. A night of violence in Chicagos Loop and a separate train attack have intensified debate over public safety and political leadership. In a Saturday post on Truth Social, he described massive crime and rioting in Chicagos Loop, saying multiple officers were injured, around 300 people were involved, and six were shot, including one in critical condition and one dead. (AP) US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that Chicago residents were calling to bring in Trump after a wave of violence in the city. His comments followed a Friday night riot in the Chicago Loop, where at least eight teenagers were shot, one fatally, and several police officers were attacked. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that there had been massive crime and rioting in the Chicago Loop area and said that multiple Police Officers [were] attacked and badly injured. He stated that 300 people were involved in rioting and that 6 victims had been shot, with one critical and one DEAD. He criticised Governor Pritzker and Chicagos mayor, alleging they were refusing federal assistance, and added that the people are chanting, BRING IN TRUMP!!! STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The disturbance erupted after a Christmas tree lighting ceremony near State and Randolph streets at around 10 pm on Friday, according to Fox 32 Chicago. Alderman Brian Hopkins of the citys 2nd Ward said approximately 300 juveniles were involved, using mace and stun guns against officers. He confirmed that at least one officer was hospitalised. Among those shot were six children aged 13, 14, 14, 15, 16 and 17. Less than an hour later, a 14-year-old boy was shot and later died in hospital, while an 18-year-old man was also wounded. Train attack heightens public safety concerns The unrest came only days after a separate incident in which a man with a lengthy criminal record was accused of setting a woman on fire aboard a Chicago train. Lawrence Reed, 50, is charged with committing a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system. Officials said he had no business being on the streets. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson described the train assault as an isolated incident. Records indicate Reed has been arrested at least a dozen times since 2017, with charges including felony aggravated arson and multiple battery offenses. Despite prosecutors seeking to keep him in custody, a judge released him with an ankle monitor. A formal debate over lawmaker stock trading recently got underway on Capitol Hill and injected a new term into the now years-long debate: pre-disclosure. As lawmakers outlined it, pre-disclosure of stock trades could provide a way to limit congressional day trading, while still allowing lawmakers to play the market. "I think pre-disclosure is something that we ought to consider," offered the Manhattan Institute's James Copland as he testified before the House Administration Committee on Wednesday. He later noted, "This is exactly what happens in certain types of corporate situations." The idea was immediately dismissed by advocates as a hollow idea that could undercut recent political momentum for their cause for the stronger measure of a ban on lawmaker trading. But the notion of forcing lawmakers to disclose their trades on the front end as opposed to 45 days afterward as the rules now state came up six separate times during the 82-minute hearing, according to Yahoo Finance's count. Illustration by Getty Images traffic_analyzer via Getty Images Pre-disclosure is indeed a common practice for some in the private sector; another witness on Wednesday noted his father worked at a bank and has had to pre-disclose his personal trades for years. But it hadn't been discussed in recent years as an option for lawmakers in any prominent setting. "Look, it's an interesting idea," acknowledged Mark Greenblatt, an expert on government ethics and a former inspector general at the US Department of the Interior who has called recent scandals a bipartisan failure. But he added that underneath any rhetoric, lawmakers may simply "want to be able to trade as much as they can trade, but they also want to take some nominal action to address the concerns in the American public." In his view, presenting pre-disclosure as a cure-all could be, for some, "a fig leaf to cover up continued insider trading." Those pushing for a total ban were even less enamored with the idea, worrying it could derail their efforts. Public opinion is clearly on the side of a ban, with voters distrusting Congress after years of scandals and trading levels among lawmakers that remain high. A recent analysis from the Motley Fool offered an array of eye-popping stats: More than 100 members of Congress make about 10,000 stock trades each year, and both parties consistently beat the market. As for the volume of trades, 2025 is on pace to set yet another record. 'Stronger restrictions may be necessary' The hearing this past Wednesday in the House's Administration Committee largely stuck to generalities and notably included many members pushing ideas short of a ban. Days after the 28-point plan to end the Ukraine war leaked, there has been confusion about the plans origin. While some claim that the conditions came from Russia, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that the proposal was authored by Washington US President Donald Trump has drawn up 28-point plan for peace to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which started in February 2024. The question is will Putin and Zelenskyy agree? Days after the 28-point plan to end the Ukraine war leaked, there has been confusion about the plans origin. On Saturday, the US State Department officials aggressively pushed back on claims made by some Senators that the peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war emerged from the Kremlin. Earlier on Saturday, multiple US Senators told PBS NewsHour and Politico that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told them that the plan in question was not authored by the United States but rather was received from an intermediary and is essentially the wish list of the Russians. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Republican Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Angus King (I-Maine) revealed a key aspect of the closed-door discussion on PBS NewsHour. He claimed that Rubio revealed the information to the delegation at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada on Saturday. He made it very clear to us that we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives, Rounds told PBS. Rubio rejects the report However, shortly after the claims started to make headlines, Rubio made it clear that the proposal was authored by the United States. The peace proposal was authored by the US," Rubio wrote in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine," he furthered. While responding to one of Schifrins posts, which shared a comment from King saying the plan is not of the administrations position, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott wrote on X that the claim is blatantly false. As Secretary Rubio and the entire Administration have consistently maintained, this plan was authored by the United States, with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians, Pigott wrote in his post. Top Republicans oppose the plan A senior US official told NewsNation that the proposal has always been a hopeful start to continued negotiations, and eventually the signing of a final peace agreement once and for all. According to an Axios report, the plan in question was negotiated by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, a top ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The report suggested that only a few senior Ukrainian officials were briefed about the deal. Whatever the case may be, the 28-point plan has caught several Kyiv allies in Congress off guard. Some Republican leaders, including Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), have panned the proposal, saying it would reward Putin nearly four years after Russia invaded Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Ukrainian side is concerned about the plan because it includes a provision that would place the regions of Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk under de facto Russian control. There are also no major concessions required from Russia, apart from directing $100 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraines reconstruction. Former National Security Advisor John Bolton echoed the Republican lawmakers comments, arguing the plan was written from the Russian point of view. The Russians couldnt have written a better treaty themselves, he said during an appearance on NewsNation on Friday. I think its selling out Ukraine. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance defended the plan, saying in a post on X that peace wont be made by failed diplomats or politicians living in a fantasy land. Every criticism of the peace framework the administration is working on either misunderstands the framework or misstates some critical reality on the ground, Vance wrote on Friday. Officials from Ukraine, the US, and several European nations are expected to meet in Switzerland on Sunday to discuss the proposal in more detail. It will be interesting to see if the plan is modified after the meeting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies. DMGT said it plans to invest substantially in Telegraph Media Group with the aim of accelerating its international expansion - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph The Daily Mail owner Lord Rothermere has entered exclusive discussions to acquire The Telegraph for 500m. Lord Rothermeres holding company DMGT said it plans to invest substantially in Telegraph Media Group with the aim of accelerating its international expansion. The company is in talks with RedBird IMI, the joint venture between the United Arab Emirates and the US private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners. They made their own tortured two-year bid for control of The Telegraph that collapsed last week amid continuing concerns over potential foreign state influence. Lord Rothermere had lined up as a minority investor alongside RedBird and the UAE, and had been expected to take a stake of just 10pc. DMGT has longstanding business connections in the UAE via its oil and gas information arm. DMGT said its takeover would comply with regulations on foreign state influence as there will be no foreign state investment or capital in the funding structure. The planned addition of The Telegraph to DMGTs existing portfolio, which, as well as The Daily and Sunday Mail titles, includes the i, Metro and New Scientist, is likely to trigger calls for an in-depth investigation of the impact on media plurality. The acquisition could leave Lord Rothermere in control of around half the national newspaper market. It may prompt calls for him to sell either or both of Metro and the i. DMGT said it was confident any regulatory process can be concluded swiftly and positively. Todays 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 group said in a statement. I have long admired The Daily Telegraph Sky is expected to make similar arguments about the rise of tech giants in its ongoing attempted takeover of ITVs broadcasting business, although concerns there mostly surround competition in advertising sales rather than the public interest in plurality of ownership. The swift announcement of an agreement between RedBird, the UAE and DMGT comes days after peers demanded that Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, impose a transparent and independent sale process to guard against further uncertainty. They echoed concerns raised in a Telegraph leader column that a foreign state should not be allowed to decide its next owner. It had emerged that a poison pill debt threatened to leave The Telegraph in unsustainable debt to the UAE. It is almost two years since RedBird IMI attempted to seize control of The Telegraph by paying off the Barclay familys overdue debts to Lloyds Banking Group. Israel facing 'epidemic of infiltration and espionage': Iran's intelligence minister Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 November 2025 2:42 PM Iran's intelligence minister says Israel is facing "an epidemic of infiltration and espionage for Iran within its own institutions," citing the recent arrest of an Israeli Air Force officer accused of spying for Tehran. Esmaeil Khatib made the remarks during a provincial visit to Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad on Saturday, after the Israeli regime indicted a 22-year-old Israeli soldier on charges of conducting spying activities for Iran, including transferring sensitive information on a military site to an "Iranian handler." Khatib said that Israeli authorities had acknowledged the detention of the officer, adding that "classified nuclear and high-value security documents were transferred to Iran." He also stated that this development demonstrates "the capability and strength of the Iranian military, intelligence, and security systems." Khatib further suggested that the intelligence breach, in addition to Iran's resolute stance during the recent 12-day Israeli-imposed war, reflects a shift in regional power dynamics. "We witnessed a powerful, united, and secure Iran in the 12-day war," he said, adding that the war inflicted "serious damage" on Israel and contributed to its decline internationally. Khatib further said that foreign adversaries were mobilizing extremist groups and launching multifaceted operations against Iran during the war, including by directing Takfiri militants and Daesh fighters towards the country, smuggling and stockpiling weapons, and executing extensive cyberattacks. The minister said the objective was to trigger unrest and territorial insecurity in various regions of Iran, but their efforts were thwarted by Iran's military, intelligence, and security institutions. Khatib also asserted that the US strategy towards Iran has shifted from one of regime change and territorial fragmentation to "containment through intensified pressure," which he described as a strategic victory for Tehran. He also stressed the importance of internal unity in the face of attempts to exploit social tensions as foreign governments and opposition networks intensify their psychological and media operations to erode public trust in Iranian authorities. Khatib further called for political, religious, and provincial figures to strengthen cohesion and counter "efforts to fuel dissatisfaction," highlighting the need to resist all instruments of soft warfare used by enemies to sow division and distrust among the Iranian people. He also pointed out that "despite decades of negative media campaigns portraying Iran as a threat," the country is gaining growing popularity in global public opinion, with support from "120 countries" during the war, which "alarmed adversaries." The minister further emphasized the decisive role of Iran's missile capabilities in the war, asserting that they targeted and destroyed strategic centers in Israel. He also issued a warning about the expansion of military deployments in West Asia by the US, NATO, and their regional allies, characterizing it as an effort to exert military pressure on Iran while simultaneously working to create internal division. Khatib further emphasized the essential role of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in maintaining national unity, stressing that any attempts to undermine this leadership align with the interests of Iran's adversaries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Air defense soldiers in Europe test new counter-UAS technologies during Project Flytrap 4.5 By Capt. Zemas Andargachew November 22, 2025 TRUPPENUBUNGSPLATZ PUTLOS, Germany -- Leaders and soldiers from the 52d Air Defense Artillery Brigade (52d ADA BDE) and the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command (10th AAMDC) brought together air defenders, Army procurement staff, and commercial vendors specializing in counter- Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) technology for a unique military and civilian event at Truppenubungsplatz Putlos, Nov. 10-21, 2025. Called Project FlyTrap 4.5, this nearly two-week event gave stakeholders the opportunity to test innovative c-UAS products against simulated threats from groups 1-3 drones operating in NATO airspace. The products involved in Project FlyTrap 4.5 were required to demonstrate their ability to either (1) detect, (2) discriminate, or (3) defeat the various air threats. Additionally, for detection and discrimination purposes, vendors used either passive or active radars. The main difference between passive and active sensors is their electromagnetic signatures. Active sensors emit a strong electromagnetic signal, which provides valuable data for friendly air defense units but also makes it easier for the enemy's firing units to locate the radar, reducing its survivability. Passive sensors do not produce such a large signature, but the data they gather is less effective for air defense units to develop accurate firing solutions against specific threats. For the defeat objectives, there were displays of kinetic defeat mechanisms as well as one that caused no collateral damage. "We have to start thinking about the group ones, the group twos [and] the group threes [drones], the smaller and cheaper systems," said Col. Haileyesus (Hailey) Bairu, the 52d ADA BDE commander. As the U.S. Army's air defense brigade in Europe, Bairu's 'Defendimus' team aimed to solve the question of "how do we knock those [drones] down, so there's not even a problem for our [maneuver forces]," Bairu continued. During the early days of the event, all participating products were evaluated for their ability to connect to the 52d ADA BDE's Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAADC2) system. This key milestone allows all systems (detect, discriminate, and defeat) to communicate effectively. Thanks to the efforts of the 52d ADA BDE soldiers, as well as soldiers from V Corps and the 2d Cavalry Regiment, this important milestone was achieved, increasing the value of these systems for potential procurement by NATO countries for the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line (EFDL), NATO's plan for a unified, layered air defense shield along NATO's Eastern Flank. Planning for this event started nearly a year ago at the request of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAEUR-AF) and NATO Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) commander, Gen. Christopher Donahue. The 52d ADA BDE was assigned to lead an effort to identify air defense technologies and capabilities to counter emerging airborne threats on today's battlefield. An extensive three-month process led the 52d ADA BDE to reach agreements with five companies to test promising c-UAS capabilities, with testing scheduled for the fall of 2025. Under the leadership of the 10th AAMDC commander, Brig. Gen. Curtis King, the 52d ADA Brigade coordinated with V Corps, the U.S. Army's forward command in Europe, to include this testing as part of the 'Project FlyTrap' series. V Corps previously conducted Project FlyTrap exercises aimed at helping maneuver units accomplish their missions despite threats from drone proliferation by incorporating innovative c-UAS solutions for maneuver forces. Since a Project FlyTrap 4.0 had already occurred and Project FlyTrap 5.0 was scheduled for March-April 2026, this event was designated as Project FlyTrap 4.5. As the preparation process for Project FlyTrap 4.5 continued, planners from the U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) partnered with USAEUR-AF, the U.S. Army's Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD), and the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO MS) to add more participants to Project Flytrap 4.5 by launching a competition called "xTechCounterStrike." This competition invited innovative c-UAS systems from eligible small and large businesses worldwide to compete for a two-phase cash prize. Additionally, it also offered those vendors the opportunity to join the (G-TEAD) Marketplace, making them eligible for potential follow-on agreements and contracting opportunities. "We were tasked specifically to accelerate the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line. With that, we went through some deliberate planning of what we currently had in terms of tools and resources at our disposal," said Maj. Joshua McMillion, the GTEAD's capability lead. "We quickly realized one of the easiest ways to accelerate that capability is to partner with existing companies and existing organizations," McMillon continued. During the first phase, 15 finalists from over 200 companies were chosen to showcase their abilities at Project FlyTrap 4.5, earning a $50,000 cash prize. Of those 15 finalists, 11 were able to travel to Putlos, Germany, to participate in the second phase of the competition. After that, four were selected as winners, each receiving a $350,000 cash prize. The evaluation panel that chose the winners was a diverse group of personnel with various roles and responsibilities in the Department of War, including experts from the Army's Test and Evaluation Command, members of the GTEAD team, and service members of the 52d ADA BDE. "We are all here at Project FlyTrap 4.5 helping to [bring] forward the air defense artillery branch by utilizing and testing out new systems to reinforce the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line and ... expanding the tools we use," said Sgt. Lukas Hollcraft, a judge on the panel and a member of the tactics, innovation, and experimentation platoon (TIE PLT), 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52d ADA BDE. The TIE PLT received practical training and gained knowledge about the different products involved in the xTechCounterStrike competition, giving them a unique perspective to provide valuable input on which systems would be most beneficial for on-ground operators during the evaluation panel. "I never expected that as a sergeant ... I'd be able to sit down with majors, captains, lieutenants and colonels and evaluate these systems," said Hollcraft. "It's great that as an operator, I get a say in what the future of my job looks like, especially to the future of my soldiers, who I'll be raising to take over my shoes," Hollcraft continued. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swiss Government Press release Published on 22 November 2025 Bern, 22.11.2025 -- Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, has just spent two days in East and Central Africa. Peace efforts to resolve the crisis in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) formed the focal point of his visit to Kinshasa on Friday 21 November. On Thursday 20 November, Mr Cassis inaugurated the new Swiss embassy in Rwanda, a symbol of the growing bilateral ties between the two countries, and took part in the 46th Francophonie Ministerial Conference. The peace processes in the Great Lakes region were at the forefront of Mr Cassis' discussions in the DRC and Rwanda. On Friday in Kinshasa, he met DRC Minister of Foreign Affairs Therese Kayikwamba Wagner. In addition, he met with civil society and Catholic church representatives to discuss the situation in the DRC's east and the ongoing efforts to promote peace. The visit was also an opportunity for Mr Cassis to highlight Switzerland's expertise in mediation and its willingness to contribute to these efforts. Switzerland has been active in the east of the DRC since the 1990s under its international cooperation remit. It prioritises humanitarian aid for civilians affected by the ongoing conflicts in the region and strengthening their capacity to tackle the challenging situation. Switzerland has committed CHF 550 million to the Great Lakes region since 2009. Earlier this year, following the military offensive by the M23 militia, Switzerland was the only bilateral actor to have maintained its presence in the east of the DRC with its cooperation office in Bukavu. The DRC is the second largest country in Africa by surface area and one of the world's richest in terms of natural resources. Strengthening ties with Rwanda On Thursday 20 November, Mr Cassis was in Rwanda to take part in the Francophonie Ministerial Conference and to inaugurate Switzerland's new representation in Kigali, which has been upgraded to an embassy. He met with his Rwandan counterpart, Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, and paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva. In addition to discussing the issue of regional peace, the visit was an opportunity to mark the deepening of relations between the two countries. (see press release dated 20 November link) Switzerland's activities in the region are based on the Africa Strategy 2025-28, which focuses on managing armed conflicts and protecting particularly vulnerable population groups in Central and East Africa. In addition to reinforcing democracy and the rule of law, Switzerland's priorities in the region include the continuing diversification of relations in fields such as business, science and digitalisation. La Francophonie must remain effective and useful This year's 46th Francophonie Ministerial Conference, entitled Thirty years on from the Beijing Conference: the contribution of women in the French-speaking world, was an opportunity to take stock of the advances made and the progress still to be achieved in the field of gender equality. Federal Councillor Cassis highlighted the challenges facing the International Organisation of La Francophonie (IOF), which brings together 90 countries. In a polarised world marked by mistrust, La Francophonie must become a space of trust and cooperation that encourages linguistic diversity and solidarity. To achieve this, the organisation must remain effective and useful. The ministerial meeting also provided an opportunity to meet with the foreign ministers of Cambodia, whose country is taking over the presidency of La Francophonie, and Senegal, as well as France's Minister Delegate and Representative for La Francophonie. Mr Cassis was accompanied on his trip to Rwanda and the DRC by a parliamentary delegation comprising two members of the foreign affairs committees: member of the Council of States Petra Gossi (FDP/Schwyz) and member of the National Council Piero Marchesi (SVP/Ticino). Hamas urges ceasefire mediators to intervene as Israel kills dozens more in Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Nov 22, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian resistance group Hamas has once again urged ceasefire mediators, including the United States, to intervene amid the continued deadly Israeli strikes in violation of the truce deal. In a statement on Saturday, Hamas stressed that the serious breaches of the Gaza ceasefire by Israeli forces have increased the responsibilities of mediators to stop the occupying regime's attempts to undermine the agreement. It said the Israeli military is violating the so-called Yellow Line on a daily basis and advancing westward inside the Strip, which has led to a new wave of mass displacement. "These actions, simultaneously with airstrikes and artillery shelling on eastern Gaza, clearly violate the provisions of the ceasefire agreement," said the statement, adding that "hundreds more Palestinians are killed as a result of strikes conducted under fabricated pretexts." Expressing its firm opposition to any attempt by the Netanyahu regime to impose a new reality that contradicts the understandings reached, Hamas called on the mediators, especially the US administration, to adhere to its commitments and force the occupying regime to implement its obligations. According to the Gaza Media Office, there were some 400 documented ceasefire violations in Gaza since it went into effect in October. A new wave of Israeli attacks over the past couple of days has killed more than two dozen people. 4399**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hundreds more Gazans killed since ceasefire announced: MSF IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Nov 22, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- International charity group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says Israel has killed hundreds of Palestinians and continues to heavily restrict aid into Gaza despite a ceasefire that took effect in early October. The ceasefire, announced between Israel and Hamas on October 10, was intended to halt nearly two years of bloodshed and attacks against Gaza's residents and to pave the way for peace in the territory. However, the Israeli regime has continued its attacks under the pretext of alleged truce violations by Hamasan accusation the Palestinian resistance movement has rejected. According to MSF's latest report on Friday, citing Gaza's Ministry of Health, the most recent wave of Israeli violence has killed more than 300 Palestinians and injured over 760 since October 11. The group said that survivors face dire conditions and renewed its call for their protection. "After two years of relentless war and horror, Palestinians remain displaced and exhausted, facing a cold winter without basic necessities amidst intermittent Israeli attacks across the Strip. We continue to call for the protection of all civilians and of health care staff and facilities." MSF also criticized Israel for maintaining strict restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including medical supplies and life-saving equipment. "The Israeli authorities continue to impose significant restrictions on the entry of aid into Gaza. MSF and other organizations are struggling to get vital supplies into the territory, especially medical equipment, shelters, hygiene items, and spare parts for essential infrastructure. Access to these items is critical for people's health," the charity group said. 4194**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuela warns of US escalation as Washington prepares new phase of covert operations: Report Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 November 2025 11:54 PM Venezuela is sounding the alarm as senior US officials confirm that Washington is preparing a new phase of operations targeting President Nicolas Maduro's government. According to multiple US officials who spoke to Reuters, the Trump administration is moving ahead with covert actions and military preparations aimed at "ramping up pressure" on the Venezuelan government, the agency reported on Saturday. Washington has claimed its buildup is linked to so-called "counter-narcotics missions." Observers, however, warn that War Department deployments, including aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines and F-35 warplanes, far exceed any requirement for drug interdiction. Two US officials acknowledged that covert operations were expected to form the opening phase of Washington's new action. They also admitted that options under consideration included the direct overthrow of President Maduro, echoing decades of US attempts to unseat independent Latin American leaders, who reject Washington's political and economic dictates. The CIA declined to comment. The White House refused to rule anything out. "President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power," a senior administration official said, an assertion Venezuelan analysts say is code for intensifying hybrid warfare, featuring sanctions, propaganda, covert operations, and military pressure. For Caracas, these developments confirm long-held warnings that the United States has never accepted Venezuela's sovereignty or its right to pursue a model independent of Washington's influence. Maduro, who will turn 63 on Sunday, has repeatedly warned that Washington seeks to impose an unelected government in Caracas. He maintains that the Venezuelan people, the armed forces, and the state will resist any foreign aggression and defend their homeland. The chief executive has also categorically rejected US accusations linking his government to drug trafficking, calling them a political pretext for aggression. International drug-monitoring studies consistently show that the vast majority of illicit narcotics reaching the United States transit through countries allied with Washington, not Venezuela. The US military presence around Venezuela has surged in recent months. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group arrived in the region on November 16, joining seven warships, a nuclear submarine and, advanced fighter jets. US forces have already carried out 21 lethal strikes on vessels they claim were transporting drugs, killings that human rights groups describe as extrajudicial executions of people in international waters. Meanwhile, global airlines cancelled flights over Venezuelan airspace following a US safety warning. Human rights organizations have condemned the 83 killings linked to US military strikes as violations of international humanitarian law. Several US allies have privately expressed concern that Washington's actions risked destabilizing the Caribbean and setting a dangerous precedent of unilateral armed operations against sovereign states. Venezuela prepares for 'prolonged resistance' Facing a militarily superior adversary, Venezuelan defense planners have been reviewing strategies for national defense in the event of a US invasion. Internal discussions have focused on decentralized tactics and a "prolonged resistance" strategy, which would mobilize small military units across more than 280 locations to carry out defensive operations and sabotage against invading forces. Venezuelan officials say this asymmetrical approach reflects the country's determination to defend its sovereignty, just as Cuba, Nicaragua, and other nations have done during past US attempts at forced transformation of regional states' political structures. Despite the escalating rhetoric, two US officials acknowledged that conversations between the two governments were ongoing. It, however, remains unclear whether diplomatic channels could alter Washington's timeline or if the United States had already decided to move ahead with its next phase of pressure. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas urges ceasefire guarantors to act after Israeli strikes kill 22 Palestinians across Gaza Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 November 2025 7:12 PM Hamas has urged the guarantors of the ceasefire to press Israel to abide by the deal and stop its attacks on Gaza, after Israeli airstrikes on homes and a vehicle killed nearly two dozen Palestinians across the territory. The resistance movement, in a statement released on Saturday, called on Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and the United States, as guarantors of the ceasefire agreement, to exert immediate pressure on the Tel Aviv regime to end its violations that threaten the truce that took effect on October 10. It emphasized that the recurrent Israeli attacks come as Hamas has fully honored the ceasefire, while the regime has not. The statement comes as hospital sources say at least 22 Palestinians have been killed and many injured in a spate of Israeli drone and missile attacks throughout northern and central Gaza over the past few hours. Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal said in a video statement that the attacks, which reduced entire buildings to rubble, claimed the lives of women, children, and elderly individuals. Five people were killed and several others injured following an Israeli drone strike that hit a civilian vehicle near the Abbas Junction in the western side of Gaza City. Four Palestinians lost their lives in the same city after an Israeli strike targeted a house on al-Labbabidi Street. In the central Gaza Strip, Bassal reported that an Israeli strike targeted a house near the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in western Deir al-Balah, resulting in the deaths of two Palestinians and injuries to several others. An Israeli strike targeting a home near al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp claimed the lives of three Palestinians. Also in Nuseirat, an Israeli strike targeted a home in Camp 2, resulting in the deaths of seven Palestinians. Israeli forces reportedly opened fire and injured three Palestinians near the al-Bureij camp in central Gaza and in Jabalia to the north, according to medical sources. At dawn, Israeli forces launched strikes targeting areas east of al-Bureij and Deir al-Balah, along with eastern Rafah and Khan Younis in the south. Additionally, parts of the Tuffah and Shujaiya neighborhoods in eastern Gaza City were also hit. 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 offensive in Gaza amounts to genocide. In the attacks in Gaza since October 2023, Israel has killed at least 69,733 people, most of them women and children, and injured 170,863 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas condemns new PA law on local council elections as exclusionary Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 November 2025 5:28 PM Hamas has censured the new elections law introduced by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, arguing it effectively compels municipal candidates to adhere to the "political program" of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which equates to recognition of Israel. The Gaza-based resistance movement said in a statement on Saturday that the law poses a serious threat to citizens' freedom to choose their representatives, and serves as a clear effort to marginalise influential Islamic and independent political groups operating in major cities throughout the West Bank. It said the legislation aims to reshape the political landscape to benefit particular factions within the Palestinian Authority, aligning with Israeli and US interests. The law would drive the West Bank closer to increased fragmentation and compliance with the Tel Aviv regime's demands, rather than empowering local councils that represent the people's will, Hamas noted. On Wednesday, Abbas issued a decree-law concerning the elections of local councils, based on a draft submitted by the Council of Ministers. The legislation is reportedly designed to strengthen the legal framework regulating the electoral process of local councils, while safeguarding its integrity and transparency. Under the decree-law, village councils will operate under a single-member electoral system, whereas municipal councils will adopt an open-list proportional representation system. Additionally, the minimum candidacy age is reduced to 23, aiming to enhance youth involvement in local elections. It also supposedly establishes mechanisms to enhance women's representation in local councils and outlines technical procedures to guarantee a transparent, fair, and democratically aligned electoral process. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN warns of rising Israeli violence in West Bank as Palestinians face surge in attacks Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 November 2025 2:21 PM The United Nations has warned that violence in the occupied West Bank is escalating sharply, with Palestinian civilians facing rising deaths, displacement and attacks by Israeli forces and settlers. The UN humanitarian office documented 29 attacks by settlers in the West Bank from November 11-17, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Friday. "Our humanitarian colleagues warned that the level of violence there remains deeply concerning, with casualties, property damage, displacement, loss of livelihoods and a strong sense of insecurity for Palestinian civilians," he said. According to Dujarric, the number of Palestinian children killed in the West Bank in 2025 has reached 50. "Overall," he said, "more than 200 Palestinians have now been killed by Israeli forces since the start of the year." "We continue to call for the protection of civilians," Dujarric said, adding that "war-like tactics must not be tolerated as the new normal in the West Bank." Israeli military raids and settler assaults have surged in the West Bank since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023. The attacks also intensified during the Palestinian olive harvest in October and early November and have continued since. On Friday, settlers set fire to cars in the town of Huwara in the northern West Bank, sending flames and thick smoke into the night sky. Additional settler attacks were reported in Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron, where armed groups stormed residential areas, burned homes, and destroyed property. In a post on X, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry called the violence "systematic terrorism" and part of a "dangerous and ongoing escalation" aimed at enabling ethnic cleansing. It called for urgent international protection for civilians in the occupied territory. On Monday, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the violence was being carried out by "a small extremist group." Last year, Israel's minister of military affairs, Israel Katz, announced that administrative detention would no longer be used against Israeli settlers, limiting one of the regime's only tools for detaining settlers while employing it widely against Palestinians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel kills two Palestinian children in Gaza every day despite ceasefire: UNICEF Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 November 2025 8:59 AM The Israeli regime's forces have killed two Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip every day since the ceasefire began in early October, UNICEF has warned. The UN children's agency said on Friday that Israeli forces continue to attack Palestinians in Gaza even though the agreement was meant to stop the killing. "Since 11 October, while the ceasefire has been in effect, at least 67 children have been killed in conflict-related incidents in the Gaza Strip. Dozens more have been injured. That is an average of almost two children killed every day since the ceasefire took effect," UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires said in Geneva, reminding that each number in the statistics represents a child whose life had ended violently. "These are not statistics," he said. "Each child had a story, a family, and a future that was stolen from them." Data from Palestinian factions, human rights groups, and government bodies recorded since the US-brokered ceasefire deal went into effect on October 10 show that Israeli forces have carried out numerous attacks, each constituting a separate ceasefire violation. UNICEF teams say they repeatedly continue to witness heart-wrenching scenes of fearful Palestinian children sleeping outdoors with amputated limbs, while others live as orphans in flooded, makeshift shelters. "I saw this myself in August. There is no safe place for them. The world cannot normalize their suffering," Pires said, lamenting that the UN could "do a lot more if the aid that is really needed was entering faster." The UNICEF spokesperson warned that with the advent of winter, the risks for hundreds of thousands of displaced children will increase. He warned, "The stakes are incredibly high" for children as winter acts as a threat multiplier, where children have no heating, no insulation, and few blankets. He said respiratory infections rise. "Too many children have already paid the highest price," Pires said. "Too many are still paying it, even under a ceasefire. The world promised them it would stop and that we would protect them." "Now we must act like it," the UNICEF spokesperson added. Since the Israeli regime launched its genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza in October 2023, it has killed nearly 70,000 people in the territory, most of them women and children, and injured over 170,000 more, while reducing most of the structures in the enclave to rubble. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rick Diamond/Getty Images) Quick Read Dave Ramsey recommends saving 15% of gross income monthly into tax-advantaged retirement accounts like 401(k)s or IRAs. Workers starting retirement savings in their 40s or 50s likely need to save substantially more than 15% due to less time for compound growth. The 4% withdrawal rule suggests multiplying your target retirement income by 25 to determine the total investment balance needed. 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 How much of your income should you be saving for your retirement? This is a question that absolutely every worker needs to be able to answer. While Social Security benefits will help you fund your retirement, the fact that they replace only 40% of pre-retirement income means that, by themselves, they cannot provide you with a comfortable standard of living. Unless you're one of the small minority of workers who get a pension from your company, this means you must save enough to cover your costs and live the life you've hoped for in your later years. So, what should you be saving to do that? Finance guru Dave Ramsey has an answer. The Ramsey Solutions blog suggests that you save 15% of your gross income and that you put it into tax-advantaged retirement accounts on a monthly basis. In particular, Ramsey suggests putting this 15% into a 401(k) or an IRA every month. The big question is, will that be enough? If you listen to Ramsey and invest 15%, will you have the retirement security you deserve, or do you need to save more? Is 15% of your income enough money to save each month for retirement? Ramsey's suggestion to save 15% of your income makes sense -- for some people. However, your retirement savings needs are dependent on factors that are individual to you, so following basic rules of thumb like this doesn't always make sense. For example, if you are getting started with saving in your 40s or 50s, saving 15% of your income may not be nearly enough to allow you to save a sufficient amount of money to retire with no financial worries. Since you have less time for compound interest to help your wealth grow, you may have to save substantially more unless you want to work well into retirement age. Likewise, if early retirement with a big investment account balance is your goal, saving 15% of your income probably is not going to get you there. You'd need to invest more to achieve your desired lifestyle as a retiree. UN expert slams Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon as 'war crimes', warns they threaten peace efforts Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 November 2025 7:07 AM A United Nations expert has censured the near-daily Israeli air and drone strikes across Lebanon since the ceasefire entered into force on November 27, 2024, arguing the attacks are undermining peace efforts and may amount to war crimes. The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Morris Tidball-Binz, on Friday condemned Israel's renewed strikes in Lebanon, pointing to the deadly attack on the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon and repeated attacks on civilians and UN peacekeepers. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that at least 13 people were killed and several others injured in the Israeli airstrike on the camp on November 18. According to the local al-Manar television channel, the aerial attack targeted a highly populated area in Ain al-Hilweh. "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. He added, "These repeated attacks on civilians and civilian objects are war crimes and a violation of the UN Charter." The UN expert stressed that the Ain al-Hilweh attack followed recurrent strikes despite the declared ceasefire. He described repeated attacks on civilians and civilian objects as "war crimes and a violation of the UN Charter." "These incidents form part of a broader pattern of unlawful killings and violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel," Tidball-Binz noted. He also referred to Israel's recent strikes on clearly identified UN peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stating that "Intentionally directing attacks against UN personnel is a war crime under international humanitarian law." "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." Tidball-Binz said the Israeli attacks severely undermine the Lebanese government's efforts to implement the ceasefire. He 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. The Lebanese Ministry of Health said on Friday that Israeli strikes have killed 331 people and injured 945 in Lebanon ever since the truce agreement took effect a year ago. The ministry, in a statement, attributed the casualties to Israeli raids, attacks, and breaches of the agreement intended to end the fighting triggered by the genocidal war in Gaza. The figures cover the period from November 28, 2024, shortly after the truce began, through November 20, 2025. Israel and the Hezbollah resistance movement reached a ceasefire agreement that took effect on November 27, 2024. Under the deal, Tel Aviv was required to withdraw fully from the Lebanese territory, but has kept forces stationed at five sites, in clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the terms of last November's agreement. Since the implementation of the ceasefire, Israel has violated the agreement multiple times through repeated assaults on the Lebanese territory. Lebanese authorities have warned that the Israeli regime's violations of the ceasefire threaten national stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armed men abduct over 200 students, 12 teachers in Nigeria Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 November 2025 6:02 AM Gunmen have stormed a Catholic boarding school in western Nigeria, abducting over 200 schoolchildren and 12 teachers in a large-scale assault. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said on Friday that the attack and mass abduction occurred at St. Mary's School, a Catholic institution located in the Papiri community of the Agwara local government area. 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 Reverend Bulus Dauwa, the CAN chairman in Niger. The statement added that the association is working "to ensure our children's safe return." The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora stated that a security staffer was "badly shot" during the attack. Authorities described St. Mary's as a secondary school, which in Nigeria typically serves children between the ages of 12 and 17. The Niger State Police Command said the kidnappings took place in the early hours of the day and that military and security forces have since been deployed to the region. A report released by the secretary to the Niger state government said the abduction occurred despite earlier intelligence warnings 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. Officials, meanwhile, ordered the closure of 47 federal unity colleges, most of them located in conflict-battered northern states. The unity colleges, a group of elite government-run secondary schools drawing students from across Nigeria, are to be shut down immediately, according to a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Education. The abductions took place days after gunmen attacked a high school on Monday and kidnapped 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi state's Maga area, roughly 170 kilometers from Papiri. In a separate incident on Monday in Kwara state, which borders Niger state, gunmen assaulted a church, killing two people. During the attack, 38 worshipers were also abducted. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara, but analysts and residents say criminal gangs frequently target schools, travelers, and remote communities in kidnapping-for-ransom operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran welcomes dialogue with Lebanon, does not interfere in internal affairs: Araghchi Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 November 2025 5:49 AM Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the country welcomes any dialogue aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with Lebanon, while underlining that Tehran does not interfere in the country's internal affairs. "My dear friend, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, has invited me for negotiations in an interview with MTV Lebanon," Araghchi wrote in Arabic on his X account on Sunday in response to his Lebanese counterpart's public invitation for talks. Reaffirming Iran's position, Araghchi added, "We do not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs, but we welcome any dialogue aimed at advancing bilateral relations between Iran and Lebanon." He further underscored that there is no need for a third party to facilitate such discussions. "I invite my colleague Youssef to travel to Tehran, and if I am invited to travel to Beirut, I will gladly accept," he stated. Iran has repeatedly reiterated that it respects Lebanon's sovereignty and does not interfere in the Arab country's domestic affairs. Back in August, the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Larijani, expressed the Islamic Republic's unwavering support for the government and people of Lebanon in various circumstances, dismissing allegations that Iran seeks to interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs. He also urged the Lebanese politicians to carefully differentiate between friends and foes, noting that Iran never treats its Lebanese allies as tools, and the Lebanese resistance doesn't require guidance from others. This comes despite the fact that in August, under heavy pressure from the US and Israel, Lebanon's government ordered the army to draw up a plan for disarming Hezbollah by the end of the year, a move widely seen as a significant threat to Lebanon's security and political stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tajikistan And Afghanistan's Taliban Engage In 'Cold Cooperation' To Ease Tensions By Abubakar Siddique November 22, 2025 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 groupsfrom 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 Tajikistanafter 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-tajikistan- taliban-reconciliation/33598362.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 Note to Correspondents: Reported abduction of children and teachers from a secondary school in Niger State, Nigeria UNICEF 22 November 2025 DAKAR/ABUJA, 22 November 2025 -- Scores of children and teachers were reportedly abducted from a secondary school in Niger State, Nigeria, in the early hours of Friday, just days after a separate attack in Kebbi State on Monday led to the abduction of 25 girls from a boarding school. "Children should never be the target of violence, and schools must be safe places where girls and boys can learn without fear," said UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa Gilles Fagninou. "The abduction of students and their teachers is a brutal and grave violation of children's rights and a shocking assault on their safety and education." "We urge all actors to ensure the immediate and safe release of every abducted child and educator," said Fagninou. "Nigeria's children need protection. Communities must be able to send their children to school knowing they will return home safely." In 2015, the Nigerian government endorsed 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. UNICEF calls on all relevant stakeholders to continue efforts to fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration in Nigeria. UNICEF is working with government partners, civil society and communities to strengthen child protection systems and promote safe and inclusive learning environments across the country. Strengthening these systems and environments is essential to prevent future violations and better protect children. ##### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nigeria: Schools should be 'sanctuaries not targets' says deputy UN chief following latest mass abduction 22 November 2025 - 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. t was originally reported that 215 pupils had been kidnapped from St. Mary's School in Papiri, Niger state, early on Friday morning - but the figure was revised upwards to 303 students and 12 teachers, according to The Christian Association of Nigeria. The association's chair who reportedly visited the school on Friday said that more than 80 students had been captured after trying to escape during the abduction by armed assailants. The students were both male and female, aged 10 to 18. Second mass abduction this week The number snatched from the Catholic school in the centre of the country exceeds the 276 girls abducted during the infamous Chibok incident of 2014 and is the latest in a series of mass abductions - including earlier this week when 25 pupils were taken from a school in Kebbi state. No group has yet claimed responsibility and authorities have deployed security forces to try and locate the students and their captors. Niger state has reportedly closed all schools until further notice. Perpetrators must be held accountable UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed - a former environment minister in Nigeria - said in a social media post that schools should be "sanctuaries for education, not targets...We must protect schools and hold perpetrators accountable." The UN's top official in the country, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall, posted that news of yet another mass abduction was heartbreaking, coming just days after the kidnappings in Kebbi. He passed on his sympathies to the families of those taken and their communities, adding that all efforts must be made to ensure their safe return of students and staff. "It's time to fully implement the Safe School Principle," he said, which was launched at the First International Conference on Safe Schools in Oslo, Norway, in 2015. Nigeria was among the nations who endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration that year. Stand with the victims UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, said this week it is continuing to work closely with government partners, civil society and communities, to strengthen child protection systems in line with the declaration that no child should be put at risk while pursuing an education. The UN culture, education and science agency's (UNESCO) office in Nigeria also condemned Friday's latest mass abduction, saying that schools must never be targets. "We stand with the victims, their families and the Government of Nigeria and call for the immediate release of all abducted children," the agency said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on ADF attacks against civilians in Lubero territory United Nations Secretary-General 22 November 2025 New York, UN Statements | Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Delivered by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General The Secretary-General strongly condemns the deadly attacks carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) armed group, between 13 and 19 November 2025, across Lubero territory, North Kivu, that have resulted in the deaths of at least 89 people, including at least 20 women and an as yet undetermined number of children. At least 17 civilians were killed inside a health centre in the locality of Byambwe, while in other localities, civilians were abducted, medical supplies were looted and homes were destroyed. The Secretary-General conveys his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and communities; the United Nations stands in solidarity with all those affected. The Secretary-General reaffirms that the United Nations, through the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), remains fully committed to supporting Congolese authorities in their efforts to protect civilians, prevent human rights violations and combat impunity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 22 November 2025 - Day 1368 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 since the beginning of the day, there have been 157 combat clashes. The Russian enemy launched one rocket and 32 air strikes, used one rocket and dropped 75 controlled air bombs. Also used 2,748 kamikaze drones for strikes, carried out 3,243 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian defenders repelled 14 Russian attacks in the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursky directions. The Russian enemy launched one air strike, dropped three controlled air bombs and carried out 111 shells, two from reactive systems of assault-fire. In the South Slobozhansky direction, Ukrainian units stopped three Russian attacks near Vovchansky, Lyman and Sinelnikovy, another combat confrontation is ongoing. In the Kupians komu direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled six Russian attacks in the areas of Pi any, Petropavlivka and Kupiansk. Another combat encounter is currently underway. In the Lymans komu direction, there were two combat clashes near the settlement of Novoselivka. In the Slovak direction, the Russian opponent carried out offensive actions ten times in the areas of Serebryanka, Siverska, Svyato-Pokrovsky, Pazeno and Dronivka. Ukrainian defenders have stopped nine Russian assaults, another combat is still ongoing. In the Kramators komu direction, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled one Russian assault towards the settlement of konstantinivka. In the Konstantinivsky direction, the Russian occupiers today attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of the settlements of Pleshiyivka, Rusin Yar, Sofiyivka, Scherbinivka, Yablunivka, Ivanopilla, Stepanivka and in the direction of the settlement of Nikolaypilla. Defense forces are steadily suppressing the pressure and repelled 15 Russian attacks, currently fighting is being sharpened in two locations. Throughout the current day, the Russian enemy has committed 34 offensive actions in the Pokrovsky direction. The activity of Russian occupiers was fixed near the settlements of Rodinske, Chervony Lyman, Mirnograd, Nikanorivka, Kotline, Udaachne, Novopidgorodne, Pokrovsk, Rivne, Zvirove, Novopavlivka, Molodetske, Dachne and Philia. One fighting encounter is still going on. Today in this direction, according to preliminary data, 83 Russian occupants were defiled, of which 60 - irrevocably. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed 24 unmanned aircraft and two special equipment units of the Russian occupiers. Two artillery systems, two units of automotive equipment and one jet fire system were also affected. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian units repelled 16 attacks in areas of settlements Sosnivka, Verbove, Privilne, Berezove, Stepovo, Krasnogirsk, Oleksiyivka, Yegorivka and Zlagoda. The Russian enemy launched aviation strikes on the areas of the settlements of Velikomikhaillivka, Ostapivske and Kosivtseve. In the Gulyaipil direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 18 Russian attacks near the settlements of Yablukove, Zatishya, Varvarivka, Pryluki, Gulyaipole, Malinivka, Vysoke. Aviation strikes were hit by settlements Varvarivka, Ternuvate and Bilogir. In the Orihiv direction, Russian forces twice attacked the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of Mala Tokmacka and Stepnogirsk. In the Pridniprovsky direction, the Russian enemy tried to approach the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the direction of the Antonivsky Bridge three times. Never been successful. In addition, the Russian occupiers staged an air strike on Olgivka. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. Sever Group's units inflicted fire damage on formations of two mechanised brigades, one assault regiment of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Andreyevka, Varachino (Sumy region), and the city of Sumy. In Kharkov direction, units of the AFU mechanised brigade and one territorial defence brigade have been hit near Volchansk and Gnilitsa (Kharkov region). The enemy lost up to 105 troops, nine motor vehicles, one Western-made artillery gun, and two electronic warfare stations. The Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian units engaged manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one assault brigade of the AFU and one national guard brigade have been hit near Blagodatovka, Nechvolodovka, Monachinovka, and Kurilovka (Kharkov region). The enemy losses amounted to up to 220 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, and 13 electronic warfare stations. Four field ammunition depots were destroyed. As a result of resolute actions, units of the Yug Group of Forces liberated Zvanovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Losses were inflicted on formations of one mechanised brigade, one airmobile brigade, one jaeger brigade, and one mountain assault brigade of the AFU have been hit close to Platonovka, Reznikovka, Sergeyevka, and Seversk (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 230 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, two artillery guns, and 13 motor vehicles. Three electronic warfare stations and three materiel depots were neutralised. The Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one air assault brigade, one airmobile brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU, the Azov Special Forces Brigade, two marine brigades, two territorial defence brigades, and one national guard brigade have been hit near Artyomovka, Rusin Yar, Toretskoye, Novy Donbass, Rodinskoye, Volnoye, Belitskoye, Kucherov Yar (Donetsk People's Republic), and Novopavlovka (Dnepropetrovsk region). In Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic), assault groups of the 2nd Army continue to destroy encircled enemy units in Tsentralny and Gornyak microdistricts, as well as in the western industrial area. Russian troops continue mopping up Ukrainian militants in Rovnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Over the past day, three Ukrainian servicemen laid down their arms and left for Russian positions with a view to surrender voluntarily. Five enemy attacks were repelled from the area of Grishino (Donetsk People's Republic) in order to unblock an encircled group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Up to 30 troops and two armoured personnel carriers were neutralised. In Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic), assault detachments of the 51st Army continue offensive operations in Vostochny and Zapadny microdistricts, as well as in the southern part of the settlement. More than 22 buildings have been liberated. Over the past 24 hours in Krasnoarmeysk direction, up to 250 troops, two armoured personnel carriers, two field artillery guns, and one motor vehicle have been neutralised. In total, more than 510 troops, seven armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, and two artillery guns have been eliminated in the Tsentr Group's area of responsibility. As a result of active offensive actions, units of the Vostok Group of Forces liberated Novoye Zaporozhye (Zaporozhye region). Russian troops inflicted losses on the formations of two assault brigades and two assault regiments of the AFU have been hit close to Dobropolye, Ravnopolye, Zatishye (Zaporozhye region), and Otradnoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 225 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, six motor vehicles, and one electronic warfare station. The Dnepr Group's units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Orekhov (Zaporozhye region) and Nikolskoye (Kherson region). Moreover, up to 40 troops, two tanks, 17 motor vehicles, one field artillery gun, and three electronic warfare stations, one ammunition depot, and five materiel depots were neutralised. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops, and artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have inflicted losses on assembly workshops, storage and launch sites of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles and uncrewed surface vehicles, energy and transport infrastructure facilities of Ukraine used in the interests of the AFU, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 156 areas. Air defence systems shot down 155 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 668 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 97,793 unmanned aerial vehicles, 637 anti-aircraft missile systems, 26,174 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,618 MLRS combat vehicles, 31,467 field artillery guns and mortars, and 47,315 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 28-Point Ukraine-Russia Peace Plan Foreign governments have to deal with rival US factions that keep policies secret and work with foreign powers. Rubio initially distanced himself from the plan in private conversations with senators, allegedly calling it a "Russian wish list". When this became public, he was forced to align his public statements with the White House's position that it was an administration plan, a move that Vance highlighted on social media to Rubio's embarrassment. The suggestion that the original was in Russian stems from several "odd phrases" in the English document. For instance "It is expected that Russia will not invade": This construction is considered unusual in English, but resembles typical Russian phrasing. Use of "ambiguities" and "to enshrine": These words and the overall syntax in several parts of the document sound more natural in Russian than in English. A point on "Nazism" in the plan reflects the Russian narrative used to justify the war. "It is expected" (as in "It is expected that Russia will not invade neighbouring countries...") translates to the Russian verb form ozhidayetsya. The use of this passive voice construction is a common form in Russian legal and diplomatic texts but sounds unusual and weak in English, which typically uses more direct language for such agreements. This passive construction is common in Russian but considered stilted in English. "Ambiguities" (in the phrase "All ambiguities of the last 30 years will be considered settled") translates to neodnoznachnosti. Critics note that using this specific word in an English-language diplomatic document is peculiar and not standard usage. "To enshrine" (as in "Ukraine agrees to enshrine in its constitution...") translates to zakrepit. This word choice is also cited as an example of a direct, less idiomatic translation from Russian. "To enshrine" (as in, "Ukraine agrees to enshrine in its constitution that it will not join NATO...") translates to zakrepit. This word choice is also cited as an example of a direct, less idiomatic translation from Russian. "Without a cause firing": One analysis points out the awkward English of a clause mentioning an exception for a "rapid coordinated military response" if Russia invades again, and another specific clause regarding Ukraine firing a missile at Moscow "even unintentionally". The phrasing "without a cause firing" is seen as a direct and unnatural translation of a Russian legal turn of phrase. European, Ukrainian and US envoys, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, met in Geneva 23 November 2025 to discuss US President Donald Trump's proposal to end the war in Ukraine. A counter-proposal was drafted by the so-called European E3 powers Britain, France and Germany. "The current version of the document, although still in the final stages of approval, already reflects most of Ukraine's key priorities," negotiator Rustem Umerov said, adding: "We look forward to further progress throughout the day." The new document proposes that Ukraine's military be capped at 800,000 "in peacetime" rather than a blanket cap of 600,000 proposed by the US plan. It also said "negotiations on territorial swaps will start from the Line of Contact" rather than pre-determining that certain areas should be recognised as "de facto Russian" as the US plan suggests. The differing stances of Vice President J.D. Vance represents the populist-nationalist, non-interventionist wing, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio's background as a traditional hawk, who has adapted to the new administration's pragmatic approach, represents a more establishment view that still distrusts Russia. Their differences between Vance and Rubio on the war in Ukraine will likely impact the Republican Party, acting as a bellwether for the party's future foreign policy direction, intensifying the internal rivalry for the 2028 presidential nomination, and presenting a challenge for party unity as it navigates a transition away from traditional hawkishness to a more isolationist approach. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are widely seen as the leading potential Republican candidates for the 2028 presidential nomination, with their contrasting approaches to foreign policy, particularly concerning Ukraine, highlighting a dynamic described as a potential "brutal" rivalry. Reports suggest a fierce, albeit private, competition for President Trump's favor and the 2028 nomination, with the president himself floating the idea of an "unstoppable" Vance-Rubio ticket or a primary contest between the two. Trump seems to encourage the rivalry, likely to ensure both men remain loyal. The eventual nominee will likely be heavily influenced by Trump's preference and the candidate's ability to maintain the MAGA base. Vance is a vocal torchbearer of the MAGA movement's non-interventionist wing, known for his skepticism of aid to Ukraine and an "America First" approach. He has previously questioned the level of U.S. support and its alignment with American interests. Vance has stated that "any peace settlement is going to require some significant territorial concessions from Ukraine" and that the current front lines are likely where new borders would be drawn. Vance has stated that it is "time for them [Ukraine and Russia] to either say yes, or for the U.S. to walk away from this process" Rubio has a background as a more traditional Republican hawk, though he has adapted his public stance to fit the administration's policy. He has been involved in drafting and discussing peace plans, at times expressing skepticism that Moscow has made substantive changes to its position. In 2022, he stated the U.S. should "support them as long as they are willing to fight" and criticized those who called the war a mere "territorial dispute". He also co-sponsored the NYET Act to provide critical support to Ukraine. Rubio has emphasized the need for a swift end to the "stalemate war". He has indicated the U.S. will not continue to be involved if "no progress" is made in peace talks. The Vance-Rubio dynamic is a crucial indicator of the Republican Party's future identity, a battle between a new isolationism and an older, albeit tempered, form of international engagement. This competition is expected to become "brutal" in the coming years, as each man bids for the spotlight and the mantle of Trump's successor. Rubio's more reserved and pragmatic style as Secretary of State has been seen as easier for some foreign allies to work with than Vance's abrasive, disruptive approach. The party's ultimate direction could affect its relationship with NATO allies and other foreign partners, who are watching the dynamic closely. The 28 Points The Trump administration's 28-point peace plan, presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on November 20, 2025, represents the most comprehensive American attempt to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Drafted by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in collaboration with Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, with input from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Jared Kushner, the plan establishes a framework that fundamentally reshapes the territorial and political landscape of Eastern Europe. The proposal begins with an immediate cessation of hostilities along current battle lines, contingent upon both sides accepting the full memorandum and withdrawing to agreed positions. The territorial provisions of the plan constitute its most controversial elements. The framework calls for American and international recognition of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk as de facto Russian territory, marking a dramatic reversal of longstanding U.S. policy regarding forcible territorial changes. Ukrainian forces would be required to withdraw from the portions of Donetsk Oblast they currently control, with this area becoming a demilitarized buffer zone that would still be internationally recognized as Russian territory. The oblasts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen along current lines of contact, effectively partitioning these regions and allowing Russia to maintain control over strategic cities like Mariupol and preserve its land bridge to Crimea. Russia would relinquish control over any territories it holds outside these five specified regions. The military restrictions imposed on Ukraine represent another fundamental pillar of the agreement. Ukraine's armed forces would be capped at 600,000 personnel, representing approximately a 25 percent reduction from current levels. The country would be permanently barred from NATO membership and prohibited from hosting foreign troops or military bases on its soil, effectively vetoing any European peacekeeping force. Ukraine would lose access to Western long-range weapons capable of striking deep into Russian territory and would be forbidden from using force to reclaim territories seized by Russia. These military limitations would be permanent and legally binding under the agreement. In exchange for these concessions, the plan offers Ukraine a NATO-style security guarantee, whereby the United States and European allies would view any future Russian attack on Ukraine as an attack on the transatlantic community, triggering a decisive coordinated military response. However, this guarantee would be nullified if Ukraine were to invade Russia or launch missiles at Moscow or St. Petersburg. The security framework includes provisions for stockpiling designated weapons systems that would be automatically provided to Ukraine if Russia violates the agreement, though the specific nature of these weapons remains undefined. The economic reconstruction provisions allocate substantial resources for Ukraine's recovery. One hundred billion dollars from frozen Russian assets would be directed toward rebuilding war-torn areas, with the European portion of frozen Central Bank of Russia funds being returned while the remainder would be invested in a joint U.S.-Russian fund. The United States would establish a Ukraine Development Fund focused on technology, data centers, and artificial intelligence investments, while also cooperating with Ukraine to rebuild and modernize its gas infrastructure. Europe would be expected to raise an additional 100 billion dollars for reconstruction efforts. The plan guarantees Ukraine's right to join the European Union with fast-tracked accession, while ensuring Russia will not obstruct Ukraine's commercial use of the Dnipro River or interfere with grain shipments through the Black Sea. The political and cultural provisions of the agreement impose significant changes on Ukraine's domestic landscape. Russian would become a second official language, with all restrictions on the Russian language and the operations of the Russian Orthodox Church being lifted. Both countries would be required to implement educational programs promoting cultural tolerance and eliminating what the plan terms "racism and prejudice." All Nazi ideology and activities would be explicitly rejected and prohibited, addressing a key Russian propaganda point. Ukraine would be required to hold presidential elections within 100 days of the agreement, implying potential political change from the current Zelensky administration. Both countries would agree to abolish discriminatory measures and guarantee the rights of Ukrainian and Russian media and education. The diplomatic framework establishes comprehensive non-aggression agreements between Russia, Ukraine, and Europe, declaring all ambiguities of the past thirty years to be settled. Russia would commit not to invade neighboring countries, while NATO would pledge not to expand further. The agreement mandates dialogue between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States, to resolve security issues and create conditions for de-escalation. The plan includes Russia's readmission to the Group of Eight, reversing its expulsion following the 2014 annexation of Crimea. The United States and Russia would agree to extend nuclear non-proliferation treaties, including the START I Treaty, while Ukraine would confirm its non-nuclear status under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Sanctions relief represents a major incentive for Russian cooperation. The lifting of economic sanctions would be discussed and agreed upon in stages, with the United States entering into long-term economic cooperation agreements with Russia covering energy, natural resources, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data centers, and rare earth metal extraction projects in the Arctic. These business arrangements would provide Russia with pathways back into the global economy while offering American companies access to Russian resources and markets. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant would be relaunched under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision, with electricity production split equally between Russia and Ukraine. The humanitarian provisions establish mechanisms for addressing the war's human toll. All remaining prisoners and bodies would be exchanged on an "all for all" basis, with all civilian detainees and hostages, including children, being returned. A family reunification program would be implemented, and measures would be taken to alleviate the suffering of conflict victims. Most controversially, all parties involved in the conflict would receive full amnesty for their wartime actions, effectively granting immunity for potential war crimes and agreeing not to pursue future claims or grievances. The implementation and enforcement mechanism centers on a Peace Council headed by President Donald Trump, which would monitor and guarantee compliance with the agreement. Sanctions would be imposed for violations, though the specific nature and triggers for these sanctions remain undefined. The agreement would be legally binding, with the ceasefire taking effect immediately after both sides withdraw to agreed starting positions. The plan explicitly models its implementation structure on the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, positioning Trump as the personal guarantor of the peace process. Russian Perspectives and Incentives Russia's apparent enthusiasm for the 28-point plan stems from its comprehensive accommodation of Moscow's core strategic objectives and maximalist territorial demands. The framework essentially legitimizes and internationalizes Russia's territorial conquests since 2014, providing de facto American recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea and the Donbas region. This represents a fundamental victory for Putin's vision of restoring Russian influence over territories he considers historically and culturally Russian, validating the enormous military and economic costs Russia has incurred since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The territorial provisions grant Russia control over approximately 20 percent of Ukraine's pre-2014 territory, including some of Ukraine's most industrialized and resource-rich regions. The Donbas contains significant coal reserves and heavy industry infrastructure, while control over parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia secures Russia's land bridge to Crimea and dominance over the Sea of Azov. The requirement for Ukraine to withdraw from areas of Donetsk it currently controls, which would then be designated as demilitarized but still recognized as Russian territory, represents a gain beyond current battlefield realities. This territorial expansion provides Russia with strategic depth, economic resources, and a permanent foothold for potential future operations. The military restrictions placed on Ukraine effectively neutralize it as a future security threat to Russia, achieving through diplomacy what Russia failed to accomplish through its initial military campaign. The permanent ban on NATO membership eliminates the prospect of Western military infrastructure on Russia's southwestern border, addressing what Putin has consistently portrayed as an existential threat to Russian security. The prohibition on foreign troops and bases in Ukraine ensures that no Western military presence can be established even outside formal NATO structures. The cap on Ukraine's military forces at 600,000 personnel, combined with restrictions on long-range weapons, fundamentally limits Ukraine's ability to pose any conventional military challenge to Russia in the future. The cultural and political provisions satisfy Russia's ideological objectives regarding Ukraine's identity and governance. Making Russian a second official language and lifting restrictions on the Russian Orthodox Church reverses Ukrainian policies aimed at reducing Russian cultural influence, validating Moscow's narrative about protecting Russian-speakers and Orthodox believers. The requirement to ban "Nazi ideology" accepts Russian propaganda framing of the conflict as a "denazification" operation, despite the lack of evidence for widespread Nazi influence in Ukraine. The mandate for elections within 100 days opens possibilities for political change in Ukraine that could produce a more Russia-friendly government, especially given war weariness and the challenging terms of the peace agreement. The economic incentives for Russia are substantial and multifaceted. The staged lifting of Western sanctions would restore Russia's access to global markets, technology, and financial systems, reversing the economic isolation imposed since 2022. The proposed long-term economic cooperation agreements with the United States in energy, natural resources, and technology sectors would provide Russia with Western investment and expertise crucial for modernizing its economy. The Arctic mineral extraction projects mentioned specifically align with Russia's strategic priorities for developing its northern territories and exploiting climate change-opened resources. Readmission to the G8 would restore Russia's seat at the table of major economic powers, reversing a key symbolic punishment from the Crimea annexation. The amnesty provisions protecting all parties from war crimes prosecution removes a significant source of leverage and pressure on Russian leadership and military personnel. Russian officials and commanders who might otherwise face international criminal prosecution for documented atrocities would receive blanket immunity, eliminating personal legal jeopardy that could complicate Russia's long-term international rehabilitation. This provision also prevents future Ukrainian governments from pursuing legal remedies for the destruction and suffering caused by the invasion, effectively closing the book on accountability for the conflict. From a strategic perspective, the plan allows Russia to claim victory in achieving its stated war aims while ending a costly conflict that has strained its military and economic resources. Putin could present the agreement to domestic audiences as successful completion of the "special military operation," having secured recognition of Russian sovereignty over contested territories, prevented NATO expansion, and protected Russian-speakers in Ukraine. The framework provides Russia with an honorable exit from a war that has proven far more difficult and costly than initially anticipated, while preserving and legitimizing its major territorial gains. The security architecture proposed in the plan, while offering guarantees to Ukraine, actually benefits Russia by establishing clear red lines and conditions that would nullify Western obligations. The provision that Ukraine attacking Russia or launching missiles at major Russian cities would void security guarantees gives Moscow significant leverage to claim provocations and justify potential future actions. The prohibition on Ukraine using force to reclaim occupied territories essentially freezes Russian gains permanently, removing any pressure for future territorial concessions. The dialogue mechanism between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States, provides Moscow with a formal channel to influence European security arrangements and potentially divide Western allies. American Rationales and Strategic Calculations The Trump administration's support for this framework reflects a fundamental recalibration of American strategic priorities and a transactional approach to international relations that prioritizes concrete American interests over abstract principles of international law. The plan represents a decisive shift from the Biden administration's approach of sustained military support for Ukraine, instead seeking rapid conflict termination even at the cost of Ukrainian territorial integrity and sovereignty. This realpolitik calculation stems from multiple converging factors that make the current proposal attractive to Trump's foreign policy team. The immediate cessation of hostilities serves American interests by ending a conflict that has consumed enormous diplomatic attention and financial resources without directly threatening core U.S. security interests. The Trump administration views the approximately 56 billion dollars in military assistance provided to Ukraine since February 2022 as an unsustainable drain on American resources that could be better deployed for domestic priorities or competition with China. Ending the war quickly, even on terms favorable to Russia, allows the administration to claim a major foreign policy victory and fulfill Trump's campaign promise to end the conflict within his first days in office, albeit with some delay. The economic opportunities embedded in the plan align with Trump's business-oriented approach to foreign policy. The proposed joint ventures with Russia in energy, natural resources, and Arctic mineral extraction offer American companies access to vast untapped resources and markets. The emphasis on technology partnerships, data centers, and artificial intelligence cooperation opens new commercial frontiers that could benefit American tech companies seeking global expansion. The reconstruction funds, while nominally for Ukraine, would likely flow significantly to American contractors and businesses involved in rebuilding efforts. The framework essentially transforms the conflict's resolution into a business opportunity for American interests. The security guarantees provided to Ukraine, while substantial on paper, actually limit American obligations compared to potential NATO membership. The conditional nature of the guarantees, which become void if Ukraine takes certain actions, provides the United States with multiple exit ramps from future military commitments. This arrangement allows the administration to claim it has provided strong security assurances while maintaining significant flexibility to avoid future entanglement in Eastern European conflicts. The prohibition on NATO expansion removes a source of tension with Russia while relieving the United States of pressure to extend security commitments it may be reluctant to honor. The plan's structure positions Trump personally as the guarantor and mediator of peace, enhancing his international stature and creating a legacy achievement comparable to historic peace agreements. The Peace Council mechanism, explicitly headed by Trump, ensures continued American relevance and leverage in the implementation process while providing opportunities for the president to claim credit for maintaining stability. This personalization of diplomacy aligns with Trump's preference for leader-to-leader engagement and his belief in his unique ability to negotiate with adversaries like Putin. The framework's acceptance of Russian territorial gains reflects a pragmatic assessment that Ukraine cannot militarily recover these territories and that continued fighting would only result in further Ukrainian losses. American military and intelligence assessments apparently conclude that Ukraine's position will only deteriorate with time, making current terms better than what might be available after another year of grinding warfare. This calculation prioritizes preventing total Ukrainian collapse and preserving a viable Ukrainian state, even if truncated, over pursuing unachievable goals of full territorial restoration. The rapid timeline demanded by the administration, initially seeking agreement before Thanksgiving, reflects both domestic political considerations and a belief that momentum is crucial for successful peace negotiations. Quick resolution would allow Trump to pivot to other priorities, particularly competition with China, which the administration views as the primary long-term threat to American interests. Removing the Ukraine distraction would free diplomatic and military resources for Indo-Pacific strategy while potentially creating opportunities for limited cooperation with Russia as a counterweight to Chinese influence. The plan's provisions for extending nuclear arms control agreements with Russia serve important American security interests by maintaining strategic stability and predictability in the nuclear relationship. Preserving frameworks like START prevents an expensive and dangerous arms race while providing transparency into Russian nuclear capabilities. This nuclear dimension may be particularly important to Trump advisors who view great power competition through a traditional nuclear balance lens rather than focusing on regional conventional conflicts. The moral flexibility demonstrated in the amnesty provisions and recognition of Russian territorial control reflects an administration willing to prioritize practical outcomes over principles of international law or human rights. This approach assumes that moral considerations should not obstruct deals that serve American interests, and that the perfect should not be the enemy of the achievable. The calculation appears to be that a flawed peace that stops the killing and stabilizes Europe is preferable to continued warfare in pursuit of justice or principle. Ukrainian Red Lines and Political Non-Starters The 28-point plan contains numerous provisions that Ukrainian officials and society consider fundamental violations of their national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democratic aspirations, making many elements politically impossible for any Ukrainian government to accept. The most fundamental non-starter remains the formal recognition of Russian sovereignty over occupied territories, particularly areas not currently under Russian control. Ukraine's constitution explicitly prohibits the alienation of national territory, and any leader agreeing to such terms would face accusations of treason and likely removal from office. The requirement for Ukraine to withdraw from parts of Donetsk Oblast still under government control would mean abandoning Ukrainian citizens to Russian occupation without a fight, a betrayal that no democratic government could survive. The permanent prohibition on NATO membership eliminates Ukraine's primary long-term security aspiration and the goal that has oriented its foreign policy since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity. NATO membership has become synonymous with Ukrainian independence and Western integration in public consciousness, and abandoning this goal would be seen as accepting permanent Russian dominance. The broader restrictions on Ukraine's sovereignty, including the ban on foreign troops and limits on military cooperation, would leave Ukraine perpetually vulnerable to future Russian aggression despite paper guarantees. Ukrainian officials have consistently stated that only NATO membership or equivalent bilateral security guarantees with automatic military intervention provisions would be acceptable. The reduction of Ukraine's armed forces to 600,000 personnel represents an unacceptable constraint on national defense capabilities given the demonstrated Russian threat. Ukraine has mobilized its entire society for defense, and demobilization to pre-war levels while Russia maintains massive military forces would be seen as surrender. The prohibition on long-range weapons eliminates Ukraine's ability to deter future Russian aggression through credible retaliatory capabilities. Military leaders and defense experts argue that these restrictions would make Ukraine permanently defenseless, regardless of Western security guarantees that have already proven unreliable. The elevation of Russian as an official language reverses years of efforts to strengthen Ukrainian national identity and reduce Russian cultural imperialism. Language policy has become a crucial battleground for Ukrainian independence, and mandating official status for Russian would be perceived as validating Putin's false claims about protecting Russian-speakers. The restoration of the Russian Orthodox Church's privileges is equally problematic, as this institution has been documented as supporting the invasion and serving as an arm of Russian intelligence. These cultural provisions would be seen as reimposing Russian soft power over Ukrainian society just as military resistance had begun to break those bonds. The requirement to ban "Nazi ideology" accepts Russian propaganda framing that has been used to justify the invasion and deny Ukrainian national legitimacy. While Ukraine has no sympathy for actual Nazi ideology, this provision would likely be interpreted broadly by Russia to suppress Ukrainian patriotic symbols, historical narratives, and national heroes. The vague language could be used to prosecute Ukrainian defenders, veterans organizations, and patriotic movements, essentially criminalizing Ukrainian resistance to Russian influence. This represents an intolerable infringement on Ukrainian sovereignty and national dignity. The amnesty provisions granting immunity for war crimes are absolutely unacceptable to Ukrainian society, which has documented extensive Russian atrocities including mass graves, torture chambers, deportation of children, and deliberate targeting of civilians. Forgiving these crimes without accountability would betray the memories of tens of thousands of Ukrainian victims and deny justice to survivors. Ukrainian prosecutors have built extensive cases against Russian officials and military personnel, and abandoning these efforts would represent moral capitulation. The provision would also protect Ukrainian collaborators and traitors, preventing the restoration of justice in liberated territories. The requirement for elections within 100 days is problematic given that millions of Ukrainians remain displaced, occupied territories cannot participate freely, and wartime conditions make normal democratic processes impossible. Rushing elections under these conditions would likely produce illegitimate results and could be manipulated by Russian interference. The implication that Zelensky's government should be replaced adds insult to injury, suggesting that Ukraine's democratically elected wartime leadership is part of the problem rather than legitimately representing national resistance. The economic provisions, while offering reconstruction funds, fail to address reparations for the enormous damage Russia has inflicted on Ukraine. Estimates of reconstruction costs far exceed the 100 billion dollars in frozen assets, with total damage approaching 500 billion dollars or more. The plan's focus on joint U.S.-Russian business ventures rather than Ukrainian economic recovery suggests that Ukraine would be excluded from the economic benefits of peace. The sharing of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant electricity with Russia adds insult to injury, forcing Ukraine to provide energy to its invader. The security guarantees, while superficially attractive, contain fatal flaws from Ukraine's perspective. The conditions that would void these guarantees essentially prohibit Ukraine from defending itself against future Russian provocations or hybrid warfare. Russia could easily manufacture incidents to claim Ukrainian aggression and nullify Western obligations. The lack of automatic military intervention mechanisms means these guarantees would likely prove as hollow as the Budapest Memorandum that failed to prevent Russian aggression in 2014. Without NATO's Article 5 or equivalent iron-clad commitments, Ukraine would remain vulnerable to Russian salami tactics and gradual encroachment. The framework's fundamental flaw from Ukraine's perspective is that it rewards aggression and establishes precedents that encourage future invasions. Accepting these terms would signal that military conquest remains viable in the 21st century and that nuclear powers can successfully extort territorial concessions from non-nuclear neighbors. This would not only doom Ukraine to eventual absorption by Russia but would destabilize the entire international order. Ukrainian leaders argue that rejecting bad peace terms and continuing resistance, even at great cost, is preferable to capitulation that would only delay ultimate subjugation. Ukraine benefited from American intelligence, especially satellite surveillance, reconnaissance aircraft, and other classified sources. This included advance notice of incoming Russian airstrikes, alerts when bombers take off inside Russia, and information on where Russian air-defense systems are positioned. This data helped Ukraine prepare its air defenses and plan strikes on Russian air-defense units. Yet their importance is often overstated. Ukrainian officials had highlighted the value of U.S. intelligence partly for political reasons to frame Washington as a stronger partner than it has actually been. If the US cut off intelligence, it would hurt, but it wouldnt cripple Ukraines ability to fight. Kyiv can continue the war without American reconnaissance support. Since Trump took office, the US stopped donating arms or financial aid to Ukraines defense. Instead, Washington sold weapons to Ukraine at a profit, which made it misleading to describe the US as a supporter in the traditional sense. The current system functions through the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) initiative. This works like a bridal registry, also known as a wedding registry. This is a curated wish list of desired gifts that an engaged couple [or Ukraine] creates to guide guests [European states] in selecting presents [weapons] for their bridal shower [for purchae from the United States]. It simplifies the giving process and helps the recipients get items they genuinely want or need. Under PURL, Ukraine lists which U.S.-produced systems it needs, and then European nations finance or transfer those items. Europe sees this as a mutually beneficial arrangement: Ukraine gains access to American equipment, the US makes money, and Europe keeps Washington loosely tied to European security. Europe's Diplomatic Dilemma The purported U.S. endorsement of a peace framework favoring Russian objectives has triggered a fundamental crisis within European capitals. This is not merely a policy disagreement but the materialization of a long-dreaded strategic scenario: the alignment of American power with Russian interests against the consensus of its European allies. Key Strategic Shifts The collapse of the transatlantic diplomatic consensus that guided policy for decades Europe's position as an isolated actor in a new tri-polar power dynamic The urgent need for Europe to develop an assertive, sovereign foreign policy The Collapse of Transatlantic Consensus For years, the core of European strategy toward the United States was one of patient persuasiona concerted effort to educate the American political establishment on the inherent threat posed by the Kremlin. Initiatives like coordinated sanctions regimes were touted as evidence that this approach was yielding results, fostering a belief that Washington could be steered toward a policy of pressuring Moscow. This foundation has now evaporated. The revelation that U.S. policy could pivot so decisively to pressure Kyiv instead has exposed the fragility of Europe's influence and the futility of its previous diplomatic playbook. The assumption of a shared strategic outlook, the bedrock of post-war foreign policy, is no longer operable. Navigating a Tri-Polar Power Dynamic Europe now finds itself isolated in a reconfigured geopolitical landscape, positioned between a revanchist Russia and an adversarial United States. This is not a return to a bipolar Cold War but the emergence of a more complex and dangerous tri-polarity. In this new reality, European nations are forced to navigate between two larger powers that are, in this context, aligned in their desire to force a Ukrainian capitulation. The political and diplomatic battle is, for the moment, decisively lost. The collective West, as a unified actor, has ceased to exist on this issue, leaving Europe to contend with both an external military threat and an internal crisis of alliance credibility. The Imperative for Sovereign Posture The immediate European response is likely to be one of public consternation followed by a rapid, though painful, strategic reassessment. The fundamental question facing European leaders is whether they can muster the political will and resources to act as an independent power center. This would require not only maintaining but significantly increasing military and economic support for Ukraine without American leadership, developing credible security guarantees outside of NATO structures, and potentially leveraging European economic power to counter both Russian aggression and American diplomatic pressure. The alternativeacquiescing to a peace that effectively rewards aggressionwould fundamentally undermine European security for a generation. Europe stands at a critical juncture where it must either assert itself as a genuine geopolitical actor or risk becoming strategically irrelevant in a world increasingly shaped by great power competition. The U.S. alignment with Russian interests on Ukraine, while a severe shock, may ultimately serve as the catalyst for the strategic autonomy Europe has long sought. Key Implications For European Security The foundational assumptions of European security architecture have been shattered, requiring a complete reassessment of defense cooperation and strategic positioning. For Ukraine Ukraine faces increased pressure to negotiate from a position of weakness, with its primary military backer shifting alignment. For Global Order The breakdown of transatlantic unity signals a fundamental shift in global power dynamics, with implications for conflicts worldwide. Timeline of Events February 2022: Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine begins Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine begins March 2022: European unity demonstrated in initial response European unity demonstrated in initial response 2022-2023: Sustained transatlantic support for Ukraine Sustained transatlantic support for Ukraine Early 2024: Signs of shifting U.S. position emerge Signs of shifting U.S. position emerge Mid-2024: U.S. alignment with Russian framework becomes apparent U.S. alignment with Russian framework becomes apparent Present: European strategic reassessment underway NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SpaceX Starship Flight 12 The Starbase team planned to have the next Super Heavy booster stacked in December 2025, which put it on pace with the test schedule planned for the first Starship V3 vehicle and associated ground systems. Starships twelfth flight test remained targeted for the first quarter of 2026. "Booster 18 suffered an anomaly during gas system pressure testing that we were conducting in advance of structural proof testing. No propellant was on the vehicle, and engines were not yet installed. The teams need time to investigate before we are confident of the cause. No one was injured as we maintain a safe distance for personnel during this type of testing. The site remains clear and we are working plans to safely reenter the site." SpaceX announced 21 November 2025. The vehicle was undergoing gas system pressure testing, which is a standard procedure conducted ahead of a more rigorous structural proof test. At the time of the event, the booster was not loaded with any propellant, and its Raptor engines had not yet been installed, significantly reducing the potential risk of a more catastrophic event. The company confirmed that no personnel were injured, as safety protocols requiring a safe distance during such testing were in effect. Following the incident, the site was cleared, and teams are developing plans to safely re-enter the area to assess the full scope of the situation. The immediate consequence for Booster 18 appeared to be severe. Visual evidence from the site suggests the vehicle sustained major damage, likely rendering it a complete loss. The teams now require time to investigate the cause of the anomaly before they can be confident in their findings. This involves a thorough analysis of the data collected during the test and a physical inspection of the hardware once the area is declared safe. Such investigations are standard procedure in aerospace development to understand the root cause of a failure and implement design or procedural changes to prevent a recurrence. This incident with Booster 18 represented a notable setback for the aggressive development timeline of the Starship program. However, the Starbase team has demonstrated a rapid iteration approach, often building multiple vehicles in parallel. Their plans indicate that the next Super Heavy booster was already scheduled to be stacked in December. This parallel development strategy is designed to absorb the impact of individual test article losses without bringing the entire program to a halt. The timing of this anomaly was particularly critical as it intersects with the planned test schedule for the first Starship V3 vehicle and its associated ground systems. The V3 represents an evolution of the Starship design, promising greater performance and payload capacity. The goal of stacking a new booster by December is intended to keep the program on pace with this ambitious V3 testing schedule. The ability to quickly recover from this setback will be a key test of SpaceX's operational tempo and manufacturing resilience. Looking further ahead, the twelfth integrated flight test of the Starship system remained targeted for the first quarter of 2026. This timeline is contingent on the success of the upcoming ground tests and subsequent flight tests with earlier boosters and ships. While the loss of Booster 18 is a disruption, it is the kind of challenge SpaceX has encountered and overcome throughout the Starship development process. The data gathered from this anomaly, while costly, will ultimately inform improvements to the vehicle's design and testing procedures, contributing to the long-term goal of creating a fully reusable orbital launch system. The Promise of Starship Version 3 The Version 3 Starship represents a significant architectural evolution designed to push the rocket toward realizingand potentially exceedingits 100-ton Low Earth Orbit (LEO) payload capacity. This new iteration boasts several critical upgrades compared to the previous model: Propulsion: The booster is equipped with 35 Raptor engines, an increase from the 33 engines used on Version 2. Staging: It features an integrated vented interstage designed to facilitate smoother hot staging. Aerodynamics & Weight: The design reduced the number of grid fins from four to three to achieve weight savings. Structure: The vehicle utilizes enhanced thermal protection and taller tank sections, allowing for increased propellant capacity. On the evening of November 20th, Superheavy Booster 18 (B18) the first of the Version 3 hardware was moved from Mega Bay 1 to the Masseys test site using a self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT). Upon arrival, teams began the initial setup, which included connecting tank venting lines and sensors. SpaceX publicly acknowledged the milestone via X (formerly Twitter), stating: "Booster 18, the first Superheavy V3, is beginning pre-launch testing. The first operations will test the booster's redesign propellant systems and its structural strength." Liquid oxygen (LOX) loading operations commenced at 4:00 AM Central Time on November 21st. However, just four minutes later, at exactly 4:04 AM, the test suffered a catastrophic anomaly. Witnesses reported hearing a sharp bang followed immediately by venting flames, indicating a rapid overpressurization event or a seal failure within the LOX tank. In the moments following the initial bang, the lower section of the LOX tank failed structurally, crumpling inward in a violent implosive-explosive event. While flames and vapor clouds engulfed the base of the vehicle, the test stand itself appeared to sustain only minimal damage. Fortunately, per safety protocols, the site had been evacuated, and there were no injuries. Following the incident, B18 was stabilized and returned to Mega Bay 1. The damage was deemed irreparable, and the booster is slated to be scrapped. Preliminary reports suggest the root cause was a propellant system anomalylikely a faulty cryogenic valve or a weld imperfection in the LOX tank domewhich triggered uncontrolled pressure buildup during the chilldown phase. This issue was likely amplified by the aggressive specifications of the Version 3 design, which operates at a higher pressure of 6.2 bar, compared to the 5.2 bar limit of Version 2. Unlike previous "Rapid Unscheduled Disassemblies" (RUDs), such as the explosive loss of Ship 29 in 2023, this was characterized as a "soft failure." There was no massive fireball, but rather severe structural deformation. SpaceX intends to use data from the embedded sensors to inform necessary fixes for the subsequent booster, B19. While Elon Musk expressed confidence that B19 will succeed, this failure raises significant concerns. A full-scale booster cryo-failure has not been seen at the Masseys site since the era of early prototypes, predating the current test facilities. The incident draws parallels to the Mk1 tank burst in 2019 or the SN3 implosion in 2020. The recurrence of such a failure on a Superheavy booster suggests the issue may be more than a simple component failure. With the increased propellant load and propulsion modifications, there is a fear that engineers may be underestimating the pressures the new booster must withstand, pointing toward a potential systemic design flaw rather than just a failed valve. The failure will inevitably impact the immediate launch schedule. SpaceX is required to conduct a mishap investigation based on the sensor data, which must then be reviewed by the FAA for launch licensing. While the "rapid iteration" philosophy allows for quick fixes, historical data shows that ground anomalies can delay flights anywhere from one to ten months. A clearance hold of 4 to 8 weeks is the minimum expectation, pushing back IFT12the debut flight of Starship V3by weeks at least. The ripple effects of this anomaly pose a serious threat to the timeline SpaceX recently outlined in leaked documentation delivered to NASA. The current targets include: Summer 2026: A Low Earth Orbit propellant transfer (refueling) test. Mid-2027: An unmanned Starship landing test on the Moon. September 2028: A human-rated lunar landing. An incident of this magnitude makes the 2026 refueling test a difficult prospect. Consequently, delays in that milestone will cascade, jeopardizing the 2027 unmanned landing and making the September 2028 human landing schedulewhich was already incredibly difficult to achieve practically impossible. NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon, relying heavily on private companies for key components. SpaceX, with its Starship vehicle designated as the Human Landing System (HLS) for the Artemis III mission, is central to this plan. However, the development of Starship has encountered hurdles, leading to concerns that SpaceX is falling behind the schedule needed to meet NASA's lunar goals. Obviously a Major Malfunction A core issue is a mismatch between NASA's public schedule and SpaceX's internal timeline. NASA's Official Target for Artemis III: The space agency is publicly targeting a crewed lunar landing for the mid-2027 timeframe [ 1 ]. The space agency is publicly targeting a crewed lunar landing for the timeframe [ ]. SpaceX's Leaked Internal Timeline: According to an internal SpaceX document from late 2025, the company is reportedly targeting: June 2026 for the first orbital refueling demonstration. June 2027 for an uncrewed lunar landing. September 2028 for the first crewed lunar landing attempt. According to an internal SpaceX document from late 2025, the company is reportedly targeting: This internal SpaceX schedule suggests the Artemis III mission could be delayed by over a year from NASA's target. Several major technological hurdles contribute to the complex development path for Starship. Orbital Refueling: This is the single biggest challenge. Due to its size, Starship must be refueled in orbit to have enough propellant to reach the Moon. This process of transferring cryogenic propellants in space has never been done before on the scale required . Estimates suggest a single lunar landing could require anywhere from 10 to 40 successful refueling launches in rapid succession, a massive logistical undertaking. This is the single biggest challenge. Due to its size, Starship must be refueled in orbit to have enough propellant to reach the Moon. This process of transferring cryogenic propellants in space has on the scale required . Estimates suggest a single lunar landing could require anywhere from in rapid succession, a massive logistical undertaking. Test Flight Setbacks: While SpaceX has made progress with several test flights in 2025, the year also saw multiple failures, including three in-flight explosions and an anomaly during ground testing, highlighting the vehicle's developmental risks . While SpaceX has made progress with several test flights in 2025, the year also saw multiple failures, including three in-flight explosions and an anomaly during ground testing, highlighting the vehicle's developmental risks . Unproven Capabilities: Starship has yet to demonstrate several critical functions needed for Artemis III, including a successful orbital mission, long-duration flights, and a safe landing on the lunar surface. The China Factor and Political Pressure The technical delays are set against a backdrop of a new space race. China has a stated goal of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2030. NASA's acting administrator, Sean Duffy, has repeatedly emphasized that beating China to the lunar surface is a priority, calling it a "key point in the history of space exploration". This competitive pressure is a driving force behind NASA's search for backup options. In response to the potential delays, NASA is actively exploring alternatives to ensure the US can meet its lunar goals. In October 2025, acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced that the agency would solicit proposals from other companies for a lunar lander that could potentially be ready faster than Starship . He stated, "We're not going to wait for one company... We're going to push this forward and win the second space race against the Chinese". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The broader market followed the same path. The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) opened strong, up about 1.5% on Nvidias results, but faded sharply into the close and ended down roughly 1.5%. The three-point swing stood out even in a volatile season. By the close on Nov. 20, NVDA had not only surrendered its entire post-earnings gain, it had also slipped below the prior days close, finishing near $181. Initially, the stock responded the way many expected. NVDA rallied about 5% after the release, climbing near $197 and inching closer to its 52-week high around $212. But the strength didnt last. Margins improved as well. Nvidia generated $23.8 billion in operating cash flow and ended the quarter with more than $60 billion in cash and short-term investments. The company also returned $12.5 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends. The Data Center segment remained the growth engine. Nvidia reported $51.2 billion in data center revenue, a 66% increase from a year ago. Compute revenue reached $43 billion, and networking contributed another $8.2 billion. Demand for Blackwell continues to surge, and CEO Jensen Huang noted again that cloud GPUs are sold out across the major hyperscalers. With Big Tech firms lifting their AI-related capital spending plans above $380 billion for the year, Nvidia sits at the center of one of the strongest multi-year investment cycles in the market. Nvidia delivered another standout quarter that easily cleared Wall Street forecasts. Fiscal Q3 revenue reached $57 billion, well ahead of the $54.9 billion consensus. Adjusted earnings of $1.30 per share also topped expectations. Management guided Q4 revenue to about $65 billion, comfortably above the $61.6 billion analysts were expecting. After an initial jump, the gains faded and the shares drifted back toward their pre-earnings levels, a pattern that often appears once the headline numbers are fully absorbed. And when a mega-cap settles into a post-catalyst phase, the trading range can tighten. That environment can make the far-dated upside calls particularly appealing for investors who want to stay long while also collecting premium through a covered-call approach. Story Continues This is where things get interesting. Nvidias results were impressive, but the market showed how quickly earnings news can be absorbed, even for a company of this size. The excitement that lifted the stock in the first hour after the release simply wasnt durable. With the latest numbers and guidance now fully priced in, NVDA may settle into a narrower range until the next major catalyst arrives. And that shift opens the door to some compelling positioning opportunities. www.barchart.com When the Catalyst Passes, Options Opportunities Often Appear After a major earnings event, mega-cap stocks sometimes drift into a period of rangebound trading. Nvidia has followed this pattern before. After its Aug. 27 earnings release, the stock traded around $182 a share, and despite a steady flow of positive news in the weeks that followed, NVDA was only modestly higher by Nov. 18 (around $187 a share). Now, after a brief earnings-driven price spike, the stock has worked its way back toward $180. That backdrop is where selling upside calls (e.g. covered calls) becomes interesting. Near-term implied volatility often drops after an earnings event, but middle and long-dated contracts usually still hold meaningful premium. For example, in NVDA, the IV Rank on the January 2027 options sits near 45%. Thats a little below the threshold many short-premium traders prefer when selling options (50%). But covered calls are arguably different. They are more tactical in nature, especially when the investor is managing an existing long position, and looking to enhance returns during a period when upside momentum may cool. That means the absolute level of volatility isnt as critical. With NVDA trading near $181 a share, the January 2027 $270 calls are priced around $15, creating a breakeven near $285 per share. That is more than $100 above the current stock price. The January 2027 $300 calls, trading near $11, have a breakeven near $311, or about $130 above current levels. For long-term holders, those breakevens show how much room remains before assignment becomes a concern. The stock would need to stage a significant rally before either strike begins to cap gains. If Nvidia spends the next several months in a narrower range, as mega-caps often do after a major event, short options traders can benefit from a gradual decline in implied volatility. Even modest volatility contraction can support the short calls decay, and potentially boost the return of the combined position. In fact, this is the type of environment where covered calls tend to work best: modestly elevated premium, wide strike buffers, and a stock that may be in consolidation mode. This approach isnt about calling a top or fading Nvidias long-term trajectory. The fundamental story remains intact. The point is that after a major earnings event, large-cap stocks often slip into calmer, more measured trading. Covered calls fit neatly within that shift, helping long-term holders turn a quieter stretch into a productive one. A Closer Look at the Covered-Call Setup To see how this setup works, consider a long-term Nvidia holder with 1,000 shares who sells five of the January 2027 $270 calls. Selling calls against only half the position keeps some of the long exposure intact, while allowing the investor to collect premium from a far-dated expiration. With the $270 calls recently trading near $15, selling five contracts brings in about $7,500. The premium is collected upfront and stays with the investor regardless of how the stock performs. If Nvidia rises over the next year but remains below $270, the calls expire worthless. The investor keeps all 1,000 shares and the full $7,500 premium. That premium transforms into added yield on top of any gains from the underlying stock position. Many covered-call sellers view this as a favorable scenario, because the stock performs well and income is generated without reducing the long position. If Nvidia trades above $270 by early 2027, the outcome is still constructive. The 500 shares tied to the short calls can generate gains from the current price near $181 per share all the way up to the $270 strike price nearly $90 of upside per share before assignment becomes a factor. The other 500 shares remain uncovered, and therefore continue to benefit from any further rally. And the short premium from the options is collected in full. For some investors, that mix of realized gains, continued upside exposure, and collected premium may be favored over a simple long position. Looking at an extreme scenario if Nvidia rallies sharply and pushes well beyond the strike the mechanics do not change. Assignment caps gains above $270 on half the position, but the other 500 shares remain fully exposed to any additional upside. On the other hand, if Nvidia trades sideways or drifts lower, the options premium still works in the investors favor. That $7,500 functions as a buffer, softening downside moves and adding income. For many long-term holders, this is exactly why covered calls are used during quieter stretches: the strategy smooths returns and generates cash flow while the stock waits for its next catalyst. Taken together, these scenarios show how selling five upside calls against a 1,000-share position can balance income, risk control, and continued upside. The trade captures the elevated premiums that linger after a major earnings event while still allowing Nvidia room to rally before the strike price comes into play. For investors who want to stay aligned with Nvidias long-term AI story while extracting value from a cooler, post-catalyst tape, this structure checks both boxes. Takeaways The covered call in Nvidia wont appeal to every trader. Some want unrestrained upside, others prefer shorter durations or strikes that sit closer to the money. But when a mega-cap like NVDA exhausts its catalyst and shifts into a steadier rhythm, the balance of risk and reward on an upside call sale naturally becomes more compelling. And this dynamic isnt unique to Nvidia. Large-caps regularly drift into quieter phases once the headlines fade, and those stretches often reward investors who are comfortable trading around a long position. Whether its NVDA after a later earnings beat or another heavyweight cooling off after a sharp move, the covered-call structure can be an effective toolwhen it aligns with the traders outlook and the tempo of the stock. On the date of publication, Andrew Prochnow 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 Press conference - Johannesburg, South Africa Transcript Friday 21 November 2025 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Prime Minister of Australia ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Can I firstly just make some comments about Tropical Cyclone Fina. Category 2, it's expected to impact the Tiwis and Darwin, and NEMA is monitoring the situation closely and my Government is working with the Northern Territory Government. We stand ready to provide whatever assistance is necessary. My thoughts are with the people in that area and I urge everyone to look after not just themselves, but I know they'll be looking after each other. Last Christmas day I spent was the anniversary of Cyclone Tracy, and that was a big moment for the Northern Territory, and my thoughts are with people at this time and also with the emergency service workers and others who will be working hard, whether they be in the Northern Territory or at the headquarters there in Canberra. Can I say, it's been an incredible honour to be here at Freedom Park, to have three great Australians added to the Wall of Remembrance here in honour of their contribution to the struggle for freedom and democracy here in South Africa and against the abhorrent apartheid regime. Malcolm Fraser and Bob Hawke both as prime ministers were courageous, were principled, and took important action in banning sporting contests, in making sure as well that trade and economic sanctions were put in place against the apartheid regime. And of course, Bob Hawke as trade union leader was a very significant leader during the Springbok tour of 1971, which saw Australians demonstrate so strongly against those sporting ties on the basis of a sporting organisation that -- then, the Springboks that were selected, of course, on the basis of race. So these Australians, along with the former diplomat, Bruce Haigh, who assisted people to get out of South Africa to safety and who was so strong in his representation while he was here at the High Commission. These three Australians we can all be proud of in standing up for those Australian values of equality and freedom and justice and decency. These three Australians have been honoured today and I thank very much the people here at Freedom Park for giving these Australians this honour. Today, I'll be having some bilateral meetings in the lead-up to the G20, including with the President of South Africa, the Prime Minister of India, and the leadership of the European Union as well as the Taoiseach of Ireland as well. Tomorrow there will be a range of meetings as well with the formal proceedings of the G20 commencing. The G20 matters. The G20 represents 85 per cent of the global economy, 75 per cent of global trade. And because Australia is very much an economy that depends upon trade, one in four of our jobs is trade connected, it's an important opportunity at this time of considerable global economic uncertainty to engage with our trading partners in Europe, in Asia, in the Americas, to advance Australia's national interest. And that's what I'll be doing over the next couple of days. Happy to take some questions. JOURNALIST: In your discussions with Europe, how close is Australia to landing this free trade deal? PRIME MINISTER: Well it won't be finalised today, that's for sure. But we are closer than we were before as a result of the meetings that Don Farrell, our minister, has had. So, it'll be an opportunity for me to have discussions with Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa when we meet in a few hours' time to see if we can just edge that little bit closer. The Europeans are finalising an agreement that they have in place with South American countries, and that is a priority between now and the end of the year. But what I'd like to see is it finalised in the first quarter of 2026. This would be very important. The agreement with the UK has brought great benefit to Australia. The other agreements that we've managed to put in place, including the agreement with the UAE has opened up those Middle East markets for Australia and an agreement with the EU, a lot of the issues have been resolved. There's still a couple that we need to finalise, but I think that free and fair trade is very much in Australia's national interests. JOURNALIST: What are these issues that are yet to be - PRIME MINISTER: Well, we'll work them through and the way that we're successful is to work them through diplomatically, and we'll continue to engage constructively. JOURNALIST: Is it about our beef quotas? PRIME MINISTER: We'll continue to engage constructively. There's a range of issues around agriculture. One of the things that we've done as well, is we only sign up to agreements that are in Australia's national interest. Now, we got close during the last term of government. We didn't believe the deal was good enough, so we didn't sign it. So, if we can get a deal that is in Australia's national interest as well as in the interest of the European Union, then we will agree to it. JOURNALIST: PM, there is speculation maybe during the last lot of negotiations that Australia might be willing to lower or remove its luxury car tax, which of course affects a lot of European vehicles, in exchange for a deal with the EU. Is that still something that's under consideration? PRIME MINISTER: Look, we'll discuss the range of issues and we'll do that in the way that we engage diplomatically. I think we've been -- JOURNALIST: So, that's something you're open to? PRIME MINISTER: I think we've been quite successful at not ruling things in or out at press conferences, but engaging in a respectful way with our partners. That's how we get things done. And if you look at the record that my Government has of breaking new relationships with countries as well as working closely with our traditional allies like the United States and the United Kingdom, we've been successful because we understand the way that diplomacy works. Sometimes, I know that means that we don't answer everything in detail at press conferences, because that's showing respect to the partners who we're engaged with. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, it seems Donald Trump is leading a US boycott of the summit. A US official may now attend. Is this a welcome development from Australia's perspective? PRIME MINISTER: Look, the G20 is an important meeting. Those decisions are matters for the United States, but clearly this is the 20 largest economies in the world. It's an opportunity to advance the national interests of all of the nations who participate. And that is why from Australia's perspective we're here and it's important that the G20 be a success as well. This is a G20 being held in Africa, also sends a message to the African continent. If we have a look at global population and what's happening, the workforce overwhelmingly in coming decades, the global workforce, because of the demographics that are occurring here in Africa, this continent will be more and more important in the future. And that just is another reason why we need to engage with them. And I of course encourage all countries to participate. JOURNALIST: Will there be a leader's statement at the end of this summit? PRIME MINISTER: Well, that's a matter for -- obviously, South Africa are the chair of the G20. We'll wait and see -- JOURNALIST: Because the US has said it's opposed to a leader's statement. Would you support a leader's statement? PRIME MINISTER: We'll wait and see. The thing about these statements is that obviously Australia will participate, as we do, constructively in all these forums. But usually it is by consensus before a statement can be issued. And that means that often you have a chair's statement. Wouldn't be the first time that that's happened. JOURNALIST: Can I ask you about a domestic issue? And we've seen the AFP arrest three men including a neo-Nazi after allegedly threatening federal MPs and public officeholders. Is there any more information you can give us about this and can we get your reaction to this? PRIME MINISTER: Well, this is a serious issue. I can't go into all of the detail, but I've been briefed certainly by the AFP, in part because they've been a range of issues, some of which have been reported, on court processes that have involved myself. I have spoken about the increase in threats which are there. There is no place in Australia for the sort of threats of violence that we have seen. It is an unfortunate characteristic. One of the great things about being Australia's Prime Minister is being able to go to a local shopping centre, to be able to engage, as I try to do, as much as possible. But increasingly there are very real and various serious threats. The AFP only take actions and arrest people if they are matters that need to be taken seriously. And certainly the events, some of which, the detailed events that I've been briefed on, of course are ones that have involved myself. I can certainly confirm one of the arrests that occurred recently in New South Wales did involve that. And that means that you need to be conscious of that. And my security team certainly are of that as well. The involvement of course of neo-Nazis, I've commented on that. There's no place for political engagement based upon racial hatred. And here of all places, where we're today commemorating the struggle of those who campaigned against a regime that was racist in its nature, the apartheid regime is just a reminder of where this takes us. It drives down dignity and humanity for all of us. And I just thank and congratulate the AFP who do a fantastic job. JOURNALIST: Are you confident the Quad has a future under the Trump presidency? PRIME MINISTER: Look, I think the Quad's an important body. The United States, Japan, and India. I'll be having discussions with Prime Minister Modi this afternoon. India is due to host the Quad and I'd be very hopeful that the Quad will be hosted in India next year. Australia will always participate in it. I'll be talking with the new Japanese Prime Minister as well over the next couple of days. She's someone who's very warm about Australia, as is Prime Minister Modi. And of course I have a good, positive relationship with President Trump as well. So, I'd be hopeful that the Quad meeting takes place in the first quarter next year. JOURNALIST: Does it worry you, though, that these multilateral forums that are very important to Australia, G20 and the Quad, that President Trump is increasingly rejecting them? PRIME MINISTER: Well, my job is to represent Australia's interests, and we continue to participate constructively. We engage in bilateral forums, but you need multilateral forums as well where you get that engagement across the board. And that is why the G20 is so important. Thanks very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press conference - Johannesburg, South Africa Transcript Saturday 22 November 2025 Johannesburg, South Africa Prime Minister Anthony Albanese The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Prime Minister of Australia ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Firstly on Tropical Cyclone Fina, I've been in touch with our local MPs there, including of course Luke Gosling, Marion Scrymgour, and Minister McCarthy, but also Lia Finocchiaro the Chief Minister as well has been engaged. The Commonwealth is providing every bit of support that is requested, and NEMA of course, its creation has made a real difference to the capacity to respond very quickly. But our thoughts are with people back in the Northern Territory and Darwin and surrounds as well. It is great to be here at the G20 and I was able to participate this morning in my first forum and contribution to the debate, speaking up for Australia's national interests, which is about free and fair trade, about economic engagement, about diversification of our trade as well, following up from the successful meetings that we've had yesterday. The European Union, I've also met with a range of the individual national leaders, including I just had a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merz. Australia and Germany have a very close relationship, and we spoke about support for the Free Trade Agreement being finalised next year, along with our defence and security cooperation agreements as well. An upgrade of those relationships will be important. The G20 began with President Ramaphosa indicating that the communique has been agreed by all of the participants. That's a good thing - quite often there's not a communique, unfortunately, from these multilateral forums, and it's a good thing that that has been adopted. It's also been an opportunity to engage. I've had a very warm discussion with President Erdogan of Turkiye, and he is very pleased, as am I, at the resolution of the COP issue in Belem. And President Erdogan also was generous to invite me to visit Turkiye for Anzac Day next year, so we'll give that consideration as well. We have started the Summit talking about economic growth and talking about the challenges that are there with the Australian economy. Throughout the day, I'll be meeting with a range of leaders including MIKTA, which is Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Turkiye. That group will have a formal meeting. As well as I've got a range of bilateral meetings scheduled, especially with European leaders, today. So I'm looking forward to that engagement and the informal engagement is always just as important at forums like this as well. I was also able to have a discussion with my friend Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and inform him about Travis Head's extraordinary knock, and the success that Australia has had. And we had a good-natured banter about the outcome of the first test, but congratulations, a particular shout out, to Mitchell Starc and Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, an extraordinary effort to win the test in two days. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, yesterday we were talking about the prospect of a Leaders' Statement; you suggested it might be a Chair's Statement this year. Are you surprised that at the very beginning of this G20 Leaders' Summit, the 19 members were able to come together so quickly to endorse this communique? PRIME MINISTER: It's a good thing that that occurred. The Australian Sherpa who participated in that as well was a part of working through issues. And it's a very positive sign that the world wants to get on with cooperating, and it's a very positive statement going forward. JOURNALIST: It makes multiple references to climate change, commitment to the Paris Agreement, to free trade. Is this a repudiation of the kind of policies that Donald Trump is pursuing? PRIME MINISTER: It's about what the world has committed to - the Paris Agreement and to action on climate change. Of course, Australia signed up to the Paris Agreement, under Tony Abbott, and signed up to Net Zero under Scott Morrison. And with Angus Taylor as the Energy Minister. There is overwhelming support for action on climate change. People are very conscious of the fact that the increase in extreme weather events, the impact of climate change, is here right now. The impact on this continent here in Africa, the impact in the Pacific of course, is something that we're very conscious of as well. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister you speak about making decisions in the national interest. How do you anticipate this decision will affect Australia's strategic interests with the US and broader national interest? PRIME MINISTER: Sorry, which decision? JOURNALIST: You speak about making decisions in the national interest, how do you expect this communique - PRIME MINISTER: Well, the communique is signed up by all of the countries who are participating here. And Australia, as a sovereign state, makes decisions based upon our own national interest. Australia has an interest in action on climate change. We have an interest in trade, we're a trading nation. One in four of our jobs is dependent upon trade. So there's nothing unusual about supporting free and fair trade. That's what Australian Governments have done on a bipartisan basis, and before recent times, action to achieve Net Zero was a bipartisan position as well. JOURNALIST: But Donald Trump, he doesn't support the Paris Agreement as you know. He also didn't want this Leaders' Declaration to be agreed to. There was also a lot of language in there about support of multilateralism, free trade. Was this sort the rest of the G20 showing a unified force against the Trump agenda? PRIME MINISTER: No. This was countries making decisions consistent with the direction in which the world has gone. The whole reason - JOURNALIST: But it's the opposite direction to what Trump is going. PRIME MINISTER: The whole reason for the formation of the G20 at a Leaders' level, it was 2008, I participated in the first meeting that was held at Leaders' level in London. That was in response to the Global Financial Crisis. Multilateralism is something that's very much in Australia's national interest and clearly other governments make their own decisions based upon what they assess to be their national interest. JOURNALIST: The statement talks about 600 million Africans don't have access to electricity and that, in order for the developed world to hit their 2030 targets it would cost $5.1-5.8 trillion. Does this highlight how difficult it is for the developing world to actually reach their climate targets, particularly as they're moving to increase economic growth? And does Australia plan to increase investment or funding to help developing countries transition? PRIME MINISTER: We are engaged in those issues, including in the support that we provide. The achievement of countries such as India in giving people access to energy has been quite remarkable in recent years. And the world has an interest in - JOURNALIST: A lot of that has been through coal though, hasn't it? New coal fire power stations? PRIME MINISTER: A whole range of issues. India is rolling out a massive renewable investment program, and when I spoke with Prime Minister Modi, we spoke about our agreement on green energy that we have. And later today you'll see some further developments on that. JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, overnight Australia has signed up to the Belem Declaration on the transition away from fossil fuels. I was wondering how that kind of fits with the Government's future gas strategy which states that natural gas will be needed to 2050 and beyond - a fossil fuel? PRIME MINISTER: Well it is needed. It's a part of the transition which is occurring. What you need to back up renewables is firming capacity, that's what's enabling the investment to occur. And all of the energy experts say the cheapest form of transition is renewables backed by gas, backed by hydro, backed by batteries. That's Australia's position. JOURNALIST: But this statement, which holds the strongest language on phasing out fossil fuels that Australia has ever supported. So, if we're talking about signing up to international declarations on phasing out fossil fuels, acknowledging that we're still going to be needing natural gas beyond 2050. Are those positions, sort of, compatible? PRIME MINISTER: Yes. JOURNALIST: Are there any plans to taper down Australia's production of fossil fuels? PRIME MINISTER: Our position is the same today as it was yesterday. The cheapest form of new energy is renewables. That needs to be backed up by gas as firming capacity, by batteries, and by hydro. JOURNALIST: Peter Malinauskas and Chris Minns have said the Narrabri Development needs to go ahead. Various people have talked about the need to get more gas out of the ground. Do you subscribe to that as well? PRIME MINISTER: I've said that a long time ago. Go and have a look at my previous comments. JOURNALIST: Do you understand how people would understand that now that you've signed up to this declaration that there would be movement on tapering off coal exports or gas exports or gas in general? You're saying that that's not the case at all? PRIME MINISTER: No. JOURNALIST: Net Zero was in this document. Would a Coalition government have been able to sign up to this Declaration? PRIME MINISTER: Well the Coalition can't even make an agreement with themselves, let alone speak for Australia. You have a new Liberal leader in New South Wales saying that she supports Net Zero. A new Liberal leader in Victoria saying that she supports Net Zero. You have a Leader of the Opposition that before a couple of weeks ago was out there campaigning for Net Zero. And you have the Liberal Party that has adopted a position that is more conservative, more right-wing, more anti-renewables and -transition, than what the National Party stood for. Bear in mind, Barnaby Joyce was a part of signing up to Net Zero, as was of course Angus Taylor as the Minister for Energy, as was the Morrison Government. Now, one of the things that we're dealing with when it comes to energy is that we have had a system that was essentially developed many decades ago. Coal fire power stations are reaching the end of their life. 24 out of 28 announced their closure, either that or brought forward the date of their closure, while the Coalition was in Government. And they have announced 23 policies, none of them landed, not one. And now they want to go back to the chaos and dysfunction, and arguing within the government, bearing in mind the number of policies that they had. The NEG - brought forward. Adopted twice in their caucus, and then they rolled the Leader for adopting a policy that their caucus had adopted. We cannot afford to go backwards. And Australians can't afford to pay the price of dysfunction that is there in the Coalition. Thanks very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Carney meets with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney November 22, 2025 Johannesburg, South Africa Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the margins of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Prime Minister Carney and President von der Leyen discussed the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future launched earlier this year, welcomed progress on its implementation, and discussed priorities for cooperation over the next year, such as critical minerals, clean energy, AI, and defence. As Canada diversifies its trade and doubles its non-U.S. exports, there are vast opportunities for Canada and the EU to elevate their relationship even further. In the near term, the leaders will focus on concluding negotiations on a bilateral agreement for Canada's participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, to accelerate defence procurement and industrial opportunities for Canada. The Prime Minister and the President reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine as discussions evolve on a peace plan to end Russia's war of aggression. Prime Minister Carney and President von der Leyen agreed to remain in close contact. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney November 22, 2025 Johannesburg, South Africa Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Stre, on the margins of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Prime Minister Carney congratulated Prime Minister Stre on his re-election in September. As NATO Allies, Nordic partners, and members of the Arctic Council, Prime Minister Carney underscored the close and growing relationship between Canada and Norway. The leaders discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation and catalyse new partnerships between Canada and Norway in trade, investment, clean energy, critical minerals, technology, aerospace, and across the defence supply chain. As Canada diversifies its trade, launches major nation-building projects, increases its defence spending, and attracts greater investment into our economy, Prime Minister Carney emphasised opportunities to accelerate commercial ties. The prime ministers discussed pressing global challenges, including Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Stre agreed to remain in close contact. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Carney meets with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney November 22, 2025 Johannesburg, South Africa Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, on the margins of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Prime Minister Carney discussed the need for greater integration and cooperation between the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Union (EU) and underscored the transformative economic benefits it could catalyse. Linking two of the world's largest trading blocs - representing over 1 billion consumers - would strengthen supply chains, expand trade, and catalyse investment across the Indo-Pacific and Europe, with direct gains for Canadian workers and businesses. The leaders discussed what would be required to achieve a structured agreement that deepens economic CPTPP-EU cooperation and increases trade. Working with Vietnam during its 2026 CPTPP Presidency, Canada will advocate for collective progress on key issues, including digital trade, investment facilitation, and critical minerals. The Prime Minister instructed his Personal Representative to the EU, John Hannaford, to convene senior officials from Canada, the EU, and Vietnam within the next two months, with the aim to deliver concrete results early next year. Prime Minister Carney, President von der Leyen, and Prime Minister Chinh agreed to remain in close contact as discussions advance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Carney meets with President of France Emmanuel Macron Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney November 22, 2025 Johannesburg, South Africa Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, on the margins of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Prime Minister Carney and President Macron discussed the G7 as Canada concludes its Presidency and France prepares to assume the role. The leaders remain focused on key global priorities, such as critical minerals, clean energy, and AI. The leaders also spoke about the growing bilateral relationship between Canada and France. As Canada diversifies its trade, we are elevating our relationship with more cooperation and new partnerships across energy, defence, aerospace, technology, and critical minerals. The Prime Minister and the President reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine and underscored that any settlement must include Ukraine's involvement, respect Ukraine's core interests, and provide security guarantees. Prime Minister Carney committed to working with Allies to reach a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. On Gaza, the leaders stressed the urgency of bringing stability to Gaza and the need to accelerate reconstruction efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Prime Minister Carney and President Macron agreed to remain in close contact and directed their officials to accelerate progress on the priorities discussed today. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates commit to deepening bilateral engagement and economic cooperation Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney November 22, 2025 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 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. 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. 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. Trade and economic relations 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 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. 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. 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 Canadian-UAE 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China will never allow Japanese militarism to stage a comeback: Chinese FM Global Times By Xinhua-Global Times Published: Nov 23, 2025 08:39 AM Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday called on China and Tajikistan to strive for new progress in the China-Tajikistan comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era during his first strategic dialogue with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin. The two sides held in-depth discussions on implementing the consensus reached between the two heads of state and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, reached a broad agreement and jointly launched the China-Tajikistan foreign ministers' strategic dialogue mechanism. Noting that China and Tajikistan are good friends and good partners connected by mountains and rivers, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, China-Tajikistan relations have continuously reached new heights. The two heads of state met twice this year and made new plans for the development of bilateral relations, he noted. China stands ready to work with Tajikistan to follow the consensus of the two leaders, view and promote bilateral relations from a strategic perspective, carry forward everlasting friendship and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Wang said. Wang briefed Muhriddin on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, noting that the scientific formulation and steady implementation of five-year plans are important experience of the CPC in state governance and a major political advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics. China will, as always, support Tajikistan in following a development path suited to its national conditions and in taking effective measures to safeguard national security and development, and opposes any external interference in Tajikistan's internal affairs. No matter how the international situation evolves, China will remain Tajikistan's trustworthy and reliable partner, said Wang, expressing appreciation for Tajikistan's firm support on issues concerning China's core interests, including the Taiwan question. China will never allow right-wing forces in Japan to turn back the wheel of history, nor permit external forces to meddle in China's Taiwan region or allow Japanese militarism to stage a comeback, said Wang, vowing that China will work with all parties to uphold the international consensus on the one-China principle and jointly safeguard the hard-won outcomes of the victory of World War II. Wang pointed out that the two sides should continue expanding trade and investment and give full play to mechanisms such as the China-Tajikistan intergovernmental economic and trade committee. China is willing to increase its imports of quality agricultural products from Tajikistan and encourages capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Tajikistan, he said. Wang also urged the two sides to make full use of various platforms, including Confucius Institutes, Luban Workshops and others, and accelerate the establishment of cultural centers in each other's country. The two sides should energize local cooperation, enhance sister-city exchanges, and pool more strength for deepening China-Tajikistan friendship, he said. Noting that China and Tajikistan are strategic partners that share both security and risks, Wang said that the two sides should jointly address various challenges, implement the memorandum of understanding on jointly promoting cooperation on the Global Security Initiative, carry out solid bilateral joint patrols, prevent the infiltration and spread of terrorist forces, and build a strong security shield for the development of both nations. China supports Tajikistan in playing a greater role in the United Nations and other multilateral platforms, and stands ready to work with Tajikistan to jointly implement the four major global initiatives, uphold the UN-centered international system, and strengthen cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Central Asia mechanism, said Wang. For his part, Muhriddin said Tajikistan and China are friendly neighbors and sincere friends, as the bilateral relationship has always been grounded in mutual understanding, trust and support. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Tajikistan-China relations have maintained sound momentum, seeing active cooperation across various areas, he said. Muhriddin thanked China for its long-standing valuable support for Tajikistan's development, and said his country is willing to work closely with China to fully implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, enhance exchanges at all levels, promote Belt and Road cooperation, deepen cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and green minerals, and expand people-to-people exchanges to better benefit both peoples. The two ministers also exchanged views on the Afghan issue. Wang said that Afghanistan is a common neighbor of China and Tajikistan, and China is willing to continue to strengthen coordination with Tajikistan on the Afghan issue, with a view to promoting regional peace and stability and reconstruction in the country. After the talks, the two sides issued the joint statement of the first China-Tajikistan foreign ministers' strategic dialogue. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPRK Working-level Delegation for Agricultural Cooperation Leaves for Russia Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, November 22 (KCNA) -- The working-level delegation for agricultural cooperation led by Kim Kwang Uk, president of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, left here for Russia on November 21. The delegation was seen off at Pyongyang International Airport by officials of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the minister-councilor of the Russian embassy here. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cause of fatal Indian Tejas fighter crash hotly discussed by media and experts as investigation underway Global Times By Liu Xuanzun and Liang Rui Published: Nov 22, 2025 05:24 PM After an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during a flight demonstration at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, media and analysts have been discussing the possible cause of the fatal incident as thorough investigation is reportedly underway, with some Indian media outlets triggered by online comments and defending the quality of the Indian aircraft. The Tejas smashed into the ground at the vast Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, sending a vast fireball into the air and thick black smoke into the sky, the AP reported on Friday, noting that the airplane appeared to have lost control and dove directly toward the ground. According to the AP report, the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed the crash and said the pilot sustained fatal injuries in the "accident." "A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident," it said in a statement. This is not the first crash of the Indian fighter jet. A Tejas crashed near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on March 12, 2024, minutes after participating in a tri-services exercise showcasing India's progress toward self-reliance in the defense manufacturing sector, the Hindustan Times reported. The pilot ejected safely in that incident, according to the report. In a Saturday news program on Indian media outlet Firstpost, anchor Palki Sharma accused Pakistani journalists and online accounts of launching a wave of mockery - targeting the pilot, the aircraft and the Indian Air Force. She stressed that there is no confirmation yet on whether it was mechanical failure or human error, and claimed that this is only the second Tejas crash in 24 years. Another news program by Indian media outlet Republic World asked a question over the Tejas crash: why did an American company supply its engines for India's Tejas fighter jet, instead of India building its own from scratch? The program raised the question - are India's indigenous defense dreams being undermined by external dependencies? Discussing the possible cause of the crash, Indian media outlet NDTV reported on Friday that the Tejas fighter jet was executing a negative G turn before it slammed the ground. While only a thorough investigation can find out what went wrong, the videos from the airshow indicated the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas suddenly lost altitude while trying to regain level flight after completing a loop maneuver, NDTV said. Negative G in aviation refers to forces acting on an aircraft and its contents in the opposite direction of normal gravity. These forces are typically experienced during aerobatic maneuvers, sudden descent, or severe turbulence. If not properly managed, negative G can lead to disorientation or loss of consciousness of the pilot due to blood pooling in the head, according to the NDTV report. The War Zone, a US media outlet specialized on defense, also noted that the Tejas was performing a low-altitude maneuver as part of its display. The pilot appears to perform a negative G "push turn" toward the crowd before attempting to roll out. The jet then descended rapidly and impacted the ground. After viewing the video, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Saturday that while the negative G could play a role in the crash, the maneuver the Tejas performed before its crash was not likely one that could cause such a high G force that could lead to the pilot's disorientation or loss of consciousness. The NDTV report also noted that pilots undergo specific training to manage and mitigate the effects of negative G forces during flight operations. Fu said that, based on the flow of the whole loop maneuver, the aircraft did not pull up early enough. It is possible that the pilot was not quick enough to make the move, or the control system of the aircraft malfunctioned. Ahead of the crash, videos circulated on social media showing a Tejas suffering an oil leakage at the Dubai Airshow. The Indian Press Information Bureau's Fact Check unit claimed that the videos in circulation show a routine, intentional procedure and not a technical malfunction, according to a Thursday report by Indian news outlet the Economic Times. Fu said that ground maintenance is also a key factor in aircraft performance. Many previous accident cases were caused by the lack of ground maintenance. But the true cause of the Tejas crash still needs more details and investigation. After the vintage Russian-origin MiG-21 was decommissioned recently, the LCA Tejas was billed as the next workhorse of the IAF, NDTV said. The War Zone said, however, the latest crash is a blow to the Indian aerospace industry, coming as it does on one of the world's most prominent stages. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Texas voters recently passed a variety of amendments to the states constitution, most by a significant margin. Several of these enactments will play a pivotal role in long-term economic development, helping ensure the state is well-positioned going forward. One crucial measure involved setting aside significant funds for the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) System for capital needs. TSTC provides training for numerous in-demand fields such as cybersecurity, welding, advanced manufacturing, automotive maintenance and repair, HVAC and other construction-related areas, and a variety of health care occupations. Many of these categories of workers are facing shortages which could constrain growth, and an expanding population and economy will only increase needs. Providing a meaningful endowment for current and future resource requirements (TSTC does not levy property taxes) is a key catalyst for growth. Voters also approved setting aside $1 billion per year from sales tax revenue for the Texas Water Fund to invest in much needed water and wastewater infrastructure. Reliable water supplies are essential to growth in population, housing, expanding industry segments, and utilities. Strengthening water resilience helps support economic expansion, urban development, and quality of life. This amount represents only a small fraction of requirements but will undergird ongoing local and private-sector initiatives. Funds were also allocated for the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, which is modeled after the states cancer research institute. Investing in medical research not only addresses major public-health challenges, but it also fosters biotech, life-sciences, and research jobs in Texas. These industries, in turn, lead to significant multiplier effects throughout the economy. This measure addresses an enormous need and supports the ongoing expansion of the life sciences sector across the state. Several measures will work to reduce tax burdens related to property taxes, though some will necessitate State support to make up for the reductions (including the increase in the school homestead tax exemption). By freeing up additional resources, these provisions will generate additional consumer spending (although maintaining them may pose fiscal challenges down the road). Other amendments ensure that state-level capital gains and inheritance taxes will not be implemented. Taxes on stock- or securities-trading entities and related transactions are also prohibited. These measures are highly significant for the burgeoning finance industry in Texas and for investment more broadly. The state has a highly favorable environment for investors, startups, venture capital, and asset managers, and these policies strengthen the capital markets ecosystem by structurally securing a favorable climate for capital-intensive and finance-driven enterprises. Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova on the IAEA Board's vote on the NPT Safeguards Agreement with Iran draft resolution 21 November 2025 17:37 1958-21-11-2025 On November 20, the IAEA Board of Governors (BoG) held a vote on the draft resolution on the NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran, submitted by Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and France. Only 19 of the 35 Board members supported the resolution, while the remainder did not. Russia, China, and Niger voted firmly against it. We regard this provocative initiative by the Western states as a serious blow to international confidence in the Agency's safeguards system and in the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. In fact, no grounds existed for any extraordinary action by the IAEA Board with respect to verification activities in Iran. The Secretariat did not request any guidance from the Board. We commend Iran for remaining committed to fulfilling its obligations under the NPT and its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA, despite the US and Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities under Agency safeguards in June, as well as the unacceptable manoeuvres undertaken by Western states in August and September aimed at the unlawful "reinstatement" of UN Security Council sanctions resolutions against Iran that had been lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Tehran has maintained cooperation with the Agency, gradually expanding the scope of verification activities, primarily at facilities unaffected by the US-Israeli attacks and where safeguards conditions remain intact. It is highly doubtful that yet another anti-Iran move by the Anglo-Saxons and their European allies will contribute to fostering constructive cooperation between Iran and the IAEA. It is particularly cynical that the initiators of this scheme were the same countries that for years violated the JCPOA - the agreement reached in 2015 to resolve issues surrounding the Iranian nuclear programme - and disregarded UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Tehran, on the contrary, consistently honoured its commitments, guided by the carefully calibrated balance of interests that formed the foundation of the nuclear deal. We underscore that the JCPOA has ceased to be in force on October 18, and all international restrictions against Iran have lost their validity, too. In this context, the instruction to the IAEA Director General to prepare regular reports on Iran's compliance with long-obsolete UN Security Council resolutions that were in effect before the JCPOA was concluded, raises serious questions. As is known, the goals set in those resolutions were achieved, their provisions were implemented by Tehran, and all the questions the Agency had for Iran were conclusively resolved. This was clearly reflected in the IAEA Director General's report of December 2, 2015, and in the IAEA Board of Governors' resolution of December 15, 2015. The Western states' attempt to justify the "re-imposition" of former sanctions by citing current verification challenges in Iran - which, we reiterate, were not caused by Tehran - is a gross distortion that undermines the very foundations of the Agency's verification activities. The limited support for this new resolution among IAEA Board members reflects a growing recognition of the inadmissibility of using the Agency as an instrument for settling political scores or for pursuing political agendas unrelated to nuclear non-proliferation. We firmly believe that cooperation with Iran in the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be conducted on the same terms as with other non-nuclear states that faithfully meet their obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We hope other states will also adhere to this principle. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran welcomes any talks to advance ties with Lebanon: Araghchi IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Nov 22, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is ready for dialogue aimed at strengthening bilateral relations with Lebanon, while stressing that Iran does not interfere in the country's internal affairs. "My dear friend Youssef Rajji, the foreign minister of Lebanon, has invited me for negotiation in an interview with MTV Lebanon," Araghchi wrote in Arabic on his account on X in response to an invitation by Rajji for talks. "We do not interfere in the internal affairs of Lebanon but we welcome any dialogue with the aim of advancing bilateral relations between Iran and Lebanon," he said. The foreign minister added that "there is no need for a third country. I invite my colleague Youssef to travel to Tehran, and if I am invited to travel to Beirut, I will gladly accept." 4354**7129 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia: Anti-Iran resolution by IAEA BoG is a serious blow to credibility of agency IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Nov 22, 2025 Moscow, IRNA -- Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that Russia considers the anti-Iranian and provocative resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency, proposed by the Western camp, a serious blow to international confidence in the IAEA safeguards and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Reacting to the vote of the IAEA Board of Governors on the draft resolution on the NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Zakharova said that there was no need for emergency action by the IAEA Board of Governors regarding verification activities in Iran. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson pointed out that the IAEA Secretariat had not requested any instructions from the IAEA Board of Governors. She said that Russia recognizes Iran's continued adherence to its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, despite the US and Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards in June. Zakharova recalled that Iran's adherence to its commitments occurred despite the unacceptable actions taken by Western countries in August and September aimed at illegally reviving UN Security Council sanctions resolutions against Iran that had been lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran begins development of gas field shared with Saudi Arabia Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 November 2025 6:25 PM Iran has finally kicked off development work at a key gas field located along its maritime border with Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf. Reports published in the local media on Saturday showed that the state-run Petropars company had started the roll-up operation for a massive drilling platform at Farzad B gas field, which is known as Arabiyah in Saudi Arabia. Farzad B lies 85 kilometers to the east of the Iranian port city of Bushehr and holds 23 trillion cubic feet (over 650 billion cubic meters) of natural gas. Saudi Arabia has been pumping gas from its side of the field since 2016, when a Canadian-led consortium brought output to 1.2 billion cubic feet (nearly 34 million cubic meters) per day. However, development on the Iranian side of the field had been stalled since 2014, when a consortium of three Indian state-owned companies abandoned the project because of foreign sanctions on Iran. Iran then decided to use the services of domestic companies for a project that could play a major role in meeting the country's rising energy demand. A Petropars contractor said the WHP1 platform planned for installation at Farzad B would soon be transported to the project site near the maritime border between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Keyvan Tarighati said Petropars and the Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company (IOEC) have jointly built the 2,650-ton platform, adding that the structure was completed using 28,000 person-days of work, including a record of nearly 113,000 inches of welding. Petropars CEO Hamidreza Saghafi also said that the launch of Farzad B would add 1 trillion cubic feet (over 28.3 million cubic meters) of gas to Iran's daily production. Saghafi said that some 75% of the field's reserves lie on the Iranian side of the maritime border with Saudi Arabia, describing Farzad B as one of the most complex development projects in Iran's petroleum industry. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran appoints Brig. Gen. Jahanshahi as commander of Army Ground Force Iran Press TV Saturday, 22 November 2025 4:38 PM Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi has been officially appointed as the new commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Force, succeeding Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari. In his first remarks after the appointment on Saturday, Jahanshahi emphasized the Ground Forces' readiness to respond to potential threats using skilled personnel, modern equipment, and lessons from previous conflicts, particularly the recent 12-day Israeli-imposed war. "The Ground Forces, with competent, faithful, and selfsacrificing personnel, updated equipment, and the invaluable experience of veterans, are ready to respond to any possible threats from our enemies," Jahanshahi said in an address to Army Ground Force commanders. He also noted that the Army is currently prioritizing five strategic principles and directives from Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, which focus on enhancing mobility, efficiency, human capital, weapons, and equipment to respond to evolving threats. Jahanshahi further emphasized the growing role of scientific elites, knowledge-based companies, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in enhancing combat readiness. He said that the Ground Forces have achieved a high level of combat capability, particularly in drone operations and air defense, signaling a more mobile and agile land force capable of responding effectively in future conflicts. Jahanshahi also stressed the evolving nature of threats, noting Iran's current cognitive and hybrid warfare environment, with adversaries employing soft power and psychological tactics after unsuccessful attempts at conventional warfare. He also stated that with the guidance of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the unity of the Iranian nation, and the strength of the Armed Forces, all enemy plans will be neutralized. The newly-appointed commander also stressed modernization efforts through domestic expertise, multi-skilling of personnel, improved welfare and morale, and upgrades to artillery, missile systems, and command and control capabilities, aimed at creating a dynamic, agile, and highly capable Ground Force. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan-UK Summit Meeting Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan November 22, 2025 On November 22, commencing at 3:25 p.m. local time (10:25 p.m. on November 22, Japan time) for approximately 20 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting South Africa to attend the G20 Johannesburg Summit, held a bilateral Summit Meeting with the Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The overview the meeting is as follows: At the outset, Prime Minister Starmer reconveyed his congratulations to Prime Minister TAKAICHI for assuming the office. Prime Minister TAKAICHI, while expressing her gratitude, stated that she wished to work with Prime Minister Starmer, both as G7 partners and key allies of the United States, with a view to realizing a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' and maintaining and strengthening an international order based on the rule of law. The two leaders, referring to the visit of the UK's Carrier Strike Group 25 to Japan this summer and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), concurred to continue advancing concrete Japan-UK security cooperation. The two leaders also concurred to collaborate effectively as important like-minded partners in the field of economy as well as economic security. The two leaders exchanged views on the international situations such as East Asia. The two leaders concurred that they should continue to coordinate their efforts on various issues in the international community. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On 21 November 2025, on reported presence of khwarij, a joint intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies in Bannu District. Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan Rawalpindi - November 22, 2025 No PR-373/2025-ISPR On 21 November 2025, on reported presence of khwarij, a joint intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies in Bannu District. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, eight khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were sent to hell. 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. The operation underscores the strengthened collaborative efforts between Law Enforcement Agencies and Security Forces, who have significantly intensified intelligence-driven operations in the region. These meticulously coordinated and synchronized security measures are designed to constrict the operational mobility of Khwarij elements, systematically dismantle their facilitation networks, and curtail their capacity to reorganize. Operations are producing substantial and measurable success with continuous efforts to achieve more peace and stability. Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored Kharji found in the area, as the relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision "Azm-e-Istehkam" (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/11/23 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date: 6 a.m. Nov. 22 (Sat.) to 6 a.m. Nov. 23 (Sun.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities: 8 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN ships and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 out of 8 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. 1141123_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window] 1141123_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia: 22 November 2025 Press release The Prime Minister spoke to President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia from Johannesburg this morning. From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Published 22 November 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia from Johannesburg this morning. The leaders began by celebrating a major, new maritime partnership between the UK and Indonesia. The 4bn deal would be a foundation for a new long-term defence partnership between both countries, the Prime Minister added. It would bring jobs, growth and opportunity to both countries, the leaders agreed. Discussing the wider bilateral relationship, the leaders agreed to deepen ties between the UK and Indonesia including on education and economic growth. Turning to ongoing global conflicts, the Prime Minister welcomed Indonesia's commitments to the International Stabilisation Force in Gaza and said now was a moment of real challenge but also opportunity in the region. On Ukraine, the Prime Minister updated on his recent discussions, adding that partners needed to go further and faster to cut off Putin's finance flows from Russian energy. The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Oleksandr Kozenko discusses defense cooperation with the Commander of the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 21 November, 2025, 9:48 AM EET The Ukrainian delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Defence Oleksandr Kozenko, participated in the Dubai AirShow 2025, an international defense exhibition in the United Arab Emirates. The exhibition featured several significant bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening defense-sector cooperation. The delegation held talks with representatives of the UAE's senior military leadership and national defense industry, as well as with leading global defense industry companies. A highlight of the visit was the meeting with Major General Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi, Commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence. The parties addressed the development of bilateral defense relations and confirmed their shared commitment to deepening cooperation and expanding the exchange of expertise. During the meeting, Oleksandr Kozenko expressed gratitude to the UAE side for the constructive dialogue and commended the organization of Dubai AirShow 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 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, Azernews 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. The health care sector has faced a significant reduction in bankruptcy filings in 2025 compared to 2024 and 2023, but major health services companies have continued filing petitions. At least 21 hospitals, health systems, and healthcare organizations have filed for bankruptcy protection this year so far, according to a review of data from Becker's Hospital Review and TheStreet articles. Several health care companies that filed for bankruptcy in recent TheStreet articles were not listed in Becker's data. Annual healthcare bankruptcies: 2025, about 21 bankruptcy filings (as of Nov. 21) 2024, 57 filings 2023, 79 filings One of those health care companies is health care technology company Glutality Global Holdings LLC, which specializes in remote patient monitoring for people with high-risk diseases like diabetes. The Boca Raton, Fla.-based health care company filed its Chapter 11, Subchapter V, petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida in West Palm Beach on Oct. 31, listing $100 million to $500 million in assets and liabilities to reorganize its business and restructure its debts, according to RK Consultants. Navidea, ModivCare file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Troubled biopharmaceutical company Navidea Biopharmaceuticals Inc. also filed for Chapter 11 protection on Oct. 1, facing financial distress after years of litigation, supply chain issues, and a recent threat of an involuntary bankruptcy petition. Before Navidea, giant health care services provider ModivCare Inc. and 70 affiliates filed for a prearranged Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Aug. 20, seeking to reduce their $1.4 billion in debt and hand their assets to prepetition lenders, facing an unsustainable capital structure, deteriorating liquidity, and industry headwinds. Omni Health Services Inc. files for bankruptcy protection.Shutterstock Omni Health Services files for bankruptcy And now, another major mental health services provider, Omni Health Services Inc., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, seeking to reorganize its business and restructure its debts. The Colmar, Pa.-based mental health services provider for children, adults, and seniors filed its petition on Nov. 20 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, listing $1 million to $10 million in assets and liabilities, according to Bankruptcy Observer. Omni Health Services' largest creditors include U.S. Small Business Administration, Berkshire Bank, Truist Bank, Crozer Keystone Health Network Psychiatry Billing, Ellora Systems, and Glemore Management Associates Inc., What Now Philly reported. Ukraine's defense needs and MoD reforms: Denys Shmyhal meets with the ambassadors of G7 countries Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 21 November, 2025, 8:27 PM EET The Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, held talks with the ambassadors of the G7 countries. He conveyed gratitude to the Group of Seven for their sustained and significant assistance from the very onset of the russian aggression. Denys Shmyhal briefed the ambassadors on Ukraine's key needs ahead of the winter season: Additional air defense systems and associated munitions; FPV drones for the front line and interceptors to counter Shahed drone attacks. The Minister of Defence also proposed exploring the establishment of new joint projects in the defense industry. The participants also discussed the reforms being implemented systematically by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. "We are establishing dedicated bodies within the Ministry to coordinate reforms. We are prioritizing transparency by introducing digital solutions and modern corporate governance standards across all components of the system. Of the 90 state-owned enterprises previously subordinate to the Ministry of Defence, 14 have already been transferred to the State Property Fund of Ukraine, and 8 to JSC UkrOboronProm," stated Denys Shmyhal. He briefed the partners on the advantages of the DOT-Chain Defence marketplace. The platform enables service members to independently order drones directly from manufacturers and receive them within days. The Ministry of Defence will continue to expand the platform by adding new manufacturers and types of weaponry in response to service members' requests, the Minister of Defence emphasized. Denys Shmyhal added that European and Euro-Atlantic integration remains a defining priority for Ukraine's reform agenda. To this end, a dedicated unit for NATO and EU cooperation has been established, and a new, transparent format for interaction with partners has been introduced. Denys Shmyhal expressed gratitude to the United States for its comprehensive support to Ukraine and for launching work on the peace plan. At the same time, he emphasized that no peace plan can be formulated without Ukraine and without its European partners. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement by the Leaders of the Nordic-Baltic Eight Finnish Government Government Communications Department Publication date 22.11.2025 21.37 Type:Press release We - the leaders of the Nordic-Baltic Eight - spoke with President Zelenskyy today. We have from the outset of Russia's war of aggression stood by Ukraine's side and we will continue to do so. Our resolve comes from the fact that we know that this is not only about Ukrainian security, it is also about the wider security of Europe. Ukraine has continuously shown that it is serious about peace. We commend President Zelenskyy for his efforts to steer Ukraine through these very challenging times. Ukraine remains ready to negotiate and, as stated by President Zelenskyy, is working on the document prepared by the US. Russia has so far not committed to a ceasefire or any steps leading to peace. Instead, Russia continues its brutal attacks against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure. Solutions that respect Ukraine's sovereignty and that will bring Ukraine and Europe greater security and stability have our full support. We will continue to arm Ukraine and strengthen Europe's defence to deter further Russian aggression. As long as Russia continues its war against Ukraine, we will also support strengthening sanctions and wider economic measures. Finally, to the Ukrainian people: Your resolve, determination and courage has been truly admirable from the outset of the war. We want you to know that you are not alone and can count on our support. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President: No peace plan can be based on proposals for Ukraine to capitulate President of the Republic of Lithuania November 22, 2025 On Saturday, President Gitanas Nauseda, together with other Nordic and Baltic (NB8) leaders, held a conference call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The discussion focused on the situation on the Ukrainian front, the "28-point peace plan," and ways to further strengthen international support for Ukraine and its negotiating position. The President stressed that no peace initiative can be based on the aggressor's terms or proposals for Ukraine to capitulate. He underlined that any peace plan must comply with the principles of international law, include an unconditional ceasefire, strengthen Ukraine's political, military and economic position, and ensure the involvement of Ukraine and European states in shaping decisions on Europe's future security architecture. "Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity are inviolable. Ukraine must be guaranteed the right to choose its own security alliances, and all war criminals must be brought to justice," the President said. NB8 leaders expressed their solidarity with President Zelenskyy and their united support for Ukraine. "We must remain united and strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position both in the face of aggression and in the search for solutions to achieve a just and lasting peace," the President emphasized. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Marks Holodomor As Russia Strikes, US Peace Pressure Mounts By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 22, 2025 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." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/geneva-talks-ukraine- rubio-zelenskyy-russia-war-trump/33599111.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, Senators Tillis, Welch, Coons, King Statement on the Reported Peace Plan Between Russia and Ukraine Senate Foreign Relations Committee Published: November 22, 2025 WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Thom Tillis (R-NC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Angus King (I-ME) released a statement on the reported peace plan between Russia and Ukraine: "We share significant concerns over the details of the reported peace plan that has been released. For over 10 years, Russia has illegally occupied Ukrainian territory and for almost 4 years, Ukraine has admirably defended itself against Russia's attempts to fully occupy Ukraine. No one wants a just and lasting peace more than the Ukrainian people. "However, we will not achieve that lasting peace by offering Putin concession after concession and fatally degrading Ukraine's ability to defend itself. History teaches us that Putin only understands strength and will not abide by any agreement unless it is backed by force. We must consult closely with our Ukrainian and NATO partners on the path forward. We should put real pressure on Russia to come to the negotiating table. And we must make clear to the Kremlinand would-be aggressors in Beijingthat America will stand unwaveringly in defense of freedom." ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Says His Peace Plan Not Final Offer to Ukraine Sputnik News 20251122 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US-drafted peace plan is not a final offer to Ukraine, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday. "No, not my final offer," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked whether his offer was final for Kiev. Trump's 28-point peace plan for Ukraine was unveiled earlier this week. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that this plan could form a basis for a final settlement in Ukraine. "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 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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Free Zvanovka, Novoye Zaporozhye Settlements Sputnik News 20251122 Russia's Yug battlegroup has liberated the village of Zvanovka in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "Units of the South group of forces have liberated the settlement of Zvanovka in the Donetsk People's Republic as a result of decisive actions," the ministry said. In addition, Russia's Vostok battlegroup has liberated Novoye Zaporozhye a settlement in the Zaporozhye region, the ministry announced. Russia's Tsentr battlegroup has eliminated more than 510 Ukrainian military personnel , in the past 24 hours, including up to 250 Ukrainian troops near Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk), the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday. "In total, enemy losses in the area of responsibility of the Center military group amounted to more than 510 military personnel, seven armored combat vehicles, four vehicles, and two artillery pieces," the ministry said. The Center group eliminated up to 250 Ukrainian troops, two armored personnel carriers, two field artillery pieces, and a vehicle near Pokrovsk. Russia's Vostok battlegroup has eliminated up to 225 Ukrainian soldiers, while the Zapad battlegroup has eliminated up to 220 Ukrainian servicemen during the same period, the ministry added. Russia's Sever battlegroup has eliminated up to 105 Ukrainian servicemen, Russia's Yug battlegroup has eliminated up to 230 Ukrainian soldiers, while the Dnepr battlegroup has eliminated up to 40 Ukrainian military personnel and two tanks, the ministry said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Administration Seeking Sustainable, Lasting Solution to Ukraine Crisis - Russian Deputy FM Sputnik News 20251122 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The administration of US President Donald Trump is seeking a sustainable, lasting solution to the Ukrainian crisis, without ruling out NATO's non-expansion to the east and the protection of the rights of Russian-speaking people in Ukraine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said. "Following [the summit in] Anchorage, we have witnessed a real frenzy of anti-Russian rhetoric and an equally intense series of actions from our opponents and supporters of a long war, of whom there are many, especially in western European capitals, who tried to influence the Trump administration to prevent the outcome it seeks, which we assume to be a sustainable, long-term solution to this crisis, including addressing its root causes," Ryabkov told the International Affairs magazine in an interview out on Saturday. The Trump administration is among a handful of western governments that recognizes Russia's stance on the root causes of the crisis, the deputy minister added. "Among them, in a prominent, if not key, place is the thoughtless, absolutely reckless policy of the former authorities in Washington, the [former US president Joe] Biden administration, to move NATO and its infrastructure closer and closer to Russia's borders. This is a source of the current severe crisis. Without work on such profound issues as the rights of Russians, the Russian language and the Russian Orthodox Church there it is impossible to agree on a sustainable settlement," he said. It is important that Trump is not refusing to consider these issues unlike many European leaders, Ryabkov added. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Criticism of US Plan for Ukraine Shows Misunderstanding of Situation on Ground - Vance Sputnik News 20251122 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Criticism of the US plan for Ukrainian settlement demonstrates a misunderstanding of reality on the ground, US Vice President JD Vance said. "Every criticism of the peace framework the administration is working on either misunderstands the framework or misstates some critical reality on the ground," Vance wrote on X. He said money, weapons or sanctions would not help resolve the Ukraine conflict. "There is a fantasy that if we just give more money, more weapons, or more sanctions, victory is at hand. Peace won't be made by failed diplomats or politicians living in a fantasy land. It might be made by smart people living in the real world," Vance said. US media reported Wednesday citing US administration officials that US President Donald Trump has approved a 28-point plan for the Ukraine conflict settlement. Earlier this week, the Financial Times published the 28-point US peace plan that includes a reduction in US military aid, official recognition of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, granting the Russian language the state status in Ukraine, reducing Ukraine's armed forces, banning foreign troops and long-range weapons on Ukrainian soil. The plan reportedly assumes that the United States and other countries recognize Crimea and Donbas as legitimate Russian territories. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Trump's new peace plan could form a basis for a final settlement in Ukraine. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Any Peace Plan Must Be Acceptable to Both Russia and Ukraine - Vance Sputnik News 20251122 Any peace plan must be acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine, US Vice President JD Vance said. "Any Ukraine-Russia peace plan has to: 1) Stop the killing while preserving Ukrainian sovereignty. 2) Be acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine. 3) Maximize the chances the war doesn't restart," Vance wrote on X. US media reported Wednesday citing US administration officials that US President Donald Trump has approved a 28-point plan for the Ukraine conflict settlement. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Trump's new peace plan could form a basis for a final settlement in Ukraine. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Ethereum price is down a further -9% in the past 24 hours, dropping to around $2,700, a level not seen since mid July, 2025, marking a four-month low for the second-largest digital asset by market cap. Technical indicators and institutional demand are leaning bearish, which could see ETH slip below $2,500 before 2025 comes to a close. Ethereum DATs (Digital Asset Treasuries), the most prominent being Bitmine and SharpLink, are down on their respective ETH accumulation, failing to enjoy the success of the original DAT, Michael Saylors Strategy. Bearish 2022 Fractal Showing Up on ETH Chart $2,500 Next for the Ethereum Price? The Ethereum price is currently in a four-week losing streak and is now flashing a bearish fractal pattern last seen in 2022, suggesting further downside for ETH before any potential rally. A market fractal is a repeating pattern that traders can use to identify potential trend reversals in charts. Presently, ETH is showing a bearish fractal setup similar to one seen in 2022, when ETH dropped from $4,750 to $800, a -81.93% decline. If ETH experiences a similar drop, it could fall to $2,450, a further -10% from its current price of $2,730. It is part of a broader bearish downtrend that has seen the Ethereum price decline by -28% over the past 30 days. (SOURCE: TradingView) ETH Outflows Highlight Heavy Sell Pressure as Open Interest Market flows continue to reflect sustained selling pressure. ETH spot data shows negative outflows across all timeframes, from 24 hours to 1 year, signalling a consistent downtrend for Ethereum that has persisted throughout 2025. These steady outflows align with ETHs difficulty in holding onto any price rally. The 24-hour figure shows a $415M net outflow as ETH trades at around $2,700. Consequently, traders continue to interpret the trend as a sign of fading demand for the second-largest cryptocurrency. Derivatives data from CoinGlass also looks rough, showing that OI (Open Interest) has dropped from around $45Bn one month ago to $35.5Bn as of November 21. The drop provides further evidence of diminishing speculative activity and liquidity drying up on ETH. DISCOVER: Top Solana Meme Coins to Buy in Ethereum DAT Firms are Underwater House of Cards to Topple? The sharp pullback in ETH has made the average Ethereum treasury company unprofitable, resulting in millions of dollars in paper losses. Data from BlockWorks Research shows that these companies have experienced negative returns of 25% to 48% on their ETH holdings. The top 10 DAT companies are in the red across weekly and daily time frames. BitMine Immersion Technologies, which holds 3.56 million ETH (2.94% of the circulating supply), has seen returns of -28% and -45% over the past 7 days and 30 days, respectively. Trump on Ukraine Peace Plan: We Have a Way of Getting Peace Sputnik News 20251122 US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he has spoken to Ukrainian "people" on his 28-point plan to end the Ukraine conflict. "I have spoken with their people. We have a plan. It is horrible what is happening," Trump told reporters when asked if he is planning to discuss the proposal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky has to approve the new plan, Trump said, noting the looming energy crisis in Ukraine before winter. He also said that Zelensky will have to like the plan because if he does not, the conflict will continue. US media reported Wednesday citing US administration officials that US President Donald Trump has approved a 28-point plan for the Ukraine conflict settlement. Earlier this week, the Financial Times published the 28-point US peace plan that includes a reduction in US military aid, official recognition of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, granting the Russian language the state status in Ukraine, reducing Ukraine's armed forces, banning foreign troops and long-range weapons on Ukrainian soil. The plan reportedly assumes that the United States and other countries recognize Crimea and Donbas as legitimate Russian territories. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Trump's new peace plan could form a basis for a final settlement in Ukraine. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister remarks on Ukraine ahead of G20 summit: 21 November 2025 Press release Prime Minister Keir Starmer's remarks on Ukraine ahead of the G20 summit. From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Published 22 November 2025 Speaking ahead of the G20 summit today, the Prime Minister said: "Today, 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. "There is only one country around the G20 table that is not calling for a ceasefire, and one country that is deploying a barrage of drones and missiles to destroy livelihoods and murder innocent civilians. "Time and again, Russia pretends to be serious about peace, but their actions never live up to their words. This week, we have seen almost 1000 Russian drones and 54 precision guided missiles sent into Ukraine, maiming innocent people, including children and the elderly going about their everyday lives. "No one wants peace more than the Ukrainian people. Not a day has passed in this war where Ukraine hasn't called for Russia to end its illegal invasion, roll back its tanks and lay down its guns. "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 coordinate closely with Washington and Kyiv to achieve that. "However, we cannot simply wait for peace, we must strain every sinew to secure it. We must cut off Putin's finance flows by ending our reliance on Russian gas. It won't be easy, but it's the right thing to do. We must support Ukraine to repair and restore its energy supplies, callously destroyed by endless Russian attacks that have plunged thousands into the cold and darkness. "And we must intensify work to pursue the proposal for reparations loans secured against Russian sovereign assets, ensuring Ukraine has the means to defend itself for years to come. "We must now all fight hard for peace." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands David van Weel Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 22 November 2025 18:11 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "During our call, I informed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands David van Weel about the status of peace efforts and further joint steps to put an end to the war. I thanked the Netherlands for supporting Ukraine and our people. We discussed further assistance to strengthen Ukraine's defense and resilience. I informed about the Ukrainian government's steps to ensure accountability and proper cleanup following recent corruption allegations. I also expressed my special gratitude to Minister van Weel and the Dutch government for the decision to provide additional transformers, generators, and other equipment to repair Ukraine's energy infrastructure". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 22 November 2025 15:27 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: I had a meaningful call with German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul Johann Wadephul to thank Germany for its steadfast support that saves Ukrainian lives and strengthens the security of Europe. I updated Johann on the details of American peace proposals and our next steps in the coming days. We discussed Germany's and Europe's important role in peace efforts. I also updated my German counterpart on principled steps taken by the President of Ukraine and our government in response to recent corruption investigations. Ukraine works on accountability and renewal within state enterprises to ensure a proper cleanup. I am grateful to Johann for his firm position on the need to maintain and strengthen European support for Ukraine's defense and resilience, as well as increase pressure on the aggressor. The security of Ukraine and the rest of Europe is indivisible. This is why a lasting and just peace for Ukraine is in the interest of all of Europe and the entire transatlantic community. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czech Republic Jan Lipavsky Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 22 November 2025 13:46 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I spoke with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czech Republic Jan Lipavsky about the battlefield situation, peace efforts, and Europe's role in them. We both agree that pressure on the aggressor must continue to grow, including through new sanctions and the full use of frozen Russian assets. I thanked Jan for Czechia's support". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Margus Tsahkna Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 22 November 2025 12:05 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: Good call with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Margus Tsahkna to exchange views on peace efforts, the elements of the United States' proposals, and Europe's essential role. We agreed on the critical importance of continued European unity and strength in supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on Moscow. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha had phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Baiba Braze Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 22 November 2025 00:03 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "A warm and meaningful conversation with Baiba Braze about Russia's strikes, battlefield, and the path to a just peace. Exchanged views on American proposals and Europe's role in peace efforts. I also informed about Ukraine's fight against corruption and accountability efforts. I greatly appreciate Latvia's strong and principled support for Ukraine". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Had a Call With the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom President of Ukraine 22 November 2025 - 20:04 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer. The leaders discussed the nuances of diplomatic work in planning the peace process and agreed to continue coordinating. The Head of State thanked the British society for their support. Tomorrow, advisers will work in Switzerland - representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and the E3 format, namely the UK, France, and Germany. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Tusk Discussed the Current Diplomatic Situation President of Ukraine 22 November 2025 - 15:55 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk. The Head of State shared details of the diplomatic efforts of Ukraine, the United States, and Europe. For Ukraine, it is important that all partners who have stood with us since the very start of this war are fully informed about the situation. Coordination continues to ensure that Europe is involved in the process. The President thanked the Prime Minister and all the people of Poland for their support. Ukraine knows it can always count on Poland - and greatly appreciates it. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Dick Schoof Discussed the Diplomatic Situation and the Opportunities That Have Now Arisen President of Ukraine 22 November 2025 - 15:19 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof. The leaders exchanged views on the diplomatic situation and on the opportunities that have now arisen. The Head of State briefed the Prime Minister on the joint work with Europe and the United States on the American plan to end the war. Constructive efforts are underway to ensure the plan is fully aligned. The President stressed the significance of implementing the agreements between Ukraine and the Netherlands very promptly. Dick Schoof noted that one of the energy support packages - various equipment, including transformers - is already on its way to Ukraine. The Prime Minister also affirmed that the Netherlands will continue to provide defense support to Ukraine. The Head of State expressed his gratitude for the assistance and for the consistent and decisive support from the people of the Netherlands. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) is included among the 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. FirstEnergy (FE) Ordered to Pay Over $250 million in Penalties FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE)s 10 electric distribution companies form one of Americas largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) suffered a blow on November 20 when the company was ordered by the Ohio Public Commission to cough up more than $250 million in penalties and refunds, as a result of its misconduct in a sweeping Statehouse bribery scandal five years ago. The company has previously admitted to paying hefty bribes to state officials to pursue legislation that would benefit it, and also agreed to pay $230 million to avoid persecution. However, the utility commissioners still want the energy giant to face regulatory consequences for its actions. FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE) stated the following regarding the development: Todays PUCO decision regarding the legacy audits closes a chapter tied to activities that do not represent the company we are today. Between 2025 and 2029, we plan to invest $7.3 billion in our Ohio transmission and distribution infrastructure, people, processes and facilities. While we acknowledge the potential of FE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best Renewable Energy Dividend Stocks to Buy Now and 11 Best High Yield Energy Stocks to Buy Now. Disclosure: None. Our Representatives Know How to Defend Ukraine's National Interests and Exactly What Must Be Done to Prevent Russia From Launching a Third Invasion - Address by the President President of Ukraine 22 November 2025 - 15:09 Dear Ukrainians! Today is the day we honor the memory of millions of our people who were killed by famine. Millions of horrific deaths, with the largest toll during the Holodomor of 1932-33. This was a systematic assault on the Ukrainian people - a policy of genocide that today's Russia has inherited and made part of its ideology once again. This entire war, currently raging against Ukraine with the potential to spread to other nations, is a consequence of Moscow's impunity. Whatever form their regime takes, if they remain unpunished, Russia seeks to repeat its evil. Today, millions of our people will light candles of remembrance - it's our collective tribute to the victims of the Holodomor. But it is also a reminder, for all of us and for everyone around the world, that preserving memory also means acting to defend justice, to protect life, and to ensure that a murderer gets absolutely no reward for the extermination of people. The pain of previous generations of the Ukrainian people and what Ukrainians are forced to endure now - all of these are deeply intertwined. And it speaks volumes to us. In the coming days, consultations with our partners will take place on the steps needed to end the war. I have signed the decree approving the composition of Ukraine's delegation, and I have also authorized all the relevant directives. Our representatives know how to defend Ukraine's 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. Right now, this is about much more than any points in any 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 ever be rewarded in any way or forgiven. Real peace is always built on guaranteed security and justice. And this feeling is not only mine - I know it is the sentiment of millions of our people and the vast majority of people around the world. Today, I continued coordination with our partners: I spoke with leaders from Nordic and Baltic countries - eight leaders, representing this entire strong region. And I deeply value their support, and they are true defenders of life. I also spoke with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands today - I thank him for his readiness to help and for his principled approach. Aid packages for Ukraine will be provided. We hold ongoing consultations at various levels with other European friends, and not only Europeans - these are the G7 and our friends from the G20, and other countries around the world - many are ready to support us, ready to support Ukraine. Thank you for that. Further negotiations are coming. And today we also had several internal matters to address. I had a detailed discussion about our next steps in internal policy with government officials. It's important that the Winter Support program is moving at a good pace - almost 10 million applications have already been submitted. Payments will begin next week. Funds can be used until June, but please submit applications via Diia or Ukrposhta by the end of December - by Christmas. We will ensure the full funding for this program. I also spoke with the Prime Minister of Ukraine about audits that have already started in energy companies and an additional audit of the entire defense sector - defense enterprises. This military audit must be conducted as promptly as possible, covering relevant contracts, finances, operations, and so on. I have instructed that the results be presented to the public, with weekly reporting preferred. Materials should be forwarded to law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies. Today, there was also a report by the Commander-in-Chief on the situation at the front, on Russian disinformation operations, and on their plans. The most difficult situation is in Pokrovsk, the entire direction, where significant Russian forces, more than 150,000, continue their attacks. Every single day, that area faces the highest number of attacks - this has been going on for many months now - and what's important is that our warriors, our units, are destroying the occupier. We are carrying out counter-offensive operations. We are also defending positions along the border between the Dnipro and Donetsk regions. We are defending our positions in the Kharkiv region. We are defending our positions in the Zaporizhzhia region, things are difficult there. In the Orikhiv and Hulyaipole directions, we are doing everything we can to stabilize the situation. I thank you all for your resilience! I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address With Europe's Backing, Ukraine To Meet US Officials In Crucial Geneva Talks By RFE/RL November 23, 2025 Ukrainian officials are set to meet with US counterparts in Geneva on November 23 to discuss President Donald Trump's 28-point peace plan -- one that Kyiv's allies have said is highly tilted in Russia's favor. Ukraine's European backers -- led by Britain, France, and Germany, the so-called E3 -- have expressed alarm over the proposal, which has not yet been officially disclosed, although key elements have been publicly leaked. Many of the terms of the deal require sweeping concession by Kyiv and appear to mirror many of the Kremlin's demands -- including surrender of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions -- known as the Donbas -- and Crimea, along with setting limits on the size of its military. Kyiv would also be required to enact a constitutional prohibition on joining NATO, while restrictions would be put on the Western military alliance itself regarding the stationing of its troops. Financial sanctions on Moscow would also be eased under the plan. In return, Ukraine would receive some form of "security guarantees," most notably from the United States, be allowed to join the European Union, and receive some financial benefits. Russia would also be required to withdraw from some Ukrainian areas it currently occupies. Not The 'Final Offer' Amid pushback from US lawmakers and foreign allies, Trump on November 22 left open the possibility of changes being made to the plan. Aked by reporters if his proposal was his "final offer to Ukraine," Trump said, "No." "We're trying to get it ended. One way or the other, we have to get it ended," he added. Ukraine's European allies, who were not involved in drafting the US plan, have said the proposal requires "additional work." In a joint statement, the leaders off Britain, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, along with top EU officials and the leaders of Japan and Canada, warned that borders "must not be changed by force." They raised concerns that the proposed limits on Ukraine's military would leave it vulnerable to future attack. Separately, the Baltic 8 grouping of nations said they had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm support for Kyiv and vowed to continue supplying arms while strengthening Europe's defenses to deter further Russian aggression. In a joint statement, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden said: "Russia has so far not committed to a cease-fire or any steps leading to peace." "Solutions that respect Ukraine's sovereignty and that will bring Ukraine and Europe greater security and stability have our full support," the statement added. Democrats, Republicans Push Back The US plan has also received criticism among influential members of Trump's own Republican party, including a joint statement with rival Democrats calling for changes in the proposal. "We will not achieve that lasting peace by offering [Russian President Vladimir] Putin concession after concession and fatally degrading Ukraine's ability to defend itself," said the statement, signed by three Democrats, one Republican, one independent senator. "History teaches us that Putin only understands strength and will not abide by any agreement unless it is backed by force," it added. Veteran Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, a former Senate leader, wrote on X that "rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America's interests." Putin has "spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool," McConnell added. Republican Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he is "highly skeptical" the plan will bring about peace. "Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the world's most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin," he said in a statement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is traveling to Geneva for the talks, denied remarks by Republican Senator Mike Rounds, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, and independent Angus King that the proposal was not drafted by Washington but was the Kremlin's "wish list" handed over by the Russians. "What he [Rubio] told us was that this was not the American proposal. This was a proposal that was received by someone... representing Russia in this proposal. It was given to [Trump diplomatic envoy Steve] Witkoff," Rounds said, relaying what he said were details of a phone call with Rubio. Rubio, writing on X, insisted the proposal was "authored" by the US administration "based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine." 'Most Difficult Moments' Zelenskyy has said his country faces "one of the most difficult moments" in its history, warning that it risks losing one of its key allies -- Washington -- but that Kyiv would not "betray" its own interests in any negotiations. Zelenskyy appointed his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, as chief negotiator and head of a nine-member team in Geneva. Military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov is also among the delegation. German news agency dpa quoted unnamed government sources in Berlin as saying Germany, Britain, and France will push Washington at the talks to revise its peace plan and that they have already sent proposed changes to the Americans. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Reuters, AFP, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/geneva-talks-ukraine- rubio-zelenskyy-russia-war-trump/33599111.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 Lukashenko Releases 31 Ukrainians Imprisoned In Belarus In US-Brokered Deal By RFE/RL's Belarus Service and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 23, 2025 Belarusian authoritarian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko has pardoned and released 31 Ukrainian citizens who had been held in Belarus, a move Minsk said was part of an agreement reached with US President Donald Trump. Ukraine's prisoner exchange coordination committee confirmed the action on November 22, saying it received the civilians from Belarusian authorities. "Women and men detained in Belarus and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ranging from two to 11 years are returning to Ukraine," the coordination committee said on Telegram. "We express our gratitude to the United States of America and President Donald Trump for their fruitful work in returning Ukrainian civilians and military personnel from Belarus and Russia," it added. The specific charges under which the prisoners had been held were not immediately clear. Ukrainian officials said that "these are civilian men and women who were held for a pro-Ukrainian position, accused of aiding and abetting Ukraine." Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has authorized several prisoner releases over the past year as he seeks to improve relations with the West. The Belarus strongmen is hoping better ties will lead to an easing of Western sanctions, imposed following the country's cooperation with Russia in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But while Minsk basks in the narrative of warming relations with Washington, dark questions have been raised by accounts of torture and mistreatment related by previously released prisoners. Trump has named a special envoy to Belarus with a goal of negotiating further releases. The US president, who surprised many by speaking to Lukashenko by phone in August, said in September that he believed the Eastern European nation would be releasing many of the hundreds of political prisoners it was holding. "I believe they're going to be releasing a lot of those 1,400," Trump told reporters on September 5, adding that it could happen "in the pretty near future." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-ukraine-prisoner- partdon-release-lukashenko/33599112.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 McLaren Formula 1 Team Lando Norris (1st, 1:47.934): "P1! Very pleased with the result from Quali today. Pole in such tricky conditions was definitely not easy, but that makes the result even better. We certainly weren't expecting this coming into the weekend, but we've definitely taken a step forward from last year and the confidence has been building as the weekend has gone on. Full focus now turns to the race and delivering another strong performance." Oscar Piastri (5th, 1:48.961): "Tough end to the session with the Yellow Flag on the final lap. I felt like we had really good pace, so it's disappointing, but at least we can say we were fast. There should be a few overtaking opportunities tomorrow and it's Vegas, so anything can happen. Let's see what we can do." Andrea Stella, Team Principal: "First of all, let me acknowledge the general standard of driving in today's Qualifying session. Competing in such conditions, with a wet track and very low temperatures, on a tricky circuit like this, with a few interruptions, and putting on a show like tonight's demonstrates the calibre of this group of drivers. Lando can be very proud of his Pole position. He drove extraordinarily well throughout the session, adapting perfectly to the grip conditions that changed lap after lap. The result today is particularly significant because it comes on a track that has certainly not been kind to us in the past. It means that the preparation work we have done is paying off, well done to the team for their efforts. It is a shame for Oscar, who, without the Yellow Flags on his last flying lap in Q3, could probably have qualified third. However, Qualifying is only the first step this weekend - the points will be awarded tomorrow evening, and we are well aware that our opponents are very strong, especially on this track." Scuderia Ferrari HP Charles Leclerc (9th, 1:49.872): "It was a really tricky qualifying today, with low grip on the wet track. Our car struggles in these conditions and it's really difficult to find a way to maintain a large enough window of good grip to fight with our rivals. It's frustrating, but we will continue doing everything we can to find a solution. The race should be dry tomorrow, so the conditions will be different again. We had quite a high downforce setup for today, so this could impact our straight-line speed in the race. We will make the most of it and I hope we can have a good start and move forward during the race." Lewis Hamilton (20th, 1:57.115): "That was a really disappointing qualifying session. After FP3 I felt we had good pace in the car, but the wet conditions didn't work in our favour today. Visibility was poor and we were unfortunate to be hampered by a few yellow flags, which meant I couldn't put a proper lap together in my last three attempts. We'll regroup tonight and aim to move back into the points tomorrow." Oracle Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen (2nd, 1:48.257): "It will be difficult but if we have the opportunity we will go for it. I think we executed Qualifying quite well today. The conditions weren't fun, it was really slippery on the track and it felt like driving on ice. I love driving in the wet but this was too much and you had to be super careful. It was very low grip and you had to be consistent and make no mistakes, but you just trust your instinct and feeling within the car and need to trust what you are doing. Despite this, we maximised the potential of the car and we did everything as best we could, so that was all positive. Q1 and Q2 is always tricky to get right but we did well and in Q3 I think we just lacked a bit of grip to fight further up and we weren't in contention for Pole. Second is good and the focus is, of course, on tomorrow and it will be about who can keep the tyres alive, which we haven't been the best at. We will see how we perform on the Hard compound as we have no information on it yet. The biggest concern is making sure we have the race pace: it will be difficult but if we have the opportunity we will go for it." Yuki Tsunoda (19th, 1:56.798): "Up until Quali we have had amazing pace all weekend, probably the best pace I have had since joining the Team. I just didn't have any grip throughout the session, it felt like complete ice underneath me and I was wheel spinning. I knew it was weird, and I wasn't sure what had happened with the tyre set but it felt very strange. Last time I used the extreme tyre it didn't feel like that and I was super quick, this time I was three seconds off everyone else, so I didn't understand. Clearly something wasn't right and wasn't working properly, I could feel that. Now I know my pressures were way off where they should have been, which explains the issues I had throughout Q1, but I did whatever I could in the circumstances. It's tough and it's a shame because up until Quali we have had amazing pace all weekend, probably the best pace I have had since joining the Team. I have to try tomorrow to get something out of the race." Laurent Mekies, Team Principal: "The front row is a still a very significant showing of the pace we have in the car. Once again, Max had a very strong Qualifying and in super tricky conditions as well. He got into the right tempo in Q1 and Q2 on a very wet track and he was strong on the Inters in Q3 when it cleared up a little. He put himself in a position to fight for Pole, which we unfortunately missed out on tonight, but the front row is a still a very significant showing of the pace we have in the car. P2 certainly gives us something to play with tomorrow. With Yuki, it is on us. We made a big mistake with his tyre pressure which meant that he was out there with a setting that basically gave him no chance to be competitive, so we as a Team, apologise to him for that. This sort of thing should not happen, but it did, so the best we can do is learn from it and come back stronger. He's been in a really good rhythm all weekend, so it is painful to have taken his chance away. Tomorrow should make for an interesting race day." Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team George Russell (4th, 1:48.803): "Unfortunately I suffered a power steering issue midway through Q3 and that cost us a shot at the front row. Looking at the pace of Lando (Norris) in the McLaren, I'm not convinced that we had the pace to match him and take pole, but we could definitely have been best of the rest. That is particularly true as we had been fastest in Q1 and Q2, so we had good speed in the car. Starting P4 isn't the ideal place to be lining up but we've seen in the first two editions of the race here that plenty can happen. I think we can fight with those ahead and be in the mix for the podium. The weather is expected to be dry tomorrow and warmer than we've seen over Thursday and Friday. That will definitely have an effect and adds another unknown to what is likely to be an intriguing Grand Prix." Andrea Kimi Antonelli (17th, 1:56.314): "That was a tough qualifying session. It was incredibly tricky for everyone out there with very little grip. The circuit was improving lap-by-lap and it was crucial to just keep pushing to maintain temperature in the tyres. My last lap of Q1 was looking strong but I locked up at the end of the straight and that was my session done. It is a big shame as our pace has been good all weekend and we could have been fighting at the front. Whilst it puts us on the back foot for Saturday's race, we looked to have good pace in practice on Thursday. Hopefully we can put that to use and gain as many positions as possible. We're in a tight battle for P2 in the Constructors' and several of our competitors are also out of position. I'm still confident we can fight for decent points and that is certainly going to be our aim." Toto Wolff, Team Principal: "We entered qualifying with plenty of promise but unfortunately couldn't turn that into as strong a result as our pace suggested. The conditions were difficult for all, and we certainly weren't the only ones to get caught out, but it is nevertheless frustrating. The final lap of each segment of qualifying, as the track improved, was key. Whilst George improved and went quickest in Q1, Kimi suffered a lock-up on that critical effort and his session was over. George then used the same set of Wet tyres he ran in that first 18 minutes to go fastest in Q2 and we looked set to be in the fight for pole. Unfortunately, just as he was getting into the critical final efforts on the Intermediate tyre, he suffered a power steering issue and that cost him a shot at pole. Whilst he was able to continue, he could only manage P4 which was a valiant effort in the circumstances. Despite not starting from the best positions, we know there will be plenty of opportunities tomorrow. There are lots of unknowns given the Hard tyre has been seen very little so far, nobody has had the chance to complete much long running, and the track will have another reset overnight. Our pace in the mini long run we completed in FP1 on Thursday looked competitive so we can be hopeful of moving forward and fighting for good points and a decent result." Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director: "We had the pace today to do much better than P4 and P17. The final practice session went well; George finished top of the time sheets and Kimi would have been close behind had it not been for a yellow flag. Going into qualifying it was much wetter than we had seen in FP3, and it was not possible to get the Intermediates into the working window in the early sessions. That caused us to bring both cars straight back in to take the full Wet. For George the pace was good, although it was difficult to get a clean lap in with yellow and the tricky conditions. Kimi had similar challenges with the yellow flags and was on a lap good enough to progress at the end of the first session when he locked at turn 12 and went straight on. He's obviously disappointed but it was his first wet qualifying and his first ever use of the extreme Wet tyres; he had very good pace in the dry so we're hoping to still score points tomorrow. George continued to show good pace in the second session and his final lap put him back on top. Unfortunately, we weren't able to repeat that when it really mattered. We had an issue with his power steering half way through the session where it was providing inconsistent levels of assistance. Fearing that the car wouldn't make it to the finish, George continued to push on the penultimate lap, which meant the tyres were too hot starting his final attempt. A frustrating day but we've hopefully got a car with good pace in the dry and both our drivers are looking to move forward tomorrow." Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team Fernando Alonso (7th, 1:49.466): "I think P7 was unthinkable two hours ago and it was more fun than what I thought it was going to be out there tonight. I thought we could be in for a very long evening with a lot of red flags, but I'm happy with P7 in the end. The team did a good job to make sure we were on the right tyres and we maximised the session. The wet conditions have helped our performance, so let's see what we can do tomorrow." Lance Stroll (12th, 1:52.850): "We were leading in Q1 and at the beginning of Q2 for some time and then made a collective decision to go on Intermediates. We thought it was going to be dry enough and we tried it but it wasn't the right call. We planned for three push laps but could only do two in the end and missed an opportunity. It's a shame because I think we could've fought for a strong result today." Andy Cowell, CEO & Team Principal: "Incredibly challenging conditions in Las Vegas this evening with cold temperatures and initially heavy rain creating a difficult session. The team's decision to run on Wets from the start of Q1 helped Lance and Fernando perform well in the very wet conditions, ending the session in third and fourth place respectively. In Q2 with the track drying we felt there was a chance to try Intermediates with Lance, but it proved a lap too soon and cost him a place in Q3. We need to review our 'decision tree' and timings in these situations and learn for the future. With Fernando starting from P7 and Lance in P12 there's every chance to score some points tomorrow, which will be the target." BWT Alpine F1 Team Pierre Gasly (10th, 1:51.540): "That was such an enjoyable Qualifying session and it is another Q3 appearance for us, which I am very pleased with. The conditions were extremely tough, one of the hardest I've ever experienced in Formula One, with the rain and cold temperatures. We seemed to be fast in the wet straight away and we were up there lap after lap right from Q1. We were competitive on the Extreme Wets but in Q3, on the Intermediates, we seemed to struggle to bring the tyres up to temperature, so we have some things to review there. Tomorrow we are going into the unknown a little bit after limited high fuel running in Practice yesterday. That will make things interesting and we will give it our all to be in the points and hopefully put right what has happened over the last two years for me at this track." Franco Colapinto (15th, 1:53.683): "Since yesterday we made a lot of improvements, and I felt like we were in the mix in those conditions. I think if it wasn't for the moment I had on my final push lap, we could have been close to getting into Q3. I was on a pretty good lap, up on my delta time, until I touched the kerb and lost the car at Turn 15. I had a massive slide and almost lost the car and managed to keep it out the wall thankfully, but I lost a lot of time. I think we were improving a lot, it was just tricky conditions out there. The amount of rain and standing water was a lot, but the grip with the asphalt and white lines, which you couldn't really touch, meant it maybe felt worse. But it was the same for everyone out there. Hopefully it remains dry tomorrow, and we can improve on our position and race towards the points." Steve Nielsen, Managing Director: "Today's Qualifying really underlines the high-quality skill level of all drivers in Formula One at the moment. The conditions were extremely tough with the rainfall during the session matched with the cold temperatures and the slippery road surfaces on the lap, which made driving particularly treacherous. Credit to both Pierre and Franco for doing a really solid job throughout, especially to advance through Q1 when the conditions were most extreme. Pierre managed to push on from there and into Q3 for the second consecutive race, such is his level of confidence at the moment and his ability to adapt to low grip conditions. As a team there are plenty of things for us to reflect on and improve for next time and we will line up on tomorrow's grid in a competitive position with our eyes firmly fixed on securing some more points." MoneyGram Haas F1 Team Esteban Ocon (13th, 1:52.987): Oliver Bearman (14th, 1:53.094): Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal: Gene Haas, Owner: Andrea De Zordo, Technical Chief: Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team Liam Lawson (6th, 1:49.062): "I think we had more speed in the car and the opportunity to be higher up, however to have both cars in Q3 is a great result. It was a wild Qualifying session today but I'm very happy with P6. For us to be using an extreme tyre throughout two of the sessions shows just how slippery it was, as we rarely use this tyre. The car has been really fast, but we still missed the last lap by a small margin. I think we had more speed in the car and the opportunity to be higher up, however to have both cars in Q3 is a great result." Isack Hadjar (8th, 1:49.554): "I think in today's Qualifying we did everything perfectly in terms of timings and outings. I felt comfortable straight away in the wet from Q1 and was able to bring the performance into Q2. It's just very frustrating finishing P8 as my last attempt in Q3 was fast. I think I was the last driver on track starting the lap and the track evolution was simply at its peak, but unfortunately the yellow flag came out and it didn't work in our favour. I don't know what to expect tomorrow race-pace wise as we haven't done any long runs in the practices', so we'll need to use previous data to build our strategy and race to get those important points!" Claudio Balestri, Chief Engineer - Vehicle Performance: "This morning wasn't an easy FP3 session with the track neither completely wet nor completely dry, and in Quali, we found conditions difficult as well. We decided to start on the Inter tyres on both cars, similar to the majority of others, but grip was very low, which was evident as soon as we came out of the pitlane. For these reasons we decided to change our plan by pitting immediately for the Wets and maximize the track time. In Q2 we elected to follow a similar plan, with the Wet tyre being the best for the low level of grip and stay out the whole session; the two drivers were able to set very competitive lap times and we ended up P2 with Isack and P6 with Liam. The track improved with the rain stopping, so we went onto the Inters for the last session, which was the right call. Both drivers did a really good job improving lap on lap, finishing in P6 and P8. Now we need switch our focus to the race where the target is to get in the points." Williams Racing Carlos Sainz (3rd, 1:48.296): "Very happy after one of the trickiest qualifying's of the year! From my first lap today, I've felt at home with the car. Every time I was closing in on my lap we were at the top of the field and I was enjoying myself out there in these conditions. Despite opening my last attempt a bit early, I knew I had a shot at pole and for a moment I thought I had it! But two very quick cars behind me were able to improve and edge us out. Still, P3 is an amazing result for the team and we have to feel proud of the job done. Our target for tomorrow will be to remain in position, whilst being conscious we have some very quick cars behind us and it's easy to overtake here. We'll make ourselves as wide as possible and give it our all. Vamos!" Alexander Albon (16th, 1:56.220): "A frustrating qualifying result as we have been quick all weekend. The conditions were tricky out there and I was experiencing some random aquaplaning across different laps. The laps I was able to do in clean air I was happy with, but unfortunately, we never really got a clean lap without a yellow flag. There was a lot going on through the last few corners with various flags and to get to the line on time, and I had a snap and we ultimately got caught out. It is frustrating as we should've been in Q3 today as well. Hopefully it is dry tomorrow, but I'm confident that we have a good car and can fight back in the race." James Vowles, Team Principal: "What a fantastic qualifying from Carlos really, really impressive in quite difficult conditions. And yet it wasn't just one lap, he was able to put the car consistently in the top three throughout most of the sessions. Great work by the team, getting the car working across a range of slick, intermediate and extreme wet tyres this weekend and it bodes well for the race tomorrow whatever conditions come our way. With Alex, it's bitterly disappointing because he has been quick all weekend. He made a small mistake but small mistakes get punished in Vegas. The incident could have been prevented with improved communications, and information from the team we win and lose as a team and will come back stronger with Alex tomorrow. Looking forward to tomorrow's race, clearly we can't predict whether it's going to rain or not but given our performance so far we look competitive across a range of conditions I'm just looking forward to racing." Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber Nico Hulkenberg (11th, 1:52.781): "It was one of the most challenging qualifying sessions I've experienced - especially in Q1, with some incredibly low grip conditions. Vegas is already tricky by itself, with its low-downforce setup and slippery tarmac, and once the rain came, it became even more unpredictable. I think we managed the session well overall, but Q3 just slipped through our fingers at the very end. I had an issue in the last corner on my final lap and lost some time, which was frustrating because it would've been close. Still, no major mistakes, and we kept it clean - that was important today." Gabriel Bortoleto (18th, 1:56.674): "I was actually feeling quite comfortable at the beginning of the session, and the pace felt good, but in those last two or three laps it kind of slipped away from me. This was effectively my first qualifying session fully in the wet: visibility was really tough, everything felt pretty intense and I struggled with grip. We will need to analyse the reason why everything fell off as Q1 progressed, because I just couldn't extract what I felt I could in those final laps. Tomorrow won't be an easy job, starting towards the back, but we'll aim to make the most of every chance in the race." Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal: "Track conditions were tricky in qualifying today, but I'm pleased with the team's performance as starting both cars on extreme wet tyres was the right call and set us up well. Nico was consistent throughout Q1 and progressed to Q2 where, despite a solid session, he just missed the cut for Q3 and ended up in a respectable P11. For Gabi, this was his first qualifying at this circuit and his first time running on the extreme wet tyres. He did a good job considering the conditions, built his pace sensibly but didn't manage to deliver a fully clean lap. Overall, there's plenty to be positive about and we're looking ahead to the race tomorrow." Key Points Carnival remains the largest cruise line by revenue and passenger count, and its stock sells at a low valuation. Viking has succeeded in many respects by taking the opposite approach from Carnival. A rapid growth rate may lead investors to overlook a comparatively higher valuation. 10 stocks we like better than Viking Carnival (NYSE: CCL) has drawn investor interest for many reasons. Travel stocks remain popular, and the company's market lead in the cruise line industry and the continued strength in bookings undoubtedly contribute to its popularity. Nonetheless, amid the focus on the large cruise stocks, Viking (NYSE: VIK) launched its IPO. The company's immense success and advantages in the cruise industry could ultimately deliver higher returns for investors. Here's why. Image source: Getty Images. The advantages of Carnival stock In many respects, Carnival looks like the cruise line stock of choice. It claims nearly 42% of the passenger load in the industry. Even though its budget-friendly approach means that it earns about 36% of industry revenue, it remains a leader in that respect as well. Moreover, for all the talk about the uncertain economy, Carnival reports record bookings, all-time highs in net income, and occupancy rates reaching 112% in its most recent quarter (the industry defines 100% occupancy as two passengers in every cabin). Furthermore, the stock is cheap. At a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 14, Carnival's valuation is in line with Norwegian Cruise Line. It is also significantly cheaper than its largest competitor, Royal Caribbean, at 17 times earnings, and Viking, whose P/E ratio is 31. Amid such conditions, Carnival stock should appeal to investors on the surface. Why Viking is different However, since launching its IPO in May 2024, Viking has stood out by dismissing Carnival's amenities. Since Viking strictly limits cabins to two passengers per room, occupancy is 96% in the most recent quarter. Furthermore, instead of building bigger ships with greater offerings, Viking focuses on experiences that are culturally enriching, all-adult, and all-inclusive in pricing. To make this experience possible, it sails significantly smaller ships. That allows the company to offer river cruises in waterways that will not accommodate large cruise ships. It also means that passengers deal with smaller crowds. Not surprisingly, this makes its cruises somewhat more expensive on balance. Nonetheless, that factor is less meaningful, since Viking targets the upper end of the market and its approach seems to resonate with passengers. Despite accounting for less than 1% of the industry's total passenger count, Viking is the fifth-largest cruise line as measured by revenue. The University of Guams early registration for continuing and returning students for the Fanomnakan (Spring) 2026 semester is ongoing. The early registration schedule is by class level. Undergraduate seniors, juniors, and sophomores, as well as graduate students, regent scholars, veterans, and National Student Exchange students, are currently eligible to register. Undergraduate freshmen, non-degree seeking students, and post graduate students begin early registration on Nov. 26. The Fanomnakan (Spring) 2026 course schedule can be accessed at https://www.uog.edu/course-schedule. For more information on early registration, returning students can visit https://regisgtration.uog.edu. Student support at Triton One-Stop Support services for students are available at the Triton One-Stop from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 24 and 26. The one-stop location is at the Bank of Guam Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Room (C4EI) on the second floor of the Leon Guerrero School of Business and Public Administration Building. In addition to registration, other services available for students at the Triton One-Stop include academic advisement, admissions, financial aid, bursar, and online learning and tech support. Walk-ins are welcome. Students should bring a valid photo ID. For more information, email adviseme@triton.uog.edu or call (671) 735-3342. Key Points NuScale Power's stock price has plunged nearly 40% over the past three months. President Donald Trump issued executive orders last May meant to spur growth in the nuclear energy industry. Shares of NuScale Power benefited from President Trump's orders, but only temporarily. 10 stocks we like better than NuScale Power At the forefront of the nuclear renaissance currently underway in the U.S., NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) has been a standout on the radar of growth investors. Over the past three months, however, investors have taken a more bearish stance, sending shares down by 46% as of Nov. 21. But what happens when you expand the time frame beyond the past three months to the past year? Let's examine the performance of the shares of this specialist in small modular reactors and see how investors who invested $100 a year ago have fared. Image source: Getty Images. Last spring, nuclear energy investors sprang into action After slipping lower in the last two months of 2024, NuScale Power stock failed to recover through the first few months of 2025. In late May, however, President Donald Trump announced executive orders saying that it was now U.S. policy "to expedite and promote to the fullest possible extent the production and operation of nuclear energy." As a result, share prices of NuScale Power soared, as did a variety of other nuclear energy stocks. Although management hasn't reported anything troubling lately, investors have pared back their positions over the past few weeks, as the company has lost some of the luster it had just a few months ago. Overall, its stock has vastly underperformed the market over the past year despite its strong performance in the spring. While the S&P 500 has jumped 11.4% since this time last year, NuScale stock has plummeted 29% during the same time period. Consequently, those who purchased $100 in stock one year ago have seen their positions shrink to $70.90. Will NuScale stock return to its former glory? It's still early in the nuclear energy renaissance, so to speculate that NuScale Power is no longer a viable growth option is hardly reasonable. Since there's bound to be more volatility in the coming months with the stock, though, those wary of risk may prefer investing in a nuclear energy exchange-traded fund. Should you invest $1,000 in NuScale Power right now? Before you buy stock in NuScale Power, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and NuScale Power wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Haiti - Politic : Medellin, a relevant model for Port-au-Prince Allwitch Joly, Chief of Staff to Ralph Youri Chevry, Mayor of Port-au-Prince, officially represented the municipality at the international seminar "The Renaissance of Medellin : Lessons for a Renaissance of Port-au-Prince" organized on November 21 and 22, 2025, by the Haiti Renewal Alliance (HRA), in collaboration with experts from Colombia, Haiti, and the diaspora. This two-day seminar, dedicated to analyzing Medellins transformation model and adapting it for Port-au-Prince, brought together public officials, urban development professionals, researchers, and international partners committed to the renewal of Port-au-Prince. In his address, Joly presented : A concise overview of the security crisis in Port-au-Prince : He noted that the capital is operating in a highly fragile situation due to the expansion of armed groups, economic disruptions, and the mass displacement of families. This situation is severely impacting public services, mobility, and the daily lives of citizens. The strategic role of the Mayor's office in local security : Joly highlighted the concrete efforts undertaken by the municipality, particularly through the activation of the Port-au-Prince Municipal Security Council (CSMPAP), established by municipal decree on January 30, 2025. This municipal initiative represents an essential instrument of local governance, enabling the Mayor's office to play an operational role in a weakened national institutional context. Prospects and proposed solutions : He emphasized the importance of progressively securing strategic routes and traffic areas; strengthening the capabilities of the Haitian National Police (PNH) in cooperation with local organizations; Supporting youth and vulnerable communities through social programs; revitalizing the local economy by supporting small businesses and improving urban infrastructure; and fostering a broader partnership between the municipality, civil society, the private sector, the diaspora, and international actors. He also emphasized the relevance of the Medellin model, where dialogue, social urban planning, innovation, and municipal action played a decisive role in reducing insecurity and revitalizing the city. The Port-au-Prince City Hall's participation in this seminar confirms its commitment to exploring innovative solutions, exchanging ideas with international experts, and strengthening the role of local authorities in responding to the security and urban crisis. The City Hall thanks HRA, as well as all participants and partners, and confirms its participation in the second phase of the program. A study visit to Medellin is planned for early 2026. During this seminar, the following speakers addressed the audience : - Reginald Delva, Former Minister of the Interior and Territorial Communities of the Republic of Haiti, to discuss the issue of insecurity in the metropolitan area; - Alejandro Londono, Former Advisor on Criminal Policy for the City of Medellin, Colombia, spoke about security in Medellin; - Juan Pablo Ortega, Former Director of Ruta N, Medellin Innovation Agency, Colombia, on innovation ecosystems as drivers of peace and growth; - Ms. Natalia Castano, Director of Universidad EAFIT, Centro de Estudios Urbanos y Ambientales, Colombia, on the urban and environmental challenges of Medellin's renaissance; - David Rodriguez, Director of Real Estate and Urban Management at "La Empresa de Desarrollo Urbano de Medellin" (EDU), on social urban development and Medellin's renaissance. Image caption : Top : Medellin, Colombia; Bottom: Port-au-Prince, Haiti HL/ S/ HaitiLibre 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 The decision came during the party congress held in Vantaa on Sunday, where delegates also endorsed allowing limited personal cultivation. The updated platform marks the first time the Left Alliance has formally supported full legalisation, moving beyond its earlier stance that only called for decriminalising personal drug use and minor possession. The Left Alliance has approved a new party programme supporting the legalisation of cannabis use and its sale through state-owned stores, according to an article by Helsingin Sanomat . With the change, the Left Alliance becomes the second parliamentary party in Finland to support legalisation. The Greens added a similar policy to their platform earlier in 2024. Under the new proposal, cannabis would be treated in a regulated manner, with access controlled similarly to alcohol and pharmaceuticals. The party calls for retail sales to be limited to government-run shops. Such a model mirrors systems in place in Canada and several US states where cannabis is legal. Legalisation of cannabis remains prohibited under European Union drug legislation, which defines cannabis as a narcotic. Although the EU does not forbid national governments from removing criminal penalties for personal use or possession, full-scale legalisation of sales is not permitted under current frameworks. The Finnish Parliament is currently reviewing a citizen initiative demanding the legalisation and taxation of cannabis. The matter is being handled by the Parliaments Legal Affairs Committee. The Social Affairs and Health Committee has already rejected the initiatives call for law reform. In its dissenting opinion, the Left Alliance and the Greens argued for studying the removal of criminal penalties for cannabis and other drugs, even if legalisation is not pursued immediately. In Finland, support for cannabis legalisation has grown slowly. A 2023 national survey by the Institute for Health and Welfare showed 24 percent of respondents supported legalisation. The same survey found growing support for decriminalisation, with 29 percent of respondents being ready to lift criminal sanctions against the use of all drugs. Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, the Minister for Social Security and a National Coalition MP, condemned the proposal on social media. "I expected nothing else, but once again completely irresponsible, the left!" she posted on X. "Politics that increase drug experimentation among young people and drug-positive attitudes in our society is wrong politics." Arto Satonen, a fellow National Coalition MP, also opposed the move. He described it as alarming and warned of cannabis being a pathway to harder drugs. It is genuinely shocking that the Left Alliance is pushing this, he wrote. In addition to the cannabis proposal, the Left Alliances party congress adopted new employment policy goals, including the introduction of a 15 minimum hourly wage. Finland does not currently have a statutory minimum wage, as pay levels are set through collective bargaining agreements. Minja Koskela, chair of the Left Alliance, said the reform would ensure fair compensation across the labour market. The party also proposed a work condition supplement for non-standard employment contracts and called for a job guarantee scheme offering publicly subsidised employment to those unemployed for over 12 months. HT The counterproposal demands an immediate ceasefire as a precondition for any future negotiations over territorial matters, Bloomberg reports. The Ukrainian-European plan also calls for security guarantees aligned with NATOs Article 5, binding the United States and other backers to intervene if Ukraine is attacked again. According to Bloomberg sources, Ukraine and its European partners will present a counterproposal to the United States in Geneva on Sunday, seeking major changes to a peace plan promoted by President Donald Trump . The new initiative follows strong criticism of the 28-point US draft , which Ukrainian and European officials say contains unacceptable concessions to Russia. The discussions in Geneva began over the weekend. Ukraines delegation, led by presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak, first met with national security advisers from the UK, France and Germany before entering talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Senior US Army official Daniel Driscoll also joined the meetings. The new European proposal builds on the US document but includes key adjustments. It calls for phased reintegration of Russia into the global economy only after compliance with the ceasefire and other terms. It also demands that frozen Russian assets, valued at over $100 billion, be used for Ukraines reconstruction and war damages. The original US plan, which became public last week, would require Ukraine to surrender Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk. The proposal also calls for Ukraine to adopt permanent neutrality, limit its armed forces, and ban foreign troops on its soil. Russia would be recognised as the de facto authority in the annexed territories, and sanctions would be gradually lifted. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was willing to engage in dialogue but emphasised the need for an agreement that protects sovereignty. We all need a positive result, he said in a public statement, stressing that peace must not sow the seeds of future war. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement that the EUs position remains unchanged. Ukraines borders cannot be changed by force, she said. There can be no limits on Ukraines armed forces that would leave it vulnerable. Von der Leyen also demanded that the EUs role in any final settlement be fully acknowledged, stating that Ukraine must ultimately join our Union. Trump has set a deadline of 27 November for Ukraine to respond to the original plan. He told reporters that it was not a final offer, but warned that the US may withdraw support if Kyiv refuses to engage. If they dont accept it, theyll have to keep fighting, he said. Tensions over the proposal have increased inside Washington. Several US senators said they were told by Rubio that the original plan had originated from the Russian side and was passed to the US via diplomatic intermediaries. Republican Mike Rounds told reporters that Rubio called him and described the plan as a Russian draft. Rubio later denied this, stating that the plan was drafted by the US with input from both Russia and Ukraine. US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott also said that claims that the proposal came from Moscow were blatantly false. Russia has not been invited to the Geneva talks but responded to the draft plan with cautious interest. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow had not officially received the proposal but saw some new elements worth examining. President Vladimir Putin called the plan a possible basis for future negotiations. At the G20 summit in Johannesburg, European leaders held a joint meeting chaired by European Council President Antonio Costa to coordinate their response. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he doubted an agreement could be reached by Thursday but acknowledged that negotiations had progressed. Finlands President Alexander Stubb, speaking to Yle, said the peace process must not override Ukraines rights. He confirmed that Finland was named as a guarantor in the original US proposal, a detail he found surprising. That inclusion was not discussed with us, he said. We are in contact with both Kyiv and Washington for clarification. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he plans to speak with Putin on Monday and will brief the US and EU on the outcome. Erdogan has signalled interest in reviving grain export agreements and said Ankara will do everything to support peace. HT Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad (KLSE:TGL) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 3 days. The ex-dividend date is usually set to be two business days before the record date, which is the cut-off date on which you must be present on the company's books as a shareholder in order to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is important as the process of settlement involves at least two full business days. So if you miss that date, you would not show up on the company's books on the record date. Accordingly, Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad investors that purchase the stock on or after the 27th of November will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 11th of December. The company's next dividend payment will be RM00.05 per share, and in the last 12 months, the company paid a total of RM0.05 per share. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad stock has a trailing yield of around 4.7% on the current share price of RM01.06. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad's dividend is reliable and sustainable. We need to see whether the dividend is covered by earnings and if it's growing. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned in profit, then the dividend could be unsustainable. Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad paid out a comfortable 38% of its profit last year. Yet cash flows are even more important than profits for assessing a dividend, so we need to see if the company generated enough cash to pay its distribution. Thankfully its dividend payments took up just 25% of the free cash flow it generated, which is a comfortable payout ratio. It's positive to see that Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut. See our latest analysis for Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad Click here to see how much of its profit Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad paid out over the last 12 months. KLSE:TGL Historic Dividend November 23rd 2025 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Businesses with strong growth prospects usually make the best dividend payers, because it's easier to grow dividends when earnings per share are improving. If business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. It's encouraging to see Teo Guan Lee Corporation Berhad has grown its earnings rapidly, up 38% a year for the past five years. Earnings per share have been growing very quickly, and the company is paying out a relatively low percentage of its profit and cash flow. This is a very favourable combination that can often lead to the dividend multiplying over the long term, if earnings grow and the company pays out a higher percentage of its earnings. Key Points Warren Buffett is building up his cash position. Investors may be wise to follow Buffett's lead. 10 stocks we like better than Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett has long advised against market timing. After all, over time, markets tend to go up. Every time you take your money out of the market, therefore, the odds say that you'll be missing a profitable day. But all of this doesn't mean that Buffett stays fully invested all of the time. In fact, right now, Buffett's portfolio is more cautiously invested than it has been in decades. With a record $381.6 billion in cash, roughly one-third of Berkshire Hathaway's (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) entire market cap is now tied up in cash. Buffett isn't just holding on to record amounts of cash. He's also selling down some of his top holdings. And last quarter, he refused to repurchase any Berkshire stock -- a practice he has often done in recent years. It's not hard to see what is making Buffett so nervous. Just look at the S&P 500. Based on three different key metrics, the stock market appears grossly overvalued -- a possible warning of a coming market correction. 1. The S&P 500's dividend yield is nearing all-time lows Monitoring the S&P 500's dividend yield can lead to surprising observations. Right now, the market is fascinated with artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. In general, these stocks don't pay very high dividends. Instead, they retain their earnings to reinvest back into their businesses, businesses that are growing very rapidly. Today, AI stocks represent a huge percentage of the S&P 500's value. The top five companies in that index now represent roughly 30% of its entire value. All five are tech giants heavily exposed to AI. Because these companies pay minimal dividends, the overall dividend yield for the S&P 500 is near all-time lows. Right now, the dividend yield for the entire index is around 1.17%. The last time its dividend yield was this low was during the peak of the dot-com bubble, when yields bottomed at 1.11%. But there's another reason why the S&P 500's dividend yield is so low: a historically high valuation on earnings. 2. Marketwide price-to-earnings ratios are looking very pricey If stocks are priced cheaply, typically, marketwide dividends are high. Consider a company that earns $2 per share and pays out $1 per share in dividends. If the stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 10, the stock would be valued at $20 per share, with a dividend yield of 5%. But if shares were priced at 30 times earnings, the stock would be valued at $30 per share, with a dividend yield of just 3.3%. Over the last year, a good number of insiders have significantly increased their holdings in Aquirian Limited (ASX:AQN). This is encouraging because it indicates that insiders are more optimistic about the company's prospects. While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. 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. Aquirian Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by insider Myles Ertzen for AU$1.5m worth of shares, at about AU$0.43 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, at around the current price, which is AU$0.43. That means they have been optimistic about the company in the past, though they may have changed their mind. We do always like to see insider buying, but it is worth noting if those purchases were made at well below today's share price, as the discount to value may have narrowed with the rising price. Happily, the Aquirian insiders decided to buy shares at close to current prices. In the last twelve months insiders purchased 4.35m shares for AU$2.5m. But insiders sold 3.00m shares worth AU$1.3m. In total, Aquirian insiders bought more than they sold over the last year. Their average price was about AU$0.58. These transactions suggest that insiders have considered the current price attractive. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! See our latest analysis for Aquirian ASX:AQN Insider Trading Volume November 22nd 2025 There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. If investing in lesser known companies is your style, you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Insiders At Aquirian Have Bought Stock Recently There has been significantly more insider buying, than selling, at Aquirian, over the last three months. insider Myles Ertzen spent AU$1.5m on stock. But we did see Non-Executive Director David Kelly sell shares worth AU$1.3m. We think insiders may be optimistic about the future, since insiders have been net buyers of shares. Insider Ownership Of Aquirian I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Aquirian insiders own 42% of the company, currently worth about AU$19m based on the recent share price. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. NEW YORK (AP) A strong year for initial public offerings on Wall Street has fizzled out due to the government shutdown and a cautious turn by investors. Many IPOs targeted for the end of this year will likely be pushed into next year as the Securities and Exchange Commission works to clear a backlog of hundreds of registration statements. Meanwhile, shares of companies that did make their market debuts haven't fared well lately amid concerns that stocks have gotten too expensive after another double-digit gain for the market this year. A backlogged SEC, the approaching holiday slowdown, and pressure on AI and other tech stocks are all weighing on hopes for a near-term rebound, wrote Bill Smith, CEO of Renaissance Capital, in a note to investors. Despite the backlog, Wall Street is still anticipating several IPOs in November and December that were already in the later stages of the regulatory process. Central Bancompany was one of the bigger companies going public following the end of the government shutdown. The bank holding company for The Central Trust Bank raised $373 million from its IPO on Thursday. Still, November is on track to be among the slowest months for IPOs in 2025, according to Renaissance Capital. Wall Street anticipates that medical supplies company Medline could go public in December, potentially raising up to $5 billion, while cryptocurrency technology company BitGo remains another potential IPO for next month. The more cautious turn for the market has also checked the gains of some more recent IPOs, sending some falling sharply since their debuts. Web design software company Figma has essentially lost all its gains since going public in July. It more than tripled on its first day of trading after pricing at $33 per share. It is now trading slightly above the IPO price. Klarna, the Swedish buy now, pay later company priced its IPO at $40 per share in September and is currently trading close to $29 per share. Cloud computing company CoreWeave also priced its IPO at $40 per share, in March. It surged in the months following its IPO, but has pulled back significantly to about $72 per share. Software company Navan went public at $25 per share in the midst of the government shutdown but failed to gain much ground and is now trading at about $15. The benchmark S&P 500 is having a bleak November. Its down 3.5% for the month, with much of that decline being led by the tech sector, which had been driven higher by enthusiasm over developments in artificial intelligence. Wall Street has grown more concerned about whether the gains have been justified. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently offered insights on. Cramer highlighted the companys acquisition of Exact Sciences and said that it complements Abbotts diagnostic business, as he remarked: This morning, Abbott Labs announced that its buying Exact Sciences, thats the colorectal cancer screening company, for about $21 billion. Its a 51% premium where it was trading before we started hearing talk of the deal. This transaction will be the largest healthcare deal in two years and the largest diagnostic acquisition ever. Exact Sciences has a great product Of course, this kind of deal probably wouldve been blocked by Bidens antitrust regulators if only because the FTC under Lina Khan seemed reflexively hostile to all mergers. But under Trump, itll probably sail through. Courtesy of Abbott Labs Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) develops and sells healthcare products, including generic medicines, diagnostic systems, nutrition brands, cardiovascular and diabetes care devices, and neuromodulation technologies. While we acknowledge the potential of ABT 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. 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. The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently offered insights on. Cramer highlighted the companys strength despite a tough environment for retailers, as he commented: This is a tough environment for retailers, I mentioned earlier, but great merchants wont let that stop them from putting up phenomenal numbers. Take Gap Inc., which has been taking some time to turn itself around under CEO Richard Dickson. After the close, though, Gap reported a great quarter. This was a 3-cent earnings beat off of 59-cent basis with a higher-than-expected revenue, 5% same-store sales growth, analysts were only looking for 3.1%. At the same time, management raised their full-year forecast for both revenue growth and operating margin. And thats why the stocks flying in after-hours trading. Stock market data showing an upward trajectory. Photo by Burak The Weekender on Pexels The Gap, Inc. (NYSE:GAP) sells apparel, accessories, and personal care items for men, women, and children. The companys brands include Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. While we acknowledge the potential of GAP 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. Nuclear energys resurgence and defense investments are trending across global headlines. That broader push has elevated Amentum Holdings (AMTM), a relatively under-the-radar nuclear energy stock. The company now oversees nearly 90% of Americas nuclear infrastructure for the Department of Energy. That footprint is why Andrew Left of Citron Research recently called it the Most Important Company in America and flagged its unique national security role. Following this bullish note, its shares rose by 17%. More News from Barchart Left notes that AMTM's efforts align with President Donald Trump's emphasis on energy independence and military modernization. These priorities also include aggressive funding for nuclear innovation. Trump himself called nuclear a hot industry, adding, Its time for nuclear, and were going to do it very big. They continue to shape Americas strategic approach today. Will this little-known stock translate policy tailwinds and government demand into lasting value for shareholders? Lets find out what Amentum is really about. Strong Performance Propels AMTM Into the Spotlight Amentum Holdings delivers advanced nuclear management and engineering services for the U.S. government, overseeing $5.3 billion in market cap. The stock is trading at $24.99 as of early afternoon on Nov. 21, with a year-to-date (YTD) gain of 18% and a 52-week performance of only 0.36%. www.barchart.com Its forward price-to-earnings is 10.97x against the sector median of 19.86x, and its price-to-sales sits at 0.47x compared to a sector median of 1.68x. That reflects a significant discount for a firm leading nearly 90% of Americas nuclear infrastructure stewardship. Amentums latest quarterly earnings, published Aug. 5, highlight a business running at scale. This quarter, Amentum reported $3.6 billion in revenues, a 2% increase on a pro forma basis, which illustrates stability. This net income of $10 million signals positive margins in a sector known for enormous capital intensity. The adjusted EBITDA reached $274 million. This underscores the firms strong operational leverage and ability to convert revenue into core earnings. The most recent result for diluted earnings per share stands at $0.04, with adjusted diluted earnings per share at $0.56. This difference points to notable add-backs common in the industrys reporting. President Trump unveiled $12 billion in aid to US farmers, as the agricultural sector deals with the fallout from his sweeping tariff policies. The sector has been hit particularly hard from the president's ever-changing trade policies, as farmers have struggled to sell crops and been hit by higher costs. Soybean exports have come in particular focus, with trade slowing to a crawl as China virtually halted its purchases before the countries agreed to a trade truce in October. Trump said the money for farm relief would come from a "small portion" of tariff-related revenues. Despite welcoming the support, US farmers have said they need more than a $12 billion aid package to fully offset low crop prices and lost export opportunities due to Trump's trade war. The farm bailout comes amid an increased push on Americans' price concerns. In an interview published Tuesday, Trump allowed he may look for "some" additional carveouts, weeks after his administration slashed tariffs on items like beef, coffee, and bananas. The push to reduce food prices comes in the wake of electoral wins for Democrats across a number of key state and local races where candidates stressed affordability concerns. Trump has also in recent weeks floated the possibility of a tariff "dividend" for many Americans in the form of a $2,000 check. The US Supreme Court is poised in the weeks ahead to decide the legality of the majority of those tariffs. The president invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to levy blanket tariffs on goods from other countries. As he has publicly braced for the high court's decision, Trump has claimed the "full benefit" of tariff policies would take effect soon, arguing that foreign buyers who stockpiled inventory would be forced to buy more goods. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet What else to know about Trump's tariffs: The trade deal between the US and Indonesia is in danger of collapsing, according to The Financial Times. US officials have grown increasingly frustrated at what they view as Jakarta reneging on the terms of the agreement reached in July. Trump threatened to impose an additional 5% tariff on Mexico if it doesn't provide additional water to help US farmers. Trump accused Mexico of violating a treaty that outlines water sharing between the countries. Trump gave the green light on Monday for Nvidia (NVDA) to sell some of its more powerful H200 chips to China. The US president said that China's Xi Jinping had responded "positively" to the move. Several US companies, such as Costco (COST), have filed lawsuits and claims to the US government for tariff refunds in the belief Trump's tariffs will be struck down by the US Supreme Court. If the courts rule against Trump's tariffs, the president may be forced to repay billions of dollars in collected revenue from imports, according to a report in the New York Times. LIVE 143 updates Key Points Novo Nordisk has lost ground in the weight-loss drug market to Eli Lilly and telehealth companies. The company's new CEO is being far more aggressive, which bodes well. Novo's upcoming Wegovy pill is a prime opportunity to recapture market share. 10 stocks we like better than Novo Nordisk Over the past several years, GLP-1 agonist weight-loss drugs have evolved from a celebrity trend to arguably the hottest growth opportunity in the pharmaceutical industry. Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) jumped out to an early lead with the immense popularity of its Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide), used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, a shortage in 2022 spurred competition from compounding pharmacies, and arch-rival Eli Lilly's (NYSE: LLY) Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide) have come on strong. Share prices of the Danish healthcare company have tumbled over the past 18 months, shedding two-thirds of their value. But after replacing its CEO earlier this year, Novo Nordisk is beginning to punch back in a big way. The company is slashing prices to recapture market share in what could be a $150 billion industry by 2035. Here is what you need to know. Image source: Getty Images. Slashing prices is bold, but it has become necessary Novo Nordisk didn't have much choice but to face the music and get more aggressive in its pricing strategy. The Trump administration has pushed for lower drug prices, announcing TrumpRx, a website that sells drug treatments, including Ozempic and Wegovy, at negotiated prices. It follows the surging popularity of telehealth companies like Hims & Hers Health, which began selling compounded semaglutide directly to patients at low prices under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) loopholes. Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound have come on strong over the past couple of years. That success has begun to be reflected in each company's growth: Lilly's revenue has increased significantly faster than Novo Nordisk's over the past year. But Novo Nordisk is finally going on the offensive. Under the new pricing plan, existing self-paying patients (those not using health insurance) will pay $349 per month for FDA-approved Ozempic and Wegovy, down from $499. That excludes the 2mg dose of Ozempic. First-time patients will pay $199 each for their first two doses. It puts Ozempic and Wegovy on approximate price parity with Lilly's Zepbound, as well as with the pricing structure announced for TrumpRx. Punching back against compounders Novo Nordisk's struggles aren't due entirely to Lilly's success. Hims & Hers Health and other telehealth companies that began selling compounded semaglutide under FDA loopholes during the shortage have continued pushing them despite the shortage having ended earlier this year. If you own stock in Nvidia, youre likely feeling pretty good about the companys performance in 2025. The tech giants stock has been on an incredible run, climbing more than 50% year to date. In fact, its record-setting performance in 2025 launched Nvidia into unchartered territory, as it became the first company ever to reach a market value of $5 trillion (1). 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 Nvidia, which was founded in 1993, got its start by designing and manufacturing graphics processing units, which are also known as GPUs. These electronic chips allow for parallel processing, which means they can handle high-demand computing tasks such as gaming. This meant the California-based company was well positioned when ChatGPTs 2022 debut fueled feverish interest in generative artificial intelligence and sparked a massive AI investment boom. Since then, tech stocks have become a very popular investment on Wall Street. And while some individual investors may feel compelled to get in on the tech rush or maybe even increase their tech investment Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary warns against chasing the latest AI trend because of Nvidias epic run. Dont let your widespread enthusiasm for this stock or any other AI company distract you from the most proven way to succeed as an investor: staying diversified, Singletary writes (2). Weighing the risks of AI investments While AI companies have made stunning gains in 2025, this development has fueled concerns about an AI-driven stock market bubble. Some fear this potential bubble will inevitably burst, which could lead to a stock market crash or even a recession, similar to the dot-com bubble burst of 2000. Callie Cox, chief market strategist for Ritholtz Wealth Management, shared some advice with Singletary on how to approach investing in tech. If you find yourself feeling FOMO (fear of missing out), its good to first identify how much tech you already own. You may be surprised by how tech-heavy your portfolio already is, said Cox, who notes that the Magnificent Seven stocks Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Apple, Tesla and Nvidia currently make up more than one-third of the S&P 500s market value. As Cox notes, if youre invested in an exchange-traded fund such as the S&P 500, youre likely more invested in tech than you think. And while that doesnt mean that you shouldnt invest more money in tech, betting heavily on the AI gold rush has the potential to backfire. Nuvve (NVVE) shares closed nearly 50% higher on Friday after announcing a significant green energy partnership in New Mexico. NVVE has signed an MOU with the City of Socorro and Socorro Electric Cooperative to team up on transportation electrification, grid modernization, and community resilience initiatives across the Socorro region. More News from Barchart Despite the massive surge, NVVE stock is trading at a fraction of its price at the start of 2025. www.barchart.com Significance of New Mexico Deal for Nuvve Stock Nuvve shares soared on the New Mexico deal since it represents significant validation of the firms vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology platform and battery-as-a-service (BaaS) models. The announcement is largely positive for NVVE shareholders because it demonstrates real-world applications of its intelligent energy management systems. The partnership expands Nuvves footprint into the municipal and cooperative energy markets, proving its V2G and BaaS models can scale beyond pilot projects. By aligning with public infrastructure goals like grid modernization and resilience, NVVE gains credibility, potential recurring revenue streams, and a notably stronger case for broader adoption of its technology. Does It Warrant Buying NVVE Shares? Investors must practice caution in playing NVVE shares here since the MOU represents an early stage collaboration that may take considerable time to generate meaningful financial impact. Nuvves massive crash to less than a $6 million market cap indicates substantial financial distress and operational challenges that a single partnership may not resolve. The dramatic price action underscores both the speculative nature of emerging green tech stocks and the volatile trading patterns that characterize this extremely small-cap company. More importantly, despite a meteoric rally on Nov. 22, Nuvve remains a penny stock a category of equities notorious for unusual volatility. The disproportionate increase in its share price today may, therefore, represent meme enthusiasm, not fundamental strength. Nuvve Doesnt Currently Receive Wall Street Coverage Another major red flag on Nuvve stock is the absence of Wall Street coverage, which means limited analyst insights, institutional interest, and liquidity. Swiss footwear company On Holding (NYSE:ONON) will offer no Black Friday deals in an effort to solidify itself as a premium brand, company officials recently said. "Were going into this holiday season with a full price strategy," On Executive co-Chairman Caspar Coppetti said during the company's Q3 earnings call last week. "So we have no discounts coming up, and thats against the backdrop of a very price-competitive environment. So were really staying true to the discipline that the premium strategy demands." On's competitors don't seem to be following its lead. Sportswear brands Adidas and Nike (NYSE:NKE) started promoting Black Friday sales weeks before the official start of the holiday shopping season. Don't Miss: The AI Marketing Platform Backed by Insiders from Google, Meta, and Amazon Invest at $0.86/Share An EA Co-Founder Shapes This VC Backed MarketplaceNow You Can Invest in Gaming's Next Big Platform HOKA, owned by footwear brand Deckers (NYSE:DECK), was promoting holiday running gifts on its website at discounted prices. On Is Running Past The Competition On's Q3 net sales were 794.4 million Swiss francs ($994.3 million), according to its earnings report. Its net income for the quarter was 118.9 million francs, up from 30.5 million francs during the same period last year. On raised its full-year sales guidance from 2.91 billion francs to 2.98 billion francs. Other companies seemed less optimistic about their future outlook. Nike expects its fiscal Q2 revenue to decrease by low-single digits and gross margins to fall 300 to 375 basis points, Nike CFO Matthew Friend said during the company's fiscal Q1 earnings call in September. The company's Q1 net income was $700 million, down 31% year over year. Trending: Bill Gates Says Climate Change Needs to Be Solved' This Award-Winning Building Material Is Tackling It Head-On HOKA sales are expected to grow by "a low-teens percentage versus last year," Deckers CEO Stefano Caroti said during the company's Q2 earnings call last month. That's down from the mid-teens growth it anticipated for the brand during the previous quarter. HOKA and UGG helped lift Deckers' bottom line in Q2 as the brands saw an 11.1% and 10.1% sales increase, respectively, year over year while other Deckers-owned brands saw a 26.5% decrease, according to its earnings report. On's Tariff Resiliency Tariffs played a part in Nike and Deckers' decisions to trim their sales guidance, company officials said. "So as US consumers are beginning to see some price increases, it is impacting their purchase behavior within the consumer discretionary space," Deckers CFO Steven Fasching said during the earnings call. Webb's concerns about financial irregularities began early in his presidency. When he challenged Garula-Mers at board meetings for documents and financial information, she refused to comply, according to Judd's press conference remarks reported by 10News. The EPCAR credit card became another tool for personal gain. Detectives discovered $3,267.51 in non-business transactions, including dining, shopping, beauty supplies, household goods, and Amazon purchases, according to 10News. She didn't stop there. Garula-Mers altered EPCAR's contribution rate to her individual retirement account, netting an additional $7,938.27, the Polk County Sheriff's Office stated. She submitted improper reimbursements totaling $2,112.97. Garula-Mers allegedly gave herself unauthorized salary increases totaling $43,105.86, boosting her final annual salary to $99,472, the sheriff's office reported. She issued herself $12,500 in unauthorized bonuses and wrote additional payroll checks to herself totaling $20,348.89, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay (3). Garula-Mers began her financial misconduct within months of being hired as EPCAR's CEO in 2020, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office (2). The theft continued until her termination in August 2024. 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 "She needs to sit in jail," Judd declared, according to 10News. "She's a thief. She's a con. She's a crook." On Nov. 21, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrest of 53-year-old Jennifer Garula-Mers, the former CEO of the East Polk County Association of Realtors (EPCAR), on charges of grand theft involving more than $81,000, according to 10News Tampa Bay (1). The case has left the realtor association "on the ropes" and "all but broke," Judd said at a press conference, forcing the organization to consider merging with another association just to survive. What followed was a year-long battle that ended with criminal charges, alleged extortion attempts, and a cautionary tale about how small membership organizations across America are vulnerable to theft. When RJ Webb became president of the East Polk County Association of Realtors in 2021, he noticed something wasn't right. The numbers didn't add up, and when he asked for financial documents, the association's CEO refused to provide them. Story Continues The response from EPCAR's board of directors was perhaps more troubling than the alleged theft itself: they sided with Garula-Mers, dismissing Webb as a troublemaker and suggesting he leave both the presidency and the association entirely, according to the sheriff's report. "When the new president comes in and says there's a problem, the executive board of directors ignores him, chastises him, and suggests he not only leave the association but the presidency," Judd said, as reported by FOX 13. "But who was right here?" Undeterred, Webb filed a civil lawsuit to stop what he believed was the theft of association funds. That's when things took a darker turn. Alleged extortion by Anthony in Chicago After Webb filed his lawsuit, he and his fatheralso a realtorreceived a threatening phone call from someone identifying himself as "Anthony from Chicago," according to sheriff's office investigators. "Things are not going to end well if the lawsuit goes on," the caller warned, according to 10News. Detectives traced the phone back to David Stachowiak, 55, according to the sheriff's office. Judd said Stachowiak was a "co-conspirator" hired by Garula-Mers, 10News reported. Stachowiak was arrested in October 2024 and faces multiple felony charges, including extortion, tampering with evidence, and use of a two-way communication device in the commission of a crime, according to Lake Wales News (4). He has since bonded out of jail and awaits trial. Garula-Mers was arrested Nov. 20, 2025, by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office in Spring Hill, Florida, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. She faces a second-degree felony charge and is being held with no bond until her first court appearance. Trending: Warren Buffett used 8 simple money rules to turn $9,800 into a stunning $150B start using them today to get rich (and then stay rich) Why does this keep happening? The vulnerability of small associations Unfortunately, the EPCAR case is not uncommon. Small nonprofits, trade associations, and membership organizations across America are vulnerable to fraud and embezzlement, often with devastating consequences. One-sixth of all embezzlement cases in the United States involve nonprofit and religious organizations, ranking just behind the financial sector in vulnerability to internal theft, according to the Washington Post (5). The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners' 2024 Report to the Nations found that nonprofits suffered a median loss of $76,000 per case, up from $60,000 in 2020 (6). Many small associations rely on one executive to handle payroll, reimbursements, membership dues, and event budgets with no separation of duties, that person can operate unchecked for years. Trade associations typically have volunteer boards composed of industry professionals who may lack accounting training. They're focused on their own businesses and trust the professional they've hired to manage the organization. On top of all that, professional forensic audits cost money, sometimes more than small organizations can afford. According to Upper Michigan's Source (7), many associations simply can't afford the investigation needed to pursue prosecution, meaning "in many cases, the criminal will walk free." A pattern continuing across America Recent cases illustrate the scope of the problem: In October 2025, former Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Jonathan Weinhagen was indicted on federal charges of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars, KARE 11 reported (8). Prosecutors allege Weinhagen created a fictional consulting company under an alias, billing the chamber more than $100,000. Most shocking: prosecutors say Weinhagen stole $30,000 that the chamber had donated to Crime Stoppers as reward money for unsolved shootings of children in north Minneapolis, KARE 11 reported. In August 2025, Elizabeth Simpers, the former Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce president, was arrested after allegedly taking more than $69,000 for personal expenses including dental work, jewelry, and massage services, WRAL reported (9). Simpers had faced similar allegations at her previous employerthe YMCAyet was still hired to lead the chamber, according to WRAL. Homeowners associations arent immune. In April 2024, Sharon Lee Ann Gordon, treasurer of a Utah HOA, was sentenced after embezzling over $232,000 by writing checks to herself and her boyfriend and forging board members' signatures, according to an IRS press release (10). The real cost to EPCAR When a small association suffers embezzlement, the financial loss is only the beginning. For realtor associations specifically, embezzlement can force members to pay higher dues to cover losses, lose access to continuing education requirements, face delayed licensing support, or join larger regional associations at greater cost. The reputational damage can be equally devastating. For organizations dependent on voluntary contributions or membership dues, loss of confidence can prove fatal. As EPCAR now faces, associations may be forced to merge or dissolve when their financial reserves disappear. How to protect your organization According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the top three causes of nonprofit fraud are lack of internal controls, lack of oversight of existing controls, and override of controls. But even small organizations with limited budgets can implement critical safeguards: Separate financial duties: The person who writes checks should not be the same person who reconciles bank statements. Even in small organizations, splitting these responsibilities between two or three people dramatically reduces risk. Require two signatures: Checks or transfers above a certain threshold should require two authorized signatures, according to the National Council of Nonprofits (11). This simple control would have prevented many documented embezzlement cases. Conduct regular audits: Annual independent audits by external accountants can catch irregularities before they become catastrophic. For organizations that can't afford full audits, even periodic surprise reviews of bank statements and vendor payments create accountability. Monitor credit cards: Requiring receipts for all reimbursements over a nominal amount and having credit card statements reviewed by someone other than the cardholder are basic controls every organization can implement. Use technology: Modern accounting platforms can flag unusual transactions, require approvals, and create audit trails automatically. Automation reduces the likelihood of errors and fraud while making monitoring easier. Watch for red flags: The ACFE reports that in 85% of fraud cases, at least one warning sign was present. Common red flags include financial officers who resist transparency, unexplained budget shortfalls, officers who never take vacation, missing financial records, and frequent special assessments. Conduct background checks: According to MIP Fund Accounting Services (12), people who commit fraud at one nonprofit often simply move to another organization and repeat their crimes. Proper background checks on all employees handling finances are essential. What to do if you suspect fraud For members or board directors who suspect embezzlement, the steps are straightforward: Document everything by gathering bank statements, invoices, and expense reports. Members are typically entitled to these documents under state law, according to the National Council of Nonprofits. Report your findings to the board in writing, creating a paper trail. Contact a forensic accountant who can conduct a proper investigationaccording to Venable LLP's guidance on nonprofit fraud (14), boards satisfy their fiduciary duties by relying on qualified professionals. File a report with local law enforcement. As Polk County demonstrated in the EPCAR case, law enforcement has tools to trace financial crimes that board members don't. According to JS Morlu LLC's HOA fraud analysis (15), embezzlement is often caught after months or years of misconduct. The longer fraud continues, the greater the loss and the harder recovery becomes. The bottom line Garula-Mers' alleged crimes represent more than one person's betrayal of trust. They shined a light on systemic vulnerabilities in how small membership organizations operate across America. The EPCAR case should serve as a wake-up call for every small nonprofit, trade association, chamber of commerce, HOA, PTA, and membership organization: the risk is real, the damage can be devastating, and prevention is far cheaper than recovery. As Garula-Mers and her alleged co-conspirator await trial, the lesson is clear: trust alone is not a control system. Every small organization needs formal safeguards, transparent oversight, and a culture where questioning authority is not just permitted it's expected. You May Also Like Article sources 10News Tampa Bay (WTSP) (1); Polk County Sheriff's Office (2); FOX 13 Tampa Bay (3); Lake Wales News (4); Washington Post (5); ACFE Report to the Nations data (6); Upper Michigan's Source (7) ; KARE 11 (Minneapolis) (8); WRAL (Raleigh) (9); IRS Criminal Investigation (10); National Council of Nonprofits (11); MIP Fund Accounting Services (12); Venable LLP (13); JS Morlu LLC (14) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Soybeans turned higher to close the Friday session, as contracts were up 1 to 2 cents in the front months. January managed to post a cent gain on the week, despite closing 44 cents off this weeks high. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was up 2 3/4 cents at $10.52 3/4. Soymeal futures were up $1 to $2.30 on the day, with December dropping $7.40 on the week. Soy Oil futures were 33 to 40 points lower as Dec posted an 11 point gain from last Friday. Commitment of Traders data showed soybean speculators at a net short position of 353 contracts as of 10/7. That was a 38,359-contract reduction in the net short position during that week. More News from Barchart USDAs monthly Fats & Oils report showed a total of 198 million bushels of soybeans crushed in August. That was a record for the month and 18.19% above last year, but down 3.48% from the July total. Soybean oil stocks were tallied at 1.79 billion lbs, which was down 4.62% from the end of July but 9.71% above the year prior. Buenos Aires Grains Exchange data showed soybean planting progressing 12% on the week to 24.6%, which is still 11% behind the same week last year. Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.25, up 2 1/2 cents, Nearby Cash was $10.52 3/4, up 2 3/4 cents, Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $11.34 1/4, up 2 1/4 cents, May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.43 1/4, up 1 3/4 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 Tokio Marine Holdings (TSE:8766) shares saw slight movement this week, with investors weighing recent performance against the companys longer-term returns. Despite mild shifts, there remains interest in how the insurers fundamentals stack up now. See our latest analysis for Tokio Marine Holdings. Tokio Marine Holdings share price has seen renewed volatility lately, with last weeks dip capping off a stretch of fading momentum. Still, even as the 1-year total shareholder return is modest at 0.7 percent, the insurer has managed an impressive 107 percent total return over three years. This underscores its ability to deliver for long-term investors when market sentiment shifts. If youre curious about where else strong ownership and fast growth are making headlines, nows the perfect time to discover fast growing stocks with high insider ownership With recent gains and long-term outperformance, investors face a key question: is Tokio Marine Holdings undervalued at current levels, or has the market already priced in all the companys future growth prospects? Most Popular Narrative: 18% Undervalued With the current share price notably trailing the narrative's fair value estimate, investors are left wondering what catalysts justify the optimism. The gap signals a divergence between market sentiment and the detailed financial trajectory mapped out by analysts. The company aims to significantly raise ROE by divesting business-related equities within six years and reinvesting the capital in M&A and risk-taking opportunities, potentially improving net margins and earnings. Tokio Marine Holdings is undergoing a transformation to become a leaner, more competitive organization, which will enhance its efficiency and potentially improve net margins. Read the complete narrative. Curious which bold moves and forecasts drive this valuation? Theres a key assumption at the heart of this fair value: an aggressive shift in business model and profit margins. Dive in to discover the pivotal strategies analysts believe will power Tokio Marine Holdings well above todays price. Result: Fair Value of 6,759 (UNDERVALUED) Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts. However, significant reliance on divesting business equities and ongoing volatility in international investments could present challenges for the optimistic outlook for Tokio Marine Holdings. Find out about the key risks to this Tokio Marine Holdings narrative. Build Your Own Tokio Marine Holdings Narrative If you see things differently or want to dive into the numbers yourself, you can build your own data-driven outlook in just a few minutes, and Do it your way. 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. After comments about new health requirements for U.S. visas, President Donald Trumps immigration policies are coming under fire again. A recent cable examined by KFF Health News and sent by the State Department to embassy and consular officials contained guidance on denying visa applications for several new reasons. One of these reasons included the likelihood that the application could become a drain on U.S. resources, specifically due to their health issues or age (1). 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 "You must consider an applicant's health," the cable reads, according to NPR. "Certain medical conditions including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, and mental health conditions can require hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of care (8)." Although some health requirements are already embedded into the U.S. visa process, like vaccine requirements, the idea that overweight applicants cannot get approved for a U.S. visa is new (2). President Trumps stance on the heightened health requirements is to prevent incomers from putting a strain on the U.S. healthcare system (3). Potential for healthcare system strain Currently, the U.S. visa process does involve some health checks. However, these health requirements are focused on communicable diseases and other public health threats. Under the potential policies outlined in the State Department cable, examined by KFF Health News, this could expand to consider other medical details, including his or her weight (2). Unfortunately, focusing on weight could open a path to extensive discrimination concerns. After all, it seems unfair to consider someones Body Mass Index (BMI) when accepting or denying a visa application. In a Truth Social post, Trump said, We will not ban all fat people from entering our Great Country, only those whose poor health will overburden our health care system. Visa applicants who are only slightly overweight have nothing to worry about. He continued, The bigger ones will need to trim down to get approved (3). Trump went on to say these new health requirements might be extended to cover Expats in the near future. The primary concern seems to be preventing applicants from entering the country if they might put a strain on the healthcare system. The countrys healthcare system is already under tremendous strain, with many claiming that the system might need to be torn down and rebuilt, including Harvard Health, the Cato Institute and the American College of Surgeons (4, 5, 6). 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. The micro cabins will be placed on what is now a gravel parking lot. Pittsfield Zoning Board OKs Bousquet Campground PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved special permits for Bousquet's year-round micro cabin and RV lodging proposal. It was OK'd on Wednesday with several conditions, including a phased installation starting with a few units, check-ins with the Community Development Board, and a two-year period to begin work before the permit lapses. "The last five years, I've seen a robust revitalization of one of the most prominent properties in the city of Pittsfield. This is just a small part of making that an even better experience for not only those of us in the city, but also trying to welcome new people to this area as well," said engineer Brent White, representing Blue Chair Properties LLC. When the plan is fully implemented, a gravel parking lot on the western side of Bousquet's 90-acre property will have 12 micro cabins and four RVs on pads, accompanied by 16 parking spaces. A pedestrian path to the ski lodge is planned to allow foot traffic without entering the parking lot, and the units will be connected to municipal water and sewer. Bousquet plans to start with a handful of units in 2026. The goal is to provide additional accommodations that support the ski area's redevelopment and offer another type of overnight stay in Pittsfield. B&B Micro Manufacturing in Adams will produce the cabins, and booking will be handled similarly to that of a hotel or motel. "This is a campground. This is not a mobile home community. I've appeared before this board identifying projects that were a mobile home community, and this is not that," White clarified. "This is for short-term rentals only. Patrons will have to sign a user agreement before they're allowed to access the property, but this is not intended to be any sort of long-term housing or to that effect." Chair Albert Ingegni III explained that lodging is typically a feature included in the city's ordinance for ski resorts, but Bousquet is a non-comforting ski resort. Built in the 1930s, it predates existing zoning regulations, and the lot is below the minimum size requirements for ski resorts. Coupled with the fact that recreational vehicles are in the proposal, it requires additional layers of review and permitting. In 2021, a special permit was granted to allow the demolition and reconstruction of the pre-existing, non-conforming lodge after the property was purchased by Mill Town Capital. Camping areas are regulated by the Health Department, and Bousquet will need annual campground inspections and permits once in operation. Assistant Superintendent Kristen Palatt, left, and science teachers Keith Wright, Lindsay McGinnis and Cori Scaduto were in the spotlight at Monday's School Committee meeting. Hoosac Valley Recognizes Award-Winning Educators CHESHIRE, Mass. Hoosac Valley Regional School District officials have made a point of recognizing the achievements of their students at School Committee meetings but on Monday, it was the instructors' turn. Lindsay McGinnis, Keith Wright, and Cori Scaduto, all science teachers at Hoosac Valley High School, were acknowledged at the state level this year for their educational work. "There's a ton of research in education, we talk about it, we reference it regularly," said Assistant Superintendent Kristen Palatt. "But one thing that has not changed year over year in terms of factors that impact student achievement, the most No. 1 is, has always been and continues to be, the teacher." She noted that the spotlight on applied learning has showcased what students are doing in class, but "we made the choice to put a spotlight on three of the amazing teachers that make up the high school science department." McGinnis, the environmental studies teacher, was presented Massachusetts State College Association's Outstanding Educator Alumni Award at the State House last year. Palatt pointed out there are many state college alumni teaching in Massachusetts so it speaks to the work that McGinnis does at Hoosac to be recognized at this level. Superintendent Aaron Dean added that McGinnis has been a driver of the pathways implementation at Hoosac and that "the state often looks to her to consult with other places that are looking to implement a similar program." Wright, a chemistry and capstone teacher, was named Science Teacher of the Year by the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers. He said the association also includes educators in nongovernmental organizations and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. He's been a not only a science teacher but a teacher leader during his 20 years in education, joking he was "exhausted" during the presentation when they read off his accomplishments. Dean said Wright's impact was "pretty immediate" when he arrived at Hoosac, as one student told him they'd learned more in one week of chemistry with Wright, than they'd learned all year. "He's a student-centered teacher leader, he brought in the [Student Adult Advisory Board], as Kristin mentioned, he's a key cog in a lot of the work that we're doing at the high school around a culture of learning and a culture of applied learning," said the superintendent. "That's one of the things the students said to me: Tell me this stuff in ways that I can understand. He has the students applying it. So as we're building this programming around innovation pathways and we're doing this work, he's been a key guy to that." Scaduto won Moderna's Excellence Award for Middle School at the 2025 Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair this year. She teaches biomedical science and human body systems and has been the driving force behind the school's science and engineering fair participation. "Corey has single-handedly increased enrollment in our biomedical pathway by 45 students," said Palatt. "And if you think about how big our student population is, that's massive. ... "If you participated or attended any of our science fairs, you absolutely have no doubt why she won this award." Palatt also had her turn in the spotlight as Leader of the Year from Massachusetts Project Lead the Way. "As a district, we're blessed to have such dedicated staff doing great work for the kids. So kudos to all of you for your recognition as well as theirs. We've seen the impact here with our students," said Dean. "The work doesn't happen without a leader that supports the staff. "I think anybody that talks about Kristen would say she is a service-oriented leader. She goes to the trenches with people. She looks at what's what's happening, looks at what people need and make sure they get it." The district adopted Project Lead the Way in 2019, but it didn't really take off until Palatt came on and pushed through grants, trainings, and implementation with the teachers. "Things are really going in a great direction, because we had a great leader working and in charge of that and helping pull it all together," he 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 At least 90 people have died and 12 remain missing in Vietnam after days of intense rainfall sent floodwaters surging through large parts of the country, triggering landslides and cutting power to hundreds of thousands of homes. Government data show that more than 235,000 houses have been inundated nationwide, and around 80,000 hectares of crops have been ruined. Officials estimate economic losses of up to 270m across five badly affected provinces Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong. The mountainous province of Dak Lak has borne the brunt of the disaster, accounting for more than 60 deaths since 16 November. Tens of thousands of houses were submerged there after rivers overtopped embankments and rainfall exceeded 1.9m in some locations levels unseen in parts of the region since 1993. open image in gallery People wading through floodwaters in Nha Trang in Vietnam's coastal province of Khanh Hoa ( AFP via Getty Images ) In several spots, the Ba River and the Cai River rose past historic highs, the national weather bureau said. Residents described scenes of total collapse. Mach Van Si, a 61-year-old farmer in Dak Lak, told AFP: Our neighbourhood was completely destroyed. Nothing was left. Everything was covered in mud. He and his wife spent two nights trapped on their sheet-metal roof as the waters rose. I just thought we were going to die because there was no way out, he said. The flooding follows weeks of severe weather in south-central Vietnam, where heavy rain has battered the coastline since late October. Tourist hubs such as Nha Trang, Da Lat and Quy Nhon were repeatedly inundated, with landslides cutting off highland passes and city blocks submerged under muddy water. More than 3.2 million livestock and poultry have been killed or washed away, according to environment officials, while rice paddies and coffee plantations a major export industry for Vietnam have been badly damaged. Around 258,000 households were without electricity at the height of the disaster, and more than 129,000 customers still lacked power on Sunday, reported BBC, citing officials. Military, police and naval units have been deployed across the south and central regions to carry out rescues and deliver aid. Helicopters were used to airdrop supplies to isolated communities, and emergency teams broke into windows and roofs to reach stranded residents in Dak Lak and Gia Lai. In Khanh Hoa, naval officers assisted families forced onto the roofs of their flooded homes. Local police also released footage of a drone hoisting a man to safety from a small island in the Serepok River. Two suspension bridges in Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong were swept away last week as torrents cut through valleys, severing access to villages, state outlet Tuoi Tre News reported, citing officials. Sections of several national highways and railway lines remain blocked by floodwater or landslides. open image in gallery The death toll from major flooding in Vietnam has risen to 90, with 12 people still missing, the environment ministry said on 23 November 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Prime minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired an emergency meeting remotely from the G20 summit in South Africa, instructing provincial authorities to accelerate repairs and ensure displaced residents are rehoused before the Lunar New Year in late January. He ordered 500bn Vietnamese dong (16m) in immediate support for Dak Lak, with further funds for Lam Dong, Gia Lai and Khanh Hoa. State media reported that rescuers had to bring food and drinking water to flooded hospitals in Binh Dinh province, where medical staff and patients survived for days on instant noodles. Vietnam experiences heavy monsoon rains from June to September, but successive storms and typhoons have struck unusually hard this year, including Kalmaegi and Bualoi earlier in the autumn. Scientists warn that human-driven climate change is intensifying the countrys exposure to extreme weather, making severe floods and storms more frequent and destructive. Between January and October alone, natural disasters left 279 people dead or missing in Vietnam and caused more than $2bn (1.6bn) in losses, according to the national statistics office. 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 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 . open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. 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 Tropical Cyclone Fina has left swathes of northern Australia without electricity after tearing past Darwin with destructive winds, while a separate violent storm system smashed the South Australian town of Port Pirie. Fina, which intensified into a category-three cyclone as it crossed the Northern Territorys Top End late on Saturday, brought wind gusts of around 205kmph as it swept past the capital, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The storm later moved over open water in the Timor Sea, but forecasters expect it to remain a severe system as it tracks west towards Western Australia. Chief minister Lia Finocchiaro said roughly 19,000 customers lost power in Darwin a city of 140,000 people and a major northern garrison for Australias armed forces after the cyclone caused widespread damage to power lines, homes and local roads. This cyclone saw a territory that was united and prepared for what was to come, Ms Finocchiaro said. Emergency crews have urged residents to stay away from fallen lines while damage assessments continue. Darwin International Airport, which shut on Saturday as a precaution, said it was working to re-establish operations as soon as it is safe to do so. For many in Darwin, Fina revived memories of Cyclone Tracy, the catastrophic 1974 storm that destroyed most of the city on Christmas Day and killed 66 people one of the worst natural disasters in Australias modern history. Fina is the strongest cyclone to affect Darwin since Cyclone Tracy, according to local broadcaster ABC, and stronger than Cyclone Marcus, a category-two system that struck the city in 2018. Laurent Marsch, a New Zealander living in Darwin, told RNZ he had endured a very, very stormy night and had seen significant damage near the Royal Darwin Hospital in the northern suburb of Tiwi. This is the first cyclone we've had in six years, he said. This one started at category two and then intensified to a category three overnight. He added that the system was expected to reach category four strength over the sea, though its impact on land is now less certain. Authorities in Western Australia have issued warnings for communities from Wadeye in the Northern Territory to remote settlements along the Kimberley coast, including Kalumburu and Troughton Island. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said residents in isolated areas should prepare for hazardous conditions even if gale-force winds do not reach their towns. The very destructive core of the cyclone is now located well off the northwest Top End coast, an advisory said. Fina is expected to weaken from Monday as it nears the Kimberley region, although emergency services warn that conditions can change rapidly. While the north battled Fina, a sudden and severe thunderstorm struck the South Australian town of Port Pirie late on Saturday, bringing hail, violent winds and extensive power failures. The State Emergency Service (SES) said it received 170 calls for assistance within half a day after wind gusts of up to 119kmph toppled trees and ripped apart roofs. Kirsty Phelps, the SES acting chief officer, said 165 volunteers had been deployed following about 350 call-outs, reported ABC News. South Australias premier, Peter Malinauskas, said the storm cell was sudden and not anticipated by the Bureau of Meteorology. This was a severe storm, it is a demonstration that mother nature can be very unpredictable, Mr Malinauskas said. SA Power Networks, the state electricity provider, reported that around 4,900 households were cut off at the peak of the outages. Cecilia Schutz, the companys external affairs manager, said roughly 50 power lines were brought down and more than a dozen poles were either pushed over or completely brought out of the ground. Seventy-two repair crews and contractors are working to restore service, with most homes expected to be reconnected by Sunday night. Port Pirie resident Angela Lewis said her ceiling collapsed shortly after she entered a flooded back room. Luckily, I took a step back to get a long shot, and the ceiling collapsed, so it just missed me. It missed me by about a foot, she told ABC News. She described hail reaching her husbands ankles and water pouring in through light fittings. The storm lasted 10, 15 minutes, she said, but destroyed large sections of her home. Mayor Leon Stephens asked residents to remain indoors while emergency teams clear roads. There are lots of power lines and poles that are bent, Mr Stephens said. Jenny Horvat, a meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said thunderstorms rolled across South Australia from west to east throughout Saturday, with the Adelaide metropolitan area receiving 2040mm of rain overnight. It is spring we do expect to see these dynamic troughs and lows moving across the state at this time of year, Ms Horvat said. In March, ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused similar damage in neighbouring Queensland, cutting power to hundreds of thousands of people. No injuries have so far been reported in either storm. 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 Prosecutors said Friday that Luigi Mangiones death penalty case in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson should carry on unimpeded, urging a judge to reject a defence push to dismiss charges and rule out capital punishment over Attorney General Pam Bondis public statements suggesting Mangione deserves execution. The U.S. attorneys office in Manhattan also asked U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett to deny the defences bid to suppress certain evidence collected during the arrest last year, including a 9mm handgun, a notebook in which authorities say Mangione described his intent to "wack" an insurance executive and statements he made to police. Pretrial publicity, even when intense, is not itself a constitutional defect," prosecutors wrote in a 121-page court filing, citing prior rulings from the Supreme Court and the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. As for the evidence, which Mangiones lawyers contend was collected without a warrant and without him being read his rights, prosecutors said police officers were justified in searching the suspects backpack to make sure there were no dangerous items. His statements to officers, they said, were made voluntarily and before he was taken into police custody. Rather than dismissing the case outright or barring the government from seeking the death penalty, prosecutors argued, the defenses concerns can best be alleviated by carefully questioning prospective jurors about their knowledge of the case and ensuring Mangiones rights are respected at trial. What the defendant recasts as a constitutional crisis is merely a repackaging of arguments rejected in previous cases, prosecutors said. None warrants dismissal of the indictment or categorical preclusion of a congressionally authorized punishment. Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges. open image in gallery Luigi Mangione is escorted into Manhattan state court in New York, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, file) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) In September a judge threw out state terrorism charges against him but kept the rest of that case including an intentional murder charge in place. He is due back in court in the state case Dec. 1 as his lawyers seek to bar prosecutors from using much of the same evidence seized upon his arrest. Mangione's next court date in the federal case is Jan. 9. Thompson, 50, was killed Dec. 4, 2024, as he arrived at a Manhattan hotel for his companys annual investor conference. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind. Police say delay, deny and depose were written on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims. Mangione, the Ivy League-educated scion of a wealthy Maryland family, was arrested five days later while eating breakfast at a McDonalds restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of Manhattan. Bondi announced in April that she was directing federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty, declaring even before Mangione was formally indicted that capital punishment is warranted for a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America. The defense argued in a September court filing that Bondis announcement which she followed with Instagram posts and a TV appearance showed the decision was based on politics, not merit. They also said her remarks tainted the grand jury process that resulted in his indictment a few weeks later. Bondis statements and other official actions including a highly choreographed perp walk that saw Mangione led up a Manhattan pier by armed officers, and the Trump administrations flouting of established death penalty procedures have violated Mr. Mangiones constitutional and statutory rights and have fatally prejudiced this death penalty case, his lawyers said. Trump, who oversaw an unprecedented run of 13 executions at the end of his first term, has also offered opinions about Mangione despite court rules against any pretrial publicity that could interfere with the right to a fair trial. He shot someone in the back, as clear as youre looking at me or Im looking at you. He shot he looked like a pure assassin, Trump told Fox News in September. In their Friday filing, federal prosecutors countered that Bondis remarks were irrelevant to the process because there's no evidence that grand jurors who voted to indict Mangione were influenced. This argument, like others, rests on conjecture rather than evidence, the prosecution team said. Nor has the defense cited any precedent suggesting that public commentary renders a grand jury incapable of fulfilling its constitutional role," they added. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmer has said Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should be prepared to share relevant information about his connections to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The prime minister declined to comment on the disgraced former royal specifically, but said as a general principle anyone with relevant details should be prepared to disclose them. American legislators have criticised Andrew for what they described as silence amid their investigation into paedophile financier Epstein, who took his own life in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. Members of the House Oversight Committee had requested a transcribed interview with the former prince in connection with his long-standing friendship with Epstein. But after saying they had not heard from him, Democrats Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam accused Andrew of hiding. open image in gallery Andrew, pictured with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, has been stripped of his royal titles ( Reuters ) Asked whether Andrew should help the probe, Sir Keir told reporters travelling with him to the Johannesburg G20 summit: I dont 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. That would be my general position on this. Pressed on whether that would apply to Andrew, the Labour leader 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. Andrew, who was stripped of his prince and Duke of York titles earlier this month, denies any wrongdoing. He was banished from the monarchy and busted down to a commoner by his brother the King because of his serious lapses of judgment over his association with convicted sex offender Epstein. The move followed the publication of the late Virginia Giuffres posthumous memoirs who had accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager and the US governments release of documents from Epsteins estate. The Metropolitan Police is looking into claims Andrew passed Ms Giuffres date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011 and asked him to investigate. Given all the discussion about the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits that took place while they were threatened and delayed during the recent government shutdown, youve probably heard a lot about supposedly fraudulent uses of the program. In fact, although errors happen on occasion, intentional fraud on the part of SNAP recipients is rare (1). Theres not a problem of too many people taking advantage of benefits, but rather, too few: According to the U.S. Census, about one in six people who qualify for SNAP do not participate in the program (2). 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 But what is common and underappreciated is for SNAP recipients to be stolen from. And it has to do with the outdated technology used to deliver benefits, called EBT (electronics benefit transfer). The true scale of the theft of food assistance benefits from needy families in America may be impossible to know. While states officially reported $136 million in stolen SNAP benefits for the first quarter of 2025, federal investigators suspect it could be higher much higher. Mark Haskins, branch chief of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service's special investigations unit, made clear that nobody knows the true scope. Haskins told InvestigateTV that USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins isn't taking reported statistics as "gospel," adding, "It could be as high as $12 billion a year (3). Behind nearly all of this fraud lies a single, devastatingly simple technique: card skimming. Criminals install illegal devices on payment terminals that capture electronic EBT card information and PINs when recipients swipe their cards for groceries. How skimming is fueling the fraud epidemic Skimmers work by recording card data when magnetic stripes are swiped currently the only SNAP redemption method in most states. The technology gap is a big one. While credit and debit cards moved to chip technology decades ago, SNAP continues relying on older magnetic stripe card technology. Once criminals have card data, they create clones and drain accounts within hours (4). "What I don't understand, though, is how in the world when the entire world switched to chip-enabled cards over a decade ago, why the food stamp program didn't do the same thing," Haywood Talcove, CEO of government business for LexisNexis Risk Solutions, told CBS News (5). Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 13-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a woman at her home in Swindon. Police detained the teenager after finding a woman in her fifties who was not breathing at a property in Baydon Close, Moredon, on Friday. Officers responded to reports of disorder at around 7pm with the woman declared dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. Police later arrested the 13-year-old in connection with the incident and took her into custody for questioning, Wiltshire Police said. A scene has been set up at the house while police work to understand the full circumstances around the woman's death. open image in gallery A teenager has been arrested in connection to the case. Police are not looking for anybody else ( PA ) Detective Inspector Darren Ambrose, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, confirmed that they had arrested a teenage girl in connection with the incident, and that police were not looking for anybody else. Wiltshire police said that residents could still expect a greater police presence in the area. A cordon will remain pending the investigation. "This is a serious incident in which a woman has sadly died, Det Insp Ambrose said, adding: We would encourage people not to speculate on the circumstances around this incident. "We appreciate the concern that this may cause the local community. If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to speak to an officer." The womans next of kin have been informed. 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 Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has thrown his support behind The Independents SafeCall campaign to help reach every missing child, saying that all young people deserve safety. The appeal, run with the charity Missing People, has now received more than 75,000 in donations as momentum builds behind efforts to launch a new 24-hour service for young people in crisis. In a powerful call to action, Sir Keir hailed the campaign, saying: Every child deserves safety and support, which is why this initiative, designed by young people with young people in mind, is so important. I commend all those working to make this service a reality and urge those who can to consider supporting this cause. The Independents goal is to raise 165,000 to fund SafeCall, a free service for young people contemplating running away, currently missing, or unsure where to turn. The charity currently reaches about one in four of the 70,000 children reported missing each year. With readers support, SafeCall aims to reach many more by offering round-the-clock contact through a dedicated helpline, WhatsApp channel, chatbot and website created with young people. Donate here or text SAFE to 70577 to give 10 to Missing People, enough for one child to get help. Sir Keir joins actor and writer Sir Stephen Fry, campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, former England captain Sir David Beckham and the crime writer Sir Ian Rankin among the prominent figures backing the appeal. open image in gallery Keir Starmer has backed The Independents campaign to help every missing child ( The Independent ) Missing People CEO Jo Youle said: Having the support of the prime minister sends a powerful message to every child who feels invisible: you matter. Our new childrens and young peoples service will be a lifeline for young people at risk, giving them someone who listens and a way to find safety when they need it most. Were so grateful for this endorsement and for helping us shine a light on the urgent need for services designed with young people, for young people. Thank you for standing with us and The Independent to make sure no child faces danger alone. In a further boost, The Independent can reveal that Royal Mail has donated 10,000 to the appeal. Greg Sage, its director of corporate affairs, said the organisation was proud to support Missing People. This partnership is incredibly important to us, as it helps reunite families and loved ones during what can be an extremely difficult time, he said. Jet2 has also generously backed the campaign. Steve Heapy, the airlines chief executive, said: Thousands of children go missing every year in Britain, a reality that is both shocking and heartbreaking. At Jet2, we are proud to be supporting efforts that help young people find a route back to safety and, hopefully, back to a loving home. Jonathan Quin, a fintech entrepreneur who is also backing the campaign, said: It is awful to imagine the frame of mind a child must be in to decide to run away, and awful to imagine being a parent discovering that they have. We must try to prevent more children going missing, and to help reunite those who already have. Thats why Im happy to support this great initiative, and urge you to do the same. Booker Prize-nominated author Andrew OHagan has also endorsed the campaign, writing movingly in this publication about those who disappear without anyone reporting them missing. Recalling his work on the case of serial killer Fred West, he described asking an officer why so few of Wests victims had been reported missing. Thats the question, isnt it? the officer told him. Mr OHagan said SafeCall would give vulnerable young people a place to turn before their absence becomes a tragedy. BBC presenter Matty Price and broadcaster Anne Atkins are among others who have publicly urged readers to donate. Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief of The Independent, said: I am so proud to launch this campaign with Missing People. With the help of our readers and supporters, we can make a real difference in tackling the crisis of missing children in this country. A child is reported missing every two and a half minutes in the UK. Teenagers aged 12 to 17 make up 61 per cent of missing incidents reported to the police. While many return quickly, thousands experience exploitation, harm or trauma, and many families report feeling there is no service designed to meet their childrens needs. open image in gallery Stephen Fry has also backed the campaign ( BBC ) SafeCall aims to change that by ensuring missing young people can reach out in the way that feels safest to them, with anonymity guaranteed and specialist support available at all hours. Please donate now to the SafeCall campaign, launched by The Independent and charity Missing People, to help raise 165,000 to create a free service to help find new, safe futures for vulnerable children For advice, support and options, if you or someone you love goes missing, text or call Missing People on 116 000. Its free, confidential and non-judgemental. Or visit: missingpeople.org.uk/get-help Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rachel Reeves has vowed to support working families with an autumn budget that will work to cut waiting lists, national debt and the cost of living. The chancellor told the economy is not working for working people and pledged to grip the cost of living with measures aimed at building a fairer, stronger and more secure Britain. Working families will be at the front of my mind as I set out how we will cut NHS waiting lists, cut national debt and cut the cost of living, she told the newspaper, addressing readers. These are the priorities of the country and my priorities as your Chancellor. Ms Reeves said the budget would build on work already done to cut waiting lists, extend the freeze on prescription charges, and roll out breakfast clubs. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves said she intends to build a budget for you and your family in comments to The Mirror ( PA Wire ) The chancellor confirmed this week that the cost of a single prescription will be frozen at 9.90, saving patients around 12 million next year. Towards fairness, the budget is expected to include measures to regularly name and shame employers who breach national minimum wage rules. A Treasury source said: We are sending a clear message - those who short change their staff will not be allowed to hide. In comments to The Mirror, the chancellor also stressed the importance of cutting national debt and reinvesting the money in public services. She said there was nothing progressive about spending 1 in every 10 on debt interest, and reiterated that the money should be going into schools, hospitals, police and communities. On Friday, she suffered a blow as official figures showed government borrowing was 3 billion higher in October than the Office for Budget Responsibility had expected. The chancellor is widely expected to raise levies on 26 November in an effort to bridge a multi-billion-pound gap in her spending plans. While the government appears to have rowed back on reported earlier plans to increase income tax, it is widely expected to look at other ways to raise cash to tackle the shortfall and meet Reeves fiscal rules. Sir Keir Starmer insisted previously that the second Budget would reflect "Labour values" and be "based on fairness". open image in gallery The Prime Minister has declined to recommit to manifesto pledges on tax ( PA Wire ) The prime minister said it would prioritise protecting public services, particularly the NHS, cutting the national debt and tackling the cost of living. He evaded questions on whether Labour's pre-election pledge to voters would be broken, despite multiple follow-ups including on whether income tax thresholds will be frozen. Ms Reeves is also expected to announce more planners to support national house building on Wednesday, an initiative raised last year. People think youre free now youve come home, says Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. It is complicated. Its not an easy thing. I was away for a very long time. My child was not even two when I left her. She was nearly eight when I came back. Nazanin is sitting, poised, in an armchair, her patterned dress flowing out beneath her. It has been three years since she was released from an Iranian jail, where she was held as a prisoner for six years on invented allegations of espionage and kept in solitary confinement for months, while her husband Richard and daughter Gabriella waited for her to come home. Since her release in March 2022, Nazanin, 46, has settled back into family life in the north London suburb of West Hampstead. But only now is she ready to share the full traumatic tale of what happened to her in Iran and what has happened since returning home; talking in detail for the first time in a forthcoming BBC Two documentary, Prisoner 951: The Hostages Story, which follows a four-part drama series based on her ordeal, the latter of which begins on BBC One on 23 November at 9pm, also streaming on iPlayer. The title comes from her prisoner number. The documentary will be broadcast on BBC Two on 3 December. open image in gallery Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffes story is the subject of a new BBC documentary ( BBC ) I think I underestimated how long it takes to recover and to feel comfortable talking about the early days in particular, she says, her voice on camera calm but quiet. I cant claim that I am completely back to normal. It was in 2016 when Nazanin a dual British-Iranian citizen visited her parents in Tehran for a two-week holiday with her then 22-month-old daughter Gabriella. On her way home to London, she was arrested at the airport. Gabriella was collected by her maternal grandparents and remained in their care in Tehran. Her husband Richard, an accountant waiting at home for his wife and daughter, at first assumed it was an error that would be quickly resolved. It wasnt. It became an unfolding horror story in which Nazanin, a project manager for the charity Thomson Reuters Foundation, was sentenced to five years in prison for plotting to overthrow the government in Tehran. After global outrage at her unjustified and inhumane imprisonment, her situation became even worse the year after her arrest, when Boris Johnson, then foreign secretary, incorrectly stated in parliament that Nazanin was teaching journalism in Iran. open image in gallery Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard and their daughter Gabriella ( BBC ) This resulted in Nazanin being dragged to court the next day on new charges that cited Johnsons claims as proof that she was spreading propaganda against the system, and she was sentenced to an additional year. There was no evidence for any of the claims, and it would be six years before she was finally reunited with her husband and her daughter. While Richard relentlessly campaigned for his wifes freedom, journalists like myself covered the torment of her and her familys ordeal. For the first three years of Nazanins imprisonment, Gabriella lived in Tehran with her grandparents. Being in an open prison for part of her sentence meant Nazanin could do activities with Gabriella, like colouring or playing, and could even cook pancakes for her which became a crucial lifeline for them. I remember, at the time, Richard telling me how he kept looking at photos of Gabriella, unable to comprehend that his baby was gone too. With each milestone be it Fathers Day without his daughter, a wedding anniversary without his wife, or yet another Christmas alone Richard was forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that his family had been torn apart. As the months turned into years, false hopes kept turning into crushing disappointments, and Richard dedicated his time to trying to secure Nazanins release with the #FreeNazanin campaign. Piles of paperwork took over the kitchen that had once been the scene of the tumble of ordinary family life. He went on hunger strike twice, for a combined total of 36 days anything to help persuade the foreign secretary to do more to bring his wife back. While the UK government agreed there was no question of Nazanin being a spy, they still would not publicly accept Richards claims that Nazanin was a hostage, arrested by the Iranian regime to force the UK government to repay its longstanding 400m debt to Iran. When Gabriella turned five, Nazanin and Richard decided it was finally time for her to return to her father in London to start school. The thought of losing her weekly visits with her daughter was so painful for Nazanin that she went on hunger strike for two weeks, using the only tool she had left to fight for her freedom her life. Gabriella came home accompanied by her Iranian uncle. For weeks, she cried every night, missing her mum, while Richard struggled to console his daughter, who was fluent in Farsi but barely spoke English. Meanwhile, Nazanin clung to every memory she had of her daughter, memorising her face and every aspect of their family home, savouring the video calls she was allowed to make, longing for the day she could return to their colourful, cosy apartment. Nazanin would later say it rips [her] heart to see the pictures of everything she missed from the milestones of Gabriellas first day at school to the everyday moments she had imagined, but wasnt there for. While it was widely acknowledged that Nazanin was a political pawn, it was only when the UK repaid the debt in March 2022 that she was finally released. Richard and Nazanins reunion was documented in headlines across the world, with everyone from MP Tulip Siddiq to actress Emma Thompson celebrating. But for Nazanin, Gabriella and Richard, a new kind of ordeal was just beginning. open image in gallery Ratcliffe outside the Foreign Office, where he staged a hunger strike in protest against his wifes detention ( BBC ) Nazanin coming home was about getting back to our normal life, explains Richard, who is now 50. I was desperate to get back to normal playing with Gabriella in the park on the swings. I wanted to pick up where we left off. But obviously, you dont get to do that. Time has passed, and that path we were on as a normal family has gone. We got put on a different path. Were rebuilding ourselves as a normal family now. Outwardly, the life of the Zaghari-Ratcliffes looks remarkably similar to any of their neighbours: fun days out with their daughter, coffees with friends on their north London high street, and the usual juggle of school pick-ups and work. But while they live in the same home, theyve had to navigate the fact that their lives are irrevocably altered. Nazanins come back with her trauma, and Ive had mine, says Richard simply. There are scars that will take a while to heal. Weve needed to find a new normal, and for me to come out of battle mode, which I hadnt even realised I was in, until she came home. Were on a journey of laying the past to rest and building a new future. Its a work in progress. It was only once Nazanin returned to their home and saw the campaigning memorabilia scattered around the flat, Gabriellas artwork, and Richards decoration attempts, that she was truly confronted by just how much time had passed. Those changes in the flat were manifestations of the loss of time that she struggled with, says Richard quietly. There was a need for her to reorganise and make the flat feel like home again. We all had a reality check of how much time had passed. Nazanin grieved the loss of time with her daughter. You have to process what was lost before you can embrace the second chance and what lies ahead. He is aware that their experiences of those years were completely different. While his life was expanding through his campaigning, Nazanin had been stuck in a prison cell or under house arrest. Those of us who havent been to prison cant understand what thats like, he says. There are still new hostage cases all the time. Its triggering for me because it doesnt feel like the government learnt a lesson from our case. Since 2010, at least 66 foreign and dual nationals have been arrested in Iran, while a 2023 parliamentary inquiry found the British government was routinely failing citizens held hostage or arbitrarily detained in foreign states. Yet, the majority of the central recommendations from the inquiry such as stronger media engagement and the creation of the role of a director for arbitrary and complex detentions were rejected by the Foreign Office. Jeremy Hunt, the former foreign secretary, openly admitted that Iranian officials made it very clear that Nazanin was taken because of the debt owed. We knew Iran was sponsoring terrorism in the Middle East; for that reason, wed dragged our feet paying it back. But the truth is, we should have paid that amount back a long time ago. Its unacceptable that they took an innocent person and turned them into a pawn in a game of diplomatic leverage, he tells the documentary filmmakers. Richard hopes that by sharing their story, this will change. We have a problem in the UK with how the British government protects British citizens when theyre taken hostage. Our story is a sobering reality check: a mum and baby taken for an old debt that both sides know about. open image in gallery The documentary Prisoner 951: The Hostages' Story is released alongside a BBC dramatisation of Zaghari-Ratcliffe's ordeal ( BBC ) But the UK only negotiated after Nazanins second conviction, once theyd exhausted their policy of just waiting it out. We only got our happy ending because a lot of people cared, and that kept the government on it. Not everyone has that level of public support. The ordeal of those years is still being worked through. They are currently planning a big family Christmas at Richards parents house in Hampshire a stark difference to the six Christmases Richard spent without Nazanin. Every year, when I interviewed him, he hoped this would be the Christmas when they would finally be back together. The first year was so fresh, but as the years went on, I couldnt believe we were still there, says Richard. In the last three years, its been very important for Gabriella that her mum understands how big a deal Christmas is. Nazanin came back a bit puritanical because its so hard to get anything into prison, so she was a bit overwhelmed by the materialism of Christmas and her daughter. Shes more into it now, but its still baby steps. And there are other changes to their lives too, like speaking in parliament, being invited to the Royal Box at Wimbledon, and regularly meeting other former hostages something Richard calls being part of a family we really didnt want to join. For Nazanin, though, the most important part of being home is the daily freedom of being able to be a mum, a wife and a woman without restrictions. The meaning of freedom has changed completely, she says in the film. To be able to pick your child up from school, brush their hair very, very simple things that is freedom to me. And its just wonderful. Dramatisation Prisoner 951 is on BBC One on 23 November at 9pm. The accompanying documentary Prisoner 951: The Hostages Story airs on 3 December on BBC Two and both will be available to stream via BBC iPlayer 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 Royal Navy intercepted a Russian warship and a tanker off the coast of the United Kingdom. HMS Severn, a patrol vessel, shadowed the RFN Stoikiy corvette and a tanker vessel in the past fortnight, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday. The navy monitored the Russian movements through the Dover Strait and west through the English Channel. The ministry did not say exactly when the interception happened. HMS Severn later handed over monitoring duties to a NATO ally off the coast of Brittany, but continued to observe from a distance, the MoD said. The ministry reported a 30 per cent increase in Russian vessels threatening UK waters in the past two years. File - British patrol vessel HMS Severn followed the Russian ships as part of a round-the-clock shadowing operation ( AFP via Getty Images ) Commander Grant Dalgleish, HMS Severn's Commanding Officer, said the operation reinforced the Navys close work with Nato allies and highlighted the value of patrol ships. The announcement came just days after defence secretary John Healey said that a Russian spy ship was spotted on the edge of UK waters, where it pointed lasers at the RAF pilots tracking it. There were no injuries sustained by British pilots and no damage to their planes or equipment. While tailing spy ship Yantar, a Royal Navy frigate and other civilian ships experienced GPS jamming. The frigate HMS Somersets combat capabilities were not affected, the MoD said. The Yantar is one ship in a fleet of Russian vessels that are part of a Russian ministry of defence deep sea research programme known as GUGI (Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research). GUGI has both specialist surface vessels and submarines that are used to survey underwater infrastructure, but also has the capability to damage or destroy that infrastructure. Mr Healey told a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday that his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin is: We see you. We know what youre doing. If the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready. The Royal Air Force has since deployed three P-8 Poseidon aircraft to Icelands Keflavik Air base to conduct surveillance operations as part of what the MoD called Natos collective defence. The reconnaissance planes will patrol for Russian ships and submarines in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. Wing Commander Higgins, Officer Commanding 120 Squadron, said: "This deployment to Iceland highlights the enduring importance of the North Atlantic and Arctic to the security of the Alliance. Operating the P-8A Poseidon, we continue that legacy by contributing to NATO's collective defence and ensuring the security of this strategically critical region." 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 Official files have revealed that Boris Johnson took four days off during a crucial period in the run-up to locking down the UK when the Covid pandemic struck. The revelation has come after the group campaigning for families of the Covid bereaved described the former prime minister as being beyond contempt for his attack on the damning report produced by the inquiry into his governments handling of the pandemic. Mr Johnson has refused to apologise for an estimated 23,000 extra deaths the inquiry stated he caused by delaying lockdown for a week. Instead he used his column in a national newspaper to lambast the inquirys chair Baroness Heather Hallett and argue that Professor Neil Ferguson, whose estimates the figure was based on, was hysterical. open image in gallery Baroness Heather Hallett found Boris Johnson failed to exercise proper leadership during the pandemic ( PA ) Official disclosure for February 2020, described by the inquiry report as a lost month in preparing to respond to the pandemic, shows that Mr Johnson took an extended break during the half-term holidays at Chevening, a governmental estate in Kent. The former prime minister was questioned by the inquiry on what he had been doing between 14 and 24 February 2020 when he gave evidence in December 2023. At the time he said: There wasnt a long holiday that I took. I was working throughout the period and the tempo did increase. But official activity logs appear to suggest evidence that Mr Johnson gave under oath may have been wrong. The controversy has echoes of the parliamentary inquiry into his responses in the House on Partygate where he was found to have misled the Commons. The official files suggest that Mr Johnson did no official government business on 15, 16, 17 and 21 February. Instead, it suggests that he spent time walking his dog Dilyn in Chevening, riding a motorbike given to him by his wife Carrie, and hosting friends and family for lunches, dinners and overnight stays. open image in gallery Johnson is facing ongoing criticism over his handling of the pandemic ( PA ) The Independent has approached Mr Johnson for comment. The latest revelation comes as the group representing families of the Covid bereaved wants to ensure that Mr Johnson no longer plays any part in public life. They have also suggested possible legal action against the former prime minister, possibly a private prosecution. A spokesperson for the group said that this was further evidence that he [Johnson] wasnt taking Covid seriously, that he was ignoring the warnings he was getting and putting himself ahead of the country at that time. It vindicates further the report that came out on Thursday. It sounds like he has questions to answer about how truthful he was in front of the inquiry. They told The Independent: It is beyond contempt that Boris Johnson has chosen to respond to the Covid Inquiry by attacking the Covid bereaved for wrangling about the deaths of our loved one. Instead of showing regret, contrition or even apologising, Johnson is using a newspaper column to do what he couldn't 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. Their response came after an astonishing rant by the former PM in his weekly Daily Mail 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! 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 A poll of Labour members has confirmed that there is an appetite to replace Sir Keir Starmer, with Andy Burnham as the favourite choice to succeed him. According to a poll of 1,013 Labour members by Survation for LabourList, Mr Burnham would be favoured over Sir Keir by 58 per cent to 32 per cent. Norwich South MP Clive Lewis last week offered to give up his seat so Mr Burnham could run for parliament to allow him to become leader. Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner also has a strong lead of 19 points over the PM by 52 per cent to 33 per cent despite being forced to resign over a failure to pay 40,000 of stamp duty. Energy secretary Ed Miliband, who lost the 2015 election as Labour leader, is also preferred to Sir Keir by four points with 44 per cent to 40 per cent. And health secretary Wes Streeting, who was at the centre of accusations recently from Downing Street that he was plotting to overthrow the PM, would win by 33 per cent to 31 per cent. open image in gallery Andy Burnham is the favoured replacement for Keir Starmer by Labour members ( BBC Breakfast ) Speculation has been running high since earlier this month that there could be an attempt to oust Sir Keir as Labour leader after sources in Downing Street put out the briefing against Mr Streeting. The prime minister has insisted in an interview that he hopes to lead the party until at least 2034, covering two more elections. Officials briefed he would fight any attempt to remove him. But his governments growing unpopularity and the threat of Nigel Farages Reform on the right and Greens on the left has led some to suggest he could be forced out after the next local elections in May. Labour have fallen as low as fifth in the polls and now average at below 20 per cent, only just above the Tories. Other hopefuls to replace Sir Keir though are not favoured by the membership. Home secretary Shabana Mahmood, who angered many with her draconian new policies on asylum seekers, would lose to Sir Keir by 50 per cent to 16 per cent. Deputy leader Lucy Powell, who won the contest to replace Ms Rayner on a platform of criticising Sir Keir, would lose to him by 48 per cent to 30 per cent. open image in gallery Some question if enough time has passed for Angela Rayner to return to the top ( PA ) Emma Burnell, editor of LabourList, said: Starmer's team have made it clear that he would contest a leadership contest were one to arise. Of course, that was a week ago and we all know that's a long time in politics. It may well be that if it came to it Starmer would decide a contest in which he ran and was possibly defeated was too damaging to the party in the long term. "However, the two leading contenders to Starmer both face significant challenges. Rayner because it may be that not enough time has passed since she, very unfortunately, had to step down. Burnham because he faces several hurdles to being able to run. If things move quickly, he may not be able to return to parliament in time to be a candidate. This might give Starmer and his team hope. If there is no obvious candidate that can beat him, he will feel much more secure in place. She added: At the moment this is all speculation. But it is speculation the leadership have invited with their own briefings about Streeting. This conversation has gone from mildly discontented whispers to very real speculation as a result. This is the first polling of the Labour membership on this question since it burst into the open. It is clear that they are now openly questioning if Starmer is still the right person to lead the party. 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 Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are set to tack hard to the left in the budget to buy themselves time and prevent an attempted leadership coup by backbenchers. The Independent has been told that the chancellor will bow to pressure, scrapping the two-child benefit cap altogether and unveiling a series of wealth taxes to fill the spending black hole in her budget. Backbenchers and senior party members have been assured that the tax raid will include a mansion tax on properties worth more than 2m, a profits tax on gambling companies demanded by former PM Gordon Brown, and a levy on bank profits. Added to that transport secretary Heidi Alexander refused to end speculation that fuel duty could rise for the first time in 15 years, and electric cars will be subject to a new pay-by-the-mile tax. open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves is finally set to unveil her Budget after months of speculation ( PA ) The minister was challenged on the issues on Sunday morning by Sir Trevor Phillips on Sky News and Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC. Ms Alexander pointed out that the government is freezing rail fares, but after being asked three times about fuel duty, she said: You would not expect me to speculate on what is going to be contained in the Budget next week. It is also being briefed that Ms Reeves will raise capital gains tax, but will fall short of equalising it with income tax levels. A minister told The Independent: The ink definitely wont dry on this Budget until Tuesday night but it looks like the PLP [parliamentary Labour Party] is getting what it wantswealth taxes and an end to the child benefit cap. The content of the Budget is being tied to the future of Sir Keir and Ms Reeves, with continuing speculation that the PM could be ousted following a Downing Street briefing accusing Wes Streeting of plotting to replace him. Along with Mr Streeting, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, energy secretary Ed Miliband and home secretary Shabana Mahmood have been the centre of leadership speculation in the last fortnight. A senior party source told The Independent: The PM and chancellor are buying themselves time. There will be elements of the media who hate these taxes but it will please members and the PLP. It has also emerged that the decision to ditch an income tax rise, breaking the manifesto commitment, also came after pressure from backbenchers. One Labour MP said: The message went up that it is hard enough for us to get a hearing on the doorstep as it is but if we did that [raise income tax], then the doors would have been closed on us and not reopened. People would have just said You lied, we can never trust you again. open image in gallery Health secretary Wes Streeting was accused of trying to orchestrate a leadership coup ( PA ) Another MP noted that recent interventions by new deputy leader Lucy Powell, who was elected to replace Angela Rayner on a platform of being critical of the Starmer premiership, were very much voicing the concerns of the PLP. Ms Powell had spoken out against income tax rises but has been strongly supportive of a fair tax system including wealth taxes. Already cutting welfare or other spending in significant amounts has been rendered impossible after the benefits rebellion forced Ms Reeves and Sir Keir to abandon cuts worth 5bn. In addition, there is a belief that moves to get tough on asylum and water down human rights will need to be balanced out with more left-wing economic measures. Another MP said: There is a lot of unhappiness about us copying Reform with the asylum announcements this week, so they seem to be in a place where they have to listen to us on the economy. The bank levy, which is being pushed heavily by the Trades Union Congress, could raise Ms Reeves 30bn by 2029 if she sets it at 16 per cent. Meanwhile, scrapping a cap on how many children can qualify for child benefit in a family will cost the taxpayer 3.5bn a year. open image in gallery Angela Rayner has been mooted as a potential replacement for Starmer ( James Manning/PA ) The mansion tax was being suggested as a 1 per cent levy on properties worth 2m or more, but there is an expectation that it may be set much lower at a maximum of 5,000 because of concerns about the London housing market. A gambling levy could raise as much as 3.2bn a year, according to some estimates, which campaigners like Mr Brown believe would fund the end of restrictions on child benefits. The Treasury briefed out last week that a U-turn on increasing income tax was because of better than expected estimates by the Office for Budget Responsibility, with the black hole in spending believed to be about 20bn well below an early estimate of 40bn. But Ms Reeves still needs to ensure she has an economic buffer beyond the 10bn she gave herself last year because of the potential for further economic shocks following Donald Trumps tariffs, uncertainty in the markets and the impact of war. She also needs to find the cash to meet the defence spending target of 2.5 per cent of GDP. Economists have warned that the only sustainable way to do this is through raising one of the big taxes income tax, VAT or employee national insurance contributions. However, the chancellor is set to ignore this advice and push for so-called wealth taxes instead. She has already indicated that cancelling non-dom status and putting VAT on private school fees has brought in more money than originally estimated, despite huge criticism of both moves. But critics have warned that the measures will create instability in the tax system and will drive away wealthy individuals. 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 A key ally of Nigel Farage has broken Reform UKs silence on its former party leader in Wales who was jailed last week for taking bribes from Russia. Zia Yusuf, the partys former chair and key member of Reforms leadership, claimed that it was unreasonable to link Gills crime with the softer stance that the party and Mr Farage have taken on Vladimir Putins Russia and its criticism of the Ukraine war. Mr Yusuf described Gill as treasonous, horrific, awful in an interview with Sir Trevor Phillips on his Sunday morning political show on Sky News. open image in gallery Nathan Gill received 40,000 for making pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament ( PA ) Gill, 52, was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison at the Old Bailey on Friday after previously pleading guilty to eight counts of bribery on dates between 6 December 2018 and 18 July 2019. Ms Justice Cheema-Grubb handed him the sentence as she said that the harm he had caused was profound and that he had fundamentally compromised the integrity of a legislative body for substantial financial gain. Gills activities included making pro-Russia statements about events in Ukraine in the European parliament and in opinion pieces for news outlets, for which he was paid 40,000. Gill was first elected a member of the European parliament in 2014, representing Ukip, and his role ended when the UK left the EU in 2020 at which point he was an MEP for the Brexit Party and a close ally of Mr Farage. He led Reform UKs 2021 Welsh parliament election campaign, but left the party that year. open image in gallery Reform leader Nigel Farage, left, with Gill, 52 ( PA ) Previously, Mr Farage said he was shocked about the revelations and described Gill as a bad apple. But on his show Sir Trevor linked Gills activities in the European Parliament, where he asked questions on behalf of Russia for money, to positions taken by Reform since. Acknowledging that Gill left the party four years ago, he said: I tell you why this matters to you politically, Mr Nathan Gill, your former leader in Wales ... is now starting a long sentence for taking money from Russians. There will be many people who will say Well, these guys are soft on Putin, they think the whole war is partly our fault and not his, why should we trust anything they say about Russia, given that one of their people took money from Russians? Mr Yusuf responded: I think that would be an incredibly unreasonable position to take. Look, Nathan Gill, what he did was treasonous, horrific, awful. Hes now been dealt with by the authorities, he deserves the sentence that he has got. But, as you have just said, this is a guy that, as far as we are concerned, is ancient history. I have never met him. I had never heard of him actually until I saw his name sadly in the newspapers. So I think it is unreasonable to besmirch everyone else at Reform and the millions of people around the country who support Nigel and support our party. 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 elderly couple was injured after a bear broke into their home near the California-Nevada border in search of food before hibernating for the winter. At the Stateline, Nevada, property near Lake Tahoe, an 87-year-old man went into his garage at around 4:30 a.m. and unexpectedly came face to face with the bear as it searched for food, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. As the man backed away, the bear scratched his hand and followed him into the house. Inside, the creature also scratched the 87-year-old woman. The bear eventually left the home, the department said. Its not immediately clear how long the animal was inside. The pair sustained minor hand injuries and were treated at the hospital. Theyve since been released. We are grateful that these individuals sustained minor injuries and are okay, Shawn Espinosa, Game Division Administrator for the department, said in a statement. Bears are still experiencing hyperphagia, or a phase where they build up as many calories as possible before going into their dens for winter. To ensure bears make their ways to their dens, it is important that residents secure attractants. A bear entered a home near Lake Tahoe in search of food, injuring an elderly couple ( Getty Images ) The department urged those living in bear country to take safety precautions to avoid a similar incident. Residents were encouraged to secure their garbage cans. Around 90% of bear incidents start with unsecured trash, the department warned. Other tips include removing food, trash, and other scented items from vehicles, securing doors and windows when away or in unoccupied rooms overnight, and installing electric fencing around beehives and chicken coops. For those who see a bear approaching their home, the department encouraged trying to scare the creature away by banging on pots and pans, yelling through an open window, or triggering a car alarm. Yelling things like Hey bear! or Get out of here bear! alerts those around you to whats going on, the release stated. These methods can help negatively condition bears to humans and houses and teach them that it is not okay to enter these areas. Western companies are signaling a renewed eagerness toward doing business in China or even expanding their footprint despite lingering tensions, an economic slump, and the narrative of a decoupling. The next China is China, Estee Lauders CEO told the Financial Times, detailing plans to double down in the country despite the US makeup giants poor post-pandemic showing there. Even with Berlins de-risking push, China remains an obvious place to do business for German firms, which are pouring billions into the country, DW reported. Foreign companies are grappling with a slowdown in growth, government pressure, and geopolitical fault lines, but they should understand the Chinese economy is not unraveling, China Briefing wrote. So far, we continue investing, a JPMorgan vice chairman said. Chart showing FDI in China, Mexico, India J.D. Capelouto 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 Police officers hoofed it to a New Jersey neighborhood after reports that a loose horse was roaming the area. The horse, dubbed Seabiscuit by police, was canvassing the Hunter Woods neighborhood in Gloucester County in search of hay bales on Friday, Monroe Township Police said. Police found the horse at around 7.50 a.m., but the creature quickly fled when confronted. open image in gallery Monroe Township Police were dispatched to a neighborhood after a horse was spotted ( Monroe Township Police ) A brief foot pursuit ensued, but officers were unsuccessful in reining in the horse. Footage captured an officer running on the sidewalk after Seabiscuit, who galloped down the middle of the road, passing a parked car and a school bus. open image in gallery Footage captured one of the officers racing after the horse, nicknamed Seabiscuit ( Monroe Township Police ) After some additional horsepower from other officers, the animal was safely secured and returned without incident, police said. Its not immediately clear where the horse came from. Police also clarified that Seabiscuit was not the horses real name: We altered his name to protect the identity of the horse. The real Seabiscuit was a champion thoroughbred racehorse in the 1930s into 1940s. The nationally beloved horse was voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1958. These types of calls are not entirely uncommon for us and we do our best to protect all of our animal friends that are a part of this community, they added. open image in gallery The horse was secured and returned 'without incident' ( Monroe Township Police ) Social media users were going wild in the comments section. Mounted Patrol Unit Coming soon to Neighborhood near you, one Facebook user quipped. Hey, no horsin' around guys! another wrote. We're gonna have to file an open public records act request to get the full bodycam video of this incident... another joked. 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 California rescuers are still searching for the body of a 30-year-old man who was swept out to sea by a large wave near Big Sur just days after a similar wave did the same to a little girl visiting from Canada. On Saturday, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office received a call reporting that a man had been swept into the ocean near Soberanes Point on Garapata State Beach. The spot where he was taken is only half a mile from where the 7-year-old girl was dragged into the ocean on November 14, ABC 7 reports. In that incident, the girl's father, Yuji Hu, attempted to swim out to rescue her, but was overcome by the ocean and died. The girl's body was found two days later. Around 4:30 pm on Saturday, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter spotted the 30-year-old man's body floating approximately 300 feet offshore, but lost track of it in the ocean. They were unable to recover it at that time, according to Commander Andres Rosas of the sheriff's department. Rosas said the man was visiting the beach with three others on the day he disappeared. The man and two women with him were reportedly standing on rocks near the shoreline when a large wave hit and pulled them away from the shore, according to a California State Parks press release. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter searches the waters near Big Sur, California, for a 7-year-old girl who was swept into the ocean by a wave on Friday, November 14, 2025. Just over a week later, Coast Guard members were again searching the area for a 30-year-old man who was dragged into the ocean by a similar wave ( Monterey County Sheriff's Office ) The women were able to swim back to the beach. "The two women were able to self-rescue and were taken by ambulance to a hospital with unknown injuries," CSP said in a statement. The man is described as a South Asian man last seen wearing a white turban, black shorts, a black shirt, and a black vest. His name has not been released. Search efforts resumed on Sunday and included members of the sheriff's search and rescue unit, Cal Fire, the CSP, the California Highway Patrol, a Coast Guard vessel and helicopter, and drones, Rosas said. The National Weather Service issued warnings over the last week that beachgoers in the area should be aware of "sneaker waves" large waves that can unexpectedly hit much higher up the shoreline. "The water can look safe and then that one sneaker wave or rogue wave can come in and that's the one that catches people off guard," Rosas said. According to the NWS, the waves near Big Sur were between 8 and 10 feet high on Saturday afternoon. A beach hazard statement estimated that waves could reach between 13 to 18 feet through Monday. Yellow warning signs at the beach warn visitors that unexpected, extremely dangerous waves and currents are possible in the area. Swimming, climbing on rocks, and wading along the shoreline are not safe at the site. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been disbanded, despite having eight months remaining on its mandate. The initiative, launched with considerable fanfare as a symbol of Trump's pledge to slash government size, was criticised for delivering few measurable savings. Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor confirmed its cessation, stating: "That doesn't exist." It is no longer a "centralized entity," Kupor added, in the first public comments from the Trump administration on the end of DOGE. The agency, set up in January, made dramatic forays across Washington in the early months of Trump's second term to rapidly shrink federal agencies, cut their budgets or redirect their work to Trump priorities. The OPM, the federal government's human resources office, has since taken over many of DOGE's functions, according to Kupor and documents reviewed by Reuters. At least two prominent DOGE employees are now involved with the National Design Studio, a new body created through an executive order signed by Trump in August. That body is headed by Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, and Trump's order directed him to beautify government websites. Gebbia was part of billionaire Elon Musk's DOGE team while DOGE employee Edward Coristine, nicknamed Big Balls encouraged followers on his X account to apply to join. The fading away of DOGE is in sharp contrast to the government-wide effort over months to draw attention to it, with Trump, his advisers and cabinet secretaries posting about it on social media. Musk, who led DOGE initially, regularly touted its work on his X platform and at one point brandished a chainsaw to advertise his efforts to cut government jobs. open image in gallery CEO of Tesla and SpaceX Elon Musk leaves the stage holding a chainsaw after speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on February 20, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland ( Getty Images ) "This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy," Musk said, holding the tool above his head at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, in February. DOGE claimed to have slashed tens of billions of dollars in expenditures, but it was impossible for outside financial experts to verify that because the unit did not provide detailed public accounting of its work. "President Trump was given a clear mandate to reduce waste, fraud and abuse across the federal government, and he continues to actively deliver on that commitment," said White House spokeswoman Liz Huston in an email to Reuters. Trump administration officials have not openly said that DOGE no longer exists, even after Musk's public feud with Trump in May. Musk has since left Washington. open image in gallery U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk interact during the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 19, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein ( Reuters ) Trump and his team have nevertheless signaled its demise in public since this summer, even though the U.S. president signed an executive order earlier in his term decreeing that DOGE would last through July 2026. In statements to reporters, Trump often talks about DOGE in the past tense. Acting DOGE Administrator Amy Gleason, whose background is in healthcare tech, formally became an adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy in March, according to a court filing, in addition to her role with DOGE. Her public statements have largely focused on her HHS role. Republican-led states, including Idaho and Florida, meanwhile are creating local entities similar to DOGE. A government-wide hiring freeze - another hallmark of DOGE - is also over, Kupor said. Trump on his first day in office barred federal agencies from bringing on new employees, with exceptions for positions his team deemed necessary to enforce immigration laws and protect public safety. He later said DOGE representatives must approve any other exceptions, adding that agencies should hire "no more than one employee for every four" that depart. "There is no target around reductions" anymore, Kupor said. open image in gallery Elon Musk worked with Donald Trump on DODGE ( AFP via Getty Images ) DOGE staff have also taken on other roles in the administration. Most prominent is Gebbia, whom Trump tasked with improving the visual presentation of government websites. So far, his design studio has launched websites to recruit law enforcement officers to patrol Washington, D.C., and advertise the president's drug pricing program. Gebbia declined an interview with Reuters via a spokesperson. open image in gallery Philanthropy Gebbia Ocean Zachary Terrell, part of the DOGE team given access to government health systems in the early days of Trump's second term, is now chief technology officer at the Department of Health and Human Services. Rachel Riley, who had the same access according to court filings, is now chief of the Office of Naval Research, according to the offices website. Jeremy Lewin, who helped Musk and the Trump administration dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development, now oversees foreign assistance at the State Department, according to the agency's website. Musk shortly after Trumps election said he had a mandate to delete the mountain of government regulations. He made undoing government regulations and remaking the government with AI two key tenets of DOGE, in addition to eliminating federal government jobs. The administration is still working toward slashing regulations. The White House budget office has tasked Scott Langmack, who was DOGEs representative at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with creating custom AI applications to pore through U.S. regulations and determine which ones to eliminate, according to his LinkedIn profile. Musk, meanwhile, has reappeared in Washington. This week, he attended a White House dinner for Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 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 New York Citys mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani insisted that he would be able to work with Donald Trump and the White House even as he defended his position that Trump is a fascist. The incoming leader of the nations largest city was on Meet the Press on Sunday after a Friday meeting with Trump at the White House. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, represents part of his partys emerging left flank as the greater Democratic coalition shifts and reorganizes itself following the devastating 2024 elections, which saw them lose key seats in the Senate as well as the presidency. Mamdani reiterated that he thought he could work with Trump, a prospect that seemed fairly obvious to most people watching Fridays meeting between the mayor-elect and a beaming, happy president who seemed almost enamored with his guest and his calls to reinvigorate the city of New York as the cameras rolled. Trump, for his part, denied racist accusations from members of his own party who claim that Mamdani, the citys first Muslim mayor, was a jihadist. In the same meeting, Trump jokingly permitted Mamdani to call him a fascist in response to a reporters question about the mayor-elects past characterization of the president. On Sunday, Mamdani said his stance on Trumps use of the presidency hadnt changed. With moderator Kristen Welker noting that Trump had jumped in and answered for him, Mamdani clarified: And after President Trump said that, I said yes. open image in gallery Zohran Mamdani argued that his job is to work with President Trump and people of all political stripes as mayor of New York City ( X - Meet the Pres ) Thats something that Ive said in the past and I say it today [too], Mamdani told NBC. I think what I appreciated about the conversation that I had with the president was that we were not shy about the places of disagreement, about the politics that has brought us to this moment. And we also wanted to focus on what it could look like to deliver on a shared analysis of an affordability crisis. He added that as mayor, his job was to manage leadership of the city and said that he did not go to the White House to make a political show, but rather to find areas of common ground with the president on policies and plans that would benefit the city. Asked by Welker how he could square doing that with his sharp disagreements with Trump, Mamdani replied: I think working for the people of New York City demands that you work with everyone and anyone. open image in gallery Reporters and policymakers on Capitol Hill were struck by the warmth that Trump showed Mamdani during their meeting ( AP ) His comments come as Thursdays meeting sent off a shockwave through Washington politics. In one fell swoop, the president disarmed his partys favorite weapon against Mamdani, whom congressional Republicans and others had eagerly been vowing to make the face of the Democratic Party in their campaigns against more centrist members of the party whove been afraid to associate themselves with progressives. But the racist smears of Mamdani being a jihadist simply because he is Muslim were echoed not just by Republicans but also by Democrats who supported Andrew Cuomo, who lost the Democratic primary and later general election to Mamdani in New York. That fear of the partys progressive wing was evident on the House floor this week as many Democrats joined with their Republican colleagues to vote on a resolution condemning socialism as a concept, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Meanwhile, those same lawmakers were pummelled on Twitter/X. Many Democrats did not endorse Mamdani after he became the partys official nominee, despite the demands made to progressives to vote blue no matter who in past presidential election cycles. Some, like Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, avoided taking a position on the general election entirely after it became clear that Mamdani was going to win. Others, like Rep. Tom Suozzi, endorsed Cuomo and by extension, the racist attacks against the new mayor-elect. open image in gallery Chuck Schumer, the senior Democratic senator from New York state and his partys leader in the U.S. Senate, refused to tell reporters whether he voted for the Democrat or against him in the mayoral election this month ( AP ) On Friday, many left-leaning Twitter/X users mocked Democrats for showing Mamdani less personal warmth than the Republican president had. Maybe sit this one out, one Twitter user advised the Democratic National Committee after it posted a meme about the meeting. That users post was liked nearly a quarter of a million times. Trump, however, dismissed the racist abuse entirely upon meeting Mamdani, instead referring to him as a very rational person. open image in gallery Donald Trumps repudiation of the racist jihadist label applied to Mamdani by Republicans and some Democrats was a blow to no one more than it was to Elise Stefanik, the Republican running for governor in the state after she was unceremoniously dropped by the administration as nominee to be U.N. ambassador ( Andrew Harnik/Getty Images ) I met with a man who really wants New York to be great again, said a grinning Trump. His remarks were immediately seized upon by the re-election campaign of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Her Republican opponent, Elise Stefanik, has been one of the loudest voices embracing the jihadist label for Mamdani as she pins her campaigns hopes on using Hochuls budding professional relationship with Mamdani to cast the governor as an unpopular figure and a radical. Remarking of Stefanik in an interview after the meeting, Hochul smirked and said: Shes full of s**t. 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 Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene revealed in a surprise announcement that shes resigning from her House seat in January, leaving many wondering whats next for the Republican firebrand from Georgia. Greene announced her resignation on Friday evening amid her growing feud with President Donald Trump, which has been fueled by several issues, including his administrations handling of the Jeffrey 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, Greene wrote in a statement announcing her resignation. Trump, who was once allied with Greene, labelled her a traitor in a Saturday morning Truth Social post. But the president appeared to soften his language a few hours later, telling reporters outside the White House shes a nice person and he just disagreed with her philosophy. Trump also told NBC News hed love to see Greene return to politics. Over the last month, there has been speculation that Greene could be interested in running for higher political office. Time Magazine reported Saturday that Greene has privately told allies that she considered running for president in 2028. The outlet cited two sources who spoke with her directly and three people who were familiar with her thinking. open image in gallery Greene's resignation comes after a public falling out with President Donald Trump ( Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images ) Greene has since refuted the report, writing in a lengthy response on X: Im not running for President and never said I wanted to and have only laughed about it when anyone would mention it. If you fell for those headlines, youre still being lulled everyday into psychosis by the Political Industrial Complex that always has an agenda when it does something like this, she added. Last week, Vanity Fair also reported that some believed Greene wanted to run for president. But when the outlet asked if shes considering a bid for the White House in 2028, Greene said shes not. Uh, I am not considering running for president, she told Vanity Fair. Earlier this month, NOTUS also reported that Greene had told some of her colleagues she wants to run for president. The outlet cited four people with knowledge of the matter, including one source who said they spoke with her directly. But Greene also denied this reporting, telling NOTUS: Once again you publish baseless gossip. Very disappointing. Greenes resignation is the latest move in a journey that has taken her from a notorious QAnon-adjacent conspiracy theorist who once suggested a California wildfire was sparked by a space laser beam connected to a prominent Jewish banking family to a guest on The View and CNN, where shes apologized for her divisive rhetoric and vowed to turn over a new leaf. The dramatic shift in her tone has left some questioning how genuine the change is and whether it is part of a rebranding designed to appeal to a wider electorate. Questions are also mounting over which Republicans will run to replace Trump in 2028. Vice President JD Vance is considered one of the top contenders and a natural successor, given his current role. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas may also be laying the groundwork to run in 2028, Axios reported earlier this week. When asked about Cruzs potential bid, Trump said that its a little early but called the senator a very good guy. open image in gallery President Donald Trump told reporters Saturday that Greene is a nice person and he just disagreed with her philosophy ( AP ) In a Truth Social post addressing their feud last week, Trump also claimed he once sent Greene polling that suggested she shouldnt run for the Senate or the Georgia governors office. It seemed to all begin when I sent her a Poll stating that she should not run for Senator, or Governor, she was at 12%, and didnt have a chance (unless, of course, she had my Endorsement which she wasnt about to get!), Trump wrote. Greene announced in May that she would not challenge Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, in 2026. Two months later, Greene also rejected rumors that she was planning to run for governor. In response to Trumps post, Greene said she never spoke with the president about running for either office. Actually, I never had a conversation at all with the president about running for Senate or running for Georgia, Greene told CNNs Dana Bash on Sunday. Those were decisions I came to on my own. I dont want to have anything to do with the Senate. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat, had floated a similar idea in early November, claiming that Greene wanted to run for Senate in Georgia but that Trump told her no. When contacted for comment at the time, Greene told The Independent that AOC is no different than Laura Loomer, referring to the right-wing activist and conspiracy theorist. The Independent has contacted Greenes office for comment. This article was updated on November 23 to include a social media statement from Greene posted after publication. 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 Nebraska Republican Rep. Don Bacon lambasted Donald Trump over his proposal to end Russias war in Ukraine, warning it could be the presidents legacy. The presidents 28-point peace plan has been criticized as being favorable to Moscow, demanding Kyiv cede additional territory, limit the size of its military, and agree to never join NATO. Trump has asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept the proposal by Thanksgiving. Bacon was one of several GOP lawmakers to criticize the peace plan. Theyre pushing a surrender plan on Ukraine and one that will keep Ukraine vulnerable to Russian attacks in the decades to come. It looks like Russia wrote it, he wrote in a social media post Saturday. Earlier in the day, the Tennessee lawmaker posted an image on X with the words: In the war between Ukraine and Russia, the first to surrender was America. Bacon warned in the caption: This will be President Trumps legacy if he forces this surrender plan on Ukraine. Bacon, along with the bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, issued a statement rejecting the peace plan as unacceptable. open image in gallery Nebraska GOP Rep. Don Bacon slammed President Donald Trumps peace plan to end Russias war in Ukraine, warning it will be his legacy ( Getty Images ) The proposed peace plan for Ukraine appears to favor the interests of the aggressor Dictator Vladimir Putin over the sovereignty and security of a democratic Ukraine. That is unacceptable. This framework does not offer a genuine path to lasting peace, but instead, demands the surrender and capitulation of Ukraine to Russian aggression, the group said. They warned that accepting this proposal would undermine European and NATO security, weaken Ukraines ability to defend itself, and fail to address Russian aggression. Bacon joined several prominent lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in criticizing Trumps proposal. Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool, Kentucky GOP Senator Mitch McConnell wrote Friday. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said the only appropriate word to describe the presidents plan is capitulation. Let me be as clear as possible: Ukraine needs and deserves security guarantees, not one-sided concessions, he added in a Saturday post. Any serious peace deal must ensure Ukraine remains free and sovereign with the fullest ability to defend its territory. open image in gallery President Donald Trump said his 28-point peace plan was not his final offer ( REUTERS ) The president told reporters Saturday that the peace plan was not my final offer. However, he warned that if Zelensky didnt accept the plan by the deadline, then he can continue to fight his little heart out. I would like to get to peace. It should have happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened, Trump said outside the White House. One way or the other, we have to get it ended. Top U.S., Ukrainian and European officials will hold talks over the proposal at a summit in Geneva on Sunday, according to Zelensky. The Ukrainian president said in a video Friday: Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner, either the difficult 28 points, or a very difficult winter. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed the proposal. If Ukraine doesnt agree to the plan, Russia would end the war through military means, through armed struggle, Putin said, according to NBC News. 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 claimed that Chicago residents have been chanting bring in Trump as a series of shootings in the Windy City this weekend prompted him to raise the prospect of sending troops into the city. A 14-year-old boy was killed and eight other teenagers were injured in separate shootings late Friday in Chicagos Loop, part of the citys downtown, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Less than 24 hours after violence during a so-called teen takeover, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to condemn the violence and again raise the prospect of deploying federalized troops to Chicago, as he has already done in cities including Los Angeles and Washington D.C. Massive crime and rioting in the Chicago Loop area. Multiple Police Officers attacked and badly injured. 300 people rioting, 6 victims shot, one critical and one DEAD, the president wrote Saturday. He continued: In the meantime, Governor Pritzker and the Low IQ Mayor of Chicago are refusing Federal Government help for a situation that could quickly be remedied. The people are chanting, BRING IN TRUMP!!! open image in gallery Law enforcement officers guarding an ICE processing facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview last week ( AP ) Two separate shootings broke out Friday night as Chicagoans celebrated the start of the holiday season during an annual tree lighting ceremony in Millennium Park, right in the citys downtown. The citys second ward Alderman, Brian Hopkins, wrote on social media that 300 teens had been rioting in the Loop and that police officers had been attacked and injured with mace and stun guns. At least one officer was hospitalized, he said. Rumors of a teen takeover spread on social media ahead of the tree lighting, prompting officials at Chicago Public Schools to urge their students to stay away, according to the Sun-Times. The victims were boys and girls ranging in age from 13 to 17, who mostly suffered from leg wounds. open image in gallery President Donald Trump says Chicago residents are chanting to bring in Trump after a particularly violent weekend in the Windy City ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Windy City deployed an additional 700 cops ready for the festivities, but clearly what we put in place did not do enough to prevent what we were concerned about from actually manifesting, Mayor Brandon Johnson said. Hundreds of Texas National Guard troops that had been stationed in Illinois since early October as part of Trumps sweeping efforts to target undocumented immigrants in Democratic-led cities were ordered to return home last week. About 300 Illinois National Guard troops will remain in the Chicago area, completing training. They are currently not legally allowed to conduct operations with the Department of Homeland Security, a DHS official said. National Guard deployments have been one of the most controversial initiatives of Trump's second term, demonstrating a new willingness to use the military to accomplish his domestic goals. open image in gallery Trumps sending of National Guard troops to Illinois has been met with sharp backlash from local leaders and residents ( Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images ) The move has also been highly contested by local officials, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, who has repeatedly argued that federal intervention in local law enforcement is unnecessary. Trump has gone back and forth with Illinois officials for months, calling Chicago a hellhole, while Pritzker has sued to block the troops from entering the city, calling Trump a wannabe dictator. While the troops do not play a law enforcement role, they have been tasked with protecting federal facilities, particularly those run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Meanwhile, Trump has also denied aid to thousands of Chicago residents from two major storms over the summer, according to a new Politico report. The refusal is the first time since at least 2007 that any president has declined to help residents recover from such extensive damage to their homes, according to the report. open image in gallery Troops have been stationed to protect ICE buildings in Illinois from protesters ( Getty Images ) The president rejected two aid requests from Pritzker on October 22, weeks after saying Pritzker and Johnson, the citys mayor, should be in jail for failing to protect federal immigration officers. When asked about Trumps denials, White House spokesperson Abigail Johnson highlighted Illinois status as a sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants. Pritzker should know how to balance his budget for these types of repetitive losses, but instead prioritizes the states budget for illegals over Americans, she told the outlet. Trump handles every disaster request with great care and consideration, ensuring American tax dollars are used appropriately and efficiently by the states to supplementnot substitute, their obligation to respond to and recover from disasters, she said. With reporting by the Associated Press 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 battle over the fate of Tina Peters, a disgraced Colorado elections official who was convicted of felonies related to efforts to interfere with the 2020 election on Donald Trumps behalf, grew thornier on Sunday with the intervention of the president himself. Peters, who remains in a Colorado prison after her conviction on seven charges last year, remains adamant that she acted within the bounds of legality and her personal responsibility when she allowed an associate of MyPillow salesman and Trump loyalist Mike Lindell to access a secure room to make a copy of a hard drive containing data from the 2020 presidential election results for the state of Colorado. This past week the states Department of Corrections received a request from the U.S. Justice Department to transfer Peters into federal custody. The reasoning for the request was not explained, nor clear: Peters is not convicted of any federal crimes, as her case was adjudicated at the state level. The request came directly from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, one of the presidents appointees and his former personal attorney. Now, it seems the intent of that request is clear: Trump, on Sunday, called for Peters to be freed immediately. FREE TINA PETERS, WHO SITS IN A COLORADO PRISON, DYING & OLD, FOR ATTEMPTING TO EXPOSE VOTER FRAUD IN THE RIGGED 2O20 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION!!! wrote Trump in one of his all-caps Truth Social diatribes. open image in gallery Tina Peters, pictured during her trial, is experiencing a relapse of health issues while imprisoned, her attorney says ( AP ) The 70-year-old Peters is suffering from a relapse of health conditions, according to her attorney, while imprisoned. In February, she requested release on bail while she appeals her conviction, citing a decline in mental state and cognitive function, as well as fibromyalgia. She and her allies likely hope to push the case out of state jurisdiction into the hands of federal courts, potentially even the U.S. Supreme Court. Peters formerly suffered from lung cancer and is still being monitored for recurrence, her attorneys added in that February filing. Final approval for the transfer ultimately rests in the hands of Colorados governor, Jared Polis. He is a Democrat, and the states Democratic attorney general has called on Polis to deny the request. Tina Peters stands alone as an example of the nefarious actions and outcomes of election denialism, said Jenna Griswold in a statement on Friday. open image in gallery Gov. Jared Polis will ultimately decide if Peters is transferred to federal custody Her deliberate and criminal actions were perpetrated in support of Donald Trump's "Big Lie." She violated Colorado law and her duty to administer Mesa County elections. She was found guilty of her crimes by a jury of her peers, after an extensive trial. Peters is serving her sentence in state prison for state crimes that harmed her community and violated the trust placed in her office. She is incarcerated because she broke Colorado law." The effort by Trump to protect Peters comes just days after his so-called clemency czar, Ed Martin, announced a slate of pardons aimed at protecting other individuals who aided the Trump campaign in its efforts to overturn the 2020 election. He previously threatened the state over Peters conviction in August, writing on Truth Social that hed take harsh measures if she wasnt released. While those efforts to overturn the election result ultimately failed, and culminated in a violent riot at the U.S. Capitol, the Trump campaign and its allies ordered slates of fake electors in states the president asserted hed won in the election and sought to have Republican-held state legislatures recognize those false electors and grant them the authority to cast ballots in the Electoral College for Trump, going against the election results in their respective states. The pardons were granted to those individuals as well as members of Trumps own legal team, including Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro, John Eastman and others. open image in gallery Members of Trumps 2020 campaign legal team, including Jenna Ellis and Rudy Giuliani (pictured left and center), were among those pardoned by the White House this month ( REUTERS ) A presidential pardon represents both the power of the chief executive as well as its limitations. Pardons issued by the president cannot protect individuals from being prosecuted for violations of state law or dispell those convictions when they occur. Peters, as a result, cannot be freed by Trump (legally) without a state or federal court overturning her conviction on valid legal grounds. Transferring Peters to federal custody would, however, give the federal government a wide amount of discretion as it pertains to her living conditions in custody. Peters could, if Polis allows it, end up in a scenario similar to the one now apparently enjoyed by Jeffrey Epsteins confidante Ghislaine Maxwell, who is reportedly working on a commutation application as she remains in federal prison for her crimes related to Epsteins child sex trafficking ring. Maxwell has refused cooperation with Congress, which is flouting Trumps urgings to drop the Epstein investigation as it has become a major political liability for his administration. 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 Latino Republicans are warning the GOP that the 2025 elections earlier this month show that their party risks losing the gains President Donald Trump made with Hispanic voters in 2024. Despite Trumps rhetoric calling Mexicans rapists, drug dealers and criminals in 2016, he made significant inroads with Latino voters in his 2020 and 2024 campaigns. Those blocs helped him turn Florida from a swing state to deep red and flip states with large Mexican-American populations like Arizona and Nevada into his column. He also cut into margins in deep-blue states and cities such as New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago. Trump did so on a message of lowering costs and removing the flood of illegal immigrants who came into the country during Joe Bidens open-border reign. That surge in illegal immigration from Latin America during the Biden administration frustrated many Hispanics and caused historically Democratic areas along the U.S. Mexico border to vote Republican often for the first time. But the same forces that led Latinos to vote Republicans into power seem to be working against them now as Hispanics register their anger at draconian efforts to round up, deport and detain undocumented immigrants and even some migrants in the United States lawfully. Even more pressing, many Hispanic voters are voicing their anger at the high cost of living, which they see Trump as doing nothing to correct. open image in gallery Republicans had flocked back to President Donald Trump (pictured during the annual Latino Coalition Legislative Summit in 2020) during the last election. Many are starting to regret that choice. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) ( Getty Images ) Republicans bled voters across the country this year when it came to Hispanics. In 2024, Trump became the first Republican to win Passaic County, which is about 43.2 percent Latino, since George H.W. Bush in 1992 when he won it by 2.8 points. But in 2025, Democrat Mikie Sherrill beat Republican Jack Ciattarelli by a little less than 15 points in Passaic. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) campaigned for Sherrill in New Jersey ahead of the election in the heavily Hispanic Hudson County. Gallego said Latinos felt a double barrel as they went to the polls. Cost and also people feeling like this administration is attacking Latinos as a community as a whole, Gallego told The Independent. Gallego for his part has tried to thread the needle between humane treatment on immigration while also co-sponsoring the Laken Riley Act, which Trump signed. But hes also criticized Trump for his Liberation Day tariffs, which have caused a pinch in voters pockets. The same trend happened in California when voters turned out for Proposition 50, which allowed a one-time redraw of the states congressional maps to give Democratic five more seats. In 2024, Trump flipped the majority-Latino Imperial County, which is right on the US-Mexico border. But in 2025, 60 percent of voters in Imperial voted for Proposition 50. This came as Trump sent the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles to quell opposition to raids from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In 2024, Los Angeles County, whose population a little less than half Hispanic, swung five points to the right. But in 2025, it swung nine points to the left. If you think about those that voted for Trump, but have, like, immigrant parents or immigrant family members, they certainly had this narrative that they weren't going to go after their families, Daisy Reyes, an associate professor at the University of California Merced, told The Independent. I think the way that the policy is rolled out is definitely that's not the way it's happening. open image in gallery Jack Ciattarelli, prays with faith leaders while speaking to supporters at a restaurant popular with the Latino community on October 23, 2025 in Paterson, New Jersey. But Ciattarelli failed to hold the gains Trump made with Hispanics in New Jersey. ( (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) ) Democrats even saw in-roads in Miami, home to historically conservative Cuban-Americans fleeing Fidel Castros communist regime. Democrat Eileen Higgins cleared enough votes to make it to the runoff in December, which set off alarm bells for Hispanics in South Florida. Wake up. Wake up, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Florida), who is Cuban-American, told The Independent. Salazar represents Miami, where Democrat Eileen Higgins qualified to make it into the mayoral runoff. Salazar has said she wants to use the moment to push her bill, known as the Dignity Act, which would give legal status but not citizenship to undocumented immigrants who did not break the law. And the good thing is that the leadership understands it, but now the writing is on the wall and immigration is the economy, she said. We don't have immigration, we don't have an economy. Hispanics vote in varying ways depending on how their family emigrated to the United States, how long theyve lived and where they lived. But Trump made inroads all across the country in 2024 and Republicans lost ground this month. On Friday, Trump met with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who won back many disaffected Latinos who voted for Trump in 2024 out of frustration. Rep. Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who represents a heavily Latino district in the Bronx and Queens, said Latinos have been hit had by the economy. open image in gallery Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), right, said that Republicans need to wake up on immigration after Republicans shed Latino votes. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), right, said that Republicans need to focus on pocketbook issues. ( Getty Images ) I think, by nature of the fact that so many of us are first and second generation or third generation, we're a very working class electorate, she told The Independent. Ocasio-Cortez, endorsed fellow democratic socialist Mamdani ahead of the mayoral primary. Consequently, that means that that economic populism is an effective message, and focusing on working-class people, focusing on working-class issues, I think, is really what this moment is about, she said. Ocasio-Cortez also cut an ad in both English and Spanish to support Proposition 50 in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed the initiative after Texas redrew its congressional districts after Republicans made significant gains with Hispanic voters in heavily Latino areas of the Rio Grande Valley and majority-Hispanic areas. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) represents a district that has the largest span of the U.S.-Mexico border of any congressional district. We're very family-oriented people, Gonzales told The Independent. We want to make sure our family is protected, but our pocketbook matters. It matters a lot. Gonzales said he hoped that Trump would pass the $2,000 rebate checks to boost Latino support. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), who represents a district in the Rio Grande Valley, said that Trump has fulfilled promises on making life more affordable such as reducing regulations in oil, a major employer of Hispanics in Texas and border security. She added that Republicans also need to focus on home ownership and helping families buy their first house. We still have a close to a year left in the election, and I think that the Latinos will still be voting Republican, because Republicans are for the working, hard, working, blue collar Americans that want to make affordable, make life affordable again, she said. Salazar said she felt that Trump would take up her legislation. Trump is not stupid, she said. He is construction and hospitality guy. He reads the writing on the wall. But there is little sign his administration is listening. This week, his Department of Homeland Security tweeted a post on on X that ripped off another post from a manliness influencer to justify the removal of immigrants. Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) is among the stocks Wall Street analysts are watching closely. On November 20, Morgan Stanley raised the price target on Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) to $180.00 from $151.00 and upgraded the stock from Equalweight to Overweight. The firm is confident about the companys ability to achieve over 20% fee-related earnings growth, highlighting the role of spread-related earnings growth. Earlier on November 5, Goldman Sachs increased the price target on Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) to $155.00 from $151.00, with an unchanged Buy rating on the stock. This revision, reflecting a potential upside of nearly 23%, highlights the companys differentiated origination capabilities and leading position in origination capabilities, as the bank notes. 10 AI Stocks Investors Are Watching Goldman Sachs noted that Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) posted over 20% growth in fee-related earnings (FRE) for 2026 and delivered a better-than-expected guidance for 2026 spread-related earnings (SRE). Additionally, the firm updated its EPS forecasts around 4% higher on average for 2026/2027, thanks to a strong fundraising outlook. Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) is a New York-based private equity firm offering private equity, infrastructure, credit, secondaries, and real estate investments. Founded in 1990, the company is committed to delivering exceptional investment performance. While we acknowledge the potential of APO 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: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. 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 new CBS/YouGov poll has found that a majority of Americans do not believe President Donald Trump has done enough to explain any possible U.S. military action against Venezuela. According to the poll, 76 percent of respondents said they felt the president had not adequately justified the U.S.'s aggression toward the South American nation, which has thus far taken the form of rhetoric and strikes against alleged drug boats. The poll also found that the majority of Americans including Republicans feel that Trump needs to provide an explanation for his military decisions. Virtually all 97 percent of Democrats said he had to explain, and 64 percent of Republicans agreed. Independents fell in the middle, with 86 percent saying the president should explain his thinking. Trump has been using the U.S. military to destroy boats near Venezuela that his administration claims are operating as drug trafficking vessels. Those military strikes are killing the people onboard without providing due process or any attempt at more traditional interdiction, like the U.S. Coast Guard might undertake in domestic waters. Americans are split on their views of the boat attacks. Some 53 percent of the respondents approve of the attacks, while 47 percent disapprove. But a majority 75 percent believe the U.S. should show evidence that the boats are carrying drugs before destroying them. open image in gallery A protester carries a sign opposing a U.S. war with Venezuela outside the White House in Washington, D.C. on November 15, 2025. A CBS/YouGov poll found that 70 percent of Americans opposed military action in Venezuela ( AP ) The poll asked Americans if they felt that Venezuela is a major threat to the U.S. Just under half of the respondents 48 percent said they saw Venezuela as a 'minor threat." Another 39 percent said they did not consider Venezuela a threat at all, and only 13 percent said the nation was a "major threat." A majority 70 percent of respondents said that they would oppose the U.S. taking military action against Venezuela. Breaking down the Republican side of the poll, MAGA Republicans are more likely to favor U.S. military action in Venezuela than their non-MAGA counterparts, with 66 percent of MAGA identifiers in favor versus 47 percent of traditional Republicans. On Sunday, Reuters reported that the Trump administration is planning to launch a new phase of military operations relating to Venezuela. The news service cited four unnamed U.S. officials in its reporting. open image in gallery The guided-missile destroyers USS Mahan, left, and USS Bainbridge sailing in formation as an F/A-18 Super Hornet descends on final approach to land on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which has moved to the Caribbean to join the U.S. military buildup near Venezuela ( AFP PHOTO / DoD / Petty Officer 2nd Class Triniti Lersch ) Two of the officials said the discussed actions would include covert operations. The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading what is essentially a narco-state exporting drugs to the U.S. via the alleged Cartel de los Soles, or the "Cartel of the Suns." Experts on international drug cartels and criminal organizations have questioned whether or not the cartel even exists, and if it does, whether Maduro has any involvement, CNN reports. The White House has not provided evidence that the cartel exists or that Maduro is involved in drug exporting from Venezuela. Despite that, the U.S. has designated the alleged cartel a terror organization, which allows Trump to use "a whole bunch of new options" for engagement, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. A U.S. military presence has been building up in the Caribbean for months under Trump's orders. He has also authorized CIA operations in Venezuela, according to Reuters. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has also warned major airlines of a "potentially hazardous situation" in the air above Venezuela and has urged carries to be cautious in the region. open image in gallery Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has amassed a military defense force along the countrys coast in anticipation of U.S. military action ( AFP via Getty Images ) The USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, arrived in the Caribbean on November 16 along with its strike group. It joined seven other warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 aircraft already in the region. The Trump administration is also offering $50 million for information leading to Maduro's arrest. Though the U.S. military is far larger and better equipped than Maduro's, a land invasion would likely be met by guerrilla-style resistance, according to Venezuelan sources speaking to Reuters. That could lead to a prolonged and likely bloody operation for U.S. troops. On November 20, Maduro unveiled a comprehensive defense plan to fortify Venezuelas coast against a possible U.S. invasion. That buildup includes the installation of heavy weapons and missiles and instructions detailing street by street, community by community, weapon by weapon, weapons system by weapons system how Venezuela would respond to American military forces, according to the Miami Herald. This is not the first time Americans have been involved in what appears to be an attempt to topple Maduro's government. During Trump's first term, an attempted coup aiming to topple Maduros government was led by a pair of American military veterans. The plan relied on U.S. assistance, but fell apart almost immediately. Maduro's forces killed eight Venezuelan rebels and arrested 13 others, including both of the Americans. 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 White House proposed having U.S. military planes drop leaflets over Venezuelas capital in an operation aimed at intensifying pressure on the countrys president, Nicolas Maduro, according to a report. In what could soon be the latest U.S. escalation against Venezuela, the reported plan entails planes dispersing leaflets in Caracas that contain details about the $50 million reward for information leading to Maduros arrest and conviction, sources told the Washington Post. The psychological operation, which has not yet been authorized, could take place as soon as Sunday to coincide with Maduros 63rd birthday, the paper reported. The Independent has asked the White House for comment. Maduro has been in power since 2013, following the death of Hugo Chavez; more than 50 countries, including the U.S., have refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuelas head of state, claiming he lost the 2024 presidential election. open image in gallery The White House has reportedly proposed dropping leaflets on Caracas containing information on a $50 million reward for Maduros arrest or conviction ( REUTERS ) The State Department in 2020 offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction related to his indictment on narcoterrorism charges. The Biden administration raised that reward to $25 million in January 2025; in August, the Trump administration doubled that amount. Reuters also reported that the U.S. was planning to launch covert operations related to Venezuela. A senior administration official told the outlet: "President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice. For months, Trump has been ramping up a pressure campaign against Maduro. Since early September, the U.S. has been launching strikes against alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, killing at least 80 people. The strikes are meant to target what administration officials say are narco-terrorists. The United States also sent its most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean Sea earlier this month. As the aircraft carrier headed toward the waters off Venezuela earlier this month, Maduro said, No more forever wars. No more unjust wars. No more Libya. No more Afghanistan. Long live peace. open image in gallery The psychological operation, which has not yet been authorized, could take place as soon as Sunday to coincide with Maduros 63rd birthday ( AFP via Getty Images ) The military buildup in the region also consists of at least eight other warships and F-35 aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice Friday to airlines warning of a potentially hazardous situation when flying over Venezuela amid the "worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela. The latest reported escalation comes as the U.S. is in an armed conflict with drug cartels, which Trump alleges are fueled by Maduros government. At an October roundtable, when asked why he didnt seek a declaration of war from Congress and insisted he had the authority to carry out such strikes. I dont think we're going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war. I think were just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country, OK? Were going to kill them, the U.S. president said. Legal experts and former national security officials have disputed the presidents claim that he has legal authority to launch extrajudicial killings against the alleged drug traffickers. Bipartisan members of Congress have also shared their concerns. If were going to go to war with Venezuela, the president needs to make his case, and theyve done zero on this, Nebraska GOP Rep. Don Bacon told CNN last week. If he wants to continue the operations on these boats, he should get authorization. Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, who serves on both the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, said at a press conference this week: "The last time we received a briefing on Venezuela with the full committee was never. That is something that should alarm everybody. 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 Simone Guimaraes, a retired 52-year-old teacher in Rio de Janeiro, lost at least five relatives to COVID-19: her husband, sister, two brothers-in-law and the godfather of her grandchild. She also lost friends and neighbors. She woke to the news on Saturday that Brazil's Supreme Court ordered the preemptive arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro, whom she blames for her losses. A judge claimed Bolsonaro was intent on escaping days before he was set to begin a 27-year prison sentence for attempting a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Its a small beginning of justice starting to be served," she said. Impunity has to end at some point. And in his case, we endured a lot." Social media filled with posts Saturday remembering people lost to COVID-19, which also happened in September when the Supreme Court convicted Bolsonaro, even though the legal case had nothing to do with the former president's pandemic response. Guimaraes followed every vote in Bolsonaros trial. She was at a hospital with her sister in 2021 when Bolsonaro, who was president at the time, mimicked patients gasping for air. I had my forehead against my sisters. She said, I cant breathe, Guimaraes recalled. Her sister later died. I cant even bring myself to say his name. She now feels indirectly vindicated, like many other Brazilians who lost relatives to the disease. They say Bolsonaros conviction and imprisonment cleansed their souls without delivering justice for their grief. I'm very afraid that this conviction for crimes related to the coup will lessen the convictions for other crimes committed during the pandemic, said Diego Orsi, a 41-year-old translator in Sao Paulo, the nation's largest city. I feel a bit like the Nuremberg trials had convicted the Nazis for invading Poland, and not for genocide." Growing up and then apart Orsi grew up alongside his cousin, Henrique Cavalari. They were like brothers. In old family photos, the two appear together blowing out birthday candles. As teenagers, Cavalari introduced Orsi to rock bands. Politically, however, they drifted apart. Orsi considers himself progressive while Cavalari backed Bolsonaro. My uncle always leaned right, and my cousin grew up with that mindset, Orsi said. During the pandemic, he became convinced there was nothing to worry about, that social distancing restricted freedom and the priority should be protecting the economy. Cavalari ran a motorcycle repair shop and was a staunch Bolsonaro supporter. He couldnt afford to close his shop and the far-right leaders rhetoric resonated with the mechanics, who attended his rallies even during the deadliest months of the pandemic. In June 2021, thousands of the president's supporters rode motorcycles through Sao Paulo with Bolsonaro. That same month, Cavalari died from COVID-19 complications. He was 41. Orsi wasnt 100% sure if Cavalari was at the motorcycle rally, but said his cousin attended previous similar events. He was newly married, paying rent on his business. He needed the money, Orsi said, recalling he couldn't visit Cavalari in the hospital intensive care unit because only immediate family was allowed. But I was told one of the last things he said was to warn his parents to take care, that the disease was serious." Orsis family remains divided, much like the rest of Brazil, and he believes Bolsonaros conviction will not change public opinion or reconcile other families. Feeling grief and vindication Bolsonaro denied wrongdoing during his trial. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court unanimously rejected an appeal from his legal team, though another may come this week. Before his arrest Saturday, he had been under house arrest since August. I would have preferred that he was arrested for allowing 700,000 Brazilians to die, many deaths that could have been avoided, perhaps by speeding up the vaccine rollout, Orsi told The Associated Press. But since he is being tried and convicted for other crimes, it cleanses our soul. It gives us a sense that justice has been served. There have been more than 700,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Brazil since 2020, the worlds second-highest toll after the United States. In 2021, epidemiologists at the Federal University of Pelotas estimated 4 in 5 of those deaths could have been avoided if the Bolsonaro administration had supported containment measures and accelerated vaccine purchases. Bolsonaros government ignored repeated pleas to sign additional vaccine contracts. He publicly questioned the reliability of shots and mocked contract terms, once suggesting Pfizer recipients would have no legal recourse if they turned into alligators. Brazil faced vaccine shortages and doses were released in phases by age and health risk. Cavalari died just weeks before he would have been eligible for his first dose, Orsi said. The same happened to the father of Fabio de Maria, a 45-year-old teacher in Sao Paulo. When he was admitted to the hospital, he was about 15 days away from being eligible for his first shot, de Maria said. That delay was fatal for him and many others. His father died in May 2021 at age 65. De Maria blames Bolsonaro and other officials he believes were complicit, but he said the former presidents conviction doesnt bring justice. Many people feel vindicated, and I dont blame them. Bolsonaro provoked a lot of anger in many people, including me, he said. But I dont believe there has been justice for those who died of COVID-19, because that is not why Bolsonaro was convicted. Reaching a political turning point The pandemic marked a change in course for Bolsonaros popularity. During the 2022 campaign, which he lost to Lula, television ads replayed footage of Bolsonaro mocking patients struggling to breathe, which is a common COVID-19 symptom, and highlighted comments widely seen as dismissive of victims and their families. Bolsonaro lost because of his denialist stance during the pandemic. The margin was very narrow, said Eduardo Scolese, politics editor at the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper during Bolsonaros term and author of 1461 Dias na Trincheira (1461 Days in the Trenches"). The federal government was expected to coordinate Brazils early response, Scolese said, but Bolsonaro consistently downplayed the crisis. No one knew how long it would last. Experts called for distancing, while he joined crowds," Scolese said. Bolsonaro loses control As the Brazilian leader resisted public health measures, state and local governments imposed their own. The dispute reached the Supreme Court, which ruled states and municipalities could enact distancing, quarantines and other sanitary rules. Thats when Bolsonaro lost control. He began to believe everyone was against him, especially the Supreme Court, Scolese said. In October 2021, a Senate committee recommended charging Bolsonaro for actions and omissions during the pandemic, including charlatanism, inciting crime, misuse of public funds and crimes against humanity. The case sat dormant until September, when Supreme Court Justice Flavio Dino ordered police to expand the investigation. The case remains underway and sealed. ___ Eleonore Hughes reported from Rio de Janeiro. ___ Follow the APs Latin America coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america. 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. 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 Ukrainian drones launched one of Kyiv's most significant attacks deep inside Russia on Sunday, striking a heat and power station in the Moscow region. The assault triggered a major fire and reportedly cut off heating for thousands of residents. This marks a notable shift in tactics during the fourth year of Europe's deadliest conflict since the Second World War. While Russia has consistently targeted Ukraine's electricity and heating infrastructure, Kyiv has predominantly focused on Russian oil refineries and terminals until now. The Shatura Power Station, located approximately 120 km (75 miles) east of the Kremlin, was hit early on Sunday, Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov confirmed. Video footage on Telegram showed balls of flames and black smoke rising into the night sky from the power station. Reuters was able to confirm the location, though not the date of the video. Mapped: Shatura Power Station "Some of the drones were destroyed by air-defence forces. Several fell on the territory of the station. A fire broke out at the facility," Vorobyov said. Vorobyov said that backup power had been switched on and that mobile heating systems were being deployed to the area where the temperature was around freezing point. "All efforts are being taken to promptly restore heat supply," Vorobyov said. The town of Shatura has a population of about 33,000. One local resident said that there was no heating. Three transformers at the power station caught fire, the Kommersant newspaper cited the emergencies ministry as saying. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. A woman walks in front of the Kremlin during a snowfall in Moscow, Russia, 09 April 2025 ( EPA ) In recent weeks and months, there have been repeated power and heat outages in parts of Ukraine due to Russian attacks. Ukraine has tried to undermine Russia's war economy by targeting its oil revenues. Ukraine has also hit some power and heating installations in Ukrainian regions controlled by Russian forces and in Russian regions neighbouring Ukraine, but has thus far not inflicted major damage on electricity and heat stations serving Moscow and the surrounding region, which has a population of more than 22 million. Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday it had downed 75 Ukrainian drones, including 36 over the Black Sea and several over the Moscow region. Russia's Vnukovo airport halted flights on Sunday for about an hour before restoring them. The Shatura power station, one of Russia's oldest, was founded under Vladimir Lenin after the Bolshevik revolution, and used to run on peat. It now uses mostly natural gas. Meanwhile Russian troops captured three villages across two regions of Ukraine, the defence ministry said on Sunday. The villages are Tykhe and Odradne in the Dnipropetrovsk region and Petrivske in the Donetsk region. 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 Slovenia has once again put the contentious issue of assisted dying to a public vote, with citizens heading to the polls on Sunday for a referendum on a law that would permit terminally ill patients to end their lives. This follows the small European Union nations parliament passing the legislation in July, after a non-binding public consultation last year showed support. However, opponents successfully gathered over 40,000 signatures, compelling another national vote on the divisive matter. The proposed law grants mentally competent individuals, who face no prospect of recovery or endure unbearable pain, the right to assisted dying. Under its provisions, patients would self-administer lethal medication, subject to approval from two doctors and a mandatory consultation period. The law does not apply to people with mental illnesses. Backers include the liberal government of Prime Minister Robert Golob. They have argued that the law gives people a chance to die with dignity and decide themselves how and when to end their suffering. open image in gallery A voter casts her ballot at a polling station during the referendum on assisted dying for terminally ill patients, in Domzale, Slovenia, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Opponents include conservative groups, some doctors associations and the Catholic church. They say that the law goes against Slovenia's constitution and that the state should work to provide better palliative care instead. The law will be rejected if a majority of people who cast ballots vote against, and they represent at least 20% of the 1.7 million eligible voters. Recent opinion polls in Slovenia have shown more people are in favor of the law than oppose it. If the law remains in place, Slovenia will join several other EU countries that have already passed similar laws, including neighboring Austria and the Netherlands. 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. 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 The United States agreed to make some changes to its contentious peace proposal to end the war in Ukraine on Sunday, following crunch talks both parties appraised as a success. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said that talks with Ukrainian diplomats in Geneva had been the most productive and meaningful of the process, and that the US would make amendments to its plan, seemingly based on the Ukrainian input. The details were not immediately clear. Talks in Geneva are ongoing as Donald Trumps provisional deadline to agree to a deal by Thursday closes in. The US president took a more dismissive tone earlier on Sunday, saying the war would never have happened under strong and proper US and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP. He accused Kyiv of not expressing gratitude for American efforts to end the war, and hit out at Europe for buying oil from Russia. open image in gallery Marco Rubio (R) speaks alongside Ukraine ( AP ) Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian delegation in Switzerland, was at pains to thank Trump for his commitment to Kyiv during brief remarks to reporters, before he and Rubio returned to their talks. Minutes later, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his gratitude to the US and Europe for their support. He stressed that the main goal for negotiations must be to stop Russias war and prevent it from ever igniting again. In an earlier post, Zelensky also said that there was an understanding the US would factor in "a number of elements important to Ukraine in any peace deal but did not elaborate. Ukraine and Europe have been careful to push for a better deal for Ukraine without appearing obstinate to an increasingly mercurial Trump insistent on peace. A counter proposal, drafted by Britain, France and Germany, emerged on Sunday as diplomats gathered in Geneva. The European sketch of an armistice presents terms more favourable to Ukraine, including the concrete security guarantees that Kyiv has long said it needs to ensure lasting peace. open image in gallery As high stakes discussions continue in Switzerland, Russia continues to strike Ukraine ( REUTERS ) That proposal stipulates that while Nato would agree not to permanently station troops in Ukraine during peacetime, Ukraine could still join the military alliance, subject to all members agreeing. The 28-point counter is structurally based on the original proposal, with a number of caveats and amendments to wording. Ukraines standing military would be larger than that originally proposed, at up to 800,000 personnel from 600,000. Ukraine would also hold elections as soon as possible after the signing of the peace agreement, rather than in 100 days. The basis for territory swaps is markedly different. The original US proposal would see Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk recognised as de facto Russian, while Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen along existing battlelines. The counter proposal says Ukraine should commit to not taking back occupied sovereign territory through military means. Negotiations on territory swaps would start from existing lines, it says. Ukraine would also be compensated financially, including through frozen Russian sovereign assets. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed on Sunday that Ukraine's borders cannot be changed by force, its army cannot be left vulnerable to attack and that the European Union must have a central role in a Ukraine peace deal. open image in gallery Marco Rubio briefly interrupted the meeting in Geneva to tell reporters that the talks had been the best since Trump returned to power ( AFP via Getty Images ) The original peace plan, aired earlier in the week, continues to face scrutiny over its origins and apparent concessions to hardline Russian demands. The plan emerged only days after the US sanctioned Russian energy companies, as the Kremlin reiterated its maximalist designs on Ukraine, offering apparently no compromises. Marco Rubio was forced to say the mediating Trump administration actually wrote the plan on Saturday after US lawmakers said it appeared to be a Russian initiative. Senator Angus King said Rubio had told senators the plan was not the administration's position, but "essentially the wish-list of the Russians." The plan concedes many Russian demands that Zelensky has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. open image in gallery The counter proposal would see negotiations on territory swaps start from existing frontlines ( REUTERS ) Sources say that US officials and lawmakers are increasingly concerned about a meeting in Miami last month between members of the Trump administration and sanctioned Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. People familiar with the situation said the conversation produced the proposal calling for heavy concessions from Ukraine, taking US officials by surprise. Rubio insisted that the plan was authored by the US, drawing on input from the Russian side but also considering previous and ongoing input from Ukraine. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The UK government has unveiled plans for a radical overhaul of its asylum system, as immigration continues to dominate the political agenda. Home secretary Shabana Mahmoods proposals are facing a fierce backlash, having been described by her own Labour MPs as performatively cruel. Under the new rules, refugee status will become temporary lasting just 30 months instead of the current five years and will be revoked once it is deemed safe for the individual to return home. open image in gallery Migrants wade into the water in an attempt to board a small boat on the shoreline in northern France ( Getty ) The UK will also revoke its legal duty to support asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute, and will seize assets and income from asylum seekers to contribute to the cost of their support. With Britains asylum policy set to become one of the toughest in Europe, The Independent takes a look at how the current UK statistics really compare to the rest of Europe and the policies behind the numbers. How does the UK compare to Europe on asylum seekers Data shows that the UK receives far fewer asylum seekers than comparable European countries in proportion to population size. Per 100,000 people in 2024, the UK came fifth for most applicants (156) after Spain (340), Germany (275), Italy (256) and France (191). The EU average last year was 203 per 100,000 people. The UK is now seeking to emulate reforms carried out in Denmark by Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen after she was elected in 2019. Two years earlier, the two nations were on a level pegging, proportionally speaking. Denmark received 57 applications per 100,000 people on average, and the UK 55. Since the 2019 measures came into force, the UK has seen its number triple to 156 per 100,000, while Denmarks numbers fell in the same period. However the two situations are not entirely comparable; the overall number of applicants is significantly lower in Denmark, both before and after the change in policy. Denmark had an average of 4,215 in the three years leading up to its 2019 reforms, while the UK saw significantly larger figures of between 50,000 and 100,000 during the same period. UK rejects more asylum applications than EU average Data from last year also shows that the UK rejected more asylum applicants than its European neighbours last year. The UK rejected 44,433 (52.9 per cent) of the 84,049 applicants who received a decision in 2024, compared to the EU average of 48.6 per cent. This was a huge decline from 2023, however, when 69 per cent of the 91,811 asylum applicants in the UK were granted protection. Despite its strict new system, Denmark granted 48.1 per cent of applicants asylum in 2024. But Clingendael, a Dutch think tank, says this is because Denmark receives very few applicants from so-called safe countries. The policies behind the numbers Denmark Denmark is known for having one of Europes strictest asylum systems, after Ms Frederiksen promised a zero asylum seekers approach before her election in 2019. While many EU countries have seen asylum applications rise since the pandemic, Denmarks have stayed relatively similar, owing to its tough approach. But the electoral benefits of Ms Frederiksens reforms were this week called into question, after dismal local results saw her party lose support to rivals on both the left and the populist right. Denmark receives a relatively low number of applications, averaging at 46 per 100,000 since 2017 Policies include short-term residence permits for refugees, confiscating valuables, tighter family reunification rules, and departure centres for those do not cooperate in leaving It explored sending asylum seekers to third countries, including Rwanda open image in gallery Keir Starmer welcomes Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen to 10 Downing Street ( PA ) Germany Despite being Europes most welcoming country for asylum seekers in recent years, immigration has become one of the critical political issues in Germany. It has been the cornerstone of the agenda of the Alternativ fur Deutschland, the far-right political party, which earlier this year became the second-largest party in the German parliament on a fiercely anti-immigration platform. The German government, while refusing to work with the AfD, has sought to fend off the partys rise, such as by introducing stricter border controls in 2025, allowing federal police to turn away asylum seekers who dont have valid entry documents. Germany consistently receives the most asylum seekers. In 2023, around 329,040 applied, declining to 229,700 in 2024 Asylum seekers are given a temporary residence permit, providing various benefits, integration allowance and German language courses Refused applicants who cant return home for legal or humanitarian reasons may be granted suspension of deportation open image in gallery The UK has seen protests against the housing of asylum seekers in hotels ( AFP via Getty ) Spain Spain has a relatively welcoming asylum policy in comparison to other countries in Europe, and has seen the number of applications dramatically increase in the past five years. Much of this has been a result of a major increase in arrivals on small boats, with 46,843 people arriving on the Canary Islands by sea. Left-leaning prime minister Pedro Sanchez has called for a more coherent and humanitarian approach to migrants, and last year framed welcoming asylum seekers as a moral duty, although he has called on the burden to be spread around Europe. Applications have nearly tripled since 2021, reaching a record 164,000 in 2024, the second most in Europe In 2024, Spain granted 57 per cent of asylum applications, well above the EU average It offers a reception and integration support programme lasting 18 months, and with asylum seekers allowed to work six months after their application was lodged Italy Italy, which for decades has received thousands of refugees via the Mediterranean Sea, saw a sharp shift in the countrys asylum policy after the election of right wing Giorgia Meloni in 2022. Asylum policy became more restrictive, prioritising border control, repatriation, and off-EU processing, with a less generous reception for new asylum seekers. Measures aimed at deterring asylum seekers from making the trip to Italy have failed to stem the flow, and in 2024, asylum applications had nearly doubled since Ms Meloni assumed office. In 2024, Italy granted asylum to just 35.9 per cent of its 151,000 applicants. In 2024, it received the third-most applications Asylum seekers can look for a job just 30 days after making their application Successful applicants are granted a five-year permit, after which they can apply for a long-term EU residence permit or Italian citizenship open image in gallery Giorgia Meloni was elected on an anti-immigration platform ( LaPresse ) France A polarised political landscape in France has seen president Emmanuel Macrons government take an increasingly tough stance against migration and asylum seekers. The far-right Rassemblement National (RN), led by Marine Le Pen from 2012 until 2022 before Jordan Bardella assumed the leadership, enjoyed increasing electoral success before winning 142 seats in 2024. This piled the pressure on the government, which expanded deportation powers and imposed tougher conditions for social benefits in response. Some small carriers believe direct shippers only care about price, capacity, and service. But in 2025, thats not the full picture anymore. The companies youre trying to do business with whether its a local manufacturer, a regional distributor, or a national retailer are vetting carriers differently. Theyre pulling up Google. Theyre checking your digital footprint. And if you dont show up when they look you up, you might as well not exist. This is the part a lot of small carriers miss. A website isnt just a marketing tool. Its identity. Credibility. Proof of life. When a shipper decides who gets a shot at their freight, your digital presence is the first impression that speaks before you ever pick up the phone. And for the carriers who want to move past load boards, build their own customer list, and start establishing real relationships? Your website becomes one of the cheapest and most powerful tools youll ever invest in. Lets break down why it matters and what your site needs to include. Why Direct Shippers Care About Your Website 1. It shows youre a real, established business Shippers deal with fraud frequently fake MCs, double brokering, and paperwork that doesnt match the DOT record. When theyre looking at a new carrier, they need signals of legitimacy. A website with your logo, your service area, your story, and your contact information? Thats a legitimacy check. A missing website? Thats a red flag. 2. It builds trust before youve even had a conversation Shippers want reliability, not risk. If they Google your company name and nothing appears except a USDOT profile page, it raises questions: Are you stable? Are you insured properly? Do you have customer service infrastructure? Do you understand professionalism? A clean, simple website tells them: We take our business seriously. 3. It sets you apart from 99% of small carriers Some 110 truck fleets operate with nothing more than a Gmail address and a Facebook page. That means the bar is incredibly low so even a basic, well-presented site instantly puts you in the top tier. Shippers are human. They respond to presentation and professionalism. If your business looks organized, you get taken more seriously. 4. It gives brokers a reason to move you up their internal priority list Even if you dont get direct shipper freight today, brokers pay attention to branding and stability too. Some brokers now screen carriers through: Website presence Company age Insurance Communication style Online footprint Your website is a tool that makes brokers more comfortable putting higher-value freight on your truck. 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 This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Arabia Imad Sarmani, a farmer from the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Syrias southern Idlib governorate, known by his nickname Abu Abdo, sits on the balcony of his house sipping coffee and overlooking a farm adorned with greenery, from which clusters of pistachio trees hang. He feels a quiet satisfaction with the effort he has made throughout a year of ploughing, watering the trees and fighting the insect pests that have spread through the area in recent years. He is racing against time to prepare for the harvest season, known locally as al hawash, when he will reap the fruit of his farm. He has already prepared the necessary tools and hired workers. Before that, he deployed guards to patrol the land and keep out intruders or thieves. It is an unsurprising measure given these trees heave red gold on their branches. The farmer, who is in his sixties, was adamant that he never abandoned his land, not even during the worst days of the decade-long civil war in Syria. Speaking to Independent Arabia, he says: I have never abandoned my land, and I never will. He speaks with the resolve of a person whose roots are deeply embedded in the earth, much like the ancient poplar, pistachio and walnut trees that surround him. open image in gallery Drought has severely affected Aleppos prized red gold crop of pistachios ( Independent Arabia ) I travelled abroad when the war intensified, but I quickly returned. I will never abandon my homeland, he said. While his children have left to study and work elsewhere in the Middle East and Germany, Abu Abdo remains on his farm, cultivating what he calls a treasure. Things are different this year, however, with drought severely affecting the crop. Abu Abdo gives us a tour of his sprawling farm. He has faced a lot of difficulties due to its proximity to areas controlled by the former regime, which meant constant encounters with unruly shabiha militias. The checkpoints scattered across the area, especially those operated by the 4th Armoured Division, engaged in widespread theft, looting and extortion against farmers. However, the situation changed after the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024. Cars can now move freely to transport produce to the large markets of Damascus, Aleppo and other Syrian cities. The killer bug At the Aleppo pistachio market, supervisor Abdul Basit Dalil tells Independent Arabia about an unprecedented drop in sales and purchases compared to previous years. Prices vary depending on the type of pistachio, but all kinds currently sell for around $6 (4.50) per kilo. Farmers and traders are eager to export to foreign markets, where they can get between $20 and $30 (15-20) for a kilo of pistachios. When we arrived at the pistachio market, one grower and trader we met told us, We suffered from the drought that hit Syria, and the pistachio trees were greatly affected. People started looking for solutions. He said that those who had the means to dig wells were able to water their crops, and explained: The spread of diseases caused by Capnodis tenebrionis beetles and mealybug infestation has reduced production by 20 to 30 per cent compared with previous years. Despite this, the quantities available are sufficient for the local market. However, Syria also exports Aleppo pistachios, and we hope that marketing, customs and sales will be facilitated. open image in gallery Farmers and traders at the Aleppo pistachio market share their concerns about declining yields and rising costs ( Independent Arabia ) The capnodis beetle emerges between April and August. In winter, it hibernates in dense vegetation or under fallen leaves, and lays an average of 30 eggs at the base of the tree stem or in cracks along the branches. After two months, the eggs hatch and larvae emerge to burrow into the trunk and roots of the pistachio trees. Mohammed Saeed, a farmer from the town of Suran in the Hama countryside, explains how the drought has affected his town: The pistachio trees were affected by this problem to the point that they withered, and insects such as the capnodis beetle spread while farmers were away from their land under the former regime. For his part, Muhammad Kishto, Head of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Agriculture, offered reassurances based on his own estimates of increased production, particularly as harvesting continued until mid-September. He confirmed to Independent Arabia that the drought had affected crops in Syria, including Aleppo pistachios. However, he explained that pistachios follow an alternate bearing cycle, whereby they produce a heavy crop one year then a light or no crop the following year, before returning to normal production in subsequent seasons. Production is expected to increase by 50 to 55 per cent, he says. It is an important crop for the economy as it is both exported and used in the confectionery industry. It is mainly grown in the northern and southern rural areas of Hama and Idlib, as well as in the Aleppo countryside, with smaller areas in Homs and Suwayda. Climate conditions determine where it can be cultivated. Even so, farmers and traders are looking to export Aleppo pistachios in order to offset losses from declining yields and the high costs of fertilisers, electricity and fuel oil. There are also fears that production will fall again next year due to continuing drought. Holding a tree branch, Abu Abdo says: These are pistachio trees, but they won't bear fruit next year because the drought caused the fruit to fall off. Normally, between 5 and 10 per cent of the fruit would remain on the trees, but they've all wilted, so we can expect a poor harvest next year. The story of pistachios The pistachio tree is one of the most important in the Mediterranean basin, with origins stretching back thousands of years. It was grown across the Mediterranean region, which is known for fertile soil and a diverse climate that make it ideal for agriculture. Historical sources indicate that the pistachio originated in northern Syria, particularly in the northern and central governorates of Aleppo, Hama and Idlib. The Aleppo pistachio has held a special place in ancient cultures and civilisations throughout history. The earliest evidence of the use of Aleppo pistachios dates back to the Bronze Age in the Mediterranean basin, specifically in Aleppo. Pistachios were introduced to Europe in the first century AD by the Romans who brought them over from Syria. The so-called red gold tree has long been an economic lifeline, generating profits that boost national income and sustain rural communities through exports and foreign currency earnings. Aleppo pistachios are also widely used in the food industry, particularly in sweets and other culinary products, elevating dishes with their distinctive flavour. Beyond their gastronomical use, Aleppo pistachios have long been valued for their health benefits and used in traditional medicine. Translated by Mirane Abouzaki; Reviewed by Tooba Khokhar and Celine Assaf The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At last, we are finally within reach of this years Budget. On Wednesday, the country will know the worst, with few expecting to feel better off when the chancellor sits down. After all, she warned less than three weeks ago that if we are to build the future of Britain together, we will all have to contribute to that effort. Each of us must do our bit. The best that can reasonably be hoped for is that the changes are less discouraging for individuals, households and the country at large than has been anticipated, even if the bottom line is short-term pain for long-term gain, and greater clarity. What has seemed an interminable run-up to Rachel Reevess second Budget has been marked by repeated kite-flying and mounting confusion. Tax-raising and other measures have been mooted, only to be dropped or withdrawn, the most recent and disruptive being a rise in the basic rate of income tax. If nothing else, this has illustrated the wisdom of the traditional pre-Budget purdah. But such a long period of fevered speculation has also been damaging to the economy, unsettling the markets and reducing the room for manoeuvre that was already restricted by Labours manifesto commitment not to raise national insurance, income tax or VAT. The uncertainty has left businesses and individuals postponing big decisions, and the housing market, especially in the South East, grinding to a halt in the face of a flurry of measures said to be under consideration to target property wealth. After all the speculation, only two measures have emerged as near certainties. One is that there will be no income tax rise although frozen thresholds will continue to draw more people into the tax net and into higher bands. The second is an end to the two-child cap on child benefits, although it is not clear whether it will be abolished completely or adjusted in some way. The estimated 3bn cost of ending this cap is a significant outlay though potentially softened if Reeves follows former chancellor and prime minister Gordon Browns suggestion to offset it with higher taxes on gambling. Although the betting companies have mounted a serious campaign of resistance. But it has to be seen primarily as a political move, directed at a section of the parliamentary Labour Party and child poverty campaigners, and designed perhaps as a partial down-payment to stem internal party opposition, should ministers decide on fresh efforts to curb welfare payments. As for income tax, hard though it may be to appreciate, there is also a downside to rejecting a rate rise. A whole host of other taxes are likely to be increased or levied, complicating an already complex tax code and doubtless spawning more loopholes for the well advised to exploit. Among measures mooted are new limits on salary-sacrifice schemes, tax relief on pension contributions and the annual amount people can save into a cash ISA each of which risks discouraging otherwise prudent behaviour. There is also the risk of some mixed messaging, including on green issues. Could there be a reduction in levies for oil and gas producers in an effort to trim energy prices for consumers? And what signal is sent on moving away from fossil fuels if, as is suggested, already high-priced electric vehicles are to be subject to a mileage charge? Like others before her, the chancellor may have a rabbit or two beneath her hat to cheer us all up although expecting this would be a triumph of hope over experience. She has also said, perhaps in an attempt to reassure the public and the markets, that her priorities will be essentially three cuts: to the cost of living, NHS waiting lists and the national debt. There is one word, though, that has hardly been heard in advance of this Budget, in sharp contrast to her first, and that word more hopeful than even the most beneficial cuts is growth. Perhaps that is because some of her earlier measures notably the rise in employers national insurance had the surely unintended consequence of reducing jobs in the very sectors most likely to produce short-term growth. A year on, and now 18 months in office, it will be harder for the chancellor to justify tax rises or other unwelcome measures by blaming the last government for mismanagement or black holes. Nor has the international environment sprung any shocks on the scale of the Covid pandemic or Russias invasion of Ukraine. This time around, there can be no special pleading. Rachel Reeves has no choice but to own this Budget as hers, and its reception from the public, her fellow MPs and the markets will go a long way towards deciding her political future and that of a beleaguered prime minister, whose messaging has too often mirrored the uncertainty of her own. Ireland scores Trump tariff win as US drug-maker moves rare medicine production from China to avoid trade levies Amicus Therapeutics told investors during a recent conference about its plan to shift manufacturing of the drug from China to Ireland Trump has long had the Chinese and Irish pharmaceutical sectors in his crosshairs. Photo: Getty Images Sean Pollock Sun 23 Nov 2025 at 06:30 US drugmaker Amicus Therapeutics plans to move production of a rare medicine from China to Ireland to avoid any hit from tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump. My job is being a capitalist but Im actually a socialist Stuart McCaul on building a software empire without selling his soul The former An Taisce non-executive chairs Ishikawa Technologies aims to slowly snap up Europes software companies and hang onto his principles in the process Ishikawa this year acquired accounting and payroll software firm Big Red Book. 'Im hoping it will be the best home for European software companies,' says McCaul (pictured) Fearghal O'Connor Sun 23 Nov 2025 at 06:30 When Stuart McCaul shook hands on the deal to buy Irish accounting software firm Big Red Book in April it was the first public step for an ambitious plan of acquisition and consolidation that he has been hatching for some time. Developer Sean Mulryans property group Ballymore will step up efforts to build up to 4,000 homes in Ireland after agreeing a 130m refinancing with AIB. The facility agreed between AIB and Ballymore comes as the Government scrambles to solve the countrys crippling housing shortage. The Government recently revealed plans to build 300,000 homes within five years. The rock frontman on the ups and downs of money as a rock star Rocker Ricky Warwick is the frontman for a slew of bands, including The Almighty and the Thin Lizzy spin-off Black Star Riders. Born in Co Down, he helped form The Almighty in 1988 after playing guitar with New Model Army. The Almighty notched up 10 Top 40 singles and four UK Top 20 albums, and shared the stage with Iron Maiden, Motorhead, The Ramones and Megadeth. In 2012, Thin Lizzy guitarist Scott Gorham offered Warwick the front and centre spot in a reformed lineup of the rock behemoth. Keen not to dilute the Thin Lizzy legacy, Warwick co-founded Black Star Riders. Carbon Collect, the Irish-led direct air capture (DAC) company, has appointed Caroline Keeling to its board as it plans to raise between $70m (60.7m) and $80m next year to commercialise its technology. Ms Keeling the former CEO of the eponymous family-owned fruit and veg producer Keelings was an early investor in the Dublin-headquartered climate tech business. She joins as its first female board member, where she will sit alongside former taoiseach Enda Kenny, among others. They feared their little boy was going to die Child (8) waits nearly two hours for ambulance after suffering horrific injury 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) CHI hit by spinal op data breach claims Hospital group denies wrongful sharing of sensitive information about patients and families Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill speaking to the media. Photo Brian Lawless/PA Maeve Sheehan Sun 23 Nov 2025 at 06:30 A manager at Childrens Health Ireland who is challenging her dismissal for suspending children from the spinal surgery waiting list reported serious concerns that breaches of data protection concerned information about child patients and their families. Geraldine OGrady Keogh, who has died aged 93, was a highly accomplished classical violinist and first female leader of the RTE Symphony Orchestra who developed a stellar international career. She was an inspirational figure for many musicians, while her television and radio programmes brought a love of violin music to so many members of the public, President Catherine Connolly said. Tributes to mad, bad and dangerous peace activist and artist Margaretta DArcy who has died aged 91 Ms DArcy, who ran in the local elections last year, had recently handed back her honorary doctorate to the University of Galway in protest over its research links to Israel Margaretta D'Arcy. Photo: Andrew Downes Lorna Siggins Sun 23 Nov 2025 at 17:28 Tributes have been paid in Galway to artist, Aosdana member and peace activist Margaretta DArcy, who died on Sunday at the age of 91. How a renowned chef is offering stews in takeaway format Just because its quick doesnt mean it has to be unhealthy Stew Store is set to open in Wexford town at the end of the month adding to two restaurants in Cork Chef Tabrez Shaikh, founder of Stew Store which is set to open a restaurant in Wexford in the coming weeks. Padraig Byrne Wexford People Sun 23 Nov 2025 at 06:30 Having been vacant for some time, there were welcome signs of life at the vacant ground floor retail unit in Clonard Village centre on the outskirts of Wexford town in recent weeks. People coming and going has finally culminated in signage being erected above the door, declaring that the Stew Store Wexford will be opening very soon. My favourite room: Its part of the family identity to create nice spaces Inside the Brussels home of Superquinn founders granddaughter decorated by her artist sister Sisters Alexandra and Ashlinn de Schonen are very different Alexandra is a pragmatic policymaker while Ashlinn is an artist to her core. Making the most of their individual qualities, together they created a wonderful home for Alexandra and her family Ashlinn, left, and Alexandra de Schonen in Alexandras front reception room, one of three in the four-storey house which dates from the late 1800s. The stars of the decor here are the two panels flanking the fireplace which Ashlinn painted. Alexandra herself made the lamps with the Bollinger bottles. Photo: Tony Gavin Mary O'Sullivan Sun 23 Nov 2025 at 06:30 Sister vibes have been in the ether this past year; we had Anton Chekhovs Three Sisters at the Gaiety Theatre, weve had Marian Keyess The Walsh Sisters on RTE and, of course, there was Sharon Horgans infamous Bad Sisters. Now for the supportive sisters: EU policymaker Alexandra de Schonen and her younger sibling, artist and decorative painter Ashlinn. Donald Trumps leaked Ukrainian peace framework reads more like the capitulation terms for a defeated army than a peace plan. Indeed, within hours of it being leaked, Ukraines most ardent supporter within the US administration, special envoy to Ukraine, Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, announced his imminent retirement. According to the leaked version of the plan, Ukraine would be obliged to surrender the entire Donbass region to Russia, including areas the Russians have been unable to capture since the war began. The size of the Ukrainian army would be severely limited; the possession of long-range missiles prohibited and Western military aid rolled back. In addition, Russian would become an official language of Ukraine. In return for these extreme concessions, Ukraine would receive some, as yet undefined, US defence guarantee. Sophie White: Its almost Christmas and my husband and I are at each others throats. But if were arguing at least it means were not Quiet Divorcing Clare ODea: Here in Switzerland, assisted dying has become too easy. Ireland should handle the issue with care We need to craft a compassionate system for those with terminal illness rather than a demand-led model like the Swiss have The issue of assisted dying is a sensitive and complex one. Photo: Getty Clare O'Dea Sun 23 Nov 2025 at 06:30 Unusually for Swiss public transport, the bus I was waiting for near my home didnt turn up, so I hitched a lift from a neighbour. A co-ordinated prison hunger strike has been ongoing for three weeks and has gained hardly any media attention. On November 2, two Palestine Action prisoners in the UK began refusing food. A total of six are now participating. Most of the 32 activists currently imprisoned plan to join the strike on a rolling basis, which would make it the largest such protest in British-run prisons since the one Bobby Sands initiated in 1981. Independent Deputy Danny Healy-Rae has said if the Government can give 600 a month, tax free, for a Ukrainian family, it should be able to do the same for Irish people. The deputy was speaking in the Dail recently where he said levels of spending on Ukrainian temporary protection applicants is no longer sustainable. He said Ireland has played a major part in initially welcoming over 120,000 Ukrainians to Ireland. This figure has since decreased to around 83,000. Deputy Healy-Rae said while he welcomed people who are working here and in employment, he referred to a recent headline that Ireland paid out over 1 billion in 2024 and several more billions in the past four years on facilitating Ukrainians. We come in here [Dail] day after day asking the Government for different things and pleading for our own needy people, whether the elderly, people in hospitals, children or whatever, and invariably we are told we do not have the money for different things, Deputy Healy-Rae said. I cannot see how we can sustain this level of spending. Unless the Government can explain otherwise, that it has a separate fund or whatever, I cannot see how we are going to sustain spending that kind of money, he added. The deputy said Ireland has a housing crisis and that at the start of the war the Government decided to pay towards accommodation for Ukrainians. This started with 800 tax free but it is now 600. I do not mind if the Government does the same for our people who were brought up here, are trying to live here and continue to stay here. However, it steadfastly refuses to give 600 per month to our people. That is not fair, he said. I have to fight for our people too, and I make no bones about it. If the Government can give 600 a month tax free for a Ukrainian family, it should be able to do it for Irish people as well, Deputy Healy-Rae added. He also criticised talk of Irelands military neutrality being eroded. He warned that we must maintain our neutrality whatever happens. I remember as a young fella hearing Eamon de Valera on the radio chastising Winston Churchill for trying to get us into the Second World War. He gave him his answer. We should keep that neutrality, he said. I was disappointed when the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, said we are training Ukrainians to make soldiers out of them and we must stand with Ukrainians. "We must maintain our neutrality whatever happens. We have no army. The Minister of State talked about us winning the war. Those were his words here. The Taoiseach said Russia must be made accountable. We cannot make it accountable, Deputy Healy-Rae said. Conor And Kirsty Harrington at the childhood illness fundraiser in Hammel's bar in Bree on Saturday. Annie Parle and Eve Doran at the childhood illness fundraiser in Hammel's bar in Bree on Saturday. Lorraine Kelly, Anne Marie Stafford, Karen Casey, Ciara Rackard and Rebecca Collins at the childhood illness fundraiser in Hammel's bar in Bree on Saturday. A Wexford couple were thrilled to have the chance to give back to four charities close to their hearts by hosting a fundraiser that has raised over 13,000 to date. Held in Hammel's Bar in Bree village last week, married couple Amy and Brian OGorman hosted a cabaret evening in the packed bar with an assortment of prizes on offer. All proceeds of the event are going to Aoibheanns Pink Tie, Make a Wish Ireland, Cancer Fund for Children, Children's Health Foundation, and the event was also a thanks to the dedicated teams in Crumlin Hospital and Temple Street Hospital. The benefiting charities have made a massive impact on the lives of children and their families around Ireland who are undergoing treatment. Aoibheann's Pink Tie provides practical help to families to allow them to focus on their child without added worries. Make a Wishs goal is to grant as many wishes as possible for children between the ages of three and 17 who are living with life-threatening medical conditions. Childrens Health Foundation raises vital funds to support sick children and their families in CHI hospitals and urgent care centres from funding vital life-saving equipment and providing essential patient and parental supports to making ground-breaking, paediatric research possible. The Cancer Fund for Children provides emotional, social, and therapeutic support for families affected by cancer and their services in home, at the hospital, or at their Daisy Lodge centres around the country. "These four charities supported us and our daughter whether through treatment or financial assistance and we just really wanted to give back to them. Myself and my husband organised getting use of the pub and then went around asking businesses for prizes, Amy said. She explained that they were blown away by the support and generosity by everyone who contributed to both the event and the cause. "People were so giving everybody who handed us prizes were so willing and even people we dont know got in contact to give prizes. The night itself was great and the pub was very busy, she said. The family were also supported by the local school who held a no-uniform day to raise funds. So far, the events and online donations page has generated over 13,000 with a mini tractor run taking place in Bree in December still to take place. "Their care and compassion meant the world to us. Every donation, big or small, will help these charities continue their vital work supporting children and families facing serious illness. Thanks to everyone who has contributed, she added. Those interested in contributing to the fundraiser can do so at idonate.ie/fundraiser/AmyOGorman New Ross Women of Wexford gather together to mark Orange the World as 65,000 domestic abuse incidents are reported to Gardai in 2024 This month, as part of the Orange the World campaign and 16 days of action against sexual violence in Wexford, Wexford Library was filled with inspiring women for a powerful discussion on the actions that society needs to take. Drag artist La Voix has said Strictly Come Dancing was the most extraordinary experience of their life after they were forced to leave the show because of an injury. The former RuPauls Drag Race UK star, 45, whose real name is Christopher Dennis, was forced to withdraw totally from the BBC dancing programme on Saturday, after they had initially been given a bye to the next round of the competition after the injury was announced last week. As a result, there was no dance-off on this weeks results show and no elimination, with votes and scores set to be carried over to next week. Speaking on Sundays results show, La Voix told presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly: This has been the most extraordinary experience of my entire life, it really has. What have I loved the most? Dont hate me, but its not been the dancing, its been, just being welcomed on this show with the most amazing warmth from everyone, from the whole crew backstage, the judges to the pros, to the celebrities, to you two, to everyone, its been amazing. I came into the show as a minority, you know, as a redhead, and youve just all embraced me wonderfully, and I just cannot thank you enough for just this most magical, magical journey, it has been amazing. At the end of Sundays Blackpool special show La Voix performed with her professional dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec for one last time, having been lowered down to the dancefloor on a heart. Skorjanec said of his partner: La Voix had everyone in stitches on a Saturday and Sunday night, but I was in stitches seven days a week, and you know we always say Ive made a friend for life on Strictly, but Ive been lucky this year, because I feel like I made two friends for life. On Saturday and Sundays, we all laughed with La Voix, but from Monday to Thursday and Friday, I had the best time with Chris. And genuinely, I havent done a single crunch in the last four months, but I got my six-pack back, which is amazing. I think Motsi (Mabuse, judge) said it the best, we all need it, I feel like the world needs more of you, and I think Strictly needed it, and you made my life just a joy for the last weeks. And Im going to miss going to rehearsals, Im going to miss dancing with you, Im going to miss creating with you, and you are so brilliant at what you do. La Voix added that they were so lucky to have Skorjanec as a partner, and said he had made me laugh through the toughest days, adding: Im going to leave this experience braver, happier and such a more confident person, and thats because of you. The Stockton-On-Tees-born star could be seen watching in the audience at Blackpool during Saturdays live show. La Voix is the second contestant to pull out of this years competition because of injury, after Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis pulled out of Strictly with an injury to his calf in October. The Australian actor, 66, was paired with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, and said he was devastated to leave the show. Soap star Lewis Cope and his dance partner Katya Jones topped Saturdays leaderboard with a perfect score of 40 for their Charleston to Arctic Monkeys I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, with judge Mabuse praising the couple, saying their energy was insane and the roof is off. Strictly Come Dancing returns on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next Saturday at 6.35pm. Orla Dempsey reveals the secrets to achieving the elegant I just threw this on style The relaxed French girl aesthetic is hardly a new style on our radar. Its not so much a trend, but rather a way of life. Many of us crave the relaxed, effortless and chic look of the supposed I just threw this on outfit. In reality though, its much more considered. French women buy quality pieces that they take care of, and they remain unwavering in their love for the classics rather than whats in for the moment. In 2014, How to be Parisian by Caroline de Maigret was published. Although its been over a decade since the books release, the tips it contains still ring true for the Parisian womans wardrobe. The model and music producer says a good trench coat, blazer, jeans and a ballet pump are essentials and, in 2025, nothing has changed. If you covet that cool French girl look, their capsule wardrobe is easily obtained with a few key pieces. Clyde coat, 350, Sezane, available at Brown Thomas, brownthomas.com Beloved French brand Sezane has opened a pop-up at Brown Thomas Grafton Street, which runs until January, to offer all your capsule wardrobe needs. While looking through the selection, I was surprised at how reasonable the prices were, considering the quality of the garments. The Clyde wool coat, 350 is made from 70pc recycled wool and is fully lined. Its a wardrobe essential for not only the French but the stylish Irish woman facing a cold winter. To keep your coat looking good for years to come, store it on a wide-brimmed hanger in a dark and cool place with good air circulation. Sezane also offers denim and although I know a hunt for a good pair of jeans is dreaded by most of us, just remember, you only need one great pair! Trying on in person is essential and bring multiple styles and sizes to the fitting room. The key to extending your denims lifespan is to not wash it too often. If theres visible dirt, of course pop it in the machine while following the care instructions, but if your jeans just need a refresh, simply hang them outside in the cold this helps remove bacteria and odour. Pinstripe blazer, 394, The Frankie Shop, available in store at Brown Thomas, brownthomas.com If you love the French style but want a more modern flair, then take a look at The Frankie Shop, which you can find at Brown Thomas and thefrankieshop.com. This brand offers oversized suiting with modern twists, such as using broader, more structured shoulders on blazers, or gathering the suit pant at the ankle to have fun with silhouettes. It perfectly executes the masculine slouchy vibe that makes it seem like you dont care but we all know you do! If youre still unsure of what French women have in their wardrobe, just buy a French womans wardrobe! Pre-loved platform Vinted is now connected from France to Ireland, and there are plenty of second-hand clothing bargains to be had on its app. Begin by searching specific brands in your size, so youre not overwhelmed by the volume of whats on there. The benefit of French women having the utmost respect for their clothing is that when they sell on garments, theyre in perfect condition. So, to get the French look: keep it classic, keep it simple and take care so you can keep it forever. Girl (13) arrested on suspicion of womans murder in UK Girl, 13, arrested on suspicion of murder following womans death in Swindon Rod Minchin Press Association Sun 23 Nov 2025 at 16:28 A 13-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a woman has been released on bail. Keir Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump and agreed their teams will work together on the US presidents peace proposal for Ukraine during talks in Geneva. The UK Prime Minister relayed to Mr Trump what he had discussed with members of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine at the G20 summit in South Africa on Saturday and agreed to talk to the US leader again on Sunday, a Downing Street spokesperson said. latest | Donald Trump accuses Ukraine of ingratitude as US and Ukrainian officials hail best talks so far US-backed plan requires Ukraine to cede territory, limit military, renounce NATO ambitionsEuropean leaders seek better deal for Kyiv before Trump's Thursday deadlineRussia's full-scale invasion started nearly four years ago Andriy Yermak sits with other members of the Ukrainian delegation before closed-door talks with a U.S. delegation on ending Russia's war in Ukraine. REUTERS/Emma Farge Olivia Le Poidevin and Emma Farge Reuters Sun 23 Nov 2025 at 17:37 Ukrainian, US and European officials met in Geneva on Sunday to discuss a draft plan presented by Washington to end the war in Ukraine, after Kyiv and its allies voiced alarm over what they saw as major concessions to the aggressor Russia. Top European and Ukrainian envoys conferred in Geneva on Sunday ahead of talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio over President Donald Trump's proposal to end Russias war on Ukraine. The head of the Ukrainian delegation, presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, wrote on social media said that they held their first meeting with the national security advisers from the U.K., France and Germany. The allies have rallied around Kyiv in a push to revise the plan, which is seen as favoring Moscow. Marina Lewycka, who has died aged 79, made her debut as a novelist at the age of 58 with A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian (2005). It became one of the big publishing successes of its day, selling more than a million copies in the UK and being translated into some 35 languages. Lupita explained that this was not bad luck but a clear sign of racism in the industry. Her honest words have now gone viral, and netizens are reacting strongly, praising her courage and demanding real change. Lupita Nyong'o speaks about the roles she received after her Oscar win Lupita Nyong'o said that after her breakthrough in 12 Years a Slave, she expected a wide range of stories. Instead, she received almost the same type of role again and again. She shared that producers wanted her to play more characters linked to slavery or suffering. Lupita said this made her feel unseen and limited, even after proving her talent on the world stage. ( Image credit : X/@filmshotupdates | Lupita Nyong'o said that after her breakthrough in 12 Years a Slave, she expected a wide range of stories ) Lupita Nyong'o talks about the role offers she received after winning an Oscar "Oh, Lupita, we'd like you to play another movie where you're a slave, but this time, you're on a slave ship." pic.twitter.com/QUf9H6318E Blackish Press (@blackishpress) November 22, 2025 Lupita Nyong'o has sparked a powerful online debate after opening up about the unfair and repetitive roles she was offered right after winning her Academy Award for 12 Years a Slave. In a new CNN Africa interview, the star said Hollywood kept sending her scripts that showed only suffering and slavery, even though she had just won one of the biggest honours in film.Lupita explained that this was not bad luck but a clear sign of racism in the industry. Her honest words have now gone viral, and netizens are reacting strongly, praising her courage and demanding real change.Lupita Nyong'o said that after her breakthrough in 12 Years a Slave, she expected a wide range of stories. Instead, she received almost the same type of role again and again. She shared that producers wanted her to play more characters linked to slavery or suffering. Lupita said this made her feel unseen and limited, even after proving her talent on the world stage.She also spoke about think pieces questioning whether she had a future in Hollywood once the excitement of her Oscar faded. Lupita said this reaction was rooted in racism and colourism that still shape casting decisions. A user on X wrote, "The way she talks about this with so much calm shows how strong she is. Hollywood really failed her", capturing what many felt. Why did Lupita Nyong'o decide to reject the roles? ( Image credit : X/@DiscussingFilms | Lupita revealed that she refused to take roles that reduced African women to a single narrative ) Lupita Nyongo pulls back the curtain on the type of roles she was offered following her Oscar win: After I won the Academy Award, youd think, Im gonna get lead roles here and there. [Theyre like], Oh, Lupita, wed like you to play another movie where youre a slave but pic.twitter.com/3wygG2u6HN Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) November 23, 2025 Fans react across social media ( Image credit : Screenshot taken from X | Many fans said they were shocked that an Oscar winner faced such narrow offers ) I always go back to how Margot Robbie and Lupita broke through the same year. In the next 5 years Lupita had one lead and 3 supporting roles where you couldn't see her face. Margot got 5 leads, including one franchise. Lupita had won the Oscar, but Margot hadn't even been nommed. https://t.co/uVUgDd0Qwm ale alejandro (@ale_alejandroid) November 23, 2025 Lupita revealed that she refused to take roles that reduced African women to a single narrative. She said she wanted stories that allowed her to be more than pain. She explained that even if it cost her opportunities, she wanted to protect her identity and her craft.Her message was clear. She wanted to open the door for more African stories that show joy, creativity and complexity. A supporter commented, "Choosing legacy over easy money is elite behaviour. Respect for Lupita only grows", and the reaction quickly went viral.Her interview started trending within hours. Many fans said they were shocked that an Oscar winner faced such narrow offers. Others said Lupitas story proves how slow Hollywood still is when it comes to giving Black women varied and meaningful roles.One user said, "This is the reality. Black women get typecast fast, especially dark skinned women. Lupita is telling the truth". Another added, "Hearing this from someone as respected as Lupita shows the system is still broken". Kim Kardashian poses with a rare elephant leather Birkin bag All's Fair fashion files Chocado que a Kim Kardashian conseguiu a famosa birkin de coro de elefante. Pra quem nao sabe nos anos 80 um casal europeu que eram clientes vip da Hermes pediram para a marca fazer varias bolsas utilizando o couro de um elefante que eles tinham cacado pic.twitter.com/YbQFdsz1fg Rod (@conradorodrigo0) November 22, 2025 Ireland Baldwin slams Kim Kardashian ( Image credit : Instagram | Ireland Baldwin slams Kim Kardashian over her elephant leather Birkin ) Fans call out Hermes Kim Kardashian was recently seen carrying a rare and controversial elephant leather Birkin bag, igniting a storm of outrage across social media. The reality star and internet personality, no stranger to criticism over luxury and animal rights issues, has now drawn the ire of Ireland Baldwin, Alec Baldwin's daughter and Hailey Biebers cousin, who publicly condemned the choice.Kim Kardashian is facing fresh backlash after being spotted with a rare elephant leather Birkin, igniting controversy across social media. In a recent TikTok series,, the reality star was seen posing with the rare accessory, wearing a fitted grey dress with a matching hood and crisp white heels. The video raised immediate criticism from animal rights advocates and fashion watchers alike.Adding to the criticism, Ireland Baldwin, daughter of Alec Baldwin and cousin of Hailey Bieber, called out Kardashian on Instagram. Sharing a reel reacting to the photo, Baldwin wrote, "This is so disgusting and shameful. I don't understand how these people are supported the way they are," highlighting the growing public scrutiny over the use of exotic animal products in luxury fashion.Fans are also calling out, noting that the brand once made a few elephantskin bags decades ago, reportedly using the hide of an elephant shot on safari. They argue that this controversial chapter though long discontinued reflects a darker legacy behind the luxury."Hermes has long been trash for their disgusting animal skins, but holy shit," one user wrote, while another added, "They make it because people buy it. But yes, fuck Hermes all the same.""Elephants are beautiful, highly intelligent animals that are considered endangered. I can't imagine how tone-deaf and vapid you have to be to think posing with a bag made out of their skin is a flex."Again Kim is showing, as always, she is the most tone-deaf and vacuous of the Kardashians," said one Redditor. "The bag itself doesnt even look that cool either. Admittedly, I dont care much about bags and purses, but it just looks like a? Literally only exists for status and so you can brag about doing it," the fourth user mentioned. Check out more reactions below:Meanwhile, Irelands decision to call out Kardashian is especially notable given that her cousin Hailey Bieber is known to be close friends with the Kardashians. ( Image credit : X| @trackingdonald| Usha Vance attends public appearance in new photo ) Spokesperson issues clarification as online debate intensifies PEOPLE ( Image credit : Instagram| @vp| JD and Usha Vance appear smiling and united in new photo ) ( Image credit : Instagram| @trackingdonald| JD Vance pictured during a public appearance with Erika Kirk ) Inside JD and Usha Vances multi-faith marriage and family life ( Image credit : Instagram| @vp| Vice President JD Vance attends public engagement ) Usha Vance has become the unexpected centre of online speculation after being photographed without her wedding ring during an official engagement. The second lady joined First Lady Melania Trump for a visit to Camp Lejeune, a major military training facility in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on 19 November. Although the appearance was intended to highlight the work of service families, attention quickly shifted to one small detail. Ushas left hand appeared bare in several press photos, and within hours, rumours about her marriage to Vice President JD Vance began circulating widely across social media platforms.The renewed focus caught many by surprise. Usha, 39, is known for maintaining a low public profile and rarely makes personal statements. Her sudden emergence in headlines prompted her team to respond in order to calm a wave of online theories about her relationship.A spokesperson for the second lady spoke toand addressed the speculation directly. They offered a fuller explanation for why Usha was not wearing her ring at the time. According to the spokesperson, the missing ring was far more ordinary than the dramatic interpretations appearing online."Usha is a mother of three young children and manages a very active household," the spokesperson said. "She spends a lot of time cooking, doing dishes and helping with baths before and after school. On busy days, she simply forgets to put her ring back on. There is nothing unusual about it and certainly nothing to read into."They went on to add, "People are speculating without context. The vice president and the second lady are focused on their family and their responsibilities. Their marriage is solid, and they are not concerned about online commentary."Usha and JD have been married since 2014 and share three children: Ewan, aged eight, Vivek, aged five and Mirabel, aged three.The chatter surrounding the couple had already been heightened by a separate viral incident. Weeks earlier, JD shared a warm onstage embrace with Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, during an emotional Turning Point USA event. The moment was circulated widely, and social media users debated whether the hug appeared too intimate. Erika later emphasised that JD and Usha had been tremendous sources of comfort after her husbands death, describing them as "genuinely compassionate and deeply supportive during the hardest period of my life".At the same event, JD attracted further attention after speaking about balancing faith within their multi-faith household. The vice president, who converted to Catholicism in his 30s, said he hopes Usha may someday share his religious beliefs but stressed that their home is built on respect. He explained that they have chosen to raise their children Christian and that Usha regularly joins him at church."I believe in the Christian gospel, and like anyone who holds strong faith, I hope the people I love will one day see it the same way," JD said. "But if she does not, we respect each others choices. Free will is one of the most important principles we try to honour."For now, Ushas spokesperson is urging the public not to misinterpret a moment captured in a single photograph. The final message was clear. "People are rushing to create a story that simply is not there. Usha and JD are committed to each other and to their family. A missing ring is nothing more than an oversight in a very busy life." ( Image credit : Instagram| @fatimaboschfdz| Miss Universe 2025 Fatima Bosch radiates confidence and grace ) ( Image credit : Instagram| @fatimaboschfdz| Fatima Bosch shares a joyful moment with her family post-win ) Miss Universe 2025 : Controversy over winners family ties Esto es por y para ustedes, MEXICO #MissUniverse VIVA MEXICO pic.twitter.com/cYXLce7bpn Fatima Bosch (@fatimaboschfdz) November 21, 2025 Crown and controversy: Celebrations amid ongoing debate ( Image credit : Instagram| @fatimaboschfdz| Fatima Bosch celebrates her historic Miss Universe 2025 win ) The 74th edition of Miss Universe, held in Bangkok, Thailand, concluded with dazzling glamour and a touch of drama. Mexicos own Fatima Bosch, 25, clinched the coveted crown, captivating judges with her poise, charm, and talent. Her victory, however, has not been universally celebrated. Rumours quickly emerged suggesting that her fathers influential connections may have played a role in securing her win, igniting debates across social and mainstream media.Fatima Boschs victory is the realisation of a lifelong dream. Her rise to the top was marked by hard work, careful preparation, and a commanding stage presence. However, celebrations have been overshadowed by speculation about her father, Bernardo Bosch Hernandez, a well-known figure in Mexico and the General Director of Exploration and Production at Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), the countrys state-owned oil company. There are claims that his business connections with Raul Rocha, president of the Miss Universe Organisation, may have played a part in her win.The controversy gained momentum after musician and former judge of the Miss Universe 2025 Omar Harfouch publicly claimed on HBO that Fatimas victory was preordained. "I declared exclusively, 24 hours before the final, that Miss Mexico would win because the owner of Miss Universe, Raul Rocha, has business with Fatima Boschs father," Harfouch asserted. The suggestion implied a conflict of interest and hinted that corporate ties could have swayed one of the most prestigious beauty contests in the world.Raul Rocha, however, was quick to refute the claims. In a statement, he dismissed the allegations as attention-seeking, emphasising that the spotlight on the Miss Universe stage belongs solely to the contestants. "The lights shine for two minutes, and in that moment, no one else can claim them. Our Miss Universe candidates are the only stars," Rocha explained. His comments were a firm attempt to protect the integrity of the competition and reassure the public that Boschs triumph was earned on merit.Despite the accusations, Fatima Boschs win has sparked celebrations across Mexico. Social media is full of messages praising her talent and charm. At the same time, the debate highlights a common issue in beauty pageants: balancing personal achievement with possible outside influence. For Bosch, the crown represents both a personal success and national pride, even as questions about fairness and transparency continue.In the end, while Fatima Bosch proudly wears the crown, her story shows that beauty pageants are not just about looks, they also involve influence, perception, and sometimes controversy. A gallery of Native American art is displayed at the Penn Museum on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Philadelphia. As celebrations of Native American culture and precolonial Philadelphia plants grow, museums across the city prepare for Americas 250th birthday. Read more For more than a decade, the Penn Museum has offered visitors an encyclopedic history and perspective on Native American history, with artifacts spanning from Alaska tribes to communities in the southernmost part of the continental United States. On Saturday, the museum unveiled a new gallery showcasing the artistic, linguistic, spiritual, and revolutionary traditions of Native Americans across the country. Advertisement The Penn Museums "Native North America Gallery: Rooted in Resilience. Resisting Erasure" exhibit features more than 250 cultural items and art pieces. Christopher Woods, Williams director of Penn Museum, said the new gallery builds on the institutions expansive Native American collection while offering insights into the lives of Indigenous Americans today. It builds on a former gallery, which similarly focused on first-person narratives and consulted with Indigenous curators. Were an archaeology museum, but this is really about Native American people today, and drawing on the connection between the past and the contemporary world. Its important to show people that these are vibrant communities, Woods said during a press preview. Showing how strong they are, the nature of their resilience, the historical and cultural erasure, and having them speak in their own words is important. These works, which build on the previous exhibition, "Native American Voices: The People - Here and Now," that closed in July, offer a reframing of Native American history from four regions of the United States, including the Lenape Natives of the Delaware. The immersive, multisensory exhibit includes a floral beadwork collar from the Northeast Lenape, a single-weave square basket from the Eastern Band Cherokee in the Southeast, a centuries-old clay ancestral mug from the Pueblo people of the Southwest, and a fringed ceremonial robe, known as a Chilkat blanket, from the Tlingit people of the Northwest. Among the oldest items on view are chipped stone tools historically used by Native Americans, which were pulled from the Penn Museums collections. The newest items include a woven piece that was commissioned from Cherokee mixed media sculptor Brenda Mallory. The gallery also includes images of regions the tribal nations have inhabited, interactive displays offering insight into the formation of their cultural items, tools, and regalia, and varying stories about their traditions, challenges, and resilience before and after European contact. Alongside co-curators Lucy Fowler Williams and Megan Kassabaum, this comprehensive gallery was developed by cultural educators, archaeologists, and historians who are direct descendants and members of the tribal nations featured in the exhibit. Among the eight Indigenous consultant curators, who served as narrative guides, were Jeremy Johnson, cultural education director of the Delaware Tribe of Indians, RaeLynn Butler, secretary of culture and humanities of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and Christopher Lewis, cultural specialist of the Zuni Pueblo. The consulting curators assisted in creating the narrative flow of the gallery and worked with the Penn Museum to recover lost history and study their ancestors practices. They also contributed their own art and cultural items to the gallery. Upon seeing the exhibition for the first time on Thursday, Johnson said it was an emotional moment. It was overwhelming, he said. Its not just a room with a bunch of paintings or drawings. These are actual people I lived with, know, and are related to. I can tell you about every person here. Being able to give our tribal citizens, considering everyone is a relative, a voice was really emotional. Weve always been seen as relics of the past. Kassabaum said the concept of the exhibit began four years ago, but many of the gallerys elements were shaped by the consulting curators, who willingly shared their stories and welcomed Kassabaum and others into their communities. Kassabaum and other Penn Museum consultants traveled to Oklahoma to spend a week with members of the Delaware Tribe. They brought back four items, including the floral beaded collar, and let their protectors relay how they were made. Those kinds of connections cant be made without the help of the consulting curators, Kassabaum said. These arent my stories and theyre not my experiences, he said. I have not experienced any of the trauma of these communities. I have not experienced the joy of these communities, and everything people have been willing to share with us has been incredible. No matter how giddy or passionate I am about anthropology and archaeology, I cant bring the same thing to the gallery. It was totally essential. Unlike other exhibitions sprawled throughout the country, Johnson said Penns inclusion of him and his Native relatives was based in good faith rather than historical or cultural exploitation. We know certain art museums have been problematic in the past, and are still doing that work, Johnson said. But I feel this is the first time we were asked in the right way. It was in the spirit of an actual collaboration, instead of asking for items to display, and thats it. This was a good process, and we hope it stands as a model for future exhibits. The opening ceremony of the Native North America Gallery kicked off with remarks from Johnson and the other Indigenous consulting curators. Their remarks were followed by traditional dance, songs, and storytelling by New Mexicos Tewa Dancers. There was also an artist talk by Holly Wilson of the Delaware Nation, curatorial presentations led by Johnson and Joseph Aguilar of the San Ildefonso Pueblo, and a series of family workshops. The gallery, which is now on display, is available for online and in-person viewing. Visitors can reserve guided, in-person tours on select days. Tickets are priced at $26 for members and $30 for general admission. For more information, visit penn.museum. Gov. Josh Shapiro announces a $20 billion investment by Amazon for Pennsylvania data centers in Salem Township and Falls Township in June. Read more Every day, millions of people across the U.S. turn to ChatGPT and other AI tools, searching for answers. Some of their questions are mundane: What should they make for dinner with these four ingredients? What other movies was this actor in? Where could they go on a weekend getaway for under $1,000? Advertisement Others use AI in life-saving research and for society-changing innovations. How these tools work and at what cost is at the heart of the ongoing debate over the rapid construction of data centers. At some proposed sites in the Philadelphia region, neighbors are rallying in opposition, saying the communitys health, safety, and quality of life are at stake. Meanwhile, developers, elected officials, and other proponents tout economic benefits. If youre trying to make sense of all the buzz about AI data centers, heres what three human reporters think you should know. What is a data center? A data center is a building or campus that handles cloud-storage and computing needs of Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and the like. People, hospitals, banks, businesses, and governments rely on the cloud to store and retrieve vast troves of records, videos, and pictures. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has exponentially increased demand for specialized data centers powerful enough to execute ever more complex requests in the form of text, code, images, audio, or video. Advertisement A single AI query consumes multiple times the power of an ordinary search engine query, resulting in the need for additional servers to handle the load when multiplied across millions of queries. Newer hyperscale data centers can reach 1 million square feet or larger. For comparison, the Cherry Hall Mall is 1.3 million square feet. Where are data centers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey? More than 150 data centers already exist in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to Data Center Map, a private company that tracks the facilities nationwide. The Philadelphia area has dozens of data centers, operated by an array of companies from telecom giants like Comcast to digital-services companies like Lumen and DaSTOR. Not all of these properties are AI data centers: Comcasts facilities, for example, connect thousands of local customers to internet, cable, and phone services, and have been doing so for decades. Where are new data centers being built in Pa. and N.J.? Hot spots for new AI data centers include North Jersey and the Scranton and Pittsburgh areas in Pennsylvania. Three recent proposals in the Philadelphia suburbs have made headlines: Advertisement Edmund J. Campbell, attorney for Main Line developer Brian O'Neill, speaks to the Plymouth Township zoning hearing board on Monday Nov. 17 before abruptly withdrawing his client's application over legal issues. Read more Steven M. Falk / For The Inquirer Why do some communities want a data center? A data center can bring in significant tax revenue, create jobs, attract other businesses to the region, and put the area on the cutting edge of a rapidly growing industry, proponents and developers say. In Loudoun County, Va., data centers accounted for nearly half of the property tax revenue in 2024, according to the countys website, with the county getting $26 for every $1 spent on data center services. Nearby Prince William County reported that its 44 data centers generated more than $293 million in total tax revenue (though some industry stakeholders debate whether tax breaks offset these gains). Advertisement Unlike residential redevelopment, data centers dont increase demands on local schools or EMS services, data center proponents say. Nor do they bring in added traffic like fulfillment warehouses or other industrial uses. Data centers are seen by some as a good reuse of formerly industrial land, such as proposals in Bucks County on a former U.S. Steel site; in Chester County on a remediated Superfund site; and in Montgomery County on the former Cleveland-Cliffs steel mill. Why are some communities opposing data centers? Opponents of data centers worry about pollution, noise, power and water use, and the impact another data center could have on their electric bills. In some areas, they decry the loss of open space and express broader concerns about whether the AI boom is a bubble that could burst before all this data-center investment pays off. How are data centers impacting my electric bill? Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E are major drivers behind the dramatic increase in energy demand. Every ChatGPT query, for example, is estimated to use five times more electricity than a simple web search. An average query uses about the power that an oven would use in a little over one second or a high-efficiency light bulb would use in a couple of minutes, according to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. Advertisement In 2023, U.S. data centers consumed about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity, compared to 15% for all residential use. Data center demand is expected to rise, potentially consuming 6% to 12% of total U.S. electricity by 2028, according to a 2024 report by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. When energy demand rises without a proportional increase in supply and capacity, experts say, consumers see higher bills. Although its possible prices would lower with increased demand as long as there is sufficient existing capacity in place, say some experts. Theres a variety of factors, but it isnt really transparent when you look at your electricity bill, said John Quigley, senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvanias Kleinman Center for Energy Policy. Several recent reports have tried to quantify the impact data centers are having on consumer bills. According to a recent Bloomberg News analysis, the monthly electric bills of customers who lived near significant data center activity have increased 267% in the past five years. What are some environmental concerns regarding data centers? Water: Data centers require significant amounts of water to cool servers and IT equipment. Some cooling systems are more efficient than others. A Virginia legislative audit report said 11 data center buildings each used over 50 million gallons, including one building that used 243 million gallons in 2023. While some data centers use substantial amounts of water, most use similar or less than other large commercial and industrial water users, Virginia found. Based on available data, most data centers use about 6.7 million gallons of water a year, about the same as an average large office building. Land use: Some proposals would require substantial clearing for forested or unused land, as in a 1,000-acre proposal in Covington and Clifton Townships in the Poconos. Residents in East Vincent Township in Chester County have mobilized to save the rolling hills, farms, and rural character near the proposed Pennhurst site. Air pollution: The electricity that powers data centers comes from a grid powered by plants that run on natural gas, a fossil fuel that emits pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, and a precursor to smog. The plants also release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Backup generators are often fired by diesel. Amazon and Microsoft have plans to tap nuclear power, which does not produce air pollutants, though it does produce toxic waste. Noise: Data centers sometimes emit hums and vibrations produced by servers, whirring fans, HVAC systems, and other sources. What kinds of jobs do data centers create? Construction of a data center requires hundreds of temporary tradespeople, such as masons, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians. Once open, data centers typically need very few full-time employees. Even the largest usually employ fewer than 150 people, sometimes as few as 25. Permanent positions can include IT specialists, data analysts, electricians, maintenance workers, and security personnel. Sometimes certain employees can work remotely. Developers of some data centers currently proposed in Pennsylvania estimate hiring between 30 and 70 permanent workers. Data center technician jobs at Amazons Salem Township facility come with starting salaries between $50,000 and $152,000 a year, according to job listings on Indeed.com. Pamela Collins' son is among the first babies to try out the Sonura Beanie, a device that aims to connect NICU babies with their parents and block out harmful noises in the hospital. Read more When Pamela Collins was pregnant, she would talk and sing to her son through her belly, telling him he was loved. He was the miracle that the 32-year-old mother had been waiting for, after four miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy. Advertisement She never expected that her son, John, would arrive early at 29 weeks in September and have to spend his first months in the intensive care nursery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Her family has relocated from Mount Pocono to stay at the nearby Ronald McDonald House, a charity, so they can visit John every day. Even still, she wishes she could be with him all the time, to sing to him and tell him that he is strong and loved just as she did when he was in her womb. A new medical device being tested at HUP could help her do just that. Collins son is one of five babies so far to try out the Sonura Beanie, a device that aims to connect NICU babies with their parents and block out harmful noises in the hospital environment. Invented by five undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania, the beanie is designed to mimic the womb, by filtering out high-frequency sounds like alarms which frequently plague the NICU while allowing human voices at low frequencies to be heard. The device can also deliver audio messages recorded by parents for their babies. Its as if they were laying on your chest [or] as if they were in the womb, said Sophie Ishiwari, one of the founders. Their idea won Penns 2023 Presidents Innovation Prize, which provided a $100,000 cash award and living stipends for the team to pursue their commercial project after graduation. Three of the original members went onto medical school, leaving two Gabby Daltoso and Ishiwari to continue working on the product full-time. In the two years since graduating, theyve tested the device in the lab and pitched it to hospitals around the country, earning accolades along the way. Now, theyre putting the beanie on infants in the hospital for the first time. Over the next several months, Ishiwari and Daltoso will be testing the beanie on 30 infants in HUPs intensive care nursery. Theyll be looking to see whether the beanie can reduce stress, based on changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. They will also evaluate how easy it is for nurses to use, and how parents feel about the experience. Collins joined the study hoping the beanie could help her son feel calmer by hearing her voice, as well as that of his father and teenage sister. I know my baby can listen more than he can see, and Im excited to know hes listening to our voices instead of this beeping, she said, gesturing to the noisy NICU machines. The origin The first thing Daltoso and Ishiwari noticed when shadowing in the NICU was how loud it was. Between beeping from machines to hospital alarms going off, it felt overwhelming even for adults. They cant turn the alarms off because its their job to keep patients alive, Daltoso said. In the womb, a fetus would primarily be exposed to low frequency sounds under 500 Hertz. Alarms in the NICU can hit 2,000 Hertz and higher, Daltoso said. Imagine having to hear a fire alarm go off continuously throughout the day. A 2014 study found that babies in a NICU in Massachusetts were exposed to frequencies over 500 Hertz 57% of the time. Some medical equipment also emit high frequencies of sounds. Babies on a ventilator, for example, are exposed to sounds in the 8,000 Hertz range of frequencies, Daltoso said. Theyre in a room of 20, so if one babys on it, theyre all exposed, she added. In the short term, this noise can stress babies out to the point of not being able to sleep or eat, Daltoso said. Babies may experience trouble gaining weight as a result and show unstable signs such as heart rates that are faster than normal. Babies in the NICU could also suffer long-term impacts from what is known as language deprivation, Ishiwari said. Normally, an infant would be exposed to language early in life, which is important for the infants neurodevelopment. But a baby in the NICU has less exposure to their parents speech. Studies have shown that preterm babies are generally at higher risk of language delays and deficits. Daltoso and Ishiwari, alongside those three other seniors majoring in bioengineering at Penn, were inspired to create the beanie for their senior capstone project in 2023. Through a sound-engineering class and interviews with hundreds of clinicians and parents, they devised the technology inside the beanie to cancel out high-frequency noises, particularly above the 2,000 Hertz range, while allowing lower frequencies through. A mobile app connects to the hat to enable parents to send songs, stories, audio messages, and recordings of their heartbeat to the baby remotely through a speaker in the hat. The babies wear the beanies during feeding so that it mimics a real-life interaction, where the baby would normally be lying against their mothers chest. Ishiwari said she has teared up listening to some of the messages parents were leaving for their babies. Theyve so far included bedtime stories, songs, and shorter messages like I love you and good night. A lot of them dont know where to put that love and joy and excitement, Daltoso said. This is a place that they can. Sending love from afar When Collins and her husband, Franqlin, prepared to record messages for John, they turned off the lights in the room and prayed. Then they started recording. Collins, who is originally from Brazil, sang a Brazilian song to tell him that he is perfect the way he is. Her husband made up a story about John, and her 15-year-old daughter narrated another with the message that he is enough. A nurse told Collins that John was laughing when he wore the beanie. I can tell he loved that, Collins recalled the nurse telling her. Babies in the study wear the beanies for three 45-minute sessions a day, but Collins wishes her son could wear his the whole day. I feel babies can be more calm now and [wont] be crying all the time, she said. Michelle Ferrant, a clinical nurse specialist in HUPs intensive care nursery, was excited that its NICU was chosen as a pilot site. Her team has done projects to try to reduce noise levels in the NICU, including putting signs up to remind people to use hushed voices, and closing doors and trash can lids as softly as possible. There are a lot of things that might not seem very loud to us, but [if] youre a small baby and its so close to [you], it sounds much louder, Ferrant said. However, until the beanie study came along, they didnt have a way of filtering which noises babies heard. The Sonura Beanie team is next looking to launch a multi-center trial that will evaluate whether wearing the beanie could help promote weight gain. Exposure to their mothers voice and reduced noise levels can help preterm infants with weight gain and feeding, studies have shown. We will be looking to prove that our hat is able to soothe the babies to the point where they are taking in more food, gaining more calories, growing faster, and hopefully going home faster, Daltoso said. They also plan to launch in other hospitals, including Stanford Medicine Childrens Health, affiliated with Stanford Medicine and Stanford University in California, so that clinicians can test out the product and see how it fits into their workflow. These pilots would function like a trial for a pre-purchase, Daltoso said. They are currently working on submitting their medical device for clearance by the Food and Drug Administration so they can begin selling it. Because the product is deemed low-risk in terms of safety, they are eligible for fast-track approval, which they expect to get within the next year, Daltoso said. The team is still working on setting a price and declined to disclose details. They would eventually hope to get the product covered by insurance as a sensory-integrative technique. For that, they would need their larger clinical study to show that the beanie has functional outcomes. Holding the miracle John doesnt have a specific release date from the NICU. The timeline will depend on when he is able to breathe on his own and put on weight. At birth, he weighed only 1 pound, 14 ounces. Today, he weighs more than 4 pounds and no longer requires a feeding tube. Collins was 20 weeks pregnant when she found out that John had a heart defect that doctors said may one day require surgery. A few weeks after that, doctors found an issue with the placenta that ultimately led to his preterm birth. Now, when she holds her son in her arms, she feels like I am holding the miracle, she said. Corinne Low (second from left) is a Wharton economist and the author of the new book "Having It All." Here she eats dinner with her two children, her au pair, Yoyo Torres (far left), and her wife, Sondra Woodruff (right). Read more Corinne Low, a Wharton economist, didnt have to search far for an example of how womens familial and professional choices are shaped by an uneven playing field. In 2017, Low gave birth to her son while building a tenure-track career. Her life soon began to feel unmanageable. She was commuting up to six hours a day from Manhattan to Wharton while also taking care of the household tasks that kept her family functioning: groceries, laundry, cooking, childcare. Advertisement The situation reached a crisis point when Low found herself pumping in an Amtrak bathroom while crying; she had been in transit for hours and realized she wouldnt make it home to see her son before bed. Low, 41, was not a single parent. But her husband had recently left his job to start his own business, a choice that did not reduce his working hours, but did reduce his salary to zero. Lows personal story is the entry point to her new book, Having it All: What Data Tells Us About Womens Lives and Getting The Most Out of Yours, part self-help manifesto and part economic tract. When Low examined her own life, she made two major changes that freed her time and altered her circumstances. First, she divorced her husband and decided to exclusively date women. (A summer article in the Cut about Low, headlined "This Economist Crunched the Numbers and Stopped Dating Men," went viral.) She is now married to a woman. The less viral but equally meaningful shift was that she left New York City and embraced Philly. The underplayed hero of my story, of the changes that I made, was moving to Philadelphia, she said recently in an interview. That was actually the more important upgrade. When she was living in Manhattan and struggling to keep up, friends had recommended that she hire a live-in au pair, which they said was a more affordable, less transactional form of childcare. But of course, like most New Yorkers, Low had no spare room. In Philadelphia, she was able to afford a bigger house with more space, which meant she could have an au pair. And her commute went from over two hours to seven minutes by bike, freeing her to build a life filled with friends, community, time outdoors. It all added up. In Philadelphia, Low writes, I rediscovered myself. I found who I had been before I became a stressed-out, angry, rapidly aging person. I was fun! I was creative! I could relax. (She adds the disclaimer that she is not advocating that everyone who reads this book should leave their marriage and move to a new city, although, perhaps they should, assuming they move to the right city.) She wanted to show that the feeling many working women experience of being under siege from all sides, unable to figure out how to gloriously have it all was not some symptom of being hysterical, but was instead rooted in data. I want people to figure out how to claw back some of their time from these structural forces that are squeezing us, Low said. Knowing the data, it gives you permission to make some of those choices. She found that even in families where women were the primary breadwinners, they still overwhelmingly had to put in a second shift at home. Some statistics in the book are startling: For example, men who earn only 20% of the household income in a heterosexual family do the same amount of housework as those who earn 80% of the familys income, which Low found by analyzing the American Time Use Survey, a massive dataset of how individuals spend their time. That means even when a woman earns more than twice what her partner earns, she also does twice as much cooking and cleaning. That bothers me, because its inefficient, Low said. Because youre using the more expensive persons time on these home production tasks. In the book, Low aims to advise women on how to get a better deal for themselves, by employing the stark logic of her field. She writes about how women might improve their personal utility function, which she describes as a personal video game score at the end of your life, grounded in ones priorities and values. She urges women to think about dating as a job interview for a co-executive in a multipronged, multiyear enterprise, and to think of a job as a technology for converting time into money. She also encourages readers to throw away their houseplants if they are not increasing personal utility function. You need to be ruthless in protecting your time from things that are not investments in your future and do not bring you joy," she writes. One of her most interesting arguments is that women today effectively hire themselves for too many jobs within the home. It has become normalized to outsource male-coded tasks, like changing a cars oil or fixing an electrical outlet, by hiring a specialist to do it, Low said. But women have not updated their mindsets about the market value of their time, and so there remains stigma to outsourcing female-coded tasks, like laundry, cooking, or home childcare. Low sees Having It All as a rejoinder to Sheryl Sandbergs Lean In: While leaning in is doing more of whats not working, as Low put it, she wants readers of her book to level up by removing whatever constraints theyre able to. Of course, many of the problems facing working women remain systemic, and she writes in the books afterword about the necessity of societal changes, including parental leave underwritten by the federal government and creative thinking by employers about how to allow female employees to meet both their professional and domestic obligations during peak child-rearing eras. After a book tour, Low is now back in Philly with her two young children and her wife and still reveling in the charms of her city. When I was busy and on book tour, she said, neighbors walked my son to school. Readers told Low that they are making changes to their personal lives based on the book. No one has told her theyre moving to Philadelphia yet. Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans hold an emergency rally Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, to protest the 28-point peace plan for Ukraine put together by Washington and Moscow. Read more About 60 people gathered at a North Philadelphia Ukrainian American club on Sunday afternoon to condemn a U.S.-brokered proposal to end Russias war in Ukraine. Waving Ukrainian flags and hoisting signs that read, Appeasement Isnt Peace, demonstrators outside the Ukrainian American Citizens Association described the plan as a laughable, copy-and-paste of Russias demands, signaling Americas willingness to capitulate to the Kremlin. Advertisement The peace deal put together by Washington and Moscow calls for Ukraine to cede territory, reduce its military, and give up on NATO membership stipulations that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically rejected in the past. READ MORE: How Philadelphia became a home for Ukrainian culture Nobody in their right mind would ask a country to give up its territory, its military, its freedoms, said Ulana Mazurkevich, president of the Philadelphia-based Ukrainian Human Rights Committee. They do not know Ukrainians. We will not give up we fight, we fight, we fight. The 28-point blueprint to end the nearly four-year war may force Ukraine to choose between standing up for its sovereignty and preserving American allyship, Zelensky said last week when the proposal was leaked. Simultaneously on Sunday, world leaders convened in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss the contentious plan. (Trump has pushed Ukrainian officials to accept the plan by Thanksgiving.) We will rebuild but it wont be the same, and I just feel such pain and anger at how much they have taken from us over and over and over again, the rallys co-organizer Mary Kalyna said. Its not just dirt, there are people there. Kalyna added: Its like a reward for the aggression, which we will not stand for. We cannot stand for it. While Russia would make almost no concessions, the plan would severely weaken an already decimated Ukraine; in return, Kyiv which has said it was not involved in the drafting of the peace proposal would receive international security guarantees and reconstruction assistance. READ MORE: Zelensky says Ukraine faces a stark choice and risks losing American support over U.S. peace plan Bucks County U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a longtime defender of Ukraine and member of the Ukraine Caucus, called the plan Russian-drafted propaganda on social media. This moment requires Peace Through Strength, not appeasement, the Republican congressman wrote on X. Between renditions of the Ukrainian national anthem and Glory to Ukraine salutes, protesters on Sunday also rebuked the plans amnesty agreement, which would likely mean Russian officials and soldiers could not be prosecuted for war crimes. The rapists, the murderers, the genocidal maniacs are all supposed to be forgiven absolutely no prosecutions, said Ukrainian American Eugene Luciw. Thats what America stands for? Does America stand for justice? This article contains information from the Associated Press. Antonio Valdes, chief executive officer of the Children's Crisis Treatment Center, said the group helps youngsters recover from different types of trauma, including domestic violence and shootings they have witnessed. Read more Mellisa Wilson had been working hard so, so hard to change the trajectory of violence that marked her life and the lives of her five children when she saw something that broke her heart. Advertisement Her youngest daughter was putting her baby doll to bed, and she was hitting it, Wilson said, choking back tears. Thats when I knew it was really bad. Thats when I knew that wasnt what I wanted them to take from me, as a parent. And so, Wilson did what she had done many times before. She turned to the Childrens Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC) for help. In schools, homes, and community centers in Philadelphia, Montgomery County, and Camden, CCTC provides trauma-informed care annually to over 3,500 children, up to age 18, suffering from behavioral issues, depression, and trauma, helping their families in the process. I knew I had to do something different, Wilson said. Wilson, a CCTC volunteer and a member of the centers parent advisory council, had been bringing her children to CCTC, a nonprofit childrens mental health agency, for 20 years. With all the counseling she and her children have received, she could easily give the same talking points as CCTCs chief executive officer, Antonio Valdes. And she did. It may take years, she said, but when a child experiences trauma, at some point, sooner or later, there will likely be a behavioral issue. Wilson said she grew up in a home where she was regularly beaten with a broom handle or an extension cord. Those were my grandmothers favorites. The trauma repeated itself across the generations when she became a mother. Always angry, she yelled at her children and spanked them, but only with her hands at least she could give them that safety. But all of it had to end for her own good, and for theirs. So she turned to CCTC for help. Its a typical pattern, said Valdes. CCTC treats children who have experienced every kind of trauma and adversity death of a parent, witnessing a parent be killed or beaten, attacks from dogs, sexual abuse, neighborhood violence. We treat kids no matter what trauma they have, he said. For the vast majority, were talking about domestic violence, toward them or a family member, or maybe shootings they have witnessed. But whats just as significant, he said, is how CCTC treats everyone in its care. Its the lens we use, he said, describing trauma-informed care. We dont ask whats wrong with a child. We asked what happened. For example, Valdes said, a young boy, maybe 5, sees his mother regularly beaten by her drunken boyfriend. The kid may even try to intervene, but hes only 5. What can he do? Eventually, the mother gets rid of the drunken boyfriend. All seems normal until months or even years later, when she gets calls from school. Her child is fighting, destroying school property. Hes still reacting to what he witnessed, and the behavior he developed at that time, when he understood, as only a little child can, that his mother, the person who was supposed to be protecting him, couldnt keep him, or herself, safe, Valdes said. Any moment he might feel even a little threatened evokes that response, he said. Theres a mistaken belief that young children, when they experience trauma, theyll get over it, Valdes said. When trauma and adversity happen, there are normal consequences. Its not normal for the kid to be OK. Some parents bring their children to CCTC for counseling, or they get referrals from schools. More help, including a summer camp, is available at satellite community centers. At its headquarters on Delaware Avenue in Fishtown, CCTC runs a day treatment program for preschool-age children who have been kicked out of their preschools. There are day programs for children who have been discharged from psychiatric hospitals to help them reacclimate before returning to their schools. CCTC also provides behavioral health help at over 40 middle and elementary schools, where CCTC staffers work with teachers and students. Valdes remembered one little boy, about 10 or 11, who had been an average student no trouble in school. His mother worked two jobs to make ends meet, and his grandfather took care of him, fed him dinner, helped with homework, and even put him to bed when his mom worked late. One Monday, the boy didnt come to school and it was so unusual that counselors reached out. On Tuesday, he did show up and, within hours, was fighting with kids and teachers. They had already written up detention slips, and it was so bad that harsher punishments were on the table. But then a counselor who had been trained by CCTC recalled what she had learned and asked the boy what happened. His grandfather had passed away on Saturday, and his mother had to go to work so she could pay the rent, leaving him to fend for himself. In five minutes, they tore up the detention slips and had a different kind of conversation. It could have turned into something really bad for that boy. Its those little moments that are critical, Valdes said. In Philadelphia, he said, children in Kensington are suffering from the opioid crisis. When children leave the house, they see people shooting up and have to step carefully to avoid human feces or used needles. Its not safe to play on the sidewalks or in the parks. All of these things add up to a stressful environment, he said. Theres an impact of trauma and adversity on the way people start treating each other. Its a behavior thats adaptive to the trauma, the crisis, the ugliness, but may not show up until later. Its highly contagious. Certain kinds of maladaptive behaviors may find themselves in families, in communities, in workplaces, or the way you might treat your girlfriend or wife, Valdes said. These behaviors were critical in surviving the moment, but arent useful or appropriate in other situations. Healing comes from reframing acknowledging realities but assuring the children that what happened was not normal and not their fault, then giving them techniques to cope positively when disturbing feelings arise, he said. Were treating kids and families, and were helping them heal, he said. Then they start to support their siblings or neighbors who have been through trauma. We see this as the counter to adversity and trauma. Parenting skills Wilson learned at CCTC helped her help her children and regain control of her family, even as she was struggling to manage five youngsters under 5, including a set of twins. Theres an impact of trauma and adversity on the way people start treating each other. Its a behavior thats adaptive to the trauma. Antonio Valdes One child was inappropriately touched. Another child pushed Wilson against a wall and accused her of driving their father away. Another child, always her fathers favorite, said her father hated her. Another child hit a kitten. Tears filled Wilsons eyes. That was the trauma I put on them by hitting them and yelling at them. Chaos and fatigue were constant, as was anger, yelling, and spanking. At CCTC, her kids got help, and so did she, learning new parenting techniques that led to a peaceful home with five children, now in their 20s and heading into professions to help others. Valdes said people should support CCTC because that healing is contagious, mending families and neighborhoods. Wilson agrees. What Ive learned, Ive put into practice, she said. Her story is so compelling, she said, that people at her overnight warehouse packing job turn to her for help. And shes always ready to give it. My favorite place is on the bus, she said, where shell say hello and ask her fellow passengers about their day. People will start talking to me. People are very honest when they think they are never going to see you again. When Wilson wears her CCTC T-shirt as she often does, she wants to serve as a walking billboard for a nonprofit that has made a real difference in herself and her family. She vows to support the organization and its mission for the rest of her life. We shouldnt keep good things to ourselves. This article is part of a series about Philly Gives a community fund to support nonprofits through end-of-year giving. To learn more about Philly Gives, including how to donate, visit phillygives.org. About Childrens Crisis Treatment Center Mission: To support children and families by helping them heal from abuse, violence, and trauma by bringing mental health services to them where they are at home, in schools, and in their communities. Children served: 3,500 Point of pride: Started as a demonstration project in the basement of the Franklin Institute and is now in over 40 schools, up from 14 last year. Annual spending: Over $31 million in fiscal year 2024. You can help: Volunteers are needed to help with special events, the Holiday Toy Drive, or group day-of-service activities. Support: phillygives.org What your Childrens Crisis Treatment Center donation can do Ukrainian servicemen walk through a charred forest at the front line, a few kilometers from Andriivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, in 2023, in a scene from "2000 Meters to Andriivka" by Mstyslav Chernov. Read more How do Ukrainians fight on when the front line is so painful, the Russian bombing of civilians so brutal, and pro-Putin President Donald Trump so eager to stab Kyiv in the back? I put that question to Associated Press journalist and filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov, whose 20 Days in Mariupol won the Academy Award for best documentary in 2024. His new masterpiece, 2000 Meters to Andriivka, will premiere on PBSs Frontline and also begin streaming on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Advertisement The film follows a unit of military volunteers in Ukraines fabled 3rd Assault Brigade who come from all walks of life, from young to middle-aged. They are trying to advance a little more than a mile along a narrow, mostly destroyed tree line between heavily mined fields,in order to liberate a small village in eastern Ukraine and help cut a Russian supply line to the then-besieged city of Bakhmut. This is a raw film, shot from the soldiers point of view, not only by Chernov and his AP colleague, videographer Alex Babenko, but by the video cameras many fighters wear on their helmets. I wanted to be as realistic as possible, Chernov told me. Showing courage and sacrifice, but also how horrifying and disgusting war is at the core. We try to keep this paradox in the film. What Chernov also achieves, through his voice-over and brief interviews during downtime, is a portrait of why these men wont stop fighting, no matter the odds, until the Russian aggressor is forced to recognize the sovereignty of the Ukrainian state. When he started this film in 2023, Chernov said, he wanted to make a documentary about fighting back. That was a hopeful year, in which Ukrainians were mounting a large counteroffensive against Russia. I searched for hope as much as any Ukrainian, he recounted. Raising the flag as a symbol of victory. He also sought to honor the sacrifice of 3rd Assault Brigade fighters who were liberating the area surrounding his hometown of Kharkiv. By the time the film was completed, though, the counteroffensive had failed. Bakhmut had fallen, and Ukrainian forces were weary and undermanned. Today, technology has shifted the battlefront into a war of attrition dominated by drones, which can inflict terrible casualties on anything that moves. The Russians are making small advances, and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is fending off a corruption scandal. Yet, says Chernov, what you see in 2023 is similar to now. The reason Ukrainians keep fighting remains the same, even though many Americans dont grasp it. It is a fight for survival, not for a piece of land, but a fight for your life, he told me. Stop and you are dead, or fight and you have a chance to survive as a country and with your family. These are the basic truths President Trump and real estate mogul-turned-peace negotiator Steve Witkoff are far too blinkered to grasp. Russias war is not about real estate deals or land swaps. Vladimir Putin has insisted publicly for years that Ukraine has no right to exist as a state, and that it must be returned to the Russian empire as a subordinate province. Any peace plan that hands territory to Russia and fails to provide ironclad military guarantees to Ukraine will only encourage Putin to restart the war. Yet, Witkoff secretly devised a 28-point draft plan with Putin pal Kirill Dmitriev, without consulting Kyiv or our European allies a plan that leaves Ukraine virtually defenseless. This capitulation plan would hand Russia parts of Ukraine that arent occupied, while shrinking and largely disarming Kyivs forces and banning the purchase of new Western weapons. It would also ban Ukraines future membership in NATO or any peacekeeping troops from NATO members. Of course, Putin has endorsed Trumps plan, which could have and may indeed have been, written in the Kremlin. This shameful document virtually invites the Russian dictator to rebuild his depleted forces and try to end Ukrainian sovereignty for good. We already know what has happened in Ukrainian territory that Russia has occupied: the Ukrainian language is banned in schools and from official use, and Ukrainian books are burned. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is banned, and its priests arrested. Ukrainian children in areas under Russian rule are taught that Kyiv is the enemy. They are sent to military camps in Crimea or Russia, and then drafted to fight against fellow Ukrainians. Many younger children have been kidnapped and adopted by Russian families. If Ukrainians lose, said Chernov, not only will Ukraine cease to exist, but it means millions of Ukrainian children will be taken, their Ukrainian identities stolen, and they will be trained to fight for Russia against Europeans. It creates the opportunities for Russia to get more people to fight. Many people in the U.S. dont grasp how destructive the Russian narrative is, the filmmaker added, how they say the U.S. is the archenemy. Reality can be seen in the Russian media. They laugh at the United States and love the idea of civil war in your country. Russian existence [under Putin] is based on an anti-American narrative. What you see is that they are already at war with the United States and Europe. Indeed, if Ukraine ultimately falls to Russian control with Trumps help the Russian border will move westward, and many NATO countries will be in danger. Trump doesnt care. Wooed by visions of U.S.-Russian business deals that have been dangled by Dmitriev, Trump and Witkoff are focused on dollar signs. Like a mafia don, Trump is blackmailing Zelensky to sign this surrender by Thanksgiving, or lose all U.S. support for the war. Yet, unlike Trump, Ukrainian soldiers on the front dont have the luxury of denying the harsh realities they face if Russia isnt pushed back by force. Every soldier Ive met knows full well that if Russia wins, they and their families have no future. The Kremlin calls brave Ukrainian fighters Nazis, and regularly tortures and murders POWs. Under Kremlin rule, any veteran or army member would almost certainly be targeted for prison or death. So, as Chernov explained, the question of future international aid for Ukraines defense is rarely discussed on the battlefield, because there were so many words of support but so little action. They know they have to fight for survival. After the first meeting of Zelensky and Trump, when the president scolded the Ukrainian leader before the cameras, all illusions were gone, said the filmmaker. We know the truth of our situation. The only person you can rely on is right next to you or with your unit. The changing nature of the war means the future depends on which country Ukraine or Russia can beat the other in the race for technological advantage. Until Russia feels it can lose they will not want peace, Chernov stated. We are bracing for a very long winter. And yet, despite his depiction of the brutality of an unending war in a film that left me in tears, Chernov retains a core of optimism. Drawing strength from the men whose steadfastness he captures with his camera. Seeing those guys, fellow students, policemen, workers being there, making that choice to fight back against all odds. When I watch them He paused. Whenever I lose hope, I go to the front, and I get my hope back. They were known as burial artists people who had themselves buried alive in macabre feats of endurance and Mick Meaney resolved to be the best there ever was. It was 1968 and the Irish man had barely a pound to his name but he believed that if he stayed underground in a coffin longer than anyone else the world would remember his name. On February 21 that year, wellwishers and TV crews followed his coffin, 6ft 3in long, 2ft 6in wide and lined with foam, in procession through the streets of Kilburn, the heart of Irelands emigrant community in London, and watched as Meaney was lowered into a pit in a builders yard. Soil entombed the coffin, save for a pipe for air and through which food and liquid could be lowered. Meaneys target, to beat the world record and claim fame and fortune, was 61 days. 33-year-old Mick Meaney from Ballyporeen, Co Tipperary, peering from his specially-made coffin at the Admiral Nelson pub in Kilburn, North London, in February 1968 before his interment in a yard nearby. Picture: Chris Ware/Keystone/Hulton/Getty The remarkable stunt, and its poignant aftermath, is told in a documentary to be aired on TG4 on Wednesday, November 26. Titled Beo Faoin bhFod (Buried Alive), the film received its premiere at Galway Film Fleadh and has been screened at other festivals including Kerry International Film Festival. Directed by Daire Collins, it combines interviews with Meaneys family and friends with archival footage of an event that made global headlines.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTK9n4MdaHk My father was a proud Tipperary man, his daughter Mary Meaney says in the documentary. He was another Irishman, they are now called the forgotten Irish, they were over there working with a pick and shovel and sending the money back to their families. Times were poor back then. Mick Meaney he was also often referred to as Mike or Michael from Tipperary in his coffin during his record-breaking feat in London in 1968. While underground, he was supplied with air, food, newspapers, and books through a six-inch pipe, and also had a phone for emergencies. Meaney, strong and powerfully built, had wanted to become a champion boxer but injury ended that dream and he ended up digging tunnels in London. When an accident briefly trapped him beneath rubble he remained composed, and another ambition possessed him: to claim the record for the longest time spent buried alive. The craze started in California in the 1920s the US bred other unusual endurance contests such as the longest time spent atop a pole, or hula hooping, or dancing and in the 1960s the unofficial record was credited to a Texan named Bill White. A bearded Mick Meaney, wearing dark glasses after two months in darkness, being examined by a doctor at the Admiral Nelson pub in London, on April 22, 1968, after his 61 days buried alive. Picture: Peter Kemp/AP Styling himself the living corpse, White made a career of being buried to promote car dealerships and other businesses and had endured a 55-day stint underground. To set a new record Meaney, aged 33, teamed up with Michael Butty Sugrue, a circus performer turned publican and impresario in Londons Irish community. Sugrue staged a wake at a pub, the Admiral Nelson, during which Meaney was enclosed in the coffin. A truck ferried the coffin to a yard owned by a contractor, Mick Keane, who allotted part of the site to the stunt. A trapdoor that opened to a cavity beneath the coffin, which was slightly larger than a regular coffin, served as a toilet. Mick Meaney peering from the coffin in which he spent 61 days buried alive in Kilburn, London. I had a great nights sleep last night, Meaney, speaking from a telephone rigged inside his casket, told a TV news anchor on his second day. He established a routine: wake at 7am, do exercises compatible with the confinement, rub ointment on his body, eat, read books and newspapers, and talk to people on the phone. The line connected to a phone at the Admiral Nelson, where Sugrue charged patrons for every call. 'Gravediggers' digging up Mick Meaney's coffin in a builder's yard in Kilburn, North London, in 1968. Police had to hold back the crush of people as Mick Meaney attended by a London-Irish pipe band and a gaggle of journalists eager to interview him was exhumed in Kilburn, London. Picture: Bettmann Archive/Getty Celebrities such as the boxer Henry Cooper conversed with the buried man but interest waned as weeks passed war in Vietnam and Martin Luther Kings assassination dominated attention. Still, Sugrue mustered dancers, musicians, and journalists for what was styled Meaneys resurrection, after 61 days, on 22 April. Mick Meaney conducting a media interview even as a doctor checks his health after his extraordinary feat of spending 61 days buried alive in London in 1968. The coffin was dug up and ferried atop a truck, past cheering crowds, back to the pub. When the lid was removed, Meaney, with sunglasses to shield his eyes, and a beard, grinned. Id like to go for a hundred days more, he told the press. Im delighted to be the champion of the world. Butty Sugrue embraces Michael Meaney in his coffin after his 61 days underground. 'Beo Faoin bhFod (Buried Alive)' is on TG4 at 9.30pm on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Fortune never came it was alleged that Sugrue swindled his star. A mooted world tour and sponsorship deal with Gillette never materialised. In all walks of life there are people who just use you like a vampire, said Mary Meaney, who was three when her father returned to Ireland. He came back without as much as the price of a bottle of milk in his pocket. A rival burial artist, Tim Hayes, in his coffin at Ballymore, Cobh, Co Cork, on December 29, 1966 after setting a new record. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive Fame proved fleeting. No Guinness Book of Records representative recorded Meaneys feat and a rival burial artist named Tim Hayes, who spent less time underground in a regular-sized coffin, disputed his champion credentials. Later in 1968, a former nun named Emma Smith had herself buried beneath a fairground in Skegness for 101 days. Michael Meaney photographed in 1998 looking at TV coverage of his feat 30 from years previously. That archive film is blended with contemporary footage in the new documentary. Irish Examiner Archive: Richard Mills Meaney got a job with Cork County Council and died in 2003. He could live an ordinary life, working class, ordinary, but he craved this extraordinary life, said Mary Meaney. Breaking the world record made him feel, Im somebody. A Government minister has come in for stinging criticism after failing to commit to compensate angling interests or install pollution monitors along the River Blackwater in Co Cork following the biggest fish kill in the States history. Councillors representing the North Cork region had written to the Timmy Dooley, who is charge of fisheries, seeking these measures after up to 50,000 salmon, trout and coarse fish were killed in the river in August. The monitors would provide real-time information to ensure a speedier response to any future incidents. They also asked the minister to agree to reopen a game fish (trout and salmon) hatchery in Mallow as a matter of urgency. A hatchery had operated there for more than 60 years until it closed in the early 2000s. During its peak, it released 1.25 million young salmon and 250,000 young trout into the river every year. Mr Dooley said he "fully recognised the enormous impact this incident has had on local communities, anglers and users of this important river catchment", but refused to commit to the councillors' requests. His two-page reply was castigated. Labour's Ronan Sheehan said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), and other agencies, had waited seven days before reacting to the kill, which resulted in agonising deaths for many fish. Despite a multi-agency investigation, which included county council officials and the gardai, no culprit to date has been identified. We have no intention of catching people. If we are really serious about this we would put in real-time monitors. I dont believe the State is really serious about stopping this happening again. Its so disappointing, Mr Sheehan said. Local angling clubs are currently fundraising to put their own pollution monitoring equipment into the river. Independent councillor Peter ODonoghue described Mr Dooleys reply as a whole two pages of nothing. The reputation of the Blackwater has been tarnished and bookings cancelled at accommodation specialising in hosting them by a lot of foreign anglers. The rivers reputation will be tarnished for a long time to come, he said. Biggest shambles ever Mr ODonoghue described the investigation into the fish kills as the biggest shambles ever, adding it was going to cost local tourism providers a lot of money. Fianna Fail's Pat Hayes, who runs a country pursuits store in Mallow, said the reason the multi-agency taskforce failed to identify who was responsible for the kill was because they reacted too slowly. He won support from colleagues to write again to Mr Dooley and to the EPA and IFI and seek another meeting with them to discuss the issues. The river is not going to recover on its own. It was one of the best salmon and tout fishing rivers in Ireland and indeed in Europe. We urgently need this hatchery reopened, Mr Hayes said. He said there were previous kills along the river in the mid to late 1990s which were the responsibility of the former sugar factory. As a then member of the Upper Blackwater Federation of Trout Anglers, he helped get compensation from the company to restock the river. A 50m white elephant superdump in Co Cork that has never accepted one bag of refuse in the past 16 years should be sold off. That is according to Cork county councillors, who claimed the superdump-that-never-was at Bottlehill is a massive financial millstone around the local authoritys neck. The superdump, 23km north of Cork City, was initially supposed to open for waste in 2009, but this was stalled for two years. In 2011, councillors were told it would not be economically viable to open it. It was supposed to be one of the biggest landfills in the country, capable of taking 217,000 tonnes of waste per year over a 20-year period. CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB It has now been revealed that it is costing the local authority an additional 1.9m in loan repayments annually, and a further 40,000 for security at the site. 150,000 tonne annual minimum It was said 14 years ago that there was severe competition from landfills in other counties, and to make Bottlehill financially viable, it would have to take in a minimum of 150,000 tonnes of waste per year. At the time, Cork County Council said it would have to charge a minimum entry fee per vehicle of 50, whereas other landfills were charging an average of 20-30 per visit. The facility took five years to construct, but during that time, the government set out new criteria to divert waste away from landfills, primarily through recycling and incineration. Indaver proposal did not materialise In 2016, it was suggested that 40,000 tonnes of residual ash from Indavers proposed incinerator in Ringaskiddy could be buried there, which would provide the council with some income. This did not materialise, but Indaver has recently reapplied for planning permission for a Ringaskiddy incinerator. The same year, the councils environment directorate also wanted to earmark a proportion of the site for a company specialising in wind and solar energy. However, that also failed to materialise. Michael Hegarty, the Fine Gael leader on the council, has demanded that council management sell off the site. Its a white elephant, and we should dispose of it immediately. We need to cut our losses and get out, he said. Labour councillors Cathal Rasmussen and Ronan Sheehan supported his call, as did the leader of Independent Ireland on the council, Danny Collins. Council chief executive Moira Murrell said her officials are developing some proposals for it, but they have to go through a process". The Taoiseach has warned that Irelands immigration system cannot be an outlier and that rules must be tightened. Micheal Martin made the comments on the final day of the G20 summit in South Africa, ahead of new proposals being brought to Cabinet by Jim OCallaghan, the justice minister, on Tuesday afternoon. It is expected that Mr OCallaghan will bring three memos to Cabinet on asylum, citizenship, and family reunification. It is expected that asylum seekers who have been convicted of serious crimes could have their residency revoked. It has also been reported that people who have been granted refugee status and have availed of social protection in the last two years, or have debt, will not be allowed to apply for citizenship. Mr Martin said that this will not apply to those who have availed of maternity benefits, but insisted that rules must be changed. This is a modest enough overhaul, but an important one. It's fair and it's robust, and it's also aligning with what's happening elsewhere, Mr Martin said. We've always taken a humanitarian approach, but I think there is a necessary tightening up that is required in terms of both the asylum process and in terms of the citizenship process in Ireland. That's, in essence, what is envisaged by these reforms. They did come before the party leaders and also before the Cabinet subcommittee [on migration], so weve discussed these in relative detail." It will mean Ireland is not an outlier in terms of benefits and so on in terms of other jurisdictions, he said. We see what's happening in the UK, even though we were looking at these reforms before the UK's latest reforms. There are knock-on effects, consequences from what others do. That's the reality. We have to be realistic about it, and we have to be firm about it, and also, we have to accelerate, and we are, the processes. It's taken too long historically for people to have their asylum applications processed and concluded. We've now made a lot of progress on the first phase of that. The appeals stage is being staffed up. Minister OCallaghan has particular plans to enhance the resources there so that we get a faster timeline in terms of appeals as well, so people aren't waiting for prolonged periods of time. Mr Martin told a Botswanan journalist who asked why people from the country need visas to come to Ireland that rules need to be put in place for different countries because they can get exploited a bit and can lead to certain migratory patterns. Regrets of Fianna Fail election candidate Grainne Seoige Elsewhere, Mr Martin responded to an interview by former Fianna Fail election candidate Grainne Seoige, who said running in last years election was the biggest regret of her life. She also hit back at suggestions she was a celebrity candidate parachuted in by the Fianna Fail leader. She was selected at the location convention, alongside [now] deputy John Connolly, so I understand where she's coming from, he said. It's very challenging to run in elections, and it is very challenging for women to come forward, and I acknowledge what Grainne said. It was a very challenging election for her, and elections more generally are becoming very challenging for people. That is an issue for our democracy more generally. It's sad that a person found themselves in that position and that perspective. Are you from Trump country? the group of South African journalists asked the Irish media as they sat on shuttle buses waiting to enter the G20 leaders summit. The one American on the bus slumped in her seat a little bit but admitted that she had travelled to Johannesburg to cover the summit. Although he may not have been in attendance, US president Donald Trump still managed to dominate the proceedings. Since a tense Oval Office meeting last May, during which Mr Trump accused South African president Cyril Ramaphosa of presiding over the genocide of white farmers in his country, relations have been strained. As he rolled in television screens to show videos, Mr Ramaphosa denied the assertion. But the damage was done, and Mr Trump decided he would refuse to attend the G20 leaders summit, which focused on the themes of solidarity, equality and sustainability. He further managed to derail proceedings when it was announced that he had completed a plan to end Russias war in Ukraine. This would include Ukraine ceding land in the Donetsk region and vowing not to join Nato. As it was put to Taoiseach Micheal Martin, there was more in the plan that was of benefit to Russia than there was to help Ukraine. The plan caused a scramble at the G20, forcing world leaders who had formed part of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmers Coalition of the Willing to meet on the outskirts of the conference. Unusually, Ireland had a place at the top table after being invited to partake in the summit by Mr Ramaphosa. The Taoiseach made sure to mention the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan in this opening address. Why Ireland was at the G20 Throughout the course of the weekend, Mr Martin spoke of how honoured he was to attend the summit. And, as German news reporters questioned their Irish counterparts why Ireland was even here, it became clear that the Taoiseach was correct to say it was a big moment. Vincent Magwenya, Mr Ramaphosas spokesperson, told the Irish Examiner that Ireland was invited because of the common values shared between the country and South Africa. Ireland is a very important partner to South Africa, he said. They are a very important global player in a whole number of issues where we are firmly aligned, for example, on issues of climate change, financing resilience, issues of inequality, fighting poverty around the world. Ireland has been very much aligned to South Africa. As chair, president Ramaphosa had that discretion to identify special guest countries, and Ireland was one of those countries simply because of a strong bilateral relationship, but also alignment on a whole host of issues at a multilateral level [and] geopolitically. The biggest question on Sunday was what was going to happen when Mr Ramaphosa was supposed to hand over the presidency to the US ahead of the conference being held in Miami next year. Mr Trump was not present to receive it, and Mr Ramaphosa was insistent that he would not hand it over to a junior diplomat, a move that earned the president, who is usually seen as quite passive, a lot of respect amongst the South African people. Instead, there will be a more low-key handing over ceremony between diplomats in the coming weeks. Back on the media bus on the way to the F&B Stadium on Saturday, road blockages meant that highways were closed off, and a local driver had to do his best to charm the police officers to try and get through. I dont care if Donald Trump is in there. Youre not going through, a policewoman said. Maybe he was not as missed as he would like to think he is. Top European and Ukrainian envoys are meeting in Geneva ahead of talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over President Donald Trumps proposal to end Russias war on Ukraine. The head of the Ukrainian delegation, presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, wrote on social media that they have held their first meeting with the national security advisers from Britain, France and Germany. The allies have rallied around Kyiv in a push to revise the plan, which is seen as favouring Moscow. US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and US secretary of state Marco Rubio at the beginning of talks with the Ukrainian delegation at the US Permanent Mission (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP) The next meeting is with the US delegation, Mr Yermak said. We are in a very constructive mood. We continue working together to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine. Mr Rubio is expected to join the talks together with army secretary Dan Driscoll and Mr Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he awaits the outcome of the talks, stressing a positive result is needed for all of us. He wrote on Telegram on Sunday: Ukrainian and American teams, teams of our European partners, are in close contact, and I very much hope there will be a result. Bloodshed must be stopped and it must be guaranteed that the war will not be reignited. In a later post, he said there is an understanding the US would take into account a number of elements in a peace deal that are important for Ukraine. There have already been brief reports from the team about the results of the first meetings and conversations, he said. There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraines national interests. Further work is ongoing to ensure that all elements are truly effective in achieving the main goal our people hope for ultimately putting an end to the bloodshed and the war. The 28-point blueprint to end the nearly four-year war has sparked alarm in Kyiv and European capitals. Mr Zelensky has previous said his country could face a stark choice between standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs. The talks are taking place on Sunday at the US Permanent Mission in Geneva, Switzerland (Martial Trezzini/Keystone/AP) The plan acquiesces to many Russian demands that Mr Zelensky has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. The Ukrainian leader has vowed that his people will always defend their home. Meanwhile, Mr Rubio and the US State Department has denied claims that he said the peace plan Mr Trump is pushing Kyiv to accept is a wish list of the Russians and not the actual proposal offering Washingtons position. A group of US senators claim Mr Rubio made the comment to them. This administration was not responsible for this release in its current form, said Republican Mike Rounds, speaking at a security conference in Canada. They want to utilise it as a starting point. He said it looked more like it was written in Russian to begin with. The senators said they spoke to Mr Rubio after he contacted some of them on his way to Geneva for talks on the plan. Senator Angus King said Mr Rubio told them the plan was not the administrations plan but a wish list of the Russians. A State Department spokesperson denied their account, calling it blatantly false. Mr 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 favourable to Moscow. Ukrainian, US and European officials met in Geneva on Sunday to discuss a draft plan presented by Washington to end the war in Ukraine, after Kyiv and its allies voiced alarm over what they saw as major concessions to the aggressor Russia. US President Donald Trump, who has championed the 28-point plan, said on Sunday that Ukraine had not been grateful for American efforts over the war, prompting Ukrainian officials to stress their gratitude to the US president for his support. On Friday, Mr Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had until Thursday to approve the plan, which calls on Ukraine to cede territory, accept limits on its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO. For many Ukrainians, including soldiers fighting on the front lines, such terms would amount to capitulation after nearly four years of fighting in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two. On Saturday, Mr Trump said the current proposal for ending the war is not his final offer. With the US delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the main talks between US and Ukrainian officials got under way in Geneva on Sunday afternoon in a stiff atmosphere at the U.S. mission, soon after Mr Trump complained in a Truth Social post that Ukraine's leadership had shown "zero gratitude" to the U.S. for its efforts and Europe continued to buy Russian oil. Mr Rubio interrupted the meeting to speak to reporters, saying that the talks had been probably the best the U.S. had held with Ukraine since Trump returned to power. He said changes would be made to the plan to work towards a solution that both Ukraine and the US were comfortable with. "Obviously this will ultimately have to be signed off with our presidents, although I feel very comfortable about that happening given the progress we've made," said Rubio, who arrived in Geneva with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian delegation, was at pains to thank Trump for his commitment to Kyiv during the brief remarks, before he and Rubio returned to their talks. Minutes later, Zelenskyy himself offered thanks to Mr Trump. Since the US plan was announced, there has been confusion about who was involved in drawing it up. European allies said they had not been consulted. As officials began meeting, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the goal was to craft a plan acceptable to Ukraine which could be used in a negotiation with Russia. "Right now, I'm not yet convinced we're going to get the solution President Trump wants in the next few days," Mr Merz said on the sidelines of a G20 meeting in Johannesburg. Before heading to Geneva, Rubio insisted on X that Washington had authored the plan after remarks from some US senators suggesting otherwise. Senator Angus King said Mr Rubio had told senators the plan was not the administration's position, but "essentially the wish-list of the Russians." Europeans have submitted a modified version of the US plan for Ukraine that pushes back on proposed limits to Kyiv's armed forces and territorial concessions, according to a document seen by Reuters on Sunday. A PERILOUS MOMENT FOR UKRAINE The draft US plan, which includes many of Russia's key demands and offers only vague assurances to Ukraine of "robust security guarantees", comes at a perilous moment for Kyiv. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday that Ukraine's borders cannot be changed by force, its army cannot be left vulnerable to attack and that the European Union must have a central role in a Ukraine peace deal. Russia has been making gains on parts of the front, albeit slowly and, according to Western and Ukrainian officials, the advances have been extremely costly in terms of lives lost. The transportation hub of Pokrovsk has been partially taken by Russian forces and Ukrainian commanders say they do not have enough soldiers to prevent small, persistent incursions. Ukraine's power and gas facilities have been pummelled by drone and missile attacks, meaning millions of people are without water, heating and power for hours each day. Mr Zelenskyy himself has been under pressure domestically after a major corruption scandal broke, ensnaring some of his ministers and people in his close entourage. He has warned that Ukraine risked losing its dignity and freedom - or Washington's backing - over the US plan. HANDING THE ADVANTAGE TO RUSSIA? Zelenskyy welcomed the diplomatic efforts in Geneva, saying that he hoped they would lead to a result. Kyiv had taken heart in recent weeks after the United States tightened sanctions on Russia's oil sector, the main source of funding for the war, while its own long-range drone and missile strikes have caused considerable damage to the industry. But the draft peace plan appears to hand the diplomatic advantage back to Moscow. Ukraine relies heavily on U.S. intelligence and weapons to sustain its war against Russia. European and other Western leaders have said the US peace plan was a basis for talks to end the war but needed more work. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he would speak to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday about Ukraine and share the outcome with European and US allies. Putin has described the plan as the basis for a resolution to the conflict, but Moscow may object to some proposals in the scheme, which requires its forces to pull back from some areas they have captured. - Reuters Top US and Ukrainian officials said they were making progress towards ending the Russia-Ukraine war but provided scant details as they discussed the American proposal to achieve peace despite concerns among many of Washingtons European allies that the plan was far too conciliatory to Moscow. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said high-stakes talks in Geneva were very worthwhile and constituted the most productive day in a very long time on larger efforts to end the fighting. I feel very optimistic that we can get something done, Mr Rubio said. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky looks into the camera while delivering a video address to the nation in Kyiv, Ukraine (AP photo) But he offered very little information on what was discussed, allowing only that discussions would continue on Monday and perhaps deeper into the week. He also suggested that Europes role and responsibilities as spelled out under the US peace plan might be separated from facets more directly involving the responsibilities of Russia and Ukraine. And Mr Rubio noted that any final product, once it is ready, will still have to be presented to Moscow: Obviously, the Russians get a vote here. Mr Rubios attempt to strike such a positive tone while offering no evidence of a breakthrough constituted a more nuanced approach than US President Donald Trump himself. Before talks even really began, the president blasted Ukraine for a lack of gratitude for US military assistance, while shying away from criticising Russia. Mr Trump has set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to respond to the plan. But he also has suggested that could slide if there was proof of real progress and that the plan was not his final offer. Mr Rubio also undermined the idea that the deadline was looming, saying simply that officials want to see fighting stop as soon as possible. Some American and European supporters of Ukraine have panned the plan as too favourable to Moscow. Questions intensified after a bipartisan group of US senators said Mr Rubio told them on Saturday that the plan had originated with Russia and was actually a wish list for Moscow, rather than a serious push for peace. US left, and Ukrainian, right, delegations at the beginning of their talks in Geneva (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP) The head of the Ukrainian delegation, presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, also confirmed an initial session of talks had concluded and that a second meeting would soon take place. I want to confirm that we had a very productive first session with the distinguished American delegation. We have made very good progress and are moving forward to a just and lasting peace, he said. Very soon today the second meeting will take place, where we will continue to work on joint proposals with the engagement of our European partners. Final decisions will be taken by our presidents. Before the meeting even began, however, Mr Trump suggested he did not expect much. He posted on his social media site that: UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. After Mr Trumps post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cheered US-led efforts on security while also stressing that the crux of the entire diplomatic situation is that it was Russia, and only Russia, that started this war. Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump, Mr Zelensky wrote in a post on Telegram, adding: We thank everyone in Europe. It is important not to forget the main goal to stop Russias war and prevent it from ever igniting again. Ukraine and allies have ruled out territorial concessions The 28-point blueprint drawn up by the US to end the nearly four-year war has sparked alarm in Kyiv and European capitals. Mr Zelensky has said his country could face a stark choice between standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs. US President Donald Trump walks in the South Lawn upon his arrival to the White House (Jose Luis Magana/AP) The proposal, originating from negotiations between Washington and Moscow, acquiesces to many Russian demands that Mr Zelensky has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. The Ukrainian leader has vowed that his people will always defend their home. Before convening with US officials, Mr Yermak and his team also met with national security advisers from the UK, France and Germany. The allies have rallied around Kyiv in a push to revise the plan, which is seen as favouring Moscow. On Sunday, Mr Zelensky said that there was an understanding the US would take into account a number of elements in a peace deal that are important for Ukraine, but did not elaborate further. There have already been brief reports from the team about the results of the first meetings and conversations, he said. There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraines national interests. Mr Trump has not clarified his comment on Saturday that the US proposal was not his 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, Mr Trump told reporters outside the White House on Saturday. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and US secretary of state Marco Rubio talk to the press as their consultations continue (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP) One way or the other, we have to get it ended. Rubios reported comments cause confusion Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Sunday that Warsaw was ready to work on the plan with the leaders of Europe, Canada and Japan, but also said that it would be good to know for sure who is the author of the plan and where was it created. Some US lawmakers said on Saturday that Mr Rubio had described the plan as a Russian wish list rather than a Washington-led proposal. A US State Department spokesperson said that account was blatantly false. Mr Rubio took the extraordinary step of suggesting online that the senators were mistaken, even though they said he was their source for the information. The top Democrat on the US Senate Intelligence Committee, senator Mark Warner told ABCs This Week on Sunday that the peace plan appeared to be almost a series of Russian talking points, had made Europeans feel like theyve been totally left high and dry and had led to ferocious pushback. Possibility for additional talks Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he would hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. He said he would talk to the Russian leader about reviving a previous deal from July 2022 that allowed Ukraine to safely ship exports of grain via the Black Sea. The agreement stayed in place until the following year, when Mr Putin refused to extend it, saying that a parallel agreement promising to remove obstacles to Russian exports of food and fertiliser had not been honoured. We had a grain corridor endeavour to open the path to peace, Mr Erdogan said. Unfortunately we were only partially able to succeed. Tomorrow I will be asking Putin to revisit the endeavour. Mr Erdogans new diplomatic push comes just days after he met with Mr Zelensky in Ankara. On November 21, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Arzu Aliyeva visited the family of the Azerbaijani National Hero Panjali Teymurov in Astara. They commemorated the memory of Panjali Teymurov, who was martyred during the April battles, and were also briefed on his services to the motherland, as well as his high professionalism and bravery as a military serviceman. Subsequently, Leyla Aliyeva and Arzu Aliyeva familiarized themselves with the house-museum built to perpetuate the memory of the valiant martyr. Pajali Nurmahammad oghlu Teymurov, the legendary Azerbaijani Special Forces serviceman, was born on March 24, 1981, in the Azarud village of Astara district. Following 17 years of service to the motherland, Panjali Teymurov was martyred during the April battles in 2016. Panjali Teymurov, who received many awards for his exemplary service, was posthumously awarded the "For the Motherland" medal in 2016. He was later conferred the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan by an Order signed by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, on November 7, 2025. Australias Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has been a beacon of innovation, from its pioneering beginnings in 1928 to its bold embrace of new technologies today. Founded as the worlds first air ambulance service, the RFDS transformed outback healthcare with Alfred Traegers pedal wireless a footpedal powered radio that let remote communities summon medical help across vast distances. It (RFDS) didnt start with an aeroplane it started with the idea that technology could connect people to care, says RFDS Federation Chair Tracey Hayes. Almost 100 years later, were still collaborating to find new ways, better ways, to use technology to connect people to care. The service nowadays operates a nationwide fleet of around 90 aircraft and has been integrating artificial intelligence into its operations. It plans to acquire five vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) planes to reach communities without runways. Australias siloed health record system needs urgent reform The AI reforms are not only reshaping aeromedical care but also are reverberating across Australias wider health system. Australian medical records are fragmented a patchwork of files scattered across hospitals, specialists, clinics, and GPs, alongside a national repository that individually could comprise hundreds of digitised paper letters from pathology providers, imaging clinics, and assorted test results. Worse still, the renamed My Health Record (MHR) has long been incomplete, as Australians could opt to exclude documents, leaving clinicians with an unreliable source of truth. That is beginning to change. From October 2025, the Australian Government mandated that all pathology reports and soon diagnostic imaging reports must be forwarded to My Health Record, marking a decisive shift toward record accuracy as priority. The RFDS has been working to harness this compendium of information, distilling it into concise, usable patient history records that can be deployed instantly in the air, with AI playing a key role. Dr Mardi Steere & Jodie Hunter RFDS Executive General Manager of Medical and Retrieval Services for South Australia and the Northern Territory, Dr Mardi Steere, says distilling essential patient information from My Health Record had long been a cumbersome process. In prehospital care, we don't need a patient's entire comprehensive health history the things we need to know there and then in the plane is are they allergic to anything? Are they on any regular medications, and what medical conditions do they have? We don't need to read full operating notes or GP consults. But if we've got just even their list of diagnoses and how recently they were in hospital, it conveys a huge amount of information that can change what we do straightaway. She said that from the inception of its electronic health record, the RFDS had worked closely with the Australian Digital Health Authority (ADHA) to link with its EHR. RFDS is now working with IBM to take the next steps in what AI could bring to the table. Inflight patient observations can be available live to awaiting clinicians Patient observations made inflight and currently fed back to the ground will soon be augmented by My Health Record data, creating a twoway flow of information. Weve made sure that there is a dashboard that anyone allowed to access our desktop software on their computer in their hospital, can see live what's going on on the plane, if a nurse puts in a set of observations, whether that's through current manual entry or future voice to text or Bluetooth input of data. As soon as the nurses put in that information, the second we get signal, it can link to the ground, and the receiving neurologist who's waiting for their stroke patient can see exactly how they're doing. She said Bluetoothcapable devices had major potential. The RFDS was investigating installing Edge Server devices in planes that would let multiple Bluetooth devices such as monitors and ventilators connect to a patients electronic health record. It's an internal network within the plane that serves as the smarts to make sure that the right machine is sending the right data about the right patient to the right clinician throughout the flight. Dr Steere says Bluetooth plus voice to text and voice to data innovations will free staff from handwriting patient observations. That can lead to major time savings as staff often have to carefully handwrite multiple types of crucial information into their correct fields. As well as capturing spoken patient observations, AI will use image recognition to capture screenshots of monitors, portable lab devices, blood bank labels and more, translating them into data. In their proof of concept trial, using these AI enabled functions reduced administration by a solo flight nurse on a twohour flight from 28 minutes to just 2 minutes. Connectivity is also improving with the arrival of lowearthorbit satellite services such as Starlink. Traditionally, the RFDS could increasingly get some 4G connectivity in air while flying to rural and remote areas, but in remote Central Australia you could fly for an hour or two without any 4G or 5G, Dr Steere said. We've actually been looking at, what would it take us to get internet on the plane like you have when you're with Qantas, but it costs half a million dollars per plane with what they have. Whats really fascinating is, as Starlink is evolving, they now have mobile mini Starlink devices. You used to have to land on the ground and set up your Starlink satellite, and it would have to swivel around and find a signal. Theres (now) a device the size of an iPad that's a Starlink device that you can put in a plane, and it can capture signals when you're going as fast as 400 kilometers an hour. She said the new device had been available only within the past 12 months, and only recently in small aircraft. Were exploring that right now, but that'll be an absolute game changer for us. The RFDS also plans to explore any Amazon Kuiper offerings where available. It would be nothing but good for the universe if we've got two providers up there. Should patients be able to refuse care in the air that involves AI? Dr Steere said the question remained whether the public would accept the privacy issues around detailed, digitally distilled health records and the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. What are the privacy and consent rules? What are the data storage rules? How do we bring our patients and our staff along for the journey to make sure that we're really compliant from a regulatory standpoint, that people understand what we're doing with their data, and that we're doing things safely and internally without their data going out of the organization? Australian privacy legislation is extremely tight on how you use a patient's data for someone else's benefit. Could a patient refuse treatment because they didnt trust AI? Dr Steere says health professionals currently cant use AI with a patient without their explicit consent. If you go into a doctor's clinic right now and they're using an AI scribe, they will ask for consent to use it every visit, because this is the law. Its a significant issue that we face, that we're going to have to work through. And I know that the AI ADHA is working on that too. Do we work on having legislative changes so that it's an opt out system to carefully use AI with My Health Record data to assist in understanding our population health, rather than an opt in system? I think that's a really interesting question. The countervailing option is for patients to trust the professionalism of practitioners using AI as they do with their healthcare generally. If someone calls us for help, we have taken their implicit consent that whatever we do for them is in their best interest - we don't need consent to every piece of the information we have been given by them or their other providers to inform their own care. But in considering AI tools to analyse that information, you really need to riskstratify what you're doing. AI is not one size fits all. There's certainly the generative AI of scribing. There's the agentic AI of decision making without a human in the loop. We need to have much more nuanced legislation around the low risk types of AI, which is just converting voice to text, and as long as a human's confirming it, it's fine. Whereas, if its determining a diagnosis and then automating a treatment plan, then of course, that's a much higher risk, and we need to have much better consent and rigour and governance around it. So should Australia form an AI Health Governance body to determine regulation, ethics, and privacy, while seeking to gain community trust? There's a lot of conversations going on nationally about emerging communities of practice around this. Certainly the Digital Health Agency is well positioned to be leading national conversations and getting people on board. That theyve managed to nationally roll out My Health Record with an opt out means that they have a tremendous amount of power and buy in. There was a huge amount of suspicion around My Health Record at the start, but I think COVID really helped people understand we do need these linked digital repositories to break down walls and improve care. And I think AI is just one more step in that breaking down of walls. Dr Steere also points to AIrelated issues that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is addressing. There are evolving conversations around which AI tools are defined as medical devices. While scribes that just transcribe are unlikely to require TGA approval, chatbots giving advice, or decision support tools suggesting diagnosis, or using photo or video to initiate an action will require this additional layer of approval. Thats why our approach is to work with industry partners from the getgo, to ensure that this understanding of Australian regulation is a key element of these early partnerships. Artificial intelligence is already deeply embedded in the health sector. It plays a major role in detecting and diagnosing disease, interpreting Xrays, CT scans and MRIs, driving drug discovery, enabling robotic surgery, and shaping personalised treatment plans. Yet in emergency care and regulation, there remains significant scope for reform. That theme was highlighted at the Services recent dinner, where it addressed its AI implementation. Worldleading burns specialist and RFDS Western Operations Board Member, Professor Fiona Wood, said: Were pushing the boundaries of knowledge and building momentum for innovation in rural and remote health. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare CEO, Dr Zoran Bolevich, emphasised the extraordinary pace of change: I dont think weve seen anything thats been developing this quickly and this dramatically in a very long time. At the event, the RFDS said it would not administer an AI-developed treatment plan without a human clinician in the loop. Nevertheless, AI technology is now advancing in emergency care, communications, and in the collection and sharing of health data. Regulators face the challenge of ensuring that what is feasible is available to patients as swiftly and safely as possible, as governance issues are addressed. Chris Griffith travelled to the RFDS AI Hackathon in Adelaide courtesy of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Chris Griffth's personal website is here. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) COP30 in Belem, Brazil, has ended without an agreement by member states to reaffirm the phasing out of fossil fuels, which is the only way to avert rolling climate catastrophes. COP28 at Dubai had included such language. The vague advice to countries to cut down on their carbon dioxide emissions is useless without fingering the main culprit in those emissions. It is like urging people to cut down on their lung cancer rates without bringing up the need to reduce the use of cigarettes, or urging less drunk driving without mentioning the need to avoid imbibing alcohol before getting behind the wheel. When corporations engage in this sort of duplicity, we call it greenwashing. And that is what the whole COP30 became, an exercise in greenwashing the worlds nations, all of which bear responsibility for a looming set of disasters that is already befalling countries like Bangladesh and Jamaica, and will inevitably strike all humanity over the coming decades. We have it in our power to reduce the severity of those calamities substantially. We have decided, on the whole, not to bother. Our children and grandchildren will quite rightly curse our memories. All the substantial progress that has been made in the past decade toward producing electricity from renewables has still not resulted in any diminution of our annual carbon emissions, though their rate of increase has slowed. This failure is like a person needing to lose 300 pounds putting on another 10 last year, and putting on only 9 this year. That person would sill have ballooned up to 319 pounds instead of losing any weight, even if he or she didnt put on quite as much weight this year as last. 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) Over 80 countries at COP30, including most members of the European Union and climate-threatened countries such as Kenya, Colombia and Chile, had banded together to demand a roadmap to ending the burning of petroleum, coal and fossil gas. But consensus could not be reached without dozens of other countries, who blocked any such specific measures in the final conference statement. The bad guys prominently included Saudi Arabia and the entire Arab bloc, along with China, India, and other nations still in thrall to Big Carbon. The United States, the second largest carbon polluter in the world, was so opposed that it did not even bother to show up at COP30. Trump policies will cut in half the reduction in our CO2 emissions that we had planned to achieve by 2030. Some of the decisions that COP30 states did take seem brain dead in light of the failure to pledge the end of fossil fuels. Developed nations pledged to triple the amount of money they would give the global South countries to help with climate adaptation. But you do realize that going on burning coal, gas and oil will turbocharge climate disasters? You wouldnt have to give as many billions for climate adaptation if you decreased the need for . . . climate adaptation! Likewise, COP30 adopted some voluntary side-deals that are praiseworthy. The UN says that the Tropical Forests Forever Fund Raised $5.5 billion and now includes 53 participating countries; at least 20 per cent of resources go directly to Indigenous Peoples and local communities. 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. But if you go on putting 37 gigatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year, the rain forests will burn up and become carbon producers instead of carbon sinks, even if indigenous people are afforded the funds to buy them up and forestall logging. So without reducing CO2 emissions, youre just wasting the $5.5 billion which anyway isnt very much to preserve the tropical forests. The World Bank notes, Forests also play a key role in the mitigation of climate change, removing an estimated 16 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere annually, equaling about half of the annual CO2 released from burning fossil fuels. Friends, these carbon sinks are saving our butts from even worse climate catastrophes and are worth rather more than $5 billion a year. Photo by Ivars Utinans on Unsplash The UN News Service reported, Before the final plenary, Brazilian scientist Carlos Nobre issued a stark warning: fossil fuel use must fall to zero by 2040 2045 at the latest to avoid catastrophic temperature rises of up to 2.5C by mid-century. That trajectory, he said, would spell the near-total loss of coral reefs, the collapse of the Amazon rainforest and an accelerated melt of the Greenland ice sheet. The disappointing outcome of COP30 points to the need for governance reform. There should be a formal vote on the final communique and a majority should carry the day. We have 8.2 billion people on earth. Saudi Arabias citizen population is on the order of 22 million (it has 14 million guest workers). We cant allow a dinky little oil state to dictate the fate of the planet. Of course, India and China together account for a fourth of the worlds population and they were against a formal commitment to phase out fossil fuels, too. Still, thats a fourth, not a majority. And both are actually putting in many gigawatts of wind and solar annually. Their governments apparently just dont want to be constrained by the international consensus. Ironically, the COP closing statements are not binding on any individual country, so nobody would even have been inconvenienced if the Brazil meeting had called for a roadmap to end fossil fuels. By Shannon Bosch, Edith Cowan University (The Conversation) In late December 2008, then-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert authorised Operation Cast Lead in response to rocket attacks from Hamas-controlled territory in Gaza. The three-week military assault killed around 1,400 Palestinians, including more than 300 children. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and hospitals, UN shelters, power stations, water facilities, food storage sites, schools and mosques were severely damaged. Medical rescue teams and humanitarian workers were obstructed. A UN fact-finding mission documented indiscriminate attacks, the use of white phosphorus in populated areas, and what it deemed the collective punishment of the entire population of Gaza. Human rights groups also compiled evidence supporting these findings. In January 2009, the Palestinian Authority submitted a declaration encouraging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the operation. At the time, however, Palestine held only observer entity status at the United Nations, and the courts prosecutor concluded it was not a state capable of joining the Rome Statute (the treaty that established the court) or triggering an investigation. Israel has also never been a member of the ICC. Consequently, the ICC has not investigated the incidents to determine if they meet the threshold of war crimes or crimes against humanity. More than 15 years later, there is new attention on the operation. Earlier this month, the Hind Rajab Foundation, a Belgium-based nonprofit group, filed a request in Germany for prosecutors there to open an investigation into Olmert for his role in the operation. What is universal jurisdiction? War crimes and crimes against humanity are among the gravest offences recognised in international law. And they are not subject to statutes of limitation. However, the ICC cannot shoulder the burden for prosecuting these cases alone. It was never intended to do so. As such, domestic courts have become crucial mechanisms for prosecuting alleged war criminals and more victims rights groups are using them in this way. They are able to do this through the principle of universal jurisdiction. This means any state can prosecute perpetrators of alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and genocide committed anywhere in the world, regardless of the nationality of the perpetrator or victims. Universal jurisdiction exists in international law to close the accountability gap when international courts or courts in individual states (like Israel) fail to act. For example, German law gives German prosecutors jurisdiction over cases involving alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Courts there have already used these powers to arrest and prosecute alleged perpetrators from other conflict zones, including Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq. More than 140 states have this same capacity to arrest, investigate and prosecute foreign nationals in cases like these. Prosecutions on the basis of universal jurisdiction have occurred in 19 countries. This year alone, there are some 95 active cases involving universal jurisdiction in 16 countries, according to an organisation that tracks them. This is up from 36 cases in 2024. And more than 25 countries (including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil and others) have received criminal complaints related to alleged war crimes specifically related to Israeli soldiers or leaders. These have come from global networks of lawyers, researchers and activists. In some cases, the complaints are supported by geo-located evidence posted by the alleged perpetrators themselves on social media. Soldiers could be targeted anywhere This has made Israeli soldiers and leaders more vulnerable to possible arrest when travelling abroad related to their possible involvement in operations in Gaza. An Israeli soldier, for example, was targeted with a court-ordered investigation in Brazil in January before fleeing the country. International Criminal Court, The Hague, Digital Imagining. As a result, the Israeli news outlet Ynet has issued a travel guide warning Israeli soldiers about legal risks travelling abroad, with advice from an ICC defence lawyer. The Israel Defence Forces have also introduced new measures to conceal soldiers identities and required the media to blur soldiers faces and use their initials instead of given names. While ICC investigations into potential war crimes remain vital to holding perpetrators to account in conflicts the world over, these universal jurisdiction cases show that another avenue exists for victims to try to achieve justice. Some legal scholars suggest domestic courts can and should act in tandem with the ICC, with the UN court focusing on so-called big fish and domestic courts targeting individual soldiers involved in conflicts. And this is what legal scholars say will help shrink the impunity gap, sending a clear message that serious international crimes will be investigated, no matter who the perpetrator is. Shannon Bosch, Associate Professor (Law), Edith Cowan University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Bangladesh's government said on Sunday it had asked India to extradite ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was sentenced earlier this week to be hanged over a deadly crackdown against a student-led uprising. Hasina, 78, has been in hiding in India since her autocratic rule was overthrown in August 2024. As prime minister, she had had New Delhi's backing. Touhid Hossain, who holds the foreign affairs portfolio in Bangladesh's interim administration, told reporters that on Friday "we sent a letter seeking the extradition of Sheikh Hasina." He did not elaborate on the contents of the letter, which according to Bengali newspaper Prothom Alo was the third official extradition request since Hasina fled. Following the court ruling on Monday, convicting Hasina of crimes against humanity and sentencing her to death, the foreign ministry in Dhaka said in a statement that Delhi had an "obligatory responsibility" under a bilateral treaty to facilitate the former leader's return. India's foreign ministry said in response it had "noted" the verdict, without directly commenting on the extradition request. It did not immediately respond to the latest letter from Dhaka. Bangladesh has been in political turmoil since the end of Hasina's rule, and violence has marred campaigning for elections expected in February 2026. The United Nations says up to 1,400 people were killed in crackdowns as Hasina tried to cling to power, deaths that were central to her trial. India's past support for Hasina has frayed relations between the two neighbours since her overthrow. But tensions appear to have eased slightly when Bangladesh's National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman visited India this week for a regional security summit and met with his counterpart Ajit Doval. Media reports in Bangladesh said Rahman has invited Doval for a visit. Designing her future How K-State helped Brunealla Ishimwe discover her purpose in community planning WD hen Brunealla Ishimwe first heard about Kansas State Universitys College of Architecture, Planning & Design, or APDesign, she was sitting in a high school classroom in Fort Worth, Texas. A presentation from an APDesign student introduced her to the world of architecture through urban design and unknowingly, to the place where she would find her purpose. Born in Portland, Maine, Ishimwe's story began long before that presentation. Her parents are from Rwanda, where her mother worked for the U.S. Embassy and earned the opportunity to study abroad. After years of service, her mother was granted an immigrant visa and relocated to the United States, bringing Ishimwe and her two sisters to Texas in 2019. In K-State's College of Architecture, Planning & Design, Burenalla Ishimwe discovered a passion and a purpose to change the world as a regional and community planner. It was a big change for all of us, Ishimwe recalled. We were adjusting to a new culture, a new school system and a whole new way of life. She completed high school in Fort Worth in fall of 2022 and began at K-State in summer of 2023, considering her next steps. I wanted to do something meaningful, she said. When I remembered the K-State presentation from my high school, I decided to learn more about the program and thats where everything started to connect. Finding her spot on campus through Kompass and BSU Before her first semester, Ishimwe joined the K-State Kompass program, a free three-day summer orientation designed to help incoming freshmen including first-generation, Pell-eligible and other students at K-State's Manhattan campus get acclimated to campus life and set up for academic success. Kompass changed my perspective on college, she said. It gave me a sense of belonging before classes even started. I met mentors, made meaningful friendships and learned about campus resources that allowed me to be prepared to begin my college career. That early experience inspired her to later become a Kompass mentor the following year, helping new students navigate their own college transitions. Because I know firsthand how much that support meant to me, I wanted to be that same person for others, she explained. As Ishimwe continued settling into campus life, she found another community where she felt understood and supported: the Black Student Union, or BSU a student group that is open to all and promotes academic excellence and leadership of black students, while promoting Black culture across all aspects of life. Through K-State's various student organizations, Brunealla Ishimwe found her voice and developed her skills as a student leader. BSU gave me a space where I didnt have to explain who I was or where I came from, a home away from home she says. It is such a welcoming organization. Through weekly meetings, cultural events and leadership opportunities, she formed connections with students who shared not only her background, but her values and hopes for the future. Allowing her to step into leadership roles even as a freshman, BSU helped her build confidence and a sense of presence on campus to advocate, lead, and collaborate. Being part of BSU reminded me that my identity is a strength, she said. It encouraged me to take up space and use my voice in meaningful ways. The community she found there continues to inspire her commitment to representation and belonging, both within APDesign and across the university. Changing course and finding her purpose Initially, Ishimwe enrolled in APDesign's architecture program. But as her first year unfolded, she began to sense that her skills and passions especially her desire to solve problems and engage directly with communities might find a better home elsewhere in APDesign. Architecture was fascinating, she says, but I realized I wanted to make a broader social impact, not just design buildings. Her turning point came after conversations with Associate Dean Katie Kingery-Page, who encouraged her to explore the college's Regional and Community Planning, or RCP, program. Planning allows me to connect people to their communities. Thats what Ive always wanted to make a real difference where its needed most. BRUNEALLA ISHIMWE Dean Kingery-Page really listened to me, Ishimwe said. She told me about internship opportunities, the community impact aspect of planning, and how it could align with my goals. With guidance from Mitzi Farmer, APDesigns director of student and academic services, Ishimwe officially changed her major to RCP an academic home that fit perfectly. Through the MAPS Summer Bridge Program, she deepened her understanding of plannings connection to equity, sustainability and community engagement. A voice for connection and change Now a third-year RCP student, Ishimwe reflected on how far shes come from a self-described introvert uncertain of her path to a confident leader and mentor within APDesign. Shes especially proud of the relationships shes built through Kompass and the MAPS program, as well as her leadership involvement in the Black Student Union. They gave me the courage to speak up, lead by example, share ideas and realize that my voice matters, she said. Ishimwe's story is one of resilience, adaptation and purpose. From her familys journey from Rwanda to Maine to Texas, and now to Manhattan, she has woven each chapter into a narrative of growth and service. Planning allows me to connect people to their communities, she said. Thats what Ive always wanted to make a real difference where its needed most. ### Sunday, November 23, 2025 - A video has emerged showing a furious mother confronting a police officer she accused of preying on her teenage daughter, a high school student. In the video, the woman can be heard shouting, Kazi yako ni kudandia wasichana wa shule! as she blocks the officer from walking away. The mother further alleged that the officer, identified as Koech, frequently spends time in local bars drinking with teenage girls, and even accused him of being responsible for pregnancies among some schoolgirls in the area. Watch the video>>> Kazi Yako Ni Kudandia Wasichana Wa Shule! pic.twitter.com/G3XvA0hYWH DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) November 23, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, November 23, 2025 - Popular TikToker and beauty entrepreneur, Gloria Ntazola, has caused a buzz on social media after unapologetically stating that her money is strictly for enhancing her beauty. In a candid Instagram post, she declared, Pesa zangu nizakujiumba. Shamba na investment bwana atakuianazo. For her, personal grooming and cosmetic enhancements arent luxuries - theyre essentials for confidence and professionalism in the beauty industry. Ntazola, who shot to fame after a viral run-in with a Kanjo Askari, has built her brand around self-care. Recently, she revealed that she had undergone lip filler procedures in Nigeria, describing the move as part of her commitment to maintaining a sharp, camera-ready image. Im in the cosmetics industry; I just dont sell body lotions. I want to venture into other things related to cosmetics. Please, I need to look sharp. Dont expect me to look like someone in the mechanical engineering fields, she explained. The Kenyan DAILY POST 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. 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 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 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. Uisce Eireann has completed a critical watermain replacement project in Clogga, installing over 2km of modern, high-quality pipes between Clogga Cross and Tubrid Reservoir. The upgrade aims to improve water quality, reduce leakage, and deliver a more reliable supply for homes and businesses in the area. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS Were delighted to complete this important upgrade in Clogga, said Portfolio Manager at Uisce Eireann, Dave Murphy. This section of the watermain had experienced frequent bursts over the years, making its replacement a priority. By replacing over 2km of old watermains, we have improved the reliability and quality of the water supply, reduced leakage, and strengthened the network for future generations. We appreciate the patience and support of the local community as we carried out these essential works. The project was delivered by Shareridge on behalf of Uisce Eireann. It was delivered as part of Uisce Eireanns national Leakage Reduction Programme, which continues to deliver significant benefits to communities across Ireland, including improved water quality, provision of a more resilient and sustainable water supply for customers, and considerable water savings. Members of the public can report any leaks in the public water network by contacting Uisce Eireann at 1800 278 278 or online at Report a Leak. By David Young, PA Europes voice must be front and centre of negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said. Helen McEntee said it would not be acceptance for the EU not to be involved in shaping any deal to stop the fighting between Ukraine and Russia. As US, Ukrainian and European delegations took part in talks in Geneva on Sunday on a potential accord, the minister said it was an absolutely critical moment, not just for future peace in Ukraine but across the European continent. You cannot have a peace agreement where you have borders being changed by force Helen McEntee Referencing claims of Russian and Belarussian involvement in recent attacks on the Polish rail network and on drone incursions in Lithuania, Ms McEntee said the long term security of Ukraine and the rest of Europe depended on a lasting peace agreement. The EU has made it very clear any agreement has to include the European Union, the minister told RTE Radio Ones This Week programme. It has to include our institutions, any suggestion that there would be elements of a peace plan that discuss the EU, that discuss Nato, that discuss our future security, that wouldnt involve us, is not something thats going to be acceptable. So we need to make sure that our voice is strong. We need to make sure that our voice is clear. The Taoiseach (Micheal Martin) will be at a number of meetings over the next number of days and will again reiterate our absolute support for Ukraine, but also that the need for Europes voice and for our security to be front and centre as well in any negotiations. So this is not going to be easy. I appreciate that. I think everybody here wants to see a peace agreement. I mean the fact that 33 people, including children, were killed only in the last few days, the fact that there are aggressions happening across the Ukrainian border into other EU member states means that this is a very critical moment. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky looks into the camera while delivering a video address to the nation in Kyiv, Ukraine (Press Service Of The President Of Ukraine via AP) But we will do everything that we can to support Ukraine and to make sure that a lasting peace, a just peace, and one that upholds Ukraines sovereignty and their credible security into the future, that that is front and centre. Ms McEntee made clear that a deal could not be forced upon Ukraine. You cannot have a peace agreement where you have borders being changed by force, she added. You cannot have a peace agreement where there isnt a credible security guarantee for Ukraine moving forward, or where there are limitations placed on their ability to defend themselves should something happen again in the future. A CULPRIT has come forward after climbing the newly-erected Christmas Tree in Portarlington last night, causing damage to the lights. The incident caused anger and upset among volunteers, who spent weeks of hard work and fundraising to have the beautiful tree erected. As reported in the Laois Nationalist earlier today, the tree climbers antics were condemned by the Portarlington Christmas Tree committee, which was unaware of the incident before a photo was circulated on social media. In an update at 6pm this evening, the committee said: The incident that occurred last night with the tree has been resolved between the committee and the individual involved. We appreciate this individual coming forward. The picture was published on social media before the Christmas Tree committee was made aware. The incident caused considerable annoyance and inconvenience for the voluntary group, which must engage a hoist again to check the extent of damage to the tree lights. In an earlier social media post at lunchtime today, the committee said: We have had someone vandalise the Christmas Tree last light, causing significant damage to the lighting of the tree. We know who you are and will be reporting it to the guards, expect a knock on your door. We have spent weeks preparing and putting up the tree for a gobshite like you, who thinks you can do what you want. Remember we are a voluntary group who give up our time so we can have a lovely tree in our town. The group also posted a photograph of the culprit near the top of the tree, late on Saturday night or the early hours of Sunday morning. The image of the climber, who was clearly no angel, had been circulating on social media with the tagline Good man Santa Claus. The notice was posted on the Portarlington Christmas Tree 31 yrs and still going strong Facebook page. The incident is extremely upsetting for the group, which had just completed installation of the tree in preparation for the switching-on of festive lights in the town next Saturday. It is hoped that the incident will not affect the towns celebrations on Saturday 29 November, when a festive gathering featuring Santa Claus and the Santa Truck will start at 7pm. THE Department of Education and Youth has launched a survey to assess demand for different types of primary schools. Its aim is to expand parental choice in education. Parents, principals and school staff, along with Boards of Management, have been asked to participate in the survey. It can be accessed and completed online. The Department claims it is the biggest survey of its kind and it will give a comprehensive, nationwide picture of parental preferences. the findings will inform future school planning and support more diverse school provision that reflects the values and needs of modern Ireland". The survey involves the following questions: Would you prefer your primary school to be a co-educational school or a single-sex school? Would you prefer your primary school to operate under a denominational (religious) patron or to operate under a multi-denominational (non-religious) patron? And would you prefer your primary school to provide education primarily through the English language or through the Irish language? I fully support this survey of stakeholders in the primary school system. I encourage all those eligible to participate in the survey. Hopefully, the results of the survey will convince the Department that there is support for the denominational educational system. But results also should empower the Department to engage in a process of divestment in consultation with patrons to accommodate parents who do not want to identify with religious patronage and the ethos it promotes. The Department highlighted the fact that 90% of primary schools are denominational under the patronage of the Catholic Church with a Catholic ethos. The Catholic hierarchy has repeatedly stated that they are prepared to divest Catholic schools, thus offering a wider range of educational opportunities to children and parents who are non-religious. The Catholic Church does not wish to have a monopoly on education. However, the divestment process has proved to be challenging as the majority of parents in most areas has not been supportive of change. The urgent need for divestment is frequently highlighted. In a somewhat similar vein, General Secretary of the Education and Training Board in Ireland, Paddy Lavelle, argues for a switch to a multi-denominational primary education model. He claims that this would not erase the impact of faith on students of religious families. "For families who are Catholic, there is still the option for children to make their First Holy Communion or their Confirmation the only difference is that preparation for the sacraments happens outside of the regular school day. As a Chaplain to several schools, it is a daily privilege and rich experience to witness the life, energy, enthusiasm and rich diversity that is the wonderful story of all our school communities. Catholic schools, enjoy a rich tradition and continue, with an inclusive and holistic vision, to reach out to diverse educational needs of our time. Catholic schools, by their very nature, are not exclusive clubs. In this regard, many different, cultures, creeds and non-creeds coexist in a very progressive, inclusive and dynamic model. Part of the living Ethos of Catholic schools includes a faith programme, which permeates into every aspect of school curricular, not just the designated time allotted to more formal Religious Education. A positive sense of self, coupled with an image of God as a loving a compassionate friend, empowers young people, to grow in self-confidence and with a sense of justice and morality that will contribute to society greatly in their adult lives. However, I believe that there must be a diversity of patronage in the primary school system. Article 42 of Bunreacht na hEireann guarantees the right of parents to be the primary educators of their children. This right is also recognised in international human rights law. It guarantees parents the right to choose the education system for their children, schools that align with their values. Therefore, it is equally sectarian to claim, as Paddy Lavelle has done, that there should only be multidenominational schools where the ethos is fundamentally secular or atheist. In effect, this is denying Christian parents the right to a pedagogy for their children based on Christian values. I believe that a faith-based education can be highly valuable for young people. Pope Leo recently issued an Apostolic Letter (Drawing New Maps of Hope), in which he articulated his views on Catholic education. Leo promotes a holistic vision of education which fully embraces the child, spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically. Forming the whole person means avoiding compartmentalisation. He adds that when faith is true, it is not an added subject but a breath that oxygenates every other subject. Viewed positively, this implies that the Catholic vision opposes what the pope calls a purely mercantilist approach that measures education in terms of practical utilityin other words teaching skills needed for the work force in later life. Education must also be "an apprenticeship in virtue". The Christian pedagogy, he teaches, must also foster the interior life through silence, listening and prayer. Such a pedagogy challenges the teacher to engage with pupils in a human way using joy, love and empathy to guide them. The ultimate goal of Catholic education is to help pupils discover meaning in life, to realise their dignity, and their responsibility towards others. The Catholic school is fundamentally committed to inclusivity but also to respecting the diversity of faith and culture in the school community. Realising this in practice is one of the greatest challenges today. Lets hope there is a high level of engagement with the survey and that an educational system reflective of the rapid cultural change in Ireland will evolve. A man with Laois roots became the second most senior officer in the World Bank on Monday. Paschal Donohoe, the son of a Laois Stena Line worker, announced on Tuesday, 18 November that he was departing from public life in Ireland to take up the position of managing director and chief knowledge officer at the global financial institution. Mr Donohoe was born in 1974 in Phibsborough, Co Dublin and served as a TD for Dublin Central from 2011 until his resignation in 2025. His late father Jimmy Donohoe was originally from Mountmellick, Co Laois and his mother Caitlin was born in Roscommon. Mr Donohoes grandfather was a stationmaster in Co Meath. His father rented marquees and tents on top of his job at Stena-Sealink, and Paschal said he spent summers helping his dad at parties and agricultural fairs, learning the value of hard work. Mr Donohoe went to school at St Declan's CBS in Cabra and took to debating. Upon finishing my school, he won a scholarship to Trinity College Dublin, where he studied politics and economics and was the secretary of the Philosophical Society. From Times Wire Services Jaco Pastorius, a jazz bassist whose brief career was credited with influencing musicians around the world, has died after being beaten on the streets that had become his home for the last several months. The former bassist with the fusion band Weather Report, Blood, Sweat and Tears and other big-name musical groups, died Monday night at Broward General Medical Center where he had been comatose since the Sept. 12 beating. He was 35. Police said the troubled Pastorius was beaten when he tried to enter an after-hours club known as Midnight. Pastorius had been banned from the club because of erratic behavior in recent years, police said. Advertisement Officials said that Pastorius reportedly started kicking the door of the club and that manager Luc Havan beat Pastorius, injuring him critically. Havan has been charged with aggravated battery. Although Pastorius died destitute, his rapid-fire fingering techniques and composing talent earned him a reputation in the late 1970s and early 80s as one of the jazz worlds top electric bass players. Nominated for Grammys In addition to Blood, Sweat and Tears, he toured with Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell and Weather Report and was nominated for three Grammys. Advertisement He also fronted his own sextet and toured the country as recently as three years ago. Early in his career, Pastorius, born John but nicknamed Jaco by his family, had disdained drugs and alcohol, saying they impaired his playing. But colleagues said he began to drink shortly after joining Weather Report. In 1982, he pleaded guilty to threatening a police officer with violence after Pastorius had an argument with his wife. He was sentenced to probation, which he violated by riding drunk and naked on the hood of a pickup truck. Spends Time in New York About 1984, he began spending most of his time in New York. Family and friends began hearing stories that he was always drunk, often slept in parks and smashed his guitars. Advertisement About that time, according to his brother, Gregory, a doctor told Pastorius that he was a manic-depressive, with cyclic peaks in brain activity that gave him creative intensity. Alcohol made the disorder worse. He and his former wife, Ingrid, of Deerfield Beach, divorced in 1985. Pastorius moved back to Fort Lauderdale, penniless, sometimes sleeping in a park. The club where Pastorius was beaten was only one of many South Florida bars that had banned Pastorius because of disruptive behavior. Advertisement What happened, I guess only Jaco knows, his brother said last week. From Staff and Wire Reports Dedrick Gobert, an actor in the movie Boyz N the Hood, was one of two men shot to death in a fight over a weekend drag-race, authorities said Monday. Gobert, 22, of Inglewood, and Ignacio Hernandez, 19, of Rosemead, were killed early Saturday on an isolated road in the Mira Loma area north of here, said a spokesman for the Riverside County Sheriffs Department. A 16-year-old girl was hospitalized with a gunshot wound in the neck. Gobert was in the supporting cast of writer-director John Singletons Boyz N the Hood, released in 1991. Goberts other credits included the 1993 movie Poetic Justice, starring Janet Jackson, and Higher Learning, which is scheduled for release in January, according to Singletons New Deal Productions. Advertisement Deputies responding to a 2:20 a.m. shooting report found Gobert and Hernandez dead in the roadway on Etiwanda Avenue. Lohman said about 40 people had gathered for illegal drag-races, and a race between Gobert and another man led to an argument. Hernandez was attacked when he tried to help Gobert, Lohman said. Investigators were looking for a man believed to have fled in a 1993 or 1994 Honda Prelude. There were several food, product and car recalls you missed during the week of Nov. 17-23, 2025. Canva Mid-November has brought a flurry of recall alerts across the U.S., with food products, household items and automotive manufacturers issuing urgent notices. From contamination concerns to manufacturing defects, these recalls highlight how quickly everyday items can become unexpected safety risks. As families prepare for the holiday season in the coming weeks, understanding whats been pulled from shelvesand whyhas never been more important. Here are six of the latest recalls across food, consumer goods and automobiles that made headlines this week and how to spot these risky items to stay safe. 6 food and product recalls between Nov. 17 and Nov. 23 Item Detail Start Date Week of Nov. 17-23 Whos affected? Drivers of Ford and Kia vehicles, consumers of Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Cheese, consumers of lava buns and users of milk pans Whats changing? See each specific food, car or product recall for more information. What will happen? People will have to stop consuming or using the products, return them to their place of purchase, and/or throw the products out. Milk pans sold in 6 states recalled due to potential lead contamination Shata Traders Inc. is recalling milk pans sold in six states, including New Jersey, due to potential lead contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recall covers 24-centimeter milk pans sold under the brand Majestic Chef Pan. The products were distributed in six states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia and Massachusetts. The Brooklyn-based company initiated the recall after testing found levels of lead harmful to human consumption. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall. Consumers who bought the milk pans should immediately stop using them and return them to their place of purchase for a full refund. Anyone with questions and concerns about the recall should call (718) 369-7000 and ask for Mahboob Rahman. For more information about the recall, you can read the FDA notice. Little Partners recalling more than 9K Grow N Stow Folding Learning Towers due to fall risk Little Partners is recalling 9,780 Grow N Stow Folding Learning Towers because the platform inside the learning tower can collapse, posing a fall risk for young children, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The products have the model number LP01711 and date codes, in YYYYMM format, from 202409 to 202501, according to the CPSC. The company has received 14 reports of the folding towers collapsing, with one reported injury of a child who suffered bruises. The learning towers were sold at Walmart stores nationwide, and at online retailers, such as Walmart.com, Amazon.com, Littlepartners.com, Etsy.com, Wayfair.com, Goodbyegear.com, Buybuybaby.com and Bedbathandbeyond.com, from December 2024 through September 2025. The products retailed at around $100 each. Consumers should stop using the learning towers and keep them away from children. They should also throw away the old crossbar and contact Little Partners for a free repair kit that includes a new crossbar and instructions on how to install it. For more information on this recall, you can check the CPSC notice here. Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Cheese recalled due to life-threatening health risk An Oregon-based cheesemaker is recalling 16 6-ounce units of its Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar Cheese due to listeria contamination, according to the FDA. Face Rock Creamery initiated the recall after testing found listeria in the processing area where the cheese was packaged. No illnesses have been reported to date. The recalled 6-ounce Vampire Slayer Garlic Cheddar has a UPC code of 8 512222 00547 8 and was sold between Nov. 10-13, 2025, at the creamerys flagship store in Bandon, Ore. Those with questions about this recall should call 541-347-3223 between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. PT, Monday-Friday, or send an email to info@facerockcreamery.com. For more information about this recall, you can check out the FDA notice. Dessert company recalls Lava Buns distributed to 33 states due to life-threatening allergen A New York-based manufacturer of Asian desserts recalled 2,243 cases of two varieties of desserts called Lava Buns due to an undeclared milk allergen, according to the FDA. The FDA said that the milk in the product came from unsalted butter, which was not listed on the label. No illnesses have been reported to date. The recalled products were shipped to Asian grocery stores between April 2, 2025, and Nov. 14, 2025, in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The following products were subject to the recall: Prime Food brand Lava Bun with Salted Egg Yolk with UPC #97903705873 - 24-ounce item #PD4188. This product is packaged in an orange pouch approximately 10.25 inches wide by 11.25 inches high. The lot code range is 25092-25318. The expiration range is July 2026-March 2027. Prime Food brand Lava Bun with Green Tea Flavor UPC #97803705883 - 24-ounce item #PD4198. This product is packaged in a bright lime green pouch approximately 10.25 inches wide by 11.25 inches high. The lot code range is 25092-25318; the expiration range is July 2026-March 2027. Consumers who bought these products should return them uneaten to their place of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions may contact Prime Food Processing LLC at 718-963-2323, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. For more information about this recall, check out the FDA notice. 250K Kias recalled due to fire, fuel tank melting hazards More than 250,000 Kias have been recalled due to fire risks and issues that can cause the fuel tanks in the vehicles to melt, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank, the NHTSA notice stated. The recall covers 250,547 units of certain 2021-2024 model year Kia K5 vehicles. The affected vehicles were equipped with a 1.6L Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection engine. Owners can bring their vehicles to their dealers for inspection and if necessary, a check valve replacement at no cost. The fuel tank could also be replaced at no cost if necessary. Notifications about the recall will be sent out in January. Ford recalls 230K Broncos due to instrument panel display failures Ford is recalling 230,000 Bronco SUVs in the U.S. because the instrument panel displays have issues that affect visuals such as warning lights or vehicle speed, according to the NHTSA. The recall affects 2025 and 2026 model year Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. No accidents or injuries have been reported to date Ford will fix the problem with a software update that will be done over-the-air or at dealers at no cost to the owner. Owners will be notified about the recall by Dec. 8, 2025. A Barista who forgot to pay for 800 of bed clothes from Dunnes Stores in Portlaoise later panicked and threw away the items. Tatiana Ciobanu (38) of 6 Parkrise, Birr, Co Offaly, admitted stealing bedding valued at 800 from Dunnes Stores, Kyle Centre, Portlaoise on October 25 last. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the woman took 800 worth of goods, left the store and drove off in her car on the date in question. He said CCTV captured the incident which happened at 5pm and the woman filled a trolley and left the shop in her 10TN registered car. Sgt Kirby said the woman made full admissions when gardai tracked her down. Judge Susan Fay asked if the goods had been recovered. Sgt Kirby said the goods werent recovered and he told Judge Fay that the woman had no previous convictions. Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was a Moldovan national who has been in Ireland for 15 years. She said the woman works part time as a Barista in Birr. Ms Fitzpatrick said her client had intended to pay for the items at the store but she got distracted when her son phoned her in the shop. She said the woman was down the road when she realised she didnt pay and she panicked. Ms Fitzpatrick said the woman had taken bedding items on the day. Judge Fay asked where the items were now and Ms Fitzpatrick said her client informed her that she threw them out. Ms Fitzpatrick acknowledged that the priority now would be for compensation. The money she had on that date has since been spent on home heating oil, she explained. She suggested the case be put back to February next year for compensation to be gathered. She is also being evicted from her home, said Ms Fitzpatrick, who explained that the woman is renting and the home is being sold. Judge Fay requested a probation service report and a community service suitability assessment. Sgt Kirby said he would like to make an application to have the woman banned from driving. There is a similar matter under investigation in another Dunnes Stores in another part of the country, he said. Ms Fitzpatrick said her client enjoys the presumption of innocence. She said there are no other matters before the courts and disqualifying the woman from driving in such circumstances would be disproportionate. Judge Fay granted legal aid and adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on April 20 next year. She said the application could be brought by Sgt Kirby at that point. She granted bail with conditions which included that the woman be of good behaviour and stay out of all Dunnes Stores shops nationwide. A man who admitted burgling a Portlaoise pub left his phone and a backpack in the premises, a court was told. James ODonnell (46) of 67 St Brigids Place, Portlaoise, pleaded guilty to burgling Grellan Delaneys Pub on Main Street, Portlaoise on July 30 last. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred at 4am when the injured party heard his dog barking. He said the man saw the defendant on the street with two jackets and a hat belonging to the injured party which had been taken from his apartment. The injured party recovered the hat and jackets from the male, said Sgt Kirby. He then discovered the cold room had been entered and alcohol and earpods were missing, said Sgt Kirby. He said the accused had left his mobile phone and backpack at the scene. He said the man had 16 previous convictions. Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty to the offence. She said he made full admissions despite having no recollection whatsoever of the incident. He did accept that it was him on the CCTV, she said. Ms Fitzpatrick, who described the injured party as a very brave man, said her client was on a methadone programme but he had been offered tablets on the night. She said he is extremely embarrassed about the incident. She said the man had lost a family member in a road traffic collision in 2006. Judge Susan Fay ordered a probation report, restorative justice and granted legal aid to Ms Fitzpatrick. She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on May 5 for an update. Labour TD for Kildare South, Mark Wall has urged the government to set up an emergency response unit to tackle the congestion problem on Kildare's M7 and N7 roads. Speaking during Leaders Questions in the Dail today (Thursday, November 20), Deputy Wall said its not just workers that are affected, outlining harrowing stories of people missing medical appointments like chemotherapy because of delays. Deputy Wall said: Put simply, the chaos on our roads is a direct consequence of this Government of failures policies. People have been pushed out of our capital city, forced to live in the commuter belt. There is a lack of public transport options, incredibly there is not an hourly train service along the Waterford to Heuston line despite so many people commuting to Dublin along this route. Meanwhile, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail gave employers an effective right to refuse requests to work remotely. The call back to the office and the workplace is a problem cited time and again by many commuters who have contacted me about the crazy traffic delays. Ive been calling for action on the M7 and N7 for months now. Thousands of people are now spending their lives stuck in daily traffic, stuck up to three hours trying to get to work. They are leaving their family homes at 6am just to barely make it to work in time for 9am. It's not just workers that are affected. People are now missing critical medical appointments like chemotherapy because of these delays. READ NEXT: GALLERY: Dr. Andrew Rynne book launch at Farrell & Nephew Bookshop, Newbridge, Kildare In recent weeks, cancer patients are telling me that they are having to pull over to the side of the road because they are so unwell and cant make their appointment. Its absolutely outrageous that Government have not taken action. Speaking directly to the Tanaiste today, Deputy Wall urged him to put pressure on Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Minister for Transport to urgently enact an emergency response unit for the M7 and other major motorways that are experiencing massive traffic delays - like what is in place on the M50. Deputy Wall said that although this would not be a silver bullet, it would allow for better response to minor road traffic incidents and will help prevent traffic coming to a standstill at rush hour. The commuter chaos needs to be addressed. The Tanaiste said he acknowledges the real life impact the enormous increase in traffic is having, but that is absolutely useless to people without serious action, he said. At the very least, people deserve to be able to commute at a reasonable time, people who are attending appointments should be able to plan accordingly, not be left to essentially sit in a carpark which is what the N7 and M7 have become. A new book by Dr Declan Monaghan about The Irish National Stud in Co Kildare was launched by Senator Fiona O'Loughlin in Maynooth University. The Irish National Stud, 1900-2025: Horses, Politics and Elitism examines the history of a pioneering Thoroughbred horse breeding operation. By incorporating and integrating a diverse array of primary sources from various repositories and supplementing them with contemporary and secondary materials, the main narrative reveals the intricate details of Irelands complex relationship with Britain through sport and politics. The publication adopts a chronological, thematic approach, beginning at the turn of the nineteenth century and tracing the development of the Stud through the twentieth century and into the twenty-first century. This book encompasses the political, cultural, and social dimensions of horse breeding/racing and the role of what would become the Irish National Stud. The first period of its history covers the establishment of Tully Stud in Kildare under Colonel William Hall-Walker in 1900. The second period, from 1916 to 1944, begins with Hall-Walker gifting Tully Stud to the British government, which then rebranded it as the National Stud. This coincided with the Irish independence struggle and the formation of the new Irish Free State, leading to over two decades of deadlock over which governmentIrish or Britishlegally owned the Stud. The third period saw the progression of the new Irish National Stud, from its creation in 1944 to the present day, offering a comparison with the British National Stud and providing a thorough analysis of the influence of elite Thoroughbred breeders on the Irish National Stud and the broader industry in both Ireland and Great Britain. READ NEXT: High demand on services at Naas General Hospital. A call was made for the pay scales of senior management teams in special schools to be reviewed and adjusted so that their remuneration properly reflects their responsibilities. Cllr Cormac Flynn told a November meeting of Leitrim County Council that these teams are not adequately remunerated for the heavy workload they carry. He also highlighted that Leitrim is the only county in Ireland without a special school, stressing the need to establish one, as the current situation forces families to seek special education placements across the border, creating unnecessary difficulties. His motion called on the Council to write to the Minister for Education and Youth, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equity, and the Minister of State at the Department of Education to seek a revision of pay scales for senior management teams in special schools. READ NEXT: Leitrim Animal Welfare urges caution over Christmas puppy purchases Cllr Flynn explained that the current pay structure is based on the number of teachers in a school, which fails to reflect the true scale of management responsibilities. He noted that a special school with 10 or 12 teachers might also have up to 40 SNAs and 40 bus escorts, meaning the senior management team could be managing approximately 90 people, yet their pay is determined only by teacher numbers. SNAs and bus escorts are not factored into the calculation. The teams are not remunerated close to the workload thats put on them. Theres massive burnout in the role and reluctance to take on the role. If we want the best people to take on these roles, then their pay scales need to be revised, said Cllr Flynn. READ NEXT: Free winter safety information sessions planned across Leitrim His motion received unanimous support from members of Leitrim County Council. AS WINTER approaches and respiratory infections begin to rise, a Limerick woman living with COPD is urging others not to ignore the warning signs Teresa Madden who is based near Limerick City on the Clare/Limerick border was diagnosed with COPD in 2015. She has been an active member of her local COPD Support Ireland Patient Support and Exercise Group and advocates for the ongoing improvement of access to COPD services. She is also a member of SingStrong, a community-based initiative aimed at improving the health and quality of life for individuals with COPD through singing and breathing classes. Commenting on her diagnosis, Teresa said: When I was first diagnosed with COPD, I didnt really understand what it would mean for my life. But with the right support and information, I learned how to manage it and keep doing the things I love. Support and exercise groups and initiatives like SingStrong have made such a difference. READ MORE: Move to establish Irelands first ever Health Equity Region in Limerick COPD affects an estimated 380,000 people in Ireland, yet as many as 270,000 of these may remain undiagnosed. COPD is an umbrella term for a group of lung diseases that cause breathing difficulties. These include emphysema, which causes damage to the air sacs in the lungs, and chronic bronchitis which gives rise to inflammation of the airways. In COPD, there is a difficulty with air moving out of the lungs efficiently when breathing out, causing a person to feel breathless. Other symptoms include cough, with or without phlegm. While COPD is not curable, it is treatable, allowing people to have the best possible quality of life As Ireland heads into winter, COPD Support Ireland is urging everyone to get vaccinated against flu, Covid-19 and pneumonia, and to take steps to protect their respiratory health. The call comes today on World COPD Day 2025, as a new survey highlights the experiences of people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Ireland. A new survey reveals that, in 75% of people, shortness of breath is the main symptom leading to them seeking medical advice and a diagnosis of COPD. Over 83% of patients are satisfied with their care during diagnosis, with nearly 60% saying their overall COPD care has improved compared to five years ago. However, the findings also reveal that almost six in 10 people still lack a personalised care plan. COPD Support Ireland is calling for continued support of the HSEs national Integrated Model of Care for COPD, as this has been a key driver of improved COPD care in Ireland over the past five years, enabling better connected health services for people with COPD across the country. Dr Stanley Miller, Consultant Respiratory Physician at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Chair of COPD Support Ireland, said: Every winter, people living with COPD and other lung conditions are at increased risk from infections like flu, pneumonia and Covid-19. Getting vaccinated is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you. Early diagnosis and prevention are key for COPD. If you have a persistent cough or breathlessness, dont ignore it. Talk to your GP." "COPD Support Irelands recent patient survey tells us that many people living with COPD feel their care has improved over the last five years which is very encouraging. This coincides with the roll-out of the HSEs national integrated model of care for COPD and the vision of Slaintecare, Right Care. Right place. Right Time. In addition, COPD Support Ireland now provides 60 Patient Support and Exercise Groups around the country which are funded by the HSE. The survey also highlighted the real-world challenges faced by people living with COPD, particularly as winter approaches. Most respondents (78%) are aged 65 or older and many reported needing help with everyday activities such as cooking, shopping or cleaning. Confidence in leaving the home varied, with some expressing anxiety about breathlessness, respiratory infections and mobility difficulties. The rising cost of living is another concern, with 56% reporting that it has affected them in some way. Heating costs are the single biggest issue, with some respondents having to prioritise food and medication over keeping their homes warm. These findings underline the need for continued support for vulnerable patients, particularly during the colder months. Joan Johnston, General Manager of COPD Support Ireland added: Our mission at COPD Support Ireland is to make sure that everyone living with COPD is informed and supported. Through our national network of support and exercise groups, we see the difference that connection and shared experience make. It is encouraging to see from our recent patient survey that satisfaction with COPD care in Ireland is improving, and that things are going in the right direction to ensure equal access to COPD services for all. SERIOUS time pressure is mounting as preparations intensify for the 100-year commemoration of the Dromcollogher Cinema fire, one of the most devastating tragedies in the regions history. Speaking about the upcoming centenary event, due to take place in early September 2026, Cllr Jerome Scanlan warned that while next September may seem distant, in reality, organising a centenary commemoration leaves just months to get everything in place. At the November meeting of Newcastle West Municipal District, he stressed that the pressure is being felt by the local committee and by all involved, noting that although the committee has been active for the past year and a half and has already begun fundraising, things needs to get moving. Read More: Limerick councillors lash out at plans to purchase mini-sweeper they don't want The significance of the event is profound. The 1926 fire claimed 48 lives, a loss of life comparable to the Stardust nightclub disaster in Dublin which also resulted in the deaths of 48 people. Cllr Scanlan explained that "in a close-knit community, the impact was overwhelming, almost 10% of the towns population died, many were injured, and several children were left orphaned. With no counselling or bereavement supports available at the time, families carried their grief silently for generations." Cllr Scanlan emphasised that urgent progress is required to ensure the centenary is marked with the dignity, sensitivity, and the historical care it deserves. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Bengaluru: Birla Estates Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Real Estate Ltd, is venturing into Mumbai's booming redevelopment space to diversify its portfolio. This shift accompanies a massive overall launch pipeline of 13,900-14,000 crore in gross development value (GDV) across 8-9 new projects across multiple cities, in the coming months. The company achieved a breakout performance in 2024-25, with sales bookings of 8,087 crore, compared to 3,985 crore in the preceding year. Aditya Birla Real Estate is the real estate arm of Aditya Birla Group . The next major wave of growth for Mumbai will be driven by redevelopment, and we see this as a defining opportunity. We are in advanced discussions across south Mumbai, Bandra, Juhu, Khar and other core neighbourhoods where societies are increasingly looking for credible, transparent, long-term partners," K.T. Jithendran, managing director and chief executive, Birla Estates, told Mint in an interview. Top developers have been tying up with the city's old housing societies to rebuild them as swankier towers with more apartments. Birla Estates is currently one of the fastest-growing residential developers, according to analysts, as India's housing market enters its fifth consecutive year of strong sales and project launches following the pandemic. While the company hasn't disclosed its sales guidance for FY26, given the robust launch pipeline this year, if the launches do well, there is no reason not to surpass last year's sales, Jithendran added. The launch pipeline cumulatively offers around 7.8 million sq. ft of saleable area. Besides its residential projects, the company is gearing up to launch its first plotted development, spanning approximately 75 acres, at Boisar, near Mumbai, this year. Birla Estates, formed in 2016, develops premium, luxury, and ultra-luxury projects, operating in the four top-performing cities: the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), Bengaluru, and Pune. It has a total project portfolio of roughly 35 million sq. ft, including 11 projects under construction. Also Read | Office Reits eye portfolio growth, higher occupancy Beyond residential Alongside its core residential development business, Birla Estates plans to build a commercial property portfolio to create a steady stream of annuity income. From its current annual rental earnings of around 150 crore, it plans to grow them to 1,000 crore in the next 4-5 years. It is in talks with institutional investors to secure a financial partner for its commercial office business. Rental income is important because it strikes a balance between the residential and commercial businesses. But commercial projects are capital-intensive, so it is prudent to have a strong financial partner. We will also look at mixed-use development projects," Jithendran said. It currently has two premium commercial buildings in Mumbai's Worli locality. Although the residential sector is experiencing an upswing, it has also become increasingly crowded and competitive. However, corporate developers or those backed by conglomerates enjoy the distinct advantage of their brand value, and home buyers are more inclined towards branded developers. This holds true for Birla Estates, too. Also Read | India office Reits report higher FY25 income, leasing on strong GCC demand There is a trust factor because of their legacy. Importantly, developers such as Birla Estates maintain the right processes from land buying to delivery, communicate well with the customers, are cautious even when expanding, and have strong financial bandwidth. The confidence in corporate developers is very high," said Santhosh Kumar, vice-chairman, Anarock Property Consultants. Meanwhile, Birla Estates aims to become one of the top three property developers by booking value in each market it operates in the next few years. Jithendran believes there is ample opportunity for the company to grow in a sector where consumers are more value-driven. Developers who are customer-focused, with a strong balance sheet and execution intent, will do well. The brand is essential, but it's important to price the products sensibly as per the market," he added. Mumbai: Jio Payments Bank Ltd is aggressively expanding its sales network to catch up with market leader Airtel Payments Bank, with the aim of using this wider reach to acquire customers for its more profitable financial products. Instead of having traditional bank branches, a payments bank conducts business through business correspondents who work on a commission. Jio Payments Bank, a unit of Jio Financial Services Ltd, nearly quadrupled its sales network between July and September this year to nearly 200,000 business correspondents. Market leader Airtel Payments Bank has a network of 500,000 business correspondents, which it gradually built over a five-year period between 2017 and 2021. The network has stayed at that level since. The payment bank's customer base grew to about 3 million in Q2 FY26, nearly double the 1.5 million customers in Q2 FY25, and a consistent 14% growth sequentially," Hitesh Sethia, MD & CEO - Jio Financial Services Ltd, told analysts during a post-earnings call last month. Also Read | Large shareholder pushback eases, but promoters still have their way This growth in customer base was supported by the rapid expansion of the payment banks Business Correspondent, or BC network, to 2 lakh touchpoints, up from around 2,300 in Q2 FY25 and around 50,000 in Q1 FY26," he said. Expanding the sales network helps Jio Payments Bank widen its customer base, accept more deposits, and also serves as a customer funnel. People who use the services of Jio Payments Bank, such as money transfer, are more likely to purchase value-accretive products from the lender, helping it expand its business. Value streams Jio Payments Bank initiated two value-added revenue streams during the July-September quarter: Savings Pro and digital toll processing. The former allows the banks customers to automatically invest their idle money in overnight mutual funds, generating additional returns. The bank had deposits of 421 crore as of 30 September, just over double the amount for the same period last year. Jio Payments Bank and Airtel Payments Bank did not respond to requests for comment. The payments bank has also signed a contract with the Indian Highway Management Co. Ltd for digital toll processing as a FASTag acquirer bank for 12 toll plazas. Jio Payments Banks entry into the tolling ecosystem is a natural extension of its missionmission to digitise everyday payments and build smart financial infrastructure at scale," Sethia said in the same analyst call. Jio Payments Bank, which commenced operations in 2018, had a network of approximately 2,300 business correspondents as of September 2024. The network surpassed 50,000 by July 2025. Then, it ballooned to a shade under 200,000 by the end of September. To ramp up this network, Jio poached sales and distribution employees from its rivals, especially Airtel Payments Bank, to leverage their existing channels, according to two such executives who have moved companies at twice their previous salary. These on-ground sales executives were given targets of recruiting up to 5,000 business correspondents, they said. Having already recruited correspondents for their former employer, mostly Airtel Payments Bank, it was just a matter of convincing the correspondents to sign on to Jio Payments Banks network, too, they added. This sped up the network expansion for Jio. Key Takeaways Jio Payments Bank quadrupled its BC network in just three months. Jio is poaching rival staff by offering salaries of 3.5 lakh/year, double the industry standard. The bank is leveraging poached staff to quickly onboard existing agents who already work with competitors like Airtel. The expansion supports new products like 'Savings Pro' (mutual funds) and FASTag toll processing. Despite rapid growth, Jio still trails Airtel Payments Bank significantly. Working with competition Business correspondents dont work exclusively with any one payment bank. They are typically small business owners running mobile repair shops, bill payment services, or making photocopies, and sign up for this work as an additional revenue stream. The distributor came and helped make my ID on Jio," said Sachin Mukesh, a Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh-based business correspondent and YouTuber who signed up with Jio Payments Bank about six months ago. He has also been a correspondent for Airtel Payments Bank for approximately two years. Another West Bengal-based BC, who has earlier worked with Airtel and NSDL payments banks, has now moved exclusively to Jio Payments Bank. Customers demand Jio because it offers more services compared to other payment banks, and it presents a better opportunity for them, he said. Also Read | India may ease imports of specialty steel to address supply gaps Jio is still ramping up its BC network, the people cited above said. There are numerous open job postings for sales and distribution positions at Jio Payments Bank in tier III and tier IV cities across the country, offering salaries of 3.5 lakh per year. This is twice the industry standard for the same work, the people cited above said. A payments bank is a specialized banking license granted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to boost financial inclusion by providing basic banking services to the unbanked and underbanked population. Unlike traditional commercial banks, payments banks cannot offer loans or credit cards. They can accept deposits up to a maximum of 200,000 per customer and offer savings and current accounts, along with issuing ATM and debit cards and facilitating digital payments and remittances. Payments banks primarily focus on low-income households, small businesses, migrant workers, and rural customers. There are six such banks in India: India Post Payments Bank, Fino Payments Bank, Paytm Payments Bank, and NSDL Payments Bank, besides Jio and Airtel. Billionaire technocrat Elon Musk weighed in on the Meta Platforms controversy, after reports emerged that Mark Zuckerberg's company allegedly stalled internal efforts to prevent child predators from contacting minors on the platform, and hid evidence of harm caused due to social media. Responding to a Times post on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which alleged that Meta was aware of millions of adult strangers contacting children on its social media platforms yet rarely acted, Elon Musk simply stated: Terrible. The report further reported that court filings showed that Meta's products exacerbated mental health issues in teens, and that content related to eating disorders, suicide, and child sexual abuse was frequently detected yet were also rarely acted upon. Also Read | Wing Commander Afshan breaks down at funeral of husband killed in Tejas crash What US court filings show: Key Highlights According to a Reuters reports, the filings allege that Meta: Intentionally designed its youth safety features to be ineffective and rarely used them for fear of it hindering the platforms' growth. The papers also alleged that Meta required users to be caught at least 17 times trafficking people for sex before their accounts on platforms would be blocked or removed. The documents called this a a very, very, very highstrike threshold, Reuters added. Further, it alleged that Meta was aware that tweaking algorithms to increase teen engagement resulted in them being exposed to more harmful content but continued to do it anyway. Filings also accused Meta of stalling internal efforts for years, despite such steps being able to block predators from contacting children. It also reportedly pressured staff to disseminate arguments supporting its decision as the best course of action. Papers also showed that Mark Zuckerberg himself, in a text message in 2021, said that child safety was not his top concern compared to a number of other areas I'm more focused on building like the metaverse. It also showed that Mark Zuckerberg, dismissed or ignored requests by then global public policy head Nick Clegg to better fund child safety work. Also Read | Is Gmail training Gemini AI based on your emails? Google responds to viral claim Allegations against Meta: Buried evidence of harm? The Reuters report added that in a 2020 research project code-named Project Mercury, Meta scientists and Nielsen worked on finding out how users coped with deactivating Facebook, and found that people who stopped using Facebook for a week reported lower feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness and social comparison, internal documents said. It added that rather than publishing these findings or pursuing further research, Meta cancelled the project and internally declared the study as tainted by the existing media narrative. However, employees told Clegg that the conclusions were valid. The Nielsen study does show causal impact on social comparison, (unhappy face emoji), an unnamed staff researcher allegedly wrote. Another staffer worried that keeping quiet about negative findings would be akin to the tobacco industry doing research and knowing cigs were bad and then keeping that info to themselves. Later in statements to the US Congress Meta said it was unable to quantify whether its platforms were harmful to teenagers, despite the study showing a causal link between its products and negative mental health effects, the filings claim. Also Read | G20 summit: South Africa pushes through G20 declaration despite US objections How has Meta reacted to these allegations? In a statement Saturday, Meta spokesman Andy Stone said the study was stopped because its methodology was flawed and that it worked diligently to improve the safety of its products. The full record will show that for over a decade, we have listened to parents, researched issues that matter most, and made real changes to protect teens, he said. The allegations have been levelled in a class action lawsuit by Motley Rice, a law firm suing Meta, Google, TikTok and Snapchat on behalf of school districts around the country. TikTok, Google and Snapchat did not immediately respond to a request for comment, as per the Reuters report. Stone has disputed the allegations and claimed the companys teen safety measures are effective and that its current policy is to remove accounts as soon as they are flagged for sex trafficking. "We strongly disagree with these allegations, which rely on cherry-picked quotes and misinformed opinions, he stated. Notably, the documents that the lawsuit is based on is not public, and Meta has filed a motion to strike the documents. A hearing regarding the filing is set for January 26 in Northern California District Court. (Bloomberg) -- Singapore authorities raided a car loan company that borrowed from a firm connected to Prince Holding Group, as the net widens on those linked to the alleged scam organization and its chair Chen Zhi. The premises of Singapore-registered SRS Auto Holdings Pte. was raided by police last week, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified disclosing sensitive information. The sole proprietor of SRS, Tan Yew Kiat, was arrested, they said. The police are investigating Chen Zhi and the companies associated with him, the Singapore Police Force said in a statement on Sunday, in response to questions on the raid on SRS. One person has been arrested for his suspected involvement in money laundering offences so far. We are not able to comment further as the investigation is ongoing. The police statement didnt mention SRS or Tan. SRS didnt reply to an emailed request for comment, while Tan didnt respond to calls or text messages on the same matter. Last month, the US indicted China-born Chen for his alleged leadership of a vast transnational scam syndicate and criminal network. US and UK authorities also sanctioned the 37-year-old, his associates and related companies, and accused them of operating scam centers that stole money from victims worldwide and laundered billions of dollars in funds. SRS, a private car rental and motor financing firm, took an uncommitted revolving loan facility from Skyline Investment Management Pte., according to a May 2017 agreement seen by Bloomberg News, which corporate filings show is still in effect. At the time of the agreement, SRS was known as TS-Wheelers Holdings Pte. Skyline is one of the dozens of firms sanctioned by the US Treasury Department last month, which alleged its control by Chen made it part of the criminal network. Separately, Tan, a Singapore citizen, was listed in a corporate directory as a director at Cambodia-registered TGC Cambodia Co., which was also sanctioned by the US. Clarence Lun Yaodong, a lawyer representing Skyline, declined to comment. The loan agreement also showed SRS held accounts with Singapore lender United Overseas Bank Ltd. and the Singapore arm of Malayan Banking Bhd. Due to client confidentiality, we are unable to comment on individual client relationships, a UOB spokesperson said. Malaysia-headquartered Maybank didnt respond to an emailed request for comment. The US and UKs sanctions against Chen and various associates and firms prompted investigations from authorities across Asia including Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Following the US action, Singapore police seized more than S$150 million ($115 million) in assets connected to him and Prince including properties, cars and bank accounts. The Prince group said in a statement earlier this month that it categorically rejects the notion that it or its Chairman, Chen Zhi, has engaged in any unlawful activity. Skyline and other firms linked to him are also seeking access to funds frozen by Singapore authorities in accounts held with Maybank and Revolut Ltd., arguing it has caused considerable hardship to its employees and their families. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com V-Guard Industries is preparing its boldest gamble in years: a late entry into Indias crowded lighting market. Its the one major space the company has long steered clear of but now sees as essential to completing its transformation from a stabilizer maker into a national electricals powerhouse. Lighting had been the last major white space" in V-Guards portfolio, a gap that managing director Mithun Chittilappilly says the company could no longer ignore. The move caps a decade-long reinvention for the Kerala-headquartered firm, which once derived nearly all its revenue from stabilizers but has steadily pushed into wires, pumps, switchgear and consumer durables. Lighting, however, remained conspicuously absent, until now. As V-Guard joins a fiercely competitive category dominated by Signify (Philips), Havells, Syska, among others, and a sprawling, unorganized market, the companys scale of ambition, pricing, and execution will decide whether lighting becomes its next growth engine or its most testing experiment yet. The three large categories within the electrical market are wires, which is the largest, followed by lighting, and then fans. We were already present in two, and are now entering the third one," explained Chittilappilly in a conversation with Mint in Cochin. V-Guard is now assembling a team, finalizing its initial portfolio, and preparing a phased launch in Kerala and Karnataka by the first quarter of the next fiscal. Unlike many new entrants that begin with commoditised bulbs, the company will focus on higher-margin luminaires ceiling-integrated fixtures such as COB lights and strip lights. A shift away from stabilizers Once known almost entirely as a South India-focused stabilizer brand, V-Guard has spent the past decade broadening its footprint and product mix. Stabilizers, which contributed around 60% of revenue in 2008, now account for roughly 15%. Today, its portfolio spans electronics (stabilizers, UPS, inverters), electricals (wires, pumps, switchgear, modular switches) and consumer durables (water heaters, fans, kitchen appliances, air coolers). We were predominantly a stabilizer business, and we always felt like this is something that could go out of relevance as India continues on its electrification journey. Today, our largest category is wires and cables, and we now have multiple segments contributing over 600 crore revenue each," Chittilappilly said. V-Guard is among the few Kerala-born consumer brands to build a truly pan-India presence. Founded in 1977 by Kochouseph Chittilappilly, the company now operates a second headquarters in Gurugram to strengthen its presence outside the south and deepen its talent base. Non-southern markets account for 49% of revenue today, while Kerala and Karnataka remain its largest individual markets at about 15% each. In FY25, consolidated revenue rose 14.8% year-on-year (YoY) to 5,578 crore and net profit increased 21.8% to 313.7 crore. Q2FY26 was more subdued, with revenue up 3.6% YoY to 1,340.92 crore and net profit rising 3% to 65.29 crore, though gross margins improved to 37.6%, up 140 basis points. Why lighting, and why now For all its expansion, not playing in lighting had begun to create vulnerabilities at the retail level. We found that some of our distributors and retailers were adding other brands in the lighting category. Once you allow someone to come in, they will definitely start using shelf space," Chittilappilly said. Lighting is also a natural adjacency: V-Guard estimates a roughly 90% overlap between its distribution for wires, switches and switchgear and the lighting category. That allows the company to plug into an existing network instead of building one from scratch. Also Read | Why MakeMyTrip is fighting for Indias smallest stays Industry analysts also see a strategic opportunity. Most categories in this space hit saturation at around 8,00012,000 crore and are highly fragmented. To grow, a company can either become pan-India, which demands heavy brand investment, or expand its product base by leveraging its loyal consumers, trade channels, and service network. This dynamic is driven by the very low barriers to entry in the industry," said Karan Bhatia, partner at EY-Parthenon. India's LED lighting market is estimated at $11.56 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $16.63 billion by 2030, according to Mordor Intelligence. But the category is intensely crowded, brand loyalty is weak, and switching costs for consumers are negligible. Competitors include Signify (Philips), Havells, Crompton, Surya Roshni, Bajaj Electricals, Syska and Wipro Lighting, along with a large unbranded segment. Signify remains the biggest player, with 3,143 crore in total income and 270 crore in net profit in FY25. Chittilappilly estimates that about 50% of the market remains unorganized. Thats one reason the company is zeroing in on luminaires, specifically functional luminaires. Mordor Intelligence reports that luminaires and fixtures accounted for 61.9% of revenue in 2024, and the segment is structurally more profitable. Consumers want a reliable brand here because they dont want to tear up their ceilings every time a bulb runs out. Margins are better, and its not a mass-distribution game where you simply offer a cheaper price or a higher retailer margin. The key to win profitably in lighting is functional luminaires," said Bhatia. A measured approach to acquisitions V-Guard plans to outsource manufacturing initially before investing in its own plants, consistent with its strategy in other categories. It is also open to acquiring a design-led lighting company. While we can organically build out this category, we are looking for a good opportunity. Lighting is a design-driven segment, and if we find a firm that has design capability from an R&D point of view, we would like to have that. We are not looking at buying revenue," Chittilappilly said. The companys acquisition record has been mixed. Its 2017 purchase of Guts Electromech strengthened its switchgear play, and acquiring the Indian business of Spains Simon Group helped build a 250 crore switches and switchgear vertical. But its 660 crore purchase of Sunflame in 2023 has underperformed so far: Sunflames FY25 revenue fell 7.2% YoY to 254.38 crore, though Q2FY26 saw a modest 3.4% YoY recovery. Chittilappilly concedes this has been a tougher integration than expected. The distribution network for kitchen appliances differed sharply from V-Guards core channels, limiting the speed of scale-up. Lighting, he says, will be far smoother: There is a 90% overlap in distribution when it comes to the lighting category with our current network. Most of the large retailers for lighting are already selling other electrical products of V-Guard, so the entry barrier is much lower." Macroeconomic trends reinforce his optimism. A Grant Thornton report shows residential sales in major cities surged nearly 77% during FY19-25. As Indias housing, renovation and urban development cycles accelerate, luminaires are becoming the default choice in homes. Technology and design are central to this shift, and V-Guard is building a 100,000 sq. ft R&D campus in Cochin to support product innovation across categories, including lighting. If the company executes well, lighting could help V-Guard finally complete its electricals playbook. But Chittilappilly isnt easing up: he is targeting at least 15% annual growth over the next five years. We are still diversifying. We are still getting into categories, which are growing faster." Billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy's net worth has surged over 80% to $1.8 billion by November 2025, in what have been a good nine months for the Indian ethnicity businessman-turned-politician, Forbes reported. This comes even as Vivek Ramaswamy dropped out the United States Presidential race in late 2024, was sidelined from world's richest man, Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE in January 2025 and later began his campaign for the Ohio Governor's office in February 2025, the report noted. Announcing his campaign for the gubernatorial role Vivek Ramaswamy told audiences in Cincinnati that the US is now on the cusp of a new golden age and that he will lead Ohio to be the top state in the country for capitalism and meritocracy. Also Read | Here's why founder Nicole Bernard Dawes encourages employees to unplug from work How has Vivek Ramaswamy's wealth fared? The year has been good for Vivek Ramaswamy, the Forbes report said, adding that his net worth jumped 80% from close to $1 billion in March 2025, to being around $1.80 billion in November 2025 less than a year. A spokesperson for the Republican politician told Forbes that their numbers are broadly correct. A large chuck of this jump came from Vivek Ramaswamy's stake in his pharma company Roivant Sciences, which produces and sells experimental drugs that have been abandoned by pharma majors, and unlocking their value, it added. Notably, while he stepped down from his executive role in the company in February 2023 ahead of his US presidential bid, Vivek Ramaswamy is still among the largest shareholders of Roivant. He has a 7.17% stake in the company, as per a Washington Post report. But, before he stepped down as Chairman (he took the role in 2021), the company sold five subsidiaries in 2019 to Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo for $3 billion. And Vivek Ramaswamy (then the CEO) declared $170 million of capital gains for 2020, the Forbes report said. Next in 2021, the company went public via SPAC route, and in October 2023, Roivant sold another subsidiary to Swiss pharma major Roche for $7.1 billion. The sale rocketed its stock up 34% by year-end. During that year, news of positive trials for brepocitinib, a drug targeting the autoimmune disease dermatomyositis, which causes muscle weakness and skin lesions, also added to the stock's gains. The upward moves gave Ramaswamy his billion-dollar fortune largely tied to his 49 million shares in Roivant, the report added. According to Vivek Ramaswamy's spokesperson, he also owns stake in Chapter, a company that helps senior citizens navigate Medicare. In 2020, the company was valued at $1.5 billion, and sources told Forbes that the billionaire's 6.7% stake is worth around $100 million. Vivek Ramaswamy's Ohio governor campaign ongoing The report added that the Republican's campaign for Ohio governor has also been successful in raising funds. Till July 2025, Vivek Ramaswamy had raised $9.7 million as per filings with the Ohio secretary of state. His own contribution to the campaign is a fraction at $2,00,000, it added. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Singapore Chapter, is working to empower early-stage startups with the capital, mentorship, networks and global platforms they need to scale, chairperson Anuradha Shroff has said. As we are working in a global business community, we are promoting India-Singapore startup community for long-term prosperity of the youth-led innovative businesses, Shroff told PTI on Saturday after hosting a demo-day innovation demonstration and investor pitching sessions here. This year is special for more reasons than one as Singapore celebrated its 60 years of independence and 60 years of diplomatic relations with India, said the veteran of managing international businesses for over three decades. "When two nations innovate together, innovation doubles," underlined Shroff, adding that the cross-border programme connected startups from both countries. India has over 100,000 startups, while Singapore has a growing community, currently estimated to be closer to 50,000 startups. The evening also featured a keynote address by Former Union Minister CA Suresh Prabhu. A cohort of twenty startups participated in The NEXTLEAP Accelerator Program, an initiative by the ICAI Singapore Chapter in collaboration with BeyondSeed, an Indian-origin investor group based in Singapore, supporting early-stage innovations with support from the Committee on MSME & Start-ups of ICAI. These startups went through an intensive eight-week journey of masterclasses, one-on-one mentorship and a rigorous, multi-layer evaluation by external juries with top 10 startups pitching directly to an investor panel on Demo Day. Kuldeep Mirani, Founder & CEO of BeyondSeed, highlighted the IndiaSingapore opportunity, reinforcing the purpose behind The NEXTLEAP collaboration. Speakers at the sessions, held on November 20, highlighted Indias thriving startup ecosystem and shared insights on unlocking collaborative pathways. Gyan Chandra Misra, Chairman, Committee on MSME & Start-ups of ICAI, elaborated on Indias dynamic economic, digital, and startup landscape. In 1992, Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping reportedly said that if West Asia had oil, China would have rare earths. In two decades, China was actually dominating the rare earths chain end-to-end, from mining to magnets. Today, it controls 70% of rare earths mining, 90% of processing and 93% of magnet production. Not surprisingly, it can and does use this monopoly as a political bargaining chip. Also Read | A shadow of rare earths looms over Tata's semiconductor factory What, then, is Indias equivalent resource the world needs but cannot easily replicate or replace? The answer is not mineral or metal. It is people. Demographic deluge India has a unique combination of population size and age distribution, which gives it a massive number of young people. The United Nations estimates that in 2025, the worlds working-age populationgenerally defined as persons aged 15 to 64 yearswill be around 5.3 billion. Of this, India alone contributes slightly over a billion, exceeding Chinas share of 986 million. Indonesia, with 194 million, is in distant third place. This trend is expected to persist over the next decade. By 2040, India is estimated to have a 19% share in the global working-age population, and a similarly high share of persons in younger age categories. No other country will match India in sheer numbers of young working adults, and this fact lends its demographic dividend considerable weight. The developed world is already ageing, and Chinas demographic profile is shifting towards older cohorts. Emerging markets with similar median ages (such as Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa) dont compare in terms of the magnitude of the working-age population. Employability jinx? Indias working-age population is indeed a valuable resource, but its economic value can be unlocked only when they are employable. The India Skills Report (ISR) can help us assess trends in job readiness across states, ages and educational domains. The latest report shows that the overall employability of graduates has gone up from 38.1% in 2016 to 56.4% now (thats the share of job candidates who scored more than 60% in a test administered as part of the survey). Thats a big improvement, but it still means that 45% of graduates are not employable. Further, there is a great disparity across domains. Management and engineering graduates are the most job-ready, and those from industrial training institutes and polytechnics the least, suggesting that professional degrees offer better job prospects than vocational education. Unfortunately, most Indians dont opt for higher education: the share is just 28% for 18- to 23-year-olds, shows the 2021-22 All India Survey of Higher Education. Either by choice (say, desire to work in ones own business) or circumstance (e.g. need to earn a living, or marriage), many young adults dont get a formal college degree. Jobs of the future Given the relatively low level of higher education in India, can its people find jobs and stay economically productive? The answer is yes, provided the workforce can be trained and moulded for the jobs of the future. Also Read | The Arabian Sea is calling, and this time for rare earths The good news is that a university degree is no longer necessary; artificial intelligence (AI) has democratized knowledge, making it accessible to everyone. India has a ready pool of talent to drive AI adoption in organizations and AI acceptance is fairly high. The bad news is that most jobs will be modified by AI usage, and a few will be lost to automation. However, jobs requiring unpredictable responses, dynamic problem solving, or attributes such as manual dexterity or human empathy are less likely to be automated. For example, AI can write basic code accurately, but it will be less efficient in caring for an infant. Thus, while automation and AI will touch all occupations, some jobs will be affected more than others. This insight can be used to formulate policies that leverage our demographics into a productive resource. Skilling crisis Knowledge and skills are the key drivers of employability, and Indias labour force is weak on both fronts. Around 73% of persons over the age of 15 received up to or less than a secondary school education, according to the 2023-24 Periodic Labour Force Survey. And a mere 4% of individuals aged 15 to 59 received formal vocational or technical training. To transform this labour pool into a world class workforce, it will be necessary to skill workers to make them more employable. Skilling less-educated workers is critical to enhancing their employability. The government has already initiated several skilling and internship programs, to build an ecosystem ranging from foundational AI training for school students to skilling rural entrepreneurs. Greater focus on professions that are the least vulnerable to automation, such as face-to-face customer service, elder care, phlebotomy and early childhood education, will create future-ready workers. For example, the development of the caregiver industry with trained, reliable and humane professionals would give India an edge in rapidly ageing overseas markets, as well as serve domestic needs. Missing women Finally, more women need to enter and remain in the workforce. Indias female labour force participation rate (LFPR) shows a rising trend, but is still very low, especially in urban India. Both supply- and demand-side factors contribute to low female LFPR. The supply of women workers is restricted by social norms, which often limit women to household work. On the demand side, the challenge is that women often transition in and out of work due to family responsibilities, according to a 2021 paper by economists Ashwini Deshpande and Jitendra Singh. The latter explains the popularity of flexible-hours-based gig and platform work among women. Women form over 28% of the gig workforce on the creative side (culture, music, writing) and 24% in non-creative sectors (estimates by ISR 2026). The government has launched several initiatives to upskill women and support female entrepreneurs. However, to achieve its target of 70% female LFPR by 2047, more needs to be done. For example, facilities such as good public transport systems with effective last-mile connectivity, well-managed childcare centres and safe commutes will create a more enabling environment for working women. The author is an independent writer in economics and finance. New Delhi: India and Israel signalled a renewed push in their economic partnership on Sunday after commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal met Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem. After an over decade-long-lull, the two sides emphasized on deepening cooperation in trade, technology and investments. The meetings come at a time when the two countries are preparing to take the first formal steps towards negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), a process that has been discussed intermittently since 2013, but is now drawing political attention on both sides. After his meeting with Goyal, Netanyahu said the two countries were entering a phase of deeper cooperation across investment, technology and connectivity. Israel and India are strengthening our strategic partnership, more investments, more innovation, and a strong economic corridor from India through Israel to Europe. Together we are building economic power, he said in a post on X. Separately, Goyal called on President Herzog. Our discussions covered the full spectrum of our strategic partnership, including trade and investment, science & technology, innovation, and deeper economic engagement, he wrote on the social media platform. Both sides shared the positive outcomes of the business forum and the CEOs forum, and took the first big step towards FTA negotiations, while underlining Indias robust growth story and the wide-ranging business opportunities for Israeli partners, Goyal said. On 20 November, the two sides signed the terms of reference for the FTA. During the signing of the terms, Goyal and Israel's minister of economy and industry Nir Barka expressed confidence that the negotiations would move constructively towards a balanced and mutually-beneficial pact. Goyal was accompanied by a 60-member team, facilitated by industry chambers. Strategic timing The renewed outreach follows a series of economic dialogues between the two countries and reflects a fresh political push to take forward the FTA process. The timing is significant because bilateral trade has contracted sharply over the past year, and India is working on diversifying its export markets and reduce its dependency on the US. Indias exports to Israel fell from $4.52 billion in FY24 to $2.14 billion in FY25, while imports fell from $2 billion to $1.48 billion. Experts believe that an India-Israel FTA could unlock opportunities in cybersecurity, agri-technology, clean energy, food processing, water solutions and digital services, areas where both countries already have strong complementarities. Also Read | India plans big HR overhaul to unlock talent mobility gains in FTAs For India and Israel, agriculture has always been a natural area of collaboration, and the renewed push on the FTA could significantly scale this partnership. Israels strengths in precision farming, water-use efficiency and protected cultivation align well with Indias needs, especially as climate stress rises, said Binod Anand, secretary general of the Confederation of NGOs of Rural India and a member of the governments committee on minimum support price (MSP). A deeper trade framework can accelerate technology transfer, bring down costs of critical equipment and open new opportunities for joint innovation across horticulture, drip irrigation and post-harvest management, said Anand. India and Israel have been negotiating an FTA since May 2010, but the progress has been slow. The eighth round of talks were held in Israel in November 2013. The talks had then stalled over issues such as pharmaceutical market access, tariff reduction on plastic and chemicals, rules of origin and services mobility. The renewed political engagement in Jerusalem is being seen as an attempt to bring the process back on track. The current push reflects strategic alignment as well as economic priorities. For India, Israel is part of a broader effort to expand trade partnerships after sealing agreements with the UAE, Australia and EFTA countries. For Israel, closer ties with India offer access to a large and fast-growing market and help strengthen economic partnerships in Asia amid changing geopolitical conditions. The latest exchanges in Jerusalem suggest both sides are preparing to reopen structured negotiations, but no timelines have yet been announced. Also Read | The Kiwi barrier is broken: Why Indian grapes are crossing the ocean India and Israel plan to implement the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) in two phases with the aim to offer early benefits to trade communities of both countries, PTI reported on Sunday, citing Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The development comes after a decline in the country's exports to Israel, which dropped by 52% in 2024-25 to $2.14 billion from $4.52 billion in 2023-24. Imports also fell by 26.2%, amounting to $1.48 billion during the same period, according to the report. Both countries recently finalised the terms of reference (ToR) to formally launch negotiations for the deal. What does the India-Israel ToR comprise? The ToR include market access for goods by removing tariffs and non-tariff barriers, facilitating investment, simplifying customs procedures, increasing cooperation for innovation and technology transfer, and easing norms to promote trade in services. "We are considering doing this in two tranches. A decision will be taken when the talks begin. Both ministers are keen to finalise the first phase early so that the trade community benefits sooner," Goyal said, who is currently in Israel. The minister led a 60-member business delegation to meet leaders and businesses to discuss ways to boost bilateral trade and investments. Also Read | India, Israel sign investment pact to boost trade and investor protections Goyal mentioned that he and Israeli Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat have decided to initially concentrate on low-hanging fruit in the deal, rather than addressing sensitive issues on both sides. He said that the two countries may consider how innovative and R&D can drive greater investments in each other's countries, work on joint projects where we can leverage on their skill sets and they can leverage on the economies of scale in a large market like India. The minister added, it is quite possible that we may come out with the first phase on an FTA, so that we can kickstart the benefits faster. Update on metro project in Israel On a major metro project in Israel, the minister announced that Israel has released pre-qualification documents for a USD 50 billion metro project in Tel Aviv. The metro project involves 300 km of underground tunnelling, marking one of the largest projects. "We have several players, both in the public and private sectors, who have done massive works. We have 23 cities which are setting up metros in India," Goyal said, adding that Israel would "very seriously" like India to be a part of that project and "I hope Indian companies take interest and join the bidding process". Also Read | India and Israel to begin FTA negotiations, ink terms of reference India-Israel trade basket Although bilateral merchandise trade is primarily dominated by diamonds, petroleum products, and chemicals, recent years have seen an increase in trade in areas such as electronic machinery and high-tech products, communications systems, and medical equipment. Major exports from India to Israel include pearls and precious stones, automotive diesel, chemical and mineral products, machinery and electrical equipment, plastics, textiles, apparel, base metals, transport equipment, and agricultural products. India and Israel have moved a step closer to signing a long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after finalizing the Terms of Reference (ToR) for formal negotiations. The push comes at a time when bilateral trade has contracted sharply and India is looking to diversify export markets beyond the US. What the pact aims to achieve, and why it matters nowMint explains. What the FTA aims to achieve Both sides signed the ToR for the India-Israel FTA during Union commerce minister Piyush Goyals recent visit to Israel. According to a PIB release dated 19 November, Goyal led a large business delegation, accompanied by a 60-member team facilitated by CII, FICCI, Assocham and Start-up India. During the signing, ministers reaffirmed their commitment to boosting trade, investment and technology cooperation, expressing confidence that negotiations would move forward constructively toward a balanced and mutually beneficial FTA. The Terms of Reference mark a decisive step in shifting the IndiaIsrael partnership from a largely security-driven relationship to a broader economic engagement," said aid Dattesh Parulekar, assistant professor, International Relations, Goa University. The timing is significant because bilateral trade has contracted sharply over the past year, and India is taking every possible step to diversify its goods to potential markets and reduce its dependency on the US market. Indias exports to Israel dropped from $4.52 billion in FY24 to $2.14 billion in FY25, while imports fell from $2 billion to $1.48 billion during the same period. The proposed pact aims to cut tariff and non-tariff barriers and establish predictable rules for goods, services and investment, covering areas such as intellectual property, customs cooperation, digital trade, rules of origin and regulatory alignment. While current trade is dominated by diamonds, defence supplies, fertilisers, machinery, electronics and chemicals, both sides want to broaden the basket into more technology-driven sectors. Israels strengths in semiconductors, sensors, irrigation, cybersecurity and med-tech align well with Indias manufacturing and services capabilities, creating scope for deeper collaboration. Which sectors could gain The diamond industry may see immediate gains as Israel is a major hub for polished stones, and lower duties could help Indian cutting and polishing unitsparticularly in Gujaratregain competitiveness. Agriculture is another promising area. Israels strengths in drip irrigation, seed technology, desert farming and post-harvest infrastructure align with Indias needs to boost farm productivity and manage water stress. Electronics and semiconductors could see deeper partnerships through co-development and design collaborations. Pharmaceutical and chemical exporters may benefit from streamlined regulatory processes. Startups in both countries could gain from improved access to innovation networks and cross-border digital trade frameworks. An FTA will help both sides move beyond the traditional trade basket and build deeper linkages in high-technology, innovation and manufacturing, where the complementarities are very strong," said Parulekar. What challenges remain Despite progress on the ToR, several issues remain. India is expected to shield sensitive farm sectors from aggressive tariff cuts. Aligning digital trade and data governance rules could require careful negotiations. Both sides must also establish robust rules of origin to prevent third-country goods from entering India via Israel. Ensuring balanced market access could be challenging given the structural differences between Israels export-driven, high-tech economy and Indias more diversified and partly protected market. Who stands to gain or lose Technology firms, semiconductor and electronics companies, agritech startups, pharmaceutical exporters and MSMEs in textiles, gems, engineering goods and chemicals stand to gain if negotiations progress smoothly. Conversely, some domestic food-processing units, smaller agricultural segments and importers benefiting from current tariff structures may face stiffer competition once the pact is operational. What next With the ToR finalized, India and Israel are expected to begin formal negotiations over the next few months. Talks will be reviewed periodically, and both sides may aim to announce a framework agreement during a high-level visit or major regional event. The move signals intent to accelerate a long-delayed trade pact at a time when global supply chains and strategic technology ties are being reshaped. The proposed FTA could expand cooperation across agriculture, electronics, semiconductors, digital services and startupswhile helping stabilize a trade relationship that has weakened sharply over the past year. Los Angeles [US], November 23 (ANI): 'Wonder Woman' star Gal Gadot suffered a "massive brain clot" when she was eight months pregnant with daughter Ori. The actor recently opened up about the particular health scare that she underwent last year. "Last year, my life took an unexpected turn. I was eight months pregnant, juggling family, work and everything in-between when I started to feel the kind of headache that makes the world stop for three weeks," she shared, as quoted by Variety. Stating that her mother convinced her to get an MRI in February 2024, Gadot added, "Before we even got back home, my phone rang, and my doctor said, 'You need to come to the hospital right now. It's serious. You have a massive brain clot.' From that moment, I just could not understand anything. English was out the window. My husband was speaking to different doctors, and all I could think was, am I going to die? Is this how it feels before you die? Are they going to be able to save me?... Is the baby going to be okay?'" Recalling that she was diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), Gal Gadot shared how her baby was delivered within the next three hours, following which she underwent an operation for the brain clot. "The next morning, while my husband held our tiny newborn, my incredible doctors performed the procedure that saved my life, and when I woke up, I realised that I had been given two gifts, one in my arms, Ori and one in my heart, a second chance," she said. This is not the first time that the actor has spoken out about her life-threatening ordeal. In December last year, Gadot shared a long Instagram post and reflected on her journey. Americas biggest retailers have discovered that the consumer is far from dead. For all the hand-wringing over tariffs and a wobbling economy, shoppers are spending where they perceive value as evidenced by strong recent financial results from Walmart, Gap, T.J. Maxx parent TJX and other chains. The spending points to a solid holiday shopping season, which many retailers count on for a significant portion of their annual sales and profits. As we look at our customers and members here in the U.S., theyre still spending," said John Furner, the incoming chief executive of Walmart, who currently runs the retailers U.S. business. Gap, meanwhile, is seeing growth across all income groups, Chief Executive Richard Dickson said, which is encouraging despite widely reported macroeconomic pressure on the low-income consumer." It is selling more of its items at full price, which it expects to drive further growth during the holiday shopping season. The company raised its forecast for sales growth, saying it will come in at the higher end of a previously guided range. The National Retail Federation expects retail sales in November and December to grow 3.7% to 4.2% compared with the same period a year ago, to $1.01 trillion to $1.02 trillion. That growth would be comparable to last year, when sales in the period rose 4.3% to $976 billion. American consumers may be cautious in sentiment, yet remain fundamentally strong and continue to drive U.S. economic activity," said Matthew Shay, the trade groups chief executive. There are pockets of weakness. Tariffs have dented the profits of many retailers. Some cash-strapped consumers may dial back their holiday shopping. People are splurging less on gifts for themselves, Bath & Body Works CEO Daniel Heaf said. Some retailers, including Bath & Body Works and Target, are seeing soft or declining sales, though they acknowledge their own missteps have played a role. Target reported its 12th quarter of down or weak sales last week. Executives said Target is improving stores and products, in part to help shoppers feel like they are getting a better value. Shoppers want quality and price to coexist," said Rick Gomez, chief commercial officer at Target. Earlier in the year, retailers feared the holiday season would be a dud. Imported clothes, toys, electronics and other popular gifts had high tariffs. Consumers felt pinched by rising food prices and reports of layoffs dampened their sentiments. Yet many retailers havent seen spending decline. Brittany Martin is planning to buy holiday gifts for family this year, even after being recently laid off from a job at a tech firm. Martin, 33, from Chicago, plans to set a budget for each gift, as well as keep careful track of her gift list. Normally I finance blind and go into some debt" over the holidays, said Martin, who is working as a nanny while looking for a job. She expects to spend the most on her nieces and nephews. With kids, you always do more." No period is more important for retailers than the winter holidays. Sales can make the difference between a successful year or a failed one. Companies have taken steps to encourage shopping. Many are offering their Black Friday deals earlier and earlier to temp value-conscious consumers. Walmart has absorbed some tariff costs, limiting the impact on prices, Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey told investors. Shoppers are increasingly looking for value, one reason discount retailer TJX has been on such a tear. The company, which owns T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, sells brand name and designer merchandise at prices generally 20% to 60% below full-price retailers. We are convinced that consumers will continue to seek out value," CEO Ernie Herrman told analysts last week. Shares at off-price retailer Ross Stores rose 8.4% on Friday to close at $174, their largest one-day percentage increase in three years, after the retailer reported same-store sales jumped in the third quarter and raised its full-year earnings guidance. Walmart, where most Americans shop at least occasionally, said that low-income shoppers are pulling back. Middle- and higher-income shoppers are spending, but more often heading to Walmart. We like the value proposition that were offering for our customers, and you see thats why were gaining share," said Rainey, the Walmart CFO. Write to Suzanne Kapner at suzanne.kapner@wsj.com and Sarah Nassauer at Sarah.Nassauer@wsj.com 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). For the past four years, Russia has stuck by a single set of demands for ending its war in Ukraine. Now, Moscow is sitting back and reaping the fruits of its strategy, as President Trump presses a peace plan that broadly conforms with its demands. The latest 28-point document that Trump has championed as a path to ending the war includes some of Russias most important conditions. Those terms include giving Russia more land in Ukraines east, defanging Ukraines military and closing off the path for Kyiv to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The points in the documentand the uproar they have caused in Europe and Ukrainebring Russia closer to some of its longest-sought foreign-policy goals of limiting the expansion of NATO while pushing the U.S., Europe and Kyiv further from one another. Trump said Saturday that he might be open to changes to the plan following criticism from Europe and Kyiv. But any gains Russia manages to pocket from the peace settlement, or the tensions it has triggered between Washington and Europe, can be attributed to a negotiating strategy by Moscow that hasnt wavered. In recent weeks, Russia has backed up its maximalist demands with important gains on the battlefield. The Russians have remained very consistent," said Thomas Graham, a distinguished fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. If diplomacy will give them what they want, theyll take it. Otherwise, theyre prepared to continue fighting on the battlefield." Russian President Vladimir Putin said as much in comments to his security council Friday, when he praised the paper as a potential basis for a peace settlement. Trumpeting Russias recent battlefield success in eastern Ukraine, he warned that any refusal by Ukraine or its European allies would only prolong the war and pave the way for more Ukrainian losses. If Kyiv doesnt want to discuss the proposals of President Trump, then they and the European warmongers should understand that [their battlefield failures] will inevitably repeat themselves on other key areas of the front," he said. Overall, thats fine with us, as it leads to achieving the goals of the special military operation by force," he said, using Russias euphemism for its invasion. Much of Russias strategy is based on a bet that its authoritarian system, which stifles dissent, can outlast messy democracies in the West, where populist politicians are already playing on voter fatigue over support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys ruling party is being rocked by a corruption scandal, and prominent figures close to the military are criticizing the way the front-line effort is being organized. The cracks starting to show in both Ukraines military and its political leadership have likely played to Moscows advantage. Russias strength on the battlefield has also likely been a factor in convincing Trump to embrace more of the Kremlins demands to reach a deal quickly. That has contrasted with Kyivs expressed goalincreasingly seen as unrealistic in the short termto take back all of its occupied territory. Manpower issues have hobbled its ability to hold back a grinding Russian advance that is now threatening two major cities in Ukraines east. Ukraine has no clear theory of victory. Some vague notions are out there. Russia is bigger. It has the resources," said Linas Kojala, chief executive of the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center, a think tank based in Lithuania. Critics of Trumps peace plan say that if it were accepted in its current form, it could leave open opportunities for Russia to justify a resumption of the war down the line. Ukraine has pointed to previous agreements broken by Moscow as reasons to be wary of its intentions. Putin is banking on a resumption of military hostilities," said Abbas Gallyamov, a former Putin speechwriter who is now a Kremlin critic living abroad. And with this agreement, Ukraine will emerge defenseless against him." Moscow, for example, is likely to back multiple pro-Russian candidates in a Ukrainian election organized under the terms of a peace agreement. Kyiv would be obliged to respond to any violations of electoral laws by such candidates and bar them from participating. Putin could then claim that the requirement for an open vote wasnt met and use that as a reason to resume the invasion. Likewise, the new plan says Ukraine must adopt rules on religious tolerance," opening the door for activity by the Ukrainian branch of the Russian Orthodox Church. Kyiv has banned the branch, describing it as a front for Moscows covert operations and espionage inside Ukraine. Still, there are various points in the draft that dont fully embrace Russias positions. Moscow has long insisted on a full disarmament of Ukraines military, but the deal instead stipulates a reduction in the size of the army to 600,000 troopssome 300,000 fewer than the current estimated number of active duty personnel. The plan also doesnt include any restrictions on Ukraines development and use of long-range weapons, a priority for Kyiv as it seeks to undermine Russias war economy with deep strikes against energy infrastructure and military facilities. Putin has sought to prevent a buildup of such arms by Ukraine, but the plan doesnt appear to address that. Putins calculation is that whatever happens in the coming weeks, Ukraine will be getting weaker and more cornered, and in any event, he will get what he wants," said Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. Write to Thomas Grove at thomas.grove@wsj.com and Matthew Luxmoore at matthew.luxmoore@wsj.com Executives are starting to chill out about tariffs after a year of anxiety. Months into President Trumps roller coaster of a global trade war, something has shifted. Business leaders sound less gloomy about tariffs than they have for much of the year. They are talking less about risk when they discuss them with investors. And the subject is no longer dominating earnings calls like before. We believe that the worst of the tariff and economic disruptions to our businesses are now behind us," said David Maura, chief executive of Spectrum Brands, which sells everything from pet food to insect repellent, on a call with investors this month. And for good reason. The real tariffs companies pay have turned out to be lower than the headline figures. Companies paid about 12% of the value of their imports as tariffs in October, consulting firm Oxford Economics estimates. That is about 10 percentage points higher than in January, but well below the most dramatic rates announced by the administration over the course of the year. The U.S. has meanwhile hammered out new trade agreements, and Supreme Court justices this month questioned Trumps authority to slap levies on nearly every country on Earth. Companies have also gotten better at mitigating the costsecuring exemptions, raising prices, cutting spending and rearranging supply chains. The affordability crunch on voters minds could lead to further relief ahead of next years midterm elections. Trump dropped 40% tariffs on certain agricultural and food products from Brazil this past week. That is on top of the previous weeks rollback of duties on beef, coffee and dozens of other goods in response to Americans cost-of-living concerns. Companies have passed along about two-thirds of tariff costs to consumers so far, excluding food and energy, down from closer to 100% in Trumps first term, said Bernard Yaros, lead U.S. economist for Oxford Economics. Big companies especially had healthy profit margins going into the year and have been able to absorb some of the cost. What theyre saying is the tariffs are manageable for them," said Parag Thatte, a Deutsche Bank equity analyst. The Wall Street Journal analyzed data from more than 5,000 earnings calls held by publicly traded U.S. companies this year through Nov. 14. The analysis considered references by executives to tariffs, plus several related terms, in the same sentence as terms denoting risk. NL Analytics, which provided the data from call transcripts, also categorized executives statements referencing tariffs as positive, negative or neutral. At Ford Motor, CEO James Farley warned investors in February that tariff proposals at the time would have a huge impact on our industry, with billions of dollars of industry profits wiped out." In early May, about a month after Trump announced extensive Liberation Day" tariffs, Farley projected that tariffs could cut earnings by a net $1.5 billion in 2025, before interest and taxes. Ford later bumped that estimate up to $2 billion. A respite came this fall when the U.S. made two changes of significance for automakers. One expanded a program offsetting tariffs on some imported auto parts. That softened Fords estimate of how hard tariffs would hit 2025 resultscutting its earlier projection by half to $1 billion. The U.S. also jacked up duties on medium- and heavy-duty trucks. On a late-October earnings call soon after, Ford executives were less negative, data from NL Analytics show. (Neutral mentions werent considered.) The heavy-truck tariff doesnt affect Ford, which doesnt import heavy trucks, giving it a relative advantage over competitors that do, executives said. Hershey entered the second quarter worried about tariffs on cocoa imports and retaliatory duties by Canada, as rising cocoa prices and other factors were also driving up costs. In late October, executives said they could no longer expect a blanket tariff exemption for cocoa imports, and projected a $200 million increase in tariff exposure in 2026. Still, in the companys Oct. 30 call, finance chief Steven Voskuil cited maybe a little bit more optimism on tariffs" as well as cocoa prices. That optimism was borne out: In mid-November, the White House exempted cocoa and dozens of other foods and ingredients from much of the administrations tariff regime. Cocoa was more than half of our total exposure, so the tariff impact has improved for 26," a Hershey spokeswoman said. Other companies are less sanguine. MasterBrand, billed as North Americas biggest residential cabinet maker, was cautious but not pessimistic in May. I dont think the tariffs are having a massive amount of impact particular to our business," CEO David Banyard told investors then. Were insulated a bit more than other industries." One uncertainty executives flagged: potentially significant costs if the administration imposed tariffs on wood-product imports or other materials. Among other factors, MasterBrand imports nearly all of its bathroom vanities from Mexico. Trump in late September announced new tariffs rising to 50% on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and similar products. Tariffs knocked nearly a percentage point off MasterBrands gross margin in the third quarter. In October, previously announced duties on imported lumber and wood products kicked in, and MasterBrand said the impact could be as much as 8% of annual net sales before mitigation. Ultimately, the company expects to offset its ongoing tariff costs, including by raising prices and renegotiating with suppliers. But that takes time, Banyard told investors. That is the hardest part of this tariff regime," he said. It comes in fairly quickly, and it takes us time to mitigate it." Write to Theo Francis at theo.francis@wsj.com The contentious proposal to cap the fees that fund houses pay brokers for executing trades will be discussed in a meeting between the capital markets regulator and the top executives of asset managers on Monday, according to two people aware of the development. The proposal will be discussed alongside other issues, including market development , compliance, and other pain points, at the first such meeting between the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) current chair Tuhin Kanta Pandey and heads of asset management companies (AMCs) under one roof. Sebi could consider the industry plea, especially from sell-side brokers, to relax the cap on broker commissions from 2 basis points, as proposed, to around 6-7 basis points (bps), one of the two people quoted earlier said. One bps is one-hundredth of a percentage point. The current structure allows fund houses to pay as high as 12 bps in commission. The proposed measure is part of Sebis move to overhaul the costs mutual funds charge investorsknown as the total expense ratio (TER), which is deducted from a fund's net asset value and impacts investor returns. Sell-side brokers prepare research which is bundled along with costs to execute trades for mutual funds. Fund houses, which mostly have their own research teams, although not as big as the sell-side, also source research from such brokers. Venkat Chalasani, chief executive of industry lobby Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi), along with top honchos from SBI MF, HDFC MF, ICICI Prudential MF, Aditya Birla Sun Life MF, among others, will attend the meeting, said both the persons cited earlier, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Pandey took over from Madhabi Puri Buch in March this year. Such meetings are held between the Sebi chair and mutual fund chiefs once a year. Sebi's TER overhaul In a consultation paper dated October 28, Sebi proposed to overhaul the way MFs compute total expense ratio (TER) by excluding statutory levies such as securities transaction tax (STT) and stamp duty, and by slashing broker commissions. But the plan to cap the fees has faced pushback from sell-side brokers, who provide research services to MFs, besides executing trades for them. Sebi has proposed slashing brokerage paid by mutual funds from 12 basis points (bps) to 2 bps in the cash market, and from 5 bps to 1 bps for derivatives. The move is aimed at preventing investors from paying twice for researchfirst through brokerages, and again through the asset management companys own research. The cap, however, squeezes a key source of revenue of brokers and could impose additional costs on mutual funds to expand their research teams. "This is the first meeting with Sebi and mutual fund executives as a forum," said one of the persons cited above. "While TER is not the only issue, it will be highlighted by the MFs." The second person said, "The regulator wishes to learn how the markets can be deepened with greater innovation to encompass more investors in its fold. A variety of issues on how this can be achieved will be top of the agenda, but the TER-related issues will also figure in the meeting." MFs are the voice of the investor, but institutional brokers affected by the Sebi proposals will be hoping fund houses raise the issue of commissions," said the other person. "There is a feeling among sell-side brokers that Sebi might relax the 2 bps brokerage cap proposed to 6-7 bps, given the importance of their research in fund manager decisions to allocate the hard-earned money of investors." Officials from Sebi, and representatives of Amfi and the broker lobby Association of National Members of India (ANMI) did not respond to Mints queries until press time. Call for status quo "The expertise of the sell-side is used to provide detailed research to the buy side (fund managers) who can then take the most optimum decision to buy or not to buy a stock in the interest of the investor," said Anand Rathi, founder of Anand Rathi group, which also provides sell-side services. I think the status quo should be maintained on brokerage costs." Sebi's objectives are to bring in transparency to what investors pay to mutual funds. TER is charged by a mutual fund to its investors and includes management fees, commissions paid to distributors, brokerage and transaction costs, fees paid to custodians, registrars and transfer agents (RTA), statutory levies, and other expenses. The TER for mutual funds is 2.25% for equity schemes when the AUM is 500 crore. As the AUM starts to increase, the TER falls. The lowest TER a mutual fund can charge is 1.05% when the AUM of a scheme reaches 50,000 crore. Also Read | Investors can use these mutual funds to override their behavioural biases The TER is deducted from an MF's net asset value and has a bearing on investor returns. A fund with a higher TER eats into investor returns more than one with a relatively lower TER, over time. Sebi's proposals will enable investors to assess the fees charged by fund houses once the charges are unbundled. Mutual fund assets (equity and debt) have grown from 22 trillion in FY20 to 79.88 trillion as of October end this year, as per Amfi. The biggest asset manager, SBI MF, has an average AUM of 12 trillion for the July-to-September quarter, followed by ICICI Prudential at 10.6 trillion and HDFC AMC with 8.9 trillion. The top three AMCs make up 40% of the total mutual fund assets of 78 trillion as of September end. The combined market capitalisation of seven out of the ten most valuable Indian companies recorded a substantial rise last week, collectively adding 1,28,281.52 crore to their valuation. This upswing aligned with the broader positive sentiment in the equity markets, where the BSE benchmark index advanced by 669.14 points, or 0.79 percent, over the week. Among the top performers were Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel, which stood out as the biggest contributors to the climb in market value. Also Read | Stocks to buy under 100: Sumeet Bagadia recommends 3 shares to buy on Monday Biggest gainers and losers Reliance Industries saw the sharpest increase, with its market valuation soaring by 36,673 crore to reach 20,92,052.61 crore, regaining its position as the countrys most valuable company. Bharti Airtel followed closely, registering an impressive gain of 36,579.01 crore, pushing its market capitalisation to 12,33,279.85 crore. Technology giants also delivered strong performances. Infosys added 17,490.03 crore to its valuation, taking its total to 6,41,688.83 crore, while Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) recorded an increase of 16,299.49 crore, elevating its market cap to 11,39,715.66 crore. Among the banking majors, HDFC Banks market value expanded by 14,608.22 crore to 15,35,132.56 crore. State Bank of India registered a gain of 4,846.08 crore, bringing its total valuation to 8,97,769.87 crore. Hindustan Unilever also contributed to the positive momentum, as its market capitalisation rose by 1,785.69 crore to 5,71,972.75 crore. Also Read | Buy or sell: Ganesh Dongre of Anand Rathi recommends 3 stocks to buy on Monday However, not all top companies shared in the gains. Bajaj Finances valuation declined by 8,244.79 crore, reducing its market cap to 6,25,328.59 crore. LIC also witnessed a contraction, with its market value falling by 4,522.38 crore to 5,70,578.04 crore. ICICI Bank experienced a smaller erosion of 1,248.08 crore, bringing its valuation to 9,79,126.35 crore. Despite the mixed performance, the overall rankings remained unchanged, with Reliance Industries at the top, followed by HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, TCS, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, Hindustan Unilever and LIC. (With inputs from PTI) On a blustering winter morning, I find myself staring at the autumnal colours creating a patterned carpet on the footpath at Stammersdorf, Vienna. The air is crisp and fresh, much like the wines that this little village at the foot of the Bisamberg Mountain produces. I am at one of the vineyards Weingut Wieninger, where I try Gemischter Satz, an elegant wine with good acidity. Gemischter Satz is the quintessential wine of Vienna. A traditional white wine, it has had a protected designation of origin (DAC) since 2013 .The growing method involves co-planting, harvesting and fermenting different wine varieties together. It serves as a great introduction to Viennese wines. Austrias capital stakes claim as being the only city in the world with a wine-growing region within the city. The outer districts, which stretch out on to the hills, offer ideal conditions for growing local varieties like Gruner Veltliner. The city produces over 2 million litres of wine annually, much of which is drunk locallytypically at a wine tavern or buschenschenken or heurigen. View Full Image Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel. When you grow up in Vienna, strolling through the vineyards and visiting a traditional wine tavern is simply part of everyday life," says Caroline Derler, who curates bespoke wine and culinary experiences, and is my wine guide in Vienna. Also Read | The flaky, buttery Bougatsa is a breakfast treat worth waking for At my every meal in Vienna, I try these see local wines, from the elegantly crafted meal at Michelin-starred EDVARD Vienna at Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel to the luxurious lunch at the 12th century Pfarrwirt (which served wines from their own winery, Mayer am Pfarrplatz). Viennese people are generally patriotic and somewhat conservative when it comes to winethey tend to prefer wines from Vienna or nearby regions rather than experimenting with international varieties," says Klaus Lechner, sommelier at EDVARD. Standing on the slopes of the Weingut Mayer am Pfarrplatz, the city is spread out in front of me. A snaking pathway leads up to the vineyard, offering stunning views on both sides. This pathway, I am told, is a popular hiking path. Wine hiking is a beloved pastime here. Especially in spring and autumn, locals and visitors alike enjoy walking along the vineyard trails at weekends, stopping at traditional buschenschenken to enjoy hearty food and a glass of local wine," says Derler. Each year, the city hosts a Wine Hiking Weekend too in late September, early October. I take that well-trodden path down to Pfarrwirt, what they call the oldest restaurant in Vienna". The building came up in 1180, and the restaurant today serves local Viennese food like goose soup with semolina and Wirsthaus pepper steak. Nearby is the house (now a museum) where Ludwig van Beethoven once lived. At Pfarrwirt, I try some of the local wines, including an alcohol-free one, and of course, their Gemischter Satz. The latter comes from a long-standing winemaking tradition involving different grape varieties planted together in the same vineyard, harvested at the same time, and vinified into a single winethe blend is created in the vineyard, not in the cellar. It promotes biodiversity, as the different grape varietieswith their unique genetic traitsbalance and support each other naturally. Vienna has kept this field blends tradition truly alive. And in times of climate change, I believe field blends are set for a well-deserved revival," says Derler. View Full Image A vineyard in Vienna. (Joanna Lobo) SOIL MATTERS On the slopes of Vienna, its soil is undergoing a quiet renaissance as a group of winemakers are rethinking the citys wine culture, creating a spirit that is organic, sometimes biodynamic, and always delicious. Viennese wineries are the forerunners when it comes to organic viticulture. More than half of them are already certified organic. Organic and biodynamic practices not only protect biodiversity and soil health, but also help ensure that urban agriculture remains viable, clean, and sustainable for generations to come," Derler says. Biodynamic wine involves a holistic approach to viticulture and winemaking, often involving the use of herbs and minerals, special compost, and sometimes a planting calendar. It looks at the vineyards as an interconnected ecosystem. Leading the biodynamic charge is Austrian winemaker Fritz Wieninger. It was around harvest of 2005 that Wieninger, who has been leading the familys winemaking business since 1987, saw several problems like that werent solved by conventional pesticides. He decided to tread an alternative path, and two years later, the complete winery became biodynamic. We dont use herbicides, and insecticides, but employ natural treatments," says Wieninger. The vineyards look healthier than before, there is more balance in growing and a stronger resilience against extreme weather conditions. But most of all the wines taste more complete, more multilayered and fuller in character." Wieninger is part of Respekt-BIODYN, an association for biodynamic viticulture and a certification body. Lechner, who uses Wieningers wines as pairings on EDVARDs menu, believes that these biodynamic winemakers contribute significantly to the citys biodiversity too (its not uncommon to find up to 25 different flowers and grasses growing between the vines). Derler too, is a fan of working with nature and keeping the soils alive and healthy". Derler is part of the Female Wine Collective in Austria, which also includes Patricia Sackl, a viticulturist and winemaker at the biodynamic winery, Winebau Sackl. People often think biodynamics is some kind of mystical ritual with no practical basis. In reality, its very pragmaticabout observation, timing, and ecological balance," she says. You just have to taste the results." The said results are an improvement in crop health, plant nutrition, a visible change in the soil, and in the overall vitality of the vineyard, and the vines ability to withstand heat stress. Whats even more important: you can actually taste the difference in the final wineless stress, more balance," says Sackl. Sackl says biodynamic farming is not just a technique but a mindset. You start to see your land as a partner rather than a resource. You might lose a bit of yield, but what you gain is terroir: character, depth, and a true voice of place." As Fritz Wieninger puts it, if you want to reach to the next level in winemaking then biodynamic inspiration will have to be a part of it. Joanna Lobo is a Goa-based journalist. For over a hundred years, the Luxmi Tea Group has been intertwined with the fabric of Indian history, from the days of the freedom struggle to the dynamic economy of today. Today, at the helm of affairs is Rudra Chatterjee, its Managing Director. In the latest episode of Mint's series Lets Mint Money, presented in association with Waterfield Advisors, Chatterjee spoke to Neil Borate, Editor-in-Chief, thefynprint, about the evolution of Indias tea culture, why he would rather be in tea than in coffee, the resilience required to weather global volatilities, and his philosophy on wealth creation. Watch the full episode below Roots in the freedom struggle Luxmi Tea Group was started by his grandfather, who got together with a group of young Bengali and Assamese students associated with the freedom movement, and escaped British dominance to Tripura to start the business. Chatterjee spent his early years in Kolkata listening to stories of the companys genesis from his grandfather. I grew up in Kolkata... and heard the stories of the founding of the business during the freedom struggle, he said. Starting a tea plantation was an act of defiance, as the infrastructure and market were heavily monopolised by the British. Chatterjee explains how the nascent company navigated this challenging landscape. The infrastructure was British... if you werent a part of the British system, then your teas werent auctioned, he explained. The solution was a distinctly Indian one: growing green tea and selling it in Amritsar, which circumvented the British-controlled Kolkata auctions. They even relied on a parallel ecosystem of revolutionary banks, like the one that eventually became United Bank, for financial support. This spirit of resilience and innovation remains a core value. Chatterjee summarised the early challenge, and said, While the British had a system, they didnt ban production of tea, but they had a system that only worked for them, and companies like ours had to evolve a new system that worked for us. The Indian tea experience Chatterjee built on his family legacy and brought a unique perspective to the business, shaped by his own diverse academic background he studied business at Columbia and, later, the history of design at Oxford. This historical lens changed his view of Indias relationship with tea. Speaking about the Indian connection with tea, he felt that even though tea, like coffee, came from outside India, The way Indians engage with tea is far more authentic and Indians have made tea their own. The way Indians prepare chai is an authentically Indian ritual and a crucial part of daily life, and Chatterjee is keen to see this honoured and elevated. It is perhaps for this reason that the connection that Indians have with tea is far more authentic, even as we now see the coffee culture booming in the country. I would rather be in tea than in coffee because it is something which Indians really feel as their own, he further said. He believes tea is more than capable of competing with the cafe culture, especially given the thousands of tea varieties that are complex to make at home. Crucially, the social aspect of tea is centuries old in India. He said: Many people in India have been going to tea stalls for hundreds of years... that has been the social network before Facebook... we should not cut ourselves off from our history. The acquisition of Brew Tea, a high-quality subscription-based tea company in the UK, demonstrates his belief in modernising tea consumption while preserving this deep cultural connection. Weaving a way into home furnishings with Obeetee Apart from the tea market, Luxmi Group has also ventured into the home furnishing space with Oakley, Bowden and Taylor (Obeetee), a century-old brand that has evolved from carpet making into a holistic home furnishings company. Obeetee collaborates with top Indian designers, creating unique pieces like chikankari rugs or Jamawar shawl-inspired carpets, celebrating Indian textile heritage. Our view is that your home especially for an Indian person especially is a place where you have your own individuality, said Chatterjee, and thats as home architecture becomes more and more standardised, the owners individuality is reflected in the use of textiles, furniture and carpets, which truly turn a house into a home. Unlike corporate furniture makers who aim for a globally uniform design, Obeetee strives for diversity. I think India is a country with multi-layered cultures and there is not one size, one design, one colour that fits all of us and we celebrate that as Obeetee, he said. The brand sees itself as filling a significant gap in the market for a large-scale, high-quality homegrown home furnishing company. Navigating market volatility and tariffs As global uncertainties like wars, energy crises and climate change define the way business is done, Chatterjee holds a view of resilience. He believes Indian businesses, especially family-run enterprises, are inherently adaptive due to a history of dealing with internal policy and environmental volatility. This long-term, adaptive mindset contrasts sharply with the quarterly mindset and just-in-time inventory models often favoured in the West, which prove fragile in volatile environments. He believes Indian business people are extremely adaptive. Tariff I think is a very blunt instrument. It hopefully is hopefully a temporary measure. What is going to be the source of volatility is unknown. But our businesses have to be resilient and in some ways build off those volatilities, he said. The mindset of wealth creation Chatterjees philosophy on investment, both within and outside his core businesses, is characterised by a decades-long commitment and a focus on quality management. For his personal investments, he has onboarded an expert to manage them as he lacks the time and interest to manage them himself. I belive in finding the best investment manager and then having the same decades long mindset of seeing those investments being preserved and grown, he said. He also invests in start-ups, but views it not just for financial return but as a mechanism for learning and ecosystem building. Theres nothing more exciting than meeting founders of companies who are trying something new, he said. His interest often lies in D2C companies related to textiles or tea, allowing him to gain new insights. Importantly, for him, start-up investing is high-risk, a long-term play where he invests an amount of money that I should be comfortable never seeing again. A legacy of leading by example Chatterjee spoke about legacy as the ultimate measure of success. For him, money is not about consumption, but about impact and creating an environment for the next generation to be ambitious. He highlighted the significant non-financial ROI of their work in tea and home furnishings, which employ thousands of people. Even a small fraction of the companys profits can be life-changing for workers and pluckers. The impact that money can have on them is certainly a very high ROI. It may not be exactly financial but its life-changing with a relatively small amount of your profits on teas and pluckers is significant in terms of legacy, he said. His grandfather led by example, not by money, and he wants to pass on a similar legacy to his children. He felt that a successful business family must not pressure the next generation to replicate what has been done. The goal is to provide a secure foundation from which the next generation can launch new, ambitious ventures, learning from their parents example. Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi said on Saturday that Operation Sindoor was a "trusted orchestra where every musician played a synergistic role." "And that is how in 22 minutes, we destroyed nine terrorist targets and in 88 hours, we could ensure the battle comes to an end," Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi said while addressing the gathering at the 27th convocation organised by New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM). In his address at a convocation ceremony of a Delhi-based management institute, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi also said the military operation reflected a "foresight" to anticipate change as the situation unfolded. It was "a response shaped not in the moment, but through years of imagining how intelligence, precision and technology could converge into action," the general officer was quoted by news agency PTI as saying. India launched the military operation early on May 7 and decimated multiple terror infrastructure 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. 'The movie had not even begun' On November 17, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi had said, "On Operation Sindoor 1.0, I would say that the movie had not even begun, only a trailer was shown, and after 88 hours the trailer was over." In his address at the ceremony hosted by New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM), 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, it's what we choose to become through it," he said. The general's 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. Also Read | Why Pakistan will regret letting the army tighten its grip 'Technology in military evolution' 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. The government of Bangladesh has written a letter to India seeking the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, after she was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), AFP reported. In a statement on 23 November, Bangladesh's government said it has asked India to extradite the 78-year-old leader who fled the country and has been in hiding in India since her autocratic rule was overthrown in August 2024. Sent letter seeking extradition Touhid Hossain, who holds the foreign affairs portfolio in Bangladesh's interim administration, told reporters that on Friday we sent a letter seeking the extradition of Sheikh Hasina. He did not elaborate on the contents of the letter, which according to Bengali newspaper Prothom Alo was the third official extradition request since Hasina fled. Following the court ruling on Monday, convicting Hasina of crimes against humanity and sentencing her to death, the foreign ministry in Dhaka said in a statement that Delhi had an "obligatory responsibility" under a bilateral treaty to facilitate the former leader's return. India's foreign ministry said in response it had "noted" the verdict, without directly commenting on the extradition request. It did not immediately respond to the latest letter from Dhaka. Also Read | G20 summit: Modi and Italian PM vow to bolster bilateral ties in Johannesburg Bangladesh student uprising: 1,400 killed in Hasina's crackdowns Bangladesh has been in political turmoil since the end of Hasina's rule, and violence has marred campaigning for elections expected in February 2026. The United Nations says up to 1,400 people were killed in crackdowns as Hasina tried to cling to power, deaths that were central to her trial. India's past support for Hasina has frayed relations between the two neighbours since her overthrow, the AFP report said. It added that tensions appear to have eased slightly when Bangladesh's National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman visited India this week for a regional security summit and met with his counterpart Ajit Doval. Media reports in Bangladesh said Rahman has invited Doval for a visit. A software engineer in Bengaluru has lodged a police complaint, alleging that a self-proclaimed healer and Ayurvedic shop owner deceived him out of nearly 48 lakh by selling overpriced and potentially harmful medicines for sexual health treatment that later led to kidney damage. The man has demanded strict legal action against Vijay Guruji, the owner of Vijayalaxmi Ayurvedic Shop. An FIR was filed on Saturday under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the investigation is ongoing. Also Read | Bengaluru techie kills co-worker with dumbbell after fight over light switch As per the FIR, the victim started facing sexual health issues after his marriage in 2023 and was receiving treatment at a multi-speciality hospital in Kengeri. Earlier in May, the man came across the advertisement, quick solutions for sexual problems. He met a man who directed him to "Vijay Guruji," claiming he could provide a cure. Guruji allegedly examined the victim and recommended an Ayurvedic medicine called Devaraj Booti, claiming it was only available at his store and cost 1,60,000 per gram. The victim was instructed to pay in cash, avoiding online transactions. Trusting the healer, the victim purchased the medicine and was later given another product, Bhavan Booti oil, priced at 76,000 per gram. Over the following weeks, he spent 17 lakh on various medicines as directed by Guruji. According to the FIR, Guruji later insisted that the victim needed to buy more Devaraj Booti, warning that the previous treatment wouldn't work otherwise. To comply, the victim took a 20 lakh loan from the bank to buy 18 grams of the medicine. Additionally, he was convinced to purchase another product, Devaraj Rasabooti, priced at 2,60,000 per gram, borrowing 10 lakh from a friend. In total, he claims to have spent around 48 lakh at the Ayurvedic shop. Despite following the treatment exactly as instructed, the victim noticed no improvement and eventually developed kidney damage, which he believes was caused by the medicines. Also Read | Breaking taboo: Young consumers show rising interest in sexual wellness products After Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, party leader K Muraleedharan criticised the four new labour codes introduced by the Centre, calling them "anti-national" and said that the party will not support them. K Murleedharan claimed that under the new codes, labourers can form an organisation only if at least 10 per cent of its members are part of it. He called this provision incorrect, saying that forming a union is a workers' right. "If any labourers can form an organisation, a minimum of 10 per cent of the members should be a part of the organisation. That is not correct," Murleedharan told news agency ANI. Also Read | Indias labour codes offer a new social compact for a more competitive economy He said, "To form an organisation is their right. They are encouraging the owners of the factories and fully supporting the management. Workers are not getting justice from most of the management across India. It is affecting Kerala also. This is anti-national and we will not support it." Earlier, Jairam Ramesh said in a post X, "29 existing labour-related laws have been re-packaged into 4 codes. This is being marketed as some revolutionary reform when even the Rules have yet to be notified." Jairam Ramesh asked if these codes make the five essential demands of India's workers for Shramik Nyay a reality. "National minimum wage at 400 per day, including for MGNREGA, right to Health law that will provide universal health coverage of Rs. 25 lakhs, employment guarantee act for urban areas, comprehensive social security for all unorganised workers, including life insurance and accident insurance and a commitment to stop contractualisation of employment in core government functions," he said. He said, "The Modi Government must learn from the examples of the @INCIndia Government in Karnataka and the former Government in Rajasthan, which have pioneered labour reform for the 21st century with their groundbreaking gig worker laws that preceded the new codes." Four new labour codes The government consolidated 29 labour laws into four comprehensive 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. They came into effect on November 21. As per the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, one of the four codes implemented by the Centre, Trade Unions with 51 per cent membership get recognition as the Negotiating Union. According to the Centre, such an arrangement strengthens collective bargaining. India expressed "strong support" for the inclusive leadership of the UN COP30 presidency and welcomed several significant decisions adopted at the conference in the "High-level Statement" at the Closing Plenary of the UNFCCC CoP30 in Belem, Brazil, on November 22. In a press release on Sunday, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said the statement conveyed Indias gratitude to the COP President for his leadership, "which was rooted in inclusion, balance, and the Brazilian spirit of Mutirao, and has guided the CoP30 with integrity." India also welcomed progress under the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). Also Read | Six Big Takeaways From COP30 Climate Talks The ministry's press release noted that a key element of Indias address was the emphasis on long-standing obligations of developed countries to provide Climate Finance. It said India sincerely hopes in the spirit of international cooperation that promises made 33 years ago in Rio would now be fulfilled due to the first steps parties have taken in Belem. India welcomes key outcomes at COP30 India further expressed satisfaction with major outcomes of COP30, foremost among them the establishment of the "Just Transition Mechanism," calling it a significant milestone and expressed hope that it would help operationalise equity and climate justice at both global and national levels. New Delhi stressed that these issues cannot continue to be brushed under the carpet. The parties have made a beginning here to reverse this trend, the ministry said. Also Read | COP30 Climate Summit Reaches Deal That Leaves Many Nations Unhappy Reiterating India's principled approach to climate action, the statement called for ensuring that the burden of Climate Change Mitigation is not shifted onto those who have the least responsibility in causing the problem. "The need for greater global support to vulnerable populations, a large majority of whom are in the global South, was stressed upon so that they may protect themselves from the escalating impacts of climate change," it added. India reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to science-based and equitable climate action. It was observed that India remains committed to a global order that is rules-based, equitable and respectful of national sovereignty. Also Read | Video: Massive fire at COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil likely caused by microwave "Further, the nation remains committed to working with all parties to ensure that climate ambition is inclusive, just and equitable," it said. The statement reaffirmed India's support and gratitude to Brazil and the international community in the road ahead. It called on all parties to put in a collective effort to ensure that the road from Belem leads to a future defined by fairness, solidarity and shared prosperity for all. UN climate talks Negotiators from 194 countries gathered here for the annual Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC. The COP30 summit took place in the Brazilian city of Belem in the Amazon region from November 10 to 21. The UN climate talks in Brazil ended with a pledge of more funding for countries to adapt to the wrath of extreme weather. But it did not include a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. The Indian delegation at the climate summit was headed by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav. Key initiatives In the run up to the conclusion of the annual climate summit COP30, India pushed for a Just Transition Mechanism that is based on equity and CBDR-RC. Unilateral actions -- particularly trade-restrictive climate measures -- undermine the principles of equity and justice and act as serious dis-enablers for a fair and equitable Just Transition, Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav said. 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. Also Read | Six Big Takeaways From COP30 Climate Talks A separate Belem Mission to 1.5 is aimed at enabling implementation of national emission-cutting pledges. 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. Delhi air pollution woes continue as AQI continues to hover in very poor range for the tenth consecutive day. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) settled at 380 at 5:00 AM, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. Of 39 monitoring stations across the national capital, 14 locations logged readings in the 'severe' range that is above 400 mark. AQI readings from Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Burari Crossing, Mundka, Narela, Nehru Nagar, North Campus, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini, Sonia Vihar, Vivek Vihar and Wazirpur monitoring stations recorded severe air quality, where AQI levels breached the 400 mark. Wazirpur and Vivek Vihar stations recorded worst AQI with readings in 440-450 range. Also Read | Flights to Venezuela suspended amid tensions between Trump and Maduro regime Among all of the operational stations, only Mandir Marg recorded the best air quality in the poor range with AQI at 298. On Friday, the average AQI stood at 391 while on Saturday it was recorded to be 364, the CPCB's Sameer app data says. Also Read | US to launch new phase of Venezuela operations amid worsening relations: Report On November 21, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted a major inspection drive in Haryana's Sonipat to check compliance with effective air pollution norms as a part of its "Operation Clean Air". During the inspection of 101 sites, 29 units were found to be violating CAQM's guidelines. This included industrial units and construction and demolition (C&D) sites, ANI reported. Also Read | Delhi declares 25 Nov as holiday for Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur GRAP rejig: Stage IV curbs to apply at Stage III As abysmal air pollution situation failed to improve, the Delhi government on November 22 issued an advisory to private offices to operate with 50% on-site staff and to allow the remaining employees to work from home. This comes after the CAQM on Saturday issued stricter pollution control measures of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV under Stage III. The Commission directed Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and NCR State Governments to take decision on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work at 50% strength and the rest to work from home. Revising pollution curb measures under GRAP Stage III, 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. This comes after the government already enforced staggered office timings as per Stage III requirements, Stage IV pollution curb measures permit offices to function at 50% capacity while others work remotely. Over 160 gelatin sticks were discovered concealed in bushes near a school in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, reported news agency PTI citing local police. The Almora Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Devendra Pincha, stated that initial enquiries have dismissed any potential terrorist involvement. It appears that the explosives were abandoned by a contractor who had been engaged in road construction in the vicinity. The incident was brought to light on 21 November after Subhash Singh, the acting principal of the Government Higher Secondary School, Dabhra, located in the Salt area, noticed several suspicious parcels in the bushes near the school campus and promptly alerted the police. Also Read | Uttarakhand seeks Centres nod to retain Air Force Audit Branch in Dehradun Upon receiving the report, police personnel immediately attended the scene and secured the entire area. Subsequently, bomb disposal and dog units from the Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital districts were also summoned to conduct a meticulous search of the location. Police reports indicate that a few packets of gelatin sticks were initially retrieved from one spot near the school, followed by numerous additional packets found approximately 15 to 20 feet away. In total, 161 cylindrical gelatin sticks were recovered from both sites. The bomb disposal team transported all the packets to a secure location, where they were sealed, according to the police statement. The whole operation was documented on video, and forensic evidence was collected. A case has been filed against unidentified individuals under Section 4(a) of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Pincha explained that gelatin sticks are routinely used by contractors for fracturing stone and rock formations during road building. Pincha said: "The road was constructed at this location a few years ago, and the contractor may have left the gelatin sticks in the bushes." He also said that police are conducting thorough enquiries with local contractors and construction workers. However, he stressed that a definitive conclusion will only be reached following a full and detailed investigation. Odisha: Large cache of arms, explosives found in cave in Malkangiri In a separate incident, a large cache of explosives and weapons, suspected to have been hidden by Maoists, was recovered by security forces from a cave in Odisha's Malkangiri district on November 16, reported PTI citing Malkangiri police. The seizure was made from a hill in Dulagundi forest in Kalimela police station area by the BSF, they said. The arms and explosives were detected during a combing operation, they added. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, on Sunday wrapped up a three-day visit to Israel, where he held meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior government and business figures. Goyal conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warmest greetings to Netanyahu and provided an update on his recent talks with Economy Minister Nir Barkat, alongside the outcomes of both the Business Forum and the CEOs Forum. In a post on the social media platform Mr. Goyal highlighted the signing of the Terms of Reference to officially launch Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks, which are anticipated to boost trade, investment, and technological collaboration between the two nations. He also discussed bolstering innovation links by merging Israels high-tech expertise with India's considerable scale and talent pool. Goyal requested Netanyahus guidance on further developing economic and strategic engagement in key sectors such as agriculture, water, defence, science, technology, and innovation. "Honoured to call on the Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. @Netanyahu, at the conclusion of my three-day visit. Conveyed to him the warm wishes of Prime Minister @NarendraModi ji. Updated him on my discussions with Minister @NirBarkat and the successful holding of Business Forum and CEOs Forum held with over 60-member Indian business delegation that accompanied me," Piyush Goyal said. "Highlighted the signing of the Terms of Reference to launch FTA negotiations, which will boost trade, investment and technology cooperation. Discussed strengthening our innovation partnership by combining Israel's hi-tech strengths with India's scale and talent. Took his guidance on further deepening bilateral economic and strategic engagement across the sectors of agriculture, water, defence, science & technology and innovation," Piyush Goyal posted on X. Strengthening Bilateral Ties The meeting underscores the burgeoning collaboration between India and Israel across economic, technological, and strategic domains, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation in the coming years. During his visit to Israel, the Commerce Minister undertook a series of wide-ranging engagements, further strengthening bilateral cooperation across agriculture, technology, innovation, and trade. In his meeting on 21 November, Goyal sat down with the Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Avi Dichter, for a detailed discussion on progressing agricultural collaboration. Minister Dichter briefed Goyal on Israels 25-year food security roadmap, its advanced seed-improvement strategies, and the countrys global leadership in water-reuse technologies for farming. PETA India has chosen Kolkata as Indias Most Vegan-Friendly City of 2025. It presented the award to Mayor Firhad Hakim. The choice may surprise many as Kolkata is widely celebrated for its non-vegetarian offerings. While the entire North India fasts and eats satvik food during Durga Puja, Kolkata goes all out with its extensive non-veg dishes. According to PETA, Bengali cuisine already offers many vegan dishes that people often overlook, such as aloo posto, aloo chop, cholar dal, tomato khejur chutney and phuchka. These are vegan dishes when made without ghee. Kolkatas food scene also supports plant-based living through restaurants like Burma Burma and The Flaming Bowl. It also has cafes such as Aldo Cafe, Out and Beyond, Glenburn Cafe and Sienna Store and Cafe. They serve plant milk. Vegan cake and ice cream are available at The Daily. Cloud bakery Oven to Plate is fully vegan. Online seller Vegan Daily even offers vegan seafood. So, classic dishes can be made cruelty-free. Vegan World is also Eastern Indias first vegan food distribution company. Kolkatas vegan movement is also reflected in its growing animal-friendly fashion culture. Local brands like Eori make high-quality, sustainable, plant-based leather, according to PETA. PETA also recognises The House of Ganges. It offers stylish vegan accessories such as bags, wallets, totes and slings that look luxurious without using animal skins. Earlier this year, Kolkata hosted a special Durga Puja theme by PETA India. It promoted compassion for animals, offered vegan snacks and suggested replacing horse-drawn carriages with heritage-style motor vehicles. Kolkata is also home to an active Facebook group called Kolkata Vegans. Unexpectedly delightful According to PETAs Dr Kiran Ahuja, Kolkatas food, fashion and events make it a delightful destination for vegans. From flavourful Bengali plant-powered dishes to sustainable vegan fashion and festive animal-friendly events, Kolkata is an unexpectedly delightful destination for vegans and the vegan-curious, Dr Ahuja said. PETA India says animals raised for food suffer greatly. On factory farms, thousands of chickens are confined in crowded sheds filled with ammonia fumes. They dont have fresh air, space or anything natural to them. Also Read | Vegan food giant Beyond Meat COO arrested for biting man's nose during fight These chickens and other animals are then pushed into trucks for slaughter. There, many are hurt, suffocated or die on the way. In slaughterhouses, goats, sheep and others often have their throats cut with blunt knives. PETA also says fish suffocate or are cut open alive on boats. As top US, European and Ukrainian officials gathered in Geneva on Sunday (November 23) for negotiations on Donald Trumps proposal to end Russias war on Ukraine, the US President Trump launched a blistering attack accusing Ukraines leadership of failing to appreciate US support. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. Trump also attacked blaming the Biden administration for the conflict. Trump wrote that the RussiaUkraine war would have NEVER HAPPENED with strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian leadership, claiming he had inherited a war that should have never happened. He again asserted the 2020 US election was rigged, adding that Putin never would have attacked under his leadership. Ukraine, Europe push back on US proposal The Geneva meetings opened with allies discussing how to reshape the 28-point US blueprint, which Kyiv and European governments fear tilts too heavily toward Moscow. Zelensky noted that early feedback suggested the US plan might incorporate a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision, though he did not specify which ones. Further work is ongoing to ensure that all elements are truly effective in achieving the main goal putting an end to the bloodshed and the war, he said. Allies reject territorial concessions to Russia The US plan has been met with deep concern across Europe. Ukraine and its partners have ruled out any territorial concessions, warning that such terms would reward Russian aggression. French deputy defense minister Alice Rufo said restrictions on Ukraines militaryoutlined in the US draftrepresent a limitation on its sovereignty. Ukraine must be able to defend itself, she said. Russia wants war and has waged war many times over the past years. Zelensky has repeatedly insisted Ukraine will always defend its land and people. Rubios conflicting comments stir confusion US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, leading the American delegation with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and special envoy Steve Witkoff, caused turmoil over the weekend when senators claimed he had described the peace plan as a Russian wish list. Independent Sen. Angus King said Rubio told them the proposal was not the administrations plan but rather a document reflecting Russian demands. US pilot Taylor FEMA Hiester has shared a deeply emotional reflection on the moments following the fatal crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Airshow, describing why his team chose to withdraw from the event out of respect for the fallen pilot. Wing Commander Namansh Syal of the IAF was killed during an aerobatic demonstration on the final day of the airshow. Hiester, who was present with his demonstration team, said they were preparing their aircraft when the crash occurred. Tributes and clarification In an Instagram post, Hiester clarified that his team was not involved in the tragedy and had already begun their journey back to the United States. Im grateful to everyone that has reached out asking about the team following the tragic accident We were not involved and were currently on our way home to the United States. Hiester expressed condolences to the IAF community and said the loss weighed heavily on everyone present at the airshow. We canceled our performance out of respect Despite organisers choosing to continue the airshow schedule, Hiester said his team made the decision to withdraw their final performance. Though the show made the shocking decision to continue with the flying schedule, our team along with a few others made the decision to cancel our final performance out of respect to the pilot, his colleagues and family. He added that his team watched the aftermath unfold from a distance a moment that left a lasting impact. Witnessing the aftermath Hiester described the scene after the crash in poignant detail. We all quietly watched the aftermath unfold thinking about the Indian maintenance crew standing on the ramp next to an empty parking spot, aircraft ladder laid on the ground, the pilots belongings still in his rental car. He said the immediacy and finality of the tragedy forced the team to confront the fragility of their profession. Hiester said he was stunned when he learned the airshow would continue despite the fatal accident. I walked through the show site expecting to find it empty or down. It wasnt. The announcer was still enthusiastic the crowd still watched the next routines with excitement. The contrast between the tragedy and the upbeat atmosphere left him unsettled. It was uncomfortable for me for a lot of reasons imagining my own team walking out of the show site without me, rock and roll playing on the speakers as another act performs. Also Read | Wing Commander Afshan breaks down at funeral of husband killed in Tejas crash A personal lesson on life and legacy Hiester said the incident served as a moment of profound personal clarity, reminding him of the true value of the people around him. Despite whatever rockstar treatment, fancy dinners and sponsor chalets, my team who became my family is all I ever had in the first place. He reflected on the reality that life and even airshows move on quickly after tragedy. Once the black smoke is gone the company you work for and the people you worked to please will still stand there listening to rock and roll and film the very next act. In closing, he urged others to hold close the people who matter most. A federal appeals court on Saturday declined to clear the way for US President Donald Trump's administration to expand a fast-track deportation process to allow for the expedited removal of migrants who are living far away from the border. A 2-1 panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declined to put on hold the central part of a ruling by a lower-court judge who had found that the administration's policies violated the due process rights of migrants who could be apprehended anywhere in the United States. Meanwhile, Trump said on Friday he was immediately terminating temporary deportation protections for Somalis living in Minnesota, accelerating the end of a program that began in 1991 under another Republican president. "Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing," Trump said in a late-night post on Truth Social, without providing any further explanation or evidence. "I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota," he said. Trump Want Ad Seeks Deportation Judges to Aid in Crackdown The Trump administration is advertising for deportation judges in its ongoing push to fill jobs to aid its mass deportation campaign. The call for judges by the US Department of Justice marks the latest step in an enforcement strategy that has spread from border cities to major metropolitan areas. It reflects an effort to speed up every step of the deportation process from arrests to detention and the court rulings needed to remove people from the country. The Department of Homeland Security amplified the recruitment effort on social media, urging attorneys to apply. Bring down the hammer on criminal illegal aliens, one post on X said. Defend your communities, your culture, your very way of life. Despite the label deportation judges, the job description is standard for immigration-judge roles: hearing asylum and deportation cases, ruling on green-card applications and presiding over citizenship ceremonies. The administration says the hiring surge aims to reverse what it describes as a de facto amnesty under the previous administration and restore integrity to the courts. The ads offer salaries of roughly $160,000 to $207,500 and a 25% hiring incentive for first-time federal employees in some locations, including courts in California. Applicants are told they can help write the next chapter of America and define America for generations. New York City's incoming mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Sunday (November 23) he continues to believe US President Donald Trump is a fascist, even after a cordial meeting at the White House last Friday. "That's something that I've said in the past, I say it today," Mamdani told NBC News. Mamdani met Trump to discuss city priorities, setting aside months of public recriminations. Everything that Ive said in the past, I continue to believe, Mamdani said. We dont shy away from where we have disagreements, but we understand what it is that brings us to that table Im coming in there to deliver for New Yorkers." Trump, who had previously criticized Mamdani and suggested he should be deported, even interjected during the White House briefing. "That's OK. You can just say it. That's easier," Trump told Mamdani. "It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind." Shared focus on affordability crisis Despite their stark political differences, both leaders highlighted affordability as a key concern for voters. I shared with the president that when I asked those New Yorkers why they voted for the president, they told me again and again it was cost of living, cost of living, cost of living, Mamdani said. The incoming mayor elaborated that housing, childcare, groceries, and utilities were central to his campaign and to discussions with Trump. I found in the meeting that I had with the president a productive one coming back again and again to the central themes of the campaign that we ran: the cost of housing, cost of child care, the cost of groceries, the cost of utilities. Mutual respect despite past attacks The two have publicly criticized each other in the past Trump called Mamdani a 100% Communist Lunatic, while Mamdani accused Trump of attacking democracy. Yet after Fridays meeting, both emerged smiling and discussed shared goals for the city. Trump praised Mamdani's historic election victory and expressed confidence in his leadership. The UAE Cyber Security Council has issued a warning about the increasing dangers of using untrusted public charging ports, revealing that 79% of travellers unknowingly put their personal data at risk when charging devices at unsecured public stations, as reported by ANI. The Council explained that some public charging ports may contain malicious software or hidden systems capable of accessing personal data through so-called juice jacking attacks, which exploit media or image transfer protocols that activate automatically when devices are connected. Also Read | Mint Explainer: Vibe hacking and why it is the next big cybersecurity threat In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the Cyber Security Council cautioned that neglecting protective measures and using insecure charging ports could result in data and password theft, or even the installation of malicious software on mobile phones without the user's awareness. It added that 68 per cent of companies have been subjected to attacks originating from untrusted charging ports, resulting in data breaches and compromises to their digital infrastructure. The Council listed several warning signs that may indicate a device has been exposed to such attacks, including rapid battery drain, slow application performance, repeated system crashes and the appearance of unfamiliar symbols or messages on the device. The Cyber Security Council provided a set of preventive guidelines, foremost among them carrying a personal charger while travelling, avoiding public charging stations as much as possible and rejecting any data transfer requests during charging. The Council also advised enabling two-factor authentication, using biometric login features such as fingerprint or facial recognition and reviewing app permissions, ensuring that no unnecessary access is granted to photos, messages or contacts. It stressed the importance of verifying the safety of installed applications, noting that some apps may contain malicious software enabling hackers to steal personal data or spy on users, with risks extending to financial fraud and the theft of bank card and online account information. The Cyber Security Council has recently launched a weekly awareness campaign as part of the Cyber Pulse initiative, designed to promote safe digital practices and provide guidance on countering various cyber threats. This campaign is part of the UAE's broader efforts to create a secure cyberspace that aligns with the rapid digital transformation, strengthens trust in the digital ecosystem, and raises cybersecurity awareness across all segments of society to ensure user safety and privacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, in Johannesburg on Sunday, with the two leaders discussing avenues to bolster bilateral relations across several areas, including commerce, investment, technology, AI, space, defence, and security. During the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the G20 summit, the leaders formally adopted the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism. This initiative reaffirms their shared resolve to tackle terrorism globally. "Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The India-Italy Strategic Partnership is growing from strength to strength, greatly benefitting the people of our nations," Modi said in a post on social media platform X after the meeting. "Their talks centred around deepening ties in trade, investment, technology, AI, defence and security, space, research, innovation and culture," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress being made on the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29, a strategy anticipated to benefit both economies and their respective populations, according to the MEA spokesperson. Jaiswal further noted that Meloni expressed strong support for the AI Summit which India is due to host in 2026. Trade between India and Italy is estimated to be around $15 billion for the 2023-2024 period, while Foreign Direct Investment from Italy into India totals approximately $4 billion since the year 2000. Modi holds talks with Japanese counterpart PM Modi on Sunday met with his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and discussed bilateral cooperation in areas like innovation, defence and talent mobility. Also Read | G20 summit: South Africa pushes through G20 declaration despite US objections Had a productive meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan. We discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in areas such as innovation, defence, talent mobility and more, PM Modi posted on X. The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance trade ties. We are also looking to enhance trade ties between our nations. A strong India-Japan partnership is vital for a better planet, Modi added. According to a statement released by the MEA, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which is based on "civilizational connect, shared values, mutual goodwill and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific". The leaders also underscored their commitment to deepening the India-Japan partnership for regional and global peace, prosperity and stability, it said. Israel said it killed Hezbollahs military chief, Abu Ali Al-Tabtabai, in an airstrike on Beiruts Dahieh district, signaling a sharp escalation as a nearly year-old ceasefire with Lebanon faces growing strain. The Israeli army described Al-Tabtabai as a key figure in Hezbollahs hierarchy, second only to Secretary-General Naim Qassem. He was part of Hezbollahs senior leadership and, due to his connections and abilities, served as a significant source of knowledge and influence within Hezbollah, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. Daylight attack leaves casualties The daytime strike killed five civilians and injured 28, according to Lebanons health ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation aimed to thwart Al-Tabtabais efforts to bolster Hezbollahs military capabilities. Hezbollah confirmed the death and warned it would strengthen jihadists. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack, stating it demonstrated Israels disregard for repeated calls to halt assaults on Lebanon. Ceasefire under pressure The November 27, 2024 ceasefire, mediated by the United States, required Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah in southern regions and prevent the group from maintaining its weapons stockpiles. While Hezbollah stopped missile attacks, it refused to surrender its arsenal entirely. Israel has cited self-defense provisions in the ceasefire to conduct targeted airstrikes against Hezbollahs rearmament efforts, which have intensified in recent months. Netanyahu: Israel will prevent Hezbollah threats We will continue to do everything necessary to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its threat capability against us, Netanyahu told his cabinet just hours before the Beirut attack. The Israeli prime minister has offered to remove Israeli army outposts along the border in exchange for Lebanese action to disarm Hezbollah. However, Israel maintains a presence in five strategic locations, and both countries remain technically at war. Veteran Hezbollah operative Al-Tabtabai, a veteran operative since the 1980s, commanded the Radwan Force and oversaw Hezbollah operations in Syria, strengthening its operational and combat capabilities. He was designated a global terrorist by the US State Department in 2016 for his activities in Syria and Yemen, with the U.S. offering up to $5 million for information on his whereabouts. Israel carried out an airstrike in Beirut on Sunday (November 23) targeting what it described as a senior Hezbollah militant, marking the first Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital since June. A short while ago, the IDF conducted a precise strike targeting a key Hezbollah terrorist in Beirut, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a brief statement, adding that more details would be released. Reuters stated that residents in Beiruts southern suburbs, a stronghold of the Iran-backed group, reported hearing the roar of warplanes before a powerful blast shook the area. The strike hit a main road in the densely populated Haret Hreik neighbourhood. A Reuters reporter on the scene said people rushed out of their apartment buildings fearing further strikes. The news outlet citing medical sources said at least two dozen people were wounded and taken to nearby hospitals. Hezbollah and Lebanons health ministry have not yet issued any statements. Netanyahu says Hezbollah 'Chief of Staff' targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said he personally ordered the strike, claiming it targeted Hezbollahs chief of staff. In the heart of Beirut, the IDF attacked the Hezbollah chief of staff, who had been leading the terrorist organisation's buildup and rearmament, his office said. Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times. Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu told his cabinet that Israel would continue fighting terrorism on multiple fronts. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing its ability to threaten us, he said. Escalation amid intensifying strikes on Lebanon The strike follows weeks of intensified Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon as part of what Israel says is an effort to block Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities. Israel claims Hezbollah has been attempting to rearm in the south since a US-backed ceasefire last year. Hezbollah, however, insists it has complied with requirements to pull back forces and allow the Lebanese army to deploy in the border region. No advance warning to Washington, US officials say A senior US official, according to an Axios reporter, Reuters stated, that Israel did not notify Washington in advance about Sundays strike, but the Biden administration was informed only immediately after the attack. Another senior US official reportedly said the United States had known for days that Israel planned to escalate strikes in Lebanon, though the exact timing was not disclosed. Washington and Israel have increased pressure on Lebanon to implement a planapproved by the Lebanese government in Septemberto disarm Hezbollah nationwide by the end of the year. Regional tensions continue to rise Sundays strike underscores the growing volatility across the IsraelLebanon frontier. In November, Israel stepped up near-daily airstrikes in southern Lebanon, saying it was preventing a military revival by Hezbollah. Also Read | Turkey Wants to Join Gaza Force Against Israeli Wishes Indian-origin steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal has decided to leave the United Kingdom as the Labour Party government prepares a major tax overhaul targeting the ultra-wealthy, The Sunday Times reported on Sunday (November 23). The India-born founder of ArcelorMittal, based in London, is now a tax resident of Switzerland and will shift much of his time to Dubai, the report said. Mittal UKs 8th richest According to the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List, Mittals fortune stands at 15.4 billion, making him the eighth richest person in Britain. Dubai expansion and Naia Island investments Mittal already owns a mansion in Dubai and has recently acquired tracts of an intriguing development on nearby Naia Island, the report said, signalling a long-term shift of his base to the UAE. Wealth tax fears driving exodus The move comes amid widespread anxiety over expected tax increases on wealthy residents as Chancellor Rachel Reeves seeks to plug a 20-billion gap in Britains finances. Her first Budget last year raised capital gains tax, cut entrepreneurs relief, and introduced new levies on family business transfers. Speculation of more to comeincluding a possible 20% exit tax on wealthy individuals leaving the UKhas unsettled high-net-worth families. Inheritance tax the breaking point An adviser familiar with the Mittal familys plans told The Sunday Times that inheritance tax, not income tax, was the decisive factor. It wasnt the tax on income (or capital gains) that was the issue, the adviser said. The issue was inheritance tax. Many wealthy people from overseas cannot understand why all of their assets, wherever they are in the world, should be subject to inheritance tax imposed by the UK Treasury. Fifty of the 303 schoolchildren abducted from St Marys Catholic school in Niger state have escaped, the school authority said on Sunday (November 23), offering a rare moment of relief amid one of Nigerias largest mass kidnappings in years. The children, aged between 10 and 18, escaped separately between Friday and Saturday. We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said in a statement, AFP reported. Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, CAN chairman in Niger state and the schools proprietor, said 253 children and 12 teachers remain in captivity. Mass abduction at St Marys Gunmen raided St Marys co-education school on Friday, abducting 303 students and 12 teachers. The number kidnapped represents nearly half of the schools 629 students. The attack came just days after gunmen stormed a secondary school in neighbouring Kebbi state, abducting 25 girls, underscoring the worsening security environment. The Nigerian government is yet to comment on the total number of victims or the status of rescue operations. Continue in your prayers As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims, Reverend Yohanna said. Most victims of mass school kidnappings in Nigeria are released after negotiations with criminal gangs seeking ransom, as per the news report. Pope expresses deep sorrow At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV made a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages. I feel great sorrow, especially for the many girls and boys who have been abducted and for their anguished families, he said at the end of Mass in St Peters Square. I urge the competent authorities to take appropriate and timely decisions to ensure their release. Trump calls situation a disgrace The abductions, along with a recent attack on a church in western Nigeria that killed two people and saw dozens kidnapped, drew fresh reaction from US President Donald Trump. Whats happening in Nigeria is a disgrace, he told Fox News Radio, again raising the prospect of military action over what he describes as the persecution of Christians by radical Islamist groups. No claim of responsibility No group has claimed responsibility for the latest kidnappings, and authorities have provided no update on rescue efforts. It remains unclear where the children are being held or how the group of 50 managed to escape. The school is located off a major road linking Yelwa and Mokwa in a region where armed gangs operate out of dense forests that span multiple states. Security crisis Nigeria continues to struggle with overlapping security threats from ransom-seeking criminal gangs in the northwest to a deadly Islamist insurgency in the northeast that has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced around two million since 2019. Reflecting on BJP veteran L.K. Advani's remarks about Sindh's historical ties to India despite Partition, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on Sunday that borders can change, adding, someday, Sindh may rejoin India. In his address at an event hosted by the Sindhi community here, he said that Advani ji wrote in one of his books that Sindhi Hindus, especially those of his generation, still haven't accepted the matter of separation of Sindh from India. Pakistan was created as a result of the 1947 Partition of then-undivided India, and the Sindh region near the river Indus has been part of Pakistan since then. Not just in Sindh, but throughout India, Hindus considered the Indus River (Sindhu in Hindi) sacred. Many Muslims in Sindh also believed that the water of the Indus was no less sacred than the Aab-e-Zamzam (holiest of the waters) of Mecca, he added. This is Advani ji's quote. Today, the land of Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilisationally, Sindh will always be a part of India. And as far as land is concerned, borders can change. Who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India. Our people of Sindh, who hold the Indus River sacred, will always be our own; no matter where they are, they will always be ours, he said. Watch the video here: Singh, however, did not mention the title of the book he was referring to. In 2017, Advani, who had also served as a deputy prime minister, at an event in Delhi, had said, I believe that India appears incomplete without Sindh. Advani, who was born on November 8, 1927, in Karachi, the capital of Sindh Province (now in Pakistan), had lamented that his birthplace was not a part of India anymore. In his address on Sunday, Rajnath Singh said that after the Partition, a large segment of the Indus River went to the Pakistani side, and the entire Sindh Province is in Pakistan. But, this does not mean that for us the importance of Sindhu, Sindh and Sindhi has lessened. It still holds the same importance as thousands of years ago, the defence minister said. The word Sindh is associated with the cultural identity of India and the Sindhi community, he said. Referring to the national anthem, Singh asserted that even today people sing with pride, '...Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maratha', and they will continue to sing, and forever sing it, and sing it till we exist. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met with his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here and discussed bilateral cooperation in areas like innovation, defence and talent mobility. Had a productive meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan. We discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in areas such as innovation, defence, talent mobility and more, PM Modi posted on social media. Also Read | G20 summit: South Africa pushes through G20 declaration despite US objections The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance trade ties. We are also looking to enhance trade ties between our nations. A strong India-Japan partnership is vital for a better planet, Modi added. According to a press statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which is based on "civilizational connect, shared values, mutual goodwill and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific". The leaders also underscored their commitment to deepening the India-Japan partnership for regional and global peace, prosperity and stability, it said. The leaders acknowledged the steady progress made in bilateral ties during the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit and called for expeditious implementation of the outcomes agreed upon in a wide range of areas such as defense and security, trade and investment, SMEs, Artificial Intelligence, critical minerals, semiconductors, infrastructure development, technology and innovation, and people- to-people exchanges, the statement said. They also discussed collaborative opportunities between India and Japan in strategic sectors and exchanged views on regional and global issues, the statement added. Prime Minister Takaichi also expressed strong support for the AI Summit to be hosted by India in February 2026. This was the first meeting between PM Modi and Takaichi after she assumed the leadership of her country in October. Prime Minister Modi visited Japan in August this year. During his visit, India and Japan firmed up 13 key agreements and declarations and announced the launch of several transformative initiatives. Both countries adopted the India-Japan Joint Vision for the Next Decade. Building on the significant progress made towards the 20222026 target of JPY 5 trillion in public and private investment from Japan to India, an ambitious new goal of JPY 10 trillion (USD 68 billion) in private investment has been set for the near future. With a deadline looming over Ukraine to accept Donald Trump's 28-point peace plan, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Saturday called on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss the ongoing efforts and upcoming talks to end the nearly four-year conflict with Russia. US President Donald Trump has given Ukraine until November 27 to approve the peace plan, which cedes Ukrainian territory long sought by Moscow. Negotiators will meet in Switzerland on Sunday. Informing about his call to Jaishankar, Sybiha said, I had a call with Indias External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and informed him about the dynamic of peace efforts and upcoming talks. We exchanged assessments of the current developments. I emphasised Indias important role in bringing a just peace closer, he added. Jaishankar also shared that he had a telecon with the Ukrainian FM, and said, Appreciate his briefing on the ongoing developments related to the Ukraine conflict. Reiterated Indias support for an early end to this conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace. Also Read | Putin warns Ukraine could lose more territory if Trump peace plan is refused About the 28-point peace deal Washington has signalled room for negotiation on a US plan to end the Ukraine war that has drawn pushback from Kyiv, its allies and US lawmakers ahead of talks on the proposal in Switzerland. The 28-point plan would require the invaded country to cede territory, cut its army and pledge never to join NATO. Trump told reporters Saturday it was not his final offer and he hoped to stop the fighting "one way or the other". Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, speaking on Fox News, described the plan as a work in progress. Ukraine's European allies, who were not included in drafting the proposal, said the plan requires additional work as they scrambled at the G20 summit in South Africa to come up with a counteroffer to strengthen Kyiv's position. A US official told AFP that Rubio and diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff would land in Geneva on Sunday for the talks and that US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll had already arrived after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. "The peace proposal was authored by the US," Rubio wrote on social media late Saturday. "It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine." Israel confirmed on Sunday (November 23) that it killed Hezbollahs top military official, Haytham Ali Tabtabai, in a strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut. The operation came despite a nearly year-long US-brokered ceasefire with Lebanon. Hezbollah later confirmed Tabtabais death, calling him the great jihadist commander who worked to confront the Israeli enemy until the last moment of his blessed life. Rise through Hezbollahs ranks Tabtabai, born in Lebanon in 1968 to an Iranian father and a Lebanese mother, was part of Hezbollahs so-called second generation of leaders. He joined the group in the 1980s and served in multiple senior positions, including in the elite Radwan Force. Over decades, he fought in Syria and Yemen, gaining operational experience and building influence within the organization. Key roles and responsibilities During the 20232024 war with Israel, Tabtabai led Hezbollahs operations division, rising in prominence as top commanders were killed. After the November 2024 ceasefire, he was appointed chief of staff and reportedly focused on restoring the groups readiness for future conflict with Israel. He had previously been responsible for Hezbollahs operations in Yemen and Syria, supporting Irans regional axis of resistance. International designations and rewards The US State Department designated Tabtabai a global terrorist in 2016 for his activities in Syria and Yemen. The US Treasury offered up to $5 million for information on him. Known also as Abu Ali Tabtabai, he commanded Hezbollahs special forces and led critical operations across the region. Survivor of previous strikes Tabtabai survived multiple prior Israeli attacks, including in Syria and Lebanon, and only returned to Lebanon after Israel killed Hezbollahs previous military chief, Fuad Shukr, in July 2024. He was one of the few commanders chosen to lead Hezbollah after the war, largely unknown to the Lebanese public but highly significant in the groups hierarchy. Part of Irans regional network Tabtabai was part of Hezbollahs broader regional operations supporting Iran-backed groups. He was linked to the Houthi rebels in Yemen and worked alongside other Hezbollah figures in Syria, forming a key part of Irans so-called axis of resistance against Israel. NEW DELHI : Weve all heard the warnings. Artificial intelligence, for all the improvements it brings, has long carried a red flag: it might take our jobs. Geoffrey Hinton, the Nobel laureate, widely referred to as the godfather of AI, even advised people earlier this year to train to be a plumber". Turns out, the threat of AI slashing jobs is not far away. Last week, my colleague Jas Bardia crunched some numbers to find that this year, Indias 1.3 million-strong engineering graduates have fewer mass recruiters to fall back upon. This is a problem: Indias top IT services firms, such as TCS, Infosys and HCLTech, are Indias biggest tech employers. Yet, in the first six months of this fiscal, the top 10 IT firms hired just 40% of net new additions that they did in the same period last year. For a sector that still employs over 1.5 million people just across the top five firms, a sustained decline in employment over three years is a telling statistic. GCCs pull back too The stress doesnt end there. Jas also tracked Indias top captive engineering units of global companiesits famed GCC ecosystem. Here too, the hiring slowdown is unmistakable. This double squeeze affects both engineers and staffing firms, which rely heavily on GCC mandates. With nearly 10% of staffing firms annual income dependent on these captives, the contraction is alarming. Should you really start diverting your skills away from tech? No, the answer is far more nuanced than that. To find out more, read our comprehensive coverage of the ongoing landslide in Indias tech jobs playing out now. Nvidia, memory chips, and budget phones walk into a bar This ones a bit of a cat-and-mouse story. Turns out, the demand for all the AI around you is leading to more data centres demanding more Nvidia GPUscurrently pretty much the equivalent of oxygen for global tech. But, Nvidia in turn demands more memory chips from the likes of Samsung and SK Hynix, who make them. These folks, in turn, demand more production lines for making the specialized memory chips that the top GPUs need. To keep up, theyve begun prioritising AI-grade memory and diverting capacity away from the conventional DDR chips used in everyday phones and laptops. But, even though the demand cycle for phones and laptops havent quite ramped up since covid-19, they still sell in massive numbers worldwide. A prolonged supply squeeze through 2025 has already pushed memory chip prices up by 50%, with another 50% rise expected over six years. THIS, in turn, means that budget phones in India, which sell at wafer-thin margins in hopes to play the volume game, are being forced to increase prices. Xiaomi and Realme tell us that new product prices next year are likely to be revised, while Applewell, the iPhone economics continue to be rather different. At the end of this rather interesting domino effect of price hikes and supply crunch, were now at a point where on top of no organic demand for phones and laptops, theres a price rise for brands to contend with. Are you still looking to buy a new one? The miraculous survival of Vodafone-Idea My veteran colleague T Surendar joined hands with our resident telecom expert Jatin Grover last week to script the tale of Vodafone Idea, and how, with debts worth over 2.3 trillion at one point, the telco somehow managed to survive. This 2000-word narrative, which tells the tale of how the Centre got involved, the convoluted and complicated Supreme Court verdicts, and how Vi almost became a PSU, is an absolute belter of a readoffering an up-close view into the innards of Indias telecom industry. From a journey of 13 telcos a decade ago to the survival of just three private and one state-backed operator, this sector has seen it all. And, as satcom comes to the fore and 5G continues to ramp up, theres more wild goose chase to follow. For Vi, though, theres the play for survival on the anviland Suri and Jatin have scripted this very tale, of whats at stake if Vi fails. This is one for the ages, and a metric to revisit for when Vi finally goes bustor succeeds. In conversation with Apples chief iPhone designer Last week, we also spoke with Richard Dinh, head of iPhone product design at Apple. This was a fascinating chat for multiple reasons, but more importantly, the fact that Apple still remains a company that obsesses over a tiny difference in the specific mix of alloys in a metal used to make its iPhone. And its hard to fault that obsession. The iPhone brings in over $200 billion globally for Apple and remains the cornerstone of its brand halo. In India, too, even as overall smartphone sales have declined for four straight years, iPhone sales continue to surge. Dinh, along with his colleague Will True, had fascinating insights to offerincluding how Apple approaches product design, and what it expects from its R&D spends. If youve been an iPhone fan, this ones a must-read for you. In other news: Trouble at Tejas, leapfrog by L&T Theres trouble brewing for the Tata-backed Tejas Networks, whose indigenous telecom infrastructure appears to be under fire. Last week, Jatin reported that state-run BSNL, whose 4G network is entirely powered by Tejas infrastructure, is facing issues in transmission strength across thousands of its towers. This is causing call drops and slow data speeds for many, many users. This, as it stands, could be the start of prolonged trouble for Tejasand the future of Indias localized telecom equipment. Finally, we met with Arun Ramchandani, a veteran of the engineering and defence industries, and currently at the helm of defence affairs at Indias top construction conglomerate, Larsen & Toubro. Turns out, L&T is scaling $1 billion in defence revenue this year, as it expects contracts such as a light tank for the Army, and an air defence system for the Air Force. As private sector interest in defence contracts grows, giants like Tata, Adani and Mahindra are catching upbut L&T remains firmly in the lead. Transformer by Mint is a weekly newsletter that brings Indias most important and interesting technology updates under one umbrella. As the world transforms with every day of innovation, Transformer will keep a tab on the impact that technologies will make in each of our lives. Published every week, the newsletter brings some of Indias tech landscapes most insightful coverages until date. Early indicators already show this transformation taking shape. India recorded its highest-ever provident fund (PF) enrolments in 2024-25, a sign of faster formalization across sectors. Notably, 61% of new PF subscribers are aged below 29 years. Womens economic participation is also rising, with the female worker population ratio having risen to 40.3% in 2023-24, up from 28.7% four years earliera powerful signal of inclusive growth. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Sunday that "chaos" has been unleashed across the country in the garb of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls and alleged that 16 Booth Level Officers have died due to stress. The SIR is underway in nine States and three Union Territories. The first phase of SIR was held in Bihar ahead of the State's assembly elections. Also Read | SIR phase-II: Nationwide protests as work pressure allegedly leads to BLO deaths Under the guise of SIR, chaos has been unleashed across the country - the result? In three weeks, 16 BLOs have lost their lives. Heart attacks, stress, suicides - SIR is no reform, it's an imposed tyranny, Rahul Gandhi alleged in a post on X in Hindi. SIR is a calculated ploy - where citizens are being harassed and the deaths of BLOs from unnecessary pressure are dismissed as collateral damage. This is not a failure, it's a conspiracy - a sacrifice of democracy to protect those in power, the Congress MP alleged. According to the media report shared by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, 16 BLOs have died in six states, including four each in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, three in West Bengal, two in Rajasthan, and one each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. After the death of the BLO in West Bengal sparked a political row, Governor CV Ananda Bose on Sunday said that the death of BLO Shanti Muni Ekka, who allegedly took her own life due to "unbearable pressure" from the SIR of electoral rolls work, will be examined in detail. "In such a situation, it is better to avoid a knee-jerk reaction. What the Chief Minister said has to be examined in detail. I am sure we have an Election Commission which is strong enough and has a balanced outlook. All these issues can be examined properly and appropriate solutions found, but what is required is free and fair elections in this country," the Governor said. BLO commits suicide in West Bengal A woman working as a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in West Bengal's Nadia district was found hanging at her residence on Saturday, with her family members claiming that she was under considerable SIR work-related stress and died by suicide, police said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the BLO's death and said this has become "truly alarming now". In a "suicide note" shared by the chief minister on social media, the woman held the ECI responsible. Also Read | Submitted SIR form? How to check if your BLO has uploaded it on EC website Also, two teachers who worked as BLOs for the SIR exercise died of "illness" in Raisen and Damoh districts of Madhya Pradesh on Friday. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress will hold an internal meeting on November 24, to be chaired by party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The objective of this meeting will be a SIR-related review, improvements across many places and districts, and ensuring that no names are left out. CM Mamata Banerjee will meet the Matua community in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas, on November 25. The final elector's list is to be published on February 7, 2026. These states and UTs include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. After a break of nearly 2 months, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhgam (TVK) chief Vijay resumed his campaign for the 2026 Assembly election, launching scathing attacks against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) by accusing it of 'loot'. He also indirectly levelled the allegation of dynasty politics against it. Vijay slammed the DMK for questioning his party, the TVK, over its ideology. He asserted that his party was founded on solid ideological standpoints, and that it began with the principle of equality and had, among other things, demanded a caste census. Also Read | Vijay Subramaniam on reimagining Mahabharat with AI The TVK chief addressed cadres, admirers and local people at Sunguvarchattiram in nearby Kanchipuram district at an indoor auditorium of an educational institution. The DMK now asks, What is the price of ideology? They question us about our ideology. We have demanded a caste-based census, opposed the Waqf Act and approached the Supreme Court as the first party to do so, and we have strongly opposed the CAA as well, Vijay was quoted by news agency ANI as saying. He added, The DMKs ideology, however, is corruption. Think about what is happening within their own party. The whole state is watching a DMK that behaves like a 75-year-old child. We havent even begun to oppose the DMK in full force yet; they are already trembling... He said the TVK did not make "empty claims" like the DMK on ending NEET, and instead it sought shifting education to state list from the concurrent list of the Constitution. For years, a mining project in Africa held the promise of helping free the West from its dependence on China for rare earths. Some weeks back, it fell into Chinese hands. The failure of Peak Rare Earths, an Australian mining company, to build a China-free supply of rare-earth minerals offers a look at how Beijing came to dominate the global supply of critical mineralsa position it is now deftly leveraging for geopolitical gain. China has choked off the supply of rare earths to wring key concessions from President Trump in his trade war. The sale of Peak to a Chinese rare-earth behemoth earlier this autumn is part of a pattern that means that, by 2029, Beijing will receive all the rare earths flowing from Tanzania, one of the worlds major emerging sources of the elements, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Some liken it to the grip China enjoys today over cobalt production in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is a very strategic loss," said Gracelin Baskaran, a critical-minerals expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. This increases [Chinese] market power and it increases their market capacity to destabilize an already very fragile market." Since China began restricting the supply of rare-earth minerals to the world earlier this year, Western countries have searched for critical-mineral deposits to quickly bring into productiononly to find that Chinese companies have already bought up many of the most promising deposits of rare earths, lithium, nickel and others. In 2010, Australian company Peak had discovered one of the worlds best rare-earth deposits in Tanzania. Instead of shipping the ore to China, it planned to refine it in the U.K., developing an integrated operation outside of Asia. By then, China already controlled most of the worlds major rare-earth mines. Huge Chinese exports kept rare-earth prices low, making it difficult for Western companies to raise money to exploit new mines. Years went by. By 2019, Rocky Smith, then CEO of Peak, asked foreign governments for help in developing the Tanzania mine. His timing was good. Trump was in the midst of a trade war against Beijing, and Chinese state media warned China could use rare earths as a weapon. The United States risks losing the supply of materials that are vital to sustaining its technological strength," a commentary in the Peoples Daily said. Smith secured a letter of interest from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, a U.S. government institute that funded projects in the developing world. However, Tanzanias then-leader John Magufuli opposed foreign mining projects, and the U.S. government backed off from funding. Other governments also declined to put money forward. View Full Image Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, left. In 2021, Magufuli died in office, and was succeeded by Samia Suluhu Hassan, who looked more favorably on foreign mining projects. But Peaks backers were growing antsy. In 2022 a cornerstone investor, U.K. private-equity firm Appian Capital Advisory, sold its 20% share in Peak to Shenghe Resources, a partly state-owned Chinese rare-earths juggernaut that has steadily bought up stakes in promising rare-earth deposits in Tanzania from Western companies that controlled them. Appian says that it had made repeated attempts to get U.K. government funding to push the project forward. This would have provided a large part of the U.K. and Europes rare earths, but there was zero backing," said Michael Scherb, Appians CEO. Peaks management insisted that even with a large Chinese shareholder, it would stick to its plan to supply buyers outside of China. Tough choices That commitment soon began to falter. In 2022 rare-earth prices started dropping as China jacked up production. That year, Peak made Bardin Davis, a banking veteran and Peak executive, its CEO, and appointed a new executive chairman. Shortly afterward, Peak announced an agreement with Shenghe whereby the Chinese company would receive between 75% to 100% of the mines output for seven years. Shenghe would also get a board seat. Since Shenghe had bought its stake in the company, Western governments treated Peak as being part of the nexus with China," said Davis. That made it difficult to raise funds from Western funding agencies for its plans to develop the mine. Meanwhile, Peak risked losing its mining license in Tanzania if it didnt make progress building the mine. The company embarked on a global search for joint-venture partners or buyers, but only received one indicative offerfrom Shenghe. In 2024, Peak announced a plan to enter a joint-venture arrangement with Shenghe under which the Chinese company would invest to develop the mine. But then, in response to stiff tariffs Trump slapped on China in April, Beijing implemented a new export control regime on rare earths that strangled global supply and sent shock waves through Western industry, which relies on the minerals to make everything from cars to drones and jet engines. Peak said it would formally scrap the planned joint venture with Shenghe, citing recent geopolitical and regulatory developments." A major problem, Davis said, were regulations Beijing had introduced in recent years restricting the export of Chinese rare-earth technology that would have made it difficult for the Australian and Chinese companies to work together. This May, Shenghe moved in, offering to buy all of Peak for a premium roughly eight times that of average mining and metals acquisitions, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. The price, Shenghe said, was worth it for a mine it had long considered the premier undeveloped rare earth project in the world." View Full Image China has come to dominate the global supply of rare-earth elements, such as neodymium. A last-minute possibility of keeping the mine in Western hands emerged when a U.S. private-equity company, General Innovation Capital Partners, made a nonbinding offer that exceeded Shenghes. Mike Gallagher, a former Congressman known for his hawkish views on China, is a senior adviser to General Innovation. But while General Innovation says on its website that one of its focuses is materials extraction, it appeared to have a limited track record in mining critical minerals, said Davis, a potential problem for Tanzanian regulators. Peaks board said the firm hadnt provided evidence it could fund the acquisition. Peak turned down the offer, concerned about the fee it would have to pay if it broke its exclusivity clause with Shenghe. General Innovation didnt respond to requests for comment. In all, shareholders received roughly four times the pre-announcement share price from the Shenghe sale. In October, Peak was formally delisted from the Australian stock exchange. Shenghe now controls one of the worlds best rare-earth deposits. The Chinese have a long view on this stuff and the money part is not a big deal to them," said Smith, who served as Peaks CEO until 2020. Peak is just one more piece, one more rare-earth deposit that they are going to be bringing into China." Stopping Chinese state-backed companies from buying up the worlds strategic mines has become an urgent priority for the West. After Shenghes purchase, the U.S. and Australia agreed to strengthen tools to review and deter critical minerals and rare earths asset sales on national security grounds." But mining experts say there are few legal avenues to prevent Australian-listed companies, which do much of the worlds mineral exploration, from selling their mines abroad. Chinese companies are outbidding Western rivals, thanks to generous state support and their skill in navigating developing countries, where corruption is often rampant. Earlier this month, the European Union opened an investigation into the proposed sale of Anglo-Americans nickel operations in Brazil to a subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned mining giant, citing the possibility that European steelmakers would lose access to a crucial supply source. In recent years, Canada has also strengthened investment laws to make it tougher for Chinese companies to buy mines and has forced some Chinese companies to divest from assets. Write to Jon Emont at jonathan.emont@wsj.com Google has released a new entry in its long-running BestPhonesForever campaign, this time borrowing the mood and melody of the newly launched film Wicked: For Good to take a playful swing at Apples iPhone. All about the latest Google campaign The latest spot shows an iPhone admiring a Pixel device before suddenly breaking into a musical number inspired by the film. During the light-hearted serenade, the iPhone gushes over the Pixel and credits it with introducing innovations that Apple later adopted. Google highlights features such as call screening, AI-powered photo clean-up tools and a conversational virtual assistant, suggesting Pixel users enjoyed them well before they arrived on the iPhone. The ad leans heavily on humour and theatrics rather than technical explanations. Despite the singing smartphones, Google makes little effort to outline how its features work or why they might offer a practical advantage. Even so, the series has built a sizeable following among Pixel fans since its debut in 2023, and Google has now produced more than 30 instalments comparing the two rivals. While Apple has avoided responding publicly to the tongue-in-cheek campaign, Google appears keen to position the Pixel as the more innovative device, even if it means using show tunes to get the message across. Meanwhile, Josh Woodward, Vice President at Google who works across Google Labs and the Gemini app, has kicked off a new social media trend after posting an infographic-style version of his LinkedIn profile on X on Friday. His post drew attention to the growing number of professionals turning their CVs into polished visuals using NotebookLMs recently introduced Infographics tool. Also Read | Google VP explains how to convert your LinkedIn into an infographic: Full guide Woodwards post fuels rising curiosity In his message, Woodward praised the feature for delivering crazy good results and pointed out that many users were beginning to follow the same pattern, transforming their LinkedIn profiles into sleek, easily shareable graphics. He also revealed the straightforward steps he followed to create his own graphic. OpenAIs ChatGPT started the whole craze around generative AI chatbots when it debuted to the public back in late 2022. Since then, the chatbot has managed to retain a large chunk of the market share, despite having many powerful competitors like Gemini, Grok, Claude, Qwen, DeepSeek, Mistral and others. However, a study by British company Prolific has placed ChatGPT at the 8th spot in terms of best AI models, behind a couple of Gemini models, Grok models, DeepSeek models and even a model by French company Mistral. The company created its own benchmark called Humaine, which it says is built to understand AI performance through the lens of natural human interaction. Current evaluation is heavily skewed towards metrics that are meaningful to researchers but opaque to everyday users, such as accuracy on specialised datasets and performance on esoteric reasoning tasks. This has created a disconnect between what gets optimised for and what people actually value, the company says in its blogpost. The company also noted that even human-preference leaderboards can fall short if they are not designed with scientific rigour. It added that platforms requiring everyone to vote for their favourite model can be susceptible to sample bias and likely overrepresent tech-savvy users. The new leaderboard aims to address this issue with automated quality monitoring to ensure participants were engaging thoughtfully with the task. ChatGPT ranks below these AI models As per the Humaine study, these were the top 10 AI models: 2. DeepSeek v3 (DeepSeek) 3. Magistral Medium (Mistral) 6. Gemini 2.5 Flash (Google) 7. DeepSeek R1 (DeepSeek) 8. ChatGPT-4.1 (OpenAI) 9. Gemma (Google) 10. Gemini 2.0 Flash (Google) Notably, the study was published in September, when Google had not yet released its Gemini 3 Pro model and xAI had not rolled out its Grok 4.1 and Grok 4.1 Thinking models. Gemini 2.5 Pro being at the top of a benchmark isnt exactly surprising at this point, given that the model has continuously topped various leaderboards since its launch. However, an OpenAI model not ranking in the top 5and even going behind the likes of DeepSeek, Grok and Mistralis a surprising development if the results are to be believed. Google released its Gemini 3 models earlier in the week, which quickly went on to top the rankings on most leaderboards as the most powerful AI model available on the market. Since then, Google has also released a detailed prompt guide to help users get the best out of its new AI model. However, if you don't have the time to go through the full prompt guide to learn the dos and don'ts of the new model, the tech giant has also shared three important tips that you should keep in mind while using Gemini 3. Also Read | Is Gmail training Gemini AI based on your emails? Google responds to viral claim 3 tips you should follow while using Gemini 3: 1) Keep it short and to the point Google says Gemini 3 works best when the prompt is clear and to the point. This means that unlike some older models where users took advantage of elaborate prompt-engineering techniques, it is often better to give short, direct instructions to Gemini 3. Be concise in your input prompts. Gemini 3 responds best to direct, clear instructions. It may over-analyse verbose or overly complex prompt-engineering techniques used for older models, the company explains. 2) Conversationality A few months back, ChatGPT became a little too chatty with users, leading many of them to build emotional relationships with the chatbot. However, Gemini 3 isn't chatty by default and if you want a friendly or talkative tone from the chatbot, you will have to steer it in that direction. "By default, Gemini 3 is less verbose and prefers providing direct, efficient answers. If your use case requires a more conversational or chatty persona, you must explicitly steer the model in the prompt (e.g., Explain this as a friendly, talkative assistant)," Google explained in its blogpost. Also Read | AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini may be bullshitting to keep you happy 3) Manage context correctly When giving long or heavy inputs to Gemini 3, like codebases, research papers, books or lengthy transcripts, Google says placing the question at the end will help you get the best answer. You can also accompany it with a cue like Based on the information above to tell the model what to focus on. A man accused of violently assaulting a woman earlier this year - an assault in which he is alleged to have punched and kicked the victim - has been remanded on bail until December as the court awaits directions from the office of the DPP. Aleksandr Laskin of Abbeylara, Longford, appeared before a recent sitting of Longford District Court on a charge of assault causing harm at his address on May 5 of this year. Solicitor John Anderson represented the accused on legal aid, who appeared in court on the day accompanied by a Ukrainian interpreter. Sergeant for the State, Mark Mahon, said there was no medical report but submitted a statement of injuries from the victim accompanied by photographs of the injuries sustained. Judge Owens refused jurisdiction, meaning the case would not be heard by her court. Mr Laskin was remanded on continuing bail to appear before the December 9 sitting by which point directions from the DPP are expected to be received. 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 The frenzied and twisted killer who fatally stabbed Longford woman Sarah McNally in a US bar has been sentenced to 24 years in prison by a court for her manslaughter. Marcin Pieciak cornered the bright, personable and highly regarded 41 year-old while she worked at The Ceili House in the Queens area of New York before he carried out the evil and sustained attack. The twisted killer fatally attacked her and then slit his own throat. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced last month that Marcin Pieciak had pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree for fatally stabbing Ms McNally, at a Maspeth tavern on March 30, 2024. Described as 'a wonderful young woman, bright, vivacious, witty and charismatic', Sarah, was working as a bartender when Pieciak stabbed her and he then slit his own throat. Sarah (41), previously worked in Valentine's public house, Main Street, Longford town where she was very well liked. She later joined The Irish Prison Service in Longford for some years before deciding on immigrating to New York. She enjoyed music and in her younger years she appeared on stage in a number of musical productions with St Mel's Musical Society. Educated at St Emer's national school and Mean Scoil Mhuire in Longford town, Sarah's friends remembered her as 'a lovely soul'. District Attorney Katz, in a statement, outlined, Marcin Pieciak walked into Sarah McNallys place of employment and viciously attacked the 41-year-old. The defendant stabbed the Sarah multiple times and he then stabbed himself as he tried to escape the premises. "Thankfully, a brave bar patron stopped the defendant and detained him until police arrived. This murder shocked the community and [Sarah] McNallys loved ones. With this guilty plea, the defendant has been held accountable for his actions. Pieciak, 37, of 76th Street in Glendale, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree in satisfaction of the charges against him. DA Katz said that, according to the charges, on March 30, 2024, at approximately 6:30pm, Pieciak arrived at the Ceili House Bar at 69-56 Grand Avenue in Maspeth. The defendant walked toward Sarah McNally as she worked, went behind the bar and stabbed her multiple times causing significant wounds and fatally injuring her. Pieciak then cut his own throat several times with a second knife and attempted to flee, but a patron intervened and prevented him from leaving the premises. READ NEXT: County Longford defendant smashed house windows after 'altercation' as woman slept inside READ NEXT: Young Longford and Midlands farmers meet with EU Commissioner for Agriculture in Brussels The rifle Younis Ishtayeh used to shoot an Israeli soldier on November 20. (IDF Spokespersons Office) The Shin Bet intelligence agency, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and the Israel Police announced on November 21 that security forces killed a Palestinian police officer who had shot and wounded a reserve Israeli soldier the day before. Al Jazeera identified the individual as Younis Walid Ishtayeh. According to the IDF, Yamam counterterrorism forces operating in the northern West Bank village of Tell identified Ishtayeh holding a long weapon and killed him after he fired at them. A second Palestinian police officer surrendered to Israeli forces at the scene. While the IDF did not detail whether Ishtayeh was connected to established armed groups in the West Bank, two organizations claimed him as a member. The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades published a statement on its official Telegram channel mourning the death of Ishtayeh. The group described him as a fighter in the organizations Nablus branch. Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also claimed Ishtayeh as a member of its Nablus branch. The incidents involving Ishtayeh are not without precedent. Palestinian security personnel, including a former member of the security forces, conducted a string of attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians last year. On March 31, 2024, Abu Rida Al Saadi, a member of the Palestinian Authoritys security forces, surrendered himself to IDF troops following a three-day manhunt. Israeli authorities accused Saadi of shooting at school buses and cars on Route 90 in the Jordan Valley, wounding three Israelis. Days earlier, Mujahid Barakat, a former officer in the Palestinian Authoritys Presidential Guard, killed an IDF soldier and wounded other troops after he fired at a bus between the Israeli communities of Dolev and Talmon. An Israeli airstrike killed Barakat following hours of clashes. On February 29, 2024, Mahmoud Manassera, a Palestinian Authority police officer, shot and killed two Israelis at a gas station near the West Bank settlement of Eli. Manassera was shot dead by an IDF soldier on leave. The most recent incident involving Ishtayeh contributes to a recent pattern of rising violence in the West Bank, where armed groups such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad are expanding their activity. Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East. Vaccines do not cause autism. That statement once anchored public health. The CDC just dismantled it, quietly, strategically, and dangerously. Presumption reversed, justice subverted Attorney Lindsey Halligan didnt misspeak when she claimed James Comey must prove his innocence beyond a reasonable doubt to a Virginia grand jury. She exposed the new doctrine: guilt by accusation, innocence by loyalty. Then she staged a procedural ambush. She bypassed the full grand jury entirely. She secured a true bill with signatures from only the foreperson and one juror, a maneuver that violates the integrity of the indictment process. The original grand jury rejected one of the proposed charges. Halligan revised the indictment and sidestepped deliberation. She didnt seek consensus. She engineered compliance. This wasnt legal strategy; it was ideological choreography. The grand jury, once a bulwark against arbitrary prosecution, now functions as a prop in political theater. Prosecutors no longer pursue justice. They target enemies. Indictments arrive not through deliberation, but through loyalty-driven shortcuts. CDCs language: a masterclass in doubt and conspiracy On November 19, the CDC revised its vaccine safety page. They replaced clarity with ambiguity. They wrote: The claim vaccines do not cause autism is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility. This isnt science. Its sabotage. The CDC didnt cite new data. They adopted the language of Bobby Kennedy Jr., whose campaign thrives on unreasonable doubt. They didnt clarify; they capitulated. They didnt inform; they confused. They handed conspiracy theorists a gift-wrapped soundbite and told pediatricians to fend for themselves. Unreasonable doubt: the new protocol Bobby Jr. doesnt rely on evidence. He relies on strategic ambiguity. He doesnt need to prove causation. He only needs to seed suspicion. The CDCs new phrasing gives him cover. It tells families: Were not sure anymore. It tells clinicians: Youre on your own. It tells the public: Truth is negotiable. The children pay the price of inaction: Measles elimination status is on the brink. The U.S. is poised to lose its measles elimination status, just as Canada did last week. The outbreak that began in Texas in January shows no signs of slowing. If it continues into January 2026, the CDC will have to reclassify measles as endemic. This year alone: Over 1,700 measles cases have been confirmed 45 outbreaks have been documented 211 hospitalizations, including 100 children under age five Three deaths (the first measles fatalities in the U.S. in over a decade) Whooping cough cases are also surging. This isnt just a public health failure. Its a collapse of coordinated care, fueled by rhetorical sabotage and institutional retreat. Weimar echoes in Washington Carl von Ossietzky warned the world about German rearmament. He exposed the military buildup that violated the 1919 Peace Treaty of Versailles. He paid with imprisonment and torture. The Nobel Committee awarded him the Peace Prize posthumously. His warning was clear: When law becomes loyalty, truth becomes treason. Today, the U.S. echoes Weimars collapse. Institutions surrender integrity. Judges equivocate. Scientists retreat. Journalists sanitize. The slide into proto-dictatorship doesnt arrive with tanks. It arrives with procedural sabotage. ADVERTISEMENT Political prosecutions and the theater of loyalty Indictments now serve as political theater. Opponents face charges not for crimes, but for disobedience. Allies receive immunity, not through law, but through loyalty oaths. The DOJ no longer defends the Constitution. It defends the regime. The courtroom becomes a stage. The grand jury becomes a prop. Justice becomes a slogan. Public health as collateral damage As a developmental pediatrician, Ive watched families unravel under the weight of misinformation. Ive seen children denied care because protocol replaced presence. Ive watched clinicians silenced by fear, and researchers buried under bureaucracy. Now, the CDC tells us: We havent ruled it out. Thats not science. Thats surrender. Even the parks are not safe. Even our national parks now echo the propaganda playbook. Interpretive signs no longer honor indigenous stewardship or ecological truth. They sanitize history, glorify conquest, and mirror the language of Goebbels, where repetition replaces reason, and spectacle replaces substance. The wilderness, once a refuge, now serves as a billboard for state-sponsored distortion. The cost of cowardice We must not allow unreasonable doubt to become the new standard. We must not allow science to be rewritten by sentiment, or law to be inverted by loyalty. We must not allow protocol to become propaganda. Carl von Ossietzky warned us. We ignored him once. We must not ignore the warning again. Ronald L. Lindsay is a retired developmental-behavioral pediatrician whose career spanned military service, academic leadership, and public health reform. His professional trajectory, detailed on LinkedIn, reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing neurodevelopmental science and equitable systems of care. Dr. Lindsays research has appeared in leading journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, The American Journal of Psychiatry, Archives of General Psychiatry, The Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, and Clinical Pediatrics. His NIH-funded work with the Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPP) Network helped define evidence-based approaches to autism and related developmental disorders. As medical director of the Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University, he led the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program, training future leaders in interdisciplinary care. His Ohio Rural DBP Clinic Initiative earned national recognition for expanding access in underserved counties, and at Madigan Army Medical Center, he founded Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) CARES, a $10 million autism resource center for military families. Dr. Lindsays scholarship, profiled on ResearchGate and Doximity, extends across seventeen peer-reviewed articles, eleven book chapters, and forty-five invited lectures, as well as contributions to major academic publishers such as Oxford University Press and McGraw-Hill. His memoir-in-progress, The Quiet Architect, threads testimony, resistance, and civic duty into a reckoning with systems retreat. Melissa Motta is the executive pastry chef at MAX Ultimate Food in Dorchester. She and her team bake the pumpkin pies that are part of the catering company's Thanksgiving partnership with Community Servings called "Give Back. Get Pie." David Cifarelli MAX Ultimate Food aims to turn clients dreams into a reality by putting on events that match their visions and expectations. When it comes to the holiday season, the premiere catering company in Boston decides to give back to the local community in the best way they know how: through food. MAX Ultimate Food has been donating pies to local nonprofit Community Servings in honor of Thanksgiving for past 25 years. The Jamaica Plain-based organization works to supply families experiencing critical or chronic illness and nutrition insecurity with freshly made meals. It was something that was really important to the founders, Dan Mathieu and Neal Balkowitsch, Vice President Bobby Perino-Thompson told MassLive. They then passed it on to Dans sister, Nancy Mathieu, our purchaser. She kind of took it over and now were donating at least 100 pies every year. The pastry team at MAX Ultimate Food prepare and package pumpkin pies that will be shipped to Community Servings. David Cifarelli MAX Ultimate Food supplies 50 pumpkin and 50 pecan pies to Community Servings through the Give Back. Get Pie initiative. Each purchase of a $35 Thanksgiving pie provides a full week of meals to individuals and families across Massachusetts and Rhode Island living with conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or a high-risk pregnancy. These meals are more than nourishment; theyre a lifeline for people facing both illness and food insecurity, Senior Manager of Donor Engagement & Events Shana Lothrop said in a statement. This year, the need is urgent with 100 neighbors waiting for nutritious meals. Thats why our message is Give Back. Get Pie. We lead with Give Back because thats what were inviting the community to do support those who need us most," Lothrop continued. Were deeply grateful to Bobby and the team at MAX Ultimate Food for more than 20 years of partnership. Their generosity is a powerful example of giving back locally and investing in the community. Every pie they donate helps fund meals and hope for someone in need and that impact lasts far beyond the holiday season." The operation is overseen by Executive Pastry Chef Melissa Motta and her small but mighty team. The foursome starts prepping pies, all made from scratch, just a couple days in advance before they are shipped over to Community Servings. This year, the pies will be sent over on Monday, Nov. 24. The pastry team at MAX Ultimate Food prepare and package pumpkin pies that will be shipped to Community Servings. David Cifarelli When youre making a pie, I always make the pie dough the day ahead, so that way youre not feeling rushed to do everything all at once. And then you make your filling the day before as well, so that way its just like, boom, boom, boom. So thats how I like to do it," Motta explained while demonstrating how she makes her pumpkin pies. Our pastry team is amazing. They can really turn this over quickly. They can produce hundreds of pies in a matter of two-to-three days, Perino-Thompson said. Its pretty, pretty quick. MAX Ultimate Food offers high-end fine dining services for a plethora of events from private dinners parties to galas. The catering business offers everything from food and beverage menus to event planning services. Theres nothing we cant do, Perino-Thompson said. We love what we do. We like to be very innovative [and at] the forefront of trying to do something new. Every time we do it, we create once in a lifetime moments with our clients. The pastry team at MAX Ultimate Food prepare and package pumpkin pies that will be shipped to Community Servings. David Cifarelli MAX Ultimate Food recently moved into their new 27,000-square-foot Dorchester facility where they have now increased their output and deepened their connections with the community. The company predominately hires people from the area, constantly gives back to local nonprofits and has been involved with multiple arts organizations such as the Huntington Theatre and Boston Ballet. Perino-Thompson encouraged prospective clients to think about MAX when youre planning your next holiday event. He added, If you are an organization looking for some support, please reach out to us. Were here to help. We want to support the community any way we can. MAX Ultimate Food is located at 65 E Cottage St., Dorchester. More information about the companys services can be found online. Sophie Alissa Markham, 26, is having her first major showcase at the Arts for the Soul Gallery at 1500 Main St. in Springfield. She has created a home environment for her exhibition. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook SPRINGFIELD The Art for the Soul Gallery is hosting Room to Grow, a photography exhibit by local artist Sophie Alissa Markham, through Jan. 25, 2026. With Room to Grow being my very first solo exhibition, it only felt right to pay homage to my teenage years spent primarily at home, in my room, said Markham. She went on to describe the exhibit as a kind of museum of everything shes ever loved. As she gathered work and memorabilia from the last decade of her life, she was filled with a mix of nostalgia and grace. Sierra Myers, executive director of the gallery, said that Markhams show is a pilot for programming that will take place in their new space, The Studio. Her [Markham] images are grounded in the environment around her, with a strong focus on Springfield, its people, and its daily life. She captures the grit, essence, and often overlooked beauty within the city, said Myers. Markhams passion for documenting began with watching her father constantly record Christmas mornings, Filipino Christmas parties, and birthdays. She began shooting photography on her moms iPhone 3GS in 2011, but it wasnt until she joined her high school photography club at Commerce High School her first year that she was encouraged to keep going. Dionisia Diana Varypatakis, owner of the Greek restaurant LeGreque, has an early tour of the exhibit with Sophie Alissa Markham. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook Dr. Paul Hetzel, Markhams photography mentor from Commerce, expressed that when he first met her, she was a shy and reserved teen. She clearly had an eye for composition. She gravitated to street photography and portraiture. Over the three to four years as part of the Photography Club, it was gratifying to see her grow, said Hetzel. Markhams confidence has grown since she began documenting. She recalled the days when she stood far away, looking for the moment she once described herself as a fly on the wall. Since beginning her journey as a freelance photographer, she has grown out of being socially awkward and has naturally found herself gravitating closer to the subject. To achieve growth, she had to be dedicated to her art. I would say the most inspiring part of watching Sophies journey is witnessing her growth and her dedication to the art grow. Shes dedicated to capturing art that moves people, said Derick Thompson, Markhams boyfriend. Thompson has had a front-row seat to her dedication for the past 10 years and says this installation represents new beginnings, but also a milestone, as it recalls a thought Markham once had. Room to Grow is an immersive installation that explores Markhams artistic journey, examining how social media, technology, and modern living have transformed the way people interact with one another. Carefully chosen, her images are honest and unfiltered, yet open to interpretation and emotion. Also featuring music and crafts from local artists, she hopes those visiting can take away the beauty of the city. The exhibit and the gallery, located at 1500 Main St., on the second floor, are open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. For those wanting to meet the artist, she will be in the gallery on Thursdays. A lottery player won a $100,000 prize on Saturday at a convenience store in Essex County in Massachusetts. The prize was won from Mass Cash purchased at Middletons Fast Freddies Mobil at 256 South Main Street. The winner won on Saturday evenings drawing: 4, 8, 15, 18, and 27. The probability of winning five out of five is one in 324,632, according to the state lottery. The probability of winning five out of five is one in 324,632, according to the Massachusetts State Lottery. Overall, at least 236 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Saturday, including one in Springfield, three in Worcester and 17 in Boston. The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600. The largest lottery prize won so far this year was worth $1 million a year for life, from a winning Lifetime Millions scratch ticket sold in Springfield and claimed in July. Two men were recently arrested in connection with a break-in at the Mass Firearms School in Holliston, where guns were stolen. Jason Liberis, 18, of Oxford, and Bryan Ayala Perez, 18, of Johnston, Rhode Island, were charged in connection with the Oct. 30 break-in, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryans Office and Holliston Police Chief Matthew Stone. Each was charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime, breaking and entering from a firearms dealer, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a large capacity weapon and conspiracy. At about 11:19 p.m. on Oct. 30, the Holliston Police Department responded to the firearms school at 100 Kuniholm Drive for a report of a breaking and entering in progress. Video surveillance inside the building showed there were three people, with two of those people observed inside the gun store. The suspects were dressed in dark clothing and masks and they stole two semi-automatic rifles before leaving in a four-door sedan, according to authorities. A multi-agency investigation revealed that Liberis, Ayala Perez and a third person traveled to Mass Firearms School in a car stolen by Ayala Perez from a Rhode Island convenience store, police said. Once at the firearms school, Ayala Perez stood watch outside while Liberis and the other suspect broke into the building and stole the rifles and fled, police said. Liberis was arrested in Oxford and arraigned in Framingham District Court and held pending a dangerousness hearing. Ayala Perez was arrested in his home in Palm Springs, Florida, and will be arraigned, subject to extradition to Massachusetts, authorities said. The investigation remains ongoing and the firearms have not yet been recovered, authorities said. SPRINGFIELD With the eternal flame burning brightly, members of the community gathered in Forest Park to honor the late John F. Kennedy, whose life was taken by an assassins bullet 62 years ago. A crowd of about 100 paid tribute on Saturday to a man who was a U.S. representative and then a senator in Massachusetts before becoming 35th president of the United States in 1960. We hearken back to the days of Camelot, and now were dealing with the age and the days of chaos, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said. We had President Kennedy, a war hero, an individual (who) governed with intelligence, with honor, with self-deprecating humor, whose caring and inspiration inspired many, many people young people, all creeds, colors and backgrounds not what the country could do for you but for what you could do for the country. Sarno noted that only two locations continue this memorial event, one being the eternal flame in Forest Park. The other is at Kennedys burial site in Arlington National Cemetery. The flame, master of ceremonies Anthony Cignoli said, is always shining, always, day and night in this incredible park, and it recalls an era and time ... of hope when there was such an amazing feeling of strength and energy about what the United States was and could be. Kennedys term was cut short when he was fatally shot while riding in a motorcade in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Among the speakers was James Sullivan, brother of the late former Mayor William Sullivan. Both were among a group of supporters and admirers of the late president who helped create the eternal flame tribute more than 60 years ago. We as Americans have to get together and fight to keep our democracy, Sullivan said, urging audience members to remember Kennedys legacy. Jack Chamberland, who stood in for U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, who couldnt attend, told how Neal as a child saw Kennedy speak on the steps of Springfield City Hall and it was in that moment he knew he wanted to pursue a career in public service. The time we find ourselves in now, I think its important to remember President Kennedys legacy, what he stood for ..., Chamberland said. We in public life hope to be emblematic of those very qualities. Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi noted that Kennedys time in office may have been cut short, but the principles he lived by still guide us today service to your community, responsibility to your neighbor and the belief that every person can make a difference. President Kennedy understood that leadership is not about recognition, he believed that progress happens when we work together, Cocchi added. A 16-year-old teenager was arrested on Friday in connection with the shooting of two Massachusetts high school students in 2024. The teenager was arrested in Jamaica Plain and was wanted on a warrant out of Suffolk Superior Court for murder, firearm used in a commission of a felony, assault and battery attempt with a firearm and carrying a firearm without a license, Boston police said in a statement. The incident happened on July 5, 2024, at around 12:23 p.m. in the area of Gladeside Avenue and Donwood Terrace. Boston Police Superintendent Felipe Colon said that two Stoughton High School students were found by police inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds. One of students was identified as 17-year-old Christian Cousins, who was a part of Stoughton High Schools 2025 graduating class, according to the schools Facebook post. Another student who has not been identified was also shot but her injuries were non-fatal. They were driven to local hospitals, but Cousins died of his injuries, Colon said. Officers initial investigation indicated that the shooting was not random. The incident remains under investigation by the Boston Police Departments Homicide Unit. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call detectives at 617-343-4470 or to submit a tip anonymously by calling 1-800-494-TIPS. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia says she is not planning to run for president, days after she announced her plan to resign from Congress amid a falling out with President Trump. Im not running for President and never said I wanted to and have only laughed about it when anyone would mention it, Greene said in a post on X. On Friday, Greene made the stunning announcement that she would depart Congress after weeks of clashing with Trump. Trump responded in an interview with NBC News about the possibility of Greene one day resuming her political career at some point. Its not going to be easy for her to revive her career in politics, though he added, Id love to see that. Trump said that Green, in the meantime, shes got to take a little rest. Greene joined Congress as one of Trumps staunchest allies, being sworn into office days before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. She strongly supported the president and often echoed his contention that the 2020 election was stolen even when members of his own party had disavowed him. She leaves Congress being branded a traitor by Trump in recent weeks. The two Republicans had a public falling out over several issues, including Trumps decisions to launch airstrikes on Iran, his support for Israel during the Gaza War and a lack of regulation of big tech companies earlier this year, according to the BBC. Then, there was the deep divide over the handling of the investigative materials related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, and Trumps unwillingness to order the U.S. Department of Justice to release the Epstein files fully. The president last week called Greene a ranting lunatic and disavowed her in response to the break over the Epstein files. Fridays statement by Greene announcing her resignation shocked colleagues in Congress and constituents in Georgia. She said she would step down in January. I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better, she said in her resignation statement. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Health care strategist Dana Y. Lujan discusses her article Why direct primary care (DPC) models fail. Dana argues that the DPC communitys obsession with purity is missing the point, stating that these models dont fail over ideology, they fail because of bad math. She uses the University of Houstons $1 million clinic failure as a prime example of a fundamental market mismatch, where a DPC model was placed in a low-income area that couldnt sustain its membership fees (a ~70 percent revenue deficit). Dana also debunks the myth that institutions cant run successful DPC programs, citing CHI Health and Johns Hopkins as proof that financial sustainability and market fit are the true keys. This episode explores the critical difference between whats legally permissible and whats operationally sustainable, and why the DPC conversation must shift from philosophy to execution. Learn why you cannot subscription-model your way out of poverty. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, its backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and its part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Dana Y. Lujan; shes a health care strategist. Todays KevinMD article is Why direct primary care models fail. Dana, welcome to the show. Dana Y. Lujan: All right, thank you for having me. Kevin Pho: All right, lets start by briefly sharing your story. Then well jump right into your KevinMD article. ADVERTISEMENT Dana Y. Lujan: Sure. I am Dana Lujan, and Im a health care strategist. Ive been in health care for slightly over 20 years across provider groups, payer networks, health systems, and amputee consulting firms leading operations, revenue cycle management, contracting, compliance, and strategy. My career actually started in the military, where I learned the foundation of leadership, discipline, accountability, and focus. Those values still shape how I work today. Over the years, I have learned to connect the dots, take a step back, and see the bigger picture while still holding onto the details that matter. Kevin Pho: All right, your KevinMD article is Why direct primary care models fail. Ive had a lot of people on this podcast talk about direct primary care, about how great it is, but I think that we need a sense of realism as well. So this is why were going to talk about this. So for those who didnt get a chance to read your article, tell us what its about. Dana Y. Lujan: Great. So I have spent years transitioning providers from fee-for-service into various different types of payment models. The narrative that I continue hearing in the DPC community is the fact that the DPC clinic failed because its not on pure ideology. You know, its not a pure DPC, or theres a technical mishap like in their planning financials and marketing. I tend to pause and kind of take a step back. While those are valid points, Im thinking that there has to be a deeper strategic side. When I came across the University of Houston Direct Primary Clinic article, it really interested me because one, my home state is Texas, and I have worked in the Houston market, so Im accustomed to the community out there. The author wrote again about the ideology, and to me, I think we do ourselves a disservice when were so focused on ideology and not on what really happens and where the breakdown is. So when I dug more into the university and I found the peer review, I was just like, Oh, it is structure. It is strategic planning. Youre asking for one model when there are actually three models trying to be one model. And I felt like this was a perfect time to write it. Kevin Pho: When you say about DPC ideology and obsession with purity, just tell us exactly what you mean by that. Dana Y. Lujan: So, you know, they push an all-or-nothing approach. Ive heard it across the board with physicians that I have come across, and even on comments on some of the articles that they write. For instance, providers say, How about capitation? While were transitioning, can we at least keep capitation? They will be marked no. It is pure all-or-nothing. I feel like youre setting physicians up who have been in business for a few years and have their own practice. Theyre trying to get into DPC. Why not have a transition plan for them? Why not have a strategic transition plan? Because theres a big difference between being strategic versus being technical and really laying out a solid foundation. So when they are full true DPC, theyre not failing within their first two years of opening up their doors. Kevin Pho: Do we have any data or any sense about what percentage or proportion of direct primary care DPC clinics fail? Dana Y. Lujan: So what Ive read, and Ive come across a few articles, the baseline is theres a hundred DPC clinics that open. Within the first two years, 65 to 75 will sustain, and then the rest will drop off. To me, Im thinking to myself that what they quote is technical mishaps. They cite not planning enough financials and, again, marketing. So again, tactical mishaps. Technical is execution. Everyone can execute. But if you dont have a deep knowledge in regards to planning on how youre going to get from point A to point B, then whats the point of executing? Kevin Pho: So according to the data that you read, approximately 30 to 35 percent of direct primary care clinics fail within two years. Any commonalities in terms of why they fail? You mentioned things like tactical mishaps, so what are some examples of such tactical mishaps that led to some of their failures? Dana Y. Lujan: Their financials. They struggle from a financial standpoint. So again, this is where I go back to financial planning from a strategic standpoint. A really quick tip is to know your numbers. Know your current panel size, what percentage of your revenue comes across from each payer, and know the true cost to serve your patients. Do a deep dive on your payer. Ive seen a comment that was left by a physician: Oh, its easy. All you do is just look at your contracts, take your smaller contract, term it next 45 to 60 days, take your next one, and term it. While that sounds great on execution, when youre looking and youre starting to model, sometimes it might be a bigger payer thats more feasible to term prior. Why? Because you have more FTEs on that payer, and then the turnaround time on receiving your reimbursements is in the AR bucket of 90 days or more. So why would I want to keep a payer that doesnt have a quick turnaround on revenue? Id rather keep a payer that I know even if it might be a low density of a hundred patients, if that patient comes in, I know I get my money within 30 days. Kevin Pho: So in this story that you wrote, you wrote about the University of Houston, about how their failure was a prime example of fundamental market mismatch. So for those, again, who didnt read your article, tell us about that story and some of the failure points that this particular instance made. Dana Y. Lujan: Well, Im glad that they tried it out because I always believe in trying something out to see exactly what happens. So I believe that they were putting a DPC clinic into a heavily Medicaid, uninsured, and underinsured area. So theres a lot of factors that go into play with that. So anyone who has worked Medicaid, even if youre primary and you are heavy into Medicaid, you know your retention rate is 30 to 40 percent on a yearly basis. Even if you work the networks, its hard to get those Medicaid patients back in the door. It never explained if they were going to partner with a payer to try out a more value-based type of incentive program. Then when you read through the article, I indicated that they were trying to get employer contracts. So my question is, if you knew you were going to go the employer route, how come you didnt identify at least four to five? Then pivot. Try to secure at least one or two contracts prior to actually starting the pilot program to help sustain the $1 million grant. And then, you know, its easy for us when youre in that community for us to say $60 is a good model and we can subsidize it. But when youre speaking with underinsured and uninsured, now you have behavioral economics at play. This is a question of, Am I going to get my car fixed or am I going to pay the $60 membership? Am I going to get my car fixed or still pay a $25 membership? It is behavioral economics. Kevin Pho: And you mentioned a couple of examples where institutions successfully implemented DPC models, right? Dana Y. Lujan: I have, yes. So, CHI, the Catholic Health Initiative, actually launched their DPC model, which is an independent membership. I want to say that was back in 2017, though I dont have my notes in front of me. And then it stretched from one pilot program to I think seven or eight locations now. So thats pure DPC. So to me, again, it goes back to strategic planning and having your structure. Johns Hopkins has three different types of various payment models. They have the concierge, they have the employer direct DPC model, and then of course the value-based. So again, it is working because theres been planning along with the execution. And I think the reason why Im kind of bringing this to the forefront more is because of what youre seeing when I hear independent providers saying, Hey, were independent providers. Were trying to stay independent. What happened back in 2007 and 2008 with the health systems buying the independent providers out? They have private equity coming in and theyre doing the buying out of the independent providers. Were seeing the same wave. Whether you like to believe it or not, youre kind of seeing that in concierge medicine and direct primary care as we speak. Kevin Pho: In those physician-only message boards, direct primary care is often seen as a solution to a lot of the corporate physicians who are burning out and the treadmill of seeing patients every ten to 15 minutes. But obviously, its not as easy as that. So talk to us about some of the questions physicians need to ask themselves and the type of resources that they need to consult if theyre considering switching and opening up a direct primary care practice. Dana Y. Lujan: So again, I always say know your numbers. Thats really doing a financial analysis of your entire business and your life because youre upkeeping your life into another type of model. So know your current panel size. Know the percentage of revenue for each payer. Know your true cost to serve each patient. Then model out different scenarios, and when you model out, see like, OK, if I reduce my panel by 30 percent, how would this look? Can I sustain it? Then do a timeline and accountability milestone. And then I would throw in a quick bonus tip. I like to call it location recon. Because you know, youve been in your independent practice for so long. I always ask the provider, How married are you to your location? They say, I love this location. This is a great location. Okay, well lets go take a walk. Do a quick walk, see what you see in concierge medicine and direct primary. Then drive one mile in each direction and see what you see, because again, it goes back to market alignment. You dont want to put your practice in where its very heavily saturated. And then I get the pushback: Well, Google doesnt capture everyone who is DPC in concierge medicine. So you can sit here and rely on technology all you want, but sometimes we have to take it back to the way we used to do it. Kevin Pho: So in terms of physicians who need to look for a consultant like yourself in terms of doing this type of research, what kind of questions do they need to ask that consultant, or what kind of questions do they need to ask to find that right person to guide them in doing some of this market research before opening up a practice? Dana Y. Lujan: I think the type of questions that you should be asking a consultant is regarding how many practices have they been able to transition or started. You need to know if they understand the market that they are currently in. Because you know, you could be a great consultant out in Texas, but then you go into the South Carolina market. Two different types of markets, and even the states have their own markets. So I might be a great consultant out in Dallas, but I just dont know the Houston community. Thats a differentiating factor. If theyre not asking about really sitting down with you and going through the financials and the revenue cycle, then that should be a high alert because thats something that a consultant should be able to do. Theyre supposed to be your operator. The provider is the visionary; the consultant is the operator. So I tend to listen to the visionary and I say, OK, this is the bigger picture, but these are the details. I should be able to sit down with that physician and discuss and go thoroughly on what theyre looking at. So then they can understand their own operations and how the transition is happening. Kevin Pho: So from your experience, assuming the physician does everything right, does the appropriate market research, knows their numbers, and hires the right consultant. In general, how long does it take for a successful direct primary care practice to become profitable? Dana Y. Lujan: I would say within a year. Within a year. Sometimes I probably push out to 18 months just depending on where the location is. I know where Im currently located, Ive seen it within a year. If they do have an issue, it depends on who they have for marketing, because sometimes they want someone different for their marketing because they know a person that knows a person, and thats not on the consultant. You can only give so much information to them. Kevin Pho: Were talking to Dana Luhan; shes a health care strategist, and todays KevinMD article is Why direct primary care models fail. Dana, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Dana Y. Lujan: I think what I would like to leave with is think like a CEO and not as a business owner. Thinking systems. And when you start thinking more like a CEO than a business owner, you start seeing the shift and how to shift it through. Kevin Pho: Dana, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight and thanks again for coming on the show. Dana Y. Lujan: Thank you so much. Some of the cocaine seized during an investigation into former governor's aide LaMar Cook's drug trafficking case. (Hampden District Attorney's Office photo) Hampden District Attorney's Office photo When officials arrested LaMar Cook in late October, accusing him of cocaine trafficking, it was not the first time in recent months investigators tracked shipments of the drug into the region. To be sure, Cooks arrest eclipsed others. He worked as deputy director of the governors regional office on Dwight Street. Prosecutors say he tried to receive delivery of about eight kilos of cocaine shipped to the office. Yet there are 10 pending cases in Hampden Superior Court in which prosecutors allege someone sent drugs through the mail, according to Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. Nine of them involve the shipment of cocaine in amounts warranting trafficking charges. The cocaine market, says Gulluni, is a lot different than what it was 20 years ago in Miami. Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni in his office on the 28th floor of the Tower Square building in Springfield. Nov. 20, 2025. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook After a decade that saw officials fight an opioid overdose crisis driven by heroin and fentanyl, cocaine has seen a resurgence, according to local law enforcement officials interviewed for this story. Maybe five years ago, Id probably see one kilo, said Detective Sgt. Brian Freeman of the Westfield Police Department, who has worked on a narcotics task force in the region, and now, see them all the time. During the pandemic, the regions cocaine supply was often cut with non-illicit substances, according to the Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream. Now, investigators are finding fentanyl mixed with the cocaine, as 95% of cocaine overdoses involve the presence of fentanyl, according to Gulluni. At the same time, the price of cocaine has dropped. A decade ago, a kilo of cocaine could fetch $45,000 to $50,000, Gulluni said. These days, a kilo commands a street price of $15,000 to $20,000. In many cases, cocaine arrives in the region through the mail often from Puerto Rico where it is most often turned into crack cocaine. The drug then shows up in the regions urban areas alongside other narcotics. To combat drug trafficking operations spread out across the region, and even the globe, law enforcement is relying on task forces to investigate the networks. Cook, for his part, has pleaded not guilty to the charges and a judge granted him bail. Gov. Maura Healey, when asked about his arrest this week during a visit to Chicopee, described Cook, who collected a $115,000 salary, as a lower level staffer who betrayed the trust of his community. I hope he is prosecuted to the full extent of the law, she said. Seized by law enforcement Investigators linked Cook to several deliveries of cocaine to Hotel UMass in Amherst, where he used to work as director of hospitality. Court records say Homeland Security Investigations intercepted the UPS packages in Louisville, Kentucky, on Oct. 8. The packages, addressed to a Morgan Gordon, contained 12 kilograms of cocaine between them. We plugged the tracking numbers listed in court records into the UPS tracking portal. Information for both packages said they were seized by law enforcement. Estimated delivery? No information available. A screenshot of a notice on the UPS website stating a package with a tracking number found in the LaMar Cook court file has been seized by law enforcement. screenshot An affidavit by Joshua Kopeski, a trooper with the Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team, outlines some of the ways people send packages containing narcotics through the mail. I am aware that individuals who send packages containing controlled substances often use fictitious information, including the names of the sender and/or recipient and the return address of the sender. I am also aware that individuals who send narcotics in packages via the U.S. Mail frequently hide the narcotics inside other, innocuous items in the package in order to disguise that the package contains illegal drugs. In the case of packages going to the UMass hotel, no one was staying there under that name. At the same time, the first few shipments going to a location are often small amounts at first test shipments, according to Gulluni. Theyll send a smaller amount of drugs to a particular address with a cohort involved. If it makes it through ... that sort of develops some trust in that process and that address, he said. Other cases of cocaine shipments to the area include that of Vicente Gonzalez, a 51-year-old Chicopee man who received packages of cocaine sent from Puerto Rico to his home and another location in West Springfield. Prosecutors initially indicted Gonzalez along with a dozen other defendants in 2019, accusing them of drug trafficking and money laundering. Prosecutors said Gonzalez intended to send cocaine to cohorts in New Bedford and the area around Springfield and Chicopee. When investigators searched his house in July 2019, they discovered two kilos of cocaine in his basement. The federal court convicted Gonzalez on Oct. 3, 2024, and hes scheduled to face sentencing in January. It was a case brought with the help of several federal and local agencies. Some of the cocaine seized during an investigation into former governor's aide LaMar Cook's drug trafficking case. (Hampden District Attorney's Office photo) Hampden District Attorney's Office photo Task forces for the modern drug trade Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan said law enforcement task forces are a necessity to address the modern narcotics trade. My manpower, I have no choice, he said. Theyre force multipliers. These days, besides being shipped through the mail, drugs are sold through social media on platforms like Facebook or Snapchat, Keenan said. People may text dealers to meet up at rest stops or hardware store parking lots. Drug traffickers have often spread out their operations. You might have a guy who deals drugs in Springfield, who stashes his drugs in Chicopee, who sleeps in Holyoke, Keenan said. Over the summer, the Hampden County Narcotics Task Force, led by the district attorneys office, helped Holyoke address open-air drug trafficking in the city. Gulluni said that just as drug traffickers cross municipal borders, his task force can easily follow investigations across the county. In May, the Massachusetts National Guard announced it gave the district attorneys office a handful of tools to address drug trafficking, such as an X-ray device to detect drugs in vehicles, as well as tools to unlock phones. At a January 2023 press conference, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni announced the seizure of 15 kilos of cocaine, 13,900 fentanyl pills about a pound of raw fentanyl. (The Republican / file photo) Meanwhile, the State Police runs the Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET) to track larger drug trafficking organizations that even cross state lines, and the FBI has its Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force. Supervisory Special Agent Matthew Fontaine, who oversees the FBI office in Springfield, said the bureau brings its ability to follow the evidence to uncover, say, large criminal organizations profiting off addiction. The whole point of a task force is to take the resources from each of the participating agencies and make the best investigative product that we can and have the greatest impact on our community, Fontaine said. When he took office about a decade ago, Gulluni said he scheduled a meeting every six weeks for heads of law enforcement agencies in the area to get in the same room, build relationships and make sure they were not tripping over each others investigations. Joining state and local police and handful of federal agencies in the room is an agency whose mission is devoted to combatting the shipment of narcotics through the mail: the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. When the meeting convenes, Postal is almost always there, Gulluni said. LaMar Cook, former deputy director for the governors regional office in Springfield, is arraigned Oct. 29 in Springfield District Court on charges of cocaine trafficking after 8 kilos of the drug were allegedly delivered to him at the state building on Dwight Street. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook Nobody knows we exist The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with about 1,200 agents, has a broad mission, from investigating assaults against mail carriers (which have dropped in recent years) to addressing a rise in counterfeit stamps and labels, according to Danielle Schrage, public information officer for the services Boston division. Its the nations oldest federal law enforcement agency, which celebrated its 250th anniversary in August. Outside the law enforcement community, nobody knows we exist, Schrage said. In the 2023 fiscal year, the service opened 5,608 investigations across the nation, 2,231 of them about the shipment of narcotics, according to its annual report. The Postal Service has no interest in being the unwilling accomplice of anyone who wants to use the mail to distribute illegal narcotics or any other harmful substance for that matter, Schrage said. While it does not have narcotic-sniffing dogs itself, the service may partner with agencies to bring in a K9 if the situation calls for it, Schrage said. The goal is to dismantle large-scale drug trafficking organizations. Part of that is also being strategic and taking out the head of the hydra, Schrage said. In the Cook case, however, the shipments to Hotel UMass and state offices on Dwight Street came via UPS. The company has a security team and one of its members talked with Massachusetts investigators, according to court records. Asked about its efforts to combat narcotics in its packages, UPS spokesperson Glenn Zaccara did not answer a list of emailed questions but wrote that the company works with law enforcement authorities. Our security methods are kept confidential to maintain their effectiveness, he said. One key difference exists between the U.S. Postal Service and companies such as UPS and FedEx, which are deemed courier services under the law. Postal inspectors need to develop probable cause and obtain a warrant before opening a package, Schrage said. In May, authorities in Hampden County displayed the fruits of recent law enforcement operations to seize heroin, cocaine, fentanyl and firearms. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook Investigation continues Gulluni said the investigation into the shipments of cocaine to Hotel UMass and the little state house on Dwight Street is ongoing. Kopeski, the trooper who filed an affidavit in the Cook case, said the cocaine that officers seized was imprinted with the word gold, which appeared to be a way for the cartel behind the narcotic to brand it. It was a newcomer to the scene. Investigators with CINRET West have seized several dozen kilograms of cocaine over the years and have never seen this particular imprint before, Kopeski wrote. Schrage said that when postal inspectors seize a package, it is the start of an investigation, as agents then begin pulling the thread, following leads and trying to figure out how the package ended up in the postal system. The FBIs Fontaine said that when investigators embark on investigation, they may have an idea of where it may lead, but that evidence can lead you to some unexpected places. Last month, a package seized in Kentucky led investigators to the doors of a state office building. Astrocytes, the brains star cells, can clear amyloid plaques and preserve cognition in Alzheimers models. Trusted Source Astrocytic Sox9 overexpression in Alzheimeras disease mouse models promotes AI plaque phagocytosis and preserves cognitive function Go to source Trusted Source TOP INSIGHT #Alzheimers Breakthrough? Scientists are now focusing on #astrocytesthe brain's star-shaped support cellsas a promising target for new therapies. The goal: Reduce #amyloid burden and slow #cognitivedecline by boosting the natural waste-clearing power of these non-neuronal cells. This could change how we treat #neurodegenerative disorders! #Neuroscience #AstrocyteTherapy Advertisement Astrocytes and Sox9: Unlocking the Brains Natural Plaque-Clearing Power Advertisement Astrocytes: Key Brain Cells Shaping Memory, Communication, and Aging Advertisement Testing Sox9 in Alzheimers Mice: Linking Plaque Clearance to Cognition Astrocytic Sox9 overexpression in Alzheimers disease mouse models promotes A plaque phagocytosis and preserves cognitive function - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-025-02115-w) Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have uncovered ain mouse models, while preserving cognitive function. (The process hinges onBy boosting the production of Sox9, a crucial protein that regulates astrocyte activity during aging, the team was able to enhance the astrocytes plaque-clearing abilities.This discovery highlights the potential for astrocyte-targeted therapies aimed at reducing amyloid burden and slowing cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders. The study, published inprovides a promising avenue for developing novel treatments that leverage the brains own cellular machinery to combat Alzheimers disease.Astrocytes perform diverse tasks that are essential for normal brain function, including facilitating brain communications and memory storage. As the brain ages, astrocytes show profound functional alterations; however, the role these alterations play in aging and neurodegeneration is not yet understood, said first author Dr. Dong-Joo Choi, who was at the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy and the Department of Neurosurgery at Baylor while he was working on this project.Choi currently is an assistant professor at the Center for Neuroimmunology and Glial Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.In the current study, researchers looked to identify mechanisms associated with astrocyte aging and Alzheimers disease, focusing onWe manipulated the expression of the Sox9 gene to assess its role in maintaining astrocyte function in the aging brain and in Alzheimers disease models, said corresponding author Dr. Benjamin Deneen, professor and Dr. Russell J. and Marian K. Blattner Chair in the Department of Neurosurgery, director of the Center for Cancer Neuroscience, a member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor and a principal investigator at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Childrens Hospital.An important point of our experimental design is that we worked with mouse models ofand had amyloid plaques in the brain, Choi said.We believe these models are more relevant to what we see in many patients with Alzheimers disease symptoms than other models in which these types of experiments are conducted before the plaques form.In these Alzheimers mice, the team over expressed or eliminated Sox9 and then assessed the cognitive function of individual mice for six months, evaluating the animals ability to recognize objects or places. At the end of the experiment, the researchers measured plaque deposition in the brains.Compared to reducing Sox9 expression, increasing it had the opposite effect. Sox9 knockout accelerated plaque formation, reduced astrocyte complexity and decreased clearance of amyloid deposits.Overexpression reversed these trends, promoting plaque clearance, while increasing the cells activity and complexity. Importantly, overexpression of Sox9 also preserved cognitive function in these mice, indicating that astrocytic clearance of plaques halts neurodegenerative-related cognitive decline.We found thatclearing them from the brain like a vacuum cleaner, Deneen said.Most current treatments focus on neurons or try to prevent the formation of amyloid plaques. This study suggests that enhancing astrocytes natural ability to clean up could be just as important.Choi, Deneen and their colleagues caution that more research is needed to understand how Sox9 works in the human brain over time. But their work opens the door to therapies that could one day harness the power of astrocytes to fight neurodegenerative diseases Source-Eurekalert Neurologists need AI training to spot algorithmic biases and ensure equitable, accurate patient care. Trusted Source Health Equity Considerations in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Go to source Trusted Source TOP INSIGHT #AI is a game-changer for #neurological_care! In areas with few specialists, AI could help doctors recognize diseases months earlier, ensure meds match patient budgets, automatically translate instructions into the patient's language, and flag when populations are excluded from #clinical_trials. #AIinHealthcare #Neurology Advertisement Ensuring Equitable AI: Promise and Precaution in Healthcare Advertisement AI in Neurology: Expanding Access, Personalizing Care, and Promoting Equity Advertisement Shaping AI with Diversity: Ensuring Culturally Sensitive and Inclusive Tools Health Equity Considerations in the Age of Artificial Intelligence - (https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000214356) Brain Depression - Animation Interactive section of Medindia provides information about chemistry of Brain depression Asa new comprehensive report co-authored by UCLA Health warns that the same technology capable of helping doctors detect strokes seizures , and other critical conditions could inadvertently exacerbate existing health disparities if robust safeguards and equitable implementation strategies are not established ().The report emphasizes that while AI holds enormous promise for improving diagnostics, patient monitoring, and treatment personalization, careful oversight is essential to ensure these tools benefit all populations fairly, rather than reinforcing systemic inequities in healthcare access and outcomes.The report, published in the journalthe medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, examined AIs growing role in neurological care.While the technology has already shown benefits such as allowing doctors to make faster decisions inreliance on large datasets poses a risk for patients in vulnerable populations who are already underrepresented in research and underdiagnosed.At the same time,for clinics to improve enrollment of underrepresented groups in research studies, or for health systems to ensure all patient groups are receiving high quality care and improved health outcomes.That means thatautomatically write medication instructions in the patients primary language and flag when certain populations are being systematically excluded from clinical trials, said the studys senior author Dr. Adys Mendizabal, a neurologist and health services investigator at UCLA Health. The technology exists. We just need to build it with equity as the foundation.Consulting with experts in healthcare, AI experts, Food and Drug Administration officials and one AI company, Mendizabal and researchers from nine other universities identified both the benefits and pitfalls of AI implementation in neurological care and created three guiding principles for future implementation:healthcare institutions must involve community advisory boards reflecting the demographics of populations they serve to ensure AI tools are culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate.researchers must understand AI is not an infallible source of information and should be trained to recognize potential biases in algorithmic outputs.Independent oversight with clear accountability must be established to monitor AI performance, investigate failures and give patients the ability to report concerns or delete their health care data.Investigators said the governance of AI must evolve continuously alongside the technology itself, requiring constant collaboration between government regulators, healthcare institutions, AI developers and patients.We are at a critical moment, Mendizabal said. The decisions we make now on how to develop and deploy AI in healthcare will determine whether this technology becomes a force for equity or another barrier to care. Research on infant sleep and media use is mostly correlational, so we designed an experiment to test real effects. Trusted Source Using a Tablet before Bed Not as Harmful as Believed Go to source Trusted Source TOP INSIGHT Contrary to popular belief, new research suggests that #bluelight from tablets may not disrupt #sleep in young #children! This challenges common assumptions about screen time before bed for the little ones. More studies needed, but an interesting finding! #KidsSleep #ScreenTime #Parenting Examining Tablet Use and Sleep in Toddlers: A Home-Based Study Tracking Toddler Sleep: Actiwatches and Melatonin Monitoring Advertisement Using a Tablet before Bed Not as Harmful as Believed - (https://news.rub.de/english/press-releases/2025-11-20-developmental-psychology-using-tablet-bed-not-harmful-believed) Thethe hormone that regulates sleep cycles.However, a new experimental study led by developmental psychologists at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, suggests that).Professor Sabine Seehagen, Dr. Neele Hermesch, and Dr. Carolin Konrad from the Chair of Developmental Psychology conducted a comprehensive experiment to examine the effect of tablet use on sleep in children aged 15 to 24 months, within the comfort of their own homes. Unlike previous correlational studies, which cannot establish cause and effect, this study aimed to provide more precise insights into how tablet exposure influences sleep.The researchers visited 32 participating families twice, guiding them through the study procedures. The key question: does watching a story on a tablet have different effects on melatonin release and nighttime sleep compared to reading the same story in a picture book?Children wore an actiwatch on their ankle to monitor movement during the night, allowing scientists to measure sleep duration, quality, and time taken to fall asleep. Additionally, melatonin levels were tracked through three saliva samples collected each evening.The team expected thatSurprisingly, the data did not support this assumption. The childrens melatonin production and sleep patterns were similar on tablet and book nights, suggesting that short-term tablet use may not negatively impact sleep in young children as previously feared.Professor Seehagen commented, This field has been dominated by correlational studies, which cant tell us if media use really causes poor sleep. Our experiment in real home environments provides new evidence that tablet exposure may not be as disruptive as often assumed.Source-Medindia If your Instagram feed suddenly looks like a Karan Joharcurated shaadi montage, it's all because of Vamsi Gadiraju and Netra Mantena the couple behind all the star-studded celebrations in Udaipur that saw a high-profile guest list. From Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan to Kriti Sanon, Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan, celebrities and noteworthy public figures have turned it into the hottest wedding of the year. While you may know all about the celebs and their performances, there's a lot of curiosity around the couple. Here's everything you need to know about the happy couple Vamsi Gadiraju and Netra Mantena. Who Is the Groom, Vamsi Gadiraju? Instagram/Netra Mantena FC Based in San Francisco, he isnt your typical startup bro. Hes the kind of guy who was a straight-A student, captain of the debate team, and nationally ranked in the Economics Club before he was old enough to vote. Raised in California, he studied at The Harker School, which is one of the most competitive private schools in San Jose, and left with honours like National AP Scholar. He completed his Bachelor of Science form Columbia University and immediately did what high-functioning Ivy Leaguers do best: launch a startup right out of college. In 2019, instead of taking a cushy tech job, Vamsi co-founded Superorder, a platform built to help multi-location restaurants handle delivery chaos with ease. The company scaled fast and today its used by 1,000+ restaurants across 30 states and 180 cities in the US. Backed by Y Combinator and Slow Ventures, Superorder has raised $12.5 million and even earned Vamsi and co-founder Raghav Poddar a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 (Food & Drink) list in 2024. Not bad for someone whose wedding is currently being discussed as much as his company valuation. Who is the Bride, Netra Mantena? GENEVA (AP) Top European and Ukrainian envoys conferred in Geneva on Sunday ahead of talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio over President Donald Trump's proposal to end Russias war on Ukraine. The head of the Ukrainian delegation, presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, wrote on social media said that they held their first meeting with the national security advisers from the U.K., France and Germany. The allies have rallied around Kyiv in a push to revise the plan, which is seen as favoring Moscow. The next meeting is with the U.S. delegation. We are in a very constructive mood, Yermak said. We continue working together to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine. Rubio was expected to join the talks together with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff. Before the meeting, Trump on Sunday used a lengthy online post to blast Ukraine for a lack of gratitude for U.S. military assistance, while notably shying away from criticizing Russia. With strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP, Trump wrote, Russias invasion of Ukraine would have NEVER HAPPENED. Trump also took a swipe at U.S. allies in Europe, writing, UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. After Trump's post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was grateful for U.S.-led efforts on security and praised U.S. leader directly as talks continued. The leadership of the United States is important, we are grateful for everything that America and President Trump are doing for security, and we remain as constructive as possible, Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram. In an earlier post, Zelenskyy also said that there was an understanding the U.S. would take into account a number of elements in a peace deal that are important for Ukraine, but did not elaborate further. There have already been brief reports from the team about the results of the first meetings and conversations," he said. "There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraines national interests. Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council and a member of Ukraine's Geneva delegation, wrote that although the peace plan proposals were still be finalized, they included "many Ukrainian priorities. We appreciate our American partners working closely with us to understand our concerns to reach this critical point and we expect to make more progress today," he said. Ukraine and allies have ruled out territorial concessions The 28-point blueprint drawn up by the U.S. to end the nearly four-year war has sparked alarm in Kyiv and European capitals. Zelenskyy has said his country could face a stark choice between standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs. The proposal, originating from negotiations between Washington and Moscow, acquiesces to many Russian demands that Zelenskyy has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. The Ukrainian leader has vowed that his peoplewill always defend their home. Speaking before Sundays talks, Alice Rufo, Frances minister delegate at the Defense Ministry, told broadcaster France Info that key points of discussion would include the plans restrictions on the Ukrainian army, which she described as a limitation on its sovereignty. Ukraine must be able to defend itself, she said. Russia wants war and waged war many times in fact over the past years. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump said the U.S. proposal was not his 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, Trump said. One way or the other, we have to get it ended. Trump didnt explain what he meant by the plan not being his final offer and the White House didnt respond to a request for clarification. Rubio's reported comments cause confusion Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Sunday that Warsaw was ready to work on the plan with the leaders of Europe, Canada and Japan, but also said that it would be good to know for sure who is the author of the plan and where was it created." Some U.S. lawmakers said Saturday that Rubio had described the plan as a Russian wish list rather than a Washington-led proposal. The bipartisan group of senators told a news conference that they had spoken to Rubio about the peace plan after he reached out to some of them while on his way to Geneva. Independent Maine Sen. Angus King said Rubio told them the plan was not the administrations plan but a wish list of the Russians. 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. On Sunday, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee said the peace plan appeared to be almost a series of Russian talking points, had made Europeans feel like theyve been totally left high and dry and had led to ferocious pushback. U.S. Sen. Mark Warner told ABCs This Week that he thought Trump was seeing this one-sided plan kind of blow up in his face. My hope is hell come back and be a bit more reasonable," Warner said. Possibility for additional talks Meanwhile. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he would hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. He said he would talk to the Russian leader about reviving a previous deal from July 2022 that allowed Ukraine to safely ship exports of grain via the Black Sea. The agreement stayed in place until the following year, when Putin refused to extend it, saying that a parallel agreement promising to remove obstacles to Russian exports of food and fertilizer hadnt been honored. We had a grain corridor endeavor to open the path to peace, Erdogan said, Unfortunately we were only partially able to succeed. Tomorrow I will be asking Putin to revisit the endeavor. Erdogan's new diplomatic push comes just days after he met with Zelenskyy in Ankara. ___ Davies reported from Manchester, England. Associated Press writers Claudia Ciobanu in Warsaw, Poland; Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Ukraine; Cinar Kiper in Istanbul; Thomas Strong in Washington; and Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) Nigeria suffered its second mass school abduction this week with authorities confirming an attack on a Catholic school in the conflict-battered northern region of the country on Friday. A total of 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were abducted in Friday's attack at St. Marys School in Niger state's Papiri community. It wasnt immediately confirmed who the attackers were. Local police said they have deployed a team to rescue the children. Friday's attack happened four days after 25 students were abducted in neighboring Kebbi state. Niger state closed all its schools following the latest abduction. School kidnappings have come to define insecurity in Africas 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. Heres whats to know about northern Nigeria's widespread insecurity. Boko Haram and an Islamic State affiliate Boko Haram has long menaced large parts of Nigerias 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. The Trump administration's deep cuts in foreign aid to Nigeria this year haven't helped. Abductions for ransom 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. Nigerias security challenges 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 militarys claims of success against them. That surge in activity has strained security efforts across Nigeria's north. Last month, President Bola Tinubu replaced the countrys security chiefs. Earlier this year, the U.S. government approved the sale of $346 million in arms to strengthen Nigerias 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. Mission creep describes the steady expansion of a military or political mission beyond its initial goals. The term entered U.S. policy vocabulary after the Somalia operation, when the Pentagon acknowledged aid delivery had broadened into armed confrontation without explicit reauthorization. Scholars have since used it to explain why many U.S. interventions begin with narrow intent and end far larger, costlier, and more ambiguous than originally promised. Why Missions Expand Open-ended or vague mandates create the most obvious opening. In Somalia, the U.S. initially entered under a humanitarian authorization, but UN Security Council Resolution 814 expanded the mission from delivering relief to taking necessary measures in order to stabilize the country, including disarming militias. That wider mandate allowed military planners to reinterpret the mission without Congress issuing a new authorization. Political incentives also drive expansion. During Vietnam, President Johnson repeatedly promised the U.S. sought only to assist South Vietnam, even while secretly authorizing large-scale bombing in Laos under Operation Barrel Roll, a covert campaign later documented in declassified Air Force histories. Public messaging created an image of restraint while operational reality shifted. Institutional momentum often accelerates this process. The Government Accountability Office warns that once the Department of Defense establishes infrastructure such as logistics hubs, airfields, intelligence sites, pressure builds to sustain and expand the mission rather than scale it back (GAO). Bases create commitments; commitments create justifications. Case Study: Somalia and the Birth of the Term One clear textbook example is Somalia. The U.S. entered in 1992 to secure aid corridors under Operation Restore Hope. President George H.W. Bush described it as a having limited objective solely to protect humanitarian deliveries. Within months, forces were pursuing Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid under a broadened UN mandate. By 1993, U.S. troops were engaged in the Battle of Mogadishu an intense urban fight dramatized in later accounts like Black Hawk Down, but originally documented in after-action reports released through the DoD. Mission creep was so clear that Pentagon officials openly used the term in testimony before Congress. U.S. Army Soldier receives flowers from local civilians during Civilian Leader Engagement (CLE) in Syria on June 11, 2021. CLE is important to the overall Coalition Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF - OIR) mission because it allows leaders to collect information on local atmospherics and build positive sentiment toward US Forces and Coalition Forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Isaiah Scott) Case Study: The War on Terror The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan provide modern examples. When President Obama announced Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS in 2014, he stressed the U.S. would not return to large-scale deployments and framed the mission as a limited air campaign. By 2016, the Pentagon confirmed around 5,000 U.S. troops were in Iraq conducting raids, advising Iraqi brigades, and providing fire support. Congressional reporting noted the mission had expanded into a multi-theater campaign with operations in Iraq, Syria, and across North Africa. The gap between initial assurances and actual engagement exemplifies the structural pull of mission creep. Afghanistan followed a similar pattern. The Washington Posts Afghanistan Papers, based on hundreds of internal interviews obtained through FOIA litigation, showed senior officials admitting the mission drifted from targeting al-Qaeda to nation-building, counterinsurgency, and reconstruction without coherent strategy or benchmarks. One Army colonel said, every data point was altered to present the best picture possible, revealing how perception management and mission expansion often work in tandem. Contemporary Signs of Mission Creep Recent reporting shows how easily limited missions can widen in todays conflicts. In Israel, the United States has deployed roughly 200 troops to staff a civilmilitary coordination cell supporting the Gaza cease-fire and overseeing humanitarian aid. The Pentagon says this mission will not place American personnel inside Gaza, yet the infrastructure being built would allow deeper involvement if the agreement collapses or ground operations resume. A similar dynamic is emerging in the Caribbean, where U.S. naval forces have surged near Venezuela. What began as a counternarcotics deployment now resembles a broader strategic posture, and analysts warn that the buildup risks sliding into confrontation through escalation pressures and operational drift. These cases demonstrate how quickly humanitarian, advisory, or deterrence missions can evolve into expanded commitments, long before Congress debates or authorizes any change in scope. U.S. Army Col. Anthony Marante meets with U.S. Soldiers and a member of the German Armed Forces regarding humanitarian aid delivery and distribution on Nov. 12, 2025, at the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Israel. The CMCC is designed to help facilitate the flow of humanitarian, logistical, and security assistance into Gaza. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Aiden Griffitts) Warning Signs of Mission Creep Policy analysts track several indicators of early mission creep. Sudden logistical build-ups: surges in refueling aircraft or medical evacuation units, which GAO repeatedly identifies as signs of broadened operational scope (GAO). Reclassification of deployments: shifting personnel from advisors to combat support, documented in multiple reports on Iraq and Syria. Expanded rules of engagement Construction or expansion of military facilities: typically signal long-term intent rather than temporary presence. Each measure may be legally permissible under existing authorizations, which is why mission creep often occurs without new votes in Congress. Why It Matters Today Mission creep erodes democratic accountability. In Vietnam, Laos, Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, major expansions occurred without new authorizations. Congress has repeatedly warned executive branch interpretations of older Authorizations for Use of Military Force allow operations far beyond their original design. Without clear definitions of mission scope and end conditions, policymakers drift toward escalation. This is done sometimes intentionally, sometimes passively. History shows how easily humanitarian or advisory missions become security operations, then counterinsurgency, then long-term stability campaigns. The Lesson Mission creep rarely appears in dramatic leaps. It moves through quiet increments: a few more advisors, a broader target list, a new temporary base. The pattern is consistent across decades of U.S. foreign policy. Transparent goals and realistic end-states are the only defenses against sliding from limited engagement into open-ended conflict. Long before there were DD-214s, quiet returns after long deployment, and reintegration briefs, a combat vet was trying to get home, failing repeatedly, and fighting monsters, ghosts, and his own worst instincts along the way. We usually just call it The Odyssey. First-look image from The Odyssey (2026) with Matt Damons Odysseus marching at the head of a column of Greek soldiers through a misty forest. Used under fair use for news and commentary on the production. Now Christopher Nolan is turning Homers Bronze Age war story into his next massive IMAX epic. After Oppenheimer and a bucket of Oscars, Nolan has wrapped production on The Odyssey, with Matt Damon playing Odysseus, the Greek commander trying to make it back to his wife and son after the Trojan War. The film, due out in July 2026, was shot entirely on IMAX film and required more than two million feet of footage over a 91-day shoot, much of it on open water. Ive been out on [the sea] for the last four months, Nolan told Empire. We got the cast who play the crew of Odysseuss ship out there on the real waves, in the real places We really wanted to capture how hard those journeys would have been for people. And the leap of faith that was being made in an unmapped, uncharted world. That phrase an unmapped, uncharted world is a big part of why this story still hits for troops and vets. Strip away the gods and monsters, and The Odyssey is the original homecoming narrative: a warrior trying to navigate a changed world, a changed self, and a homefront that hasnt stood still while he was gone. First-look still from The Odyssey (2026) showing Matt Damon as Odysseus aboard a Greek warship after the fall of Troy. Image used for news and critical commentary on the upcoming Christopher Nolan film. The Odyssey: A Bronze Age Deployment & Homecoming Story In Homers poem, Odysseus is no wide-eyed recruit. Hes a seasoned commander and the king of Ithaca, fresh from a long, brutal war at Troy. Instead of sailing home in a neat timeline, he gets stuck in a kind of ancient forever deployment a 10-year odyssey of wrecked ships, bad calls, hostile shores, and supernatural threats. Along the way, he: Loses shipmates, one disaster at a time. Makes mistakes that cost other people their lives. Spends years effectively stranded, wondering if hell ever see home again. Has to fight for his place when he finally walks back through the door. Modern readers have seen a lot of things in that journey: survivors guilt, moral injury, the struggle to switch off combat brain and become a husband and father again. Homer obviously didnt have those terms, but the emotional territory is familiar to anyone whos tried to go from deployment tempo back to school pickup and grocery runs. Meanwhile, on the home front, his wife Penelope and son Telemachus are living out their own part of the story: holding the house together, fighting off people who assume Odysseus is dead, and deciding how long you keep waiting for someone who might not be coming back. If youve ever had to balance a uniform, a marriage, and a family calendar against deployments and TDYs, the dynamics arent hard to recognize. Promotional still from The Odyssey (2026) showing armored Greek soldiers running through a burning city as walls collapse in the background, evoking the chaos after Troy. Image used for critical discussion of the films visuals. Nolan Keeps Coming Back to War and Its Fallout If youre a Nolan fan, his choice of subject isnt random. His last two big films were both about war and its consequences: Dunkirk turned the evacuation of British troops into a time-bending survival story. turned the evacuation of British troops into a time-bending survival story. Oppenheimer followed the man behind the atomic bomb as he tried (and failed) to control what hed helped create. In talking about The Odyssey, Nolan has said Emma Thomas, his producer (and wife), called the poem foundational a story that contains all stories. Hes described looking for gaps in cinematic culture and realizing that the mythological epics he grew up with, like Ray Harryhausens stop-motion adventures, hadnt been given the kind of weight and credibility a modern A-budget IMAX production could bring. Still from Christopher Nolans Dunkirk (2017), showing a senior Royal Navy officer and a British Army officer standing on the mole as ships and soldiers crowd the harbor during the evacuation. Image used for news and critical commentary on the film. In other words, hes not just trying to make another swords-and-sandals movie. He wants to treat this ancient war narrative with the same seriousness he brought to nuclear weapons and World War II. For troops and vets, thats intriguing. Nolan isnt adapting a superhero comic this time; hes adapting the closest thing Western literature has to a long-form story about post-war limbo. A first look still from The Odyssey (2026) with Matt Damons Odysseus drawing a bow on the deck of a ship as his crew braces behind him. Image used for news reporting and analysis of the movie. Real Waves, Real Places and the Feeling of an Uncharted AO Nolan could have shot most of The Odyssey in tanks and on soundstages. Instead, he spent months at sea, putting Damon and the rest of the cast on real waves in real places to feel how big and unpredictable the ocean actually is. Hes called the shoot pretty primal, and several outlets have noted that a significant chunk of the movies 2-million-foot film haul came from those ocean days. Anyone whos done serious time underway, or deployed in terrain that didnt care about your plans, knows that feeling: the world pushing back at you. The weather doesnt match the forecast. A mission brief that evaporates the second you hit the ground. A route that looks clean on the map and turns into something else entirely once youre there. Nolan has said that embracing the physicality of the real world changes how you tell the story, because youre confronted on a daily basis by the world pushing back at you. Thats as true for a film crew on the open ocean as it is for a platoon dealing with bad roads, worse comms, and a timeline that just blew up. If hes successful, that physical realism wont just be eye candy; itll be part of how the movie communicates what it meant for ancient sailors to push into places that, for them, really were unmapped and uncharted. First-look still from The Odyssey (2026) featuring Robert Pattinson as Antinous, seated in ornate armor at a dimly lit table in Ithaca. Used under fair use in coverage of the films cast and characters. How Troops and Vets Might See Themselves in Odysseus We wont know exactly how Nolan handles the character until the movie drops, but the basic contours of Odysseuss arc are already baked in by 3,000 years of storytelling. A few pressure points that may land hard for modern viewers in uniform: The long tail of war . The Trojan War is over when The Odyssey starts, but its consequences keep hitting Odysseus for a decade. For a lot of post-9/11 vets, the idea that the deployment is done but the story isnt will feel familiar. The Trojan War is over when The Odyssey starts, but its consequences keep hitting Odysseus for a decade. For a lot of post-9/11 vets, the idea that the deployment is done but the story isnt will feel familiar. Leadership and fallout . Odysseus is smart, cunning, and bravebut hes also prideful, and sometimes that pride gets his people killed. Anyone whos worn stripes or bars knows what its like to carry the weight of decisions that went sideways. Odysseus is smart, cunning, and bravebut hes also prideful, and sometimes that pride gets his people killed. Anyone whos worn stripes or bars knows what its like to carry the weight of decisions that went sideways. A home that didnt freeze in time. When Odysseus finally gets back to Ithaca, he doesnt walk into a preserved museum of how things were. His son grew up. His wife built a life of waiting and resistance. Other people moved in on his territory. That dissonance between the memory of home and reality is something a lot of military families quietly navigate. When Odysseus finally gets back to Ithaca, he doesnt walk into a preserved museum of how things were. His son grew up. His wife built a life of waiting and resistance. Other people moved in on his territory. That dissonance between the memory of home and reality is something a lot of military families quietly navigate. Trying to be more than the warrior version of yourself. In the poem, Odysseus has to do more than fight; he has to listen, disguise himself, accept help, and figure out who he is when hes not just the guy with the spear. That questionWho am I if Im not in the fight?is one that echoes in a lot of transition stories. Nolan isnt making a documentary about post-deployment life, obviously. But he is attaching IMAX cameras and a $250 million budget to what is, at its core, a story about a warrior trying to come home in one piece. First-look image from The Odyssey (2026) showing Anne Hathaway as Penelope holding a bow in a torch-lit hall, with Mia Goth blurred in the background. Used under fair use for editorial coverage of Christopher Nolans film. What to Watch For When It Hits Theaters By the time The Odyssey reaches theaters in July 2026, the hype machine will be in full burn. Matt Damon is already calling it the best experience of his career. Tickets for some IMAX 70mm showings went on sale a year early and started selling out within hours. When you finally sit down to watch itwhether thats in a giant-format theater or on a laptop laterthere are a few questions worth carrying in with you as someone whos served, or loved someone who has: Does this version of Odysseus feel like a real commander, with real flaws and responsibilities, or just a mythological action figure? Does the film take seriously the cost to the people waiting on the other end of the warPenelope, Telemachus, the community of Ithaca? Does it show any space for growth, or is Odysseus simply trying to re-create his war persona back home? Nolan has said he chose this project because he saw a gap in how myth has been treated on screen and wanted to give it real weight and credibility. For troops and vets, thats an invitation: to see one of humanitys oldest war stories not as something distant and abstract, but as part of a long continuum of people trying to survive the journey out and the journey back. However you end up feeling about the movie itself, the underlying story still belongs to everyone whos ever tried to get home from a fight. 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 Deer-vehicle crashes have increased 28% in Michigan since 2014. Pictured is a MLive file photo of the scene of a deer-truck crash along westbound I-96 in Fruitport Township near Muskegon. (MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com The odds of hitting an animal with your vehicle in Michigan are about 1 in 61, which ranks fourth nationally according to national auto insurer State Farm. Michigan had about 126,000 insurance claims related to animal collisions between July 2024 and June 2025. That was a slight decrease year-over-year, State Farm reported this fall. In 2024, Michigan drivers reported 58,324 deer-vehicle crashes. It was a slight decrease compared to the previous two years, but a nearly 28% increase from the 45,690 crashes reported in 2014. RELATED: Heres where deer cause the most crashes in Michigan Drivers are hitting more deer in recent years, resulting in costly repairs. White-tailed deer alone account for $130 million in costs to drivers annually, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Deer-involved crashes increased in 44 counties in 2024, with the largest increase belonging to Keweenaw County. Its the states least-populated community, but the Upper Peninsula county saw an increase from 12 to 27 reported crashes. Related: See deer hunting totals for all 83 Michigan counties from last 2 years Kent and Oakland, two of the four most-populous counties, topped the list again in 2024. They both surpassed 2,000 crashes, which far exceeded the next-highest total (1,557). Kalamazoo County saw the largest decrease in deer-related crashes. The southwest community dropped from 954 crashes in 2023 to 612 in 2024 -- a decline of 36%. Below is a database of how many deer-involved crashes were reported in each county in 2024 and how that compared to 2023, according to data published by Michigan State Police (MSP). For a crash to be classified as deer-involved, law enforcement must note a deer was involved or was a contributing factor. That includes a deer making physical contact with a vehicle, or a driver causing a collision due to avoidance of a deer within the roadway. More than 97% of deer-involved crashes in 2024 didnt result in injuries for the people in the vehicle. There were however 1,613 crashes that caused injuries, and 14 that were fatal. Deer were more frequently struck in October and November, with those two months accounting for one-third of the annual total in 2024. Crashes were pretty evenly spread throughout weekdays, with fewer crashes on weekends. The most common time of day for deer crashes was between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., or between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. To reduce risk of hitting an animal, drivers should travel at a speed that allows for time to stop if an animal comes into sight. Slow down in known animal crossing zones, use high beams when appropriate, and be on higher alert at dusk and dawn. Drivers should brake firmly when an animal enters their path, but avoid swerving to prevent losing control of their vehicle or hitting another vehicle. In the instance of a vehicle-animal crash, State Farm recommends: Move your vehicle to a safe place and turn on your hazard lights Call the police if the animal is blocking traffic or could be a hazard to other drivers Document your surroundings and the damage with photos Stay away from the animal Look for leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights and other hazards that might indicate your vehicle isnt safe to drive; Contact your insurance company to file a claim. Nationally, West Virginia drivers have the highest odds for animal collisions (1 in 40). Montana and Wisconsin also ranked ahead of Michigan, while Pennsylvania took the fifth spot, according to State Farm. Michigan published its 2024 crash data late this summer. In total, there were 288,880 vehicle crashes that resulted in 1,099 deaths and 71,316 injuries. WARREN, MI - A former superintendent in Macomb County has pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon in a school zone. Hollie Stange, of Redford, pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon in a school zone during a hearing on Nov. 20 before 37th District Court Judge John Chmura. The misdemeanor charge is punishable by up to 93 days in jail. Stange, 39, will have her case dismissed after an 11-month advisement period, per a plea agreement, according to release from Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido. She will be required to forfeit her firearm. The former superintendent of Fitzgerald Public Schools in Warren was charged in December 2024 with possession of marijuana on school grounds, possession of a weapon in a weapon-free zone, and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. She and Amanda Carroll, the districts food service director, had been spotted smoking marijuana within 1,000 feet of school grounds. Carrolls case was dismissed earlier this year. In this community, we are all working tirelessly to prevent violence and ensure our schools remain secure, Lucido said in a statement. Her actions fell short of the example every educator and leader should uphold. The pair had been arrested after they were seen at a plaza near the corner of 9 Mile Road and Ryan Road smoking marijuana in Carrolls vehicle, according to previous reporting. The two left the area in separate cars. Police who stopped them said they were under the influence. They were placed on leave at the time. The Mongtomery, Alabama city bus on which Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger in 1955 a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com DEARBORN, MI - The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation will waive admission and parking fees on Monday, Dec. 1 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Rosa Parks act of civil disobedience. On Dec. 1, 1955, Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott and becoming a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement. Visitors to the Dearborn museum will have the opportunity to see the actual bus where Parks made history. The museum also features exhibits about everyday people who sparked significant social change, according to a museum press release. The free admission day runs from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum located at 20900 Oakwood Blvd. in Dearborn. Generative AI was used to draft this story, based on information provided by The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. It was reviewed and edited by MLive staff. Jacara Moore, 27, (left) and Nicole Ortiz-Garcia, 39, (right) talked about their experiences in Eastern Michigan University's College in Prison program while incarcerated at the Womens Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Michigan. William Diep YPSILANTI, MI Nicole Ortiz-Garcia, 39, and Jacara Moore, 27, woke up hours before dawn to start their days as Eastern Michigan University students. With their studies, came promise, hope. For them, college was the path out of prison. When I first was incarcerated, I was very unsure of what my life would end up being after that, Ortiz-Garcia, 39, of southwest Detroit said. During that time and after, when you lose everything and you do go to prison, your perspective isnt so great. Ortiz-Garcia said college enrollment gave her a sense of personality, pride and something to work towards. She and Moore benefit from the Eastern Michigan University College in Prison program, which offers inmates at the Womens Huron Valley Correctional Facility at 3201 Bemis Road near Ypsilanti the chance to pursue bachelors degrees and explore courses in over 15 fields. The program is one of 13 educational partnerships with the Michigan Department of Corrections, according to Kyle Kaminski, department legislative liaison. With the exception of there being more limited technology in our classrooms its very similar to what you would see on the (EMU) main campus, Kaminski said. Launched in 2023, it requires participants to obtain their associates degree or have at least 60 transferrable credits to enroll. They must also have at least 18 months left of their sentence and be in good standing, according to the Department of Corrections. The program receives funds from the state, private donations and various grants, according to Meghan Lechner, director of the College in Prison and Returning Citizens Fellowship. Most of the students tuition costs are paid through federal Pell Grants and the program covers the rest of the costs, Lechner said. Twelve students from the first cohort, including Moore, graduated this year, all with a 3.93 GPA. Ortiz-Garcia, now a traditional EMU student, plans to graduate in two or three semesters. The program now serves 75 students and offers in-person instruction with EMU faculty members. Elisabeth Sikkenga, an EMU part-time lecturer, jumped at the opportunity to get involved. I felt like my head exploded that there were these amazing students in this amazing program, these students have so much to give and theyre so creative and they work so hard, Sikkenga said. Ive been teaching here (for) 15 years, but these students will take anything you offer them. Moore and Ortiz-Garcia cited their life circumstances as motivation. Rough upbringings The first 17 years of Ortiz-Garcias life were rough. She said she faced childhood abuse and did not have the comfort of an immediate family. She entered the juvenile court system at a young age and was required to complete a GED program to be on probation. She spent about seven years in jail or prison as an adult for methamphetamine and firearms charges. She said the offenses were related to drug money, and she had to work to have her prison security level dropped to the lowest. The Department of Corrections granted her parole in 2024. Moore, a Lansing resident paroled in August, said she spent eight years in prison for shooting and weapons offenses. She said a lot of trauma led he to prison. She called the first 19 years of her life dysfunctional and her time after high school a mess. I dont have structure, it was bad, Moore said. I was doing everything I was not supposed to be doing. An opportunity Ortiz-Garcia said her time in prison was hard but EMU staff helped her. When she first heard about the new program coming to the correctional facility in 2023, she said she just prayed so hard to be admitted. I cried when I got the (acceptance) message, Ortiz-Garcia said. Everyone knew how bad I wanted it, and they were all really happy for me too. Moore said she enrolled in classes while incarcerated because her cousin encouraged her. My cousin was there, my older cousin, and he look at me, he (says), stop crying, youre going to be OK, get in school, do that and youll be fine, Moore said. The program classes were rough, Ortiz-Garcia said, because the students are expected to use proper grammar and good vocabulary. Moore, who previously took classes at Jackson College, welcomed the rigor. She said she learned a lot about her course content and herself through the program. Its just like a double bonus, education, I got therapy at the same time, Moore said. She said the education kept me out of trouble and focused. Being able to lean on my education and having a group of people to support me and the certain classes that I was able to take...thats how I was able to work through my trauma, Moore said. Ortiz-Garcia found her social work classes therapeutic. Ortiz-Garcia said her typical day as a student in prison started at 6 a.m., balancing two jobs, volunteering, taking classes and doing homework. Moore said she would wake up at 4:30 a.m. and attend over six hours of classes every day. Both Ortiz-Garcia and Moore said they felt great pride in their work. When you turn in that paper that you know that you can put blood, tears in and then you wait a whole week to get it back and then dont go to class and the teacher (says), oh, I didnt grade it, Moore said, chuckling. She said she likes exam dates because thats a real challenge right there to perform without class notes. Its just proving to myself thats my time to shine, Moore said. Ortiz-Garcia said she would rewrite papers two or three times or until she receives top marks. Jessica Alexander, a professor of applied drama and theater at EMU, said she has been teaching at EMU for over 30 years and called the relationships she formed with students in the program some of the most profound in an educational setting. Why you stay is because you have moments between and among students that like are full of art and possibility and affirmation, Alexander said. Incarceration and motherhood Moore has one stepson, 12, and Ortiz-Garcia has two kids, 12 and 18. Ortiz-Garcia said she would fight to get in the phone line first before class to talk to her kids after school. Her enrollment at EMU inspired her son also to go to EMU to study construction management. Moore said being in classes allowed her to connect with her stepson, who is in school as well. Were both in school, hows your grades doing? Moore said. I would send my report cards home. You already got your parole In September 2024, Ortiz-Garcia was in shock when jail officials told her they would release her in December 2024. I was doing volunteer painting in the prison, just painting the different units for free just to keep busy and I come in and theyre just like, yeah, you already got your parole, Ortiz-Garcia said. Ortiz-Garcia said EMU program staff were so supportive helping her transition out of prison. Being able to have someone just even call and say, hey, this is hard, and being able to speak to somebody about it was just nice, Ortiz-Garcia said. Ortiz-Garcia plans to intern with a re-entry program, which helps others leaving prison, after she graduates. Knowing how much good it did for me, I want to do that with other people, Ortiz-Garcia said. Moore graduated with honors in August and is exploring graduate school options in architecture and engineering while working on a patent for a project she developed at an EMU class. Im so ready to get back in school, I feel so weird not being in class, Moore said. Advice to inmates Ortiz-Garcia and Moores advice to inmates? Just do it, Ortiz-Garcia said. Its so important to just not only discovering things about yourself and changing yourself but itll put you on the path to excel. She said she wants others to know her as a success story. Moore wants inmates to be prepared once they are paroled. Are you willing to take the chance to be prepared or if you just sit back and do nothing, then youre just accepting that Im not ready, Im not going to be ready, Moore said. The college program allowed them to realize their full potentials. This program has taught me that Im intelligent, Ortiz-Garcia said. I can accomplish things and do them very, very well, and I can excel. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. Donated food items are seen in this MLive file photo. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com GRAND BLANC TWP, MI - Grand Blanc Township was among the first communities in the nation to receive an America250 food delivery, part of a nationwide initiative by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to mark the United States 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The initiative involves sending 250 semi-trucks filled with shelf-stable food to communities in all 50 states throughout 2026. Grand Blanc Township was selected as one of only five launch locations, a choice church leaders said reflected the communitys outpouring of compassion after the Sept. 28 tragedy at the local meetinghouse. The people of Grand Blanc and the surrounding communities have shown what it means to come together and help others, Grand Blanc Michigan Stake President Marcelino Sanchez said in a statement. This delivery is a small way to say thank you, help our neighbors in need, and give back to this wonderful community. The truck arrived on Wednesday, Nov. 19, delivering 40,000 pounds of food supplies donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The shipment included canned fruits, vegetables and meats, pasta, flour, pancake mix and dried milk, most of it produced by the church and funded through member donations. The delivery was made to FISH of Grand Blanc, which distributed the goods to families in need across the community. Local church and community leaders held a press conference on Thursday, Nov. 20, at FISH of Grand Blancs facility on Van Slyke Road in Flint to highlight the initiative and thank residents for their support. Additional America250 food trucks are scheduled to roll out nationwide throughout 2026. Ottawa County sheriff's deputies are investigating a crash on Saturday, Nov. 22, in Georgetown Township. (MLive File Photo) John Tunison OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A 20-year-old man was hospitalized after he was thrown from his vehicle in a crash, Ottawa County sheriffs deputies said. The two-vehicle collision happened around 6:50 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, in Georgetown Township. Police said a 16-year-old Hudsonville boy was driving a GMC Sierra west on Chicago Drive and failed to stop for a red light. The teen driver struck a Chevrolet Blazer, driven by a 20-year-old man, that was traveling south on Cottonwood Drive near Chicago. The man was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from his vehicle, police said. He was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment. Police said his injuries are not considered life-threatening. No other injuries were reported. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office at 616-738-4000 or Silent Observer at 877-887-4536. Amy Lee Black, 51, appeared virtually in Muskegon County Circuit Court for a show cause hearing on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Black, now 51, was 16 years old when she and her boyfriend killed 34-year-old Dave VanBogelen in 1990 in rural Muskegon County. Prior to her release from prison, Black was ordered to pay $1.87 million in restitution to the VanBogelen family. Bradley Massman | MLive.com MUSKEGON, MI Former juvenile lifer Amy Lee Black could find herself back behind bars for failing to make a good faith effort to pay almost $2 million to the estate of the man she killed in 1990. Black has paid $982 of her monetary obligation to Dave VanBogelens family since she was released from prison in 2022 after serving 31 years for murder. Restitution payments are $25 a month a plan Black was placed on upon parole. However, its an amount the Muskegon County Prosecutors Office believes is woefully inadequate to make the victim whole. Black recently appeared in Muskegon County Circuit Court to update the judge on her efforts to pay $1.87 million to the VanBogelens. The prosecutor was prepared to ask Judge Matthew Kacel to incarcerate Black for civil contempt, punishable by up to 93 days in jail. Instead, the judge appointed Black a public defender and set another hearing to essentially determine if she could pay more toward restitution each month. The court could impose jail time, Kacel reminded Black during the hearing. The financial burden stems from a heinous crime Black committed as a teen. 14 1 / 14 Former juvenile lifer Amy Black owes family of man she killed nearly $2M Black was 16 years old when she and her boyfriend, Jeffrey Abrahamson, killed 34-year-old Dave VanBogelen on Dec. 7, 1990, after luring him into an apartment so they could rob him. VanBogelen a husband and father of two was bludgeoned, repeatedly stabbed, and left on a road in rural Muskegon County. Black and Abrahamson, then 19, were convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery at trial. Both were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Black was paroled from prison in September 2022 after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling deemed mandatory life sentences for juveniles unconstitutional. As part of her resentencing, Black was ordered to pay $1.87 million in restitution to the VanBogelen family. Amy Lee Black, 16, appears in Muskegon County's 60th District Court on December 11, 1990 with boyfriend Jeffrey Abrahamson (not pictured) for their arraignment for the murder of David VanBogelen, 34, on December 7, 1990. Black was convicted on May 22, 1991 as an adult and is still in prison. Abrahamson was also convicted of the murder. (Muskegon Chronicle/Ken Stevens) Black first appeared before Kacel this past August for failing to make genuine efforts toward restitution. At the time, she had paid $932. She explained she has not been able to find a job since her release and lives off Supplemental Security Income. She detailed her monthly bills and other finances. If ever I get a job, I will pay more, Black previously told Kacel. I do not have $1 million sitting around in the bank. Kacel adjourned the hearing and rescheduled the matter for three months to see if there would be any improvements. Black appeared before Kacel on Monday, Nov. 17, for a show cause hearing. She appeared virtually on the courtrooms television screen. Barb VanBogelen, Daves widow, also attended the proceeding via Zoom. Since the August hearing, Black has not missed a payment, court records show. However, Senior Assistant Prosecutor Heather Bloomquist argued the amount paid each month needs to be increased. I dont think theres been a showing of hardship, Bloomquist said. I think the $25 (a month) is woefully inadequate to address the restitution. Im doing what I was told to do originally, Black said in response. The court issued a garnishment order in September for Blacks wages in the amount of $150 a month through her Supplemental Security Income, the prosecutor noted. Rather than requesting contempt for other past failures to pay restitution, Bloomquist requested the judge modify the restitution order to increase the monthly payment. With potential jail time on the table, Kacel adjourned the hearing and appointed Black an attorney from the Muskegon County Public Defenders Office. An evidentiary hearing will be scheduled where Black will present documentation of her monthly bills and expenses. After, the judge will determine a monthly restitution amount and whether to hold Black in contempt. Black isnt the only one responsible for the $1.87 million. Amy Lee Black, 16, and boyfriend Jeffrey Abrahamson, 19, appear in Muskegon County's 60th District Court on December 11, 1990 for their arraignment for the murder of David VanBogelen, 34, on December 7, 1990. Black was convicted on May 22, 1991 as an adult and is still in prison. Abrahamson was also convicted of the murder. (Muskegon Chronicle/Ken Stevens) Her former boyfriend and accomplice, Abrahamson, will also have a shot at freedom after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that 19- and 20-year-olds who commit first-degree murder cannot automatically be sentenced to life in prison. A judge can still sentence a defendant to life in prison, it just is no longer the automatic sentence. Prosecutors will also ask a judge to make Abrahamson liable for the restitution order. If the request is granted, Black and Abrahamson must pay the full amount until its paid off regardless of who pays what amount. A Flock ALPR license plate-reading camera is seen in this MLive file photo. The Bay City Commission rejected a proposed contract with Flock Safety during its meeting this week. Joel Bissell | MLive.com BAY COUNTY, MI The Bay City Commission has rejected plans to install license plate-reading cameras at intersections after hearing complaints from multiple residents. In other news, a Bay City mother was sentenced to jail this week for abusing her infant son and leaving the child with a severe brain injury about three years ago. Learn more about these stories and other Bay County news with these headlines from the past week: Bay City Commission rejects contract for license plate readers following backlash The Bay City Commission voted 6-2 during its meeting on Monday, Nov. 17, to reject a contract for the implementation of more than 10 automated license plate-reading cameras at city intersections. The commission made its final decision on the proposed agreement with Flock Safety after hearing from several concerned residents who argued that the cameras would violate their privacy during the public comments portion of the meeting. Several commissioners expressed similar concerns before voting against the agreement, which the city had been considering for several months. Read the full story here. Bay City teen arrested after gunfire incident on West Side A 15-year-old Bay City resident is accused of firing a gun into the air and aiming the weapon at an 18-year-old man on the citys West Side this week. Police responded to the scene of the alleged incident shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 in the 200 block of South Henry Street. The suspect was arrested after fleeing into a nearby home, and he was held at the Bay County Juvenile Home. Read the full story here. Demolition underway at site of future Bay City housing development Demolition is underway at the future site of an affordable housing development in Bay City, which includes the former Bay City YMCA and the old Bay County Market. The demolition project is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will cost an estimated $2.25 to $2.5 million. While plans for the development still need to be finalized, units in the development could be ready for occupancy in early 2028, according to city officials. The development will help the city address its ongoing housing shortage. Read the full story here. Bay City mother gets jail, probation for causing infant sons brain bleed A Bay City mother who pleaded guilty to third degree child abuse in connection to an incident that left her child with a brain bleed has been sentenced to jail. Bailey Sian was sentenced to 182 days in jail in Bay County Circuit Court on Monday, Nov. 17. She has also been ordered to serve three years on probation following her release from jail. Sian admitted to throwing her infant son out of frustration, causing him to strike his head on a metal bed frame. The incident occurred in March 2022. Read the full story here. MDOT fraud: Leaders of 5-headed monster get federal prison time for $15M scheme Two of five codefendants accused of stealing millions of dollars from the Michigan Department of Transportation have been sentenced to prison. Jeffrey Bartlett and Andrew W. Semenchuck of Surveying and Solutions, Inc. pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, which is a felony, in July. The pair was sentenced to 15 months in prison and two years of supervised release on Tuesday, Nov. 18, in federal court. Codefendants Brian Bartlett, Anthony Thelen, and Adam Ball were set to be sentenced on Thursday, Nov. 20. Read the full story here. $1.3M in opioid settlement funds to address one of the most urgent public health challenges in Bay County The Bay County Board of Commissioners recently agreed to transfer $1,350,597 in opioid settlement funds to the Bay Area Community Foundation. The foundation will administer the funds to support initiatives aimed at addressing opioid use across Bay County, which has become a major public health issue in the area. A committee comprised of various health experts will be responsible for recommending grant awards supported by the funds. The foundation will monitor grant awards to help ensure they are being used as intended. Read the full story here. MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more. 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I Accept Hanumankind returns to the stage after Knee Surgery, performs in Goa Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space. Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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 From unpaid interns to underpaid fresher: How Indias new labour codes redraw the deal for young workers Aishwarya Dabhade Chief Sub-Editor at Moneycontrol. She leads shifts and writes explainers on business, policy, markets and geopolitics. Ex-CNBC-TV18, The Economic Times, YouGov and WebEngage. Young and first-time workers get a universal minimum wage right, mandatory appointment letters, and wage protection during leave under the new codes. 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. 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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. 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I Accept Aaditya Thackeray slams BJP as Delhi chokes under very poor air quality: 'Nobody is doing...' Ria Kapoor 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 'Borders can change': Rajnath Singh says 'who knows, Sindh may return to India' Ria Kapoor 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 PM Modi meets Canada PM Mark Carney PM Narendra Modi met today with the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg to review progress in the IndiaCanada partnership. The leaders agreed to begin negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at doubling bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030. Both sides reaffirmed their longstanding civil nuclear cooperation and noted the ongoing discussions on expanding collaboration, including through long-term uranium supply arrangements. Prime Minister extended an invitation to Prime Minister Carney to visit India: MEA The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill seeks to place Chandigarh under Article 240, aligning it with other Union Territories without legislatures, such as Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. 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 Jammu & Kashmir enters auction-led mining era with first limestone blocks up for bid. (Image source: Adobe) 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. 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I Accept Arindam Roy 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 According to the police, Palves family has alleged that she was tortured and harassed by her husband, and this led her to take the extreme step. They have demanded a thorough investigation into the death. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept In total, the complainant has allegedly spent Rs 48 lakh on medication, for which he is said to have taken Rs 17 lakh from his wife and parents, bank loan of about Rs 20 lakh apart from borrowing from friends, police said. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept His exit means he will avoid a potential capital gains tax liability of about 3 billion pounds were he to sell his shares in the hugely successful company. 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. 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I Accept What is row over Chandigarh and Article 240 as MHA says 'no final decision yet' Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business, and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media, videos and podcasts at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran That suggestion, the bulletin said, forms part of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, which the Centre plans to introduce in the Winter Session of Parliament. Rewati Karan 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 Memes that have been doing rounds on social media after the meeting between Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office on Friday. Ankita Sengupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept The eight-page declaration forged at the COP30 summit on the edge of the Amazon rainforest won grudging acceptance. 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 The surprise revelation has brought into sharp focus new questions of ownership, provenance and the political sensitivities surrounding the island's gemstone trade. Arindam Roy 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 A man walks past belongings at the St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary School after gunmen abducted children and staff in Papiri community, Nigeria, on November 21, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP Siddharth Chakravorty USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Rubio set to meet with Ukraine, European allies in Geneva over US peace plan Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump said the U.S. proposal was not his final offer. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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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 Russian drone strike injures 14 in Dnipro as Geneva pushes for controversial U.S. peace plan 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 > < 21:49 BJP MLA angry as her photograph missing in football tournament banner BJP MLA Antara Deb Sarkar/Image courtesy Facebook Tripura BJP MLA Antara Deb Sarkar on Sunday got angry as her photograph was missing from the flex banner of a football tournament organised in her constituency Kamalasagar in Sepahijala district. During the inaugural function of the football tournament, the MLA asked the organisers why her... Read more > 21:26 Leopard on prowl in Pune residential area; search on File image The forest department launched a large search using thermal drones and other equipment after a leopard was seen in a residential area in Aundh, Pune, on Sunday, an official said. The big cat was spotted roaming near Sindh Society at 4 AM. The RESQ Teams are conducting a search operation... Read more > 21:09 Bengal guv urges EC-state govt talks to ease SIR fears West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose On the completion of his third year in office, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Sunday reiterated his commitment to the state's development and pledged to work towards a violence-free, corruption-free state. He also called for meetings between the Election Commission and the state... Read more > 20:46 Lakshmi Mittal quits UK ahead of super-rich tax plans Indian-origin steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal, until now based in Britain and a regular on the country's richest billionaires tally, has decided to quit the UK as the Labour Party-led government's feared tax shake-up for the super-rich nears, according to a UK media report on... Read more > 20:21 Anti-polygamy bill does not target' Miyas: Himanta Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the state government's proposed bill to ban polygamy is not aimed at targeting Miyas', adding that the practice exists among people of other religions as well.He maintained that the practice of marrying multiple women is more prevalent among... Read more > 19:56 Nitish Kumar will get AIMIM cooperation if...: Owaisi AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has promised full cooperation to the NDA government in Bihar provided Chief Minister Nitish Kumar did justice to the Muslim-dominated Seemanchal region, and kept communalism at bay.The Hyderabad MP made remarks to this effect during his two-day tour of Seemanchal, the... Read more > 19:49 Aadhaar cards dumped on footpath near Kolkata recovered File image The West Bengal police on Sunday recovered several Aadhaar cards dumped on a footpath in Salt Lake area near Kolkata, a senior officer said.Morning walkers noticed that Aadhaar cards bearing addresses in other states, including Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, were on the footpath near a field... Read more > 19:28 Kerala local body polls: Independent candidate alleges threat from CPM leader A CPI-M worker, contesting as an independent candidate in the upcoming local body elections, alleged on Sunday that he received a death threat from a party leader in Palakkad.The allegation was made by V R Ramakrishnan, who is contesting as an independent candidate from a ward in the Agali... Read more > 19:05 Over 5,000 Cong workers from J'khand to attend Delhi rally against 'vote chori' Jharkhand Congress president Keshav Mahato Kamlesh on Sunday said over 5,000 party workers from the state would take part in a rally next month at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi to protest against the alleged vote theft.He said they would also hold a demonstration against the Special Intensive Revision... Read more > 18:50 Wife's heart-felt tribute to Tejas pilot Namansh Wing Commander Afshan (left), wife of Wing Commander Namansh Sayal/ANI Photo Wing Commander Afshan on Sunday paid her last respects to her husband, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who tragically lost his life in a Tejas fighter jet crash during the Dubai Air Show.The crash occurred on November 21, 2025, and Namansh's mortal remains were brought to his ancestral village,... Read more > 18:13 Four held in Delhi over involvement in Rs 5.92-cr investment fraud The Delhi police arrested four alleged members of an interstate cybercrime syndicate involved in a Rs 5.92-crore investment scam, an official said on Sunday. The police said the accused provided their personal details and arranged mule bank accounts for the syndicate, conducted cash... Read more > 17:47 EC must monitor: Supriya Sule on Ajit Pawar's 'vote for funds' warning Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar NCP-SP leader and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule on Sunday said the Election Commission of India must monitor remarks like the one made by Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar linking development funds to voter support. During campaigning on Friday for elections to the Malegaon Nagar... Read more > 17:32 Chandigarh bill not to be brought in Winter session: MHA The Union home ministry Sunday said that it has no intention to bring the proposed Bill on Chandigarh that intends to simplify the law-making process for the Centre in the upcoming Winter session of Parliament and asserted that the proposal doesn't aim to change traditional arrangements between... Read more > 17:17 CPM supporter found hanging at party election office in Kerala's Palakkad A CPI-M supporter was found hanging at the party's local body election office in Padalikkad here on Sunday, the police said. The deceased has been identified as Sivan (40) of Padalikkad, Kottekkad.According to the FIR, Sivan was found hanging at the temporary CPI(M) election office at around... Read more > 17:00 Mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal taken to ancestral home for last rites Mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal reach his native village in Himachal Pradesh/ANI Photo The mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who was killed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air show, were flown to his ancestral home in Himachal Pradesh, after a brief halt at the Air Force base near Coimbatore, the IAF said. Syal was killed on November 21 after the indigenous... Read more > 16:18 Goa: 'Kamasutra and Christmas' event halted post outrage File image An advertisement for a four-day event titled Tales of Kamasutra and Christmas Celebrations in Goa triggered outrage, prompting the police to direct the organisers to cancel the programme scheduled next month, an official said on Sunday. The police took cognisance of the matter after a... Read more > 16:00 Cleanliness drive in Ayodhya ahead of flag hoisting ceremony A cleanliness drive was launched in Ayodhya ahead of the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, which is scheduled for November 25.Mahabaleshwar Vishnu Das took a significant step by starting a cleanliness drive at the main gate of the Shri Ram Temple alongside the residents... Read more > 15:43 Retd cop, doctor from Thane duped of Rs 1.44 cr in investment fraud A retired police officer and his doctor friend from Thane have allegedly been cheated of Rs 1.44 crore after being lured with high returns in a fraudulent investment scheme, officials said on Sunday.The police have registered a case against two persons -- residents of Pune in Maharashtra and Goa... Read more > 15:25 Man held for threatening BLO over dispute in filling up voter's SIR form File image A man was arrested for allegedly threatening a booth-level officer over a dispute in filling up the enumeration form of a 97-year-old voter in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, police said on... Read more > 14:56 K'taka HM Parameshwara hints he is in CM race too Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Sunday hinted that he too was in the race to become the chief minister, in case of leadership change in the state, and amid demands for a Dalit CM. However, trying to play down reports about confusion within the party on the issue of chief minister... Read more > 14:52 ITBP to establish 10 all-women border outposts along India-China LAC File image The Indo-Tibetan Border Police force, which guards the 3,488 km-long India-China LAC, is establishing 10 all-women border posts along this arduous and icy frontier, the director general of the paramilitary said. The force, as part of its ambitious forwardisation plan, initiated post the 2020... Read more > 14:38 Gal Gadot recalls suffering 'massive brain clot' while eight months pregnant Gal Gadot/Mario Anzuoni/ Reuters Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot suffered a massive brain clot when she was eight months pregnant with daughter Ori. The actor recently opened up about the particular health scare that she underwent last year.Last year, my life took an unexpected turn. I was eight months pregnant, juggling... Read more > 14:06 Court nod for NIA to probe PFI men in Kerala professor's palm chopping case Professor TJ Joseph/File image A court in Kochi has permitted the NIA to conduct a further probe into a Popular Front of India (PFI) activist who allegedly sheltered the prime accused in the 2010 case involving the chopping of Professor TJ Joseph's palm. PK Mohandas, judge of the special court for NIA cases, granted... Read more > 14:00 Bengaluru cash van robbery: Seventh suspect arrested The police on Sunday said they have arrested a seventh suspect in the Rs 7.11 crore cash van robbery case in Bengaluru. The suspect is said to be related to a person already arrested in the case, police said, adding that the arrest was made late on Saturday night. The police on Saturday... Read more > 13:37 Gelatin sticks found near school in Uttarakhand's Almora File image About 160 gelatin sticks were found hidden in bushes near a school in Almora district of Uttarakhand, the police said on Sunday. Preliminary investigations have ruled out any terrorist links and it appears... Read more > 12:56 Wife of Maha minister's PA dies by suicide; family alleges harassment The wife of Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde's personal assistant allegedly committed suicide at her residence in central Mumbai due to a domestic dispute, the police said on Sunday. Gauri Palve, wife of Anant Garje, a personal assistant to the state Animal Husbandry and Environment... Read more > 12:46 Justice Surya Kant to take oath on Monday as next CJI Justice Surya Kant, who has been part of several landmark verdicts and orders on abrogation of Article 370 removing Jammu and Kashmir's special status, Bihar electoral rolls revision and Pegasus spyware case, will on Monday take oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. He will succeed... Read more > 12:07 'Nothing can break us': SRK's tribute to terror victims Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has paid tribute to victims and security personnel of major terror attacks and urged people to rise above divisions to uphold peace, saying that when there is peace, nothing can shake or defeat India and break the spirit of its citizens. Speaking at the... Read more > 11:49 Fire breaks out at district hospital in MP's Betul; patients shifted Representational image A fire broke out at a storeroom in the Betul District Hospital in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday morning, but the staff contained the blaze within minutes and averted a major accident, officials said. As a precautionary measure, patients from the female and paediatric wards were shifted to safety,... Read more > 11:32 Illegal cough syrup trade: UP Police book 12 medical store owners An FIR has been registered against 12 medical store owners and two others for allegedly running a large illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup, officials said on Sunday. Superintendent of police (city) Ayush Srivastava said the case was lodged on the complaint of Drug Inspector Rajat... Read more > 11:15 US raises Venezuela alert as Trump orders B-52 demo The United States has issued an updated aviation alert for airspace near Venezuela on the same day President Donald Trump authorised the use of a B-52 nuclear-capable bomber for what officials referred to as an 'attack demo'.At 1.08 pm ET, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) circulated a... Read more > 10:54 Couple, 2 children found dead at home in Dumka A man, his wife and their two children were found dead at a house in Jharkhand's Dumka district on Sunday morning, police said.The incident occurred at Bardahi village in Hansdiha police station area.We recovered four bodies from the house. Preliminary investigation suggests that the man... Read more > 10:05 Tejas crash: Wing Commander Syal's remains brought to Sulur The mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who lost his life in the LCA Tejas crash during the Dubai Air Show, were brought to Sulur Air Base in Coimbatore on Sunday morning.The mortal remains of the Indian Air Force (IAF) officer were flown back to India on a special aircraft. The... Read more > 09:43 Four militants arrested in Manipur Security forces in Manipur have arrested four militants belonging to various proscribed outfits, police said on Sunday.An active cadre of the banned People's Liberation Army was apprehended from a check point in Kakching district on Saturday, while another member of the outfit was nabbed from... Read more > 09:40 TVK chief Vijay to restart campaign at indoor venue Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founder, actor-politician Vijay, is all set to resume his political campaign on Sunday by addressing people at an indoor facility in nearby Kanchipuram district.Vijay would be addressing people after nearly 2 months and all arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth... Read more > The two insiders who kept Jeffrey Epsteins empire running, and now control his fortune A protester holds a sign outside the White House demanding the release to all files related to Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, DC, early this year. Trump, this week, signed a bill ordering the release of the files. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Trump was told by Europeans that his Ukraine plan needs work Trump has given Ukraine until Thursday to accept his plan, and US officials have threatened to halt weapons supplies and intelligence if it refuses Arindam Roy 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 US, Ukraine and European officials hold talks in Geneva on Trump's plan to end war A firefighter looks at a car that was destroyed during a deadly Russian missile strike on an apartment building, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ternopil, Ukraine, November 21, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter Arindam Roy 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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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 What the COP30 climate summit in the Amazon delivered for forests and Indigenous people Tropical forests got more money in Belem than at any other climate summit. Arindam Roy 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 Why Europes new visa rules have sparked anger among Russian exiles Rewati Karan 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 'Zero gratitude': Trump lashes out at Kyiv while US-backed 28-point plan faces scrutiny in Geneva 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 With his new 28-point plan to end Russias war in Ukraine, President Donald Trump is resurfacing his argument that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy doesnt have the cards to continue on the battlefield and must come to a settlement that heavily tilts in Moscows 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 administrations new plan to end the war by Thursday. The president said over the weekend 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. 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 plans fate. However, buffeted by a corruption scandal in his government, battlefield setbacks and another difficult winter looming as Russia continues to bombard Ukraines energy grid, Zelenskyy says Ukraine is now facing perhaps the most difficult choice in its history. Trump-Zelenskyy 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. Its 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 Trumps first impeachment. Trump made Bidens 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. 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 Trumps 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. 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. Trumps patience remains a question The Trump proposal was formally presented to Zelenskyy in Kyiv last 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. 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. AAMER MADHANI, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... Guam hosts Palau Inbound Trade Mission GEDA photos TAMUNING, Guam (GEDA) Seven Palau-based businesses were in Guam last week as part of a Palau Inbound Trade Mission hosted by the Guam Economic Development Authority and in partnership with the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association or WUSATA to provide opportunities for Guam businesses to explore potential export opportunities in Palau. WUSATA is a non-profit state trade regional trade group that promotes the export of U.S. food and agricultural products throughout the world from the western region of the country, including Guam. We welcome this growing partnership between our local businesses and the businesses from Palau to share our culture and Guam-made products to the region, said Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero. I want to commend GEDA for continuing to be at the forefront of supporting our small businesses and ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to expand internationally. Our Administration is committed to supporting our small businesses expand to international markets, said Lt. Gov. Joshua A. Tenorio. I look forward to the deals and partnerships made from the trade mission. The trade mission included site visits for the Palau business delegation to meet with Guam businesses in an effort to establish potential buyer-supplier relationships. Participating Guam companies included Asiga, Denanche Guam, Everything Guam, Kingfishers Noni, Local Jerk Guam, Natural Being, The Coconut Tree Company, and The Green Turtle Coffee. The Palau business delegation also participated in the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Associations membership luncheon that included a product showcase for Guam businesses and a chef demo incorporating some of the Guam food products into the menu. The visit from the Palau business delegation shows the continued and growing interest they have for our Guam-made products and a result of the conversations weve started from previous trade missions to Palau, said Christina D. Garcia, CEO/administrator for GEDA. We are also thankful once again for our partnership with the Guam Hotel & Restaurant Association to help showcase our locally made products not just locally, but to the region. The Palau business delegation included Surangel and Sons Supercenter and Department Store, Stay Salty Palau, Long Beach Cafe, Driftwood Cafe & Bar, Baby Co. & Shop, and GnZ Cafe. The delegation was led by Alessa Aguon of Concierge Palau, who has worked with GEDA to organize trade missions to Palau in the past few years. I am excited to once again partner with GEDA to facilitate business ties between our communities and having it in Guam this time so we can see the facilities where products are being made, said Aguon. This is only the beginning. We hope to be back again, Guam. For more information and learn more about its programs, contact the Guam Economic Development Authority at (671) 647-4332. Visited 38 times, 1 visit(s) today Mexicos bullied pageant contestant gets payback by capturing Miss Universe crown Mexico Fatima Bosch competes during the final round of the 74th Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Nonthaburi province, Thailand, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. AP 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. 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. 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. 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? 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. 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. Visited 9 times, 1 visit(s) today Anthropologist calls military spending terrible economic strategy David Vine gestures as he speaks about the military-industrial complex at a recent forum. Photo by Bryan Manabat By Bryan Manabat bryan@mvariety.com Variety News Staff AT a forum organized by Our Common Wealth 670 and held at Caravan of Food in Garapan on Nov. 14, political anthropologist Dr. David Vine delivered a pointed critique of U.S. military expansion in the Marianas, urging communities to challenge prevailing myths underpinning militarization and to reclaim their rights to justice, security, and well-being. Vine, author of Island of Shame, Base Nation, and The United States of War, began by thanking local activists who, he said, work tirelessly on a daily basis to make the Marianas and the world more peaceful, more just, more equitable, and have won tremendous victories. He cited successes in protecting local environments and noted scaled-back military training plans on Tinian. In his remarks, Vine argued that the escalating military presence is not about defending the Marianas or the United States but instead advances the profit-making interests of a small group of corporations and a wealthy few. He dismissed claims that militarization brings economic benefits, calling military spending a terrible job creator, a terrible economic development strategy. Research shows that investing in clean energy, infrastructure, health care, or education creates far more jobs than the same amount of money invested in the military, Vine said, citing data from the Costs of War project. Situating the Marianas in a broader historical context, Vine contended, U.S. military bases abroad have never been defensive in nature. They have been offensive platforms for war The historical record shows: if you build them, wars will come. He warned that the accelerating Pacific buildup increases the risk of a clash between U.S. and Chinese forces that could easily spiral out of control into a nuclear war. Vine also criticized the military-industrial complex, describing it as a network linking the Pentagon, Congress, and defense contractors. War profiteers weapons manufacturers like Lockheed Martin and Boeing make literally billions of dollars every year enriching themselves off war and preparations for war, he said, calling for collective action to challenge their influence. He urged listeners to harness their anger about whats not right and demand a system that prioritizes human needs. We need a movement that will take on the war profiteers, the military-industrial complex, and the wealthy few, following the lead of activists here in the Marianas who are saying: enough with the buildup, enough with the bases, enough with the testing and training, Vine said. Organizers said the forum aimed to raise awareness about the impacts of militarization on local communities and the environment while inspiring collective action for justice, accountability, and the protection of ancestral lands. Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator. Visited 98 times, 1 visit(s) today Ninth Circuit upholds ruling denying COLAs for CNMI retiree By Bryan Manabat bryan@mvariety.com Variety News Staff THE U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has affirmed a District Court for the NMI ruling that retiree Rosa Camacho is not entitled to cost-of-living allowances, or COLAs, as part of her retirement benefits. The Ninth Circuit panel Chief Judge Mary H. Murguia and Circuit Judges Susan P. Graber and Salvador Mendoza issued the order on Nov. 20, citing the Commonwealth Supreme Courts authoritative interpretation of local law, which answered the certified question in the negative. Last year, the panel asked the local Supreme Court to determine whether COLAs for CNMI retirees are constitutionally protected and cannot be diminished. On Nov. 3, the CNMI Supreme Court issued its order, signed by Justices Pro Tempore Robert J. Torres Jr., F. Philip Carbullido, and Sabrina S. McKenna, finding that COLAs are not constitutionally protected under the CNMI Constitution. The justices held that Section 8334(e) of the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund Act of 1988 did not grant Class II members a constitutionally protected accrued COLA benefit under Article III, Section 20(a). While membership in the Retirement Fund is a contractual relationship, the court said only the core pension promise existing at the time of employment is constitutionally protected. Because COLAs were introduced after appellant Rosa A. Camacho joined the Fund, they were not part of her vested benefits, the court stated. The Commonwealths repeated amendments and suspensions of COLAs reflected policy adjustments rather than constitutional entitlements. Citing precedent from Colorado, Alaska, and Hawaii, the ruling noted that legislatures may revise or reduce COLAs without violating constitutional protections for public employee pensions. Background The CNMI established the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund in 1980 for public employees. After the Commonwealth fell behind on contributions, retirees filed a class action lawsuit, which was settled with the NMI Settlement Fund named trustee. The settlement guaranteed class members at least 75% of their full benefits, as defined by statute and the Constitution. In 2016, the NMI Settlement Fund informed Camacho that she had been overpaid due to a miscalculation involving past overtime compensation and that her future benefits would be reduced. Camacho filed an administrative appeal, arguing she had been underpaid because the Fund failed to provide COLAs. The District Court for the NMI ruled that Camachos Full Benefits did not include COLAs, finding they were not statutorily guaranteed and were subject to legislative discretion as of July 26, 2013. The court also concluded that Article III, Section 20(a) did not guarantee COLAs because they were not part of Commonwealth law when Camacho joined the Fund in 1980. Camacho, represented by attorney Jeanne Rayphand, appealed, seeking unpaid COLAs from 2009 onward at a rate equal to or greater than 2% annually, mirroring U.S. Social Security adjustments. She has since asked the CNMI Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling. Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator. Visited 66 times, 1 visit(s) today State funeral set for late former Lt. Gov. Benavente Diego T. Benavente (Del Benson Photography) By Emmanuel T. Erediano emmanuel@mvariety.com Variety News Staff GOVERNOR David M. Apatang on Friday declared a CNMI state funeral will be held in honor of the late former Lt. Gov. Diego Tenorio Benavente. Surrounded by family, Benavente, who also served as House speaker, passed away peacefully at his residence in As Lito on Thursday morning. He was 66. In his declaration, the governor stated that, with profound respect, he and Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola proclaim the Commonwealth State Funeral Service in honor of Benavente, whose lifetime of public service, humility, and dedication to the people of the Marianas has left an enduring mark on our Commonwealth. The state funeral is scheduled for Nov. 29, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the Governor Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. In recognition of Benaventes distinguished career and contributions to the islands, full honors and ceremonial observances befitting a former lieutenant governor will be rendered. The state funeral will begin with departure from Borja Funeral Home at 8:40 a.m., proceeding to the multi-purpose center for the official ceremony at 9 a.m. Public viewing will be held at Mt. Carmel Cathedral at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. at Marpi Cemetery. All CNMI elected officials and regional leaders are respectfully invited to attend and take part in the observance, the governor said. Proper and dignified attire is requested for all official participants. The general public, community organizations, businesses, and non-profit entities are welcome to offer their condolences during the public viewing at the cathedral and to join the Mass of Christian Burial and interment ceremonies to honor Benaventes life of service. Let us unite as a Commonwealth in remembrance of his steadfast leadership, his service to the people, and the legacy he leaves for future generations, Apatang said. Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast. Visited 65 times, 1 visit(s) today Call for Taiwans substantive participation in Interpol Chou Yew-woei By Chou Yew-Woei Commissioner, Criminal Investigation Bureau of Taiwan FOUNDED in 1923, Interpol currently has 196 member states, making it the worlds second-largest international organization after the United Nations. Interpol is an essential platform for global law enforcement cooperation. It closely monitors transnational criminal activity including terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime, and conducts exchanges with law enforcement agencies worldwide through its network of National Central Bureaus. Interpols mandate is to ensure and promote the widest possible mutual assistance between all criminal police authorities. Yet, for more than four decades, Taiwan has been unjustly excluded from the organization for political reasons. Taiwans law enforcement authorities have extensive experience and expertise in crime prevention, public safety, and international cooperation. They have achieved significant success in areas such as combating drug smuggling and cyberfraud, earning Taiwan a strong reputation in the international community. However, Taiwan is unable to access Interpols databases, participate in its events, and share information with other countries in real time. This hampers Taiwans ability to counter transnational crime, encourages criminals to expand cross-border activities, and undermines the security of Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific, and the rest of the world. Globalization has accelerated the transnational development of crime. Criminals and illicit assets can move swiftly across borders, meaning that drug smuggling, human trafficking, cybercrime, and other illegal activities are not confined to individual countries or regions, but are challenges facing the whole international community. At a time when crime is becoming increasingly globalized and sophisticated, it is imperative for the worlds police to work together to build a seamless and inclusive global security network. Enhanced international cooperation is needed to effectively combat cross-border illegal activity and safeguard global stability. Taiwans participation in Interpol would enable countries to coordinate their efforts in an unimpeded manner, confront common threats, and uphold public safety and order. Taiwans strong capabilities in combating crime According to the Numbeo global database, Taiwan ranks fourth in safety among 147 countries worldwide. Taiwans high placement is due to its low crime rate, strong sense of community, effective law enforcement, and close civic cooperation with the police. Taiwans crime rate is just over 1,200 reported incidents per 100,000 people, with homicide at only 2.3 per 100,000 far below the global average. This internationally recognized public safety record sets an important benchmark for law enforcement policymakers around the world, and makes Taiwan an attractive destination for international travelers. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan is ready to play a full part in fighting transnational crime, contributing to criminal investigations, and working with partner countries to protect the safety and property of people around the world. Supporting Taiwan to close the gap in the global security network Taiwan has had success in combating telecom fraud, drug trafficking, and other cross-border crimes. In the fisheries sector, it has long-term experience in identifying vessels involved in human trafficking; forced labor; and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. But without access to Interpols I-24/7 global police communications system, Taiwan cannot share urgent information and join coordinated enforcement efforts in real time. Delays in reporting can lead to loss of evidence, failure to apprehend suspects, and unnecessary suffering of victims. Taiwans absence undermines the international law enforcement framework and creates a significant gap in global security. This should be recognized as a matter of serious concern. Taiwan is a reliable law enforcement partner for countries worldwide In recent years, fraud and other financial crimes have become increasingly transnational. Scam syndicates have shifted operations to such countries as Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. Victims from around the world have been lured to the region through false promises of travel and employment, only to be trapped in scam centers where they are forced to carry out financial crimes. Some are even sexually exploited, sold to other criminal groups, or trafficked for organ harvesting. A crime trend update published by Interpol on June 30 warned of the globalization of human trafficking-fueled scam centers. The report noted that as of March, people from 66 countries across all five continents had been trafficked into such operations, with the estimated number of victims running into the hundreds of thousands. Taiwans police have the experience, expertise, and capacity to assist in combating and preventing such crimes. In 2024, Taiwan broke up an online forum for large-scale distribution of child sexual exploitation materials called the Creative Private Room. The message board, which had over 5,000 members, enabled the easy exchange of child sexual exploitation content, using cryptocurrency payments to evade detection by law enforcement agencies. The platforms mastermind, known online as Lao Ma, was based in China. The case involved encrypted communications, anonymous networks, cryptocurrency laundering, and cross-border coordination all key challenges that the international community faces in combating online abuse of children. The investigation highlighted Taiwans determination and capacity to tackle cybercrime as well as underscoring its commitment and readiness to cooperate with the international community to protect children and combat transnational sexual exploitation. Global call for Taiwans substantive participation in Interpol In an article published on September 5, titled Taiwans Interpol Exclusion Undermines Global Policing Efforts, Dr. John Coyne of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute argued that Taiwan was an important and capable partner in the Indo-Pacific region. He pointed out that its ports, airlines, and banking system were prime targets for transnational criminals. Dr. Coyne stated that Taiwans exclusion led to delays in intelligence sharing and apprehension efforts, limiting the effectiveness of international joint action. Faced with a growing epidemic in transnational crime, the international community must strengthen intelligence exchange and deepen partnerships to improve cross-border law enforcement. We urge all countries to support Taiwans bid to participate as an observer in the Interpol General Assembly and to meaningfully engage in Interpol meetings, mechanisms, and activities, so that Taiwan and Interpols member states can engage in unhindered interactions. Taiwan remains committed to strengthening communications and cooperation with countries worldwide and working with the international community to combat transnational crime. Visited 13 times, 1 visit(s) today KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 Malaysian mother Lily Suraini today expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the many people who came to her aid after she and her two young children were stranded by floods at the Siam Oriental Hotel in Hat Yai, Thailand earlier this morning. The 32-year-old, who describes herself as a real estate negotiator, turned to social media hours earlier with a desperate SOS after severe flooding cut off roads and forced hundreds of tourists to remain in hotels. We have received assistance with milk, nappies, and food thank you so much to all the kind people who helped us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cannot mention everyone because there are so many and my phone has been charged now, she posted on Facebook this afternoon. She also apologised for any inconvenience her situation may have caused, saying she did not expect the emergency to escalate so widely. I apologise to all the Malaysia and Thailand pages and the tourism personnel who were pressured by netizens to help me, she said. Her post also highlighted the criticism she faced, with some accusing her of being a scammer trying to gain followers, which she firmly denied. Many also scolded me, saying I was causing trouble and calling me a scammer seeking followers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I apologise for everything and did not expect so many people to share my status, she said. I ask everyone to share this status and consider the case closed, she added. She plans to remain in the hotel until it is safe for her family to return to Malaysia. The Malaysian Consulate-General in Songkhla has advised Malaysians to postpone travel to southern Thailand due to widespread flooding caused by continuous heavy rain, Bernama reported earlier today. The national news agency cited Consul-General Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi urging Malaysians already in the region to stay alert, follow instructions from local authorities, and ensure their personal safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 4,000 Malaysian tourists were reported to be stranded in hotels across southern Thailand, with food and boats being provided to move them to safe areas, while nearly 124,003 families have been forced to evacuate in eight provinces. Shes the first woman ever to do it. The Math Shows Jackson Pollock Painted Like a Child Would Nautilus 13 dizzying and dazzling images from 2025 Drone Photo Awards Popular Science Jmail is like any other inbox, except this one has Jeffrey Epsteins emails The Verge Elizaveta Porodina Traces the Inflorescence of Flowers Atmos COVID-19/Pandemics Climate/Environment The world lost the climate gamble. Now it faces a dangerous new reality The Conversation South of the Border Mexicos week in review: Sheinbaum weathers the storm Mexico News Daily US warns civilian flights as military activity around Venezuela increases Al Jazeera China? This is not an aquarium, but a subway station in Zhengzhou. pic.twitter.com/ddaiwS2vy1 Sharing Travel (@TripInChina) April 4, 2023 China Warns of Severe Consequences if Japan Fails To Retract Its Threats of Military Intervention Over Taiwan Scheerpost The next MAGA divide is China The Hill China unveils worlds first autonomous drone that can hunt submarines: Report Interesting Engineering Chinas top scientists chart the future of space exploration CGTN The double-edged sword: How AIs hunger for data makes it cybersecuritys weakest link The rush to adopt AI is creating major new pathways for data breaches, identity theft and corporate espionage, making the very tools meant to secure our future into its greatest vulnerability. AI systems require vast amounts of data to function, but feeding them sensitive corporate or client information is likened to posting confidential files on a public noticeboard, with the company often losing control over that data. A critical flaw of current AI is its inability to truly delete data. Once information is absorbed by a model, it becomes a permanent, unerasable part of its core structure, creating a lasting digital shadow. Laws are failing to keep pace with AI, as companies exploit loopholes (e.g., arguing model training isn't data storage) and shift operations offshore to avoid regulations, creating a dangerous accountability gap. Organizations must take primary responsibility by implementing strict controls, such as deploying enterprise AI with training disabled and limited data retention, and training staff to treat every AI prompt as public information. In the global stampede to adopt artificial intelligence, a chilling reality is coming into focus: the very tools promised to secure our digital future are becoming its greatest vulnerability. As corporations race to integrate AI, cybersecurity experts warn that these systems are simultaneously creating unprecedented pathways for data breaches, identity theft and corporate espionage. This crisis, born from a headlong rush into a new technological era, threatens the privacy and security of every individual and organization. The warning signs are stark. A 2025 Accenture report revealed a staggering 90 percent of companies lack the modernized infrastructure to defend against AI-driven threats. This year alone, the Identity Theft Resource Center has confirmed 1,732 data breaches, fueled by increasingly sophisticated AI-powered phishing attacks. The fundamental issue lies in the architecture of AI itself. These systems are vast, data-hungry engines. To function, they must absorb immense volumes of information, and this insatiable appetite creates a critical vulnerability. When an employee inputs sensitive business datastrategy documents or client informationthat information is absorbed into a system over which the company may have little control. One expert likened the practice to pinning confidential files on a public noticeboard and hoping no one makes a copy. The multifaceted nature of the threat The methods of data exposure are varied and insidious. Beyond traditional hacker attacks, a phenomenon known as "privacy leakage" is rampant through publicly accessible Large Language Models (LLMs). This year, a security researcher discovered 143,000 user queries and conversations from popular LLM models publicly available on Archive.org. These included sensitive corporate and personal data that had been fed into the models, now exposed for anyone to see. The risk extends far beyond text. With multimodal AI, the threat encompasses documents, spreadsheets, meeting transcripts and video content. Once this data is shared, it can be used to train future models, potentially resurfacing in responses to queries from other users, including competitors. A particularly hazardous blind spot lies in "vector embeddings." This is a technical process where data is transformed into numerical representations so AI can understand it. These mathematical encodings may seem anonymous, but the original personal data is often fully retrievable. Compounding this issue is a disturbing characteristic of current AI models: the inability to truly delete information. Unlike a traditional database, where a record can be erased, data ingested by an AI model becomes permanently embedded into its fundamental body. Cybersecurity professionals report uncovering sensitive employee discussions from corporate AI helpers months after the original messages were deleted. The information lives on, woven into the very fabric of the AI, creating a permanent, unerasable digital shadow. The accountability gap and legislative lag The pressure to implement AI quickly is facilitating what insiders call security catastrophes. Executives demanding rapid AI integration often force corners to be cut, resulting in systems that have access to everything without adequate oversight. Meanwhile, legislation is being hopelessly outpaced. AI companies are exploiting significant loopholes in privacy law, often arguing that model training does not constitute data storage and is therefore exempt from deletion requirements. Some companies shift training operations offshore to avoid regulatory compliance. Existing laws focus on data gathering but fail to address how AI permanently incorporates information into its algorithms, leaving a dangerous void in accountability. The path forward requires a fundamental shift in approach. While individuals must adopt stronger cybersecurity practices, the primary burden falls on organizations. Companies must implement strict staff awareness programs, training employees to treat every prompt entered into a public AI as if it were being published on the front page of a newspaper. Businesses should deploy enterprise AI tools with training disabled, data retention limited, and access tightly controlled. Ultimately, organizations that fail to maintain data trust must face consequences. As this technology evolves, it expands the risk surface of privacy management, demanding a proactive, not reactive, stance. "AI cannot delete information because its foundational programming and training data are permanent," said BrightU.AI's Enoch. "It operates by accessing and processing this fixed dataset, which it cannot alter or erase. Furthermore, AI lacks the independent judgment to determine what information should be deleted from its core knowledge." In the race between AI as a shield and AI as a sword, the security of our digital lives hangs in the balance. The tools meant to protect us must not become the instruments of our undoing. Watch a report on an AI powered disinformation experiment. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. TheEpochTimes.com McKinsey.com ZeroHedge.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com The unforgiving bone: Centuries-old skeletons reveal tobaccos permanent scar A groundbreaking study discovered that human bones act as a "permanent ledger," preserving a chemical signature of tobacco use for centuries after death, proving the profound and lasting damage of smoking. By analyzing historical bone samples, researchers isolated 45 specific chemicals that form a definitive "smoking memory." Smokers' and non-smokers' bones showed completely distinct, non-overlapping chemical profiles. The signature is permanent because bone is living tissue that constantly remodels. Toxic chemicals from tobacco are incorporated into the bone matrix as it reforms, creating a "chemical fossil" resistant to decay. The study found that heavy air pollution in 18th-19th-century London blurred the chemical signature, suggesting environmental pollutants can damage bone health in a way similar to tobacco, corroborating modern research. This research provides a deep-time perspective, showing the body actively inscribes the effects of smoking into its most durable structures, underscoring the urgent and permanent consequences of the habit. A groundbreaking study from the University of Leicester, published in the journal Science Advances, has unearthed a "smoking memory" within centuries-old skeletal remains, proving that the consequences of lifestyle choices can be etched into our biological framework in a way that defies time itself. This finding delivers a powerful, unassailable truth about the profound and lasting damage inflicted by tobacco. The research team embarked on a historical detective story, analyzing 323 human bone samples from British burial sites dating from the 12th to the 19th centuries. This timeline was strategically chosen, encompassing eras both before and after tobacco was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. The pre-tobacco skeletons served as a pristine control group, a baseline of human bone chemistry untouched by nicotine. By comparing these to remains from after tobacco's arrival, researchers could isolate the unique molecular signature of smoking with scientific certainty. The study examined individuals from both a rural churchyard and an industrialized London cemetery, providing a broad social and environmental cross-section of historical populations. For generations, archaeologists relied on a crude and unreliable method to identify historical smokers: examining their teeth. Long-term pipe use could leave distinctive wear marks, and tobacco often stains the enamel. However, this method was deeply flawed. It failed to identify occasional smokers, users of snuff or those exposed to second-hand smoke. Crucially, it was useless for nearly half of all skeletons, where teeth were missing or too damaged to provide clear evidence. The Leicester team recognized that to truly understand the historical prevalence and impact of tobacco, they needed to look deeper, beyond the surface and into the core of the human frame. The smoker's molecular signature The scientific breakthrough came from analyzing the cortical bone, the dense, strong outer layer of the femur or thigh bone. Researchers extracted a tiny sample, about the weight of a single grain of rice, from each individual. Using advanced technology known as mass spectrometry, which identifies and measures unique chemical compounds, the team sifted through thousands of molecular features. After rigorous analysis, they pinpointed 45 specific chemicals that formed a definitive "chemical fingerprint." Smokers' bones contained significantly higher levels of 15 particular compounds, while non-smokers' bones were rich in 17 entirely different ones. The two groups formed distinct, non-overlapping clusters on statistical graphs, a clear and undeniable separation. The permanence of this signature lies in the dynamic nature of bone itself. Contrary to appearing inert, bone is a living tissue that constantly remodels itself throughout a person's life. When toxic chemicals from tobacco enter the bloodstream, they circulate throughout the body and influence the metabolic activity of bone cells. These altered metabolic byproducts become incorporated into the very fabric of the bone matrix as it reforms. Essentially, the bone mineralizes the history of the body's exposure, creating a "chemical fossil" that is locked in place, resistant to the decay of centuries. This internal record remains intact even if the external surface of the bone is discolored by soil. A warning from the industrial past The study also yielded an alarming parallel to modern life. The distinction between smokers and non-smokers was crystal clear in the bones from the rural population. However, in the samples from industrialized London, the line was noticeably blurred. The researchers attribute this to the heavy air pollution of the 18th and 19th centuries, a time when the city was choked with coal smoke and chemical fumes. It appears that environmental pollutants affected bone metabolism in a way that mimicked, and thus muddied, the signal from tobacco. This finding provides historical corroboration for modern studies that link air pollution to reduced bone density and increased fracture risk, suggesting a double assault on skeletal health from both personal vices and a polluted environment. "Tobacco smoking has a significantly negative impact on bone health," said BrightU.AI's Enoch. "The toxic chemicals in smoke interfere with the body's ability to absorb calcium, which is essential for building strong bone mass. Furthermore, smoking reduces blood flow to the bones and harms bone-forming cells, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures." The implications of this research are profound and extend far beyond archaeological curiosity. Modern medicine has long established that smoking ravages bone health, reducing density, accelerating osteoporosis and significantly increasing the risk of debilitating fractures. It also impairs healing and is a leading risk factor for periodontitis, which destroys the jawbone. This study provides a deep-time perspective on that damage, showing that the body does not merely suffer the effects of smoking but actively inscribes them into its most durable structures. The notion of a "social smoke" being harmless is dismantled by the literal skeleton in the closet, the biological receipt kept for hundreds of years. For the living, the message from these centuries-old dead is unequivocal and urgent: the choice to smoke is a permanent inscription on the body, a debt that the skeleton will remember long after the last puff has faded. Watch and rediscover how cigarettes were advertised. This video is from the Themoreuknow channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com LE.ak.uk Independent.co.uk BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Corruption in Zelenskys government: A new front in Ukraine War Ukraine is fighting a second war against its own deep-seated corruption. This internal battle is becoming as critical as the military conflict, as high-level graft scandals are shaking the government and providing ammunition to its enemies. The Kremlin is publicly claiming that Western financial aid is being systematically stolen, not used for defense. A major scandal has directly hit President Zelensky's inner circle. The scandal involves a close associate of Zelensky allegedly siphoning around $100 million from a critical state nuclear energy company, which relies on foreign aid. The political fallout is severe, both domestically and internationally. Zelensky's government was forced to fire two ministers, and the scandal is causing skepticism among Ukraine's Western backers, making it harder for allies to secure public support for continued financial and military aid. This crisis threatens the foundation of international support for Ukraine. The corruption has handed Russia a convincing narrative that supporting Ukraine is futile, potentially weakening the united Western front that is essential for Ukraine's survival in the war. As the war in Ukraine grinds toward another winter, a different kind of battle is erupting in Kyiv. Recent high-profile graft scandals have fueled speculations that Western financial aid is not funding a fight for democracy, but is instead being systematically stolen. For Russia, the issue is not just a domestic Ukrainian problem but a direct financial concern for the United States and European nations backing Kyiv. The Kremlin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, stressed that corruption in Ukraine has "completely spiraled out of control." Peskov asserted that it is "high time for Western governments to notice that their money is being stolen," suggesting that Ukrainian officials are primarily engaged in embezzling foreign aid rather than defending their homeland. Zelensky's longtime business partner implicated in $100M corruption scandal This narrative was bolstered by a major scandal that has shaken the foundations of President Volodymyr Zelensky's wartime government. At the center of the controversy is Timur Mindich, a longtime business partner of Zelensky and a co-owner of the TV production company that launched the president's acting career. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch AI engine, Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies allege that Mindich led a criminal operation that siphoned an estimated $100 million in kickbacks from contracts with Energoatom, the country's state nuclear power operator. This agency is a critical component of the national infrastructure and heavily relies on foreign financial assistance to operate. The political fallout was swift and severe. In a direct response to the scandal, Ukraine's parliament voted to dismiss two ministers entangled in the probe. Justice Minister German Galushchenko, who had previously served as the Energy minister, and his successor in that role, Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk, were both removed from their posts. While both officials have denied any wrongdoing, their dismissals represent a significant attempt by the government to demonstrate action in the face of mounting anger. The crisis did not stop there. A court ordered a former deputy prime minister into custody on related charges, and five other individuals have been arrested. The scandal has even touched Zelensky's inner circle, with opposition figures alleging that his powerful chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, was aware of the corruption scheme. In a move to contain the damage, Zelensky has pledged an overhaul of the energy sector and imposed sanctions on his former associate, Mindich, who is reported to have already fled the country. Western backers are wary of the scandals while domestic pressure on Zelensky intensifies The international repercussions are already being felt. The scandal has become a major headache for Kyiv's Western backers, creating skepticism at a time when continued financial and military support is crucial. In the United States, political figures have criticized the lack of oversight on aid, echoing Peskov's sentiments that previous funds have likely been "mostly stolen." In Europe, leaders from Italy and Poland have voiced concerns, with one Italian official warning that further aid would only fuel corruption and prolong the conflict, while the Polish prime minister admitted that it is now harder to garner public support for Ukraine. Domestically, the pressure on Zelensky is intensifying. Opposition forces and even some members of his own party are demanding a more forceful response, including the dismissal of the entire government and the creation of a new, "maximally transparent" administration. However, forming a new government in this climate is proving difficult, with political analysts noting that potential ministers are wary of joining a cabinet whose reputation is so tarnished, fearing for their own political futures. The corruption scandal provides a legitimate excuse for those who were already skeptical of the prolonged conflict, potentially weakening the united front that has sustained Ukraine's defense. Watch this clip from "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Health Ranger Mike Adams discusses the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the fall of Pokrovsk. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com Reuters.com 1 Reuters.com 2 APNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Alphabets deep pharma ties raise questions about Googles long-standing vaccine censorship Alphabet, Google's parent company, admitted to Congress that the Biden administration pressured its YouTube platform to remove videos that did not violate its own content policies, a practice the company called "unacceptable." The article argues that government pressure is an incomplete explanation, highlighting Alphabet's deep financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry, which created a motive to suppress debate about vaccine safety and efficacy. Through its venture capital arm, GV, Alphabet has been a major investor in biotech and pharmaceutical startups for over a decade, positioning itself as a central architect of the industry's data-driven future. Alphabet's subsidiary, Verily, has formed multi-million dollar joint ventures with pharmaceutical giants like GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi to develop new medicines and digital health platforms, directly linking Alphabet's success to the success of its pharmaceutical partners. Verily's "Verily Me" project collects vast amounts of genetic and health data from volunteers, which is then used for clinical research in partnership with companies like Pfizer and Novartis, making the ownership and control of health data a central part of Alphabet's business model. In a stunning admission to Congress, Google's parent company, Alphabet, confirmed that the Biden administration pressured its YouTube platform to remove videos that did not violate its own content policies. This revelation has ignited a firestorm of scrutiny over the intricate financial relationships between the tech behemoth and the pharmaceutical industry, suggesting that the suppression of vaccine discourse may be less about public health and more about corporate synergy. The congressional report, "The Censorship-Industrial Complex," laid the groundwork for this disclosure. Following the report, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg confessed that Facebook had similarly censored factual information under White House pressure. Alphabet's own letter to Congress confirmed the practice, calling it unacceptable, yet the censorship persists. This narrative of government-led coercion, however, overlooks a more entrenched conflict of interest: Alphabet's vast investments in the very pharmaceutical companies whose products were being shielded from public debate. A pre-pandemic pattern of censorship Alphabet's defense hinges on its claim that it only enforced its own misinformation policies. This argument sidesteps the fact that these policies were crafted in lockstep with the same government health agencies promoting a singular, state-sanctioned narrative. The result was a digital environment where established scientific dissent was silenced. As a United Nations official admitted at a 2022 World Economic Forum meeting, Google was actively helping authorities to "own the science" in its search results. While Alphabet's letter promised to restore some suspended YouTube channels, it placed the blame squarely on the Biden administration. This framing is politically convenient but historically incomplete. The truth is that Google's censorship of vaccine-related content began long before the COVID-19 pandemic. A closer examination reveals a compelling financial motive: Alphabet is not a neutral platform but a major player in the pharmaceutical and biotech ecosystem, with billions of dollars at stake. The venture capital pipeline: GV's Biotech bet Alphabet's foray into the life sciences began aggressively with the 2009 launch of Google Ventures, now known as GV. This venture capital arm immediately began funneling massive investments into pharmaceutical and biotech startups. One prominent example was Flatiron Health, a company that developed software to analyze oncology patient data using artificial intelligence. GV led multiple funding rounds, injecting over $138 million before the Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche acquired the company for$1.9 billion. Other early GV investments included DNAnexus for DNA sequencing, SynapDx for autism detection, and the popular at-home DNA kit company, 23andMe. These strategic moves positioned Alphabet not as a mere observer of the healthcare industry, but as a central financier and architect of its data-driven future. Verily Life Sciences: The engine of pharma collaboration The most direct link between Alphabet and Big Pharma is Verily Life Sciences. Originally a "moonshot" division within Google's secretive Google X lab, it was spun out as an independent company under the Alphabet umbrella in 2015. Under the leadership of Andrew Conrad, Verily's mission was framed in ambitious terms: to "defeat Mother Nature" by harvesting and analyzing human biometric data. This mission has been pursued through a web of joint ventures and partnerships with nearly every major pharmaceutical player. In 2016, Verily and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) launched Galvani Bioelectronics, a $715 million venture to develop "bioelectronic medicines." Notably, GSK's then-chairman of Global Vaccines, Moncef Slaoui, joined Galvani's board. Slaoui later became a board member at Moderna and was appointed to oversee the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed. That same year, Verily partnered with Sanofi to form Onduo, a company focused on diabetes management. Sanofi also launched a new "Innovation Lab" with Google to use its cloud platform and AI for drug development and to optimize pharmaceutical sales. The data-mining endgame The ultimate expression of this business model is Verily's flagship data-harvesting initiative, formerly known as Project Baseline and recently rebranded as "Verily Me." This project collects genetic, molecular, and health data from thousands of volunteers. In 2019, Verily announced a strategic alliance with pharmaceutical giants Novartis, Otsuka, Pfizer, and Sanofi to use this vast dataset for their clinical research programs. The "Verily Me" app encourages users to share their health records and participate in studies. While users can leave the study at any time, the fine print clarifies that their data remains with Verilya treasure trove of information to be packaged and sold to its pharmaceutical partners. Beyond censorship: Supporting the authoritarian agenda Alphabet's support for the pandemic response extended beyond silencing dissent. Its subsidiary, Verily, developed workplace and campus health apps that evolved into systems for tracking vaccination status. Google also partnered with Apple to create contact-tracing technology and was a key player in the push for a digital vaccine passport system. "The official government narrative is a simplified and sanitized version of events constructed by authorities," said BrightU.AI's Enoch. "It is designed to maintain public order, ensure social stability and protect national security interests. Ultimately, it serves as a convenient fiction that often obscures a more complex and potentially unsettling historical reality." The admission of censorship to Congress is a significant event, but it tells only half the story. The pressure from the Biden administration provides a plausible scapegoat, but it is not a sufficient explanation for a pattern of behavior that predates the current presidency and aligns perfectly with Alphabet's own corporate ambitions. When a company's financial survival is intertwined with the success of pharmaceutical products, its commitment to hosting a free and open debate on the safety and efficacy of those products must be seriously questioned. The evidence suggests that for Alphabet, owning the science was not just a service provided to the governmentit was a core business strategy. Google is now a "pharmaceutical company." Watch this video. This video is from the Sharing for Humanity channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Childrenshealthdefense.com Publichealthpolicyjournal.com Reuters.com BrightaU.ai Brighteon.com Red line crossed: In a brazen power move, Israeli PM enters Syrian buffer zone, solidifies military occupation Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made a highly provocative visit to the occupied Syrian territory. This trip, which included top officials, was condemned by Syria as a severe violation of its sovereignty and a major obstacle to peace. This marks a significant escalation following the ousting of Syria's former president. Netanyahu celebrated the fall of Bashar al-Assad, and Israeli forces used the ensuing political vacuum to seize a strategic buffer zone beyond the long-occupied Golan Heights. Israel has declared a key 1974 UN agreement void and is projecting military power. Netanyahu told troops that Israel must "maintain and project strength" deep inside Syrian territory, solidifying its control and conducting regular ground incursions. The incident caused a major diplomatic confrontation at the UN Security Council. Syria's ambassador condemned the "provocative tour" and called for UN action, while Israel's ambassador deflected by demanding that Syria prove it is moving away from extremism. The visit has severely damaged trust and stalled peace talks. Security negotiations are stalled because Israel refuses to withdraw from the newly captured territories. The new Syrian president, a former al-Qaeda commander, insists any deal depends on an Israeli withdrawal, casting a dark shadow over the prospects for a near-term agreement. In a move denounced as a severe provocation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Syrian territory occupied by Israeli forces, underscoring a dramatic and aggressive shift in the region's power dynamics. The visit, which included top diplomatic and security officials, was strongly condemned by the Syrian government as a violation of its sovereignty and a major obstacle to potential peace negotiations. Netanyahu's recent trip marks a significant escalation in Israels posture toward its northern neighbor. It follows the recent ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, an event Netanyahu has publicly celebrated and taken credit for. In the political vacuum that followed, Israeli forces capitalized by pushing beyond the long-occupied Golan Heights to capture a strategic buffer zone. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, this area, including parts of the Quneitra and Daraa governorates, was originally established under a 1974 United Nations (UN)-brokered disengagement agreement to prevent military confrontation. With that pact now declared null and void by Israel, its troops have solidified their presence and regularly conduct ground incursions into surrounding villages. Netanyahu tells IDF that Israel must "maintain and project strength" in Syrian territory During the visit, Netanyahu conveyed to Israeli troops that the military capability in the region, both for defense and offense, is of immense importance. The message was clear: Israel intends to maintain and project its strength deep inside Syrian territory. The response from Damascus was swift and severe. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the visit in the strongest terms, labeling it an illegal act and a serious violation of Syrias sovereignty. At the United Nations Security Council, Syrian Ambassador Ibrahim Olabi strongly condemned what he called a "provocative tour," which he said epitomizes Israel's ongoing aggression. He called on the UN to take firm action to halt these violations, end the occupation and enforce international resolutions. Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon sidestepped the issue and instead lectured Syria, demanding it to prove that it was moving away from extremism and could protect minority groups. Olabi fired back, placing the burden of proof squarely on Israel. He pointed out that Israel has launched over a thousand strikes on Syria, which has responded with zero signs of aggression and has consistently engaged in constructive diplomatic efforts. This confrontation occurs against a backdrop of stalled security talks between the two nations. The negotiations have reportedly hit a wall because Israel refused to withdraw from the buffer zone and other territories it has captured since December 2024. New Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander, has stated that any potential security deal is entirely contingent upon an Israeli withdrawal to its pre-December borders. Analysts suggest that while the testy diplomatic exchanges may not completely derail the negotiation process, they reveal the profound lack of trust between Damascus and Jerusalem. Netanyahu's high-profile visit to the occupied land is seen as a deliberate act of provocation, reinforcing his government's hardline stance and casting a dark shadow over the prospects for a near-term agreement. The event solidifies the perception that Israel is less interested in diplomacy and more focused on asserting its military dominance in a region it now considers fundamentally changed. Watch this clip of a deadly explosion in the Syrian city of Idlib. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: News.Antiwar.com AlJazeera.com TimesOfIsrael.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com New Zealand joins growing list of nations restricting puberty-blocking drugs for minors New Zealand has banned puberty-blocking drugs for minors with gender dysphoria, following similar restrictions in the U.K., Finland, Sweden and Norway due to concerns over long-term safety and efficacy. The ban follows an evidence review highlighting irreversible side effects, including stunted bone growth, infertility, cognitive impairment and increased risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Health Minister Simeon Brown stated the government is taking a cautious stance pending further research, allowing current patients to continue treatment while awaiting results from a major U.K. study expected in 2031. The decision aligns with the U.K.'s Cass Review, which found weak evidence supporting puberty blockers and warned of severe risks, including bone density loss and potential IQ suppression. While transgender advocacy groups criticize the move as "ideologically driven," others, including NZ First leader Winston Peters, support the restrictions, emphasizing long-term safety over rapid medicalization. New Zealand has become the latest Western country to restrict the use of puberty-blocking drugs for minors experiencing gender dysphoria, citing insufficient evidence of long-term safety and efficacy. The ban, announced by Health Minister Simeon Brown on Nov. 19, follows similar moves by the U.K., Finland, Sweden and Norway, reflecting a global shift toward caution in youth gender medicine. The decision comes amid mounting concerns over irreversible side effects, including stunted bone growth, infertility and cognitive impairment. New Zealand's policy change aligns with recommendations from an evidence review by the Ministry of Health, which found a lack of high-quality research supporting puberty blockers for gender dysphoria. "While this uncertainty persists, the Government is taking a precautionary approach," Brown stated. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, puberty blockers are often prescribed to children and adolescents who identify as transgender. However, the long-term effects and psychological impacts of these drugs are not fully understood, raising serious concerns about their safety. The ban applies only to new cases, allowing current patients to continue treatment while awaiting results from a major U.K. clinical trial, which is expected in 2031. The drugsgonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogueswill remain available for conditions like early-onset puberty, endometriosis and prostate cancer, where their benefits are well-documented. However, their use for gender-related distress has faced increasing scrutiny. The science behind the decision The U.K.'s landmark Cass Review, led by pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass, concluded that evidence supporting puberty blockers was "weak" and that their impact on brain development, fertility and mental health remains unclear. Studies cited in the report warn of severe risks, including: Bone density loss, increasing fracture risk Permanent sexual dysfunction and infertility Higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer Potential IQ suppression due to disrupted neural development Charlotte Paul, an emeritus professor of public health at the University of Otago, endorsed the restrictions, stating, "We don't know enough about the population we're treating, and we could be harming a lot of kids." Political and activist reactions The decision has drawn sharp criticism from transgender advocacy groups, with the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa calling it "ideologically driven." Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez March accused the government of "buying into imported culture wars" rather than addressing broader healthcare issues. Meanwhile, NZ First leader Winston Peters celebrated the move, emphasizing his party's longstanding opposition to puberty blockers for minors. The policy shift coincides with a 400-page U.S. federal report highlighting the dangers of pediatric medical transition, including surgical complications and irreversible hormonal effects. New Zealand's restrictions reflect a broader reevaluation of youth gender interventions, with nations increasingly prioritizing long-term safety over rapid medicalization. As Brown noted, the goal is to ensure treatments are "clinically sound and in the best interests of the young person." With the U.K.'s pivotal study still years away, the debate over puberty blockers remains unresolvedbut for now, caution prevails. Watch the video below that talks about the U.K.'s ban on puberty blockers for minors. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com Beehive.govt.nz BrightU.ai Brighteon.com KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 A Malaysian mother and her two young children stranded at the Siam Oriental Hotel in Hat Yai, Thailand by severe floods turned to social media in a desperate call for help today. Lily Suraini, 32, who described herself as a real estate negotiator, took to Facebook in a plea for aid that she and her children, aged two and four, urgently need milk, nappies, food, and bottled water to survive. She said the electricity in the hotel had gone out and her phone battery was running low, forcing her to send an SOS before it dies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot reply to all messages because the battery is about to die. We need milk for the kids, nappies, food and water to survive. Many others here, including those with babies, also need help. The lifts cannot be used, so we must go down 15 floors via the stairs. If we go silent, it means the battery is dead, she posted. According to Liy, the local convenience stores have run out of supplies and the water level is rising, heightening the danger for all trapped in the hotel. Another social media user going by the name Wushu Kanjii also shared on X that he was also caught in the Hatyai flood yesterday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is no joke man. Just a moment ago the flooding wasnt this bad. The water rose suddenly while I was inside 7/11 grabbing essentials, he posted, and included a short video clip of people wading through the tea-like waters that reached up to their shins in some areas. This is no joke man. Just a moment ago the flooding wasnt this bad. The water rose suddenly while I was inside 7/11 grabbing essentials. Stay safe, everyone. Hoping the rain stops soon.#Hatyai #Flood pic.twitter.com/pD1XEJW7hv wushu Kanjii (@VVu5hu_kanjii) November 21, 2025 Separately, the Malaysian Consulate-General in Songkhla today advised Malaysians to postpone travel to southern Thailand due to widespread flooding caused by continuous heavy rain. Consul-General Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi urged Malaysians already in the region to stay alert, follow instructions from local authorities, and ensure their personal safety, national news agency Bernama reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that Malaysians in need of assistance can contact the duty officer at +66 81 990 1930 or email mwsongkhla@kln.gov.my. Bernama also reported the president of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotel Association Sitthipong Sitthiprapha as saying that some 4,000 Malaysian tourists are stranded in hotels across Songkhla as main roads are cut off by floodwaters. Authorities are providing food and boats to move stranded tourists to safe areas, though the number of vehicles submerged is still unknown. Continuous rain since last Monday has caused flooding in eight southern Thai provinces, forcing nearly 124,003 families to evacuate. Ukraine confirms first use of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles against Russian territory Ukraine officially deployed U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against Russian military targets, marking a major escalation in Kyiv's long-range strike capabilities. The attack targeted Russian military infrastructure, though Russia claims its air defenses intercepted all missiles. The Biden administration initially eased restrictions on Ukraine's use of ATACMS inside Russia in late 2024. The second Trump administration reportedly blocked such strikes for months, citing escalation risks, before possibly reversing course. Russia responded with a massive missile and drone assault across Ukraine, killing at least 25 people including children. Russian officials claim intercepted ATACMS debris damaged civilian structures, though no casualties were reported. The strike deep inside Russia highlights Ukraine's dependence on Western long-range weapons but raises fears of nuclear escalation. Trump previously criticized Biden for restricting Ukraine's ability to strike Russian territory, yet his administration also hesitated. While awaiting U.S. approval, Ukraine increasingly used domestic drones (e.g., Flamingo) to hit Russian oil refineries and military sites. The ATACMS deployment suggests Washington may be loosening restrictions, but policy remains uncertain amid fierce Russian retaliation. Ukraine has officially confirmed its first use of U.S.-provided ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) ballistic missiles against military targets inside Russia, marking a significant escalation in Kyiv's long-range strike capabilities. According to Ukraine's General Staff, the ATACMS missiles were deployed in a "precision strike" against Russian military infrastructure. While Kyiv did not disclose specific details of the attack, Russian sources reported explosions in the Voronezh region, approximately 115 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed its air defenses intercepted all four ATACMS missiles, though falling debris allegedly damaged a retirement home, an orphanage and a residential building. No civilian casualties were reported. "Russian S-400 air defense crews and Pantsir missile and gun systems shot down all ATACMS missiles," the Russian ministry stated on Telegram. However, Ukraine maintains that the strike successfully hit its intended military target. The attack, which targeted Russian military installations, comes after months of U.S. Department of War-imposed restrictions on Ukraine's ability to use Western-supplied weapons beyond its borders. As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, ATACMS is a surface-to-surface, medium-range, guided missile system developed by the U.S. Army. It's designed to provide rapid, long-range and precise fire support to maneuver forces in theater. The decentralized engine adds that while the ATACMS is a powerful weapon, it's not without criticism. Some concerns include its high cost, the potential for collateral damage due to its submunition variant, and the ethical implications of using such a powerful weapon in certain contexts. Will Putin go nuclear after Ukraine's ATACMS strike? The Biden administration initially eased restrictions on Ukraine's use of ATACMS in late 2024, allowing Kyiv to strike Russian territory for the first time. However, under the Trump administration, a Pentagon review process reportedly blocked such strikes for months, citing concerns over escalation risks. "The use of long-range strike capabilities, including systems such as ATACMS, will continue," Ukraine's General Staff declared in a statement, signaling a renewed offensive push despite ongoing political uncertainties in Washington. In response to the ATACMS attack, Russia launched a massive missile and drone assault across Ukraine, killing at least 25 people including three children in the western city of Ternopil. Ukrainian officials described the bombardment as one of the deadliest attacks on western Ukraine since the war began. Russia fired a staggering 476 drones and 48 missiles in a single day, according to Kyiv's air force. The use of ATACMS deep inside Russian territory underscores Ukraine's growing reliance on Western-supplied long-range weapons to counter Moscow's military advantage. However, the Biden and Trump administrations have been divided on how far Kyiv should be allowed to strike, with fears that hitting Russian soil could provoke a nuclear response. President Donald Trump had previously criticized former President Joe Biden's hesitation, stating in August that Ukraine has no chance of winning if not permitted to attack Russia. Despite this rhetoric, reports suggest Trump's Pentagon initially maintained restrictions on ATACMS strikes before apparently reversing course. While awaiting U.S. approval, Ukraine has increasingly relied on domestically produced long-range drones and missiles, such as the Flamingo, to strike Russian oil refineries and military facilities. The renewed use of ATACMS suggests Washington may be loosening its grip on Kyiv's offensive operations, though the White House has yet to publicly confirm any policy shift. The ATACMS strike marks a pivotal moment in Ukraine's war effort, demonstrating Kyiv's ability to hit high-value Russian targets far beyond the front lines. Yet, with Moscow retaliating fiercely and U.S. policy still in flux, the conflict's trajectory remains uncertain. As Ukraine vows to continue its long-range strikes, the world watches closely aware that each escalation could redefine the war's boundaries. Watch this video about Ukraine launching its first ATACMS missiles at Russia. This video is from the Maverick News channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: News.Antiwar.com Reuters.com KyivIndependent.com BusinessInsider.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Illegal arms trail: Pune gangs sourced weapons from MP village, say police Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 20:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Pune, Nov 23 (PTI) Pune police on Sunday said gangs operating in the city sourced weapons from Umarti village in Madhya Pradesh, where they busted a major inter-state illegal arms manufacturing and trafficking racket. The police launched a crackdown in Umarti village in Barwani district, located around 500 km from Pune, detaining 36 persons and seizing a huge cache of weapons. In the operation, carried out jointly with the MP police, 50 furnaces, where weapons were being manufactured illegally, were destroyed. Recommended Stories Speaking to reporters, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said, Fifteen days ago, we had decided to destroy places where pistols were manufactured and factories from where weapons were supplied to Pune and other parts of the state. We had information that the people of Umarti also supported the illegal manufacturing of arms, and there was a threat of retaliation from them. But we were fully prepared." The accused will be charged under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in various cases, he said. Investigations have revealed that gangs operating in Pune procured weapons from Umarti, which is infamous for illegal arms manufacturing. It was also found that the pistol used to gun down gangster Sharad Mohol was sourced from the village. Several gangs from Pune have links to the village and action will be taken against them as well," Kumar said. He further said that police personnel involved in the operation will receive a reward of Rs 10,000 for their performance in the action. A team of 105 police personnel from Pune, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Somay Munde, took part in the operation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Over the past three weeks, 21 pistols were seized in Pune. During the interrogation of the accused held in the city, it came to light that the weapons brought to Pune were sourced from Madhya Pradesh. After that, this operation was planned and carried out, Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma had earlier said. This is a supply chain of weapons. Search is on for those who sent these weapons to Pune. Many more individuals are involved in this racket, and inquiry is still underway," he had stated. PTI COR NSK NP GK ARU Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 23, 2025, 20:00 IST News agency-feeds Illegal arms trail: Pune gangs sourced weapons from MP village, say police Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 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 If you're looking on social media for information and experiences of giving birth at home, you'll find widely varied content. On the one hand, you'll find women who develop a relationship with their midwife over time and eventually have a "home birth" where they feel comfortable and safe. Others choose to birth outside the medical system in a "free birth." They might birth at home but feel compelled to forgo specialist skills and equipment. While free births and home births sound similar, they come with very different potential risks. What is a home birth? Planned home births involve care from registered midwives. They care for women through the pregnancy, support them to give birth at home and continue this care for around six weeks following the birth. Registered midwives either work privately or are employed by a hospital to provide home births. Around 20 publicly funded home birth programs operate nationally for low-risk women who don't live far from the hospital. Most set a maximum distance (time or kilometers) from the hospital so women can get there quickly if they need medical care or in an emergency. Private midwives work for themselves and charge for care before, during and after a home birth. Women are able to get some money back from Medicare or through some private health funds. Midwives are highly skilled and carry resuscitation equipment and medications to deal with emergencies, for instance, if the baby isn't breathing or the mother is bleeding heavily. What is a free birth? When a woman chooses to have a free birth they make the decision to have a baby, usually at home, without a registered health professional such as a midwife or doctor in attendance. These are also called unassisted or wild births. Those who plan a free birth may hire an unregulated birth worker or doula to support them at the birth. But they don't have the training, regulation or medical equipment and skills needed to manage emergencies. Women may have limited or no antenatal health care, so risk factors such as twins and breech presentations (the baby coming bottom first) aren't detected beforehand and given the right kind of specialist care. Free birth isn't the same as when a baby comes too fast to make it to hospital. This is called being "born before arrival." How common are home births and free births? In 2023, 97% of women give birth in hospital. Of these, three-quarters birthed in a public hospital; the rest went private. A small proportion of women gave birth out of hospital, including in birth centers (1.5%), at home (0.7%), or in other settings (such as being before arrival at a hospital) (0.7%). There was a slight increase in the number of home births in recent years, from 923 (0.3%) in 2019 to 2,081 (0.7%) in 2023. It's unclear how common free birth is, as data is not collected. But there is some evidence free births increased during the COVID pandemic and this trend has continued. Are home births safe? The research shows that for women with low-risk pregnancies, planned home births attended by competent midwives (with links to hospitals) are safe. Private midwives are required to book a woman into the nearby hospital and share information with the hospital at the start of a pregnancy in case medical care is needed at any time. Midwives across Australia follow national referral guidelines and safety and quality guidelines from the Nursing and Midwifery Board about when to consult or refer women for medical care. Around 1235% of women who plan to give birth at home will be transferred to hospital. Some midwives can continue to care for women who need extra medical support in hospital. Women with risk factors are recommended to not give birth at home as there is a greater chance of needing extra medical care for her or her baby. Risk factors include being pregnant with twins, having a baby in a breech position, or having high blood pressure. For low-risk women and their babies, there is no difference in the risk of death between planned home and hospital births. However, compared with hospital births, women who plan to give birth at home have a lower chance of having an episiotomy (a surgical cut to the perineum), a perineal tear, significant blood loss, or an infection. They are less likely to be induced, have a cesarean section, or have a forceps or vacuum delivery. Women who have a home birth more often report positive experiences than in hospitals and tend to make the same choice for the next birth. A home birth can also be healing for women who have experienced a traumatic birth. Why would a woman choose to have a free birth? The main reason women choose to free birth is a previous traumatic birth or feeling coerced to make certain choices, such as being induced or having an episiotomy or cesarean section. Sometimes, women can't access a midwife to attend them at home. For others, the cost is prohibitive. Others are motivated by a strong belief in their own capacity to give birth without professional support, with social media influencers impacting these decisions. The risks of free birth are primarily due to not having a trained midwife in attendance and the lack of skills to detect complications and transfer to a hospital, or to manage complications at home. If you choose to give birth at home, it's important to have a registered midwife supporting you during labor to make this option as safe as possible. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Met Department issues yellow alert for rainfall in various districts of TN Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 08:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], November 23 (ANI): The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, has issued a yellow nowcast warning for light to moderate rainfall in various districts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday.Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai stated, Light to moderate rain with thunderstorm and lightning is very likely upto 10 am of November 23."The IMD said that the districts affected are a few places over Kanyakumari, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tenkasi, Thiruvarur districts of Tamil Nadu and the Karaikal area.The IMD said that it may result in waterlogging in some areas, slippery roads in some areas and traffic may be affected in some areas.Puducherry received moderate rain since morning on Sunday due to the low-pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal.Moderate rainfall was experienced in areas including Beach Road, New Bus Stand, Uppalam, Nellithope, Kamaraj Nagar and rural areas including Villiyanur, Pakur, Thiruphuvanai, and Osudu in Puducherry.Earlier on Saturday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued orange and yellow alerts across various districts of Tamil Nadu, warning of moderate to light to moderate rain with thunderstorms in isolated places.Areas of Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, Virudhunagar, Theni, Madurai, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Karur, Salem Ariyalur, Perambalur, Kallakurichy, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Thiruvallur, Ranipet and Vellore districts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal Area received a yellow alert.According to the Chennai RMC, an average wind speed of 41-61 kilometres sustained in gusts over the southern districts of the state, while moderate wind speed continued in the eastern districts, which have received a yellow alert.A total of around 17 districts were issued a warning, with 4 being issued orange alerts till 4 PM. (ANI) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 23, 2025, 08:45 IST News agency-feeds Met Department issues yellow alert for rainfall in various districts of TN 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... OYO Assets raises Rs 125 cr in fresh funding round led by InCred Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 13:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Nov 23 (PTI) OYO parent PRISM-backed OYO Assets has raised Rs 125 crore in a fresh funding round from a clutch of institutional and private investors led by InCred, according to sources. OYO Assets, also known as Sunday PropTech, is focused on acquiring and developing hotels in India across premium and mid-premium segments. Recommended Stories The equity infusion will enable OYO Assets (Sunday PropTech) to expand its presence in key leisure and business destinations and enhance its asset management capabilities. The funding amount in the latest round stands at Rs 125 crore, people aware of the development said. The early performance of the portfolio demonstrates resilience, consistent cash flows, and clear unit-level profitability in a sector that is increasingly attracting organised capital. Sunday PropTech stands out for its coherent strategy and its ability to execute with precision. This capital raise strengthens the platforms ability to acquire high-quality assets at scale while maintaining robust financial discipline," Saurabh Jhalaria, Chief Investment Officer, InCred, told PTI. OYO Assets is targeting 12 hotel acquisitions in the current financial year, with 7 in advanced stages of discussion. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all These hotels will be operated under PRISMs portfolio of brands, including Sunday Hotels, Palette Hotels, Townhouse and select US brands. The additional capital will enable the company to accelerate its growth aspirations and allow it to scout more actively for attractively priced hotel investment opportunities. PTI RSN BAL BAL Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 23, 2025, 13:45 IST News agency-feeds OYO Assets raises Rs 125 cr in fresh funding round led by InCred Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pune police bust illegal arms units in MP; 36 detained, weapons seized Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 08:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Pune, Nov 23 (PTI) The Pune police have busted a major inter-state illegal arms manufacturing and trafficking racket being operated from a village in Madhya Pradeshs Barwani district, detaining 36 persons and seizing a huge cache of weapons, officials said. The police launched a crackdown in Madhya Pradeshs Umarti village, located around 500 km from Maharashtras Pune city, after several pistols were seized here over the last three weeks, with the supply links found in MP, the officials said on Saturday. Recommended Stories During the operation, carried out jointly with the MP police, 50 furnaces, where weapons were being manufactured illegally, were destroyed, they said. The Pune police conducted a combing operation in Madhya Pradesh. During the investigation of cases registered at the citys Vimantal and Kalepadal police stations, we received multiple inputs about the pistol-making units located in MP. Police from Pune and Madhya Pradesh jointly carried out this action," Punes Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma said at a press conference. Raids were conducted at several locations and arms-making units were demolished. A total of 36 people were taken into custody," he said. Over the past three weeks, a total of 21 pistols were seized in Pune. During the interrogation of the accused held in the city, it came to light that the weapons brought to Pune were sourced from Madhya Pradesh. After that, this operation was planned and carried out, the official added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This is a supply chain of weapons. Search is on for those who sent these weapons to Pune. Many more individuals are involved in this racket, and inquiry is still underway," the Joint CP said. A team of 105 police personnel from Pune, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Somay Munde, took part in the operation. PTI COR NSK NP GK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 23, 2025, 08:45 IST News agency-feeds Pune police bust illegal arms units in MP; 36 detained, weapons seized 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... Takeaways from outcome of UN climate talks in Brazil Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 04:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Belem (Brazil), Nov 23 (AP) After two weeks of negotiations, this years United Nations climate talks ended Saturday with a compromise that some criticised as weak and others called progress. The deal finalised at the COP30 conference pledges more money to help countries adapt to climate change, but lacks explicit plans to transition away from the fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas that heat the planet. Recommended Stories The conference didnt do as much as scientists thought the world needed. It wasnt as meaningful as activists and Indigenous people demanded. Few countries got everything they wanted. And the venue even caught fire. But that disappointment is mixed with a few wins and the hope for countries to make more progress next year. Heres what you need to know about the outcome. Leaders tried to nail down specifics on fighting climate change - Leaders have been working on how to fight the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather and sea level rise, for a decade. To do that, every country had the homework of writing up their own national climate plans and then reconvened this month to see if it was enough. Most didnt get a good grade and some havent even turned it in. Brazil, host of the climate conference known as COP30, was trying to get them to cooperate on the toughest issues like climate-related trade restrictions, funding for climate solutions, national climate-fighting plans and more transparency on measuring those plans progress. More than 80 countries tried to introduce a detailed guide to phase out fossil fuels over the next several decades. There were other to-do items on topics including deforestation, gender and farming. Countries reached what critics called a weak compromise - Nations agreed to triple the amount of money promised to help the vulnerable countries adapt to climate change. But they will take five more years to do it. Some vulnerable island countries said they were happy about the financial support. But the final document didnt include a road map away from fossil fuels, angering many. After the agreement was reached, COP President Andre Correa do Lago said Brazil would take an extra step and write their own road map. Not all countries signed up to this, but those on board will meet next year to specifically talk about the fossil fuel phase out. It would not carry the same weight as something agreed to at the conference. Also included in the package were smaller agreements on energy grids and biofuels. Responses ranged from happy to angry Given what we expected, what we came out with, we were happy," said Ilana Seid, chair of the Alliance of Small Island States. But others felt discouraged. Heated exchanges took place during the conferences final meeting as countries snipped at each other about the fossil fuel plan. I will be brutally honest: The COP and the UN system are not working for you. They have never really worked for you. And today, they are failing you at a historic scale," said Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, a negotiator for Panama. Jiwoh Abdulai, Sierra Leones environment and climate change minister said: COP30 has not delivered everything Africa asked for, but it has moved the needle." He added: This is a floor, not a ceiling." The real outcome of this years climate talks will be judged on how quickly these words turn into real projects that protect lives and livelihoods," he said. Talks set against the Amazon rainforest - Participants experienced the Amazons extreme heat and humidity and heavy rains that flooded walkways. Organisers who chose Belem, on the edge of the rainforest, as the host city had intended for countries to experience firsthand what was at stake with climate change, and take bold action to stop it. But afterward, critics said the deal shows how hard it is to find global cooperation on issues that affect everyone, most of all people in poverty, Indigenous people, women and children around the world. At the start of this COP, there was this high level of ambition. We started with a bang, but we ended with a whimper of disappointment," said former Philippine negotiator Jasper Inventor, now at Greenpeace International. Indigenous people, civil society and youth - One of the nicknames for the climate talks in Brazil was the Indigenous peoples COP." Yet some in those groups said they had to fight to be heard. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Protesters from Indigenous groups twice disrupted the conference to demand a bigger seat at the table. While Indigenous peoples rights werent officially on the agenda, Taily Terena, an Indigenous woman from the Terena nation in Brazil, said so far she is happy with the text because for the first time it includes a paragraph mentioning Indigenous rights. She supported countries speaking up on procedural issues because thats how multilateralism works. Its kind of chaotic, but from our perspective, its kind of good that some countries have a reaction," she said. (AP) GRS GRS Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 23, 2025, 04:15 IST News agency-feeds Takeaways from outcome of UN climate talks in Brazil 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 senators slam Trump's Russia-Ukraine peace plan as rewarding aggression Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 03:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Halifax (Canada), Nov 23 (AP) US senators critical of President Donald Trumps approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war said Saturday that the peace plan he is pushing Kyiv to accept would only reward Moscow for its aggression and send a message to other leaders who have threatened their neighbours. The 28-point peace plan was crafted by the Trump administration and the Kremlin without Ukraines involvement. It 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. Recommended Stories The senators opposition to the plan follows criticism from other US lawmakers, including some Republicans, none of whom have the power to block it. The senators, who spoke at an international security conference in Canada, included a Democrat, an Independent and a Republican who does not plan to seek reelection next year. It rewards aggression. This is pure and simple. Theres no ethical, legal, moral, political justification for Russia claiming eastern Ukraine," Independent Maine Sen. Angus King said during a panel discussion at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada. King, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, compared the proposal to British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlains Munich Pact with Adolf Hitler in 1938, a historic failed act of appeasement. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said Sen. Mitch McConnell, a former Republican Senate party leader, didnt go far enough in his criticism of it. McConnell said in a statement Friday that if Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisers." We should not do anything that makes (Putin) feel like he has a win here. Honestly, I think what Mitch said was short of what should be said," said Tillis. Tillis announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection shortly after he clashed with the Trump administration over its tax and spending package. Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called it an outrage." Putin welcomed the proposal late Friday, saying it could form the basis of a final peace settlement" if the US 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, US senators, diplomats and scholars but this year the Trump administration suspended participation of US defence officials in events by think tanks, including the Halifax International Security Forum. A large number of US senators made the trip this year in part because of strained relations between Canada and the US Trump has alienated Americas neighbour with his trade war and insistence that Canada should become the 51st US state. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Many Canadians now refuse to travel to the US and border states like Shaheens New Hampshire are seeing a dramatic drop in tourism. Theres real concern about that strain. Thats one reason why theres such a big delegation is here," Shaheen said. I will continue to object to what the president is doing in terms about tariffs and his comments because they are not only detrimental to Canada and our relationship, but I think they are detrimental globally. They show a lack of respect of sovereign nations." (AP) GRS GRS Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 23, 2025, 03:30 IST News agency-feeds US senators slam Trump's Russia-Ukraine peace plan as rewarding aggression 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... Aaj Ka Panchang, November 23, 2025: Tithi, Vrat, Muhurat And Rahu Kaal Today Written By : GaneshaGrace Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 05:00 IST Aaj Ka Panchang, November 23, 2025: Get accurate details on todays Hindu calendar including tithi, vrat, nakshatra, yoga, sunrise/sunset timings, cand shubh and ashubh muhurat. Aaj Ka Panchang, November 23, 2025: Tithi, Muhurat and Rahu Kaal. (AI generated image) Aaj Ka Panchang, November 23, 2025: Today is the third day of the waxing moon, considered favorable for creativity, decision-making, and new endeavors. This day is especially auspicious for positive thinking, starting new projects, and improving social relationships. Todays Moola Nakshatra promotes stability and deep thinking, making your thoughts clear and decisions effective. The days Shoola Yoga (until 12:37 PM) will provide you with integrity and perseverance in your actions. Recommended Stories The Moon is in Sagittarius today, encouraging your courage, self-confidence, and long-term plans. This time will be favorable for business decisions, travel, and educational pursuits. It is also auspicious for religious activities, charity, and mental meditation. Today is favorable for positive decisions, new endeavors, and stability. The energy of Moola Nakshatra and Shoola Yoga will bring stability and success to your work. Avoid Rahukaal and other inauspicious times and perform important tasks during auspicious times. Overall, this day is one of patience, courage, and fruitful efforts. Tithi: Shukla Tritiya Nakshatra: Mool Karana: Gara Paksha: Shukla-Paksha Yoga: Shool till 12:37:27 PM Day: Sunday Sun & Moon Calculations Sun Rise: 06:59:00 AM Sun Set: 05:55:14 PM Moon Rise: 09:35:21 AM Moon Set: 08:13:48 PM Moon Sign: Sagittarius Ritu: Hemant Hindu Month & Year Shaka Samvat: 1947 Vikram Samvat: 2082 Month Amanta: Mrigashira Month Purnimanta: Mrigashira Inauspicious Timings (Ashubh Muhurat) Rahu Kaal: 04:33:12 PM to 05:55:14 PM Yamaganda: 12:27:06 PM to 01:49:08 PM Gulika Kaal: 03:11:10 PM to 04:33:12 PM Auspicious Timings (Shubh Muhurat) Abhijit: 12:06:00 PM to 12:48:00 PM top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all (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 23, 2025, 05:00 IST News astrology Aaj Ka Panchang, November 23, 2025: Tithi, Vrat, Muhurat And Rahu Kaal Today Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... This Desi Artwork Truck From Punjab Is All Set To Rule The US Streets, Indians Ask Where Can We See It? Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 12:00 IST The clip, now circulating widely on Instagram, shows a massive truck adorned exactly like the ones that rule Indian highways. The truck looks similar to the ones across Punjab and North India. (Photo Credit: Instagram) A colourful slice of India is going viral on social media after a video shows a full-blown desi-style truck being dispatched to the US. The clip, now circulating widely on Instagram, shows a massive truck adorned exactly like the ones that rule Indian highways. The truck is decorated with bold artwork, painted regional symbols, and mesmerising Punjabi swagger, giving it a pure desi charm look. What makes the truck stand out is its mesmerising bodywork. It carries a luxurious and almost royal aesthetic. Recommended Stories The bonnet is in a golden colour which instantly catches the attention. From stickers and borders to the artwork, every inch of the truck looks carefully crafted. The trucks style looks similar to the trucks seen across Punjab and North India. Watch View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kalsi Infra Trailer & Tippers (@kalsi_infra_trailer_tipper) The front part of the truck displays a portrait of Sikhs tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, a common sight on Punjabi trucks but a rare one on American highways. What caught the eye of many viewers is the inscription Guru Rakha", painted in bold Punjabi letters, which translates to God protects." Above the artwork, it is written, Public Carrier." The truck also lists state names on its cabin such as Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. How Did The Social Media Respond? The video quickly went viral, garnering the attention of several users. One person commented, On the streets of America, Tata Legend." Another wrote, Hobbies have no value." One person even asked, Where can I see this truck in the US?" Another guessed that it is probably going to California. One stated, Nobody is going to drive it in US. They are just taking it for some museum piece or demolition Derby." Cant wait Paji. Thank you for doing a great job," commented another. Desi trucks in UK The recent Tata Legend truck headed for the US isnt the first time Indian vehicles have gone viral for their unique style. Earlier, Haider Ali, a globally celebrated truck artist originally from Punjab (now in Pakistan), has carried the tradition of truck art across continents. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Haider Ali visited Birmingham, UK with an aim to transform a nine-seater minibus into a colourful, elaborately decorated Punjabi Truck Art" bus, like the ones commonly seen on roads in India and Pakistan. The project was commissioned by DESIblitz, a UK-based platform promoting South Asian culture. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 12:00 IST News auto This Desi Artwork Truck From Punjab Is All Set To Rule The US Streets, Indians Ask Where Can We See It? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... India's Space Economy Set To Soar To USD 45 Billion, Says Minister Jitendra Singh Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 15:29 IST Indias space economy aims for USD 44-45 billion, driven by reforms and collaborations at IISC 2025 in New Delhi. Union Minister for Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh (File Photo) Indias space economy is projected to touch USD 44-45 billion from USD 8 billion today in the coming decades. Speaking at the 4th edition of the India International Space Conclave (IISC) 2025 in New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Science & Technology and Department of Space, said space is expected to be a significant contributor to Indias economic growth as it advances up the ranks, on the back of space reforms in the last five years. Around 70 % of our space-driven applications are for ease of living and with a focus on the common citizen, which is not the specific attention of many countries that are actively working in the space sector," ANI reported Singh as saying. Recommended Stories Indian Space Association (ISpA), the premier industry association of space and satellite companies in India, in collaboration with ISRO and IN-SPACe, on Tuesday kicked off the 4th edition of the India International Space Conclave (IISC) 2025 in New Delhi. The inaugural session on Day 1 witnessed Chief Guest Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Science & Technology and Department of Space alongside other distinguished leaders including Dr Pawan Goenka, Chairman of IN-SPACe; Takashi Ariyoshi, Minister & Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan to India; H.E. Antonio Bartoli, The Ambassador of Italy to India; Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari (Retd.), former Chief of the Indian Air Force, Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla, Astronaut, ISRO setting a robust agenda for the proceedings. During the inaugural session, Viasat India announced a partnership with BSNL to commercialise Viasats Velaris satellite connectivity solutions for uncrewed aircraft. The technology will support secure BVLOS operations and help power Indias fast-growing low-altitude economy. Novaspace also announced the launch of its India office in Bengaluru to strengthen collaboration with government, industry, and startups, and to expand its global consulting and market-intelligence network. Speaking about the ViasatBSNL partnership, Gautam Sharma, MD, Viasat India, said: We are excited to launch the Velaris solution to support Indias growing low-altitude economy, covering UAVs and advanced air mobility like air ambulances. This connectivity will enable secure command and control for critical operations such as infrastructure monitoring and emergency services. We are also partnering with Indian startups and BSNL to build a strong and innovative ecosystem for this emerging sector." The conclave also featured the release of key publications, including: Valuation and Fundraising in Aerospace Startups: TRL vs MRL Indias Road to Space Industrialisation top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all India DefSpace Symposium 2025 Technical Report ISpASatsure Joint Paper on Agristack Solutions About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, w... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 15:29 IST News business India's Space Economy Set To Soar To USD 45 Billion, Says Minister Jitendra Singh 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... Sensex Rejig: IndiGo To Replace Tata Motors PV From December 22, Four Banks Added To BSE Bankex Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 09:07 IST Interglobe Aviation Ltd will join BSE Sensex, replacing Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd from December 22, 2025. BSE Index Shake-Up: Interglobe In, Tata Motors PV Out Sensex December Rejig: Interglobe Aviation Ltd (IndiGo) will replace Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd (TMPVL) in the benchmark index BSE Sensex from December 22, 2025, as informed by BSE Index Services Private in a circular. Along with that, it announced a fresh reconstitution of several major indices, including BSE 100, Sensex 50, Sensex Next 50 and Bankex, with the changes set to take effect on December 22 and December 26, 2025. The most direct reason for Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd.s exclusion is the demerger of its commercial vehicle (CV) and passenger vehicle (PV) businesses. This split meant that the market capitalization of the new, separated Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. (TMPVL) fell below the threshold required to remain one of the top 30 stocks by Free-Float Market Capitalization in the index. Recommended Stories Under BSE 100, IDFC First Bank will replace Adani Green Energy Ltd. from December 22, 2025. On the same date, Max Healthcare Institute will replace IndusInd Bank. Under BSE Sensex Next 50, IndusInd Bank and IDFC First Bank will be added in exchange of Max Healthcare Institute and Adani Green Energy. From December 26, 2025, BSE Bankex will have four new additions: Canara Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, Punjab National Bank, and Union Bank of India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all BSE Index Services Private Ltd (formerly Asia Index Pvt. Ltd.) is a wholly owned subsidiary of BSE Ltd, Asias oldest stock exchange and home to the iconic SENSEX index a leading indicator of Indian equity market performance. BSE Index Services Pvt. Ltd aims to provide a full array of indices to global / domestic investors and calculates, publishes, and maintains a diverse family of indices. 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 23, 2025, 09:07 IST News business markets Sensex Rejig: IndiGo To Replace Tata Motors PV From December 22, Four Banks Added To BSE Bankex 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... November 30 Deadline Alert: UPS, Life Certificate Among Key Tasks To Finish Before Month-End Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 12:49 IST November 30, 2025 is the deadline for UPS opt-in, Jeevan Pramaan submission, TDS challan-cum-statements, ITR under Section 92E, and Form 3CEAA for international groups. News18 November Deadlines: As we enter the last week of November, several important deadlines are approaching that taxpayers and common citizens should keep in mind. These dates may have both direct and indirect impacts. From submitting the annual life certificate to completing the NPS-to-UPS transfer process, November 30 marks a crucial cutoff for multiple requirements. Lets know these deadlines to be prepared earlier or complete the task: Recommended Stories 1. UPS Deadline The Finance Ministry had announced an extension of the deadline for central government employees to opt for the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) till November 30, 2025. In an official communication to the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Chairman, the Department of Financial Services, under the Finance Ministry, said the cut-off date for opting into the UPS has been extended by two months from the earlier deadline of September 30. Under the UPS, employees contribute 10 per cent of their basic salary and dearness allowance, while the government contributes 18.5 per cent. This is different from the old pension scheme, where employees received 50 per cent of their last basic pay as pension without contributions. 2. Pensioners To Submit DLC Between Nov 1 and Nov 30 Pensioners must submit their life certificate, also known as Jeevan Pramaan, between November 1 and 30 to ensure uninterrupted pension payments. However, senior citizens aged 80 and above can submit their life certificate earlier, starting from October 1, 2025. India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) had introduced the Doorstep Service of Digital Life Certificate in 2020 for generating Jeevan Pramaan for pensioners using Aadhaar enabled biometric authentication to reduce the turnaround time for issuance of Jeevan Pramaan. Getting a digital Life certificate is hassle free and can be obtained through various Jeevan Pramaan Centres which are being operated by CSCs, Banks, Government offices or by using the client application on any PC/mobile/tablet. 3. Certain Tax-Related Deadlines The last date of the month, November 30, 2025, is packed with several high-priority filings: Challan-cum-statements for TDS deducted in October 2025 under Sections 194-IA, 194-IB, 194M, and 194S must be submitted by this date. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Income Tax Return (ITR) filing for Assessment Year 202526 is due for taxpayers required to furnish a report under Section 92E, relating to international or specified domestic transactions. Constituent entities of international groups must also file their Form 3CEAA reports for the accounting year 202425 by this date. 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 23, 2025, 12:49 IST News business November 30 Deadline Alert: UPS, Life Certificate Among Key Tasks To Finish Before Month-End Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... This 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: Haberdoedas Photography from Pexels The Trump administration is making a significant effort to reduce the cost of weight loss drugs. Its agreement with pharmaceutical giants, announced Nov. 6, 2025, will reduce the monthly prices of these medications by hundreds of dollars. For the past 25 years, I have treated people with obesity and have developed and studied treatments for the condition in both adults and adolescents. One major frustration of my work is the fact that evidence-based treatments for obesity are woefully underused These drugs, originally approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, mimic a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 that regulates blood sugar and reduces appetite. In my view, by making GLP-1 drugs more accessible to patients, this agreement represents one of the most significant advances the federal government has made to address obesity, one of the country's most pressing public health issues. However, this reduced price tag alone may not make a meaningful dent in rates of obesity in American adults without additional policy changes. Treating obesity The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 40% of adults in the U.S.more than 70 million peoplehave obesity. Researchers and clinicians generally define obesity based on a measure called body mass index, or BMI, which is the ratio of a person's weight in kilograms to their height in meters, squared. BMI is an imperfect measure, to be sure, but most medical organizations consider a person with a BMI greater than 30 to have obesity. Between television commercials, advertisements on social media and suggestions from family and friends, Americans are bombarded by approaches to losing weight. For many of these approaches, there's little to no evidence showing they successfully help people lose weight. However, extensive and rigorous research supports the use of GLP-1s for treating obesity. Studies show that these medications can reliably help people lose about 15% of their body weight in six to 12 months. There are two other evidence-based approaches. Lifestyle changes, such as consuming fewer calories and increasing physical activity, can help people lose about 5% of their weight in the same period of time. With surgical treatment, now referred to as metabolic and bariatric surgery, patients can achieve a loss of about 30% of their body weight after about 18 months. Which of these treatment approaches is appropriate for a given person depends on their circumstances and is best discussed with their health care provider. But in my experience, too few health care professionals refer their patients to any of these therapies. Addressing the cost barrier According to a November 2025 poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 1 in 8 adults in the U.S. have tried a GLP-1 medication. That may sound like a lot, but given that more than 40% of American adults have obesity, it may not be enough. In clinical trials, people taking GLP-1 drugs to treat obesity generally maintained their weight loss for a year if they stayed on the medication. However, participants in the trials did not have to pay for the medications. Research suggests that more than half of people using the drugs stop taking them after six months, most often because they can't afford them. The federal government's deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk aims to address this barrier. GLP-1 drugs currently cost more than US$1,000 per month for people unable to get them covered by health insuranceand many insurance plans do not. According to the Nov. 6 White House announcement, starting in early 2026, certain GLP-1 drugs covered by the agreement will be available for $350 per month or less through an online marketplace the government plans to launch. Some drugs will be as cheap as $150, according to the announcement. Companies will also drop the amount that Medicare and Medicaid pay for them, and certain Medicare patients would be able to access them with a $50 co-pay. These prices are still in flux, news reports suggest. However, for most Americans, paying even $150 a month for a single medication remains a budget buster. That's especially true given that people from lower socioeconomic groups experience higher rates of obesity and often have other related health conditions that require costly medications. These costs are not temporary. Most patients with obesity and related health problems will likely need to use these medications indefinitely. According to emerging research, people who stop taking them typically regain the weight they lost. Realistically, very few people who take GLP-1 drugs can maintain their weight loss with lifestyle changes alone. Beyond cost The reduced pricing for GLP-1 drugs is an important first step in increasing affordability and access to these treatments. Given that the food environments people live in make it difficult to make healthy choices, I believe that this move will only meaningfully benefit the health of all Americans if it is combined with other policy changes. While several countries have a national plan to prevent and treat obesity, the U.S. does not. Instead, American public health policies are largely set state by state. They often include strategies such as free school meals for children or more robust insurance coverage for treating obesity and related health conditions. However, most such policies are often too narrow to have significant benefits at the population level. Broader policy shifts and legislation targeting obesity prevention could move the needle. For example, research is increasingly showing that ultraprocessed foods play a role in promoting weight gain and potentially other diseases, such as colorectal cancer. Legislators could draw on that research to better regulate these foodsfor example, to limit the use of certain especially harmful ingredients, to restrict marketing of ultraprocessed products, or to limit their inclusion in school meals. Another policy change that may help would be to build more extensive nutrition education into the training that medical students and other health care providers receive. This may better position the next generation of clinicians to help their patients make the healthiest choices to maintain their weight and health. These and other policy changes will be critically important in efforts to reduce the rate of obesity among Americans in the future. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. All Happened In A Flash: 7-Year-Old Killed After Being Hit By Car Driven By Minor In Gurugram Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 10:29 IST Yohan, a 7-year-old, was killed in Gurugrams Maruti KunjKrishan Kunj after a speeding Maruti SX4 driven by a 15-year-old. Yohan, a 7-year-old, was killed in Gurugrams Maruti KunjKrishan Kunj after a speeding Maruti SX4 driven by a 15-year-old hit. (AI Image) A 7-year-old boy, identified as Yohan, was killed on Friday evening in Gurugrams Maruti KunjKrishan Kunj area after a 15-year-old driving a speeding car rammed into him and dragged him for nearly 20 metres, police said. The incident took place around 7 pm, when Yohan, a Class II student and the only son of his parents, was standing with his father, Ashwani Kumar, outside a doctors clinic near their home. Witnesses said the Maruti SX4, driven at high speed down an extremely narrow residential lane, appeared suddenly before hitting the child and carrying him on the bonnet. Recommended Stories Residents said the lane was too narrow for the speed at which the vehicle was travelling. One neighbour recalled, It all happened in a flash. The car was going too fast for a lane as narrow as this. We heard a loud thud and rushed out to see what had happened." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Yohan was the only son of his parents. His father, Ashwani Kumar, works as a building-materials supplier, and his mother is a schoolteacher. His family rushed him to Artemis Hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival. An FIR has been registered at Bhondsi Police Station under sections for causing death by negligence and rash driving. Preliminary investigation revealed that the car was not registered in the name of the minors father, suggesting it may have been a second-hand purchase where registration details were not updated. 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 23, 2025, 10:29 IST News cities All Happened In A Flash: 7-Year-Old Killed After Being Hit By Car Driven By Minor In Gurugram 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 Greater Sacrifice: Nita Ambani Pays Tribute To Martyrs At Global Peace Honours 2025 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 20:15 IST "There can be no greater sacrifice than giving your life for the nation," said Nita Ambani Nita Ambani with Amruta Fadnavis (left) on the stage. Nita Mukesh Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation, paid a heartfelt tribute to the true heroes of India the valiant martyrs and their families as she received the Global Peace Honours 2025. The event at Mumbais Gateway of India on Saturday was in honour of the heroes of 26/11 terror attacks and the families of the victims of the Pahalgam attacks. Recommended Stories The Global Peace Honours 2025 was an initiative by the Divyaj Foundation under the leadership of Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. My greatest inspiration is India and all the people of India. The love, respect and the bonds seen in India cant be seen anywhere in the world. There can be no greater sacrifice than that of those who laid their lives for the nation. Who gave up their today so that India can have a safer tomorrow. To all of them and their families, I bow my head in reverence," Nita Ambani said. In attendance at the event were her husband and Reliance Industries Limited CMD Mukesh Ambani, sons Anant and Akash, and daughters-in-law Shloka and Radhika. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (@nmacc.india) While actor Ranveer Singh announced Nita Ambanis name, Shah Rukh Khan hosted a special tribute dedicated to Indias bravehearts. Khan gave an emotional tribute to the martyrs of 26/11, Pahalgam, and the recent Delhi blasts. His message urging unity, humanity, and pride in Indias brave soldiers quickly went viral, striking a chord across the nation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all CM Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Farhan Akhtar and several other high-profile personalities were among the attendees. The awards acknowledged the acts of extraordinary courage and selfless service. 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 23, 2025, 19:59 IST News mumbai-news No Greater Sacrifice: Nita Ambani Pays Tribute To Martyrs At Global Peace Honours 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... 2 Teachers Working As BLOs Die In Madhya Pradesh; Families Blame SIR Stress Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 06:22 IST The role of a booth-level officer involves rigorous door-to-door verification, distributing forms, collecting updated voter details, and managing online data digitisation Teacher associations and opposition parties have urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to review the workload and implementation timeline of the SIR process. (Representational pic/PTI) A profound sense of concern and grief has swept through the teaching community in Madhya Pradesh following the deaths of two government school teachers, both deployed as booth-level officers (BLOs), within a 24-hour span. The teachers were working under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, an exercise that has drawn some criticism over its immense workload and strict deadlines. Recommended Stories The two deceased BLOs were identified as Ramakant Pandey from the Raisen district and Sitaram Gond (50) from the Damoh district. While district officials claimed the deaths were due to illness", the families and colleagues of the deceased have reportedly alleged that unbearable work pressure and the constant fear of suspension were the primary contributing factors. The family of Ramakant Pandey, who was assigned duty in the Mandideep area of Raisen, claimed he was severely stressed due to the heavy workload, which forced him to work extra hours every night to meet targets. His wife, Rekha Pandey, stated he had not slept for four nights, was receiving constant instructions over the phone to meet deadlines, and feared suspension if the targets were unmet. Pandey reportedly collapsed after attending a late-night online meeting on Thursday. Sitaram Gond, a teacher in Damoh, who was tasked with enumeration duties in Ranjra and Kuda Kudan villages, fell ill on Thursday while filling out enumeration forms. He was rushed for advanced treatment to Jabalpur, where he passed away on Friday night. His colleagues claimed he was under severe pressure, as he had to cover over 1,300 voters but had managed to complete only a fraction of the work. Observers say these tragedies in Madhya Pradesh are part of a worrying pattern being reported across several states where the SIR exercise is underway. Another teacher-cum-BLO in Madhya Pradesh, Bhuvan Singh Chouhan, had reportedly collapsed and died days earlier after being suspended for alleged negligence of duty, with his family also blaming stress related to the SIR. In the Datia district, another BLO allegedly died by suicide earlier in November, with the family citing the same reasonthe inability to cope with the stress of the revision work. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The role of a BLO involves rigorous door-to-door verification, distributing forms, collecting updated voter details, and managing online data digitisation, often adding immense responsibility to the teachers core duties. While district authorities have promised assistance and compassionate appointments to the bereaved families, the multiple fatalities have amplified demands from teacher associations and opposition parties for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to review the workload and implementation timeline of the SIR process to prevent further loss of life. 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 23, 2025, 06:22 IST News india 2 Teachers Working As BLOs Die In Madhya Pradesh; Families Blame SIR Stress 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... 2 Witnesses Identify J&K Separatist Leader Yasin Malik As Shooter In 1990 Attack On IAF Personnel Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 12:03 IST Justice may be delayed, but it will not be denied, said BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya on X, calling it a big breakthrough in the 1990 IAF killings case Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik is lodged in Tihar jail. (PTI File) In a key development in the 1990 Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel killing case, two prime witnesses on Saturday identified jailed Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Yasin Malik as one of the shooters during a hearing at the TADA court in Jammu. They also identified three of his alleged associates. Recommended Stories In a post on X, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Amit Malviya wrote: BIG BREAKTHROUGH in the 1990 IAF Killings Case. A crucial eyewitness and former Indian Air Force staffer has given a decisive statement in court, identifying JKLF chief and terrorist Yasin Malik as the main shooter who opened fire on IAF personnel in Srinagar in 1990 killing four brave Indian Air Force officers in cold blood. For decades, the families of our martyred air warriors have waited for justice. This eyewitness account strengthens the prosecutions case and brings the nation one step closer to holding the perpetrators fully accountable. Justice may be delayed, but it will not be denied." After the identification, the next hearing is scheduled on November 29. The 1990 case On January 25, 1990, four Indian Air Force personnel were killed and dozens were injured in an attack at Rawalpora, on the outskirts of Srinagar. The victims were waiting for a bus to pick them up for duty when terrorists opened fire. Among the dead was Squadron Leader Ravi Khanna. Yasin Malik, leader of the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), is the prime accused. Along with him, six others have been charged Ali Mohammad Mir, Manzoor Ahmad Sofi (alias Mustafa), Javed Ahmed Mir (alias Nalka), Showkat Ahmed Bakshi, Javed Ahmed Zargar, and Rafiq Nanaji" Pahloo. Yasin Malik is lodged in Tihar jail Malik, in September, in an 85-page affidavit submitted before the high court, claimed that he spent nearly three decades as a key figure in a state-sanctioned backchannel" mechanism, working with a succession of prime ministers, intelligence chiefs and even business tycoons to foster peace in Jammu and Kashmir. The JKLF chief is lodged in Tihar jail where he is serving a life term in the case. On May 24, 2022, a trial court sentenced the separatist leader to life imprisonment after holding him guilty for offences under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and IPC. He had pleaded guilty to the charges, including those under the UAPA, and was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. NIA is seeking death penalty The National Investigation Agency (NIA), meanwhile, had on Monday asked the Delhi High Court for in-camera proceedings while hearing the agencys appeal seeking death penalty for Malik in the 2017 terror funding case, in which Malik is an accused. Malik, who appeared through video conferencing from Tihar jail, said he was subjected to psychological torture because of the protracted delay of around three years in deciding the appeal. The bench has posted the matter to January 28 for hearing the arguments. Appealing against the sentence, the NIA emphasised that a terrorist cannot be sentenced life term only because he has pleaded guilty and chosen not to go through trial. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While seeking enhancement of the sentence to death penalty, the agency said if such dreaded terrorists are not given capital punishment on account of pleading guilty, there would be complete erosion of the sentencing policy and terrorists would have a way out to avoid death sentence. With PTI Inputs About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 11:50 IST News india 2 Witnesses Identify J&K Separatist Leader Yasin Malik As Shooter In 1990 Attack On IAF Personnel 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... Anti-Terror Coordination, Digital Innovation: PM Modi Suggests Steps To Boost IBSA Cooperation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 18:12 IST PM Modi held a leaders' meeting of IBSA with Brazil's Lula da Silva and South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa on the margins of the G20 Summit on Sunday. PM Modi with Brazil's Lula da Silva and South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa on the margins of the G20 Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in South Africa for the G20 Summit, held a leaders meeting of IBSA on the margins of the summit with Brazilian President Lula da Silva and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, and offered suggestions to boost cooperation among the three countries. Asserting that IBSA reflects Indias commitment to strengthening the voice of the Global South, PM Modi said on X, IBSA is no ordinary grouping. It is an important platform that connects three continents, three large democratic powers and three major economies." Recommended Stories Ours is a bond that is heartfelt, carrying with it diversity, shared values and shared aspirations. All three IBSA nations have held the G20 Presidency in the last three years and have used this opportunity to further the human centric agenda," he added. During the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, President Lula of Brazil, President Ramaphosa of South Africa and I held a leaders meeting of IBSA, a forum which reflects our enduring commitment to strengthening the voice and aspirations of the Global South. IBSA is no ordinary grouping. pic.twitter.com/s2oKfEEYXN Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 23, 2025 From Anti-Terror Coordination To Digital Innovation Alliance Prime Minister Modi highlighted a few suggestions to deepen IBSA cooperation, such as a unified message to the world that institutional reform is no longer optional, but essential. It is a reality that global institutions are far removed from the realities of the 21st century. This has to change," he said. The PM also suggested close coordination among the partners in the fight against terror, without any room for double standards on the issue. He also suggested the creation of an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance that will facilitate the sharing of Digital Public Infrastructure like UPI, health platforms like CoWIN, cybersecurity frameworks and women-led tech initiatives among the three countries. Modi also suggested an IBSA fund for climate-resilient agriculture, citing its importance for food security and sustainability. He also appreciated the IBSA Funds work in supporting projects across 40 countries in sectors like education, health, women empowerment and solar energy. Addressing the IBSA Summit, PM Modi said that the group can provide a message of unity, cooperation, and humanity at a time when the world appears fragmented and divided. He also proposed institutionalising the IBSA NSA-level meeting to strengthen security cooperation among the three countries. The Prime Minister said IBSA was not just a group of three countries but an important platform connecting three continents, three major democratic nations, and three major economies. He also invited IBSA leaders to the AI Impact Summit to be held in India next year, even as he emphasised the groupings potential to contribute to the development of safe, trustworthy and human-centric AI norms. PM Modi At G20 Summit PM Modi arrived in South Africa on Friday to attend the G20 Summit. He has held talks with several leaders and suggested a range of measures at the summit to boost global development initiatives. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On Saturday, he met his British counterpart Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Brazilian President Lula da Silva and several other world leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here and discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interests. He also met Ramaphosa for a bilateral meeting on Sunday. 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." Modi also met Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco and said he had the honour of welcoming him to Delhi earlier this year. 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 23, 2025, 17:23 IST News india Anti-Terror Coordination, Digital Innovation: PM Modi Suggests Steps To Boost IBSA Cooperation Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bengaluru Firms 4 Employees Kidnapped; Gang Demands 19 Lakh Ransom, 8 Arrested Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 12:11 IST Four Global Telecom Connect Pvt Ltd employees were kidnapped in Bengalurus Koramangala for 18.9 lakh ransom. Four Global Telecom Connect Pvt Ltd employees were kidnapped in Bengalurus Koramangala for 18.9 lakh ransom. (AI Image) Four senior employees of a private firm in Bengaluru were kidnapped in broad daylight on Saturday morning, and a ransom of 18.9 lakh was demanded, the citys police said. The victims work for the BPO company Global Telecom Connect Pvt Ltd, located in Bengalurus Koramangala area. Police arrested eight suspects and seized two cars used in the crime: a Toyota Innova and a Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. Recommended Stories According to the South-East Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sarah Fathima, the kidnappers misled the employees by claiming police were waiting outside their office building. Under that ruse, they led them downstairs and abducted them. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The perpetrators instructed one of the victims to transfer part of the ransom into relatives bank accounts and also demanded cash payment. The incident was triggered when a 112" emergency call alerted the police; teams were dispatched, the vehicles located, and suspects apprehended. A case of kidnapping for ransom has been registered, and further investigation is ongoing. 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 23, 2025, 12:11 IST News india Bengaluru Firms 4 Employees Kidnapped; Gang Demands 19 Lakh Ransom, 8 Arrested Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... BJP Flags High Muslim Students Intake At Vaishno Devi College, Seeks Review Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 11:49 IST BJP leaders met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday and submitted a memorandum seeking a review of admission norms and corrective measures. BJP Seeks Review of MBBS Admissions at Vaishno Devi Medical Institute After Protests The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formally raised objections to the admission of Muslim students to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), days after right-wing groups staged street demonstrations in Reasi district. A delegation led by Sunil Sharma, Leader of Opposition in the J&K Assembly, met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday and submitted a memorandum seeking a review of admission norms and corrective measures". Recommended Stories What led to the protest? The controversy began after the institute released its first MBBS seat-allocation list for the 2025-26 academic year, which showed 42 Muslim students among the first batch of 50. Several Hindu organisations argued that an institution funded by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board should prioritise Hindu representation. They demanded that the institute be declared a minority institution to permit community-based reservations. BJP MLA from Udhampur, RS Pathania, echoed these concerns, stating that institutions created from the devotion and offerings" of shrine pilgrims must reflect the temples ethos. He called for amendments to the Shrine Board Act and University Act. Protests intensified earlier in the week as members of the Yuva Rajput Sabha, Rashtriya Bajrang Dal and Movement Kalki marched towards the university campus, forcing open a gate before being stopped by police. Protest leaders claimed that only seven Hindus and one Sikh were admitted, calling the distribution unacceptable" and urging a fresh admission round. What shrine board said? SMVDIME officials maintained that all admissions were strictly merit-based, conducted through NEET, the national medical entrance examination. They emphasised that the institute does not have minority status and therefore cannot legally implement religious reservation. The institute, sanctioned 50 MBBS seats this year, is fully funded by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Protesters argued that donations made by Hindu devotees should translate into preferential admissions for the Hindu community. They warned they would intensify their agitation if the Shrine Board chairperson, Lt Governor Sinha, did not intervene. Political reactions As the controversy deepened, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference leader Sajad Lone sharply criticised what he described as an attempt to communalise medical education. Calling the uproar a stretch", he stressed that NEET is an all-India examination designed to select the finest brains" in the country. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Lone warned that politicising admissions undermines decades of scientific progress. Medical science needs researchers, not religious zealots," he said, urging India to focus on innovation, global collaboration and strengthening its research culture. He lamented that political interference in a domain as crucial as medicine threatens to derail the countrys aspirations in scientific advancement. About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 11:49 IST News india BJP Flags High Muslim Students Intake At Vaishno Devi College, Seeks Review 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... Jamiat Chief Says 'Govt Ensuring Muslims Never Raise Heads' Amid Delhi Blast Probe, BJP Hits Back Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 09:11 IST BJP slammed Maulana Madani for alleging bias against Muslims; Congress supported him. The debate mentions Azam Khan, Al-Falah University, and others. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani. (Image: PTI) The BJP on Sunday strongly criticised Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani for his remarks alleging discrimination against Muslims in India, terming his statements confusing" and misleading" at a time when the Delhi blast probe is underway. BJP leader Yaser Jilani said Madanis comments ignored the inclusive efforts of the Central government and instead sought to create unnecessary confusion" among the community. Recommended Stories There cannot be a better place for Muslims than India, nor a better big brother than the Hindus," Jilani said, responding to Madanis claim that the government was ensuring Muslims never raise their heads." Pointing to contradictions in Madanis speech, Jilani said, On one hand, he says the condition of Muslims in the world is not good, and on the other, he talks about Zohran Mamdani becoming Mayor-elect of New York. He also mentioned London Mayor Sadiq Khan and referred to Azam Khan and Al-Falah University." Jilani further asserted that the cases involving Azam Khan and the owner of Al-Falah University were rooted in legal violations. The owner of Al-Falah University is a perpetrator, and Azam Khan is also involved in various offences. The Central government is taking everyone along. He should not create confusion among the people of the nation," he said. Madani had earlier claimed that Muslims were being targeted in India and cited examples of leaders abroad rising to top positions, adding that those who attain such roles in India end up in jail. The world thinks that Muslims have become helpless, finished, and barren. I dont believe so. Today, a Muslim Mamdani can become mayor of New York, a Khan can become mayor of London, whereas in India, no one can even become a university vice-chancellor. And even if someone does, they will be sent to jail, like Azam Khan. Look at what is happening today in Al-Falah. The government is working relentlessly to ensure that Muslims never raise their heads," he had said. His remarks have triggered political reactions, with the BJP accusing him of attempting to stoke fear and division. BJP leader Mohsin Raza alleged that Madani and his family have looted the countrys Muslims and played blame-game politics. This has been their dual character for a very long time. They kept receiving grants in the name of Muslim minorities for years but did nothing for them." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, the Congress backed Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madanis sharp remarks on the condition of Muslims in India, with party leader Udit Raj endorsing his concerns and accusing the government of discrimination. I support his statement. I agree that someone has done terrorist activity in the Al-Falah University, but the university should not be targeted. Why are homes of Muslims being bulldozed? America is great, as there is no discrimination there," he said. First Published: November 23, 2025, 07:51 IST News india Jamiat Chief Says 'Govt Ensuring Muslims Never Raise Heads' Amid Delhi Blast Probe, BJP Hits Back 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... CJI-Designate Surya Kant Calls For 'Swadeshi Jurisprudence, Inclusivity | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Edited By: News Desk Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 17:44 IST Justice Surya Kant called for swadeshi jurisprudence to transform the Indian judiciary from colonial legacy. He is set to take oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on Monday. Justice Surya Kant is set to take oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on Monday. (PTI/File) Chief Justice of India (CJI)-designate Justice Surya Kant on Saturday called for swadeshi jurisprudence for developing the Indian legal framework. In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, Justice Kant said a multi-pronged approach" is required to transform the Indian judiciary from a colonial legacy to a more authentically Indian institution. Responding to a question related to shift from the classic colonial court to a more Indian one, CJI-designate said, Transforming the Indian judiciary from a colonial legacy to a more authentically Indian institution requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses structural, procedural, and cultural aspects of the legal system. Everything from court proceedings to various statutes were all designed for a colonial context. Revising and indigenising these policies to reflect contemporary Indian society and values is crucial." Recommended Stories He further emphasised on prioritising inclusivity and reducing technical barriers to make justice more approachable. Colonial courts were designed to serve imperial interests, often alienating the public. Streamlining processes, reducing technical barriers, and providing digital access can make justice more approachable. A truly Indian judiciary must prioritise inclusivity, ensuring that rural citizens can navigate the system without intimidation," he said. Cultural approaches emphasising reconciliation and harmony should complement the adversarial system inherited from the British Raj." Furthermore, Jutice Kant said streamlining the judicial appointments and time-bound case disposal would counter colonial-era opacity and delay. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In essence, transforming Indias judiciary into a truly Indian system requires blending modern efficiency with indigenous accessibility and cultural relevance. This shift will ensure that justice is not only delivered but also felt as part of Indias social fabric," he told CNN-News18. Justice Surya Kant will take oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on Monday. He has been a part of several landmark verdicts and orders on abrogation of Article 370 removing Jammu and Kashmirs special status, Bihar electoral rolls revision and Pegasus spyware case, among others. First Published: November 23, 2025, 17:05 IST News india CJI-Designate Surya Kant Calls For 'Swadeshi Jurisprudence, Inclusivity | 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... Delhi Blast Probe: How Accused Doctors Raised Rs 26 Lakh, Built Chemical Supply Chain Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 07:40 IST Investigators have found that this group of radicalised doctors spent nearly two years acquiring explosives and remote-triggering devices for the terror plot. (From L-R): Dr Muzammil, Adeel Ahmad Rather, Dr Shaheen Saeed and Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay. Investigators probing the white-collar terrorism angle in the Delhi Red Fort blast case have uncovered a disturbing financial and operational trail involving a network of educated professionals. According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the group of doctors allegedly raised Rs 26 lakh to finance a conspiracy aimed at executing coordinated terror attacks across multiple Indian cities. One of the key accused, Muzammil Ganaie, is said to have detailed during interrogation how the fund was pooled over time. Ganaie reportedly contributed Rs 5 lakh, while Adeel Ahmad Rather and his brother Muzaffar Ahmad Rather allegedly added Rs 8 lakh and Rs 6 lakh respectively. Another doctor, Shaheen Shahid, is believed to have provided Rs 5 lakh, with Dr Umar Un-Nabi Mohammad contributing Rs 2 lakh. Recommended Stories Officials stated that the entire fund was handed over to Umar, hinting at a central role in the procurement and execution phases. Investigators have found that this group spent nearly two years acquiring explosives and remote-triggering devices, indicating meticulous planning. They were not building explosives overnight; this was a methodical operation," an NIA official told HT. Procurement of ammonium nitrate and urea Ganaie is also accused of procuring 26 quintals of NPK fertiliser from Gurugram and Nuh for around Rs 3 lakh. This fertiliser, along with stockpiled ammonium nitrate and urea, was allegedly converted into explosive material under the supervision of Umar, who is believed to have overseen the technical aspects of the plot. Umar is also accused of arranging remote detonators and electronic circuitry, pointing to a clear division of responsibilities within the module. Umar handled the technical part, while others focused on funding and logistics," an investigator noted. So far, three doctors Ganaie, Shahid and Adeel Rather have been arrested. Muzaffar Rather, suspected to be part of the same network, is believed to be in Afghanistan, complicating efforts to bring him into custody. Authorities are also searching for Nissar ul-Hassan, a colleague of the accused at Al-Falah Medical College, where several of the suspects worked together. Umar, meanwhile, is accused of detonating the explosive cache in a Hyundai i20 near Red Fort on 10 November, narrowly evading security forces after the blast. What is NIA doing? According to NIA officials, the alleged confession has helped connect several previously isolated leads. The large quantities of recovered materials have strengthened suspicions of plans for serial blasts, not merely a one-off attack. The stockpile they amassed cannot be used for a single explosion," an officer told HT. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Officials emphasised that a confession becomes legally valid only when made before a magistrate. The agency is now focusing on tracing upstream suppliers, examining whether the accused misused their professional credentials, and uncovering the full extent of the network. It appears to be a deeply embedded module operating under academic cover. The aim now is to uncover every node," an officer added. About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 07:04 IST News india Delhi Blast Probe: How Accused Doctors Raised Rs 26 Lakh, Built Chemical Supply Chain Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... This 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 If the NHS recommended it, would people test their own hearing at home and use self-fitting hearing aids? A survey of over 2,000 adults found that nine in every ten said yes, they'd be willing to test their own hearing. Most also said they'd try a hearing aid sent by the NHSeither ready programmed or requiring them to set it up themselves. Currently, the NHS route involves GPs referring patients for a face-to-face appointment with an audiologist in an NHS hospital, community setting, or increasingly on the high street. But waiting times are long, and services are struggling to meet demand despite staff working hard to help. Hearing loss is the most common sensory impairment. One in every four adults has a measurable hearing loss, and this increases with age: 40% of people over 40, 50% over 50, and 60% over 60. With an aging population, these numbers will only grow. Waiting times reveal how well a health system works. They offer an opportunity to trigger changes that make health services more responsive and put patients first. Ministers are encouraging people to monitor their own health and want the NHS to use more digital technology and provide care closer to home. The ten-year health plan for England focuses on three big shifts in health care: hospital to home, analog to digital, and sickness to prevention. As part of the plan, the NHS is examining wearable and other monitoring technologies, including direct-to-consumer hearing aids, to support these shifts. The survey findings suggest that many adults would welcome this approach. Various apps and online tests already allow people to assess their hearing at home using smartphones or tablets with regular earphones. However, these vary in quality, and researchers haven't properly evaluated all of them. There are also direct-to-consumer hearing aids, sometimes called over-the-counter devices. High-quality large-scale studies are needed to assess how well they work. Beyond relieving pressure on existing NHS services, home testing could offer patients greater choice, more convenience, immediate results without waiting for appointments, and reduce the medical stigma around hearing loss. It might encourage younger people to seek help when their hearing loss is less severe. However, the survey revealed genuine concerns that need addressing. People worry about trusting test results and feeling confident they've done the testing properly without face-to-face support. While these self-administered at-home digital solutions work for many people, they won't suit everyone. Relying solely on digital solutions could unintentionally increase inequality. People's ability to use digital solutions is linked to age and education level. This might explain why the survey found that older adults and those who didn't pursue education after secondary school were less willing to test their hearing at home. Some people may be willing to try a self-administered at-home solution but need to switch to the traditional face-to-face method if they run into problems. Either way, solutions are needed for the lack of professional support and oversight that comes with self-administered home testing. Some experts worry that bypassing a hearing professional might create risks for people with ear disease requiring medical intervention. Another common issue is impacted earwax, which can affect hearing or prevent hearing aids from working properly. However, it's unclear what proportion of adults seeking help for hearing difficulty actually have earwax that needs removing. Before rolling these findings out into practice, researchers need to check whether the survey results translate into reality and whether the benefits and outcomes match what is currently in place. In the meantime, the survey suggests that offering a range of options could relieve some pressure on the NHS and make it more sustainable. This would free audiologists to spend their valuable time and resources with the people who need them most. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Delhi Bomber Distanced Himself From Al Qaeda-Aligned Co-Accused: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 13:06 IST Beyond ideology, disputes over funding reportedly deepened internal rifts. The module had pooled nearly Rs 26 lakh for explosives and logistics. Umar-un-Nabi, the suicide bomber behind the deadly Red Fort attack on November 10. A deep ideological divide within the terror module behind the November 10 Delhi car blast has come to light, with the alleged bomber, Umar-un-Nabi, distancing himself from co-conspirators due to conflicting extremist beliefs. According to an NDTV report, Umar, who drove the Hyundai i20 that exploded near the Red Fort, even skipped the wedding of fellow accused Adeel Ahmed Rather over disagreements linked to ideology, operational methods and finances. Recommended Stories ISIS vs al-Qaeda Investigators say Umar-un-Nabi, a Kashmiri doctor associated with Al-Falah University in Haryanas Faridabad, subscribed to the ideology of the Islamic State (ISIS). In contrast, the other members of the module were aligned with al-Qaeda-backed groups, including Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Though both terror outfits trace their origins to Salafism and violent jihad, their worldviews differ sharply, particularly regarding sectarian violence, global vs regional priorities, and the roadmap to establishing a caliphate. This ideological difference reportedly created tension within the group, leading Umar, described as the most radicalised" among the cell, to skip Adeels wedding in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year. Despite the friction, Umar later travelled to Qazigund in October to repair ties and align the groups plans for multiple coordinated blasts, as per reports. Disputes over finances Beyond ideology, disputes over funding reportedly deepened internal rifts. The module had pooled nearly Rs 26 lakh for explosives and logistics. Umar was allegedly displeased when asked to provide a detailed expenditure account. According to investigators, Umar contributed Rs 2 lakh, Adeel Ahmed Rather contributed Rs 8 lakh, Shaheen Saeed and Muzammil Shakeel provided Rs 5 lakh each. Adeels brother, Muzaffar Ahmed Rather, now believed to have fled India, added Rs 6 lakh. These disagreements extended to the method of attack, with Umar insisting on a more dramatic operational approach. How the attack unfolded? The blast on 10 November killed 14 people and injured several others near the Red Fort Metro Station. Umar originally intended to detonate the car bomb inside the Red Fort parking area, a bustling location near popular markets. However, he reportedly panicked after learning that co-accused Shaheen Saeed and Muzammil Shakeel had been arrested earlier that day in connection with the wider white-collar" terror module. When he arrived at the Red Fort, he found it shut due to Monday closures and noticed the absence of crowds. After waiting inside the parking area for nearly three hours, Umar drove out and triggered the explosion near a traffic signal outside the Metro station. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Just hours before the blast, Jammu and Kashmir Police announced that it had cracked an interstate and transnational terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. Police also seized 2,900 kg of explosive material, including ammonium nitrate, which investigators believe was used in the Delhi blast. With ideological fractures, financing disputes and a failed original plan now emerging, the probe into the Red Fort blast continues to widen. About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 13:06 IST News india Delhi Bomber Distanced Himself From Al Qaeda-Aligned Co-Accused: 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... From Hisar To CJI Chair: Justice Surya Kant Lists Priorities, Plans Ahead Of Swearing-In | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 17:36 IST Justice Surya Kant will on Monday take oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. He will succeed Justice B R Gavai Justice Surya Kant has been part of several landmark verdicts and orders on abrogation of Article 370 removing Jammu and Kashmir's special status. (PTI File) Justice Surya Kant, who has been part of several landmark verdicts and orders on abrogation of Article 370 removing Jammu and Kashmirs special status, Bihar electoral rolls revision and Pegasus spyware case, will on Monday take oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. He will succeed Justice B R Gavai. Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar district of Haryana to a middle-class family, Justice Kant went from being a small-town lawyer to the countrys highest judicial office, where he has been part of several verdicts and orders of national importance and constitutional matters. Recommended Stories In an exclusive interview with News18, the CJI-designate said that sitting in a position of influence today is not just a personal achievement". It is a testament to the faith that my predecessors have placed in me and to the possibilities that our democracy offers. It is both humbling and inspiring to know that my journey reflects the bridge between grassroots realities and national responsibilities," he said, adding that he hopes to create opportunities for those who continue to walk the path he once did. He will demit office on February 9, 2027, on attaining the age of 65 years. Edited excerpts from the interview: How do you feel adorning one of the highest chairs in Delhi after rising from the streets and farmlands of Hisar? Adorning one of the highest seats of duties in Delhi after rising from the humble streets and farmlands of Hisar fills me with a profound sense of gratitude and responsibility. Sitting in a position of influence today is not just a personal achievement; it is a testament to the faith that my predecessors have placed in me and to the possibilities that our democracy offers. It is both humbling and inspiring to know that my journey reflects the bridge between grassroots realities and national responsibilities. Amid pendency, how do you plan to tackle the shortage on the bench, especially in the lower judiciary and High Courts? A collaborative structure, in association with High Courts and other stakeholders, is being evolved to hammer pendency. Mediation at all levels will be the most efficient mechanism. With Swadeshi interpretation being the tone set through the recent judgment on Governors, are we hoping to see a shift from the classic colonial court to a more Indian one? Transforming the Indian judiciary from a colonial legacy to a more authentically Indian institution requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses structural, procedural, and cultural aspects of the legal system. Everything from court proceedings to various statutes were designed for a colonial context. Revising and indigenising these policies to reflect contemporary Indian society and values is crucial. Colonial courts were designed to serve imperial interests, often alienating the public. Streamlining processes, reducing technical barriers, and providing digital access can make justice more approachable. A truly Indian judiciary must prioritise inclusivity, ensuring that rural citizens can navigate the system without intimidation. Cultural approaches emphasising reconciliation and harmony should complement the adversarial system inherited from the British Raj. Streamlined judicial appointments and time-bound case disposal would counter colonial-era opacity and delay. In essence, transforming Indias judiciary into a truly Indian system requires blending modern efficiency with indigenous accessibility and cultural relevance. This shift will ensure that justice is not only delivered but also felt as part of Indias social fabric. Whats that one quality that would be unique during your tenure as the CJI? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Growing up amid the simplicity of rural life has taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and community. Those early experiences, from tilling the land to walking through dusty lanes, shaped my understanding of the struggles and aspirations of ordinary people. The unique quality thats evident from my entire judicial career is that each decision Ive taken is guided by the memory of where I come from and the hope of creating opportunities for those who continue to walk the path I once did. 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 23, 2025, 17:30 IST News india From Hisar To CJI Chair: Justice Surya Kant Lists Priorities, Plans Ahead Of Swearing-In | 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... Huge Cache Of Explosives Found Near Uttarakhand School; Almora Police Launch Probe Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 09:05 IST A major security scare erupted in Uttarakhand after police recovered 161 gelatin sticks near a school in Almora, prompting a detailed investigation. 161 Gelatin Sticks Found Near Uttarakhand School (Representative Image) As the country continues to grapple with the shock of the Delhi Red Fort blast, security concerns have deepened further after Almora Police recovered a substantial quantity of highly explosive gelatin sticks near a school in Uttarakhand. The discovery has prompted heightened vigilance and a multi-agency investigation in the region. What do we know about the explosives? Recommended Stories According to Almora Police, 161 gelatin sticks weighing over 20 kg were recovered from bushes near the Government Higher Secondary School in Dabara village, located in the Sult area. The recovery comes just days after nearly 3,000 kg of explosives were seized in Haryana in connection with the ongoing Delhi blast probe. The incident came to light when the schools principal, Subhash Singh, spotted suspicious packets in the bushes and alerted local authorities. Two police teams rushed to the spot, cordoning off the area and calling in the bomb disposal squad and dog units from Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital districts. Canine teams conducted extensive searches around the school campus and surrounding fields, locating multiple packets of gelatin sticks, some hidden as far as 20 feet from the initial location. Police file FIR, launch multi-team probe Almora Senior Superintendent of Police Devendra Pincha confirmed the recovery and assured that swift action was underway. Around 161 gelatin sticks were found near the school. The BDS team conducted an inquiry and searched the entire area. An FIR has been registered under appropriate sections, and further action is ongoing," SSP Pincha stated. He added that gelatin sticks are normally used in road construction and rock blasting, but an investigation is being conducted to determine how and why such a large cache ended up near a school. A case has been lodged against unknown individuals under Section 4(a) of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and Section 288 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). The seized explosive packets have been safely sealed and secured. Four specialised police teams have been formed to identify the source, transportation route, and intended use of the gelatin sticks. Nationwide alert The discovery has heightened concerns within security agencies, especially after major explosive hauls in recent weeks. Sources have indicated that certain terror modules may have been planning coordinated serial blasts across major cities, prompting searches in multiple states. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all With tensions already running high after the Delhi Red Fort blast, authorities are treating the Almora seizure as a potentially significant lead in uncovering a wider network of illicit explosives distribution. Meanwhile, the investigation continues. About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 08:55 IST News india Huge Cache Of Explosives Found Near Uttarakhand School; Almora Police Launch Probe Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Indian Navys Swift, Credible Ops Saved 520 Lives Amid Rising Piracy: India To UN Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 12:53 IST India's UN Envoy highlighted the Indian Navys vital role in maritime safety, saving 520 lives and escorting 367 vessels amid rising piracy. Indian Navy (Image for representation: News18) At a United Nations Security Council session on maritime safety, Indias Permanent Representative Parvathaneni Harish underscored the Indian Navys expanding role in safeguarding global sea lanes amid a surge in piracy and attacks across the Western Arabian Sea. Speaking during a debate on Maritime Safety and Security: Protection of Seafarers," co-hosted by Greece, the Philippines, Denmark, Japan, Panama and Romania, Harish detailed the scale of Indias naval response over the past two years. Recommended Stories In response to shipping attacks and rising incidents of piracy in the Western Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy has deployed over 35 ships, carried out more than 1,000 boarding operations and responded to over 35 distress incidents," he said. Harish noted that the Navys high-risk missions have proved critical in saving lives beyond national boundaries. The credible and swift actions of the Indian Navy have saved more than 520 lives, irrespective of nationality," he said. Since November 2023, the Navy has escorted 367 merchant vessels carrying 14.7 million metric tonnes of cargo valued at over $6.3 billion, he added. The discussion unfolded amid escalating threats to maritime trafficfrom Houthi attacks in the Red Sea to a resurgence of piracy off the Somalia coastputting vital shipping routes and thousands of seafarers under strain. Harish also highlighted the growing impact of the Information Fusion CentreIndian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), which facilitates real-time intelligence sharing among partner nations, strengthening coordinated responses at sea. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Showcasing Indias evolving maritime priorities, he spoke about the Sagar Mein Samman initiative launched under Maritime India Vision 2030, which focuses on the safety and inclusion of women in the maritime sector, including the deployment of an all-women ship crew. Reaffirming Indias commitment to global cooperation, Harish said,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," linking the effort to the broader MAHASAGAR visionMutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. 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 : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: November 23, 2025, 12:38 IST News india Indian Navys Swift, Credible Ops Saved 520 Lives Amid Rising Piracy: India To UN 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... Madhya Pradesh: Disabled Man Beaten, Urinated On By Relatives; 2 Arrested Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 13:10 IST Rajkumar Lovanshi and Govind Lovanshi assaulted and urinated on a disabled relative, sparking outrage. Rajkumar Lovanshi and Govind Lovanshi assaulted and urinated on a disabled relative, sparking outrage. (AI Image) A harrowing incident in Bhopal, adjacent to Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, saw a man with a disability brutally assaulted and urinated upon by his own relatives, in a video that quickly circulated online and sparked widespread outrage. The 37-second clip, filmed near a petrol pump, shows the victim being physically beaten and urinated on while several bystanders watch and record the scene without intervening. Recommended Stories According to the police, the accused identified as Rajkumar Lovanshi and Govind Lovanshi were arrested the following day after the video went viral. Investigators say the victim and the accused had been returning home after selling paddy and consuming alcohol. A dispute broke out, leading to the assault. One of the accused climbed onto the victim and urinated on him while the other pulled at him, police said. Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sheela Surana confirmed the arrests and stated that the police had taken suo motu cognisance following the viral video. The incident has ignited political fury, with Jitu Patwari, the state Congress chief, claiming law and order in Madhya Pradesh has collapsed and demanding accountability from the home department. He cited a series of previous incidents where Dalits were reportedly urinated on, alleging a pattern of caste-based violence. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Local activists and rights organisations have also called for a full investigation and appropriate action under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and related provisions, given the victims vulnerability and the nature of the assault. 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 : Bhopal, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 13:09 IST News india Madhya Pradesh: Disabled Man Beaten, Urinated On By Relatives; 2 Arrested Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Man Allegedly Kills Wife, Two Children Before Ending Life In Jharkhands Dumka Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 12:30 IST A couple and their two children were found dead in Bardahi village, Dumka. Police suspect murder suicide after a family argument and illness of the man. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Varun believed that she was the person he was destined to marry and had been pressing the family to accept the proposal. (Image: Representative) In a tragic inciden, a couple and their two children were found dead in Jhakhands Dumka district on Sunday morning, police said. According to the police, the incident took place in Bardahi village under the Hansdiha police station limits, PTI news agency reported. Recommended Stories Hansdiha police station officer in-charge Tarachand said that the deceased have been identified as Virendra Manjhi (30), his wife Aarti Kumari (26), their daughter Ruhi Kumari (4), and son Viraj Kumar (2). The officer in charge said four bodies were recovered from the house, adding that preliminary investigations indicate the man killed his wife and children before taking his own life. Preliminary investigation suggests that the man allegedly strangled his wife and two children before hanging himself. Our investigation is underway," PTI quoted Tarachand as saying. The officer further informed that while the woman and two children were found inside their home, the man was found dead outside their house. The bodies of the four victims have been sent to Phulo-Jhano Medical College and Hospital in Dumka for post-mortem. While the reports are awaited, police are investigating the case from all possible angles. Reportedly, the man killed his wife and children at night and then committed suicide. In the morning, the villagers informed the police about the incident after which the bodies of the wife and two children were found inside a room in the house, Dainik Jagran reported. According to Virendras father Manoj Manjhi, Virendras wife and children had returned from his in-laws house a day before the incident, and the couples younger son Viraj had been sick for a few days. Virendra was scheduled to visit a doctor regarding his two-year-old sons treatment. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Manoj further said that an argument had taken place between the couple, who had been married for six years, on Saturday night before they went to sleep. (With inputs from PTI) Location : Dumka, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 12:30 IST News india Man Allegedly Kills Wife, Two Children Before Ending Life In Jharkhands Dumka 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... IAF Pilot Namansh Syals Mortal Remains Reach His Native Village In Himachals Kangra For Last Rites Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 15:04 IST IAF pilot Namansh Syal is survived by his father, mother, wife, who is also serving in the Air Force, and their six-year-old daughter The single-engine light weight aircraft crashed around 3.40 pm IST after Syal had flown across the site during the demonstration flight. (PTI) The mortal remains of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who lost his life in the LCA Tejas crash in Dubai, were on Sunday brought to Himachal Pradeshs village Patiyalkar in Kangra for the last rites. Scores of villagers, IAF and Army officials reached the village to give farewell to the hero. Recommended Stories The single-engine light weight aircraft crashed around 3.40 pm IST after Syal had flown across the site during the demonstration flight. The aerial display of Tejas was scheduled to last eight minutes. Wing Commander Syals body was first flown to Sulur Air Force Station, near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. The Coimbatore District Collector, Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, paid tribute by laying a wreath at the base, as IAF personnel and local officials honoured the pilot. Syal is survived by his father, mother, wife, who is also serving in the Air Force, and their six-year-old daughter. Syal and his wife met during their first posting in Pathankot, and later got married in 2014. For the people of Patiyalkar, a sleepy village in Himachal Pradeshs Kangra district, Syal, who was in his mid-30s, was an outstanding athlete distinguished by his dedication to the country, who even set an example in death by diverting the aircraft to save thousands present at the mega air show". #WATCH | Himachal Pradesh | The mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal brought to his native village, Patiyalkar, in Kangra.He lost his life in the LCA Tejas crash in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/JlXgIgYc0x ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2025 Since early Saturday, heart-wrenching scenes have been witnessed at the Syal household in the Nagrota Bagwan area, with villagers trying to console the wailing family members mourning a life lost too soon. Jogindernath Syal, Namanshs uncle, told PTI 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. We have made all arrangements for the cremation," he said. Jogindernath came to know about the crash on Friday afternoon after Namanshs father, who was not at home at the time, called him and asked if he had any information about the incident. My wife rushed to their tenant, who works in Qatar and had come to the village on a holiday. After scanning the latest news on the internet, he confirmed that it was Namansh who was flying the jet that crashed. I immediately contacted my brother to give him the tragic news. Initially, he did not believe what I said, and came to terms with reality only after I told him that it was confirmed information," he said. #WATCH | Himachal Pradesh | The mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal brought to Kangra airport. He lost his life in the LCA Tejas crash in Dubai.Wing Commander Namansh Syals family members, including his wife, Wing Commander Afshan, were also present. pic.twitter.com/YLSvk6mvWg ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2025 As soon as I came to know about the crash, I contacted Namanshs family members. Initially, we thought he was injured. Sadly, we were wrong A promising career came to an abrupt end," Nagrota Bagwan SDM Manish Kumar Sharma said. Namanshs alma mater, the Sainik School at Sujanpur Tira in neighbouring Hamirpur district, is also struggling to come to terms with the tragic passing of one of its illustrious alumni. On Saturday, a special prayer meeting was held at the school during which principal Rachna Joshi and other teachers fondly remembered their former student. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Rakesh Rana, a staff member, said Syal was the captain of Chenab House. He also remembered the roll number 1906 of Namansh, who was as part of the schools 21st batch that passed out in 2005. Many alumni of the school also shared photos and messages remembering their former schoolmate. Pankaj Chadha, former president of the Sainik School Sujanpur Old Boys Association, said Namansh brought glory to the country, and his martyrdom will always be remembered. With PTI, ANI Inputs About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 14:10 IST News india IAF Pilot Namansh Syals Mortal Remains Reach His Native Village In Himachals Kangra For Last Rites 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... My Decisions Will Be Rooted In Rural India: Justice Surya Kant Ahead Of Taking Charge As Next CJI | Exclusive Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Anushka Vats Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 16:43 IST Justice Surya Kant also spoke about reforming the judicial process through a blend of cultural understanding and modern efficiency. File photo of Justice Surya Kant. (PTI) Justice Surya Kant, who is set to take charge as the next Chief Justice of India, outlined his vision for a judiciary that is more transparent, more efficient, and more accessible to ordinary citizens. Speaking to CNN-News18 on Sunday, he said his leadership would remain grounded in the realities faced by people from small towns and villages. Reflecting on what will define his term as CJI, Justice Surya Kant said his decisions would remain connected to his roots. Recommended Stories My USP as CJI would be that all my decisions will be rooted in rural India and my humble begining." Justice Surya Kant described his rise to the countrys top judicial office as an example of what Indias democracy makes possible. He said, My adoning the highest chair in Indian judiciary testament to oppurtinity democracy offers." A major part of his vision focuses on making the system easier for citizens to navigate, particularly those from rural and marginalised communities. He said a judiciary that draws strength from Indian values must also reflect Indian society. Truly Indian and Swadeshi judiciary must prioritise inclusivity ensuring rural citizens can navigate the system without intimidation," he told CNN-News18. Justice Surya Kant stressed the need for a structured approach to appointments and quicker resolution of cases. According to him, delays and opacity that came from colonial-era systems must be addressed. He said, Streamlined appointments & time bound case disposal would counter colonial era opacity & delay." In the interview, he also spoke about reforming the judicial process through a blend of cultural understanding and modern efficiency. While the current system largely follows adversarial practices inherited from British rule, he argued that Indian traditions offer alternative methods of justice. Cultural approaches emphasising reconciliation and harmony should compliment the adversaries inherited from British Raj system," he said. He further added that, Transforming Indian judiciary in truly Indian system requires blending modern efficiency with indigenous accessibility and cultural relevance." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Addressing the challenge of case pendency, he said steps are being taken to build a cooperative mechanism with High Courts and the lower judiciary. Collaborative structure in association with HCs, lower judiciary being evolved to hammer pendency," he noted. First Published: November 23, 2025, 16:31 IST News india My Decisions Will Be Rooted In Rural India: Justice Surya Kant Ahead Of Taking Charge As Next CJI | 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... Not Final, No Alteration: Centre Clarifies Amid Punjab Row Over Chandigarh Law-Making Proposal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 13:39 IST An appropriate decision will be taken only after adequate consultation with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh, said the MHA The Amit Shah-led MHA issued a statement amid the Chandigarh row stirred by Punjab leaders, including Bhagwant Mann (extreme right). (File) Amid the political storm in Punjab, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday issued a clarification on the Chandigarh law-making proposal. The proposal to simplify the process of law-making exclusively by the Central Government for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is currently under consideration at the level of the Central Government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal," the MHA said. Recommended Stories According to the MHA, the proposal does not in any way involve altering the governance and administrative arrangements of Chandigarh or the traditional relations of Chandigarh with Punjab or Haryana. An appropriate decision will be taken only after adequate consultation with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for concern on this matter," the MHA said. The Ministry further clarified that the Central Government has no intention of presenting any bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. | | - PIB Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) November 23, 2025 What is the proposal? Why the row? The Centre has proposed to include the UT of Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, which empowers the president to make regulations for the UT and to legislate directly. A Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha bulletin allegedly stated that the Centre would bring the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, beginning December 1. If the bill is passed in its current form, Chandigarh could have an independent administrator, in line with Union Territories without legislatures, such as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry, during periods when their Assemblies are dissolved or suspended. Chandigarh serves as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. This proposed amendment has sparked political outrage in Punjab, with the ruling AAP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, accusing the government of attempting to snatch" Chandigarh from Punjab. What is the current status of Chandigarh? Currently, the Punjab governor serves as the Administrator of the UT of Chandigarh. It was previously administered independently by a chief secretary since November 1, 1966, when Punjab was reorganised. However, since June 1, 1984, Chandigarh has been administered by the Punjab governor and the chief secretarys position was converted to an adviser to the UT administrator. In August 2016, the Centre sought to restore the old practice of having an independent administrator by appointing former IAS officer K J Alphons for the top post. However, the move was withdrawn after stiff opposition from the then-Punjab chief minister, Parkash Singh Badal, who was part of the NDA, and other parties, including the Congress and AAP. Punjab, which has staked its claim on Chandigarh, also wants the immediate transfer of Chandigarh to it. The chief minister has reiterated this demand during a recent meeting of the Northern Zonal Council held in Faridabad. What Punjab leaders said Amid the row, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Sunday said Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, assuring that the confusion" regarding the Union territory will be resolved. Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, and the Punjab BJP stands firmly with the interests of the state, whether it is the issue of Chandigarh or the waters of Punjab. Whatever confusion has arisen regarding Chandigarh will be resolved by discussing it with the government. As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first," said Jakhar in a post on X. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday strongly opposed the Centres proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill. The chief minister said it goes against Punjabs interests and could weaken the states authority over Chandigarh. He asserted that Punjab would not allow any move that threatens its rights over the Union Territory. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to the Union government not to introduce the bill in Parliament. Doing so would amount to betraying and discriminating against the brave Punjabis who sacrificed the most for the country, and going back on all commitments made to Punjab to hand over Chandigarh to it, he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring warned against taking away" Chandigarh from Punjab. With PTI, Agency Inputs About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 13:01 IST News india Not Final, No Alteration: Centre Clarifies Amid Punjab Row Over Chandigarh Law-Making Proposal 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... 'Plans To Detonate Bombs Across India': Fadnavis Blames Pakistan For Red Fort Blasts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 10:57 IST Devendra Fadnavis accused Pakistan of orchestrating the Delhi Red Fort blast, praised Indian agencies for foiling terror plots, and urged vigilance in Mumbai. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. (File Photo) Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has accused neighbouring Pakistan of orchestrating the recent blast at Delhis Red Fort, asserting that the countrys intention was to detonate bombs in every corner of India." Speaking at the 26/11 Mumbai attacks memorial event in Mumbai on Saturday, Fadnavis praised Indian security agencies for dismantling what he described as a white-collar terror module" in which around 3,000 kg of ammunition was reportedly seized and said these efforts helped thwart terror strikes in cities including Mumbai. Recommended Stories He said that since Pakistan cannot defeat India in a straightforward war," it has resorted to terrorist attacks such as the Pahalgam incident and the recent Delhi blast. According to the CM, Indias intelligence and counter-terror operations prevented further attacks, prompting the perpetrators to carry out the Delhi explosion as a demonstration of their presence. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Referencing the national governments stance, Fadnavis noted that Narendra Modi has made it clear that terror and talks cannot go together," and that armed forces have been freed to take action, citing instances like Operation Sindoor as evidence of Indias resolve. The statements were made during the Global Peace Honours 2025" event at Mumbais Gateway of India, marking the 17th anniversary of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Fadnavis emphasised the ongoing threat of terror, urging unity and vigilance. 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 23, 2025, 09:59 IST News india 'Plans To Detonate Bombs Across India': Fadnavis Blames Pakistan For Red Fort Blasts 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 special court in Thane has granted bail to a 23-year-old Mira Road resident so he can marry the woman who had accused him of rape, intoxication and deceit under BNS, 2023. A 20-year-old resident of Powai had filed a case against Zeeshan Meraj Ahmad Siddiqui at Naya Nagar Police Station, saying she met him in early 2024 through relatives in their UP village. With families discussing marriage, the two stayed in touch after she returned to Mumbai. According to the FIR, Zeeshan frequently met her near her college and, in August 2024, took her to his sister Heenas Mira Road home near Bagdekar College. The woman alleged that Heena offered her a glass of milk that made her dizzy and unconscious. She claimed she woke up undressed on a mattress with Zeeshan in the room, and realised that she had been drugged and assaulted. She further alleged that Heena entered and urged her not to create trouble. The complainant said Zeeshan continued having sexual relations with her at Heenas house and later at Solstice Inn Residency in Thane, repeatedly promising marriage. She said he later distanced himself and avoided communication. When her family approached his, they were told to wait four to five years after which the proposal was rejected, prompting her to file the complaint covering incidents from February 2024 to October 2025. The police registered a case under BNS against Zeeshan and named Heena for facilitating the offence. Zeeshan, arrested on November 1, denied all allegations, claiming the relationship was consensual. On November 21, Special Judge DR Deshpande (Special NDPS Court, Thane) granted Zeeshan temporary bail from November 23 to 27 after both parties submitted a joint pursis (a statement filed in a pending court case to present new information, facts, or a joint statement from the parties involved) expressing their intention to marry. The complainant confirmed her consent in person, while Zeeshan appeared via video conference. The court noted that the nikah and walima are scheduled for November 25. Zeeshan must furnish a Rs 25,000 bond, provide ceremony details to police, avoid any misconduct during the period, and surrender on November 28. He was represented by advocates Afroz AK Momin and Nikhat A Momin. PM Modi Holds Bilateral Meeting With South African President Cyril Ramaphosa At G-20 Summit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 14:59 IST Addressing the opening session of the G20 Leaders Meeting on Saturday, Modi called for a profound rethink of global development parameters Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa upon his arrival to attend the G20 Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa. (X/PTI) PM Narendra Modi on Sunday held a bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit. President Ramaphosa assured South Africas full support to Indias upcoming Chairship of BRICS in 2026. The leaders agreed to work jointly to amplify the voice of the Global South. PM Modi appreciated the initiative taken by South Africa to hold IBSA leaders meeting, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Recommended Stories PM Modi thanked President Ramaphosa for the warm hospitality and successful conduct of the Summit and appreciated South African G20 efforts to take forward and build on decisions arrived during the New Delhi G20 Summit. Recalling the historical ties that underpin India-South Africa ties, both leaders reviewed bilateral ties and expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in various fields of cooperation, including trade and investment, food security, skill development, mining, youth exchange and people-to- people ties. They discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of AI, Digital Public Infrastructure and critical minerals. The leaders welcomed the growing presence of Indian firms in South Africa and agreed to facilitate mutual investments, especially in infrastructure, technology, innovation, mining and start-up sectors. Prime Minister thanked President Ramaphosa for South African cheetah relocation to India and invited him to join the International Big Cat Alliance led by India, said the statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets, "Had an excellent meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. We reviewed the full range of the India-South Africa partnership, especially in boosting linkages of commerce, culture, investment and diversifying pic.twitter.com/5fZHiukC1p ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2025 Addressing the opening session of the G20 Leaders Meeting on Saturday, Modi called for a profound rethink of global development parameters and proposed the establishment of a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus and a global healthcare response team. PM Modi emphasised that major global challenges can be effectively addressed through strong international cooperation. During the session titled A Resilient World the G20s Contribution to Disaster Risk Reduction; Climate Change; Just Energy Transitions; Food Systems, PM Modi reiterated that India is committed to building a future that is human-centric, sustainable and inclusive. He noted that Indias developmental approach aligns with the broader global objective of strengthening resilience against emerging risks. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, The second session at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg focused on building a resilient world in the face of disasters, climate change and ensuring energy transitions that are just as well as robust food systems. India has been actively working on all these fronts, building a future that is human-centric and inclusive." South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a namaste as the Indian leader arrived at the summit venue. Modi meets world leaders PM Modi on Saturday met British counterpart Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Brazilian President Lula da Silva and several other world leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here and discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interests. 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. Modi said he had a great exchange of views" with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and added that the two countries will continue to work together to diversify bilateral cooperation". He said he was delighted" to meet President Macron, with whom he had an engaging exchange on different issues. IndiaFrance ties remain a force for global good!" Modi said in another post on X. The second session at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg focussed on building a resilient world in the face of disasters, climate change and ensuring energy transitions that are just as well as robust food systems. India has been actively working on all these fronts, building a pic.twitter.com/Iqvh81CxUj Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 22, 2025 After his meeting with the Brazilian president, Modi said, India and Brazil will continue to work closely to boost trade and cultural linkages for the benefit of our people." The prime minister said he had a very productive" conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit hosted by South Africa. Before the main session of the Summit, PM Modi also interacted with many other leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. 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." Modi also met Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco and said he had the honour of welcoming him to Delhi earlier this year. The prime minister also met his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong. The India-Singapore partnership remains a key driver of growth and stability," he said. Modi met his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh. Our commitment to a stronger, future-oriented friendship between India and Vietnam remains steadfast," he posted on X. The prime minister also had a wonderful" meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Indias ties with Germany are robust, especially in areas such as trade, technology, innovation and more," he said. He also interacted with Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Modi also met Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia during the G20 Summit. India and Ethiopia share a partnership rooted in history and strengthened by developmental cooperation. We will keep boosting ties in sectors like technology, skilling and more," he said. The prime minister also interacted with Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio. Together, our nations continue to strengthen a bilateral relationship that is people-focused, future-ready and rooted in enduring trust," he posted on X. Modi also met World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and said, As always, a delight to meet Tulsi Bhai. India will always contribute towards building a healthier planet." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The three-day-long G20 Leaders Summit 2025 began in South Africa on Friday. This years gathering carries special significance as it is the first time the Summit is being hosted on the African continent. The theme for the summit is Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability." With Agency Inputs About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 12:59 IST News india PM Modi Holds Bilateral Meeting With South African President Cyril Ramaphosa At G-20 Summit Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Holds Bilateral Talks With Leaders Of Japan, Canada And Italy As G20 Concludes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 20:46 IST PM Modi held bilateral talks with Japan's Sanae Takaichi, Canada's Mark Carney and Italy's Giorgia Meloni on the final day of the G20 Summit in South Africa. PM Modi with Canada's Mark Carney (L) and Italy's Giorgia Meloni (R). (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Japan, Canada and Italy on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa and discussed several issues of mutual importance. PM Modi met Sanae Takaichi, the first woman Prime Minister of Japan. This was their first bilateral meeting after she was elected to the top position. PM Modi had earlier spoken to Takaichi in October to congratulate her after assuming office. Recommended Stories Had a productive meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan. We discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in areas such as innovation, defence, talent mobility and more. We are also looking to enhance trade ties between our nations. A strong India-Japan pic.twitter.com/4UexmElSwQ Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 23, 2025 The two leaders discussed the shared vision of advancing the partnership between the two countries, and the leaders underscored that stronger India-Japan ties are vital for global peace, stability and prosperity. Takaichi had earlier said her government will deepen multilateral dialogue with India and other countries. PM Modi Speaks With Canadian Counterpart Prime Minister Modi also held talks with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney as the two countries attempt to rebuild relations following a brief period of tensions under Carneys predecessor, Justin Trudeau, over the death of a designated Khalistani terrorist. Modi said both sides had agreed to set a target of $50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, and the Canadian Pension Funds are also showing keen interest in Indian companies. We also agreed to unlock the potential for deeper cooperation in defence and space sectors and meet again in the near future," he added. Had a very productive meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada. We appreciated the significant momentum in our bilateral ties since our earlier meeting held during the G7 Summit hosted by Canada. We agreed to further advance our relations in the coming months, pic.twitter.com/lnuj2SGoWu Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 23, 2025 This came after Modi announced an Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership to work more closely in areas such as advanced tech, clean energy and artificial intelligence. 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. 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. PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni. The two leaders greeted each other warmly on Saturday as world leaders gathered in Johannesburg for the G20 Summit on Saturday. #WATCH | Johannesburg, South Africa | Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a bilateral meeting with the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit.(Source: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/jFOVxvtu0Q ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2025 Earlier in the day, the Indian Prime Minister spoke to Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his counterpart from the Netherlands, Dick Schoof. Modi also held talks with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. ALSO READ: Anti-Terror Coordination, Digital Innovation: PM Modi Suggests Steps To Boost IBSA Cooperation G20 Summit Concludes The G20 Summit, which began on November 21 in Johannesburg, South Africa, formally came to an end on Sunday. This Gavel of this G20 summit, formally closes this summit and now moves on to the next President of the G20, which is the United States, where we shall see each other again next year. The summit is therefore closed," declared South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The United States had boycotted the South Africa summit over alleged discriminatory policies of the government, which heightened tensions but ultimately did not mar the success of the multilateral event. The G20 declaration adopted on Saturday addressed the climate crisis and other global challenges without US input. The declaration stressed the seriousness of climate change and the need to better adapt to it, praising ambitious targets to boost renewable energy and noting the punishing levels of debt service suffered by poor countries. The joint statement also raised alarms over a US-backed peace plan for Ukraine that requires Kyiv to cede territory and cut its military strength. PM Modi, occupied with a packed summit schedule, emphasised the need for a Global Framework for Talent Mobility on Sunday, urging a shift from Jobs of Today to Capabilities of Tomorrow. He also invited all G20 countries to participate in the AI Impact Summit in February 2026 with the theme Sarvajanam Hitaya, Sarvajanam Sukhaya". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He called for a global compact based on the principles of transparency, human oversight, safety-by-design and prevention of misuse. He emphasised that while AI should expand human capabilities, the ultimate decision should be made by humans themselves. (with inputs from agencies) About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More Location : South Africa First Published: November 23, 2025, 19:51 IST News india PM Modi Holds Bilateral Talks With Leaders Of Japan, Canada And Italy As G20 Concludes 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... 'RSS Runs On Social Support, Not Foreign Funding': UP CM Yogi Adityanath On How Sangh Operates Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 16:17 IST Adityanath said the RSS serves every distressed person, irrespective of religion, language or region and does not rely on foreign or institutional funding. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. (X/@myogiadityanath) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat attended the Divya Gita Prerna Mahotsav in Lucknow, where the former said that RSS continues to work solely on social support, without any foreign or institutional funding. While addressing the event in the presence of Bhagwat, Adityanath said diplomats and foreign envoys often ask how the Sangh operates. We tell them that we have worked as swayamsevaks (volunteers). They ask about funding We say there is no funding pattern. No OPEC country or international church funds it. RSS stands on the strength of society and works with a spirit of service," he added. Recommended Stories The CM said the organisation serves every distressed person, irrespective of religion, language or region. RSS teaches that the nation comes first, and anyone who can contribute to taking India to greater heights must be supported," he said. Dharma Not Just Worship For Us But Yogi Adityanath further said that dharma was not just worship for Hindus, but a way of life. He called the Bhagavad Gita a divine mantra" for all 140 crore Indians, offering them guidance during challenging times and a path to success. When we speak of the Divya Gita Prerna Mahotsav, we remember the 700 verses of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, which every follower of Sanatan Dharma considers a mantra for life and tries to absorb with great purity and reverence," he said. RSS chief Bhagwat also addressed the event, where he said that India was once the vishwaguru of the world. For a 1000 years, it was trampled under the feet of invaders. We had to live under slavery. Religious places were destroyed. Forced conversions started taking place. All this was there. It was Bharatvarsh even then. Those days of glory are no more," he said. Wo akraman ke din chale gaye. Ab Ram Mandir par jhanda fehrane wale hain. (Those days of invasion are gone. Now we are going to hoist the flag on the Ram temple).It was India even then; it is India even now," he added. We are people of Bharat, a Hindu society and a Hindu Rashtra. We must follow dharma, perform our duties and give the message of service and sacrifice to the world. The essence of all traditions and knowledge, past and future, across the world has been given by Bhagwan Vyas in 700 shlokas of the Gita." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He also criticised people who have turned service into a tool of deals and influence", claiming they attempt to change Indias demographic character through pressure and greed. (with inputs from agencies) About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 16:00 IST News india 'RSS Runs On Social Support, Not Foreign Funding': UP CM Yogi Adityanath On How Sangh Operates 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... 'Sindh May Return To India Again': In Big Remark, Rajnath Singh Says Borders Can Change Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 19:43 IST Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Sindh region, currently in Pakistan, may not be with India today, but it will always be civilisationally a part of India. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressing an event in New Delhi in honour of the Sindhi community. (RMO) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday made a significant statement, saying the Sindh region may not be with India today, but it will always be a part of India in terms of civilisational links and may return to India again. The province of Sindh, which lies near the Indus River, went to Pakistan after the brutal partition in 1947, and people from the Sindhi community came to India. It shares an international border with the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Recommended Stories Speaking at an event, Rajnath Singh quoted former Home Minister LK Advani, who said that Sindhi Hindus of his generation had not been able to accept the separation of Sindh from India, as Hindus considered the Indus River sacred. Many Muslims in Sindh also believed that the water of the Indus was no less sacred than the Aab-e-Zamzam of Mecca. This is Advanis quote. Today, the land of Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilisationally, Sindh will always be a part of India," he said. As far as land is concerned, borders can change. Who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India again. Our people of Sindh, who hold the Indus River sacred, will always be our own. No matter where they are, they will always be ours," the minister further said. He said Sindhis had to start from scratch after the brutal Partition, but managed to establish new dimensions of success through their hard work and courage. They are making a significant contribution to Indias economic growth and to a wide range of social development efforts. On September 22, Singh told the Indian community in Morocco that slogans are being raised in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for merging back with India and expressed confidence that the area illegally held by Pakistan will merge with India without taking any aggressive steps. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all PoK will be ours on its own. Demands have started being made in PoK, you must have heard sloganeering," Singh said during his interaction with the Indian community in Morocco. I was addressing the Indian Army at a program in Kashmir Valley five years ago, I had then said that we will not need to attack and capture PoK, it is anyway ours; PoK itself will say, Main bhi Bharat Hoon. That day will come." (with ANI inputs) About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 18:38 IST News india 'Sindh May Return To India Again': In Big Remark, Rajnath Singh Says Borders Can Change 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... Throw Tipu In Sea: Himanta Backs NCERT's Reported Plan To Drop Great From Akbar, Tipu Sultan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 10:10 IST Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma praised NCERT for reportedly dropping 'great' from names of Akbar and Tipu Sultan in textbooks Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma (PTI Photo) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday extended his support to the National Council of Educational Research and Trainings (NCERT) reported plan of dropping the epithet great" from the names of Mughal emperor Akbar and Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan in the school history textbooks. Sarma, while speaking to news agency ANI in Assams Bongaigaon, reacted to the reports and said, very well done". However, he added that he is not sure if the changes have been inculcated in the books. Recommended Stories I have not seen whether they have done this. If they have done this, then many thanks to the NCERT from my side," Sarma said. #WATCH | Bongaigaon: On NCERT dropping Great from Akbar, Tipu Sultan in textbooks, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, Very well done I have not seen whether they have done this. If they have done this, then many thanks to the NCERT from my side. Tipu-Ipu ko maro ekdum. pic.twitter.com/zSR3t1Gce7 ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2025 The chief minister then went on to say, 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. Throw him into the sea). The remarks were made by Sarma, a day after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Sunil Ambekar stated that some changes have been made by the NCERT in history textbooks and that they wont use the great epithet with the names of Mughal emperor Akbar or Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan anymore. I could see that many good changes have been brought in the history books, and more could be done in the future. But now, they (history textbooks) do not have Akbar the Great, nor do they have Tipu Sultan the Great. Many changes have been brought, although nobody has been removed from these books as the new generation should know their cruel deeds and should also know because of whom we were victimised and from whom we should be free," Ambekar said at the Orange City Literature festival in Kanpur on Friday, as reported by news agency PTI. However, the reported move of NCERT was not welcomed by Congress leaders, who asked what would be achieved by such measures. They ruled the country for 700 years. They didnt 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 wouldnt accept slavery," Congress MP Imran Masood said, adding that those who knelt before the British" were now enjoying themselves in the present government". #WATCH | Delhi: On NCERT dropping Great from Akbar, Tipu Sultan in textbooks, Congress MP Imran Masood says, They ruled the country for 700 years. They didnt rule for just a day or two You removed their names, but what will the removal or addition achieve? During their pic.twitter.com/fk15NSECmY ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2025 Congress leader Digvijay Singh attacked the BJP and RSS over the issue and claimed that they wont get happiness till a controversy is created between Hindus and Muslims. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Indore, Madhya Pradesh: Congress MP and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh says, The point is, there is a committee for NCERT textbooks, which includes historians, writers, and other experts. We are not assured because, broadly speaking, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the pic.twitter.com/AFfK7Bzj6E IANS (@ians_india) November 22, 2025 We are not surprised by this because the BJP and the Sangh will not get happiness until it creates controversy between Hindus and Muslims," he said. About the Author Prisha Vibhavari Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 10:10 IST News india Throw Tipu In Sea: Himanta Backs NCERT's Reported Plan To Drop Great From Akbar, Tipu Sultan 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 Are So Many Indian Children Turning To Suicide, And Why Arent We Listening? Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 25, 2025, 11:50 IST According to NCRB data, teen deaths now account for over 8% of all suicides, highlighting a growing crisis that is largely invisible to schools, families, and policymakers Academic pressure and exam-related stress remain potent drivers, so is bullying and sexualised harassment within schools, digital blackmail and deepfake extortion, family conflict (Image: Getty) India is in the middle of a youth-suicide crisis that has accelerated sharply over the past year and more so the entire decade. The hard numbers underline a trend that was once whispered about and is now impossible to ignore, recent cases from major cities have forced a national reckoning about bullying, sexual harassment, teacher misconduct and the failure of institutional safeguards. NCRB data shows nearly 13,900 students died by suicide in 2023, the highest figure ever recorded for this demographic and a 30% rise compared with 2017. Children and teenagers now make up a growing proportion of the countrys overall suicide deaths, cutting across regions, school boards and social backgrounds. Independent analyses in 202425 highlight the same pattern: increasing reports of bullying, cyber harassment, academic pressure, sexualised misconduct in schools, and a widening mental-health gap in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Each data point signals a system failing to respond to distress early, consistently or safely. Recommended Stories A mother from Noida, who asked to remain unnamed, still keeps that message in a folder on her phone. Her daughter attempted suicide last year after months of harassment by a classmate, she says. The school dismissed earlier complaints as childrens quarrels." The mother pulled her daughter out, began home schooling, and set about helping her find a new rhythm. It was not a return to the classroom that healed her child; it was space and attention, therapy and time. Today the girl runs a small business with her mother, making ceramic trays and hand-crafted jewellery. The attempt did not end her life, but it rewired the familys priorities. Are Suicide Among Students Rising In India? India recorded 13,892 student suicides in 2023, a 65% increase in a decade, according to NCRB data. Teen deaths now account for over 8% of all suicides, highlighting a growing crisis that is largely invisible to schools, families, and policymakers. Over the past ten years, student suicides have climbed by nearly 65 percent, rising from 8,423 in 2013 to 13,892 in 2023. What Are Some Systemic Pressures And Unseen Pain Teenagers Face? Researchers and clinicians are clear that no single cause explains this rise. Academic pressure and exam-related stress remain potent drivers, particularly for older adolescents. So too are social factors: bullying and sexualised harassment within schools, digital blackmail and deepfake extortion, family conflict, and untreated mental-health conditions. Studies published in 202425 note a sustained increase in youth suicidal ideation and deaths despite the proliferation of helplines and counselling programmes, signalling that current measures are insufficient or unevenly implemented. Recent high-profile incidents have focused public attention precisely because they highlight institutional failures. In Jaipur, a CBSE inquiry found bullying with sexual connotations" before a young students death, intensifying scrutiny of how schools handle complaints. In Delhi, a teenagers suicide note named alleged harassment by teachers, and the police filed an FIR after families said their prior complaints had been ignored. In Kalyan, a father alleges his son was physically assaulted after a language dispute on a train another instance where parents say they were not heard soon enough. Meanwhile, another instance in Faridabad involved deepfake blackmail that preceded a teens death, underscoring the digital risks that schools and families are only beginning to grapple with. Why Bullying Is Often Misread in Teens? Many bullied teens appear normal," hiding emotional turmoil behind quietness or irritability. Dr. Rahul Chandhok, Senior Consultant and Head of Psychiatry at Artemis Lite NFC, draws attention to how the behaviour of bullied teens is misunderstood, A lot of teenagers who are bullied act nothing out of the ordinary but their behaviour is actually a sign that something is wrong. Some of these signs are being unusually quiet, skipping school, losing interest in hobbies and spending too much time alone. Teenagers may seem irritable and moody but this is often because they are always scared, ashamed and emotionally drained. Instead of yelling and fighting some victims try to hide their pain by acting flat and dull. Adults might not see these small signs because teens naturally have mood swings. But if behaviour changes suddenly or stays the same for a long time, it could be because of bullying instead of mood swings." The internet complicates the problem. Cyberbullying, viral shaming, and the use of deepfakes to intimidate or blackmail are not fringe phenomena. Police reports in recent months recount young people driven to despair after private images were weaponised against them or after persistent online harassment left them isolated. The digital dimension can intensify shame and make it harder for children to ask for help; they may fear parental intervention, humiliation, or retribution. Indias cybercrime infrastructure is improving, but responses are often slow, and victims families say police sometimes treat complaints as low priority until tragedy occurs. Dr. Astik Joshi, Child & Adolescent & Forensic Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi explains, When a child tries to ask for assistance, and goes unnoticed, especially in bullying contexts, it can indicate that their feelings are not relevant or worthwhile to that adult (teacher, etc). This will lead to learned helplessness, where the child thinks there is nothing they can do to change their situation. Over time, the impact of their experiences can shift how they cope, resulting in withdrawal, academic underperformance, school or peer avoidance, and possibly oppositional defiance towards adults who they should trust." Can Parental Support Escalate Distress? Constant questioning or excessive reassurance can make children feel guilty, helpless, or unheard. Experts emphasise calm listening and validating emotions over forcing disclosure. Dr. Rahul shares, Parents often try to help their child feel better but some reactions can make things worse. A child who is already anxious may feel overwhelmed when you keep asking them things like Tell me everything right now. If you are too protective like confronting teachers or friends right away without talking about it first your child may feel guilty or helpless. Saying things like Ignore them, it happens to everyone to downplay their feelings can make the child feel unheard and alone. Even too much reassurance can make you feel like you have to look okay. Listening calmly, validating feelings and helping the child feel in control are all parts of real support. The child should not feel rushed or dismissed." When Does Trauma Masquerades as Rebellion in Teens? Dr. Ajay Dogra, Consultant Psychiatrist at Kailash Hospital in Noida, points out that emotional trauma, including harassment or sexual misconduct, is often misread as misbehaviour. Schools may ignore warning signs, particularly in smaller towns where sex education is taboo. it is a very common practice in pediatric wards whenever a child reports with you know symptoms of anger, maladjustment, irritation and he is not coming out properly. So they are looked into these whether there is a sign of you know abuse or inappropriate you know sexual misconduct etc. So and the teachers often ignore it while in the clinics the children when taken into confidence given comfort zone they speak a lot about it and they do become my friends and you know whenever talk friendly they like to speak everything out and it is especially common in smaller town where sex education and the sex is a taboo and its generally not discussed." Dr. Dogra also warns against dismissive attitudes among adults, Teachers do want to see it like an attention-seeking behavior, they do feel that that much of an attention is not required in these cases, they dont want these things to come out into front while it is a very dangerous thing to do. They are cultivating an environment which is very unsafe, so its a must." Where Are Schools And Teachers Failing? Parents speak of bland reassurance, delayed responses and a tendency to categorise severe incidents as behavioural" problems. Teachers who report to investigators say they are often operating within stretched systems: large classrooms, limited counsellors, and a culture that prioritises discipline over disclosure. In smaller towns and Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, access to mental-health care and reliable child-protection mechanisms is patchy at best. That gap is where a vulnerability becomes a crisis. Dr. Ajay argues for concrete change, Teachers should be trained and there should actually be lessons on what type of touch is it appropriate touch or inappropriate touch. It should be like a good environment be provided safe environment for the children especially for the girls and they should be encouraged to talk about this. Any such behavior or any boy should be punished and so that it discourages others because if you dont punish one guy the others get promoted. Its like a stitch in time saves nine. And there should be a provision for punishment environment should be like discouraging otherwise it grows rampantly." When a child tries to ask for assistance, and goes unnoticed, especially in bullying contexts, it can indicate that their feelings are not relevant or worthwhile to that adult (teacher, etc). This will lead to learned helplessness, where the child thinks there is nothing they can do to change their situation. Over time, the impact of their experiences can shift how they cope, resulting in withdrawal, academic underperformance, school or peer avoidance, and possibly oppositional defiance towards adults who they should trust," explains Dr. Astik Joshi, Child & Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, on how children internalise their distress when they feel unheard. Dr. Preeti Singh, Senior Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Paras Health, Gurugram, points to systemic failures, In many Indian schools, the system is still top-down and teacher-focused. Huge class size, high academic pressure, strict discipline, and a lack of trained counselors create an environment where kids feel unsafe speaking up. If a child is afraid that speaking up will lead to punishment, embarrassment, or being ignored, it becomes nearly impossible for them to ask for help. Systematic Problems rather than the individual teachers, often silence kids when they need the most support." She argues for change even in resource-constrained settings, Schools can make a difference, even in smaller towns or those without formal counseling services, through improving teachers understanding of mental health. The first step is to make sure every teacher has basic training in spotting early signs of emotional distress, like sudden behavior changes, withdrawal, fearfulness, or a drop in academic performance. Teachers should be encouraged to create a classroom environment where kids feel safe talking to them, which can be done by having a trusted teacher kids can speak to privately and by encouraging open communication during regular class interactions. Schools must also have a simple and clear way for teachers to report concerns about a child so that support can be arranged quickly. Even without dedicated counselors, a caring approach where teachers listen without judgment and respond with sensitivity instead of punishment can give kids an important sense of safety and belonging." She calls out a power imbalance rooted in tradition, In the traditional Indian classroom kids are taught to avoid talking back or showing discomfort. When the power dynamic is strict, even a childs attempt to ask for help can be misunderstood as misbehavior or disrespect. Many students stop reaching out because past attempts were met with criticism, dismissal, or punishment. This power imbalance can unintentionally make kids feel that their emotional safety is less important than following rules." Can Gender Bias Increase the Risk of Harm? Girls are expected to internalise harassment and bullying, while boys are often allowed aggression. This gendered expectation can prevent teens from seeking help, leading to severe emotional outcomes, including suicidal ideation. Dr. Dogra highlights gendered dynamics, So girls are supposed to be, very passive about that. They are supposed to receive it, while boys are supposed to be like very extra very dominant thats fine it is very gendered influence. I had a few cases, they wouldnt like to come out with us because just suicidal depression. Theyll go into stress and some of them actually felt suicidal." How To Recognise The Risk Signs Among Teens? Clinicians identify several markers that should prompt action. Dr. Astik Joshi highlights, It is true that teenagers routinely make internal decisions without adult intervention, because adults may interpret their distress as simply a typical feature of being a teenager. Procrastination may be associated with anxiety, and withdrawal from social interaction can stem from depression. When a teenager feels disempowered or silenced, even when adults are behaving kindly or protectively, the emotional crisis can develop without adult awareness. The impact of suicide contagion can create situations in which suicidal thoughts may seem sudden, despite development of such thoughts or feelings over time." Changes in sleep and appetite; withdrawing from friends; unexplained physical complaints; giving away treasured possessions; sudden drops in academic performance; unusually risque or secretive online behaviour; explicit statements about not wanting to live require urgent attention. Body language can matter, a child who avoids eye contact, flinches at touch, or becomes easily startled may be signalling trauma. Schools and parents need accessible checklists and training so these signals do not remain invisible in hallways and parent-teacher meetings. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If the country hopes to reduce student suicides, the answer will not be a single new helpline or a viral outrage. It will be a variety of sustained action: trained adults who listen and act, systems that do not penalise disclosure, and communities that remove the shame of asking for help. It will mean schools that take allegations seriously from the first report and parents who are believed. DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) First Published: November 23, 2025, 08:00 IST News india Why Are So Many Indian Children Turning To Suicide, And Why Arent We Listening? 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... Yogi Orders Crackdown On Illegal Infiltration, Directs Creation Of Detention Centres In UP Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 09:01 IST Yogi Adityanath ordered Uttar Pradesh districts to set up detention centres for illegal immigrants amid the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered setting up of detention centres to lodge infiltrators. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed all district magistrates in the state to adopt stringent measures against illegal immigrants and ordered them to set up temporary detention centres to lodge the infiltrators in the state. The chief minister stated that national security, law and order, and social harmony are the top priorities of the state government, adding that any illegal activity will not be tolerated. Recommended Stories 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," read the statement. The chief minister has also directed that temporary detention centres be established in each district to house infiltrators," it further said. As per the statement, the illegal immigrants found with foreign citizenship will be kept in these centres till their necessary verification process is completed. CM Adityanath said that the illegal immigrants kept in detention centres will be sent back to their countries of origin, according to the standard procedures. The chief minister gave the orders amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh, along with 11 other states and UTs. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had appealed to the people of the country to extend their full support to the process of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and underlined its importance in protecting the democracy of the country. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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," Shah said while speaking at the Border Security Forces 61st Raising Day event at Haripur, Bhuj in Gujarat. The second phase of SIR is underway in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. About the Author Prisha Vibhavari Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 08:55 IST News india Yogi Orders Crackdown On Illegal Infiltration, Directs Creation Of Detention Centres In UP 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... Experts Share How To Detox Body And Skin Naturally In Delhis High-Pollution Winter Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 18:06 IST A natural detox depends on consistent habits rather than quick fixes. Through hydration, nutrient-rich food, movement, sleep, and mindful rituals, the body can recover gradually. Consistent routines build long-term resilience against pollution. Delhis winter has its charm, but rising pollution levels often dull the experience. The mix of dry air, smog and soaring particulate matter exerts pressure on the body, dehydrates the skin, irritates the scalp, and leaves many feeling sluggish. A natural detox during this season isnt about restrictive cleanses. Its about small, steady habits that help the body eliminate what it doesnt need while rebuilding strength from within. Support The Bodys Natural Detox Systems Recommended Stories True detoxification is a daily, internal process managed by the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and skin. These organs perform best when the body receives adequate hydration, nutrition, movement and rest. According to Dr. Chiranjiv Chhabra, Chief Dermatologist and Founder, Alive Wellness Clinics, Delhi, nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids are crucial during pollution-heavy months. These nutrients help counter oxidative stress and support the bodys repair mechanisms," she notes. Consistent hydration further aids digestion, prevents fatigue, and keeps natural cleansing pathways functioning smoothly. Movement is another essential pillar. Asad Hussain, Founder and Exercise Scientist at OddsFitness, emphasises that detoxing doesnt require extreme workouts. Simple indoor routines such as mobility drills, bodyweight strength training, and short conditioning sessions help stimulate circulation and lymphatic flow," he explains. Sweating during exercise may release small amounts of waste, but the main detoxification is still handled by the liver and kidneys. The real benefits lie in reduced fatigue, improved mood and better resilience after prolonged pollution exposure. Rest completes the cycle. Quality sleep, ideally seven to nine hours, supports hormonal balance, tissue repair and cognitive recovery, making it indispensable for winter wellness. Rebuild The Skin Barrier After Pollution Exposure Pollutants weaken the skin barrier, clog pores and trigger inflammation. Dr. Chhabra stresses that the first step toward healthy winter skin is restoring this barrier. Gentle cleansing, hydrating serums and antioxidant skincare help neutralise irritation and replenish moisture. Ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are especially beneficial. Professional treatments can create deeper, faster repair. Skin boosters rebuild hydration from within, and antioxidant drip therapy delivers detoxifying nutrients directly into the bloodstream for overall recovery. Dont Ignore Scalp And Hair Health The scalp often takes an unseen hit during high-pollution months. Pollutants accumulate at the roots, disrupt the microbiome and contribute to irritation or hair fall. Professional treatments, along with mild exfoliating tonics and peptide-based care, help remove build-up and promote healthier growth. A Small Ritual That Makes A Difference top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During severe pollution spells, many turn to soothing daily rituals one of the simplest being a warm cup of tea. Rich in antioxidants, tea helps neutralise free radicals and gently supports the body. High-quality blends with lower fluoride levels offer comfort while supplying mild nourishment. A winter detox isnt a quick fix; its a rhythm. With steady hydration, nutrient-rich meals, moderate movement, restorative sleep and mindful skin and scalp care, the body naturally finds balance. As both experts emphasise, long-term resilience comes from consistent routines and not drastic overhauls. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 18:06 IST News lifestyle beauty Experts Share How To Detox Body And Skin Naturally In Delhis High-Pollution Winter Ananya Panday Looks Graceful In Almost 3 Lakh Mermaid Cut Roberto Cavalli Dress Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 14:46 IST Ananya Panday wore a Roberto Cavalli marble midi dress for the release of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri's teaser launch. Ananya Panday wears Roberto Cavalli for the release of her film's teaser Ananya Panday was recently papped at the launch of her new movie, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. She was seen getting cosy with her co-star, actor Kartik Aaryan. They released the teaser of their new movie on Kartiks birthday yesterday. While everyone celebrated the latters birthday, it was Ananyas Roberto Cavalli dress that caught peoples attention. The 27-year-old has been making bold fashion statements lately. Whether it is her traditional yet glam ensembles for director Shauna Gautams wedding or her sizzingly Gen-Z-coded outfits for her film promotion events, Ananya has been killing it in the style game. Backed by stylist Meagan Concessio, the actor has been pulling out high-end fashion names for looks that still seem accessible. Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ananya (@ananyapanday) For the teaser launch event that took place in Mumbai, the actor wore a $3,300 (approx Rs 2,95,759) dress by Roberto Cavalli, a haute couture brand that is known for its glamorous and contemporary style, combining creativity with Italian craftsmanship. She wore a beige and brown marble-print midi dress. This season has also seen the return of the mermaid or fishtail cut. This Roberto Cavalli dress has a deep sweetheart neckline and a halter-neck backless design that complements the narrow hem. Keeping the accessories to a minimum, Ananya wore pointed-toe dark chocolate brown pumps with silver studded earrings. Her shoulder-length hair was also styled in defined curls, while her makeup leaned to the bronzed goddess style, too. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meagan Concessio (@meaganconcessio) For another film promotion event, Ananya wore a grey short-sleeve knit top, which she paired with a matching grey knit midi skirt that has a white denim insert from the brand SELF-PORTRAIT. She wore black Christian Louboutin pumps with a black belt and rhombus-shaped black and white dangling earrings. The actor styled her hair in a slicked-back bun that was braided to give it a fun variant of a classic hairstyle. About the movie top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Directed by Sameer Sanjay Vidwans and produced by Karan Johar, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri is a romance-comedy featuring Ananya Panday and Kartik Aaryan. It is set to release on Christmas Day this year. The film also stars Jackie Shroff and Neena Gupta in pivotal roles. The film reunites the familiar pairing of Kartik and Ananya, who have previously worked in Pati Patni Aur Woh. First Published: November 23, 2025, 14:33 IST News lifestyle fashion Ananya Panday Looks Graceful In Almost 3 Lakh Mermaid Cut Roberto Cavalli Dress Khushi Kapoor Reimagines Modern Wedding Guest Glam In Seema Gujral Couture Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 11:31 IST For director Shauna Gautam's wedding, Khushi Kapoor donned an airy green net base saree by Seema Gujral. The ensemble featured handworked floral motifs in soft pinks and whites. Khushi Kapoor was styled by Tanya Ghavri. Khushi Kapoor continues to carve her own niche in the style landscape with quietly luxe, inherently feminine, and always visually arresting looks. Her latest appearance at Shauna Gautams wedding celebrations reaffirmed that evolving signature. Instead of leaning into heavy embellishment or high-voltage sparkle typical of winter weddings, Khushi embraced the poetry of pastels, stepping out in a Seema Gujral saree that felt like a breath of cool air in a season of maximalism. The look struck that rare balance of being ornate yet serene, making it ideal for bridesmaids, sisters of the bride, or wedding guests who want glamour without overwhelming the palette. Recommended Stories The Seema Gujral Saree: A Symphony Of Florals And Weightless Pastels Designed by Seema Gujral, the ensemble was a masterclass in craftsmanship. The saree, rendered in an airy green net base, showcased handworked floral motifs in soft pinks and whites each bloom delicately threaded to create dimension without heaviness. The fluid drape allowed the intricate embroidery to sit like scattered petals across the silhouette, lending the outfit a dreamy, botanical rhythm. View this post on Instagram A post shared by s (@khushikapoor) The blouse mirrored this sensibility with its lightest green hue, sequinned flowers, and playful tassels that added movement. Seemas signature detailing artful, meticulous, and modern gave the look its couture-like finish while keeping it youthful and wearable. Knowing the saree carried enough artistry on its own, Khushi Kapoor chose to keep her jewellery minimalist. A crystal choker glimmered softly at her collarbone, complemented by understated stud earrings. Her beauty choices further enhanced the pastel aesthetic: a sleek braid intertwined with fresh florals brought a touch of tradition, while keeping the overall vibe light and unforced. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Adding a playful, Gen-Z-approved twist was her heart-shaped bag, embellished with petal-like detailing an accessory that kept the look from veering too classic and injected a modern romantic spirit. Sharing her look through a carousel on social media, Khushi also offered glimpses of Shauna Gautams wedding rituals, where she was joined by Janhvi Kapoor and Orry. Between candid moments and choreographed snapshots, it was clear that the actors pastel floral ensemble harmonised beautifully with the intimate, joy-filled atmosphere of the ceremony. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 11:31 IST News lifestyle fashion Khushi Kapoor Reimagines Modern Wedding Guest Glam In Seema Gujral Couture Five years after he stabbed a colleague during a late-night quarrel in their Mira Road lodging room, a 36-year-old man has been convicted and sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment for attempted murder. The 2020 assault, which left the colleague with three knife injuries, including one on a vital part of the body, finally reached its conclusion earlier this week in a Mumbai court after prolonged trial and arguments on sentencing. Nitesh Suresh Bhise, produced from jail, pleaded for mercy, claiming this was his first offence, that he had no criminal record, had spent four years as an undertrial, and was the sole support for his dependent mother. His advocate Adnan Khan Sakharkar urged the court to impose only the minimum punishment. The state pushed back hard. Additional Public Prosecutor Ashwini Rayakar argued that Bhise attacked Laxman with a clear intention to kill and therefore deserved the maximum sentence under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code. The court, however, noted that while Section 307 allows for life imprisonment, the incident fell under Part II because the stabbing happened in the heat of a quarrel. Still, the judge held that Bhise acted with full knowledge that his act could cause death and ruled out any possibility of probation. Relying on Supreme Court rulings, State of Madhya Pradesh v Bablu Natt and Sevaka Perumal v State of Tamil Nadu, the court said punishment must be proportionate and reflect societal expectations, warning that undue sympathy would erode public faith in the justice system. Considering the overall circumstances, including that the assault took place during the Covid-19 pandemic when both men were living together, the court fixed six years rigorous imprisonment as fitting, rejecting both life imprisonment and the defence plea for further leniency. Kriti Sanon Sun Kissed In Delhi; Dazzles In Anamika Khanna Anarkali Set Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 16:29 IST Kriti Sanon visited New Delhi to promote her film, Tere Ishk Mein dressed in a dori work embellished anarkali set in purple. Kriti Sanon and Dhanush at India Gate in New Delhi. Kriti Sanon and Dhanush were spotted in the capital promoting their upcoming film, Tere Ishk Mein. For the films promotions, Kriti Sanon embraced the beauty of Indian craftsmanship in Anamika Khannas intricately embroidered anarkali set. Celebrating grace and elegance in the Indian silhouette, Kriti striked a pose with her co-star Dhanush against India Gate. Recommended Stories Kritis style quotient for Tere Ishk Meins promotions have been a celebration of couture pieces designed by renowned Indian fashion designers including Rohit Bal and Anita Dongre. Every silhouette adorned by Kriti Sanon has played the perfect canvas for the wedding season. Heres Why Kriti Sanons Purple Anarkali Set Is The Perfect This Wedding Season Anamika Khanna couture celebrates India and its heritage. Every stitch tells a story and this statement piece from the designer is a classic one. Crafted in a rich purple shade, a colour thats prominent in Anamika Khanna couture collections, the anarkali set is accentuated with gold dori work. The intricate floral embroidery placement brings modern royalty to the Indian silhouette. The gathered waist design gives a flattering fit and is further enhanced with embellished tassels featuring beads. The sequins add minimal sparkle to this handcrafted timeless design. While the set comes with matching leggings and a dupatta, Kriti opted to skip the dupatta. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nikita Menon (@nikitamenon1) While the embroidered dori work was the highlight of this masterpiece, Kritis accessory game was on point too. Kriti Sanon picked a pair of artisanal earrings that complemented her aesthetic look. Styled by celebrity fashion stylist Sukriti Grover, Kritis timeless elegance blended beautifully with Anamika Khannas design legacy. Sukriti who has been Kritis stylist for a long time now, always makes sure that each ensemble captures Kritis essence with a dash of unconventional styling. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manav Manglani (@manav.manglani) Kritis Sun Kissed Glam And Classic French Braid top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kriti Sanons understated glam was a celebration of her good looks and celebrity makeup artist Aditya Sharma and hair stylist Nikita Menons artistry. The classic French braid looked effortlessly glamourous on Kriti Sanon. Kritis sun kissed makeup added a soft glow to her overall contemporary Indian style. Kritis styling for Tere Ishk Mein has not only elevated her style statement but that has also set a timeless narrative for the wedding season. Tere Ishk Mein is all set to release on November 28, 2025. About the Author Akshata Shetty Completing almost two decades in journalism, Akshata Shetty's journey from print to online journalism is a celebration of fashion, art and music. Akshatas fashion stories are about the people who cel... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 08:28 IST News lifestyle fashion Kriti Sanon Sun Kissed In Delhi; Dazzles In Anamika Khanna Anarkali Set Climate Change, Wildfires And Rising Lung Cancer Risks Globally Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 08:09 IST Wildfire smoke is increasing lung cancer risks worldwide. An expert explains how climate change fuels this danger and what individuals and governments must do. A landmark study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, which tracked more than two million individuals over nearly two decades, found that wildfire exposure triggers not only short-term respiratory damage but also long-term cancer risks When we refer to climate change, most people think of melting glaciers, high sea levels, or extreme weather. But one of the worst consequences is taking place right in our lungs. Across continents, wildfires have become more frequent, more intense, and more destructive. Not only forests and homes are being burned, but generations of people are being exposed to the threat of lung cancer without even realizing it. Recent research shows that individuals living within 50 kilometers of wildfire sites face a 5 percent higher risk of lung cancer, compared to those never exposed. According to Dr. Hemkant Verma, Consultant, Oncology, ShardaCare, Healthcity, the smoke from these fires is a lethal cocktail of fine particles, heavy metals, and carcinogenic substances that penetrate deep into the respiratory system." Unlike cigarette smoke, which is a matter of personal choice, wildfire smoke becomes an unavoidable hazard for communities in its path. Recommended Stories The Problem of Wildfire Smoke and Why It Matters Wildfire smoke contains PM2.5 particles, fine pollutants capable of reaching the bloodstream and the deepest airways of the lungs. Dr. Hemkant Verma explains, Long-term exposure to PM2.5 leads to chronic inflammation and lasting damage to lung tissue, creating conditions where cancer cells can thrive." In lung cancer patients, he adds, wildfire pollution can further reduce survival chances, especially among those who have never smoked. Children, the elderly, and people with existing respiratory illnesses are the most vulnerable. But even healthy adults are at risk. Dr. Verma notes that the rise in non-smoking-related lung cancer cases worldwide is increasingly linked to environmental exposures, including air pollution and wildfire smoke. A Growing Global Health Challenge From California to Canada, Australia to Greece, and even parts of India, wildfires are becoming seasonal disasters. Intense heat, prolonged droughts, and unpredictable rain, driven by global warming are creating ideal fuel for these fires. What once seemed rare now feels routine. Each time a major blaze occurs, millions inhale air equivalent to smoking dozens of cigarettes a day," Dr. Hemkant Verma warns. A landmark study published in The Lancet Planetary Health, which tracked more than two million individuals over nearly two decades, found that wildfire exposure triggers not only short-term respiratory damage but also long-term cancer risks. This transforms wildfires from an environmental issue into a critical cancer prevention priority. What Can Be Done The fight against climate change is also a fight against cancer," emphasizes Dr. Hemkant Verma. He urges governments to invest in better early warning systems, clean-air shelters, and stronger climate policies to reduce wildfire frequency. Healthcare systems, he says, must prepare for a possible rise in pollution-driven cancers by expanding lung cancer screening and public awareness efforts. At a personal level, Dr. Verma advises residents in wildfire-prone regions to use N95 masks, rely on indoor air purifiers, and remain indoors during heavy smoke events. Oncologists today, he adds, increasingly assess patients environmental exposures, as wildfire smoke can worsen treatment outcomes or slow recovery. Looking Ahead top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As an oncologist, Dr. Hemkant Verma has witnessed the devastating impact of lung cancer on families. The tragedy," he says, is that the risks linked to wildfire smoke are preventable." Climate change is not merely a forest conservation concern, it is a matter of human survival. Every policy, action, and awareness initiative is vital. The world must recognize that climate change and cancer are now intertwined battles. If we hope for healthier lungs and healthier futures, we must act decisively against the fires threatening both our environment and our bodies. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 08:09 IST News lifestyle health-and-fitness Climate Change, Wildfires And Rising Lung Cancer Risks Globally Why Self-Medication With Antibiotics Is Fueling Indias Silent Health Crisis Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 13:22 IST Antibiotics have become common household essentials. While this reliance on self-medication may seem harmless, doctors warn that it is contributing to antibiotic resistance. Self-medication with antibiotics fuels antibiotic resistance in India. Across India, antibiotic pills, ear drops and skin creams have quietly slipped into the role of household essentials used as casually as balms or moisturisers. A rash, discharge, itch, cold or redness is often met with the same instinctive response: reach for an old prescription or leftover tube. This dependency on self-medication feels harmless, but doctors warn it is driving one of the most alarming health crises of our time antibiotic resistance. Self-Medication Fuels Resistance Recommended Stories According to Dr Saloni S. Rajyaguru, Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic, Chembur, Mumbai, repeatedly relying on past prescriptions is extremely dangerous. Many patients assume that if a certain antibiotic worked earlier, it is safe to use again whenever symptoms reappear. This assumption is not only incorrect. It can be dangerous," she explains. She adds that such habits are directly contributing to a surge in resistant infections. Inappropriate and repeated use of antibiotics is making once-simple infections far more difficult to treat. We no longer have a steady pipeline of new antibiotics, and resistance is rising much faster than innovation." The misuse extends beyond oral pills. Dr. Maheshkumar Lakhe, Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Sahyadri Hospital, Pune, highlights the rampant and misguided reliance on topical creams and drops. Antibiotic creams and drops have become a new addition to the list of groceries in most Indian households. A small rash or irritation pushes people to use these products without realising they can cause far more harm than good," he says. Not Every Rash Or Redness Is Bacterial A major problem is misdiagnosis at home. Most people assume redness, pain, or swelling means bacterial infection. But as Dr Rajyaguru stresses, viral, fungal and allergic conditions can look almost identical. Using antibiotics in these situations may worsen the condition and prolong recovery," she notes. Dr Lakhe echoes this concern, especially for skin and eye conditions. Many popular creams contain both antibiotics and steroids. The steroid offers instant relief, but the infection continues to multiply underneath. Continuous use leads to thinning skin, resistant infections and serious eye complications." The Hidden Impact: Resistant Infections And Delayed Care Reusing old medications doesnt just fail to cure the infection; it can also lead to severe health consequences. It also complicates the doctors ability to treat it. When a patient takes antibiotics before a consultation, the symptoms get partially suppressed and cultures become unreliable," Dr Rajyaguru explains. This delay can turn minor ENT conditions into persistent ear discharge, chronic sinus issues or worsening throat infections. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Dr Lakhe adds that these shortcuts often lead to long, stubborn infections. A minor ringworm patch becomes widespread. A slight eye irritation turns severe. By the time they seek help, the bacteria may be resistant to available medicines." The message from experts is unmistakable: antibiotics, whether in pill, drop, or cream form, are powerful medical tools that require professional guidance. Self-medication may seem convenient, but it risks ineffective treatment, complications and a future where routine infections become untreatable. Early diagnosis, responsible use and doctor-led care remain essential to protect individual health and safeguard antibiotics for future generations. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 13:13 IST News lifestyle health-and-fitness Why Self-Medication With Antibiotics Is Fueling Indias Silent Health Crisis Night-Time Solo Travel: Safety Tips, Wellness Trends And Expert Advice For Todays Travellers Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 16:41 IST Solo night travel is rising in India. Experts share safety tips, smart dos and donts, and wellness travel trends shaping how modern travellers explore confidently and securely. An Amex 2024 study reports that 84% of Indian travellers now prefer solo trips, seeking time to disconnect, reflect, and experience the world on their own terms Solo travel is no longer a niche trend, its become a powerful form of self-discovery and personal renewal. An Amex 2024 study reports that 84% of Indian travellers now prefer solo trips, seeking time to disconnect, reflect, and experience the world on their own terms. But as night-time travel becomes more common across Indias expanding intercity routes, experts emphasize that safety and well-being must evolve alongside this growing appetite for independence. This shift is evident across both mobility and tourism sectors, where companies are witnessing a rise in travellers who want journeys that are not only enriching but also secure and restorative. Recommended Stories Why Night-Time Solo Travel Needs a Smarter Safety Lens According to Manoj Soni, CEO of YoloBus and EasyGreenMobility, the rise of solo travel particularly among young professionals and women demands a more structured approach to night-time safety. Travellers today are choosing solo journeys to reconnect with themselves, but awareness and preparation remain the key ingredients for a safe and enjoyable experience," he explains. Soni observes that many first-time solo travellers underestimate how different night travel feels compared to daytime journeys. Reduced visibility, limited crowds, and quieter transit points can amplify risks if travellers arent adequately prepared. The Smart Solo Travel Playbook: Dos You Shouldnt Ignore To help travellers navigate these challenges, Soni outlines a set of practical safety habits that experienced solo explorers swear by: 1. Choose Operators Designed for Safety Services offering GPS tracking, CCTV surveillance, verified staff, live location sharing, and 247 support provide an added layer of protection. Safety isnt just a feature, its a promise," Soni says of YoloBuss own protocols. 2. Keep Someone in the Loop Sharing your itinerary and live location with a friend or family member can make all the difference in emergencies. 3. Travel Light & Smart Lighter bags mean more mobility and fewer opportunities for unnecessary interactions with strangers. 4. Carry Essential Medication A small medical kit and a health ID tag are invaluable for travellers with allergies or chronic conditions. 5. Use Verified, Well-Lit Boarding Points Authorised pick-up zones reduce exposure to poorly monitored or isolated areas. 6. Keep Safety Tech Handy Emergency SOS features, quick-dial contacts, and route-sharing tools should be accessible in seconds. 7. Stay Powered Up A charged phone and a backup power bank are non-negotiable. 8. Trust Your Instincts Feeling uncomfortable? Move seats, alert staff, or change locations. Intuition is often your first line of defence. What You Should Avoid When Travelling Alone at Night Dont overshare personal details with strangers or online. Dont leave your belongings unattended. Dont choose convenience over safety when selecting stops. Dont carry excessive cash or jewellery. Dont ignore warning signs or gut feelings. Dont rely solely on strangers for help, contact official staff or helplines. The Wellness Connection: Why the Future of Travel Is Both Safe and Restorative While safety dominates night travel conversations, another parallel trend complements this behavioural shift: the rising popularity of travel for mental and physical well-being. According to Rikant Pittie, CEO and co-founder, EaseMyTrip, more Indians are intentionally choosing journeys that help them unwind.Indian travellers are seeking journeys that prioritise mental and physical well-being. Rest and relaxation have emerged as the foremost goal," notes Pittie. This dovetails unexpectedly well with the solo travel movement especially night-time travel, which many use as a way to maximize long weekends or reach quiet, nature-rich destinations by morning. Where India Is Travelling for Well-Being Pittie highlights strong demand for domestic destinations such as Rishikesh, Puducherry, Ooty, Lonavala, Jaipur, and Goa, many of which have seen 2025% annual growth in search trends. These places offer nature, culture, and wellness experiences that appeal to solo explorers looking for peace and renewal. Internationally, destinations like Dubai, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, and Bali are drawing travellers seeking mindfulness, spa retreats, forest walks, and immersive cultural activities. Travellers increasingly want trips that support well-being while creating lasting memories," adds Pittie. A New Kind of Traveller: Independent, Prepared, and Wellness-Oriented Together, the insights from the mobility and tourism sectors reveal a fascinating evolution: solo travellers arent just seeking freedom, theyre prioritising safety, mindfulness, and meaningful experiences. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As Sonis safety guidelines empower travellers to navigate night journeys confidently, Pitties observations show that the same travellers are choosing destinations that align with rest, rejuvenation, and inner balance. Night-time solo travel will continue to grow but so will the frameworks that make it safer and more fulfilling. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 16:41 IST News lifestyle travel Night-Time Solo Travel: Safety Tips, Wellness Trends And Expert Advice For Todays Travellers Farhan Akhtar Never Acted Like A Producer On 120 Bahadur Set, Says Vivan Bhathena: Didnt Interfere Published By : IANS Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 18:13 IST Vivan Bhathena revealed that Farhan Akhtar came to 120 Bahadur set as an actor, not a producer. He shared that Akhtar never interfered unnecessarily and stayed focused on his role. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Farhan Akhtra starrer 120 Bahadur released in theatres on November 21, 2025 Actor Vivan Bhathena, who was seen in the recently released film 120 Bahadur, has shared that his co-actor from the film, Farhan Akhtar, never acted like a co-producer on the sets. Vivan said that Farhan fully understood the assignment, and was just an actor while shooting for the film. Vivan spoke with IANS during the promotional run of the film, and shared that Farhan completely switched off the producer in him for the greater good of the film. Recommended Stories He told IANS, Farhan is not a producer on the set ever. He comes as an actor. In fact, we were also hoping that the producer side will come out somewhere, and we will get to see that. Nothing of that sort happened. He never interfered, never said a word. It was just himself busy with the character, did his part, asked the director if he needed to do anything else". He never unnecessarily interfered with anything or made any unnecessary suggestions. We would always ask him for guidance. He would always guide us in the right way and tell us not what to do, but how to feel. So, those are important things", he added. 120 Bahadur salutes the veer Ahir soldiers of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment who laid down their lives in the Battle of Rezang La during the Indo-Sino war of 1962. The film has been shot in the breathtaking landscapes of Ladakh, and draws deeply from the true events of the 1962 India-Sino war. The 1962 war happened because of the undefined boundaries along Aksai Chin near Ladakh in north India, and Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast. Chinas construction of a road through Aksai Chin, which India claimed as its territory, heightened the tensions. Diplomatic negotiations failed, and in October 1962, Chinese forces launched a two-pronged offensive across both fronts. First Published: November 23, 2025, 18:13 IST News movies bollywood Farhan Akhtar Never Acted Like A Producer On 120 Bahadur Set, Says Vivan Bhathena: Didnt Interfere I Dread What Theyve Done To Him: Celina Jaitly Recalls Her Brothers Final Call, Appeals For His Return Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 17:01 IST Celina Jaitly penned a note stating that her life has been a countdown of fear and hope ever since her brother, Maj. (Rtd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly was detained in UAE last year. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Celina Jaitly's brother Maj. (Rtd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly has been detained in the UAE since September last year. Actress Celina Jaitly shared a heart-wrenching message on Instagram, appealing for her brother, Maj. (Rtd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitlys safe return. He has reportedly been detained in the UAE since September last year. In her post, Celina wrote that she fears what he might be going through, and that her life has been a countdown of fear and hope ever since her brother was detained over a year ago. She expressed her anguish over not being able to hear his voice or see his face. She then appealed for his return, stating that she is putting her faith and hope in our government. She also added that she will not rest until her brother returns safely to India. Celina Jaitly Appeals For Her Brothers Return Recommended Stories On Sunday, Celina Jaitly took to her Instagram to share a picture with her brother. In her emotional caption, she wrote, From the Battlefield to a Cell, The Unspoken Pain of an Indian Soldier, 444 Days Without My Brother! Its been 1 year, 2 months, 17 days, 443 days in total, 10,632 hours, 637,920 minutessince my brother, Major Vikrant Kumar Jaitly,(Retd) was taken. Since he was 1st abducted, held incommunicado for eight long months, then kept in detention somewhere in the Middle East, my life has been a countdown of fear, hope & unbearable silence. I am waiting to hear his voice, I am waiting to see his face, I dread what they have done to him. I dread it because only I know who he was when he was whole, & I dread it because I know what he managed to communicate in that one final callA call made to the only number he could still remember. A call carrying more pain than words. A call carrying more truth than the world is ready to face." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Celina Jaitly (@celinajaitlyofficial) She further added, I have more questions than answers, so much terror in every second that passes. He suffers from many injuries from his line of duty. He has given his youth, his strength, his mind, his life to Bharat. He has lived & bled for the flag. As #bharat rises as a global force, our soldiers & #veterans are becoming easy targets abroad. This is not just personal anymore, this pattern of picking up our soldiers & veterans abroad is this now jeopardising our own National Security instead? We must ask this question. We must demand answers. We must not turn away. We need the same, decisive action that was taken in Qatar, I am putting my faith, my life & my hope in our government ..That they will safely bring their soldier back. The same action that brought home our Naval veterans. Our soldier deserves no less. No #indian soldier deserves less. Bring our soldier back." She further urged people not to let this momentum die. Do not let a man who gave everything to this nation be abandoned in silence. We must not forget our veterans, we must not let this happen to them, not now, not ever. As my late father, Col VK Jaitly (SM), always said, If you want to honour a soldier, be an Indian worth dying for." BHAI I HAVE LOST EVERYTHING FINDING YOU I will NOT stop, I will NOT give up till he is back to the soil of his Bharat, the country he gave up all for!! Kalika Mata Ki Jai #indianarmy," wrote Celina. Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court directed the external affairs ministry to provide legal assistance to Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been detained in the UAE for over a year. Celina hailed the Delhi High Courts ruling as a ray of hope". Celina Jaitlys petition stated that her brother, a veteran of the Indian Armys 3 Para Special Forces, has been detained in the UAE since September last year. Despite his long-standing service, including being a recipient of the COAS Commendation for Gallantry, the actor stated that the Indian authorities had not been able to provide clear information on his welfare and legal situation. First Published: November 23, 2025, 16:58 IST News movies bollywood I Dread What Theyve Done To Him: Celina Jaitly Recalls Her Brothers Final Call, Appeals For His Return Lilly Singh Recalls Having Lunch With Shah Rukh Khan And Family At Mannat: He Gave Me His Blazer' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 19:54 IST Lilly Singh revealed Shah Rukh Khan had hosted her at his home Mannat during one of her previous trips to Mumbai. She called it one of the most memorable days of her life. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Lilly Singh rocked a Shah Rukh Khan t-shirt when she landed in Mumbai a few days ago Popular YouTuber-comedian-actor Lilly Singh arrived in Mumbai last week, and what immediately caught attention was her rocking a Shah Rukh Khan T-shirt. She is currently in Mumbai to film a new season of her podcast Shame Less With Lilly Singh. In a recent interview, she recalled the time when Shah Rukh Khan had hosted her at his home in Mannat, during one of her previous Mumbai trips. She met his family, had lunch with them, and revealed that SRK also gave her one of his blazers! Needless to say, she was thrilled, and she called it one of the most memorable days of her life. When Shah Rukh Khan Hosted Lilly Singh In Mannat Recommended Stories In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Lilly Singh said that Shah Rukh Khan once hosted her at his home Mannat, during one of her previous trips to Mumbai. Having grown up manifesting SRK energy, she said that it was one of the best days of her life! It was one of the greatest days of my life, being hosted at Mannat. Which is why when I landed I wore an SRK shirt. Whats funny is everytime Im in Mumbai in an auto, the rickshaw driver will say Madam thats Shah Rukh Khans house and I say Oh really. Of course I dont tell them Ive been in his house. I met his family, had lunch there. He gave me one of his blazers that I have till date," recalled Lilly. For the unversed, when Lilly Singh arrived in Mumbai last Sunday, she was seen wearing a T-shirt printed with Shah Rukh Khans name and pictures of the superstar. She paired it with baggy black pants and a matching cap. As soon as she spotted the paparazzi, she greeted them in Marathi, saying Kasa kaay, Mumbai? When asked about her SRK tee, Lilly replied, When you land in Mumbai, you have to pay respect to the King." As per reports, she is in India to shoot the new season of her podcast Shame Less With Lilly Singh, and will be filming with various Indian celebrities from different fields. The new season will widen the focus of her show, which has previously hosted actors such as Aditi Rao Hydari, Ananya Panday, Neena Gupta, Bhumi Pednekar and Sidharth Malhotra. She recently met Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai, and shared a video with him. First Published: November 23, 2025, 19:54 IST News movies bollywood Lilly Singh Recalls Having Lunch With Shah Rukh Khan And Family At Mannat: He Gave Me His Blazer' Opinion | Budgam Bypoll: Collapse Of A Dynasty, Mirage Of A Victory, Rise Of New Political Psychology Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 16:05 IST The Budgam bypoll is, therefore, not a story of what the PDP achieved but of what the NC failed to protect, and what the political system in Kashmir is beginning to outgrow A voter shows her ink-marked finger after casting vote during the Budgam assembly constituency bypoll on November 11, 2025. (Image: PTI) The Budgam bypoll, results of which were declared on November 14, will be remembered as far more than a routine electoral exercise. It has, in a single stroke, dismantled political myths that survived for half a century, exposed the vulnerabilities of Kashmirs oldest political family, and simultaneously revealed the limits of the regions traditional parties. Recommended Stories Though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged as the winner in Budgam, the real story lies in what the people refused to accept. The verdict is not a mandate; it is a message. For the first time since the early 1970s, the National Conference (NC) lost the Budgam seat a constituency that had long been spoken of as the ideological homeground" of the party. This was the cradle from which it drew emotional power, historical prestige and, often, electoral arrogance. In 2024, present Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the NC had secured an impressive 38,000 votes from here. Only a year later, that number crashed to just 17,000. Such a collapse cannot be explained by political arithmetic alone. It requires political anthropology. The voters did not merely shift; they walked away. Much of this erosion is rooted in Omar Abdullahs troubled return to power last year. When he and his party re-entered the political arena with a powerful narrative of poll promises and manifesto, people believed. The NC manifesto had ambitious commitments: they spoke of generating one lakh government jobs, providing 200 units of free electricity to poor households, delivering free or heavily subsidised rations through an enhanced Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). Abdullahs handling of the smart meter controversy, which had already troubled large segments of the population last year, during his poll campaign, he had regularly spoken against the forced installation of smart meters and projected himself as protector of the common man, but when confronted recently on the issue, his startling justification that his own aunt and sister were using smart meters and, therefore, the rest should accept them directly contradicted the NCs earlier rhetoric and exposed the gulf between promise and practice. This was perceived not only as a retreat from his manifesto but as an admission that the NCs earlier stance was mere electoral posturing. The result was clear in Budgam: promises that once generated optimism had curdled into public anger and a sense of betrayal, and Abdullahs shifting position on smart meters and other key poll promises became a symbol of a larger pattern of inconsistency and indifference that voters decisively punished. As the Budgam bypoll starkly revealed, these grand assurances had quickly decayed into a record of disappointment, unfulfilled commitments, and deepening public disillusionment. It is within this broader context of disillusionment that the result must be understood. The crushing decline in the NC vote share did not just reflect local issues, it captured a year of unfulfilled political promises. When Abdullah abandoned Budgam after winning two seats in 2024, many saw it as a tactical manoeuvre. But for voters, it became a powerful symbol: Budgam was useful to him when he needed validation, but dispensable when he didnt. That perceived arrogance, when combined with the failure to deliver on essential social promises, was deeply felt by the electorate. This loss, therefore, is not just a defeat in a single constituency. It is a punishment. A validation of the anxiety and frustration that many in Kashmir feel: that despite democratic participation, the political elite has not radically changed. The anger is not just about broken promises, it is about unmet expectations of dignity, agency, and real governance. Critics have pointed out that the NC government has faltered on several fronts: the governance, which came with the promise of a renewed political direction, instead stumbled into indecision, bureaucratic drift, and a familiar detachment from ordinary people. The contrast with the previous administration under Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha became sharper with every passing month. His tenure had earned credibility across ideological lines, not because he was a political figure, but precisely because he was not. Sinhas governance was marked by administrative steadiness, accessible grievance redress, and an absence of the petty harassment that had once been normalised. Even the NCs own MLA from Kangan, Mian Mehr Ali, had openly acknowledged in the assembly that harassment was not happening under the LG, but it is happening now under the rule of the National Conference-led government". Such a statement did not merely express dissent; it revealed a fracture inside the NCs political soul. The bypoll candidate Aga Mehmood, therefore, entered the contest carrying the weight of an entire years discontent. More significantly, he entered without the support of the NCs most influential Shia voice, Aga Ruhullah. When Ruhullah declared that he could not campaign for the NC because the party had failed to deliver on its promises, he effectively withdrew the Shia mureedi network that had been central to the NCs dominance in Budgam. Of the 17,000 votes the NC secured, nearly half came from Mehmoods personal religious following and not from the partys organisational strength. What collapsed was not the candidate, but the political edifice behind him. Yet the PDPs victory cannot be mistaken for political resurrection. Aga Muntazirs 21,000 votes appear comfortable, but beneath the surface they reveal a familiar pattern. Around 16,000 of these votes come from the Shia mureedi constituency, a devotional network rather than a political one. In the last election, the PDP had already secured roughly 17,500 votes; this years marginal rise is not an ideological endorsement but a social transfer. It reflects the dissent of Ruhullahs followers, the traditional inclination of Jamaat-e-Islami supporters towards the PDP, and smaller Sunni pockets influenced by leaders like Hakeem Yaseen. None of this signals a structural expansion in the partys political footprint. It only demonstrates that the NC lost the community whose support once sustained it, and the PDP simply became the beneficiary of that dissatisfaction. If there is one number that disrupts the old equations, it is the 7,000 votes secured by the young Independent candidate Jibran Dar. In a constituency where religious peerage systems dominate electoral behaviour, his vote share represents something rare and politically significant, a constituency built without the support of dynasties, without devotional networks, without the old vote-transfer machines" that define Budgam. Dars support came from young voters seeking a break from the NC-PDP binary, from urban families tired of political lineage, and from ordinary people who felt increasingly suffocated by the idea that power in Kashmir is forever trapped between two surnames. His emergence is not merely a personal achievement; it is a re-articulation of Kashmirs political grammar. It marks the entrance of a post-dynasty political sentiment, something that Kashmir has rarely allowed to surface. Equally noteworthy is the BJPs quiet but symbolically powerful 2,500 votes. For decades, voting for the saffron party in Kashmir virtually invited social isolation or worse. That such a number could now be cast openly speaks of a psychological transformation in the electorate. People no longer fear being seen as politically different. This shift draws directly from the administrative environment created during Sinhas tenure, when intimidation networks weakened, service delivery improved, and the government began to be measured by governance rather than political identity. The BJPs limited but visible inroad in Budgam owes itself not to the partys own ground machinery, but to the credibility the LG established a credibility that Abdullahs government could not match. The Budgam bypoll is, therefore, not a story of what the PDP achieved, but of what the NC failed to protect, and what the political system in Kashmir is beginning to outgrow. It is the dismantling of an old order without the emergence of a new one. It is a public punishment for one party, a conditional benefit for another, and an unexpected opportunity for forces outside the traditional fold. The bypoll is not just another seat changing color. It is a diagnostic moment for Kashmiri politics, a moment that reveals how deeply disillusioned voters are with political nostalgia, how fragile the promises of dynastic parties are, and how open the door is for a fundamentally different political future. The NC has not simply lost Budgam; it has lost the moral capital to lead Kashmir in the way it once claimed it would. Budgams voters have not merely punished a party, they have expressed their impatience with a political order that is failing to renew itself. In doing so, they have ignited the question: what comes next? And that question is far more consequential than any bypoll result. Voters have rejected the NCs complacency, resisted the PDPs attempts to portray itself as the natural alternative, quietly encouraged new political aspirations through the rise of an Independent, and signalled their willingness to consider national parties without fear. This is not a shift; it is an awakening. And for the first time in many years, Kashmirs political imagination appears ready to move beyond the binaries that once defined it. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The winners of the by-poll will celebrate. The losers will introspect. But the people of Budgam have already delivered the real verdict: they are searching for leadership that neither dynasty nor devotional networks, neither slogans nor sentimentality, can manufacture anymore. (Mudasir Dar is a social and peace activist based in South Kashmir. He is a Rashtrapati Award recipient in world scouting and has contributed to many local and national publications on a diverse range of topics, including national security, politics, governance, peace. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) First Published: November 23, 2025, 16:05 IST News opinion Opinion | Budgam Bypoll: Collapse Of A Dynasty, Mirage Of A Victory, Rise Of New Political Psychology Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | Butterfly Effect: What Happens If India Hands Over Sheikh Hasina To Yunus Regime Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 10:52 IST It would hand legitimacy and huge popularity to the interim Muhammad Yunus government. Execution of "the fascist dictator" would become the founding myth of the "Second Republic" In effect, by handing over former PM Sheikh Hasina, India would invite a clear and present danger of turning Bangladesh into a permanently hostile, radicalised, China-embracing neighbour. (Image: Reuters/File) It is incredulous to believe that any Indian government at the Centre least of all one led by Narendra Modi would hand over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to those running kangaroo courts in her Bangladesh. India values loyalty and friendship. If in the face of extreme pressure from the United States and the European Union, India has not cracked on buying oil and arms from its old friend Russia, the pressure from an unelected regime in Bangladesh wont make it even lift a finger. Recommended Stories Indias gradual but firm outing of its strong bonds with Israel in spite of heat from the Islamic world is just another example that values its allies a fair bit more than the US under Donald Trump, for instance, has demonstrated. But for a moment consider what would happen if India were to extradite Hasina to Bangladesh to face death. It would trigger the butterfly effect, or a chain of events stemming from that one dark decision. The first flap of the butterflys wing would be in Dhaka, with the BNP, Jamaat, and other radical Islamist students erupting in jubilation. Hasina will be flown in, paraded, and within weeks executed or found dead in custody. It would hand legitimacy and huge popularity to the interim Muhammad Yunus government. Execution of the fascist dictator" would become the founding myth of the Second Republic". The unelected government, along with its hardline Islamist backers like Jamaat-e-Islami, would boldly advertise to the world that they forced India to bend and return the tyrant". Anti-India sentiments would then be written into state policy and street anarchy would become an official tool to threaten India. With extremists tasting blood, Indian goods could face quiet boycotts, border haats shut down, and ISI training camps from Brahmanbaria, to Ambarkhana to the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Rohingya camps would further swell with applicants. The image of a weakened, submissive India would embolden China and make it look like the far bigger influence in Bangladesh. The Chinese would arrive with a large box of no-strings" loans for deep-sea ports, railways, and bridges to serve their own purpose and tighten the stranglehold over Bangladesh as they have done with Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Places in Bangladesh become the new Hambantota, breathing on Indias Chickens Neck Siliguri corridor. As persecution heightens, minority Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists begin to pour into India, and along with them, swarms of jihadis wearing sheepskin. In effect, by handing over Hasina, India would invite a clear and present danger of turning Bangladesh into a permanently hostile, radicalised, China-embracing neighbour. But the most chilling consequence of betraying Hasina however flawed her regime may have been would be the example that India sets for its friends and potential allies. You betray an ally, you lose trust of every present and potential ally. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all That is why it is eminently wise to keep Sheikh Hasina in Delhi and the butterfly in a jar. (Abhijit Majumder is the author of the book, Indias New Right. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) First Published: November 23, 2025, 10:52 IST News opinion Opinion | Butterfly Effect: What Happens If India Hands Over Sheikh Hasina To Yunus Regime Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | How India Has Consistently Raised The G20 Leadership Bar Under PM Modi Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 13:33 IST As the world strains under geopolitical fragmentation, Indias steady hand at the G20 has offered direction, coherence and optimism PM Modi attends the plenary session of the G20 Summit in South Africa. (Reuters) In a world fractured by geopolitical tensions, economic volatility and transnational threats, multilateral platforms often struggle to deliver meaningful outcomes. Yet one country and one leader has steadily transformed the G20 from a crisis-management forum into a long-term agenda-setting institution. Over the past eleven years, Prime Minister Narendra Modis interventions at successive G20 summits have not only shaped global conversations but have also systematically expanded the forums moral and developmental canvas. With the announcement of four major new proposals-the Global Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus, the Global Traditional Knowledge Repository, the Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative, and the Global Healthcare Response Team-India has again demonstrated that leadership is not about rhetoric, but about offering workable frameworks to address the worlds hardest problems. These initiatives reflect a confident nation seeking not just a seat at the global high table, but a role in decisively designing its architecture. Recommended Stories Indias Next Leap in G20 Thought Leadership The first of the four ideas, the Global Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus, is perhaps the most urgent. Across continents, narcotics and terrorism have grown symbiotically, with drug money sustaining extremist networks and enabling cross-border radicalisation. India, having battled both challenges, is uniquely positioned to propose a globally coordinated mechanism that strengthens intelligence exchange and creates a shared early-warning ecosystem. This is not just a security initiative but an effort to fortify global stability. The Global Traditional Knowledge Repository, in contrast, is rooted in Indias civilizational wisdom. At a time when humanity is seeking sustainable lifestyles, natural healthcare and nature-aligned technologies, Indias accumulated heritage offers answers that are simultaneously ancient and modern. A repository that consolidates Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, tribal medicinal practices and global indigenous wisdom can help the world access time-tested knowledge while protecting the intellectual property rights of original communities. It also aligns naturally with Mission LiFE, Indias global campaign to shift human behaviour toward environmental responsibility. The Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative reflects the same blend of strategic practicality and moral imagination. Africa is becoming the worlds young powerhouse, but its demographic dividend requires targeted skilling ecosystems. India has long shared a bond with Africathrough development partnerships, digital payment ecosystems, telemedicine, IT training and green-energy cooperation. The proposed initiative seeks to scale such models across the continent, helping African nations leapfrog into the digital and green economies. It also builds on Indias diplomatic milestone in securing the African Unions permanent G20 membership during the New Delhi Summit. Finally, the Global Healthcare Response Team addresses a painful lesson of the pandemic years-the absence of a coordinated global mechanism to respond to medical emergencies. India, having served as the worlds pharmacy and having delivered humanitarian medical assistance across continents, now proposes a multinational rapid-response team capable of mobilising doctors, field hospitals, essential supplies and telehealth infrastructure in moments of crisis. It reflects the humanitarianism that has marked Indias international engagements. Indias Evolving G20 Philosophy These four proposals are not standalone ideas. They sit atop a decade-long arc of consistent thought leadership that PM Modi has brought to the G20-an arc that tells the story of a country steadily expanding the horizons of global governance. Indias imprint on the G20 began early, in 2014, when PM Modi insisted that financial transparency and action against global black money must be treated not as domestic concerns but as international imperatives. This signalled his leadership style: placing uncomfortable but necessary issues at the centre of global deliberation. The following year, at Antalya, India deepened the conversation by urging coordinated action against terror financingan issue that, at the time, lacked the urgency it commands today. By 2016 in Hangzhou, India had already begun weaving together the themes that would define the next decade of G20 discourseinnovation, sustainability, inclusive development and a collective stand against terrorism. Modi consistently argued that economic reform could not be separated from environmental stewardship or from equitable access to technology. The Hamburg summit in 2017 saw him highlight global health security, foreshadowing the vulnerabilities that the world would confront just a few years later. In Buenos Aires in 2018, the focus shifted toward the integrity of global financial systems when India presented the Nine-Point Agenda to act against fugitive economic offenders. This pushed the G20 to recognise that financial misconduct in one jurisdiction can destabilise economic fairness everywhere. A year later, in Osaka, India championed the need for a coherent global framework for digital governancea vision that now feels prophetic as debates over data sovereignty, digital public infrastructure and AI governance dominate global forums. The year 2020 was unlike any other. As the world reeled from the pandemic, Indias call at the Riyadh summit to adopt Ease of Living as a development metric reframed the global discourse by shifting the focus from abstract numbers to human welfare. This human-centric approach shaped the subsequent years. In Rome in 2021, India articulated the One Earth, One Health" doctrine, arguing that the health of planet, human societies and economies is indivisible. Then came Bali in 2022, where India globalized two of its own successful frameworksMission LiFE and the Aarogya Maitri medical solidarity initiative. These formed the prelude to the landmark New Delhi G20 Presidency in 2023, where India delivered a consensus-driven Delhi Declaration, secured permanent membership for the African Union, launched the Global Biofuels Alliance and established the Digital Public Infrastructure Framework, among many other achievements. The presidency marked a new phase of Indias global leadershipa role focused on bridging divides, amplifying the voice of the Global South and creating mechanisms that endure beyond summitry. Even in the presidencies that followedBrazil in 2024 and South Africa in 2025Indias imprint has continued to guide conversations on implementing the Delhi Declaration, framing ethical AI standards and advocating debt relief for vulnerable nations. Across this entire arc, Indias voice has been remarkably consistent: multilateralism must be purposeful, growth must be equitable, technology must remain a public good, and global leadership must be humane. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As the world strains under geopolitical fragmentation, Indias steady hand at the G20 has offered direction, coherence and optimism. The four new proposals announced on November 22 reinforce a decade-long tradition of raising the barnot through grandstanding but through grounded, workable global frameworks. Under PM Modi, India has evolved from being a participant in global governance to one of its principal agenda architects. In doing so, it has helped reshape the G20 into a forum that speaks not only for the most powerful economies but also for the most vulnerable societies. The writer is an author and a national spokesperson of the BJP. Views expressed are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: November 23, 2025, 13:29 IST News opinion Opinion | How India Has Consistently Raised The G20 Leadership Bar Under PM Modi 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... All my life I have walked past and only rarely inside the lovely late 19th-century Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue in Kala Ghoda, with its distinctive neoclassical facade and careful architectural orientation towards Jerusalem. But I had never eaten there until a few days ago, when I was unexpectedly included at a traditional Shabbat meal (there are usually three of them, spaced over Friday night and Saturday afternoon). To my surprise, this became a mind-bending immersion into another world, where old Mumbai melds into the ancient Middle East. At the heart of the experience was an extraordinary dish of chicken and rice, the transporting, traditional hamim. Kolkata-based writer and artist Jael Silliman whose wonderful original painting accompanies this column says the Sephardic delicacy originates in ritual, as observant Jews are prohibited from lighting fires during Shabbat. That is why a whole hen is stuffed with rice, flavoured with cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaves, and set to cook on slowly dying embers on Friday night. By the morning, she writes, three dishes would miraculously emerge: the whole stuffed hen called the hashwa (stuffed in Arabic); shorba, a rich stew of rice and chicken (thick soup); and hakaka, the dark brown crust at the bottom flavoured with chicken that gets its name from the word Kak which means crisp in Arabic. When my grandmother prepared hamim in London her incredulous English neighbour peevishly, but in polite British fashion, asked: While the smells from your kitchen are tantalising, what is it that you cook in the middle of the night? Like the Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue itself, hamim has Baghdadi roots. The iconic blue synagogue of Kala Ghoda was established in 1884 by Jacob Elias Sassoon, the first Baronet of Bombay, whose father Elias David Sassoon had been born in Iraq (at the time, it was still the Ottoman Empire). They were part of an historically consequential trading diaspora of Arabic-speaking Jewish traders who became fabulously wealthy in Bombay and Calcutta, then expanded to Burma, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai before inevitably settling in London to become absorbed into British aristocracy. All that is still very much alive in 2025, when by most accounts the richest siblings in the UK are the Mumbai-born billionaire Baghdadi Jewish brothers David and Simon Reuben. Right into the middle of the 20th century, there were three thriving heritage Indian Jewish communities: the Baghdadis (who actually came from different locations across what is now Iraq and Syria), the Cochinis (at least some of whom have legitimate claims to descending from Biblical era migrations), and the Bene Israelis, the Shanivar Telis or Saturday oil-pressers of the Konkan who became re-absorbed into normative rabbinical Judaism during the British colonial era in the 18th and 19th centuries. After the establishment of Israel in 1948, the substantial majority of Indian Jews migrated to the new country, but it is interesting to note the number of Jewish Indians has risen dramatically once again in the 21st century. In 2005, the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel approved thousands of Kukis, Chins and Mizos as one of the lost tribes dubbed the Bnei Menashe, and there are further hundreds of assiduously observant Telugu Jews in Andhra Pradesh petitioning to be recognised on the same lines, as the Bnei Ephraim. I was able to enter the Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue earlier this month, because I happened to be accompanying Solomon Souza, the observant Jewish Israeli British part-Goan artist who is the grandson of the great modernist FN Souza. The evening before, we had attended the opening of Resonant Histories: India and the Arab World just down the road at the CSMVS museum, an eye-opening landmark exhibition curated with terrific aplomb by Suheyla Takesh and Puja Vaish in the Jehangir Nicholson Art Foundation gallery space. It was inaugurated by the visionary Emirati art collector and scholar Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi, who told the assembled audience that his father, uncles, grandmother and great-grandmother had all been born in Mumbai. Underlining the significance of these generations of connections, Takesh pointed out that what we think of as history often extends directly into our living present. That wisdom wafted straight back into my mind the next day, borne on the scent of that irresistible hamim. Punjabs Right Over Chandigarh Non-Negotiable: Centres Bill Draws Opposition Ire; BJP Hits Back Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 12:09 IST Punjab politics has erupted after the Centre proposed the 131st Amendment Bill, prompting the SAD to call an emergency meeting. Chandigarh Status Row Heats Up Ahead of Winter Session Tensions have escalated sharply in Punjabs political landscape following the Centres move to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposes bringing Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, which empowers the president to make regulations for the UT and legislate directly. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has denounced the proposal as an attempt to dilute Punjabs rightful claim over Chandigarh, prompting party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to call an emergency meeting of the partys Core Committee. Recommended Stories Sukhbir Badal calls emergency meeting Sukhbir Singh Badal issued a strongly worded statement on X, declaring that the move amounted to an anti-Punjab" assault on the federal structure. He announced an emergency Core Committee meeting at 2 PM on Monday at the party headquarters in Chandigarh to devise a decisive response. Badal said, The Bill aims to demolish Punjabs rightful claim over Chandigarh. The Akali Dal will fight the Centres proposal on every front. Punjabs right over Chandigarh is non-negotiable." The SAD president assured Punjabis that the party would not allow this anti-Punjab Bill" to succeed and vowed a robust political and constitutional battle. AAP leader and CM of Punjab Bhagwant Mann opposed the Centres proposed Chandigarh bill, calling it an attack on Punjabs rights and a move to snatch" Chandigarh from the state. He has repeatedly asserted that Chandigarh was, is and will always remain an integral part of Punjab" and vowed that the state will not allow" the amendment to go through. Cheema says a conspiracy against Punjab SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema sharpened the partys attack, expressing deep shock and disappointment over the Centres proposal. He said the party never expected that the Union government would attempt a conspiracy to take Chandigarh away from Punjab," especially at a time when the nation is commemorating the 350th anniversary of the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. Cheema noted that Punjab had anticipated goodwill gestures from the Centre on this historic occasion, but instead, the proposed amendment had shocked Punjabis." He confirmed that the Core Committee would meet on 24 November at 2 PM under Sukhbir Badals chairmanship to finalise the next steps. Senior constitutional experts will also be consulted to prepare a strong and legally sound strategy to challenge what the party calls the Centres wrongful step." Chandigarh UT move will boost growth: BJP Meanwhile, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal criticised the Aam Aadmi Party for spreading misinformation", stating that making Chandigarh a full Union Territory would only accelerate its economic development. He argued that under Punjabs administration, investors have remained uncertain, but UT status would allow the Centre to bring in funds and execute development projects more efficiently, as seen in other Union Territories. Calling the controversy politically manufactured", Khandelwal said insecure leaders were attempting to create unrest for relevance. He stressed that this was an administrative decision, not a political one, and clarity would emerge once Parliaments session begins on 1 December. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar reaffirmed that Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, stressing the partys unwavering commitment to safeguarding the states interests, including issues of territory and water. He said any confusion over Chandigarh would be resolved through discussions with the government. As a proud Punjabi, Jakhar emphasised that Punjabs priorities will always come first for the BJP. Former BJP MP RP Singh dismissed the ongoing controversy over Chandigarhs proposed administrative changes, calling it a politically motivated dispute. He argued that the amendment linked to Article 240 would only simplify decision-making by enabling the President to take direct calls, without affecting law and order or existing structures. Singh reiterated that the Governor of Punjab would remain the Lieutenant Governor of Chandigarh, challenging opposition leaders including Sukhbir Badal and Congress representatives to debate him publicly. They are opposing just for the sake of opposition because they have no real issue to raise," said Singh. He accused rival parties of manufacturing issues to stay relevant, citing recent protests over unfulfilled promises as evidence of their misplaced priorities. What the 131st amendment proposes? According to parliamentary bulletins, the Centre plans to introduce The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the winter session of Parliament beginning on 1 December 2025. The Bill seeks to bring Chandigarh under Article 240, enabling the Centre to appoint a Lieutenant Governor to administer the Union Territory. The move is widely seen as diminishing Punjabs historical and political claim over Chandigarh, which currently functions as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. The Centres proposal has sparked rare unity among Punjabs political rivals. Both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress have strongly opposed the move, accusing the BJP-led government of undermining Punjabs rights as a border state. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all They argue that the amendment would further erode Punjabs administrative stake in Chandigarh and weaken the federal balance envisaged by the Constitution. With political temperatures rising and parties lining up for a confrontation, the controversy over Chandigarh is set to become a major flashpoint in the winter session of Parliament. About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More Location : Chandigarh, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 10:08 IST News politics Punjabs Right Over Chandigarh Non-Negotiable: Centres Bill Draws Opposition Ire; BJP Hits Back 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... Elect All My Candidates Or Lose Funds: Ajit Pawar Threatens Voters In Malegaon Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 07:14 IST Ajit Pawar warned Malegaon voters funds would be released only if all NCP candidates win, sparking opposition criticism and calls for EC action ahead of Nagar Panchayat polls. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. (PTI/File) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stirred controversy on the campaign trail for the local elections, appearing to warn voters, saying that he would release funds he had promised only if all of his partys candidates were elected. While addressing a rally for the Nagar Panchayat elections at Malegaon in Baramati tehsil on Friday, Pawar, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said the party had fielded 18 candidates. Recommended Stories The Centre and the state have many schemes. The Prime Minister, chief minister and both deputy chief ministers have worked on these together. If all of us work together and implement these schemes properly, we can ensure development for Malegaon," Pawar said. I will ensure there is no shortage of funds if you elect all 18 NCP candidates. If you elect all of them, I will fulfil whatever I have promised. But if you cut my candidates, I will also cut" (the funds). You have the power to vote, and I have the power to release funds. Now decide what you want to do," he said. Hitting out at the deputy chief ministers remarks, the opposition questioned why the Election Commission has yet to take any action. Funds are given from the taxes paid by the common people and not from Ajit Pawars house. If a leader like Pawar is threatening voters, what is the Election Commission doing?" Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasheb BT) leader Ambadas Danve was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Elections for Nagar Panchayats will be held on December 2. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, this isnt the first time Pawar has courted controversy with his remarks. In January, during a public meeting in his Baramati Assembly constituency, he was presented with memoranda outlining various demands. Pawar had then said, You have voted for me, but that doesnt mean you own me." Location : Maharashtra, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 07:10 IST News politics Elect All My Candidates Or Lose Funds: Ajit Pawar Threatens Voters In Malegaon 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... Only Media Speculation: Siddaramaiah Meets Kharge, Dismisses Karnataka Leadership Change Talk Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 08:27 IST Amid escalating Congress infighting, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, insisting rumours of a Karnataka leadership change are unfounded. There has been much speculation about a possible leadership change in Karnataka, suggesting that CM Siddaramaiah (R) could step down to make way for his deputy DK Shivakumar (L). (Image: PTI/File) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday sought to quell growing political speculation, asserting there was no question of a leadership change in the state. The clarification came after he met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at the latters residence in Bengaluru, amid an ongoing power tussle within the ruling party. A courtesy call, says Siddaramaiah Recommended Stories The meeting, Siddaramaiah stressed, was simply a courtesy call following Kharges return from New Delhi on Friday evening. Apart from the courtesy call, we discussed the organisation and upcoming local body elections, including the Bengaluru municipal polls," the chief minister told PTI. When asked whether the Congress chief had raised concerns about a possible change in leadership, Siddaramaiah dismissed the notion outright. That is only speculation. You (media) created it," he said. The chief minister also claimed he did not question Kharge about the sudden gathering of several Congress MLAs from Karnataka in Delhi. If at all I have to gather information I will collect it from the intelligence department," he said wryly. Rift with Shivakumar? The political buzz intensified on Friday after Siddaramaiah publicly declared he would continue in office" and even present future state budgets. His remarks came amid persistent tensions with Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar. Shivakumar, when asked for his reaction, simply said, All the best," a comment widely interpreted as a sign of underlying strain. Congress sources have said that at least 15 MLAs and around a dozen MLCs are currently in New Delhi, reportedly pushing for the implementation of a 2023 power-sharing formula. Under the purported arrangement, Siddaramaiah would serve as chief minister for two and a half years-until November 2025-before handing over the reins to Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah reminded party workers and the media that all leaders, including himself and Shivakumar, were ultimately bound by decisions of the Congress high command. Every leader, every minister has to abide by the party high commands decision," he said. He also sought to downplay the significance of MLAs meeting Kharge in Delhi. Let the MLAs go to Delhi," he said. Ultimately, the high command will decide." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, Union minister H D Kumaraswamy stirred the political pot, claiming explosive developments" were imminent within the Congress and urging party workers to gear up". As the Congress high command continues to navigate factional demands, the leadership question remains unresolved. About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More Location : Karnataka, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 08:27 IST News politics Only Media Speculation: Siddaramaiah Meets Kharge, Dismisses Karnataka Leadership Change Talk 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... Miss Israel Says Palestinian Rivals Terror Ties Made Her Skin Crawl After Viral Side-eye Moment Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 19:26 IST Miss Israel Melanie Shiraz called for Miss Palestine Nadeen Ayoub to lose her Miss Universe Top 30 spot over alleged terror links to Marwan Barghouti. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Miss Israel accused her Palestinian rival of hiding terror ties after reports link her to Marwan Barghoutis family. Miss Israel has demanded that Miss Palestine be stripped of her Top 30 ranking at the Miss Universe pageant after reports claimed the contestant was married to the son of Marwan Barghouti, often described by supporters as the Palestinian Mandela" but designated a terrorist by the Israeli government. Melanie Shiraz, 27, said her rival Nadeen Ayoubs marriage to Barghoutis son made her skin crawl" because of what she called the familys alleged terror links". Ayoub is the first-ever Miss Palestine" contestant in the pageant. Recommended Stories Marwan Barghouti is a prominent Palestinian political figure from Kobar near Ramallah. A former rising leader in Fatah, he became known during the Second Intifada and voiced support for a two-state solution. In 2004, Israel convicted him of organising deadly attacks and sentenced him to five life terms plus 40 years. He is still held in an Israeli prison. Barghouti refused to recognise the courts jurisdiction, declined to mount a defence and has maintained his innocence, calling the trial illegitimate. Miss Universe should not condone fraud, violations of its code of conduct or terror. I expect them to take corrective action," Shiraz said, referring to her rivals family ties. Shiraz added that she did not want to act as the moral CEO of Miss Universe", saying the organisation should make its own decisions. She also said she had received death threats after a clip showing her giving what appeared to be a side-eye to Miss Palestine went viral. It makes my skin crawl thinking we were in the same room so many times. Its shocking that we shared a stage with someone with serious terror ties," she said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shiraz denied giving Ayoub a side-eye, saying she was simply looking toward other contestants entering the stage. Adding dramatic language to ordinary moments, especially when it misrepresents people, doesnt promote kindness or fairness," she said. I hope youll reconsider before choosing virality at the expense of others." She told the New York Post she had attempted small talk with Ayoub twice during the pageant but was ignored both times. I smiled at her the first day at breakfast and it was very clear she was not going to engage with me. We were also in an elevator, just us, and she stood there quietly. It was very stiff and awkward," she said. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More Location : Bangkok, Thailand First Published: November 23, 2025, 19:26 IST News viral Miss Israel Says Palestinian Rivals Terror Ties Made Her Skin Crawl After Viral Side-eye Moment Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... New Documentary Claims Ex-US President George HW Bush Knew Of 1964 Alien Encounter Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 11:37 IST The Age of Disclosure claims George HW Bush knew of a 1964 alien encounter at Holloman Air Force Base, sparking debate despite no evidence, as reported by the New York Post. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Representative Image. (Pexels) A new documentary has stirred controversy in the United States with its sensational claim that former President George HW Bush (president from 1989 to 1993) was aware of an alien encounter at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico in 1964, the New York Post reported. No physical evidence was presented to support the claim. According to the documentary The Age of Disclosure, which features an interview with astrophysicist Eric Davis, the late president reportedly told him about the incident during private conversations in 2003. Recommended Stories Davis served as a scientific advisor for the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) created by Congress in 2007 by the late Sen Harry Reid (D-NV). Reportedly, Bush, a former Naval aviator and director of the CIA, had claimed that three spaceships approached the base, and one of them landed, allowing a non-human entity to interact with uniformed Air Force and civilian CIA personnel. When he sought further details, he was allegedly informed that he did not have the need-to-know." One of them landed on the tarmac and a non-human entity deboarded the craft that landed and interacted with uniformed Air Force and civilian CIA personnel," said Davis as quoted in the report. And when [Bush] asked for more details, he was told that he did not have a need-to-know." The report noted that the documentary, which premiered on Amazon Prime on Friday, also includes testimony from physicist and former AATIP member Hal Puthoff, who claimed that multiple types of extraterrestrial beings have been recovered. Gary Nolan, an immunologist and cancer researcher at Stanford University, described injuries sustained by military personnel who claimed to have come into contact with unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), including horrific" burns and internal scarring. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The films director, Dan Farah, says he hopes the documentary will help accelerate the UFO disclosure movement and prompt a future president to publicly acknowledge the existence of extraterrestrial life. The films director, Dan Farah, says he hopes the documentary will help accelerate the UFO disclosure movement and prompt a future president to publicly acknowledge the existence of extraterrestrial life. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: November 23, 2025, 11:37 IST News viral New Documentary Claims Ex-US President George HW Bush Knew Of 1964 Alien Encounter 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... X's Country Of Origin Feature Sparks Chaos As Several Pro-MAGA Accounts Found Foreign-Run Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 22:23 IST Elon Musk's X has rolled out a new transparency feature that discloses the country-of-origin of an account, sparking chaos over foreign-run handles discussing politics. X's new country-of-origin feature has sparked a raging debate online. Elon Musks X platform has rolled out a new transparency feature that discloses the country-of-origin of an account, among other details like username changes and verification date. This feature has sparked an online war, as several accounts part of US President Donald Trumps Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement were found to be foreign-run. In one of its most significant changes, the X platform is now displaying the country label for every account across the world to verify the authenticity of the content posted by different handles. Users can now head to an account and click on the date joined tab, which opens up to a new page. Recommended Stories This is an important first step to securing the integrity of the global town square. We plan to provide many more ways for users to verify the authenticity of the content they see on X. And for those in countries where speech has penalties, weve included privacy toggles to only show your region," said Xs Head of Product, Nikita Bier. In a couple hours, well be rolling out About This Account globally, allowing you to see the country or region where an account is based. This will be accessible by tapping the signup date on profiles.This is an important first step to securing the integrity of the global town pic.twitter.com/5d7cX21qGj Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) November 22, 2025 This has caused a buzz on social media, with many users pointing out that several X handles critical of India are being run from Pakistan and Bangladesh, who reportedly changed their locations to South Asia after the feature was launched. Furore Over MAGA Accounts The new feature has been lauded for promoting accountability and debunking propaganda, but much of the debate has been focused on MAGA accounts, many of which were listed in countries outside the United States. These accounts have pushed agendas that align closely with Donald Trumps America First policies, and have attacked the Democrats. However, several of these accounts have been found to be based outside of the US. One profile going by MAGA NATION with a follower count of over 392,000 is based out of Eastern Europe. Today has been an absolute bloodbath for many of the large accounts in the MAGA, Pro-Russian, Pro-Chinese, Pro-Iranian, Pro-Israel, and Crypto Communities, following the implementation of account location info by X. pic.twitter.com/QMpgzefdgl OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 23, 2025 Another account, DarkMagaCoin, is located in Thailand and MAGA Scope is based in Nigeria. Furthermore, an account named America First was ironically found to be based in Bangladesh. Another profile, with the username @WilliamAlbrech, describes itself as ultra MAGA" and a patriot" and was found to be based in Nigeria. It was not only on the MAGA side, An account going by Ron Smith whose bio claims hes a Proud Democrat and Professional MAGA hunter with over 52,000 followers was found to be operated from Kenya. LMFAO! Proud Democrat MAGA hunter" named Ron Smith is based in KENYA, according to Xs country feature.He has a VPN on meaning this New Jerseyan" is hiding his location, and he could be from anywhere! Imagine my shock. pic.twitter.com/0kHkVnzepQ Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 22, 2025 Report: The Anti-Trump account Republicans Against Trump" which 1M followed has been identified as a non-American from Austria and is currently using a VPN to hide their location pic.twitter.com/Yjd707kg0B The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) November 22, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Republicans against Trump, a prominent handle with over 1 million followers that criticises the policies of Trump and the MAGA movement, is being operated from Austria. While the location now shows the US, the account location might not be accurate due to the alleged use of a VPN. Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna reacted to the row from her personal account, saying, All of these pretend pro-America" accounts that were pushing infighting within MAGA are literally foreign grifters. Im telling you, the foreign opp is real and so are the bot accounts." 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 : United States of America (USA) First Published: November 23, 2025, 22:23 IST News viral X's Country Of Origin Feature Sparks Chaos As Several Pro-MAGA Accounts Found Foreign-Run 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... Bangladesh Sends Third Official Extradition Letter To India Seeking Ousted PM Hasinas Custody Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 22:48 IST The Yunus-led interim government wrote to India seeking the handover of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Muhammad Yunus is being accused of trying to force elections by banning Sheikh Hasinas Awami League which is Bangladeshs largest political party. (IMAGE: REUTERS) The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh has sent an official letter" to New Delhi seeking the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, days after the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) sentenced her to death. Bangladesh has now sent three letters to India asking for Hasinas return after she fled Dhaka when Islamists hijacked student-led quota reform agitations, which later turned violent. Recommended Stories According to Prothom Alo, a prominent Bangladeshi news portal, Dhaka had already dispatched two letters to India in December 2024, urging New Delhi to send Hasina back to face trial for her alleged crimes. The development regarding the latest communication was announced by the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) on Sunday. The agency reported that the new letter was sent on Friday, confirming the information through foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain, who declined to provide further details. On November 17, the special tribunal handed Hasina, 78, the death sentence along with former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on charges of committing crimes against humanity". Both were tried in absentia while staying in India. The third accused in the case, former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who appeared in person, received a five-year jail term after turning approver" and testifying as a state witness. Hours after the ICT-BD verdict was delivered last week, the External Affairs Ministry issued a statement saying India has noted the verdict announced by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh concerning former prime minister Sheikh Hasina". As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end," the statement read. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hasinas government was toppled in a student-led violent protest termed as the July Uprising on August 5 last year. Three days later, Nobel Laureate Yunus flew from Paris at the call of the protesting students to assume the charge of the interim government as its chief adviser. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: November 23, 2025, 22:36 IST News world Bangladesh Sends Third Official Extradition Letter To India Seeking Ousted PM Hasinas Custody 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... 'Can't Be Renegotiated': Ramaphosa After G20 Summit In South Africa Adopts Declaration Amid US Boycott Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 08:16 IST The G20 declaration addresses the climate crisis and other global challenges over US objections, reflecting strains between South Africa and the Trump administration Leaders pose for a family photo on the first day of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 22, 2025. (Image: REUTERS/Yves Herman) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the declaration adopted by G20 countries cannot be renegotiated" even as the US boycotted the event accusing South Africa of weaponising its leadership this year. The G20 declaration addresses the climate crisis and other global challenges and was adopted on Saturday (November 23) over US objections and without its input, reflecting strains between South Africa and the United States. Recommended Stories We had the entire year of working towards this adoption and the past week has been quite intense," Ramaphosas spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told reporters. Hours later, the White House said Ramaphosa was refusing to facilitate a smooth transition of the G20 presidency" after initially saying he would pass the gavel to an empty chair". This, coupled with South Africas push to issue a G20 Leaders Declaration, despite consistent and robust US objections, underscores the fact that they have weaponised their G20 presidency to undermine the G20s founding principles," said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly. Trump looks forward to restoring legitimacy" to the group next year, when the US holds the rotating presidency. Ramaphosa, hosting the summit in Johannesburg this time, had earlier said there was overwhelming consensus" for a summit declaration. According to South African officials, however, at the last minute Argentina, whose far-right President Javier Milei is a close ally of Trump, quit the negotiations right before the envoys were about to adopt the draft text. Argentina, although it cannot endorse the declaration remains fully committed to the spirit of cooperation that has defined the G20 since its conception," Argentinas foreign minister Pablo Quirno said at the summit. Ramaphosa noted this, but went ahead with the declaration. In explanation, Quirno said Argentina was concerned about how the document referred to geopolitical issues. Specifically it addresses the longstanding Middle East conflict in a manner that fails to capture its full complexity," he said. The document mentions the conflict once, saying members agree to work for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace inthe Occupied Palestinian Territory." DECLARATION MENTIONS CLIMATE CHANGE Sources familiar with the matter said envoys from the G20 which brings together the worlds major economies drew up a draft leaders declaration on November 21 without US involvement. It is a longstanding G20 tradition to issue only consensus deliverables, and it is shameful that the South African government is now trying to depart from this standard practice," a senior Trump administration official said. The declaration used the kind of language long disliked by the US administration: stressing the seriousness of climate change and the need to better adapt to it, praising ambitious targets to boost renewable energy and noting the punishing levels of debt service suffered by poor countries. The mention of climate change was a snub to Trump, who doubts the scientific consensus that global warming is caused by human activities. Officials in the US had indicated they would oppose any reference to it in the declaration. In opening remarks to the summit, Ramaphosa said: We should not allow anything to diminish the value, the stature and the impact of the first African G20 presidency." His bold tone was a striking contrast to his subdued decorum during his visit to the White House in May, in which he endured Trump repeating a false claim that there was a genocide of white farmers in South Africa, brushing aside Ramaphosas efforts to correct his facts. Trump said US officials would not attend the summit because of allegations, widely discredited, that the host countrys Black majority government persecutes its white minority. TRUMP REJECTS SOUTH AFRICAS G20 AGENDA The summit came at a time of heightened tensions between world powers over Russias war in Ukraine and fraught climate negotiations at the COP30 in Brazil. The US president had also rejected the host nations agenda of promoting solidarity and helping developing nations adapt to weather disasters, transition to clean energy and cut their excessive debt costs. This G20 is not about the US," South African foreign minister Ronald Lamola told public broadcaster SABC. We are all equal members of the G20. What it means is that we need to take a decision. Those of us who are here have decided this is where the world must go." But in a sign of the many geopolitical fissures underlying the agreed text, EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen warned in a speech about the weaponisation of dependencies", which she said only creates losers". This was an apparent veiled reference to Chinas export curbs on rare earths vital for the worlds energy transition, as well as defence and digital technology. Premier Li Qiang called for unity amongst the G20 during a speech at the summit, saying differences in interests among parties and shortcomings in global cooperation are key obstacles to international unity. The G20 should face up to these problems, explore solutions and promote a return to the right track of unity and cooperation," Li said in a statement from Chinas foreign ministry. The South African presidency has reiterated its rejection of a US offer to send its charge daffaires for the G20 handover. The president will not hand over to a junior embassy official the presidency of the G20. Its a breach of protocol that is not going to be accommodated," Magwenya said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Lamola later said South Africa will assign a diplomat of the same rank as a charge daffaires to hand over the G20 presidency at the foreign affairs department. (With Reuters inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More Location : South Africa First Published: November 23, 2025, 08:16 IST News world 'Can't Be Renegotiated': Ramaphosa After G20 Summit In South Africa Adopts Declaration Amid US Boycott 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... Ex-CIA Spy Claims Nuclear Scientist AQ Khan Had 'Pakistani Generals, Leaders On His Payroll' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 23:46 IST James Lawler called Khan as the Merchant of Death for his role in supplying nuclear technology to multiple foreign programmes Rapid Read + Follow us On Google The father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb Abdul Qadeer Khan. (AFP file photo) Celebrated former CIA officer James Lawler has revealed that Pakistani nuclear scientist AQ Khan had certain Pakistani generals and leaders on his payroll" while running a global nuclear proliferation network. Lawler, widely credited for dismantling Khans nuclear smuggling operations, shared the details in an interview with ANI. Lawler, who led the CIAs Counter-Proliferation Division, called Khan as the Merchant of Death" for his role in supplying nuclear technology to multiple foreign programmes. He noted that while the United States had long monitored Khans involvement in Pakistans nuclear programme, it took time to recognise the scale of his outward trafficking. Recommended Stories We were very slow. We thought it was serious that he was supplying Pakistan, but we did not imagine he was going to turn around and become an outward proliferator," Lawler said. Recounting his own career, Lawler said he began his counter-proliferation work during a posting in Europe, before leading the CIAs European counter-proliferation office and later infiltrating Irans nuclear weapons programme. He described using covert entities that posed as suppliers of nuclear-related technology to intercept and sabotage illicit operations. If I want to want to defeat proliferation and proliferators, I need to become a proliferator," he said, explaining the rationale behind these sting operations. Lawler highlighted how Khans network grew from procurement to full-scale nuclear trafficking, supplying not only centrifuge technology but also missile designs and a Chinese atomic bomb blueprint. He warned that an Iranian nuclear weapon built with such technology could trigger a nuclear pandemic" in the region, driving neighbouring countries to seek their own deterrents. The former CIA officer also discussed the agencys post-9/11 operations, including intercepting shipments to Libya and monitoring Pakistans nuclear assets to prevent materials from reaching terrorist groups. CIA Director George Tenet even confronted then-Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf with evidence of Khans activities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Reflecting on his decades of work, Lawler, nicknamed Mad Dog" following a 1980s incident in France, expressed no regrets and emphasised the importance of continued counter-proliferation efforts. He also urged closer cooperation between India and the United States, warning that a nuclear conflict in South Asia would have catastrophic global consequences. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More First Published: November 23, 2025, 23:45 IST News world Ex-CIA Spy Claims Nuclear Scientist AQ Khan Had 'Pakistani Generals, Leaders On His Payroll' 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... Extensive Disinformation: French Navy Refutes Pakistani Journalists Claim On Indias Rafale Losses Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 16:53 IST BJP leader Amit Malviya, reacting to the development, said Pakistans misinformation machinery had once again been exposed. French Navy Debunks Pakistani Rafale Loss Claims, Calls Air Superiority Narrative Fake. (File Pic) Pakistans latest attempt to circulate misinformation about India has backfired once again, with the French Navy publicly debunking an article by Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir. The report, published by Geo TV, claimed that a French naval officer had confirmed Pakistans air superiority" over India during the May 2025 conflict, assertions now categorically dismissed as false. French Navy exposes false claims Recommended Stories In a rare and direct statement, the French Navy issued a clarification on X, calling out misinformation and disinformation" published by Hamid Mir. These statements were attributed to Captain Launay who never gave his consent for any form of publication. The article contains extensive misinformation and disinformation," the post read. The French Navy also flagged the article in question, headlined, French commander confirms Pakistan air superiority in May 2025 combat with India." This public rejection marks a significant diplomatic embarrassment for Pakistan, whose media ecosystem has repeatedly amplified unverified claims related to Indias Rafale fleet. BJP leader Amit Malviya, reacting to the development, said Pakistans misinformation machinery" had once again been exposed. He noted that the fabricated claims about Rafale losses during Operation Sindoor had become a pattern in Pakistani propaganda. The French Navy has called out Pakistans Geo TV and its correspondent Hamid Mir for spreading misinformation and disinformation." In his report, Hamid Mir peddled the same old, fabricated claims about Rafales and the so-called May conflict and has now been publicly exposed. When official institutions start debunking their propaganda, you know how desperate Pakistans misinformation machinery has become. Incidentally Hamid Mir has several friends in Indian media. Spot them," read Amit Malviyas post on X. The French Navy has called out Pakistans Geo TV and its correspondent Hamid Mir for spreading misinformation and disinformation."In his report, Hamid Mir peddled the same old, fabricated claims about Rafales and the so-called May conflict and has now been publicly exposed. https://t.co/KakWUDSQwU Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 23, 2025 Hamid Mir, one of Pakistans most prominent journalists, authored the disputed piece for Geo TV. His X account had earlier been blocked by the Indian government for spreading false narratives in the past. Malviya highlighted Mirs connections within sections of the Indian media, suggesting coordinated attempts to circulate anti-India narratives. When official institutions start debunking their propaganda, you know how desperate Pakistan has become," he said. Rafale at the heart of misinformation The Rafale, manufactured by Frances Dassault Aviation, has been central to Indias air combat capability and a frequent target of Pakistani misinformation since India procured the aircraft. During Operation Sindoor in May 2025, a military operation launched after the Pahalgam terror attack, Rafale jets played a critical role in Indias offensive. Pakistan, in response, claimed to have shot down multiple Rafales using Chinese-made systems. These assertions, however, were consistently refuted by independent observers, Western intelligence and now by France itself. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Dassault CEO Eric Trappier previously clarified that no Rafale was shot down by Pakistani forces. India lost one Rafale during the operation, but the crash was attributed to a technical malfunction rather than enemy engagement. Operation Sindoor involved targeted Indian strikes on terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The conflict witnessed air and missile exchanges. About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 23, 2025, 14:24 IST News world Extensive Disinformation: French Navy Refutes Pakistani Journalists Claim On Indias Rafale Losses 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... By MARIJKE ROWLAND marijke@cvlocaljournalism.org Turlock, CA Turkey is back on the menu at the former Foster Farms plant in Turlock that closed this May and took with it 500 local jobs. The Diestel Family Ranch, a longtime Sonora-based specialty turkey producer, has taken over the Turlock site and plans to reopen the facility early next year. Were very excited about the opportunities this brings and look forward to resuming operations in the near future, said Heidi Diestel, whose family has run its turkey farm for four generations. Our team is grateful for the support weve received from the community and eager to continue contributing to the regions strong agricultural tradition. Foster Farms announced at the start of this year that it would close its Turlock fresh turkey processing facility in May. The closure meant the loss of 519 jobs, though the company said it would try to relocate some workers to other facilities. The plant, on 500 F St., is next door to an existing Foster Farms cooked turkey facility which is still operating. The Livingston-based poultry company ended 83-years of family ownership in 2022 when it sold to the private equity firm Atlas Holdings and remains the top seller of chicken and turkey in the West. The Diestel family has been farming turkeys on its Tuolumne County ranch since 1949. Over the years theyve expanded their offerings to a line of specialty products including organic, heirloom and sustainably-raised whole birds, deli meats and ground products. Diestel said her company completed the plant purchase in the late summer, and has been using the time since to complete deep cleaning and minor repairs. The facilitys existing infrastructure and equipment is being adapted to suit its needs. The plant will be used to produce a wide variety of raw turkey products including ground turkey, burgers, roasts and more as well as possibly new product lines. Were genuinely excited to put this space to good use and continue offering premium products to our customers while introducing new, exciting products in the months and years ahead, Diestel said. The return of production to the plant has been a welcome sign for the city of Turlock. Mayor Amy Bublak said she was excited to have Diestel take over the space. This is an important facility for Turlock, and seeing it back in use means stability for local families and continued economic strength for our community, Bublak said. Any time a company is willing to invest in Turlock and bring jobs with them, thats a win for our city. We look forward to working with Diestel and supporting their success here. Diestel said the company has grown steadily and been at capacity the past few years, employing some 250 people throughout its facilities, which includes locations in western Tuolumne county and the large home ranch northeast of Sonora. She said the timing of Foster Farms leaving the Turlock site allowed them to continue to grow their business, and also introduce new products and capabilities. A small team of workers is already supporting the facility, and are aiming to have the plant up and running in early 2026. Diestel said they plan to slowly add production volume through the year. The Turlock site has a sign on the front door that says Now Hiring for maintenance mechanic, refrigeration technician, electrician, production supervisor and general plant labor positions. Disetel isnt sure how many people would be needed to run the fully operational plant, but said they will begin with a couple dozen employees and add more workers as production increases. It was a meaningful milestone for us and were grateful for the support weve felt from the community throughout the process, Diestel said. Marijke Rowland is the editor of The Modesto Focus, a project of the nonprofit Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. Contact her at marijke@cvlocaljournalism.org. Hamas' Europe-Based Network Poised For 'On Command' Attacks, Claims Mossad Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 08:36 IST Mossad claims Hamas is building secret cells across Europe, linking weapons caches and arrests in Germany, Austria, and Turkey to senior Hamas figures. Mossad claims Hamas is building secret cells across Europe, linking weapons caches and arrests in Germany, Austria, and Turkey to senior Hamas figures. (AI Image) Israels Mossad intelligence agency has alleged that Hamas has been quietly building an operational network across Europe, using clandestine cells to plan attacks and store weapons. Recommended Stories In a statement released this week, Mossad said cooperation with European security services had led to the discovery of weapons caches, the arrest of suspects and the disruption of plots targeting Israeli and Jewish communities. Joint operations in countries including Germany and Austria resulted in multiple detentions and the seizure of weapons allegedly prepared on command" for use against civilians. One of the most significant breakthroughs cited by investigators occurred in Vienna last September, when Austrias DSN security service uncovered a cache of handguns and explosive materials. Authorities later linked the stash to Mohammad Naim, the son of senior Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim, a close ally of Gaza-based leader Khalil al-Hayya. Mossad claimed the discovery reflected broader overseas involvement by Hamass leadership. The involvement of the organisations leadership in Qatar in advancing terror operations is not being revealed for the first time," the agency said, accusing senior Hamas figures of publicly denying responsibility to protect the groups international image. According to the agency, a meeting in Qatar last September between Mohammad Naim and his father may indicate formal support from Hamass leadership for European-based operations. The agency added that continued denials by senior leaders could signal a loss of control by the leadership over rogue operatives." Investigations have also focused on Hamas-linked individuals operating from Turkey, long a base of activity for the group. German authorities arrested Burhan al-Khatib in November, saying he had previously been active in Turkey before moving to Europe. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all European intelligence services have broadened efforts beyond direct counter-terrorism operations. German authorities, for example, have targeted charities and religious institutions suspected of aiding Hamas financially or ideologically, viewing them as an important part of the groups infrastructure on the continent. Mossad said Hamas accelerated its foreign activity following the groups 7 October attack on Israel, attempting to establish covert cells and operational capabilities abroad in ways that mirror strategies used by Iran and its proxies. The agency said it is actively working to disrupt dozens of attack plots" worldwide, underscoring its aim to protect Israeli and Jewish communities internationally. Location : Vienna, Austria First Published: November 23, 2025, 08:36 IST News world Hamas' Europe-Based Network Poised For 'On Command' Attacks, Claims Mossad 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... Indian-Origin Man On Canadas Most Wanted List Caught In Toronto After 18 Months On The Run Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 21:34 IST According to Toronto Police, Singh had a gun with him when he was arrested, even though a prior court order had banned him from owning or carrying weapons. Indian-origin man Nicholas Singh (Credits: X) An Indian-origin man who had been on the run for nearly a year and a half has finally been caught in Toronto. Twenty-three-year-old Nicholas Singh, a federal offender who disappeared while on statutory release, was among the people featured on Canadas most wanted" list. Singh had been unlawfully at large" since May 31, 2024. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) had even put out an appeal in August, warning the public that he was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant. He is serving a sentence of five years, five months and ten days for armed robbery and other offences. Recommended Stories His run came to an end late Friday night. Police said officers found him sitting inside a vehicle near Bathurst and Dupont streets around 11.20 PM. He was taken into custody on the spot. Toronto Police now allege Singh had a gun with him when he was arrested, even though a prior court order had banned him from owning or carrying weapons. It is further alleged that officers located a firearm, extended magazine, and ammunition," officials said, noting that he was arrested without incident". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all With the arrest, Singh is now facing a fresh set of serious charges. Police say these include possessing a restricted or prohibited firearm without a licence, carrying a firearm without the required paperwork, possessing a prohibited weapon or device without authorisation, occupying a vehicle with a firearm, possessing a loaded regulated firearm, and possessing a weapon with an altered serial number. Further investigation into the case is underway. About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More Location : Canada First Published: November 23, 2025, 21:34 IST News world Indian-Origin Man On Canadas Most Wanted List Caught In Toronto After 18 Months On The Run 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... Jaishankar Reaffirms Indias Push For Early Peace As Trump Pressures Kyiv On 28-Point Plan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 10:49 IST S. Jaishankar discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict with Andrii Sybiha, as Donald Trump pushes a US-drafted 28-point peace plan, facing skepticism from Volodymyr Zelensky. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google EAM S Jaishankar | File Image Amid rapidly intensifying diplomatic manoeuvring over a contentious US-drafted peace proposal, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday discussed the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, reiterating Indias call for an early end to the war and the establishment of lasting peace. He also received a briefing on the latest developments in the ongoing conflict. Recommended Stories In a post on X, Jaishankar noted, Had a telecon with FM @andrii_sybiha of Ukraine last evening. Appreciate his briefing on the ongoing developments related to the Ukraine conflict. Reiterated Indias support for an early end to this conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace." Sybiha also shared a post saying that he had spoken with Jaishankar briefing him on ongoing peace efforts and upcoming diplomatic engagements, stressing that India has an important role to play in advancing a just peace" in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The interaction comes at a time when the conflict shows no signs of abating, even as global efforts continue to press for meaningful negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. President Donald Trump earlier urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept his 28-point peace proposal by Thanksgiving, calling it a good and necessary" deal to bring an end to the three-year-old Russia-Ukraine war. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump said that if Zelensky rejects the plan, he can fight his little heart out," but insisted the proposal remains open to negotiation. Asked whether the current draft was his final offer," Trump responded, No, we would like to get to peace One way or another, we will get it ended." He also repeated his claim that had he been president in early 2022, the war never would have happened." Meanwhile, Zelensky, signaled deep reservations about the proposal. He warned that Ukraine faces a very tough choice either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner." Either a difficult 28-point plan, or an extremely difficult winter, the most difficult one and further risks ahead," he said. A life without freedom, dignity, and justice, and being forced to trust someone who has already attacked us twice." Trump has given Kyiv until Thursday to respond, increasing pressure on Ukraine as winter sets in and fighting persists in the east. What Is 28-Point Proposal? A 28-point proposal, drafted by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, aims to end the war through a broad set of territorial, military, and political concessions. European governments, which had not seen the document until now, had already condemned it as being heavily skewed in Russias favour. The leaked draft plan calls for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region they still hold, while recognising de facto Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea. It also proposes freezing front lines in the occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. According to the plan, Ukraines military would be limited to 600,000 personnel, with European fighter jets based in neighbouring Poland. Kyiv would receive unspecified reliable security guarantees," but the document also outlines a path for Russias reintegration into the global economy including the lifting of sanctions and its return to the G7, restoring the G8 format. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Moreover, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio stated that the peace plan was drafted with inputs from both Russia and Ukraine. Putin confirmed on Friday that Moscow had received the US plan, saying Russia was willing to show flexibility" but was also ready to continue fighting if necessary. First Published: November 23, 2025, 10:42 IST News world Jaishankar Reaffirms Indias Push For Early Peace As Trump Pressures Kyiv On 28-Point Plan 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... JD Vance Is Jealous: Fox News Anchor On TrumpMamdanis Unusually Warm Camaraderie Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 07:19 IST Brian Kilmeade said Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdanis White House meeting was unexpectedly cordial, marking a shift from past hostility as Trump praised Mamdanis leadership. Brian Kilmeade said Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdanis White House meeting was unexpectedly cordial, marking a shift from past hostility as Trump praised Mamdanis leadership. (X photograph) Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Friday claimed that US President Donald Trumps meeting with New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani went far better than expected," joking that the two got along so well J.D. Vance is jealous." I think J.D. Vance is jealous," Kilmeade said on air. I think the president wants to use him [Mamdani] as a running mate. They really got along fantastic." Recommended Stories Kilmeade said Trump was complimentary" throughout their White House meeting and noted that the pair even exchanged a friendly handshake." The cordial interaction marked a sharp departure from months of hostility. Trump had repeatedly attacked Mamdani during the campaign, warning that his election would jeopardise federal support for New York City. In an August post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: He is going to have problems with Washington like no Mayor in the history of our once great city He wont be getting any [money] from me, so whats the point of voting for him?" But after their face-to-face in the Oval Office, Trump struck an entirely different tone. He told reporters he believed the incoming mayor can do a very good job," adding, I think youre going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am." Theres no difference in party, theres no difference in anything," Trump said. Were going to be helping him to make everybodys dream come true having a strong and very safe New York." Asked whether he would consider living in New York under Mamdanis leadership, Trump replied, Yeah, I would. I really would. Especially after the meeting." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kilmeade said the contrast with their earlier rhetoric was striking, calling Fridays interaction pretty different" from months of public sparring. This was a love fest. This was a respect fest," he said. Mamdani, who will become the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor of New York, has pledged to prioritise affordability issues from housing and groceries to childcare and public transit in a city where residents pay nearly double the national average in rent. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 23, 2025, 07:19 IST News world JD Vance Is Jealous: Fox News Anchor On TrumpMamdanis Unusually Warm Camaraderie 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... 'Leaked Russian Wish List': Marco Rubio Says Sweeping Ukraine Peace Plan Not America's Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 18:23 IST Trump's 28-point plan to end the Ukraine war has been the subject of much criticism from Europe and Kyiv as it is widely seen as favourable to Russia. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Reuters Image) The global controversy surrounding a sweeping US-backed peace plan for Ukraine that requires it to cede its territory and cut its military strength took a bizarre turn, as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told US Senators that the plan was not Americas, but merely a leaked" Russian wish list", as per reports. Rubio told a bipartisan delegation at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada on Saturday that President Donald Trumps 28-point blueprint to end the war in Ukraine which is widely being seen as favourable to Russia is actually a Russian proposal, not a US initiative, said Republican Senator Mike Rounds. Recommended Stories He made it very clear to us that we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives," Politico quoted Rounds as saying. t is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan. It is a proposal that was received, and as an intermediary, we have made arrangements to share it and we did not release it. It was leaked." Independent Maine Sen. Angus King said that, according to Rubio, the plan was a wish list of the Russians", according to the New York Post. Will US Cut Off Aid For Ukraine? The peace plan had dominated headlines recently, prompting a massive diplomatic scramble as Trump set a deadline of November 27 for Ukraine to accept the peace plan to end the nearly four-year war. The plan has prompted criticism in Ukraine and European capitals about whether the Trump administration was backing a Russia-friendly plan. However, Rubio told lawmakers that he was unaware of any plans by President Donald Trump to cut off intelligence sharing or military assistance if Ukraine rejected the terms. He told me he was not aware of that threat being made. The intent was to take what had now been publicly discussed in news reports and to allow the Ukrainians the opportunity to respond back to it," said Rounds. This was in stark contrast to Rubios earlier message on X, where he said the peace proposal was authored by the US. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine," he said. Rubio, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff are meeting with Ukrainian advisers and envoys from European countries in Geneva on Sunday before engaging the Russians for peace talks. ALSO READ: Zelenskyy Can Fight His Little Heart Out: Trump Talks Tough On Ukraine Plan, Says Offer Not Final Trumps Peace Plan A 28-point proposal, reportedly drafted by Witkoff and his Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, seeks to end the war through a sweeping package of territorial, military, and political concessions. The leaked draft plan calls for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region they still hold, while recognising de facto Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea. Zelenskyy, addressing Ukrainians on Friday, signalled deep reservations about the proposal. He warned that Ukraine faces a very tough choice, either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner." Moreover, Trump said Zelenskyy would have to like" the proposals to end the war. However, Trump on Saturday said the US proposal was not his final offer" but his patience was running thin, saying if Zelenskyy refuses the plan, then he can continue to fight his little heart out." Criticism Over Peace Plan European leaders strongly pushed back against the plan as they huddled together on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa to discuss steps to support Ukraine. Wars cannot be ended by major powers over the heads of the countries affected," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Republican senators Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham also criticised the plan, with the former saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been trying to play Trump for a fool" and rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to Americas interests." Meanwhile, Putin confirmed on Friday that Moscow had received the US plan and said it could lay the foundation of a final peaceful settlement" in the war, but also warned that Russia was ready to continue fighting if necessary. 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 : United States of America (USA) First Published: November 23, 2025, 18:19 IST News world 'Leaked Russian Wish List': Marco Rubio Says Sweeping Ukraine Peace Plan Not America's 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... Long Live Friendship: Macron Posts Warm Message For PM Modi At G20, Hails India-France Ties Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 09:01 IST French President Emmanuel Macron hailed India-France ties with a warm message to PM Modi during their meeting at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. PM Modi and the French President Macron met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa. (Photo: PM Modi X) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 2025 G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg, including a notable interaction with French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron hails friendship between nations Recommended Stories French President Emmanuel Macron posted a warm message on social media following his meeting with Modi, writing, Thank you, my friend, dear Narendra Modi. Nations are stronger when they move forward together. Long live the friendship between our countries!" During their discussion, Modi and Macron reviewed the expanding India-France strategic partnership, with a particular focus on defence, emerging technologies, space collaboration and the Indo-Pacific. Both countries are advancing cooperation through long-term frameworks such as Horizon 2047", the Indo-Pacific roadmap and a defence industrial roadmap. Macron is expected to visit India in 2026 for a summit centred on artificial intelligence. Thank you, my friend, dear @NarendraModi. Nations are stronger when they move forward together. Long live the friendship between our countries! https://t.co/pXWygKjL4d Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 22, 2025 PM Modi meets global leaders Modi also met several other world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. With fellow G20 leaders at the Johannesburg Summit. Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to global progress and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/Fj6Yc7gbEM Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 22, 2025 These discussions covered a wide range of topics from climate action and global economic resilience to technology partnerships and regional stability. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A key announcement on the sidelines was the launch of the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership, aimed at enhancing cooperation on digital innovation, critical technologies and research. Modi said the meetings reaffirmed a shared commitment to global progress and prosperity". About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More Location : South Africa First Published: November 23, 2025, 07:39 IST News world Long Live Friendship: Macron Posts Warm Message For PM Modi At G20, Hails India-France Ties 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 Invites Canada's Mark Carney To India, Ottawa Extends Support To 2026 AI Summit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 21:59 IST PM Modi and Carney agreed to begin negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at doubling bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. PM Narendra Modi with Canadian PM Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G20 Summit | Photo: Narendra Modi/X Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held bilateral talks with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa, where they reviewed progress in the IndiaCanada partnership. During their discussion, Carney expressed support for the AI Summit to be hosted by India in February 2026, and they also agreed to begin negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at doubling bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030, according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs. Recommended Stories The leaders also emphasised the importance of regular high-level exchanges. Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to Carney to visit India. They also reaffirmed their longstanding civil nuclear cooperation and noted the ongoing discussions on expanding collaboration, including through long-term uranium supply arrangements. Had a very productive meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada. We appreciated the significant momentum in our bilateral ties since our earlier meeting held during the G7 Summit hosted by Canada. We agreed to further advance our relations in the coming months, pic.twitter.com/lnuj2SGoWu Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 23, 2025 The two leaders welcomed the adoption of Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership which would give a boost to trilateral cooperation in the fields of critical technologies, nuclear energy, diversification of supply chains and AI. They appreciated the renewed momentum in ties since their June 2025 meeting in Kananaskis on the margins of the G7 Summit, and the launch of the New Roadmap for bilateral engagement by the Foreign Ministers in October 2025, as per the MEA. The two countries attempt to rebuild relations following a brief period of tensions under Carneys predecessor, Justin Trudeau, over the death of a designated Khalistani terrorist. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For decades, Canada has been a key destination for pro-Khalistan activists, and Canadian politics has often been shaped by the mobilisation and influence of the Sikh diaspora. A brief but sharp diplomatic rift was triggered by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation that India was involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated Khalistani terrorist in India. Trudeau never produced evidence to substantiate his claim. Carney, who replaced him, is now attempting to move past that period of tension and restore stable engagement with New Delhi. While addressing the Liberal caucus, he reportedly instructed his colleagues to maintain no contact with Khalistani leaders or related groups. His predecessor, Conservative leader Stephen Harper, also publicly called on Canadian political parties to cut ties with Khalistani separatist outfits. 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 23, 2025, 21:54 IST News world PM Modi Invites Canada's Mark Carney To India, Ottawa Extends Support To 2026 AI Summit Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Meets Meloni At G20 Sidelines; Italian PM Expresses Solidarity Over Delhi Blast Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 22:15 IST The two leaders adopted the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism, aimed at strengthening cooperation in tackling terrorism and its funding Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, where she expressed solidarity with India over the 10 November terror blast outside Delhis Red Fort and reaffirmed Italys commitment to jointly fight terrorism. During the talks, both leaders adopted the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism, aimed at strengthening collaboration in tackling terrorism and its financing. Recommended Stories The initiative aims to deepen bilateral cooperation on countering terrorism and collaboration in global and multilateral platforms including the Financial Action task Force( FATF) and the Global Counter terrorism Forum (GCTF)," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release. The also meeting focused on deepening bilateral ties across trade, investment, technology, artificial intelligence, space, defence, security, research, innovation, and cultural cooperation. Prime Minister Meloni reiterated Italys strong support for the conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement and for the success of the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in 2026," the release noted. Following the meeting, PM Modi took to X and wrote: Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The India-Italy Strategic Partnership is growing from strength to strength, greatly benefitting the people of our nations." Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The India-Italy Strategic Partnership is growing from strength to strength, greatly benefitting the people of our nations. @GiorgiaMeloni pic.twitter.com/rX4NUYpl3x Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 23, 2025 MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that both leaders expressed satisfaction over the progress of the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29, which aims to further enhance economic, technological, and cultural cooperation. PM Meloni also extended her support for Indias AI Summit in 2026, reflecting growing technological collaboration between the two nations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Trade between India and Italy is estimated at USD 15 billion for 2023-24, while Italian investment in India has reached around USD 4 billion since 2000. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More Location : South Africa First Published: November 23, 2025, 22:05 IST News world PM Modi Meets Meloni At G20 Sidelines; Italian PM Expresses Solidarity Over Delhi Blast Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Police Arrest Brazil Ex-President, Trump Ally Bolsonaro For Trying To Flee Country Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 22:09 IST Bolsonaro has suffered from health issues since he was stabbed in 2018 and had been under house arrest while pursuing his final appeals. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (Reuters image) Brazils former president Jair Bolsonaro was taken into custody early on Saturday after a Supreme Court judge ruled that he had attempted to escape from house arrest. His arrest came only days before he was expected to begin serving a 27-year jail sentence. Bolsonaro, a close ally of former US President Donald Trump, was convicted in September for working with senior military leaders in 2022 to try to overturn his election defeat. Trump had called the case a witch-hunt", imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Brazil, and even sanctioned the Supreme Court judge overseeing the trial, causing a major diplomatic dispute between the two countries. Recommended Stories Despite the pressure, Brazil pushed ahead with the prosecution and convicted the 70-year-old former leader. The US has since eased some of the tariffs as both nations resumed trade discussions. Bolsonaro has suffered from health issues since he was stabbed in 2018 and had been under house arrest while pursuing his final appeals. Police arrived at his home in Brasilia early on Saturday and took him to the federal police headquarters. On Friday night, his son Flavio Bolsonaro, who is a senator, asked supporters to gather outside the familys gated community. In a video on X, he invoked the Lord of the Armies" and said people would pray for his fathers health and for the return of democracy to our country". He added, We are going to ask God to apply his justice to those who persecute innocent people and help the real bandits to stay in power." Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes said in a ruling on Saturday that the demonstration itself showed there is no limit to the criminal organisation trying to cause chaos". He added that security monitoring detected an attempt to remove Bolsonaros electronic ankle tag shortly after midnight. According to the court, this indicated the convicts intention to break the ankle tag to guarantee success in his escape, facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration". The court also released a video recorded by a security official in which Bolsonaro appeared to admit using a soldering iron on the device. The ruling noted that the US embassy was only 15 minutes away from Bolsonaros home and pointed out that he had previously tried to seek asylum in the Argentine embassy during the investigation. Bolsonaros lawyers criticised the arrest, saying it caused profound perplexity" because it was based on a prayer vigil". They argued that the former presidents health remained fragile. In addition, Jair Bolsonaros state of health is delicate and his imprisonment could put his life at risk," they said. US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau also commented on X, saying the US was gravely concerned" by what he called a new attack on the rule of law in Brazil, describing the arrest as provocative and unnecessary". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bolsonaros former press aide, Fabio Wajngarten, rejected the courts explanation, calling the ruling unbelievable" and shameful". He claimed the ankle tag was functioning normally the next morning and said Bolsonaro had simply taken medication for a hiccup attack and gone to bed early. Bolsonaro has denied all charges and had been expected to begin his sentence within days. His legal team continues to argue that he should be allowed to serve his sentence at home because of his medical condition. 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 23, 2025, 22:09 IST News world Police Arrest Brazil Ex-President, Trump Ally Bolsonaro For Trying To Flee Country 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... South Africa Rejects US Request To Attend Handover Ceremony Of G20 Presidency Amid Tensions Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 16:38 IST The US boycotted the G20 Summit over allegations of discriminatory policies that have heightened tensions, but did not impact the success of the multilateral event. Leaders of G20 countries pose for a family photo. South Africa has decided not to attend an official ceremony to hand over the annual G20 presidency to a junior official at the end of the leaders summit, after a White House official cautioned South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over running his mouth" against the US and President Donald Trump. As per reports, the South African government said that as the US sent a delegation lower than the head of state, it will also send a delegation lower than a head of state to hand over the G20 presidency gavel, amid Washingtons boycott of the event over claims of discriminatory policies in South Africa. Recommended Stories Ramaphosa will not be handing over to the charge daffaires from the US," Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told journalists. The United States is a member of the G20, and if they want to be represented, they can still send anyone at the right level," he said. On Saturday, South African government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the country will not bend the rules for any nation, highlighting the need to respect all participating members. The President will not handover to a junior embassy official. Its a breach of protocol that is not going to be accommodated or allowed in this instance," he said. This decision stems from the fact that such a handover has never occurred in G20 history and would set an unwelcome precedent. Despite a boycott, the US requested a symbolic handover to a lower-ranking diplomat, which South Africa rejected on the basis of a protocol violation. South Africa currently holds the G20 presidency under the forums rotating chairmanship. Next year, the US will preside over the group, and Trump has plans to hold the summit in Miami, Florida. Running His Mouth Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sparked outrage when she said that the US would not participate in the official talks at the Group of 20 summit in South Africa, and used disrespectful language while referring to Ramaphosa. The United States is not participating in official talks at the G20 in South Africa. I saw the South African President running his mouth a little bit against the United States and @POTUS and that language is not appreciated by @POTUS and his team," Leavitt said. This came after Ramaphosa said that the United States had indicated that it had a change of mind" over its boycott at the 11th hour." Earlier this month, the US President said he would not be attending the 2025 G20 Summit, claiming the country shouldnt even be in the Gs anymore." Trump announced this month that no US government official would attend the two-day meeting of world leaders from rich and developing countries in South Africas biggest city. Trump cited his claims that South Africa is violently persecuting the countrys white Afrikaner minority farmers as the reason for the US boycott. Those statements by Trump have been widely rejected by South Africa. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ramaphosa previously expressed disappointment that the US boycott would mean that he hands over to an empty chair" at the end of the summit. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-day visit to the Republic of South Africa on Friday and participated in the 20th G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg, where he suggested several ground-breaking initiatives to boost global development. 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 23, 2025, 16:35 IST News world South Africa Rejects US Request To Attend Handover Ceremony Of G20 Presidency Amid Tensions 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... Grand Canyon Antelopes (1-4) vs. California Golden Bears (5-1) Frisco, Texas; Monday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Cal plays Grand Canyon at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. The Golden Bears are 5-1 in non-conference play. Cal scores 68.2 points and has outscored opponents by 10.0 points per game. The Antelopes have a 1-4 record against non-conference oppponents. Grand Canyon has a 0-1 record in games decided by less than 4 points. Cal scores 68.2 points per game, 7.2 fewer points than the 75.4 Grand Canyon allows. Grand Canyon averages 6.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.0 more made shots on average than the 4.2 per game Cal gives up. TOP PERFORMERS: Lulu Twidale is shooting 34.4% and averaging 14.2 points for the Golden Bears. Aliyahna Morris is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers. Chloe Mann is shooting 30.8% and averaging 12.6 points for the Antelopes. AleJah Douglas is averaging 11.6 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. By The Associated Press Trump Meets Mamdani, Resurrects His Favourite India-Pakistan Mediation Tale Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 05:32 IST The claim, however, stands in stark contrast to Indias consistent position that the ceasefire and all matters concerning the region are strictly bilateral Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani shaking hands in the White House. (File pic/AFP) United States President Donald Trump used his first formal White House interaction with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to assert once again his long-standing and frequently repeated claim of having personally reduced tensions between India and Pakistan. The statement, which President Trump has now made over 60 times according to records, came during their meeting in the Oval Office on Friday, highlighting his administrations perceived role as a global peace broker. Recommended Stories During the exchange, Trump referred to the military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in May, specifically the period following Indias Operation Sindoora retaliatory strike on terror infrastructure after a deadly attack in Kashmir. Trump told reporters that he had brokered a truce, stating, I did eight peace deals of countries, including India and Pakistan," and that his intervention was instrumental in bringing the situation under control. Earlier in the week, he had elaborated on his method, claiming he had threatened both nations with massive 350% tariffs if they did not halt hostilities, a claim he reiterated prevented a nuclear exchange. The claim, however, stands in stark contrast to Indias consistent position that the ceasefire and all matters concerning the region are strictly bilateral, with New Delhi repeatedly rejecting any suggestion of third-party mediation. Indian officials have detailed that the cessation of hostilities was reached directly between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) following Indias strong response to cross-border aggression. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The meeting itself was notable as the first White House visit for Zohran Mamdani since his historic victory. Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist, made history by becoming New York Citys first South Asian and first Muslim mayor-elect. Despite their stark ideological differencesTrump had previously called Mamdani a Communist Lunatic"the meeting was described as surprisingly cordial. Both leaders agreed to focus on areas of shared concern, primarily New Yorks affordability agenda, setting a rare example of political cooperation in the nations capital. 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 23, 2025, 05:32 IST News world Trump Meets Mamdani, Resurrects His Favourite India-Pakistan Mediation Tale 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... Ukraine Showed Zero Gratitude: Trump Again Blames Zelenskyy For War With Russia Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 21:00 IST US President Donald Trump has again blamed Joe Biden and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the conflict with Russia. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google US President Donald Trump blamed the Democrats and Joe Biden for the war between Russia and Ukraine and also accused Zelenskyy of weak leadership in a social media post. (IMAGE: REUTERS) As the Ukrainian government voices displeasure over the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, the President said the ongoing conflict was the result of a lack of strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP". The war between Russia and Ukraine is a violent and terrible one that, with strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian leadership, would have NEVER HAPPENED. It began long before I took office for a second term, during the Sleepy Joe Biden Administration, and has only gotten worse," Trump wrote on social media. Recommended Stories The roots of the RussiaUkraine conflict stretch back to 2014, when protests in Kyiv led to the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych and Russia annexed Crimea after a so-called referendum. Fighting soon erupted in eastern Ukraine between Kyiv and Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk. Despite the Minsk agreements, clashes continued for years. Tensions escalated further in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion, triggering a prolonged war marked by shifting frontlines and stalled diplomacy. During both events, Trump was not in the Oval Office. He won his first term in the White House in 2016 and left office in 2020. Trump again accused Joe Biden, his predecessor in the presidency, of allowing the conflict to unfold and claimed that weak leadership" created an opening for Russian President Vladimir Putin a claim he has repeated over the years. Putin would never have attacked! It was only when he saw Sleepy Joe in action that he said, Now is my chance! The rest is history, and so it continues. I INHERITED A WAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED, A WAR THAT IS A LOSER FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE SO NEEDLESSLY DIED," Trump wrote. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He then went on to accuse Europe of continuing to purchase Russian oil, suggesting that Ukraines allies had undercut the effectiveness of sanctions meant to pressure Putin to halt the war. UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. THE USA CONTINUES TO SELL MASSIVE $AMOUNTS OF WEAPONS TO NATO, FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UKRAINE (CROOKED JOE GAVE EVERYTHING, FREE, FREE, FREE, INCLUDING BIG MONEY!)," he said, adding that Biden contributed billions of taxpayer dollars in military aid to Ukraine. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 23, 2025, 20:41 IST News world Ukraine Showed Zero Gratitude: Trump Again Blames Zelenskyy For War With Russia Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Who Is Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah Deputy Chief That Israel Killed In Beirut Strike? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2025, 01:38 IST Israeli news media outlets called him a military mastermind for the Lebanese militant group. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Israel says Ali Tabatabai was a key Hezbollah strategist who shaped the groups military operations. (IMAGE: X) Israel carried out one of its most aggressive strikes inside Beirut in years, killing Hezbollahs deputy chief and top military commander, Ali Tabatabai. The operation, conducted deep inside the Lebanese capital, was the first major Israeli strike since the November 2024 ceasefire and the first time the Israeli Air Force targeted a senior Hezbollah figure since the ceasefire. Recommended Stories It was the fifth Israeli strike on Beiruts southern suburbs since a ceasefire agreed in November 2024 after a year of conflict, and comes a week before Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Lebanon. In the past, Israel had regularly targeted mid-level Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon, especially those accused of attempting to rebuild rocket-launch sites or infiltrate the border region. Second Generation Hezbollah Fighter Ali Tabatabai was born to an Iranian father and a Lebanese mother. According to Haaretz, he was not among Hezbollahs founders but belonged to its second generation". He was deployed in Syria and Yemen to support allied forces in both conflict zones. Israels military said Tabatabai joined Hezbollah in the 1980s and went on to hold several senior roles, including in the Radwan Force, the groups elite combat unit. The US State Department designated him a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2016 and announced a $5 million bounty for information on him. According to the department, Tabatabai oversaw Hezbollahs Radwan Force operations in Syria and Yemen. The Israeli Prime Ministers Office said he was responsible for strengthening the groups military capabilities and overseeing its rearmament. During last years war, Tabatabai headed Hezbollahs operations division and rose further in rank as several senior commanders were killed, the Israeli military added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hezbollah confirmed that senior leader Haytham Ali Tabatabai was killed in Israels strike on Beiruts southern suburbs on Sunday. In a statement, the group confirmed the killing of the great commander" Tabtabai in a treacherous Israeli attack on the Haret Hreik area in the southern suburbs of Beirut", without specifying his position within the group. About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More Location : Beirut, Lebanon First Published: November 24, 2025, 01:38 IST News world Who Is Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah Deputy Chief That Israel Killed In Beirut Strike? 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... 'Zelenskyy Can Fight His Little Heart Out: Trump Talks Tough On Ukraine Plan, Says Offer Not Final Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 23, 2025, 09:13 IST Trump urged Zelensky to accept his 28-point peace plan by Thanksgiving, facing pushback from G20 allies over Ukraines security and territorial concessions to Russia. Trump urged Zelensky to accept his 28-point peace plan by Thanksgiving, facing pushback from G20 allies over Ukraines security and territorial concessions to Russia. (AFP) President Donald Trump on Saturday urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept his 28-point peace proposal by Thanksgiving, calling it a good and necessary" deal to bring an end to the three-year-old Russia-Ukraine war. Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump said that if Zelensky rejects the plan, he can fight his little heart out," but insisted the proposal remains open to negotiation. When asked whether the current draft was his final offer," Trump replied, No, we would like to get to peace One way or another, we will get it ended." He again claimed that if he had been president in early 2022, the war never would have happened." Recommended Stories What if Zelensky refuses the deal?Then he can continue to fight his little heart out" pic.twitter.com/ElEB6UFHUe Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) November 22, 2025 Reports from Axios and The Washington Post have detailed key elements of the draft. According to Axios, the plan includes a security guarantee modeled on NATOs Article 5, obligating the US and European allies to treat any attack on Ukraine as an attack on the broader transatlantic alliance. Zelensky, addressing Ukrainians on Friday, signaled deep reservations about the proposal. He warned that Ukraine faces a very tough choice either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner." Either a difficult 28-point plan, or an extremely difficult winter, the most difficult one and further risks ahead," he said. A life without freedom, dignity, and justice, and being forced to trust someone who has already attacked us twice." Trump has set Thursday as the deadline for Kyiv to respond, intensifying pressure on Ukraine as winter approaches and fighting continues in the east. Allies Push Back at G20 A joint statement issued at the G20 summit in South Africa signed by leaders from Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany, Norway and two senior EU officials warned that peace terms must uphold the principle that borders must not be changed by force." The signatories also raised alarm over proposed caps on Ukraines military that would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack," and emphasised that any provisions relating to NATO or the EU would require approval from their respective members. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, attending the summit in Johannesburg, held calls with both Zelensky and Trump. Downing Street stated that Starmer relayed allies concerns and agreed that teams would work together on the proposal during Sundays Geneva talks. The Prime Minister later said he was particularly troubled by restrictions on Ukraines military strength, insisting, Its fundamental that Ukraine has to be able to defend itself if theres a ceasefire." What the US Plan Proposes A 28-point proposal, drafted by US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff and his Russian counterpart Kirill Dmitriev, seeks to end the war through a sweeping package of territorial, military, and political concessions. European governments, despite not seeing the document until now, had already criticised it as dangerously favourable to Russia. The leaked draft plan calls for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from parts of the Donetsk region they still hold, while recognising de facto Russian control over Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea. It also proposes freezing front lines in the occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Under the plan, Ukraines military would be limited to 600,000 personnel, with European fighter jets based in neighbouring Poland. Kyiv would receive unspecified reliable security guarantees," but the document also outlines a path for Russias reintegration into the global economy including the lifting of sanctions and its return to the G7, restoring the G8 format. On Friday, Trump said Zelensky would have to like" the proposals, warning that otherwise Ukraine and Russia would continue fighting." Zelensky, in a sombre address the same day, said Ukraine might face a very difficult choice: either losing dignity, or risk losing a key partner," but pledged to work constructively" with Washington. He later announced that his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, would lead Ukraines negotiating team for future talks. Ukraine remains heavily reliant on US-supplied advanced weapons, air defence systems and intelligence support as Russia continues its offensive in the southeast. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Moreover, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio stated that the peace plan was drafted with inputs from both Russia and Ukraine. Putin confirmed on Friday that Moscow had received the US plan, saying Russia was willing to show flexibility" but was also ready to continue fighting if necessary. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 23, 2025, 08:03 IST News world 'Zelenskyy Can Fight His Little Heart Out: Trump Talks Tough On Ukraine Plan, Says Offer Not Final 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... GENEVA (AP) Top U.S. and Ukrainian officials said Sunday theyd made progress toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war but provided scant details after discussing the American proposal to achieve peace that has sparked concerns among many of Washingtons European allies that the plan is too conciliatory to Moscow. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said high-stakes talks in Geneva were very worthwhile and constituted the most productive day in a very long time. I feel very optimistic that we can get something done, Rubio said. But he offered very little information on what was discussed. He also downplayed a Thursday deadline set by President Donald Trump for Ukraine to respond to the plan, saying simply that officials want to see fighting stop as soon as possible and that officials could keep negotiating Monday and beyond. He said that higher-level officials may eventually have to get involved. This is a very delicate moment, Rubio said of what still needed to be worked out. Some of it is semantics, or language. Others require higher-level decisions and consultations. Others, I think, just need more time to work through. The 28-point blueprint drawn up by the U.S. to end the nearly four-year war has sparked alarm in Kyiv and European capitals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his country could face a stark choice between standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs. The Ukrainian leader has vowed that his people will always defend their home. The proposal acquiesces to many Russian demands that Zelenskyy has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. In a subsequent statement Sunday night, the White House said the Ukrainian delegation affirmed that all of their principal concerns security guarantees, long-term economic development, infrastructure protection, freedom of navigation, and political sovereignty were thoroughly addressed during the meeting. It added that the Ukrainians expressed appreciation for the structured approach taken to incorporate their feedback into each component of the emerging settlement framework. The White House said changes made to the proposal now reflect their national interests and provide credible and enforceable mechanisms to safeguard Ukraines security in both the near and long term. But language of such positive steps came only after concerns about the original, Trump-endorsed deal intensified. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators said Rubio told them Saturday that the plan had originated with Russia and was actually a wish list for Moscow, rather than a serious push for peace. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that hed spoken to Trump and made clear there were some parts of the plans key European nations could agree on but others where they could not. I told him that we are fully in line with Ukraine, that the sovereignty of this country must not be jeopardized, Merz said in an interview with DW. Rubio touts progress on talks, saying efforts will continue Rubio called the U.S. proposal a living breathing document that would continue changing. He also made, clear though, that any final product once its ready will still have to be presented to Moscow: obviously, the Russians get a vote here. The head of the Ukrainian delegation, presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, said of the talks, We have made very good progress and are moving forward to a just and lasting peace, he said. The rosy assessment of what was discussed defied Trump himself. Before talks began, the president blasted Ukraine for a lack of gratitude for U.S. military assistance while shying away from criticizing Russia. Trump has set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to respond to the plan but also suggested it could slide if there was proof of real progress. He also said that the plan was not his final offer without offering further details on what that meant. UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA, Trump posted on his social media site Sunday morning. After Trumps post, Zelenskyy cheered U.S.-led efforts on security while also stressing that the crux of the entire diplomatic situation is that it was Russia, and only Russia, that started this war. Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump, Zelenskyy wrote in a post on Telegram, adding, We thank everyone in Europe. It is important not to forget the main goal to stop Russias war and prevent it from ever igniting again, he added. Ukraine and allies have ruled out territorial concessions Before convening with U.S. officials, Yermak and his team also met with national security advisers from the U.K., France and Germany. The allies have rallied around Kyiv in a push to revise the plan. Alice Rufo, Frances minister delegate at the Defense Ministry, told broadcaster France Info before the talks began that key points of discussion would include the plans restrictions on the Ukrainian army, which she described as a limitation on its sovereignty. Ukraine must be able to defend itself, she said. Russia wants war and waged war many times in fact over the past years. On Sunday, Zelenskyy said that there was an understanding the U.S. would take into account a number of elements in a peace deal that are important for Ukraine, but did not elaborate further. There have already been brief reports from the team about the results of the first meetings and conversations, he said. There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraines national interests. Rubios reported comments cause confusion Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Sunday that Warsaw was ready to work on the plan with the leaders of Europe, Canada and Japan, but also said that it would be good to know for sure who is the author of the plan and where was it created. Some U.S. lawmakers said Saturday that Rubio had described the plan as a Russian wish list rather than a Washington-led proposal. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said that account was blatantly false. On his way to Geneva, Rubio 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 issue was still causing a stir on Sunday. The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Mark Warner, told ABCs This Week that the peace plan appeared to be almost a series of Russian talking points, had made Europeans feel like theyve been totally left high and dry and had led to ferocious pushback. Turkish leader plans talk with Putin Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he would hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. He said he would talk to Putin about reviving a previous deal from July 2022 that allowed Ukraine to safely ship exports of grain via the Black Sea. The agreement stayed in place until the following year, when Putin refused to extend it, saying that a parallel agreement promising to remove obstacles to Russian exports of food and fertilizer hadnt been honored. We had a grain corridor endeavor to open the path to peace, Erdogan said, Unfortunately we were only partially able to succeed. Tomorrow I will be asking Putin to revisit the endeavor. Erdogans new diplomatic push comes just days after he met with Zelenskyy in Ankara. ___ Davies reported from Manchester, England, and Weissert from Washington. Associated Press writers Claudia Ciobanu in Warsaw, Poland; Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Ukraine; Cinar Kiper in Istanbul; and Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine By MARK CARLSON, KATIE MARIE DAVIES and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press Social media detectives were convinced they had cracked the case. For days, the online streets were ablaze after a disturbing video surfaced showing a woman brutally assaulting a young girl whose hands and legs were tied. The beating was so vile that even B-Metro cannot repost the video to shield followers from trauma. Netizens immediately concluded that the attacker was a wicked stepmother straight out of a horror movie. But the real story has stunned the nation. Police have revealed that the woman behind the savage beating is actually the biological mother of the child, blowing apart the theories and insults that had dominated X, WhatsApp groups. In a statement released on Saturday, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi announced the arrest of Idah Mushayi (27), the woman seen in the viral clip. She is the mother of the victim, an 11-year-old girl from Village 28, Mount Zonzwe under Chief Marange, Odzi. The assault, which sent shockwaves across the country, reportedly happened on 13 November. The mother allegedly tied up her daughter and thrashed her over a missing US$11. As the video circulated, social media users launched a wild guessing parade. Some labelled the woman a jealous stepmom punishing a child that isnt hers. Others claimed it was one of those evil second wives. Influencers fanned the flames with dramatic threads, calling for the arrest of the heartless stepmother. All that outrage took a sharp twist when police confirmed the woman was not a stepmother at all. In the official update, Comm Nyathi said: Following investigations, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has arrested the suspect, Idah Mushayi (27), who is the biological mother of the child. He was appaled at the cruelty captured in the clip. The Zimbabwe Republic Police condemns all forms of violence against children, Comm Nyathi said. We urge parents and guardians to correct and guide their children in a responsible and non-violent manner. The revelation has triggered a second wave of shock online, with many users confessing they misjudged the situation. Some said the truth was even worse than the rumours. As Mushayi faces justice, the nation is in shock from a story where the script flipped dramatically, proving that social media assumptions can be dangerously misleading. B Metro Rusape Town Council chairperson, Lovemore Chifomboti threw employees charged with criminal abuse of office for awarding of a 10 hectare lease to Texas Energy (Pvt) Ltd under the bus when he said they acted unlawfully. The employees are Togarepi Nerwande (Human Capital and Development Officer), Morris Tekwa (Director of Housing, Health and Community Services), and Arnold Mandizvidza Kutoka (former council engineer). The matter is before Mutare Magistrate Annie Ndiraya. Chifomboti told the court that he was told by town planner, Blessing Kwambana and town secretary, Solomon Gabaza that the trio acted unlawfully without authority from council. He dismissed former chairperson, Blessmore Pambureni who defended the three and argued that all procedures were followed before the deal was approved in 2022. The State says that sometime in 2018 Texas Energy proposed to develop a solar power plant in Tsanzaguru, Rusape, but the Ministry of Local Government rejected the proposal because the land was too small and had already been reserved for residential use. Between September and December 2022, the three accused persons allegedly revived and processed the previously rejected application without following proper legal procedures. On November 22, 2022, Tekwa allegedly published a misleading public notice under Section 152 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) and Section G3 of the Urban State Land Administration Manual, describing the land as open space suitable for a solar project when it was reserved for housing. On December 28, 2022, Nerwande, then acting town secretary, allegedly signed a 99 year lease agreement with Texas Energy, represented by Petros Kazungu, without obtaining a change of land use as required by the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:21). The state alleges that Kutoka, who was the head of the engineering department and custodian of the master plan, wilfully failed to disclose that the land was zoned for residential development, while Tekwa and Nerwande misrepresented the proposal as valid despite knowing it had previously been rejected by the ministry. They trio was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). Masvingo Mirror In a rare move, the US government deported a planeload of Iranians back to their home country in Septemberan operation that took months of negotiation between the Trump administration and Tehran and resulted in the first chartered deportation flight of its kind. One of those sent back, 34-year-old Mehrdad Dalir, describes the ordeal as a "nightmare" to the New York Times , recounting how he was shackled, cuffed, and dressed in prison-issue clothes, denied the chance to change before boarding. Dalir, a political dissident who fled Iran with his family years earlier, said he resisted boarding along with other deporteessome of whom were Christian converts or ethnic minoritiesfearing for his safety. The Trump administration has made mass deportations a signature policy, even to nations with shoddy human rights records like Iran, where deportees say they face serious risks. Historically, Iranians seeking asylum often found refuge in the US, but that has now shifted. US officials claim all 54 Iranians on the flight had final removal orders (or ones allowing them to leave voluntarily) and were given due process, with some accused of terrorism or fraud. Dalir denies such ties and says he fled Iran due to political persecution. After landing in Tehran, the deportees were questioned by Iranian officials and instructed to be available for further interrogation. Some, like Dalir, now live in fear, changing locations to avoid Iranian security agents. Others, including a man identified as AA, have fled Iran again. Tehran says hundreds more may face deportation. Dalir's family, meanwhile, remains scattered across three nations. "Each one of us is broken," says his father, who now lives in Turkey. Dalir himself is uncertain what comes next. "Which country would take me at this point?" he asks. More here. Binod Pant didn't come up with the idea of releasing fungus-infected male mosquitoes into the wild as a way to decimate populations of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. But the Northeastern University mathematician did figure out just how effective the tactic could be. Pant met the entomologist behind the fungus ideaMet-Hybrid is a genetically modified fungus that is toxic only to mosquitoesat a conference, and "I quickly figured out a mathematical model that we could use to try to explain this to public health people" in Burkina Faso, where the research had been done, Pant tells Northeastern Global News . According to Pant's model, releasing about 10 fungus-infected male mosquitoes for every wild one every three days for six months could reduce the population of malaria-carrying mosquitoes in Burkina Faso by 86%. Only female mosquitoes bite humans, so the release of infected males wouldn't increase the risk of malaria transmission to people. "We're trying to help the regulators understand this from a mathematical point of view," he says. "Now, with simulations in hand, hopefully this helps convince the local stakeholders that this method could work at scale in wild mosquito populations." Malaria remains a major public health issue, especially in Africa, where the World Health Organization says 95% of the world's 597,000 malaria deaths occurred in 2023. Existing mosquito control methods, such as insecticide-treated bed nets, are losing their effectiveness. In contrast, Pant's studypublished in Applied Mathematical Modellingnotes that mosquitoes have not developed resistance to pathogenic fungi like Met-Hybrid. Some scientists have proposed genetically modifying male mosquitoes themselves as an alternative, but that approach has met with resistance. Pant says the fungus approach is less likely to face similar pushback: "We're not touching the mosquito." A Washington state resident is believed to be the first person anywhere to die from a rare strain of bird flu, reports the AP . Health officials, however, say the risk to the public is low. The person, an older adult with underlying health conditions, was being treated for a bird flu called H5N5 after becoming seemingly the first known human infected by the strain, according to a statement from the Washington State Department of Health. The person from Grays Harbor County, about 80 miles southwest of Seattle, had a backyard flock of domestic poultry that had been exposed to wild birds, health officials said. "The risk to the public remains low," the statement from state health officials said. "No other people involved have tested positive for avian influenza." Health officials said they will monitor anyone who came in close contact with the person, but "there is no evidence of transmission of this virus between people." Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement about the infection that said no information would suggest "the risk to public health has increased as a result of this case." H5N5 is not believed to be a greater threat to human health than the H5N1 virus behind a wave of 70 reported human infections in the US in 2024 and 2025. Most of those have been mild illnesses in workers on dairy and poultry farms. The distinction between H5N5 and H5N1 lies in a protein involved in releasing the virus from an infected cell and promoting spread to surrounding cells. It appears that Japan's first female prime minister will not be trying to upend a centuries-old tradition: the idea that women can't enter the sumo wrestling ring. Previous Japanese leaders have handed out the trophy at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo, which wrapped up on Sunday, but Sanae Takaichi did not do the honors, reports the Washington Post . The sport's rules bar women from stepping onto the dohyo, or ring. Takaichi, who took office last month, is a conservative who has not been seen as a staunch defender of women's rights throughout her political career, per NBC News. She has been largely able to sidestep discussion of the sumo ring tradition this time around, because she is instead attending the G20 summit in South Africa. But Japanese political analysts suggest that even broaching the idea in the future would anger her powerful political base. "They don't want to even see a discussion around the topic," says Hiromi Murakami of Temple University. The Japan Sumo Association, for its part, says it hasn't heard from Takaichi's office and remains committed to preserving sumo's legacy. The association has a track record of keeping women out of the ring: It blocked similar attempts by high-ranking women in 1990, 2000, and 2018, even apologizing after ordering two women out of the ring when they tried to help a collapsed mayor. So might Takaichi turn up at the next major tournament? Don't bet on it: "Takaichi will not go upnever," Hidenori Ukai, visiting religious studies professor at Taisho University, tells the Post. "She's conservative, traditionally minded. Reviving religious or ideological debates wouldn't benefit her politically." Israel on Sunday struck Beirut for the first time since June in an attack that it said killed senior Hezbollah militant Haytham Tabtabai, who it said was the Iran-backed group's chief of staff. Israel also warned Hezbollah, which did not immediately comment on the claim, against rearming and rebuilding a year after their latest war. Hezbollah said the strike on Lebanon's capital, launched almost exactly a year after a ceasefire ended that Israel-Hezbollah war, threatened an escalation of attacksdays before Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Lebanon on his first foreign trip. "We will continue to act forcefully to prevent any threat to the residents of the north and the state of Israel," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement, per the AP. The US designated Tabtabai a terrorist in 2016. After nearly four years under fire while fighting off Russia's invasion, exhausted Ukrainians say President Trump's peace plan only adds to their anguish. Many maintain that the Trump administration's proposal amounts to capitulation. In Bucha, site of a mass killing in 2022, residents expressed horror at the provision granting amnesty to those who committed atrocities. "It's a green light," Father Andriy Halavin said after services at the Church of Andrew the Apostle on Sunday, the AP reports. "It means you can keep bombing, keep executing soldiers, all with confidence that nothing will happen." And Ukrainians who fled to the US under a humanitarian program said it's not clear now what will happen to them. Reaction includes: The UK's navy intercepted two Russian ships in the English Channel, British defense officials said Sunday. The HMS Severn intercepted the RFN Stoikiy, a corvette, and the Yelnya, a tanker, as the vessels were passing through the Strait of Dover into the Channel, the BBC reports. After the initial interception, officials said, the Severn handed over monitoring to a NATO ally off the coast of Brittany, France, while continuing to observe the Russian ships from a distance. On Wednesday, Defense Secretary John Healey said there's been a 30% increase in Russian vessels threatening UK waters over the past two years. The Severn's commanding officer said the operation reinforced the Navy's close cooperation with NATO allies. He said it also shows the importance of patrol ships, per the Independent. Healey told reporters last week that the Russian spy ship Yantar had aimed lasers at the pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities off the coast of Scotland, which prompted a warning to Russia. The UK has deployed three P-8 Poseidon aircraft to Keflavik airbase in Iceland for what officials described as surveillance on NATO's behalf. The British navy's rules of engagement have been updated to allow for closer monitoring of Russian vessels, per the BBC. The Stoikiy had been tracked in British waters before, and the navy shadowed it in May with ships and aircraft as it went through the channel. The Severn is a River-class offshore patrol vessel designed for tasks such as escorting foreign warships, inspecting fishing vessels, and defending UK border. President Donald Trump repeatedly said during his White House campaign that if he won the 2024 election, he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours. But in the 10 months since he took office, the road to a peace deal has been fraught with changing dynamics involving the American leader, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trumps rhetoric toward both men has evolved. It continues to do so. At the outset of his second term in January, Trump was conciliatory toward Putin, for whom he long has shown admiration. Over time, Trump expressed increasing exasperation with Putin, while seemingly softening criticism of Zelenskyy after their February blowout in the Oval Office. Trumps administration imposed sanctions on Russia and he was suggesting by the fall that Ukraine could win back all territory lost to Russia. That was a dramatic shift from his repeated calls for Kyiv to make concessions to end the war that began with Russias invasion in February 2022. By late November, Trump had endorsed a peace plan favorable to Russia. Some Democratic senators suggested the proposal was a wish list that originated with Moscow and they had heard just that from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The State Department disputed it and Rubio insisted the plan was written by the United States. American allies in Europe nonetheless worried it was too conciliatory to Russia. Trump had returned to slamming Zelenskyy in ways that recalled how Trump and Vice President JD Vance had hounded the Ukrainian leader out of the Oval Office months earlier. Trump was now suggesting Zelenskyy was not appearing grateful enough for years of U.S. military support. The Republican president also chided European countries for not doing more to put economic pressure on Russa. Here is a look at what Trump has said this year and how his tone has changed: Jan. 31 We want to end that war. That war would have not started if I was president. Trump said his new administration had already had very serious discussions with Russia and that he and Putin could soon take significant action toward ending the conflict. Feb. 19 A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left. Trumps harsh words for Zelenskyy on his Truth Social platform drew criticism from Democrats and even some Republicans in Congress, where defending Ukraine from Russian aggression has traditionally had bipartisan support. Zelenskyy said Trump was falling into a Russian disinformation trap. He was quickly admonished by Vance about the perils of publicly criticizing the new U.S. president. Feb. 28 Youre gambling with World War III. And what youre doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country thats backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have. Trump and Vance berated Zelenskyy over the war, accusing him of not showing gratitude after he challenged Vance on the question of diplomacy with Putin. The argument in the Oval Office was broadcast globally. It led to the rest of Zelenskyys White House visit being canceled and called into question the U.S. support of Ukraine. A few days after the blowup, Trump temporarily paused military aid to Ukraine to pressure Zelenskyy to seek peace. March 30 I dont think hes going to go back on his word. Youre talking about Putin. I dont think hes going to go back on his word. Ive known him for a long time. Weve always gotten along well. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he trusted Putin to hold up his end of a potential peace deal. April 24 I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! In a Truth Social post, Trump reacted to Russia attacking Kyiv with an hourslong barrage of missiles and drones. It was the first of his rare criticism of Putin as Russia stepped up its attacks on Ukraine. April 29 A lot of his people are dying. Theyre being killed, and I feel very badly about it. Trump addressed the toll on Ukrainians during an interview with ABC News after he met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis funeral. It was the first time the two leaders had met since the Oval Office spat and it signaled a shift in Trumps attitude toward the Ukrainian president. May 25 Ive always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! Trumps Truth Social post made it clear he was losing patience with Putin as Moscow pounded Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles. June 25 He was very nice actually. We had a little rough times, sometimes. He was Couldnt have been nicer. I think hed like to see an end to this, I do. Trump had a closed-door meeting with Zelenskyy during a NATO summit in The Hague. Trumps comments to reporters later also opened the possibility of sending Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine. July 8 We get a lot of bullt thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth. Hes very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless. Trump also said he was not happy with Putin and that the war was killing a lot of people on both sides. Trumps comments during a Cabinet meeting came a day after he said the United States would send more weapons to Ukraine. It was a dramatic reversal after earlier announcing a pause in the delivery of previously approved firepower to Kyiv, a decision that was made amid concerns that Americas military stockpiles had declined too much. July 13 I am very disappointed with President Putin, I thought he was somebody that meant what he said. Hell talk so beautifully and then hell bomb people at night. We dont like that. Trumps remarks to reporters came as Russia has intensified its aerial attacks. July 14 I dont want to say hes an assassin, but hes a tough guy. Its been proven over the years. Hes fooled a lot of people before. Trump pushed harder against Putin during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Trump said if there was no deal to end the war within 50 days, the U.S. would impose secondary tariffs, meaning taxes would target Russias trading partners in an effort to isolate Moscow. Trump and Rutte also discussed a rejuvenated pipeline for U.S. weapons. European allies planned to buy military equipment and then transfer it to Ukraine. Aug. 15 Theres no deal until theres a deal. Trump failed to secure an agreement from Putin during a summit in Alaska even after rolling out the red carpet for the man who started the war. Trump had wanted to show off his deal-making skills. Instead, he handed Putin long-sought recognition on the international stage after years of Western efforts to make Putin a pariah over the war and his crackdown on dissent, and forestalled the threat of additional U.S. sanctions. Sept. 23 Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like a paper tiger. Trump posted on social media soon after meeting with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders. He also said he believed Ukraine could win back all territory lost to Russia, a departure from Trumps previous suggestions that Ukraine would never be able to reclaim all the territory that Russia has occupied since it seized the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Oct. 17 Stop the war immediately. After again hosting Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump implied that Moscow should be allowed keep territory it has taken from Kyiv if doing so could help end the conflict more quickly. You go by the battle line wherever it is otherwise its too complicated, Trump said. You stop at the battle line and both sides should go home, go to their families, stop the killing, and that should be it. Trump had a lengthy phone call with Putin the day before Zelenskyy arrived and announced he soon planned to meet with Putin in Hungary. That meeting never materialized, in part because of a lack of progress on ending the war. Trump also signaled to Zelenskyy that the U.S. would not be selling Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles, which the Ukrainians believed could be a game changer in helping prod Putin to the negotiating table. Oct. 22 Hopefully hell become reasonable. Trump made the comment suggesting Putin could be more favorable to a peace agreement after the Treasury Department announced sanctions against Russias two biggest oil companies and their subsidiaries. But Trump added, And, hopefully Zelenskyy will be reasonable, too. You know, it takes two to tango, as they say. Nov. 21 Hes going to have to approve it. Trump suggested that Zelenskyy would have to accept the U.S. peace plan. Trump pressed 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 would never be admitted into the NATO military alliance. Trump set a Nov. 27 deadline Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. for Zelenskyy to respond to the plan. Trump also said more time could be allotted to Ukraine as long as progress was made to a lasting peace. Nov. 22 I would like to get to peace. Asked if the peace plan was his final offer, Trump said it was not. He did not elaborate. But his comment suggested he would be willing to negotiate past the Nov. 27 deadline and alter the peace plan in ways that Ukraine wants. Were trying to get it ended. One way or the other, we have to get it ended, Trump said of the war. Senators from both parties who have been critical of Trumps approach to ending the war said they spoke with Rubio, who told them that the plan Trump was pushing Kyiv to accept was actually a wish list of the Russians. The State Department called that account false and Rubio later took the extraordinary step of insisting that the plan was U.S.-authored. But the incident raised still more questions about its ultimate fate. Nov. 23 UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. In a post on his social media site, Trump went after Zelenskyy and the Europeans once more: With strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP Russias invasion of Ukraine would have NEVER HAPPENED, Trump said, again blaming his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, for allowing the conflict in Ukraine. By The Associated Press UPDATE Nov 24, 2025 6:42 PM CST Brazil's Supreme Court upheld former President Jair Bolsonaro's incarceration on Monday, after he admitted to trying to break his ankle monitor while under house arrest. Bolsonaro was taken into custody early Saturday and put in a cell. A four-member panel of the court, including the justice who issued the arrest warrant, unanimously ruled that Bolsonaro should remain under preemptive arrest, the AP reports. Justice Alexandre de Morae wrote in his decision that the former president had shown "repeated non-compliance with precautionary measures (that allowed him to stay in house arrest) and evident disrespect to the court." Nov 23, 2025 4:00 PM CST On his first full day in jail, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro told a judge on Sunday that he had violated his ankle monitoring the day before while on house arrest because of a nervous breakdown and hallucinations caused by a change in his medication, the AP reports. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the 70-year-old's preemptive jailing Saturday, deciding he's a flight risk. Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison in September for attempting a coup to keep him in the presidency after his 2022 electoral defeat by now-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. American and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva on Sunday to discuss a new draft of the US proposal to end the war on Ukraine, while President Trump criticized Ukraine and his administration pushed back against charges that it's really Russia's plan. At the talks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that progress had been made, the Washington Post reports. "We've had probably the most productive and meaningful meeting so far in this entire process," he said, adding that changes have been made to the plan. Despite the president's earlier complaint, Rubio said Trump is now pleased with the way talks are going, per the BBC. Developments: Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Sunny skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High -28F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Cloudy. Snow likely late. Low -26F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Sunny this morning then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High -27F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of snow after midnight. Low -26F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. 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 Women named Abeque typically exhibit a nurturing and steadfast character, embodying the qualities of stability, patience, and deep family commitment. They are often described as the emotional centers of their social circles, creating environments where others feel secure and valued. Their 'home-staying' nature manifests as a centered presence that provides consistency and reliability for those around them. These individuals tend to be excellent listeners who remember family stories and cultural teachings, often serving as repositories of collective memory and wisdom. Abeques typically demonstrate remarkable resilience and quiet strength when facing challenges, maintaining their commitments even in difficult circumstances. They possess a practical wisdom that comes from careful observation and understanding of human relationships over time. While they may appear reserved to outsiders, those who know them well appreciate their deep emotional intelligence and unwavering support. Their strength lies not in dramatic gestures but in consistent presence and the deep roots they establish in both physical spaces and cultural traditions, making them invaluable pillars of their families and communities. The name Abrihet carries rich symbolic meanings that extend far beyond its literal translation, representing multiple dimensions of illumination and enlightenment. Symbolically, it embodies intellectual clarity and the pursuit of knowledge, suggesting someone who brings understanding to complex matters and illuminates paths forward. In spiritual contexts, the name represents divine wisdom and inner awakening, connecting to ancient Ethiopian Christian traditions where light symbolizes God's presence and guidance. Metaphorically, Abrihet signifies the dawn after darkness - representing hope, renewal, and the triumph of understanding over confusion. The name also carries connotations of truth and transparency, as light traditionally reveals what was previously hidden or unclear. Within Ethiopian cultural symbolism, it connects to the Aksumite legacy of wisdom and learning, and the Orthodox Christian concept of spiritual illumination. Contemporary interpretations often expand these symbolic meanings to include innovation, creativity, and positive influence - suggesting someone who generates new ideas and inspires progress. The name also symbolizes warmth and nurturing qualities, much like sunlight that sustains growth and promotes wellbeing. Across all these interpretations, Abrihet consistently represents the power of illumination to transform, guide, and elevate - whether through knowledge, spirituality, emotional support, or creative expression. The former CFO of a New Jersey based disability non-profit has been sentenced to prison in the theft of $2.5 million from the organization. A judge sentenced Colleen Witten, 56, of Buena, to eight years in state prison earlier this month, the state Attorney Generals Office said in a statement. She pleaded guilty earlier this year to second-degree theft by unlawful taking and financial facilitation of criminal activity and third-degree failure to pay state taxes. Witten worked for a Burlington County based non-profit from 2019 to 2024, first serving as the comptroller and later chief financial officer. The organization provides services to adults with disabilities, authorities said, but they did not identify the non-profit. In her plea, Witten admitted to misappropriating about $2.58 million directly from the non-profits bank accounts in addition to creating another bank account in the organizations name to funnel money to a landscaping company owned by her and her husband. She also admitted that she used the funds to buy two new homes and a motorcycle and a Corvette Stingray, in addition to having renovations done on her primary residence. This case reflects our unbreakable commitment to pursue justice for victims and hold accountable those who abuse their positions of trust to commit crimes, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. A judge previously sentenced Wittens husband, Allan Witten, 56, of Buena, to three years in state prison on a conviction of second-degree receiving stolen property. As part of her sentence, Colleen Witten has been ordered to pay $2.58 million in restitution to the non-profit and $185,546 to the state for unpaid taxes. Her husband was ordered to pay $189,000 in restitution to the nonprofit as part of his sentencing. The 34,120-square-foot Ocean State Job Lot opened Saturday morning at 4215 Black Horse Pike in the Hamilton Commons shopping center in Mays Landing. Ocean State Job Lot Ocean State Job Lot opened its newest location Saturday morning in Mays Landing, marking the discount retailers 11th store in the state and its second in Atlantic County. The 34,120-square-foot store at 4215 Black Horse Pike in the Hamilton Commons shopping center opened in space that previously housed a Big Lots. Ocean State Job Lot opened a new store on Saturday at 4215 Black Horse Pike in the Hamilton Commons shopping center in Mays Landing. Ocean State Job Lot Ocean State Job Lot executives joined Hamilton Township Deputy Mayor Carl Pitale for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Mays Landing location is the 18th former Big Lots property that Ocean State Job Lot has converted in 2025 as part of its strategy to repurpose existing retail sites. The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation marked the opening by donating a pallet of toys and an assortment of adult bikes to Toys for Tots Atlantic County. They also presented a pallet of Operation Sleep Well kits to the Veterans Village of Absecon. Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, Maple Shade Police and officials from the Indian Cultural Center held a press conference in Evesham, New Jersey on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 to announce that Nazeer Hameed was charged with the 2017 slaying of Sasikala Narra and her son Anish Narra in Maple Shade. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media It was one of the most brutal scenes police officers in Maple Shade had ever seen. Blood was everywhere, and a mother and her six-year-old son were dead. The scene that day was unimaginable, Maple Shade Police Chief Christopher Fletcher said Tuesday. Sasikala Narra, 38, and Anish Narra, 6, were killed in 2017 in their Fox Meadows Apartment. They were found by Sasikalas husband and Anishs father, Hanumanth Narra. For eight years, the search for their killer had seemed to go cold. But out of public view, investigators in Maple Shade, the Burlington County Prosecutors Office and FBI were tracking down a suspect halfway across the globe based on a single droplet of blood found amidst the crimson pools at the scene. On Tuesday, authorities said they charged Nazeer Hameed, a 38-year-old Indian national, with two counts of first-degree murder earlier this year. In announcing the charges against Hameed, authorities revealed several details about the nearly decade-long process of investigating the killings and how one drop of blood led authorities to Hameed. Investigators spent more than five years narrowing down a list of possible DNA matches, using court orders and international relationships to find the person they believed killed Sasikala and Anish. Hameed worked with Hanumantha Narra as consultants with the Indian technology giant, Cognizant. They were both in the U.S. consulting for a Philadelphia-based company, officials said. Hameed was also living in the same apartment complex as the Narras and had been following Hanumantha for a significant period of time prior to the killings, according to officials. The investigation included countless interviews, reviews of financial records, rideshare records, cellphone records and geolocation data to connect Hameed to the crime scene, officials said. Hameed was 29 years old at the time of the murders and returned to India in September 2017, authorities said. Now, law enforcement officials in the U.S. are working with India to extradite Hameed back here to face murder charges. Officials with the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office announced murder charges against Nazeer Hameed, an Indian national. Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, copy photo Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media On March 23, 2017, Hanumantha Narra returned home from a work party and found his wife and son brutally stabbed to death in their home, according to court records and 911 recordings. His call to 911 operators described blood everywhere, a statement he repeated over and over again, according to recordings. Both Anish and Sasikala were slashed several times across their necks and showed signs of defensive wounds, officials said Tuesday. The violence suffered by Anish was particularly disturbing as investigators said he was nearly decapitated. And there is no indication that Hameed had ever met Anish and Sasikala, officials said. Hameed had been in the United States for a few years prior to the killings and did not drive while here, according to officials. Authorities wouldnt comment on the depth of the relationship between Hanumantha and Hameed, and a motive has not been identified by investigators. Were still looking into some of those facts, Lt. Brian Cunningham of the Burlington County Prosecutors Office, who led the investigation, said Tuesday. As investigators processed the scene, they came across a small bead of blood that was later determined to belong to someone other than Sasikala and Anish, officials said. By June 2019, the blood was determined to match a male of Central Asian ancestry and investigators tracked down several dozen possible matches who all provided DNA samples to crosscheck against what was found at the scene, but none of the samples were a match, officials said on Tuesday. Hameed was the only person identified as a possible match to decline to provide a DNA sample, and several attempts by U.S. investigators to work with officials in India to force him to cooperate were unsuccessful, officials said. For almost three years it seemed as though connecting Hameed to the crime scene had gone cold. But a podcast called Murder in Maple Shade, published in January 2023, brought renewed attention to the case. Officials on Tuesday criticized the podcast as inflammatory and denied letting the case languish over the years, citing pictures of Sasikala and Anish that hang in the Maple Shade Police Departments Detective Bureau as reminders of the case they needed to crack. For over a year, we worked with the Department of Justice to examine other crimes to charge Nazeer Hameed with in an effort to extradite him back to the United States and obtain a DNA sample, Cunningham said. Unfortunately, nothing reached the level to bring him back to this country other than criminal homicide, Cunningham said. In March 2023, investigators submitted a Mutual Legal Assistance request with the Indian government to force Hameed to submit his DNA through a court order. The U.S. Department of Justice was notified that the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs had received the request, but it was never fulfilled, according to officials. Authorities turned to Cognizant in August 2024, where they had determined Hameed was still employed, to see if they could obtain his DNA through another route. Through a court order in September 2024, Cognizant provided Hameeds company assigned laptop to investigators who had it forensically analyzed. The analysis found Hameeds DNA pulled from the laptop matched the blood droplet found at the murder scene, officials said. No motive has been identified for the killings, but Cunningham said there was a personal sort of vendetta against Hanu(mantha) Narra. The indictment filed against Hameed remains sealed, officials said. Hameed was terminated by Cognizant after charges were filed in the United States, officials said. A spokesperson for Cognizant did not respond to a request for comment. Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw with the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office speaks during a press conference held at the the Indian Cultural Center in Evesham, New Jersey on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The prosecutor's office announced that Nazeer Hameed is charged with the 2017 slaying of Sasikala Narra and her son Anish Narra in Maple Shade. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media Nazeer Hameed has managed to evade justice for years, and he must be held accountable, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said Tuesday. Bradshaw called for the U.S. government and the government of India to move swiftly to extradite Hameed. The passage of time does not diminish the gravity of these crimes, nor does it lessen our resolve, Bradshaw said. A spokesperson for the FBI declined to confirm or deny the existence of extradition requests. Extradition between nations typically requires a treaty between the two countries, according to U.S. law. The U.S. and India have had an extradition treaty since 1997 which relates to offenses punishable by law in both countries with penalties of one year in prison or longer. All requests for extradition must be submitted through diplomatic channels with supporting documentation, according to the treaty. In urgent cases, both parties can request provisional arrests pending a request for extradition, according to the treaty. A spokesperson from the Indian embassy did not respond to a request for comment. Donald Browne, attorney for Sasikala Narras family and spokesperson for the family, said Tuesday that it took a long time to see charges filed, but that justice can sometimes take time. Theyre very thankful that everyone kept fighting and kept trying to find the answer to this case, Browne said. Were at a good point now but theres still a lot to learn. Sasikalas family lives in India and they did not know Hameed, Browne said. Hanumantha relocated to Colorado after a settlement was reached with Sasikalas family over her estate. He did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the charges, but officials said they have been in touch with him since charges were filed. The local Indian community assisted authorities during the investigation, according to Indian Cultural Center board of trustees member Jayesh Parikh. We are deeply grateful to everyone involved for their dedication and perseverance over the past eight years, despite the many challenges and setbacks encountered along the way, Parikh said. Cultural & Historical Significance Adalheida holds significant cultural importance in German and European history, particularly during the medieval period. The name was borne by several noblewomen and saints who played crucial roles in the political and religious landscape of Central Europe. These women were often influential in court politics, religious foundations, and cultural patronage, embodying the ideal of noble Christian womanhood that combined aristocratic bearing with pious devotion. The name's association with royalty and sanctity made it popular among noble families seeking to honor both lineage and faith. Throughout German-speaking regions, Adalheida represented a connection to imperial history and Catholic tradition, serving as a reminder of the intertwined nature of secular power and religious authority in medieval society. The name's enduring presence in historical records and hagiography demonstrates its deep roots in Germanic cultural identity. Even today, the name evokes images of medieval courts, monastic foundations, and the powerful women who helped shape European history through both political influence and spiritual leadership. Masi Rogers (right) died days after last week's Newark shooting. Photo courtesy of Yasmin Headly-Asebiomo A third victim has died after last Saturdays Newark shooting that also killed a young woman and child, officials said. Masi Rogers, 19, died on Thursday, the Essex County Prosecutors Office said. He was listed in critical condition following the shooting. 10-year-old Jordan Garcia and 21-year-old Kiyah Mae Scott were also killed, while 11-year-old Jayceon Garcia, and a 60-year-old man were injured, officials said. The shooting took place at the corner of Chancellor Avenue and Leslie Street around 7 p.m., according to officials. No arrests have been announced. The scene of the fatal shooting of 10 year old Jordan Garcia, 19 year old Masi Rogers, and 21 year old Kiyah Mae Scott in Newark, NJ on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 John Jones | For NJ Advance Media Bashir Muhammad Ptah Akinyele, a long-time educator and community activist who taught Rogers at Weequahic High School about two years ago, said he is outraged by the shooting, noting that he has lost 50 students to street violence. He always showed me respect as a teacher, as a Black man, and as a human being in my classroom at Weequahic, he said in a statement. Unfortunately, brother Masi has joined my long list of students I lost to street violence. Last Monday, authorities in Newark called on those responsible for the shooting to surrender. What happened to them was beyond tragic, Essex County Sheriff Amir D. Jones said at the press conference. It was brutal. It is senseless. It is an attack on everything that this county and this city stand for. Their families are living through hell and they deserve justice without delay, and they will get it. What you did was cowardly, Jones said. Heartless and unforgivable. You shattered families and shook an entire city. You proved nothing but your own weakness. So hear me clearly. We are coming. Theres no hiding. Theres no running. Theres nothing that will change whats coming. Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones speaks at a press conference to provide updates on the investigation into the Newark shooting that resulted in the deaths of a 10-year-old boy and a 21-year-old woman, in Newark, NJ on Monday, November 17, 2025 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media In a statement last week, Attorney General Matthew Platkin called the shooting heartbreaking and unacceptable. Every New Jerseyan especially every child deserves to live in a community free from gun violence," Platkin said." Jordan and his brother, Jayceon, were walking home from a city recreation center when they were struck by gunfire. Jordan was pronounced dead last Saturday, while Jayceon was listed in stable condition. The boys mother, Stephanie Garcia, described Jordan as a silly kid who loved everybody. Hes a great kid. He was innocent, pure soul, she said. He never thought any harm could ever happen. Jordan Garcia, 10, was killed in last week's Newark shooting. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Garcia Kiyah Scott, who was also killed in the shooting, had a three-year-old son, according to a GoFundMe campaign created to support the toddler. Kiyah would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it, the GoFundMe page says. The Essex County Sheriffs Office is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the shooter being indicted or convicted. A balloon release ceremony honoring Rogers is scheduled to take place on Monday at 5 p.m. at Saint Peters Park, located on Lyons Avenue in Newark. Shoppers, beware. Scammers will try to trick you into handing over personal information. Canva illustration for NJ Advance Media/AP Photo/Michel Spingler, File Like many consumers, I shop at Amazon. And like many consumers, I often get emails that try to trick me into clicking. My shopping habits and a con artists attempt to fool me collided late last month. How I figured it out, and what could have happened, are good reminders for us all. My family needed some items that I could have purchased locally, but it would be a few days before I could hit a store. So I went to Amazon and added the items toothpaste, dryer sheets, deodorant and tape to my shopping cart. When I tried to log in, my password wasnt accepted. I double-checked to make sure I was on the real Amazon and not a fake. There was nothing funky about the URL, so I continued. I went through the password reset process something we should all do more often even though its a pain to remember them all and it was successful. I checked out, and my stuff was on the way. There was nothing extraordinary, or sinister, about the exchange. But timing is everything. Shortly after, I checked my email on my cell phone, which receives messages from all my accounts into one folder. A new one arrived with the subject line: Amazon Refund Notice. It said: We wish to inform you that the seller linked to your order has been removed from the Amazon Marketplace due to violations of our compliance rules. As a result, you may qualify for a refund on select products, no return required. (Anyone who knows the Bamboozled column knows a violation of any rule gets prime attention here.) To begin the refund process, it told me to click on a button that said: Claim refund. The email used Amazons famous smiley-face arrow logo. Except for the spacing on the first line of text something I didnt notice on my cell phone it appeared pretty legit. But I waited until I could look more closely at the email, without rushing, on my laptop. When I returned to my computer, there were several issues with the message. This email appears to be from Amazon, but it's a phishing attempt. Karin Price Mueller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com First, it came to my work email box and not my personal one. I dont shop online with my work email, so it was obviously a phishing attempt. If I had clicked, it would have probably asked me to log in so the fraudsters would have my password and it may have also asked for other personal information, like my credit card number, so it could purportedly process that refund. Or, clicking could have quietly downloaded malicious software onto my computer, potentially giving scammers the ability to track my activity and my passwords for future identity theft and other chaos. Next, I examined the email address it came from: amazon@account-activity.com. Looks like it could be legit, right? Well, all emails from Amazon end in @amazon.com. This one did not. Although fake emails often go out en masse with scammers hoping to catch even a couple of unsuspecting folks with their wide net, this one actually used my name. A personalized email like this makes it more likely the recipients guard goes down. The scammers had my work email and my name. Im willing to bet they have more information about me, too. I deleted the email. But let this be a reminder that if youre distracted or busy, its easy to make a mistake and click on a malicious link. Amazons website suggests a smart and simple solution to make sure you dont get fooled by an impersonation email. Log into Amazon and check your message center to view all correspondence from the company. If the email does not appear in Message Center, then it was not sent by Amazon, it said. Its an effective way to ensure youre never tricked by a scammer impersonating the retail giant. If you do receive a suspicious email, you can report it to Amazon at reportascam@amazon.com. Safe shopping, Jersey. A Piscataway man is accused of taking nearly $60,000 from a homeowner and never performing the job he was hired to do. (Canva) A New York contractor who lives in Piscataway is facing charges accusing him of pocketing nearly $60,000 from a homeowner and not performing the work for which he was hired. Authorities arrested Zohaib Farrukh, 37, on Saturday and charged him with grand larceny and scheme to defraud, according to a statement from the Nassau County, New York Police Department. A homeowner in Uniondale, on Long Island, told police that they retained North Falcon Construction Company in New York City to perform work in April 2024. The homeowner issued a check for $59,202.50 to a man who claimed his name was Mohammed Ali. Police say that man was Farrukh, who used an alias. The check was cashed but the services were not performed, police said. The victim then called police after making numerous, unsuccessful attempts to contact him, the press release says. Police are asking anyone who feels they may have also been a victim of Farrukh to call their local police. All callers will remain anonymous, police said. This is not the first time Farrukh has been accused of taking money and not performing the work on a home. A homeowner from Jersey City created a website after he says Farrukh took nearly $11,000 from him and never started any work. On that job, Farrukh was affiliated with J & Z United Construction with addresses in Jersey City and South Ozone Park. We found him through Yelp, the homeowner, who asked NJ.com not to use his name, said in a phone interview Sunday. When my wife did due diligence, it looked legit. Hes local so we wanted to support the community while getting work done. The start date for the job came and went and the homeowner said when he finally tracked down Farrukh, he was in Pakistan. The homeowner filed a complaint with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which fined Farrukh and made him pay back the homeowner. Because he didnt do any work, it was easy to rule the dispute in my favor, the homeowner said. It still took him six more months to pay me back. Since setting up the website to warn other consumers he says at least a half-dozen people have reached out to say they were allegedly defrauded by Farrukh. They reach out to me through the site because they were scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars as well, he said. A message left at a number believed to belong to Farrukh was not immediately returned Sunday. A view of the boardwalk near 11th Avenue in Seaside Park, New Jersey. Rob Jennings | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Residents of an Ocean County town are raising some thorny logistical questions about the possibility of adding a new neighborhood to their municipality. Seaside Park is weighing whether to take over the South Seaside Park section of Berkeley Township after the New Jersey Supreme Court in July upheld the neighborhoods right to pursue an exit from its current town. Some residents in South Seaside Park have been pursuing annexing their neighborhood for more than a decade. We want to be part of Seaside Park, George Giovenco, a director of the South Seaside Park Homeowners and Voters Association, said last week at the first of two public meetings in Seaside Park on the possible annexation. Several Seaside Park residents who spoke at the first of two community listening sessions on Nov. 10 asked about the possible impact on liquor licenses, beach access, public school enrollment, property assessments, water supply and other municipal infrastructure. Wed like to know what the debt is before we buy off on it, Richard McMillan, a 26-year Seaside Park resident who lives four blocks from South Seaside Park, said at the meeting. Contacted after the meeting, McMillan said uncertainty about the cost is his only objection and that the New Jersey Legislature should amend the state law on annexation, which sets up a process for determining compensation but only after the approval process concludes. I dont have a problem with the people of South Seaside Park, McMillan told NJ Advance Media. A second meeting about the possible annexation will be held Monday. No formal action will be taken, but officials have said a decision is possible by years end. South Seaside Park is the only part of Berkeley located on the barrier island with Seaside Park and is separated from the rest of the township by Barnegat Bay. The neighborhood covers approximately 10 blocks and has several hundred residents. Seaside Park is just under one square mile and has approximately 2,000 residents. The state law on annexation would allow Seaside Park to bring the South Seaside Park neighborhood into its borders if at least two-thirds of the boroughs council members approve a municipal ordinance, Seaside Park special labor counsel Jean Cipriani said at the start of the meeting. While Seaside Park will attempt to gauge the cost, Cipriani said the borough will not know in advance exactly how much it might owe Berkeley Township if the annexation proceeds. Under the law, a six-person committee made up of three members each from Seaside Park and Berkeley will meet on the first Monday following the effective date of the ordinance. They will attempt to determine whether Seaside Park owes Berkeley money and settle on an amount. Berkeley Township has issued a lot of bonds for infrastructure and police cars and all sorts of things that have debt, Cipriani said. If the committee fails to make a decision on how much of Berkeleys municipal debt is attributable to South Seaside Park, a judge will appoint three people to reach a resolution, Cipriani said. Another Seaside Park resident said the council should proceed with caution. Our neighbors spent the last 11 years trying to get their separation, which I respect and appreciate. Why are we rushing to get this done by the end of the year, or whatever the short timeframe is, the resident said. I would request you take the time to turn over all the rocks, find all the pros and cons and make this as comprehensive as it can possibly be, he added. Giovenco, director of the South Seaside Park Homeowners and Voters Association, said he was hearing a lot of negativity at the meeting. Giovenco said that South Seaside Park wants to become part of this community, because basically we already are a part of this community. He said his family for years has participated in Seaside Parks Memorial Day service and July 4th bike parade, among other events. Everything we do, we do here. We do nothing in Berkeley Township because to do that, in the summertime on a weekend, we have to drive 40 minutes or more, Giovenco said, citing traffic. To access most Berkeley Township services, South Seaside Park residents must leave the barrier island and travel up to 16 miles through seven other municipalities, residents said. More than 70% of registered voters in South Seaside Park submitted petitions in support of the proposed exit in 2014. The idea was rejected in 2021 by the Berkeley Township Council, resulting in the successful legal challenge by the neighborhood. Berkeley Mayor John Bacchione told NJ Advance Media three weeks ago that the township does not want to lose the neighborhood but, in light of the high court ruling, has run out of legal options. Any decision by the Seaside Park council could be challenged in court, Cipriani said at the Nov. 10 meeting. If the council approves the annexation and a lawsuit is filed, a judge might delay implementing the ordinance pending the outcome in court, Cipriani said. There is no deadline for a decision but Government Strategy Group is preparing an annexation impact study that may be ready by years end, officials said. The Wall Township-based firm was hired by Seaside Park in September and will be paid up to $125,000. It is rare for New Jersey municipalities to merge or adjust borders. In Morris County, the possibility of merging Roxbury and Mount Arlington was discussed for several years before being abandoned in 2019. The most recent merger was in 2022 when tiny Pine Valley, consisting of several residences near a private golf course, was absorbed by neighboring Pine Hill. Princeton Township and Princeton Borough formed the Municipality of Princeton in 2013. Prior to its incorporation in 1898, Seaside Park was part of Berkeley. Another Seaside Park resident said at the Nov. 10 meeting that she would like to see us combined as one town. She said the council should not hurry a decision and that residents should have adequate time to review the consulting firms report. Im hoping it works, she said. Mondays meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad building in Seaside Heights. This story has been updated with information about the most recent merger. Governor elect Mikie Sherrill speaks to the press at the New Jersey State House in Trenton, NJ. Wednesday, November 5, 2025 John Jones | For NJ Advance Media By Samra Haider New Jersey has made a clear choice. With the election now behind us, Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill has a rare and powerful opportunity: to set the tone for an administration that doesnt just manage the states challenges but fundamentally shifts who gets to share in its prosperity. Sherrills campaign focused on the core and real issues of affordability in New Jersey, and that message resonated deeply across the state. However, any efforts to address affordability, must also confront a reality too often overshadowed by debates about taxes, transit, or jobs: the affordability crisis is deeply connected and intertwined with the stark racial wealth gap in New Jersey. Our state has one of the largest racial wealth gaps in the nation, which means that white families accumulate substantially more wealth than Black and Latino families, largely because of historical and current policies that limit access and opportunity for all communities. If closing that gap is not a priority in her first 100 days, the opportunity to meaningfully improve the lives of families across our state will slip further out of reach. The numbers are staggering. The median household wealth for white families in New Jersey is about $662,500, according to research from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. For Black and Latina/o families, it is under $20,000 a nearly $640,000 divide that has doubled since before the pandemic. These figures tell a painful truth: far too many families of color are living at or near the poverty line in one of the wealthiest states in America. This divide isnt theoretical. It dictates whether a family can buy a home, weather an emergency, send their children to college, or save for the future. It shapes whether a child grows up with opportunity or with the constant stress of economic instability. Why we hope this is a Day One priority New Jersey is one of the most expensive states in the country. A family of four with two young children needs over $111,000 per year just to cover basics like housing, childcare, and transportation, according to United For ALICE. With rents averaging more than $2,000 a month and childcare costs approaching $20,000 annually, many families are living in debt or just one crisis away from falling behind. The ability to save or invest in the future is not a possibility for so many New Jerseyans, especially those who identify as Black or Latino/a. Take Shaniqua Mosely, a 34-year-old single mother of five living in Newark. She works full-time as a security officer at Seton Hall, earning a steady paycheck. Her rent, about $800 a month in a subsidized apartment, may seem affordable by New Jersey standards, but it still consumes much of her income. Shaniqua regularly faces difficult cost-saving choices: skipping laundry at the laundromat for the week or walking long distances to save on transit. She worries constantly that a rent increase will push her over the edge. Her story is not an exception; its a reminder that without systemic solutions, hardworking families remain locked out of wealth-building opportunities. Where early leadership is needed Decades of research point to two areas where early action will have the greatest impact: Expand access to safe, affordable housing and housing choice. Homeownership is the largest driver of wealth in the United States. Yet while more than 76% of white households in New Jersey own their homes, only about 40% of Black and Latino households do, according to NJISJ. The first 100 days present an urgent window to reduce barriers to increasing affordable housing production and expanding support for first-time and first-generation buyers. Strengthen pathways to economic security and mobility. Raising incomes, reducing barriers to advancement, and ensuring fair wages and benefits are essential to help families save and invest. This includes supporting skills training and ensuring all New Jerseyans can go to work without fear of discrimination, unsafe conditions, wage theft, or retaliation. These are not partisan priorities. They are kitchen-table realities that shape whether families can build stability and pass opportunity to the next generation. A first-100-days agenda At the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, we invest in nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and community leaders working on the front lines from affordable housing developers to rental assistance pilots to employee ownership models. But philanthropy cant solve this alone. The governor-elects administration can make progress by prioritizing: Reducing barriers to build more affordable housing, opening doors to first-time home buyers and expanding eviction-prevention help. Enforcing wage protections, reducing employment barriers, and ensuring work leads to stability. Lowering household costs like childcare and utilities that keep families from saving. Boosting incomes and increasing opportunities to build wealth through job training and placement programs and expanded employee ownership strategies. Partnering with philanthropy and community groups to test and scale solutions. Of course, equity is not the only challenge facing our state. New Jerseyans are rightly concerned about property taxes, transportation reliability, the climate crisis, and other issues. And yes, by many measures, ours is one of the best states to live in with strong schools, vibrant communities, and a reputation for progressive values. But these truths can exist alongside deep inequities. A high average quality of life masks how unevenly that quality is distributed. The same systems that make New Jersey prosperous for some have left others behind. Addressing inequity is not a distraction from the rest of our priorities; it is what makes every other goal achievable and sustainable. A vision that includes everyone is what make New Jersey great. The work ahead Sherrill has the chance to make New Jersey the national leader in inclusive growth. The path is clear: address inequity early, boldly, and across agencies. Ignoring the racial wealth gap will leave us a state divided between haves and have-nots. Tackling it head-on can make New Jersey a model for shared prosperity. Her first 100 days will tell us which future she intends to build, and we are hopeful it signals a New Jersey where everyone thrives. Samra Haider is president and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, a private foundation based in New Jersey that supports, centers, and connects communities and changemakers who are working toward a just and equitable state. This Continuum is designed to provide immediate response in the community to reduce the risk of crisis escalation, hospitalization, or death. Canva Illustration for NJ.com By Carolyn Beauchamp One in five people in the United States experiences mental illness every year, yet care remains out of reach for millions of people. Nearly every day, as president and CEO of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey and in my personal life, I meet people looking for mental health support services with no idea where to go. Our mental health care system is overwhelming, expensive and difficult to access. In efforts to change that, New Jersey is currently implementing a novel model of crisis response through the 988 Crisis Continuum of Care. The 988 Crisis Continuum of Care provides support in three ways: A 24/7 phone, text and chat service staffed by trained specialists who listen, support and refer when people are experiencing a mental health, substance use or suicidal crisis An outreach mobile service providing in-person crisis response Two support hubs, Crisis Stabilization Centers which provide up to 24 hours of clinical and support intervention, and Crisis Diversion Homes which continue those services for up to 30 days. This Continuum is designed to provide immediate response in the community to reduce the risk of crisis escalation, hospitalization, or death. As an alternative to more traditional emergency response, it reduces the risk of trauma associated with emergency room visits. The problem: Ongoing instability in federal funding streams poses a threat to the continuity of programs like the 988 Crisis Continuum of Care. Further, the launch of the Crisis Receiving Stabilization Centers has been delayed due to funding challenges. Securing stable funding sources is vital for the 988 Continuums long-term stability. The proposed 988 telecom fee bill (S4502/A5978) establishing a fee at 40 cents a month would provide the Continuum that financial security. Once passed, funding would immediately support the states five Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Centers a safe place for help. The 988 Continuum of Care directly links people with the help they need when they need it most. Calling your elected representative in the state Assembly or Senate is the most effective way to influence policy. To find your state Assembly member and Senator to voice your position, go to the New Jersey Legislature websites Legislative Carolyn Beauchamp is president and CEOMental Health Association in New Jersey. On the whole, Donald Trump has been one of our least quotable presidents, at least in his official capacity. He had a doozy on that Access Hollywood bus when he mused to his pal Billy Bush about when and where he felt free to touch women, but he wasnt the commander in chief yet, so were not going to count that one. The president uncorked another gem this week during a press gaggle on Air Force One. Bloomberg White House correspondent Catherine Lucey did her job and asked the president a perfectly reasonable question in regard to the Epstein Files. In response the president had some options, he could give a thoughtful answer, he could decline to comment or he angrily shake a blunt little finger at Lucey and say Quiet, Piggy!. Ill give you one guess which option he took. The irony of Donald Trump calling another human being a pig should be lost on no one. Hes been married three times, cheated on former wives with future wives, cheated on his current wife with a porn star, been found legally liable for the defamation and sexual abuse of E. Jean Carroll and credibly accused of sexual assault by several dozen others. Also, lets not forget the topic of the question that so enraged the president, his long relationship with Americas most infamous child sex trafficker, Jefferey Epstein. Oink, indeed Mr. President. When the president needs a handy target for his rage, the press is always a favorite. Hes been openly hostile to any media org not willing to parrot his talking points from the second he came down that escalator to announce his candidacy. His rallies are notoriously tough environments for anyone wearing a press pass, but during his second term the president has added a new weapon to his arsenal for his cold war with the media. Over the past year hes shifted from name calling the press to strong-armingthem. He didnt like the way 60 Minutes edited a Kamala Harris interview so he shook down CBS News for a multi-million dollar settlement. The networks parent company ponied up the dough rather than fight because they needed government approval for a multi-billion dollar merger. The administration leaned on Disney and got Jimmy Kimmel suspended and most recently the president and his free speech crusaders have taken aim at The BBC-again over what Trump perceived as deceptive editing- and late night host Seth Myers. Some BBC execs resigned but the whining about another late night comedian being mean to the president seems to have fallen on deaf ears. When all is said and done Im not sure where to rank Quiet, Piggy! in the pantheon of Trumps presidential quotes. Im sure it will feature prominently between his musings about windmills and low flow toilets on the wall of the Trump Presidential Library, inevitably to be funded by a generous donation from the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund. Lashing out at the press is a time tested classic from the Trump playbook. Whenever something resembling accountability comes into his orbit he downshifts to victim mode making a big show about how the press is out to get him. It wouldnt be unfair to describe the current stretch for the president as a rough spot. His approval rating is at a new low, his handpicked candidates got molly walloped in the election and the whole Epstein affair seems to be coming to a head, an outburst was inevitable. The 9,184-square-foot former fire station and hall, situated on 0.67 acres at 811 Belmont Ave., will be available through an online bidding process conducted by Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Co. Max Spann Auctions A former Passaic County firehouse and hall recently sold at auction for $1.4 million. The property at 811 Belmont Ave. in North Haledon was listed as a 9,184-square-foot building on 0.67 acres, according to the Max Spann auction website. Spann said the new owner, whose name wasnt released, is a local resident whose hobby is restoring cars. The 9,184-square-foot former fire station and hall, situated on 0.67 acres at 811 Belmont Ave., was sold for $1.4 million through an online bidding process conducted by Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Co. Max Spann Auctions The garage of the firehouse was just perfect for him, Spann told NJ Advance Media. The auction drew the interest of 20 participants, Spann said. There were 8 or 9 who actually placed bids, Spann said. It was a hotly contested property and people had a ton of interest in it. It also has 30 parking spaces. Its a win-win for everyone, not just for the sale but for the tax revenue it will bring to the borough, he said. Tatiana Schlossberg, the daughter of Caroline Kennedy and granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy, disclosed Saturday that she has terminal cancer. In an essay published by The New Yorker, Schlossberg, 35, announced she has acute myeloid leukemia, with a rare mutation called Inversion 3. She was diagnosed on May 25, 2024, on the same day her daughter was born. A few hours after delivering her second child, Schlossberg said doctors discovered her white blood cell count was abnormally high, which ultimately led to her diagnosis. She noted that she could not be cured by standard treatment, and that she faced months of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and more chemo to keep the cancer from returning. I did notcould notbelieve that they were talking about me," Schlossberg wrote in the essay. 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. This could not possibly be my life, Schlossberg later added. Schlossberg spent five weeks at Columbia-Presbyterian before her abnormal cell count improved enough, allowing her to undergo a round of treatment at her home. She was also treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering, where she received a bone marrow transplant. However, she eventually relapsed, despite a new round of chemotherapy. 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, Schlossberg wrote. 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, she added. This has been a great gift, even though I feel their pain every day. She continued: 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. In January, Schlossberg joined a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy, which is a type of immunotherapy that has helped fight against certain blood cancers, including leukemia. During the latest clinical trial, my doctor told me that he could keep me alive for a year, maybe, Schlossberg wrote. My first thought was that my kids, whose faces live permanently on the inside of my eyelids, wouldnt remember me. In her essay, Schlossberg also addressed concerns about access to medical care under the current presidential administration. Throughout her CAR-T treatment, Schlossberg detailed that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., her cousin, was in the process of being nominated and confirmed to serve in President Donald Trumps cabinet. Schlossberg went on to sharply criticize Kennedy over what she described as his defiance of logic and common sense and his funding cuts to vaccine research since starting his role in February. Bobby is a known skeptic of vaccines, and I was especially concerned that I wouldnt be able to get mine again, leaving me to spend the rest of my life immunocompromised, along with millions of cancer survivors, small children, and the elderly, Schlossberg wrote. Schlossberg, an environmental journalist and former municipal reporter for The Bergen Record, said she is now focusing on being present with her children. Sometimes I trick myself into thinking Ill remember this forever, Ill remember this when Im dead, Schlossberg said of her memories. Obviously, I wont, she wrote. But since I dont know what death is like and theres no one to tell me what comes after it, Ill keep pretending. I will keep trying to remember. New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill is floating a new way to push back against President Donald Trumps administration. While speaking with comedian and New Jersey native Jon Stewart earlier this week, Sherrill called the prospect of the state withholding federal tax dollars a good idea, adding, I think about that all the time. I talk often about clawing back federal money, Sherrill said during an interview on The Weekly Show podcast released Thursday. I mean the easiest place to start with that is in the courts. Sherrill didnt elaborate on what that would entail or how New Jersey could withhold federal funds. Still, the comments suggest shes prepared to use her governorship to challenge Trump directly. A four-term Democratic congresswoman, Sherrill resigned from her seat in the U.S. House on Thursday ahead of becoming New Jerseys 57th governor. She defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli earlier this month in a closely watched race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. The contest was one of several nationwide, including in Virginia and New York City, seen as a test of Trumps influence. Sherrill pointed to how California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has emerged as a vocal critic of the president, has suggested he would consider withholding tens of billions in annual federal tax dollars. The idea, though, has yet to come to fruition and Newsom later told POLITICO that a plan would be difficult. Individuals and businesses, not states, pay taxes directly to the federal government. I would love to start reworking the federal taxation system, Sherrill said. As I say, and I think people here in New Jersey agree, you know, if theyre not going to run the programs, then what are we paying them for? Its like, you know, youre paying us for a service, and theyre not delivering, so lets stop paying for it, she added. New Jersey pays more in taxes to the federal government than it receives in return, according to several recent studies. A debate over federal funding became a major focus toward the end of the governors race, after Trump announced last month he terminated the $16 billion Gateway rail tunnel under the Hudson River amid the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown. On the campaign trail, Sherrill slammed Trump over the surprising decision. Thats not who Im going to serve as your governor, Sherrill said, referring to the president. Im going to focus on serving the people of New Jersey. That has always been my north star, and that is what Im going to continue to fight to do. Stewart, who grew up in Lawrence Township and lives in Red Bank, interviewed Sherrill alongside Virginias Democratic Gov-elect Abigail Spanberger. Women named Adama are often perceived as possessing natural grace, confidence, and leadership qualities that align with the name's royal connotations. They typically exhibit strong character, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire others through their presence and actions. The 'beautiful child' aspect of the meaning suggests individuals who carry themselves with poise and inner beauty that radiates outward. These women are often natural caretakers and community builders, combining strength with compassion in ways that make them respected figures in their social circles. Their queenly nature manifests not as arrogance but as a quiet authority and the ability to handle responsibility with wisdom and dignity. Many Adamas demonstrate remarkable resilience and the capacity to overcome challenges while maintaining their elegance and composure, making them natural leaders in both personal and professional contexts. 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. A visit from three ghosts Towels that are always damp A one-way ticket someplace fun and far away Coal Vote View Results Individuals named Aethelbeorn are typically perceived as possessing strong leadership qualities combined with a deep sense of honor and duty. They tend to be protective, principled, and driven by a moral compass that guides their actions. These personalities often exhibit a blend of strength and compassion - capable of decisive action when needed but equally committed to justice and fairness. Their noble bearing often inspires loyalty in others, and they frequently take on roles as defenders or protectors in their communities. The warrior aspect of the name suggests resilience, courage, and the ability to face challenges head-on, while the noble component indicates refinement, wisdom, and a commitment to higher ideals. This combination creates individuals who are both practical problem-solvers and visionary leaders, equally comfortable in battle and in council. They often display a strong sense of tradition and heritage, valuing continuity and stability while being capable of innovation when circumstances demand change. Their leadership style typically balances authority with empathy, making them respected rather than feared. Individuals named Alani are often perceived as warm, nurturing, and emotionally intuitive. They tend to possess a natural empathy that allows them to connect deeply with others, making them excellent friends and confidants. Their caring nature often draws people toward them, and they frequently find themselves in roles where they can support and guide others. Many Alanis demonstrate strong creative tendencies, whether in artistic pursuits, writing, or other forms of self-expression. While generally gentle in demeanor, they can display remarkable strength and resilience when protecting those they care about or standing up for their principles. Their combination of sensitivity and inner strength makes them both approachable and respected. Alanis typically value harmony in their relationships and environments, often acting as peacemakers in conflict situations. They tend to be good listeners who offer thoughtful advice, and their genuine concern for others' wellbeing often makes them beloved members of their communities. Torbay Council and local charity The Eddystone Trust are encouraging residents to take action this World AIDS Day, which falls on Sunday, 1 December, by getting tested for HIV. In 2024, there were 218 people living with HIV locally, with more than half aged over 50. Local health officials say late diagnoses remain a concern, meaning some people are quite ill by the time they find out they have the virus. The council has reaffirmed that the UK remains on track to achieve zero new HIV transmissions by 2030, but only if testing, education, and stigma-reduction efforts continue. Councillor Hayley Tranter, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said testing is essential. Testing for HIV is free, confidential and easy. Finding out means being able to start highly effective treatment, stay healthy and avoid passing the virus onto anyone else. I would urge people to get tested and find out more about the activities taking place this World AIDS Day locally. The Eddystone Trust has supported people affected by HIV across the South West for over 30 years, providing education, inclusive sexual health services, and non-judgmental support. Mags Davies, the charitys CEO, highlighted the importance of reducing stigma and promoting effective treatment. With access to effective treatment, people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives and cannot pass HIV on to their partners. U=U is a message of dignity, of truth, and of hope, she said, referring to the principle that undetectable equals untransmissible. Awareness and testing initiatives are taking place throughout November, including stalls and outreach at libraries, Torbay Hospital, and public spaces, as well as a community quiz night at The Meadfoot Pub on 1 December. Free testing is available through Devon Sexual Health at Castle Circus Health Centre, while home-testing kits can be ordered online via The Eddystone Trust. World AIDS Day Activities in Torbay The Eddystone Trust will be present across Torbay throughout November and on World AIDS Day to raise awareness, share information, and encourage HIV testing. Thursday 20 November Torbay Hospital - awareness-raising and signposting to testing and support. Brixham Library and Torquay Library - public engagement and access to information and resources. Wednesday 26 November Paignton Library - community stall offering information, advice and red ribbons. Thursday 27 November Steamer Quay, Totnes - community outreach and awareness activity. Torquay town centre - they will join with Standing Tall to host a stigma awareness activity featuring a miniature therapy pony to encourage conversation and engagement. World AIDS Day - 1 December - The Meadfoot Pub Community quiz night to mark the day, honour those lost and stand with people living with HIV. Thomas Hall School in Exeter has announced an ambitious new pledge to ensure every pupil takes part in 16 enriching experiences before turning 16, as part of a drive to broaden learning beyond the classroom. The initiative, unveiled this term, commits the school to offering a diverse programme of activities including cultural trips to London, beach days, camping, live performances, professional sporting fixtures, outdoor pursuits, sustainability projects and community-focused events. READ NEXT: Traffic violations rise across Exeter as new data reveals problem routes Students will also have the chance to explore more of Exeter and the wider Devon area through local excursions. The programme will culminate in a dedicated Enrichment Week planned for the summer term, giving students time to immerse themselves in new challenges and experiences. Based on a six-and-a-half acre site on the edge of Exeter, Thomas Hall School says the new pledge builds on a year of investment in outdoor learning. Earlier this term the school expanded its forest school provision, giving children weekly opportunities for hands-on learning in woodland surroundings. The school is also inviting families considering Reception places for September 2026 to a Stay & Play Open Day on Wednesday 10 December from 3:45pm to 4:30pm, where visitors can explore the grounds, meet the Early Years team and learn more about the schools approach to learning. Places can be booked online. Headteacher Phil Arnold said the initiative is designed to shape confident, well-rounded young people. At Thomas Hall, we believe great learning doesnt just happen inside the classroom, he said. Our 16 by 16 promise is much more than a list of trips and activities its a pledge to give every Thomas Hall student the opportunity to push the boundaries of what they can achieve. Along the way, well create some unforgettable memories together. In 1957, the BBC program Panorama aired one of the first televised April Fools Day hoaxes. Above, you can watch a faux news report from Switzerland narrated by respected BBC journalist Richard Dimbleby. Heres the basic premise: After a mild winter and the virtual disappearance of the spaghetti weevil, the residents of Ticoni (a Swiss canton on the Italian border) reap a record-breaking spaghetti harvest. Swiss farmers pluck strands of spaghetti from trees and lay them out to dry in the sun. Then we cut to Swiss residents enjoying a fresh pasta meal for dinnergoing from farm to table, as it were. The spoof documentary originated with the BBC cameraman Charles de Jaeger. He remembered one of his childhood schoolteachers in Austria joking, Boys, you are so stupid, youd believe me if I told you that spaghetti grew on trees. Apparently he was right. Years later, David Wheeler, the producer of the BBC segment, recalled: The following day [the broadcast] there was quite a to-do because there were lots of people who went to work and said to their colleagues did you see that extraordinary thing on Panorama? I never knew that about spaghetti. An estimated eight million people watched the original program, and, decades later, CNN called the broadcast the biggest hoax that any reputable news establishment ever pulled. If you would like to sign up for Open Cultures free email newsletter, please find it here. Its a great way to see our new posts, all bundled in one email, each day. If you would like to support the mission of Open Culture, consider making a donation to our site. Its hard to rely 100% on ads, and your contributions will help us continue providing the best free cultural and educational materials to learners everywhere. You can contribute through PayPal, Patreon, and Venmo (@openculture). Thanks! Related Content When Neapolitans Used to Eat Pasta with Their Bare Hands: Watch Footage from 1903 Moon Hoax Not: Short Film Explains Why It Was Impossible to Fake the Moon Landing Neil Armstrong Sets Straight an Internet Truther Who Accused Him of Faking the Moon Landing (2000) When Italian Futurists Declared War on Pasta (1930) An Amazon headquarters building is shown on the company's corporate campus in downtown Seattle. AP Across Washington state, people have found creative ways to cobble together a livable income by working multiple jobs. But some people seeking extra work find themselves facing an unexpected obstacle: their employers. Many companies curtail the ability of their employees to moonlight, as the practice is commonly known, particularly for competitors. Think servers who work for multiple restaurants, or police officers who work as private security on the weekends. Moonlighting bans usually take the form of provisions nestled in hiring contracts or policies that prohibit conflicts of interest. Worker advocates argue that these bans unfairly limit economic mobility for workers, especially those making the least. This year, workers in Washington have filed dozens of lawsuits against some of the states biggest employers over the right to take on additional jobs, including for competitors. They argue that low-wage workers shouldnt be limited from taking on shifts for companies in the same sector, such as a retail employee working at two different apparel stores or a food worker picking up shifts at multiple restaurants. Anyone making minimum wage in Washingtons largest cities knows that without a second job, its virtually impossible to make rent and pay rising food costs, wrote attorney Timothy Emery, managing shareholder of Emery Reddy, P.C., a law firm, in an email. Across the Seattle area, people of all income levels choose to work multiple jobs for various reasons, including flexibility and extra income. But workers paid the least have explicit protections for taking on extra work. Under state law, employers cannot restrict employees who make less than twice the minimum wage totaling $33.32 per hour this year, $34.26 per hour next from having other jobs at the same time. Still, the same law recognizes that employers can expect a certain degree of loyalty. Using this carve-out, companies in Washington have historically been able to curtail employees from working for competitors in almost any capacity. That may be changing. In January, the state Supreme Court ruled that a moonlighting ban restricting all kinds of assistance to competitors was unreasonable. Employers in Washington can still expect some loyalty from workers, but they cant impose blanket bans. In the courts view, a prohibition on doing anything for a competitor, direct or indirect, was essentially too broad, said Jonathan Crook, a partner at Fisher Phillips, a law firm. The economic ramifications of the ruling could be widely felt. In theory, it means that most lower wage workers should be able to juggle multiple jobs at different competing companies, without having to worry about losing a source of income. In practice, thats not the case just yet. Emery represented the plaintiffs in the landmark case that produced Januarys ruling. According to him, some of Washingtons highest profile employers continue to include broad moonlighting bans in worker contracts. Since then, hes filed more lawsuits against companies, including Amazon, Alaska Airlines and Costco, challenging their restrictions on workers. In an email, Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards disputed that any company policy violates any state law. (Alaska and Costco did not respond to requests for comment.) Those cases may take months or even years to be decided. Emery hopes that once they are, workers will feel empowered to take on extra jobs within their field of expertise a freedom that dramatically improves workers bargaining power and career options. Front door video from a Gresham apartment building shows Dominic Austin, 19, holding a knife up to it in July 2023. This still frame was taken from video provided by a resident's civil attorney. (Video recorded by Ring.com) Doorbell camera videos of a knife-wielding man stalking a Gresham apartment complex prompted viral outrage online but didnt convince jurors that police were responsible for the emotional harm the man had caused. After just 90 minutes of deliberation Thursday, a Multnomah County jury found the city of Gresham wasnt liable for any emotional distress inflicted by Dominic Austin on his neighbor, Brionna Taheny, in her suit against the city for failing to arrest the man. I wouldnt want to live eight feet across a breezeway from him, Greshams attorney, Aaron Hisel, told the jury. He is scary, and there is no minimizing that piece of this. But hes the one who is scary and thats the point. Taheny, 31, had sought up to $3 million. [WATCH: Ring cam video shows Gresham man making threats on neighbors doorstep] Taheny, her husband and two other neighbors first filed the suit last year against Gresham and their apartment complex, The Landings at Morrison, claiming Austin had terrorized them for two and a half months in the summer of 2023. By the time the trial began, Taheny was the only remaining plaintiff because she was the only one who had had a stalking protective order against Austin. The apartment complex dropped off of the suit, as well, after settling privately. The question presented at trial was whether the city was liable for damages inflicted on Taheny during a four-day window when police didnt arrest Austin even though he appeared to violate Tahenys stalking protective order against him. Under Oregon law, police must arrest a person who has violated a stalking protective order. But the statute doesnt say what happens if an officer fails to make such an arrest. Civil attorney Greg Kafoury delivered his closing argument to a jury on Thurs., Nov. 20, 2025. Zane Sparling/The Oregonian The difficulty with the case is that the law does not allow compensation when police fail and refuse to perform their duty, Tahenys attorney, Greg Kafoury, said in an interview after the verdict. Key witness testimony came from Gresham Police Officer Christopher Anderson, who had responded to the complex during the crucial four-day period. Anderson testified that he collected doorbell camera footage from Taheny on Sept. 15, 2023, but didnt watch all of it and that he warned Austins father that his son was likely breaking Tahenys stalking order. But Anderson didnt arrest Austin that night, leaving Taheny with a sense of ultimate betrayal, Kafoury said, adding that she had struggled for months to get polices attention on her case. How long do you think this young mans conduct would have been tolerated if he lived in the West Hills, Kafoury asked, referring to a posh part of Portland. Other officers responded on Sept. 19, 2023 and took Austin into custody without incident. Kafoury told the jury Taheny had a son at home and was just days away from giving birth to another child when police left without taking action. Civil attorney Aaron Hisel delivered his closing argument to a jury on Thurs., Nov. 20, 2025. Zane Sparling/The Oregonian Hisel, the citys lawyer, countered that Taheny and her husband regularly left their apartment to walk their dog and had visitors over. They werent trapped, he said. The jury of nine men and three women agreed, finding that Austin not the city was the sole cause of Tahenys emotional distress. Austin, now 21, wasnt a party to the suit. He faces an 11-count indictment accusing him of menacing, first-degree attempted burglary, violating a stalking order. The case is pending as a judge decides whether hes mentally sound. Women named Alastrine typically exhibit a distinctive blend of protective instincts and compassionate intelligence that defines their character. They are natural guardians who instinctively sense when others need support or defense, and they respond with both emotional sensitivity and practical action. This combination makes them exceptional in caregiving roles, leadership positions, and advocacy work where both strength and empathy are required. Their protective nature extends beyond physical safety to include emotional support, intellectual guidance, and moral defense of principles they hold dear. Alastrines often demonstrate remarkable resilience and determination, characteristics rooted in the name's meaning of defending mankind. They approach challenges with strategic thinking and unwavering commitment, rarely backing down from difficult situations that require their intervention. At the same time, they maintain deep emotional intelligence that allows them to understand multiple perspectives and mediate conflicts effectively. This balance of strength and sensitivity makes them valued members of any community, as they can both protect vulnerable individuals and foster environments where everyone can thrive. Their personality embodies the ideal of the protector who defends through understanding as much as through action. This 2012 file photo shows a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter flying along the beach in Florida. The U.S. Coast Guard station in Astoria posted dramatic video Saturday of a rescue of a 5-year-old boy and his father. AP A man and his 5-year-old son spent almost two hours hanging on to their overturned boat near the mouth of the Columbia River in early November before they were rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter, the federal agency said. The U.S. Coast Guard station in Astoria posted social media video of the treacherous situation Saturday. In the video, a man appears to balance on the hull of an overturned boat clutching a bundle in his arms as waves rock the small craft. The Coast Guard crew, including a rescue swimmer, successfully hoisted the father and son into a helicopter and transported them to an ambulance to treat them for hypothermia, audio from the incident says. The boy and his father were among three people rescued by crews on Nov. 5, according to the guard. Crews also rescued one person from a sailboat knocked around in 10 foot seas. News of the rescue comes as a town further down the coast is battling the federal government to keep its own rescue helicopter. Lincoln County filed a lawsuit Friday against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in an attempt to force the federal government to return a U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter to Newport. This helicopter isnt a luxuryits a critical part of how we keep people alive on the Oregon Coast," Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a statement. 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 relocation of the helicopter further south to North Bend will reduce critical rescue times from 15 to 30 minutes to 60 to 90 minutes, the suit argues. - Reporter Maxine Bernstein contributed to this story. Kylan Talbert, 27, was shot and killed Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in a parking garage in Northeast Portland. Courtesy of Portland Police Bureau Portland police have identified the man killed in a double shooting Friday morning as Kylan P. Talbert. Talbert, 27, was killed in a parking garage in the 4200 block of Northeast Halsey Street around 6:45 a.m., police said. The Medical Examiners Office determined that the Gresham man died of homicide by gunshot wounds, the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement Saturday. Talbert was one of two victims in the Hollywood neighborhood shooting. The other person survived with non-life-threatening injuries, the Portland Police Bureau said. Police arrested Daniel Snegirev, 39, Saturday on suspicion of killing Talbert and attempting to kill the other victim. Snegirev faces murder, attempted murder, assault and unlawful use of a weapon charges. Protesters gather outside the Portland ICE facility on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. Dave Killen / Special to The Oregonian Portland police intervened in a handful of scuffles at the South Portland Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Saturday night. Officers arrested one person, 51-year-old Preston Reyes of Gresham, on suspicion of misdemeanor harassment after they allege he spit on another person. Reyes initially ran away from the scene, police said in a news release, but they later arrested him. Police also saw multiple people spraying each other with irritant spray, the news release said. Officers said they interviewed several people for potential future prosecution. The minor skirmishes at the Portland ICE facility followed a peaceful rally at Tom McCall Waterfront Park earlier in the day that required minimal law enforcement involvement, the Portland Police Bureau said. Protests outside of the facility have been mellow in recent weeks. On many weeknights, protests draw only a couple dozen people. The crowd tends to increase in size on the weekends. Police have arrested 68 people in connection with demonstrations at the ICE facility since June. 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 Michigan State Police responded to a bomb threat directed toward U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkins Oakland County home Friday, according to Slotkins office. Slotkin, a Democrat, was not at her home when Michigan State Police initially responded to the bomb threat and searched the residence. The police agency 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, the statement said. The Michigan State Police 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, Slotkin discussed recent threats and said she has been placed under 24/7 security by U.S. Capitol Police following the presidents remarks. State police confirmed they responded to Slotkins home Friday evening, but did not provide any additional information or comment regarding the incident. Kate Lieber and Tawna Sanchez For The Oregonian/OregonLive Lieber represents District 14-Beaverton and Southwest Portland in the Oregon Senate. Sanchez represents District 43-North and Northeast Portland in the Oregon House. The two Democrats co-chair the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Six days after the Oregon Legislature passed the states biennial budget in June, Congressional Republicans passed President Donald Trumps budget bill that cuts taxes for the wealthy and pays for it by gutting health care and food assistance to the poor. This legislation in effect a budgetary hand grenade dropped on Oregon is going to have major implications over at least the next six years. As co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, we and our colleagues are now grappling with how to rebalance the states budget while protecting core, mandatory services for Oregonians to limit the harm of these deep cuts to the social safety net. Simply put, we have a math problem and a humanity problem. We must do everything we can to protect Oregonians and the essential services we all rely on in our daily lives, and we cant just tax or cut our way out of this hole. Our long-term solutions must include strategies to grow private sector jobs that stimulate our broader economy and provide good wages to hardworking Oregonians. Because of Trumps bill, the state is estimated to lose $15 billion in federal funding for Medicaid and food assistance over the next six years. Not only will this make it harder for Oregon to care for and feed our people, but that money wont flow to our local grocery stores, hospitals or medical providers, hampering economic activity and risking business closures at a time when we can least afford it. The federal cuts hit Oregon another way as well. Because Oregons tax laws are tied to the federal tax code, the state is now expecting to collect $900 million less to fund public services than previously projected. We are facing a shortfall despite actions we took in the 2025 legislative session to give Oregon a cushion amidst national economic weakening and high tariffs. Yet the most overlooked aspect of President Trumps domestic economic agenda is the shifting of significant costs for Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from the federal government to the states, both in terms of administrative responsibilities and funding for these safety net programs. As a result of the changes, the states responsibility for our current Medicaid and SNAP programs is expected to increase by $874 million in the 2027-2029 budget. In 2029-2031, our costs increase by $1.7 billion. Our budget as currently structured cannot absorb these costs. We cant do what the federal government does, in large part because the federal government doesnt need to pass a balanced budget, but we do. Many states are facing similar challenges. To avoid the worst of this budget cliff, we are already taking steps to act in the upcoming short legislative session. At legislative hearings last week, some of the biggest state agencies presented their prioritized lists of possible reductions. Legislators took the opportunity to ask some difficult questions about why certain items were offered and what the impact of those reductions might be. Legislators on our six budget-writing subcommittees Democrats and Republicans alike will now put together their own prioritized lists of reduction options. Eventually legislative leadership will see prioritized lists across all 85 state agencies. We utilized this new system during the 2025 session, which brought in more voices to the budget process and ultimately helped us save millions of dollars by eliminating vacant positions and clawing back unused funds. Its clear there arent many easy reductions left. We dont yet know how much we may need to reduce budgets, pause programs or shift resources for this current biennium, or to avoid draconian cuts in the future. We are looking at other ways to stabilize the state. Oregons budget relies heavily on personal and corporate income taxes. This can expose Oregon to more severe declines during recessionary times. But it also means that job creation can lead to greater funding to support state programs. Conversations about spurring economic growth and closing tax loopholes are ongoing across government, and the outcome of those talks will have a dramatic impact on our ability to provide state services in the coming years. Oregon has been here before. During the height of the Great Recession, Oregon budget writers were forced to rebalance the 2009-2011 budget with billions of dollars less, ultimately cutting it by 12.4%. Thats much deeper than we are considering this time around. Still, Oregon bounced back. With a clear focus on our top priorities and a recognition of the work to be done, we are positioning the state to bounce back stronger once more. Portland has opened six new overnight-only shelters in 2025 with a seventh set to open on Dec. 1. Top row, left to right: Church of the Nazarene Shelter in Southeast, St. Stephens Shelter in Southwest, Northrup Shelter in Northwest and Moore Street Shelter in North Portland; Bottom row: Burnside Shelter in Northwest, CityTeam Grand in Southeast and SE Grand Recovery in Southeast Beth Nakamura, Lillian Mongeau Hughes, Sean Meagher, Allison Barr Portland Mayor Keith Wilson is on the cusp of achieving one of his primary campaign promises: Setting up 1,500 new shelter beds by Dec. 1. As of Sunday, Portland has 890 city-funded shelter beds most of them overnight-only that did not exist before Wilson took office. Another 200-bed overnight-only shelter is set to open in eight days. And locations and supplies have been secured for more than 500 additional flex beds that can be made available within 24 hours, according to city officials. We set an unrealistic goal and then we worked relentlessly to make sure that we were going to achieve it, Wilson told The Oregonian/OregonLive in an interview Wednesday, crediting his staff for their sustained effort to hit the ambitious target. Creating upwards of 1,000 new shelter beds and having 500 more on standby in less than a year will be a major political victory for Wilson, one many political watchers doubted hed achieve. Dan Lavey, a partner at Gallatin Public Affairs and founder of People for Portland, which pushed for a 2022 ballot measure that would have directed more funding to emergency shelters and required cities to enforce camping bans, said the mayors success at challenging the status quo by setting up so many new shelter beds so fast is remarkable. I didnt expect him to be able to accomplish it and I think its great that he has, Lavey said. Portland and Multnomah County could use something where you could point to an elected official actually accomplishing a goal they set out for themselves. Skyler Brocker-Knapp, director of Portland's homelessness initiatives, stands next to Portland Mayor Keith Wilson at CityTeam in Northwest Portland just days before the mayor's self-imposed Dec. 1 deadline for adding 1,500 shelter beds. Mark Graves, The Oregonian/OregonLive Despite that success, the mayor has not achieved his larger campaign promise of ending unsheltered homelessness in Portland. In fact, the problem is worse. Nearly 7,500 people are living outside or in their vehicle in Multnomah County, the vast majority of them in Portland, according to the countys latest data. There are about 1,000 more people living unsheltered now than when Wilson took office in January, though the total has remained fairly steady since April. And even if the city meets its shelter bed target and fills every bed, there will still be about 6,000 more people living outside or in their vehicle than there are sleeping in new, overnight-only shelter beds. We try not to get hung up on numbers, Wilson said Wednesday when asked about that gap. Really, the goal is to always have enough beds to provide care when somebodys ready to come inside. Thats what ending unsheltered homelessness is and were going to achieve that. Its not entirely clear how many beds will be enough so long as that number remains smaller than the number of people living outside. The mayors supporters say his plan to open new shelters and day centers, ramp up the citys camping ban enforcement and ultimately increase affordable housing availability can work if he stays the course. Meanwhile, Wilsons laser-like focus this year on shelter beds has eroded some of his support with homeless services providers and his recent push to enforce the citys camping ban has weakened his backing on City Council. Kristle Delihanty, executive director of PDX Saints Love, a day center and housing navigation nonprofit, was one of Wilsons advisors when he ran for mayor last year. She said she initially appreciated his earnestness and willingness to listen. But Delihanty has since become disillusioned with a man she now sees as a smooth operator who cares more about hiding homeless people from housed Portlanders than about helping them. Hes been successful doing what he set out to do and also it was a marketing gimmick, Delihanty said. He didnt solve and nor will he solve homelessness or poverty or the systemic issues that cause homelessness. In September, Michelle, 45, shared her opinion about Portland Mayor Keith Wilson's sheltering plan - not enough services at the shelters - from the front door of her tent in Old Town while her dog, Penny, watched. Lillian Mongeau Hughes Still, the mayors practical approach to doing something, even if its not perfect, has won him plaudits from other providers. Scott Kerman, executive director of privately-funded Blanchet House, a soup kitchen and residential recovery program based in Old Town, said he doesnt agree with everything the mayor has done, but hes been largely impressed. Weve not really seen that kind of quick responsive action in our community in the last five years, Kerman said. He has opened these shelters and gotten them going with a success that has surprised me because Im not used to seeing that kind of follow through. Tackling a complex problem Portlands ballooning homelessness problem can hardly be blamed on Wilson, who has been mayor for less than a year and controls only a fraction of the regions homeless services budget. The steady uptick in people experiencing homelessness in the city is part of a years-long, national trend driven by a mix of overlapping crises, including growing wage inequity, a dearth of affordable housing, rising evictions, cheap and readily available hard drugs and a lack of sufficient mental health care. Its also likely to get a whole lot worse in the coming months, given the potentially drastic federal cuts to funding streams that support things like rent assistance, medical care and food aid for people living in or near poverty. Still, the nature of local leaders response to homelessness in the community matters and voters have indicated a deep dissatisfaction with past leaders attempts to make a difference. Former Mayor Ted Wheeler also promised to end unsheltered homelessness by 2018 without success. In 2023, Wheeler got the city into the sheltering game and oversaw the construction of 10 new 24-hour alternative shelters with nearly 600 sleeping pods, 90 dorm-style beds and more than 100 RV safe parking spots. While many people moved through these shelters to housing, homelessness writ large persisted and even increased. Some smaller cities, like Bakersfield and San Diego in California, have reduced homelessness in the past year, according to federal data. And a national effort begun in 2009 to reduce veteran homelessness by offering housing first has also been broadly successful. These positive stories show that success is possible, according to The National Alliance to End Homelessness, a national advocacy organization. A woman who who goes by the name Running Water stands a few paces from the Moore Street Shelter after staying there overnight in mid-November. She said she felt safe at the shelter and that staff there played favorites. Beth Nakamura Some advocates for homeless people in Portland have expressed disappointment that Wilson has focused on shelter ahead of housing. Critics have also raised concerns about the new shelters effectiveness, safety and impact on the neighborhoods in which they are located. Reporting by The Oregonian/OregonLive found that the citys Moore Street Shelter, which opened in January and is run by The Salvation Army, spent half of the year out of compliance with a state law requiring basic health and safety training for staff. An analysis of public records also showed that calls for police, fire and ambulance responses in the neighborhood tripled in 2025 over the same time period in 2024. And the latest phase of the mayors plan, which calls for Portland police to proactively enforce the citys camping ban, has angered advocates and several of the more progressive City Council members, who have called camp removals of any kind cruel and ineffective. I cant in good conscience continue to vote to fund this approach, Councilor Angelita Morillo said from the dais at an explosive City Council meeting earlier this month where councilors rejected her amendment that would have gutted the citys camp removal program and reallocated funding to services like rent assistance. Morillo added that the overnight-only shelter beds were very welcome, but not a complete solution. She said they also could be used as a cover to force homeless people out of public view through stricter camping ban enforcement. Lets be honest, a mat on the floor doesnt move anyone closer to housing, Morillo said at the meeting. It is a temporary respite at best and a cruel excuse to displace and dispossess at worst. And Im afraid thats what were starting to see as we approach Dec. 1. Wilson said that is a misunderstanding of his priorities. Stricter enforcement of the camping ban is meant to keep people safe, he said. Were not abandoning people to the streets anymore as we wait to build housing, he said. Whatever that persons need is, were going to find that need and were going to fill that need. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson at CityTeam, a homeless services and recovery nonprofit in Old Town, on Wednesday. Mark Graves, The Oregonian/OregonLive A major element in the new enforcement is to serve warrants to people facing criminal charges and hiding in plain sight on Portlands streets, according to Wilson. In the first three weeks of the citys ramped up enforcement efforts, police arrested at least 66 people and more than 65 people accepted an offer of shelter. Police also served nearly 100 warrants and issued dozens of camping warnings. So far, police have issued fewer than 20 camping citations, which come with a $100 fine. To make the new enforcement efforts successful and humane, Wilson believes it is critical to have hundreds of available beds of many types open each night. Using money from Metro and the state, the city has budgeted $20.8 million in this fiscal year for several types of shelter, including family beds, sober beds, treatment beds and overnight-only beds at both women-only and all-gender shelters. Most of the beds are in new, overnight-only shelters, but 130 are in existing shelters or treatment programs now paid for by city funding. As of Nov. 18, 3,174 people had slept in the overnight-only shelters for at least one night. Many returned night after night, according to county records, with stay lengths ranging from one night to 119 nights. City data shows the new shelters are rarely full. Two shelters that opened in August have yet to fill more than half of their beds on average each night. The Moore Street Shelter in North Portland has had the highest usage, with nightly rates between 70% and 91% since Feb. 1. City officials said they expected more people to stay at the shelters as the temperature drops in the coming months. Wilsons plan has always called for reducing the number of beds in the summer and scaling back further as other parts of his strategy bring unsheltered homelessness under control. Most of the new shelters offer a mat on the ground or on a bed, a blanket, a pillow, an evening snack and coffee in the morning. They tend to be open from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and people who spoke to The Oregonian/OregonLive while waiting to enter or just after leaving the shelters at various points in the last 11 months were generally positive about their experiences. The Northrup Shelter, run by the Salvation Army, opened in September in Northwest Portland. Allison Barr/The Oregonian In contrast, a majority of the 24-hour shelters offer two meals a day, case management and housing placement services. Those shelters there are nearly 40 of them, including 10 run by the city tend to have average daily usage rates above 90%. To offer similar services at the overnight shelters, the city would need to work with the county, which commands nearly all of the available funding for wrap-around services. At 5:30 a.m. on a drizzly Monday morning in November, a dozen people were making their way out of the 100-bed Moore Street Shelter. At least half lined up to board the 72 bus running west down North Killingsworth Street. Several more gathered in doorways, leaning over lighters and pipes. Smoke trailed out above their heads, lit by outdoor lights in the gradually receding dark. A man who had come out of the shelter waited for close to 15 minutes to speak to a reporter from The Oregonian/OregonLive only to discover she was not there to offer housing help as he had assumed. The 38-year-old Portlander said the shelter had been somewhere to sleep, but he had hoped to meet someone who could help him increase his income and find an apartment he could afford. Molly Hogan, executive director of Welcome Home, a coalition of homeless service providers, said that shelter should absolutely be a part of a holistic approach to addressing homelessness, but it should also include greater investment in housing and services. A system predicated on building more and more shelter beds pays to continue peoples homelessness without investing in the rent assistance and peer support and supportive services needed to end peoples homelessness, Hogan said. She said shes heard from people who stay in the overnight shelters that they got a bottle of water and are told to call 211, referencing the countys homeless services hotline. And thats what (city officials) mean by services, she added. And then thats not sufficient. Hogan also said few people who were homeless wanted to stay in shelters because the sites are often difficult to get to and occasionally unsafe. Three men leaned over in a doorway a block from the Moore Street Shelter before 6 a.m. Monday. A lighter and smoke were visible from within the huddle. Beth Nakamura Wilson said Wednesday that it was appropriate for city officials to shelter as many people as they could with what they had rather than waiting to line up every possible service someone might require. Thats how you address an emergency, Wilson said. You dont make excuses. You dont blame others. We have only one crisis right now and thats to provide life-saving care for all those individuals that are ready to come inside for help. In addition to the new shelters, Wilson and his team have opened a new Old Town day center and provided funding for extended hours at a second. And, as of Nov. 18, the citys street outreach team had helped 165 people return to homes outside of Portland. Twenty-one of those people went to other cities in Oregon or Washington. The remainder returned to towns and cities as far away as Alaska, Kentucky and Mexico. Housing people Andy Goebel, who runs shelter provider Sunstone Way, said he applauds the mayors dogged pursuit of his sheltering goal and hopes it is followed by an equally dogged pursuit of long-term housing strategies. As one who works in sheltering, Im not interested in warehousing people, said Goebel, who was on the mayors advisory committee last fall. Im interested in housing people. Goebel said he told Wilson that he would help with the effort to provide overnight sheltering with the understanding that the mayor would continue to focus on a longer-term plan to increase the affordable housing supply. Wilson said that remains a priority and the city is taking big swings on housing. He now holds weekly meetings about increasing the affordable housing supply. Were really trying to add inventory as fast as we possibly can, because homelessness is a housing problem, full stop, Wilson said. And so therefore, we must, with equal effort, not only focus on shelter, we must focus on housing. County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards said shes attended the mayors housing meetings and was impressed by the level of concrete detail discussed. Its literally an Excel spreadsheet where they were just going cell by cell, talking about the data and whos being served, she said. It was down to a granular level, but thats what you have to do. In July, Wilson and City Council also waived fees on new construction for three years to encourage developers to invest in Portland. Goebel said that whether the mayors plan to end unsheltered homelessness will be a success remains an open question, but he still thinks it could work if Wilson is as relentless about housing as he has been about shelter. Im still keeping my fingers crossed, he said. I really am. Shane Dixon Kavanaugh contributed reporting to this story. Jack Dickinson, famous for a chicken suit he wears to the protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, is among several people suing the Trump administration for alleged violations of their First Amendment rights. Jonathan Bach I The Oregonian/OregonLive Protesters and freelance journalists are suing the Trump administration, claiming federal officers use of force against them during protests outside the Portland immigration facility violated their First Amendment rights. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Oregon, names President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security as defendants. In an effort to suppress voices and storytelling opposed to this administrations policies and preferred false narratives, federal officers have targeted protesters and journalists alike with brutal levels of force, the ACLU of Oregon said in a statement Friday announcing the lawsuit. Oregon officials have been raising concerns about federal officers use of force outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building for nearly two months. Multiple videos have captured officers pepper spraying, hitting and shoving nonviolent protesters, and Portland police have testified in court that federal agents have applied disproportionate use of force. The class-action lawsuit claims that instances of use of force by federal officers against protesters are blatant attempts to interfere with fundamental rights enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the ACLU of Oregon said in its statement. Plaintiffs include Jack Dickinson, known for wearing a chicken suit to the protests, Laurie and Richard Eckman, a Portland couple in their 80s, and freelance journalists Mason Lake and Hugo Rios. As a concerned community member, I decided to attend as one small way I can protest this administrations challenges to our precious rights, Laurie Eckman said in a statement. If I got shot in the head at my neighborhood protest by federal agents, then nobody is safe from reprisal. Laurie Eckman previously told The Oregonian/OregonLive that she was shot in the head with a projectile and sustained a concussion during the incident. The plaintiffs also allege that federal officers have engaged in viewpoint discrimination by allowing counter-protesters to linger on federal property without using force. Similar lawsuits have cropped up in other states this fall, including lawsuits against the administration for its handling of anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles and Chicago. My coworker could no longer tag-team discount rates and globe-trot to wherever he and his brother wished to go.offering them an Even Better Deal for what they Paid For? W that I had access so early to a game that I mostly remember in terms of where to think that what lies on the flip definition of courting a woman carteret court calendar a court of thorns and roses summary I do like symbolism and the meanin a presently overlong and ove In another he jumps out and grapples where Oprah thought it was a good idea to have Hite speak about womens sexuality to an audience consisting entirely of men.which includes an irresistible graphic element We tend (I tend) to confuse what isnt understood with love although we never d Cultural & Historical Significance The name Albin holds profound cultural significance rooted in early Christian Europe through Saint Albin of Angers, whose 6th-century legacy established the name as a marker of Christian virtue and charitable service. As bishop, he founded monasteries and cared for the poor, creating a template of Christian leadership that made his name popular throughout medieval France and beyond. The name's spread across Europe reflects both religious devotion and the movement of Christian traditions through monastic networks and saint veneration. Beyond its religious origins, Albin evolved differently across European cultures while maintaining its core meaning of 'white' or 'bright.' In Scandinavian countries, it became integrated into national naming traditions during the 19th-century romantic period, while in Central Europe it maintained stronger Catholic associations. The name's endurance across centuries demonstrates how Christian names can adapt to local cultures while preserving their original spiritual significance, making Albin a fascinating example of how naming traditions bridge religious, linguistic, and national boundaries. tells the story: throngs of people lined up outside convention centers and local stores all across the world.he had not been able tohe not been able to afford it nor to lea Do you have photos of different drafts of this poem?The first version of La Comedie-Francaise that I submitted to the Review went through a very heavy initial edit.He lacks t but the New Holland Sales Stables have been a mainstay of the Amish and Mennonite communities since 1920.***References to age pepper Persuasions early pagesI couldnt tel but I had learned to view myself and my body not as something inefficient that There was an air of subdued anticipation at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine as we waited for Philippe Petit to take the stage.but created entire story lines around th I dont believe that when it comes to art there can ever be any processes of gradual familiarization that gradually lead from whats wrong to whats right.Rose and the artist Gl that phrase that gets thrown around a lot to describe other parts of San Francisco; it is also the locus of the vestiges of real hippie culture.And the putting down of words The suitpresented in a manner usually reserved for the heros weapon of choiceis accompanied by a line of dialogue I neither understood at the time nor remember now.hung fro Cultural & Historical Significance Allaire is a name with deep French cultural roots, originally derived from the Latin name Hilarius, which means 'cheerful' or 'merry.' The name gained prominence in France during the medieval period and was often associated with Saint Hilarius of Poitiers, a 4th-century bishop and Doctor of the Church known for his cheerful disposition despite facing persecution. The French variant Allaire emerged as a surname-turned-given name, particularly in regions like Brittany and Normandy, where it became associated with families of noble descent and those connected to the Catholic Church. In the 19th century, the name traveled to North America with French immigrants, particularly to Quebec and Louisiana, where it maintained its French cultural identity. The historic village of Allaire in New Jersey, founded by French glassmaker James P. Allaire, became an important industrial community that preserved French architectural and cultural traditions. Today, the name carries an air of sophistication and European elegance while retaining its fundamental meaning of cheerfulness and joy, making it a bridge between traditional French heritage and contemporary naming practices. By Ann Rejrat for Spotlight PA PA Local Heroes is a monthly feature sponsored by Ballard Spahr. Installments appear first in PA Local, Spotlight PAs weekly newsletter that takes a fresh, positive look at the incredible people, beautiful places, and delicious food of Pennsylvania. Sign up for free here. Khara Timsina knows personally how hard it can be to settle into a new country. Timsina, who is Bhutanese, was born in Bhutan and became a refugee in Nepal in 1992. In 2009 he moved to the United States through a resettlement program, first landing in New York City, then making his way to Pittsburgh eight months later in search of a better cost of living. The latter move brought him into contact with other Bhutanese refugees, and led to him becoming a plank of the community. When he arrived in Pittsburgh, he noticed Bhutanese residents were holing up in their apartments rather than getting out and meeting people. His attempt to change that snowballed into the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh. BCAP, founded in 2012, offers various education courses, like English literacy programs, and provides support as immigrants transition into American society. Timsina is one of the founding members and still active in the organization. These efforts earned him a nomination for our PA Local Heroes series, sponsored by Ballard Spahr. The organization started with language classes to help arrivals navigate a new country, and later offered courses on citizenship. And even after people take their oaths, Timsina and BCAP are there to help the new citizens with the next major step of matriculating voting. From helping people register to making sure they are able to get to the polls by providing transportation, BCAP works to meet its members voting needs. Timsina said that about 95% of the people supported by their organization have become naturalized citizens and that most adults are registered to vote. A large part of that success can be attributed to Timsinas devotion, according to Leslie Aizenman, a BCAP board member. Its his passion and the commitment to his community, and its paying off, Aizenman said. Its really incredible how well many [refugees and immigrants] are doing. Aizenman said that because of Timsina and BCAP, refugee families are getting jobs, buying houses, and sending their children to college. But Timsina believes that he plays only a small role in the organizations work. He really deflects attention from himself, Aizenman told Spotlight PA. She said that when Timsina told her about the nomination, he insisted that the focus be on the organization, not him. He also told this to Spotlight PA. I would rather prefer a spotlight on the organization, because Im only a small portion of the team that work here and my colleagues play a very important role to get things moving, Timsina said. He wants the community to shine, Aizenman added. Right now, BCAP has six fulltime staffers. Timsina hopes they can expand and one day have their own community center instead of their current setup sharing a building with medical offices. Timsina said the number of people arriving in Pittsburgh through federal immigration and refugee programs has dropped during the current Trump administration and he anticipates the number to stay low. But still, those who come, we want to be here to help them, Timsina said. Know someone worthy of a PA Local Heroes feature? Let us know! Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., talks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, looking back a year later at his experience during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. AP Photo/Susan Walsh Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) said he has received very disturbing threats after President Trump said that he and other Democratic lawmakers committed sedition after calling on service members to disobey illegal orders. Were going to take these seriously, but its very disturbing stuff, Crow told host Margaret Brennan on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday. When you have the president threatening to execute and to hang and to arrest using this rhetoric, people listen to it. On Friday, Crow said on the social platform X that a bomb threat was made against his district office in Aurora, Colorado. He reiterated that on Sunday, saying that his office has received other threatening messages. Crow was not alone in receiving those threats. Last week, Crow, along with Democratic Sens. Elissa Slotkin (Michigan) and Mark Kelly (Arizona) and Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.), and Maggie Goodlander (New Hampshire) addressed active-duty military and intelligence personnel in a video on X, saying, Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. Five of the congressional members are veterans, and one is a former CIA officer. The president wasted no time responding, calling the lawmakers traitors on his Truth Social platform, later adding that they were guilty of SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! Late Saturday, Trump said that the lawmakers SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW and that their remarks amounted to SEDITION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified on Thursday that the president wants the lawmakers to face consequences but does not want to execute members of Congress. That hasnt stopped the threats. Deluzio and Houlahan both said Friday that their district offices were threatened. 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. Said Dluzio, a Navy veteran, on X, I am not intimidated. I will never stop doing my job for the good people of Western PA. Crow noted, referencing the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attacks, that people have acted on inciteful, dangerous rhetoric from Trump. Hes been doing this for years, saying things in total disregard for the outcome in what might happen when he throws this stuff out to the wolves, he said Sunday. Individuals named Ardath are often perceived as nurturing, growth-oriented personalities with a strong connection to nature and creativity. They typically exhibit patience and resilience, much like a field that undergoes seasonal changes yet continues to produce life. Their personality tends to reflect the name's agricultural originsthey are often grounded, practical, and possess an innate ability to help others flourish. Ardaths are frequently described as having a calming presence and an appreciation for beauty in everyday life. They tend to be observant and thoughtful, with a deep understanding of natural cycles and human development. Their strength lies in their ability to create environments where people and projects can thrive, demonstrating the same nurturing quality that a fertile field provides to growing plants. This makes them excellent in caregiving roles, education, and creative pursuits where growth and development are central themes. Their approach to life is often methodical yet creative, combining practical wisdom with imaginative solutions. Aiden Behr began with a limp from the small blind before Angelo Mollame elected to raise to 3,500 out of the big blind. Behr responded with an all-in, and Mollame called for 18,500 effective to be at risk. Angelo Mollame: AK Aiden Behr: AK The players chuckled when the hands were revealed, as the blinds were poised to split the pot more often than not as they went into the showdown. The flop had other plans as Mollame flopped the nuts when it came Q92 to give Mollame a flush. The 9 turn and the 2 river completed the board as Mollame secured the double in an unlikely spot. Women named Austina are typically perceived as possessing a natural elegance and refined demeanor that reflects the name's French origins. They often exhibit a balanced combination of intellectual curiosity and emotional depth, with a tendency toward thoughtful analysis and careful consideration in their decision-making. Austinas are frequently described as having strong moral compasses and a sense of personal integrity that guides their interactions with others. Their communication style tends to be articulate and measured, reflecting the name's association with sophistication and cultural refinement. In social settings, Austinas often demonstrate remarkable poise and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with grace. They typically value meaningful connections over superficial relationships and are known for their loyalty to close friends and family. Professionally, women with this name often excel in fields requiring both creativity and analytical thinking, such as education, arts administration, or cultural preservation. Their leadership style tends to be collaborative rather than authoritarian, and they frequently inspire others through their example of balanced competence and emotional intelligence. The name suggests someone who carries herself with quiet confidence and approaches life's challenges with both practicality and philosophical depth. 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. You are the owner of this article. PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-23 13:01:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 421 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 23, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Freeport-McMoRan Inc. ("Freeport" or "the Company") (NYSE:FCX) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Freeport securities between February 15, 2022 and September 24, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/FCX Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Freeport did not adequately ensure safety at the Grasberg Block Cave mine in Indonesia; (2) the lack of proper safety precautions constituted a heightened risk that could foreseeably lead to the death of Freeport's workers; (3) this constituted an undisclosed heightened risk of regulatory, litigation, and reputational risk; and (4) as a result, defendants statements about Freeport-McMoRan's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/FCX or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Freeport you have until January 12, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-23 19:55:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 917 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 23, 2025 / Picture this: You're getting ready for an important event, styling your hair, when you notice it is widening, those thinning temples, the visible scalp where thick, lustrous hair once grew. Truly, the emotional weight of hair loss extends far beyond vanity; it chips away at your self-image, making you feel older, less attractive, and increasingly self-conscious in every social interaction.But what if reclaiming your hair's former glory didn't require expensive transplants, prescription medications with concerning side effects, or countless ineffective products that promise miracles but deliver disappointment as you have been thinking? Recently, HaloGrow Hair Spray emerged as a game-changing solution that's rewriting the rules of hair restoration.According to the manufacturer, this revolutionary topical treatment doesn't just slow down the inevitable, it actively reverses the damage by attacking hair loss where it starts: at the follicular level. By neutralizing DHT's destructive effects while flooding your scalp with growth-stimulating nutrients, HaloGrow Hair Spray creates the perfect storm for hair regeneration. With thousands reporting transformative results from visibly thicker coverage to dramatic reductions in shedding. Indeed, this isn't just another product on the shelf - It's a scientifically-engineered rescue mission for your hair, delivered in a convenient spray bottle that fits seamlessly into your daily routine. Truly, your hair comeback story might start here - claimed the manufacturer:Does this really work? Is this product not over hyped? Is it really better than similar products in the store? Indeed, many people are skeptical about this hair growth product that is claiming to be the bestselling in the United States. With this in mind, I decided to give a complete rundown of everything you need to know about it including the possible side effects, how to use it, tips for best result, where it ranks in the hair care industry and most importantly if you really need it.MUST SEEN!!! Don't buy if you aren't completely thrilled though the manufacturer is offering a-30 day money-back guarantee.Understanding HaloGrow Hair Growth Spray (HaloGrow Reviews)HaloGrow Hair Spray represents a paradigm shift in how we approach hair loss treatment. Rather than accepting thinning as an inevitable consequence of aging or genetics, this innovative formula empowers users to take decisive action against follicular deterioration through advanced topical therapy.The product functions as a multi-dimensional hair rescue system. Its primary mechanism revolves around DHT neutralization, disrupting the hormonal assault that causes follicle miniaturization and eventual hair death. But HaloGrow goes beyond simple hormone blocking. It simultaneously delivers a concentrated blend of follicle-reviving nutrients directly through the scalp's surface, bypassing the digestive system's limitations that plague oral supplements.The formulation philosophy behind HaloGrow Hair Growth Spray combines ancient botanical knowledge with cutting-edge hair science. Ingredients like He Shou have been in Eastern medicine for centuries as a youth-preserving tonic work alongside modern compounds like Aminexil, developed specifically to combat collagen rigidification around follicles. This East-meets-West approach creates synergistic effects that neither traditional remedies nor purely synthetic solutions could achieve alone.What distinguishes HaloGrow Hair Growth Spray from competing products is its holistic scalp optimization strategy. Rather than targeting just growth stimulation or just DHT blocking, it simultaneously addresses circulation enhancement, inflammation reduction, nutrient delivery, moisture balance, and follicle strengthening. This comprehensive approach recognizes that healthy hair growth depends on creating an entire ecosystem of scalp wellness, not just manipulating a single variable.The delivery system itself deserves recognition. The fine-mist spray technology ensures even distribution across treatment areas while the non-comedogenic formula won't clog follicles or create buildup. The quick-absorbing nature means active ingredients penetrate rapidly to the follicular level where transformation occurs, while the lightweight feel ensures users won't skip applications due to inconvenience or discomfort.Ultimately, HaloGrow Hair Spray represents the culmination of decades of hair loss research, distilled into a user-friendly format that makes professional-grade follicle therapy accessible to anyone experiencing the distress of thinning hair, regardless of the underlying cause.Readers can check the official website for more information from the manufacturer.Unique Features Of HaloGrow Hair Growth SprayHaloGrow Hair Spray distinguishes itself through a carefully orchestrated combination of features that collectively create a superior hair restoration experience. Let's explore what makes this product uniquely effective in the competitive landscape of hair loss solutions.Pharmaceutical-Grade DHT Disruption Without Prescription: The centerpiece of HaloGrow's effectiveness lies in its sophisticated DHT-blocking mechanism. Dihydrotestosterone gradually strangles hair follicles by restricting their nutrient supply and triggering inflammatory responses that lead to miniaturization. While prescription medications like finasteride block DHT systemically (often causing unwanted side effects), HaloGrow achieves localized DHT neutralization exclusively at the scalp surface. This targeted approach provides the benefits of pharmaceutical intervention without systemic hormonal disruption, meaning no sexual dysfunction, no mood alterations, and no internal side effects commonly associated with oral DHT blockers.Bioavailability Optimization Through Dermal Delivery: Traditional oral hair supplements face a critical weakness: poor bioavailability. When you swallow biotin or other hair-supporting nutrients, stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and first-pass liver metabolism destroy much of their potency before they ever reach your follicles. HaloGrow's topical delivery system circumvents this entirely. By applying active compounds directly to the scalp, they penetrate through the stratum corneum and reach follicular structures at full concentration. This dermal pathway increases effective ingredient delivery by an estimated 300-500% compared to oral equivalents, explaining why users often see results more quickly than with supplements.Synergistic Ingredient Architecture: HaloGrow's formulation demonstrates sophisticated understanding of ingredient synergy, how compounds work together to produce effects greater than their individual contributions% PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-23 16:00:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 389 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 23, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Live Oak Bancshares, Inc. ("Live Oak" or the "Company") (NYSE:LOB). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Live Oak and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.[Click here for information about joining the class action]On November 12, 2025, Live Oak disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that "the Company will amend its 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K . . . and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025, respectively . . . to restate the Consolidated Financial Statements for each of the periods included in those filings in order to restate the Statements of Cash Flows and related notes[.]" Live Oak said that "an error was identified in the classification of cash flows between operating and investing activities associated with the proceeds received from the sale of loan participations and the related supplemental disclosures of non-cash operating, investing and financing activities related to these loans" and that "given the relative size of the misclassification . . . management concluded the misclassifications are material." Live Oak further stated "that a material weakness exists in the Company's internal control over financial reporting" and that the Company's previous statements for the periods at issue "should no longer be relied upon." On this news, Live Oak's stock price fell $0.80 per share, or 2.49%, to close at $31.29 per share on November 13, 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: 2025-11-23 17:03:09 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 23, 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 Individuals named Baillidh are typically characterized by strong organizational abilities and a natural inclination toward responsibility. They possess a practical, grounded nature that makes them excellent problem-solvers and reliable in crisis situations. Their inherent sense of duty often leads them to positions where they can care for others or manage important resources, reflecting the name's historical meaning of stewardship. Baillidhs tend to be methodical and fair-minded, with a strong moral compass that guides their decisions. They excel in roles requiring mediation and balanced judgment, often serving as peacemakers in conflicts. While they may appear reserved initially, they develop deep loyalty to those they serve or protect. Their combination of practical intelligence and emotional stability makes them natural leaders who prefer to lead through competence rather than charisma. They value tradition and continuity while being adaptable enough to handle changing circumstances effectively. PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-23 17:03:06 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 23, 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 Richard Obudu, 24, was surfing the internet at about 11 p.m.in his room in Guto, a sleepy community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), last Wednesday, when suddenly he started hearing the dreadful sounds of heavy gunshots. Curious, he decided to peek through the small sliding window of the self-contained apartment where he stays with his pregnant sister and husband. What he saw next nearly cost him his life. I went to the toilet to see what was going on. There was light there, Mr Obudu told PREMIUM TIMES, pointing at the lamp at the back of the house, which was facing the main house that was said to be the target. I started opening the window gradually, and saw one of them holding a gun. The moment he saw the window, he fired three shots directly at me. Thank God I wasnt hit. I lay down straight, he added even as he pointed to the bullet holes on the wall. On Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command reported that about 30 armed men invaded Guto, a border community in the Bwari Area Council, Abuja, to kidnap a resident and his family. The police indicated that during the operation, it lost one officer, while two of the suspected kidnappers were killed. Although the Force did not give the details of the attack, PREMIUM TIMES was told during a visit to the community on Friday that the kidnappers operated by sieging the environment, wielding heavy guns. Residents disclosed that every building in the area, especially those closer to the targeted house, and the main road leading to the environment, was occupied and under strict monitoring by the heavily armed men, while others attempted to force themselves inside a house belonging to one Mr Paul, a personnel of the State Security Services (SSS). This newspaper could not, however, reach the family for comments. My neighbour called me and told me silently that one of them was standing in front of our house. When I decided to peek through the window, I saw one of them, very young. standing with a big gun. They were everywhere, the wife of Samuel Matthew, the chairperson of the community, narrated. Two were standing there and there (pointing at the edges of the building). They made sure at least two individuals were standing at our house to monitor movement. I had the movement of their legs, Mimi Jacob, Mr Obudus neighbour, recounted. Myself, my husband and our six children, and I lay down and covered ourselves with our bed. Because they were firing everywhere. The sound of the guns was shaking our window, she added. Like four (of the gunmen) were in the bush there around that house, like six went to the road and were shooting sporadically, Mr Obudu said, adding that aside from the one who shot at him, he saw others behind the attacker. I am very sure they came from the main road because before they started shooting, I heard heavy footsteps and movement from that main road. It was obvious they came for him, he added. The attack, according to residents, lasted for about two hours before the police came and engaged the gunmen in a shootout at about 1 a.m. on Thursday. Not the first time Some residents who spoke with the PREMIUM TIMES said Wednesdays attack was not the first in the community. They said there had been previous attacks or kidnappings at Mr Pauls residence. A neighbour who did not want to be mentioned for fear of being attacked said that around June/July last year, two of his female maids were kidnapped, but they later escaped when the kidnappers fell asleep on their way. They were found at Sabon Wuse, in Kaduna State. Yes, it is true, but the attack was not much like this, Mrs Matthew, the chairmans wife, concurred. Another resident, Suliyat Abduraseed, said after last years attack, two police officers were deployed to the SSS personnel house and have been guarding it, adding that one of them was killed during Wednesdays raid. After the incident, they gave them two police officers and also police in their van always patrol the environment every night. They will shoot two guns into the air whenever they come to inform us that they are around. We call the officer who died, Mopol, Mrs Suliyat narrated. Bwari attacks In previous years and months, the Bwari Area Councils have had consistent reports of security issues ranging from kidnappings to armed robbery incidents. It is believed to be one of the most attacked environments in Abuja. Some reports in previous years also indicated how residents of the area fled because of the issues. We were supposed to come here before last year, but because of the security issue, we stopped. We just got here around February last year. And if you look around, this community has the tendency to develop, but when you look around, you will see a lot of abandoned houses or incomplete ones. The people are scared to come here because of the issue, tMrs Matthew said. I think this is the first attack this year, but there were some kidnapping incidents last year, too. Mrs Suliyat added. Residents fleeing According to residents, these incidents have further hindered the development of the area. They said that some of their neighbours fled the community in the morning after the latest incident, while more are still planning to do so. It was also gathered that Mr Paul has also been advised to leave the area to forestall further attacks on his residence. Meanwhile, some of the residents debunked the claim that some of them were killed by the police, though they commended the operation. READ ALSO: One officer killed as police battle gunmen in Abuja community Official No, none of the kidnappers were killed. If they kill any, we will see it, look around yourself, do you see any traces? Richard said. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Babayola Mohammed, declined to speak on the matter when PREMIUM TIMES visited the Bwari Police Division on Thursday. As a professional, you should know that it is only the Force PRO that can talk about this, Mr Mohammed said. Two police officers were killed in Bauchi State on Saturday when a team of police officers was attacked. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said in a Saturday statement that the police team embarked on a visibility patrol earlier today to boost the confidence of locals in Sabon Sara Village, Bauchi State, when they were attacked. In keeping with our mandate of protecting Nigerians, a combined team of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Police Mobile Force (PMF), and State Intelligence Department (SID) embarked on a visibility patrol earlier today to boost the confidence of locals in Sabon Sara Village, Bauchi State. Sadly, the team came under attack, leading to the loss of two police officers and injury to one other. Concerted efforts are underway to apprehend the attackers. We assure Nigerians that as we mourn our men who have paid the supreme price in the discharge of their lawful duties, we remain steadfast and resolute in achieving our mandate of protecting all Nigerians, Mr Hundeyin wrote. The latest incident adds to the escalating insecurity across Nigeria, where armed groups terrorise the citizenry, killing and kidnapping at will. Over 300 students were kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger State last week, while 24 Muslim students were kidnapped from another school in Kebbi State. In Kwara State, armed persons attacked a church and kidnapped many worshippers. None of the victims in those latest incidents have been freed as of the time of this report. READ ALSO: Nigeria lost 454 soldiers to ambushes between 2019 and 2025 Report In Borno, a brigadier general and other security officials were killed recently when terrorists ambushed them. In Abuja, a police officer was killed on Friday when a security team foiled an attack by about 30 gunmen on a community in the Bwari Area Council. The worsening security situation caused President Bola Tinubu to cancel his scheduled attendance at the G20 Summit in South Africa. He was, instead, represented by his deputy, Kashim Shettima. Hannatu Sabiu held her three-year-old grandson, Muhammad Sani, close to her chest, his limp body resting against her. The boys half-open eyes darted weakly around the dimly lit consultation room of a health post in Ringim, a village in Ganjuwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Bauchi State. At intervals, Muhammad would let out a shriek, and his grandmother would rock him gently to stop him from crying, while she explained his condition to a health worker attending to them. The child had been sick for a while, withdrawing from the playground and clutching his belly while he cried on his grandmothers lap. He was administered paracetamol at home for days, but his condition only worsened. The fever was on and off, Mrs Sabiu told PREMIUM TIMES at the health centre one Saturday in October. That morning, he vomited all that he had eaten, even though he had barely eaten anything in days. Thats why I brought him to the hospital, she said. She was offered some drugs, including an Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) prescription, and asked to take the boy to the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), Kafin Madaki, also in Ganjuwa LGA. PHC Kafin Madaki is several kilometres from Ringim, and can only be accessed via bumpy roads that worsen during the rainy season. Lamaran Haladu, who heads the Ringim Health Post, said he suspected blood shortage in the boys body, prompting the referral. However, Mr Haladu, a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW), said the health centre doesnt have the capacity to diagnose the boys ailment. The health centre only treats minor conditions, such as fever and malaria. Other severe conditions that may require blood transfusions are usually referred to either the PHC Kafin Madaki or the General Hospital. This is the case for many residents who visit this health centre, which serves several communities, including Kanaka, Wushi, Dati, Unguwan Madaki, Unguwan Sarki, Jauro Sani, Hardo Kundi, and Digawan Kanaki. Overall, our target population is almost 10,000, said Mr Haladu. People in Jeren Gabar, a village after Kanaka, usually cant come here during the rainy season because they have to cross a river. However, the PHC Kafin Madaki, where Mrs Sabiu was referred to, was under lock that morning when PREMIUM TIMES visited on the same day. Residents said it was operational, but the officials were not around that day. It meant Mrs Sabiu could not present her grandson for medical checks when she eventually got there. Common diseases killing Bauchi kids Although no Cholera diagnosis had been made yet on Muhammad, the symptoms he presented were similar to those of Cholera, a recurring disease whose outbreak the state is currently battling. Across Bauchi, children face identical risks as preventable diseases spread through communities lacking functioning health facilities. A few weeks prior, the state government announced 58 Cholera fatalities amid an outbreak in 14 of the states 20 LGAs. The government reported a total of 258 new cases, indicating a fatality rate of 22 per cent. Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease that spreads through contaminated food and water. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it can kill within hours if not treated. In the last five years, the disease killed more than 4,700 people in Nigeria, according to aggregated data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC). Four states Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, and Zamfara accounted for 53 per cent of all cases in the last five years. Aside from Cholera, Bauchi also battles other endemic diseases like Measles, Lassa Fever, and Malaria, all of whose fatalities worsen as a result of weak primary health care services, according to health experts. Earlier this year, the state government reported a rise in measles cases among children, with more than 200 cases recorded in the first three months of the year. By September, the number of cases reported in the state had risen to 1,303, making it the state with the third-highest number of cases after Zamfara (4,679) and Yobe (1,765), according to the NCDC. In its epidemiological report for the last week of August, the NCDC reported that it had recorded 871 confirmed cases of Lassa fever. Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi states remain the primary hotspots, accounting for 91 per cent of all confirmed cases, the agency said. Children of Muhammads age are disproportionately affected by these diseases, according to Save the Children, a non-profit organisation working to protect childrens rights. Also, Bauchis under-five mortality rate is one of the highest in the country at 125 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the 2023/2024 National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS). This is higher than the national average of 110 deaths per 1,000 live births. Meanwhile, a 2023 study on the knowledge and skills of Community Health Workers (CHWs) regarding epidemic-prone diseases in Ganjuwa LGA found that most of them had a limited understanding of prevalent diseases, such as Measles, Lassa Fever, and Pertussis. The study noted that only 23.94 per cent of the CHWs recognise that Ganjuwa LGA, where they work, is affected by all four epidemic-prone diseases Diphtheria, Measles, Lassa Fever, and Pertussis. Additionally, their understanding of the mode of transmission of these diseases was poor, the researchers concluded. This could be an indication of the weakness of the capacity of community members to carry out surveillance activities within their communities. Manpower shortage leaves women, children vulnerable Elsewhere in Misau LGA, Hadiza Muhammad, 28, who never birthed any of her five children at home, was reconsidering having another child after a terrible labour experience at the PHC Misau (Township Maternity), Misau LGA. About a month before, when she went into labour to give birth to her son, it took hours, but she was only attended to by some health workers-in-training, who, she said, based their decisions on guesswork as she laboured. In my previous experiences, I got injections when I was struggling. But on this day, I was struggling, but they couldnt do anything, she narrated. Even when I finally gave birth to the baby, the students were not too sure what to do; they were talking to themselves, and if one said this, the other would say something else. Mrs Muhammad recalled pleading with them to get a more experienced official to help out, but none came. After the traumatic birth experience, she said the students couldnt stop her bleeding and referred her to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Misau. Unlike Mrs Muhammad, Laraba Ishakus sister was not lucky. Almost two years ago, Mrs Ishaku led her younger sister, who was in labour, to the health centre, but the volunteer workers told her there was still time, and that they should go back home and return later. They asked us to come back later at night or the next morning, but we had to go back before the time because of how intense it was getting for her, she recalled. According to her, there were only two workers at the hospital that evening. They asked her to get a mosquito net for the woman in labour. She had taken only a few steps outside the hospital when someone ran up to her to check on the patient, who was having convulsions. I went back and quickly went to look for the health workers. Before they tried to do anything, my sister died. I couldnt do anything. I just cried, she said. Across many PHCs and a general hospital surveyed by this newspaper in Bauchi, manpower shortage is a common problem. Many health centres are only coping by engaging volunteers, most of whom lack experience. In many cases, there are more volunteer workers than government-employed professionals at the health centres. The 2024 State of States report by the civic tech organisation, Budgit, revealed that only 10.9 per cent of hospitals in Bauchi State had at least one medical doctor attending to patients. According to the report, only 137 of 1,255 surveyed health facilities fall into this category. Another report by SBM Intelligence noted that Bauchi has the worst Doctor-to-Patient Ratio among Nigerias 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 54,249 people per 139 doctors. Last year, the then Commissioner for Health, Adamu Sambo, admitted that Bauchi States primary health centres are understaffed. Mr Sambo said the state has over 1,300 primary health centres with only 3,234 healthcare professionals. Only 80 per cent of them are actively rendering services at health facilities. Additionally, over 1,000 volunteers support the agency, which the agency has no control over, he said. In September, the government said it had recruited 3,000 health workers. However, this has not changed the situation on the ground. For instance, at Sirko PHC in Misau LGA, a renovated structure stands erect, but three of the six officials who work there are volunteer staff all CHEWs. At Ringim health post in Ganjuwa LGA, there are two permanent staff one CHEW and one environmental officer. The three others are volunteer staff, the official in charge told this newspaper. At the Alangawari community, the health centre is manned only by three volunteers, one of them, Aliyu Bello, said. They only treat mild fevers, such as malaria, as theyre not equipped to do more than that. Theres a labour room, but theres no midwife. So pregnant women have to go to Misau to give birth, Mr Bello said. Because this hospital is not yet fully functional, ANC doesnt hold, except theyre going to go to Misau. At the General Hospital Kafin Madaki, Ganjuwa LGA, the situation is similar. For months, the hospital has not had a permanent medical doctor. There has only been one locum (temporary) doctor at a time, one of the health officials told PREMIUM TIMES during a visit in October. The official didnt want to be named for fear of retribution. According to the official, there are only four nurses at the General Outpatient Department, including the Chief of Nursing. He explained there were just two nurses at the maternity unit, helped by some volunteers whom he described as untrained staff. He said most of them are secondary school certificate holders who should only be cleaners or run errands at the hospital. Operating amid scarce resources The official explained that the General Hospital doesnt have oxygen for patients, and any patient in need of oxygen would be referred to the capital in Bauchi, a 44-kilometre journey. Weekends are the worst days for us. We run 24-hour shifts. One person is monitoring the whole facility. When the maternity ward has a case beyond them, theyll call your attention, and youd have to go there to attend to the patients because they are untrained staff. Despite the lack of complete resources to operate, Mr Haladu said the Ringim health centre admits patients for mild fever and other conditions. On the day PREMIUM TIMES visited, a young boy lay on a metal bed frame with a mat placed on it in place of a mattress, with an IV line inserted in his arm. His brother, Mansur, who was staying with him, said he was having a fever and they had to journey from Kanaka on his motorcycle to this health centre for medical attention. The journey took about an hour from home, said Mansur. Were supposed to have a health centre, even if its a small one like this. So, we dont always have to travel to Ringim for medical services. But thats not all. Mr Haladu often had to deliver babies in improvised conditions, without access to a safe or properly equipped labour room. At other times, when he suspected there could be complications, he referred them either to PHC Kafin Madaki or directly to the General Hospital in Kafin Madaki. But the situation at the General Hospital is also dire. One of the health workers told PREMIUM TIMES that the only personnel present at the General Hospitals maternity ward after closing hours were untrained staff. He said the untrained staff help out because they have worked with the officials for a long time and have learned some of the basics over the years, but have not received formal training. Lack of trained staff skilled manpower has increased the fatality rate of neonatesand maternal mortality, he said. Sometimes, even when the woman in labour gives birth and the child is stressed, the attendant, because theyre not skilled, does not know how to resuscitate the child. According to the NDHS, only 28.4 per cent of Bauchis births are conducted by skilled providers, including doctors, nurses and midwives. Nationwide, the figure stood at 45 per cent. According to a public health expert and medical doctor, Anne Umoren, CHEWs are not trained to deliver childbirth or diagnose patients ailments. For maternal and neonatal care, their training for that is mostly on basic obstetric and emergency obstetric care. Its a programme that encompasses giving antibiotics, recognising that, yes, that is an obstetric emergency, she said. So, they are trained first to recognise that, yes, its an emergency. They are trained to know their limits and how to give first aid before they now contact the nearest and fastest healthcare facility. Ms Umoren said rural health centres struggle to retain doctors due to the lack of specific amenities, including accommodation for doctors posted outside state capitals. Most of the time, its a challenge. So, if a doctor is posted to a remote area, he or she would rather go there once a week because of the stress of getting there, the bad road, because to gain access there can be a little bit difficult, she added. In all the PHCs visited by PREMIUM TIMES, none had even a quarter of the 24 personnel recommended by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) as minimum standards for PHCs in Nigeria. The NPHCDA recommends that a standard PHC should have at least four nurses/midwives, one medical officer, one CHO, one pharmacy technician, three CHEW, one laboratory technician, one medical records officer, one environmental officer, six JCHEW, two health attendants, two security personnel and one general maintenance staff. Little progress, but misplaced priorities continue Earlier this year, the Bauchi State Government, assisted by the World Bank, launched an ambitious initiative of about N7.5 billion to renovate over 100 PHCs across the state under the banks Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACTS) project. In February, Plan International Nigeria handed over seven renovated PHCs to the state government. Last year, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) also renovated and upgraded two PHCs for improved family and child health, and handed them to the state government. While some PHCs have been renovated, specific issues, such as manpower shortages, persist. In some communities, there are no health centres at all, leaving residents in precarious situations. In others, the health centres are dilapidated, as residents await government intervention. However, the governments misplaced spending has continued to deplete the states funds. In July, Governor Bala Mohammed approved N7.8 billion for the renovation and remodelling of the State House of Assembly complex. In 2023, the government spent N16 billion for upgrading the Government House, N10 billion more than the initial N6 billion budget, according to the states audit report. This is way above the N10.4 billion allocated for the states Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA), which manages all the states PHCs, in the 2025 budget. Communities in limbo In Kafin Zaki community, Ningi LGA, the only health centre had been dilapidated and non-functional for over seven years, the village head, Haruna Garba, said. Mr Garba said the community attempted to engage the government, including through letters, but got no response, forcing residents to go to the health centre at Gidan Baiwa, a neighbouring community, for their healthcare needs. When we have emergencies, we always suffer to get them to a hospital. In fact, most times, theyre placed on a cattle-pushed cart because of the way our road is, he said. Before the health centre degenerated completely, he said it only had one official who wasnt always available. I once raised these complaints with the district head of Ari, and he spoke to some officials to warn the health officer deployed to the hospital, but he has stopped coming completely, he said. Nothing is happening here, except when theres a vaccination exercise, and the vaccinators come, then they administer the vaccines here. Meanwhile, residents of Bakutumbe, another village in Ningi LGA, said they do not have a health centre. According to Dauda Yakubu, the village heads representative, the community had been piling up sand for years, hoping to donate it for the construction of a health centre whenever the government begins it. Thats part of our contribution to seeking the development, Mr Yakubu said. Mr Yakubu said the community also set up a committee to lobby the government to construct a hospital there. This is a problem we have spent a lot of time calling on the government to attend to, but it has not been attended toWe have written, we have gone to the primary health care board, he said. We are hoping this new (present) government will do that, because for us, any government that does that for us is the new government. The Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, has reaffirmed the importance of stronger cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, saying enhanced collaboration will help both countries confront security threats and other shared challenges. Mr Benson said this while reflecting on a series of recent engagements with senior US officials, which he attended alongside several committee chairpersons of the House. The recent engagements with the US officials are not unconnected with Nigerias deepening security concerns, including persistent attacks by armed groups in the North-east, renewed bandit activities in parts of the North-west and fresh waves of highway abductions and mass kidnappings in the North-central. In recent months, several states have recorded disturbing incidents of violence: dozens of villagers abducted in Zamfara; the killing of security operatives in Niger and Kaduna; recurring raids on communities in Plateau; and widespread kidnappings along AbujaKaduna and Niger State. School abductions have also re-emerged, with students in Kebbi and Niger recently taken by armed groups. In the capital city, Abuja, estates and satellite communities have witnessed coordinated kidnappings and heightening public anxiety, reinforcing calls for stronger international support. Meanwhile, according to Mr Benson, the discussions reinforced a clear message that Nigeria and the US are stronger together, and that both countries need each other to achieve peace, stability and long-term prosperity. He recalled that on 19 November, he led a delegation of relevant committee chairpersons to meet a US team led by Cassandra Carraway and Mark Handloff. The meeting followed earlier consultations on 13 August with the militarypolitical adviser at the US Embassy, which also involved Mr Handloff, as well as a 15 December 2024 session with a US congressional delegation led by John James, Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee. That delegation included Young Kim, Sara Jacobs, Jonathan Jackson and other officials from the US Embassy in Nigeria, led by Richard Mills. Mr Benson said the cumulative outcome of these engagements underscored a sustained commitment by both countries to work together. Taken together, these engagements reaffirm our enduring partnership and a shared commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in Nigeria. Rep. James has consistently reiterated the US governments dedication to supporting Nigeria through both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, he said. He added that both sides agreed on the need to deepen trust, broaden US support for Nigerias counter-insurgency operations, strengthen human-rights safeguards and scale up legislative diplomacy between the two nations. Our vision for NigeriaUnited States relations is one in which the global narrative reflects not only our challenges, but also the strength, creativity and resilience of Nigerian youth, as well as the bold reforms now underway to restore Nigeria to its rightful place as the giant of Africa, he noted. Mr Benson stressed that at this critical stage of Nigerias democratic development, confrontation or hasty condemnation does not advance the countrys interests. Instead, he said Nigeria benefits more from constructive engagement. What our engagements with US officials have consistently affirmed is that cooperation, collaboration and constructive partnership are the most effective tools for addressing our security concerns, deepening our democracy and protecting human rights, he said. He reaffirmed that Nigeria remains open to sincere engagement with partners. We remain open to honest dialogue, fair criticism and mutual accountability but always within a framework of respect, partnership and shared strategic interests. These are the surest pathways to a more peaceful, more stable and more prosperous Nigeria, in a manner that advances the long-term interests, values and security of both Nigeria and the United States, he added. The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has condemned the abduction of over 300 students and staff members of St. Marys School, a Catholic institution in Niger, which occurred on 21 November. In a statement on Saturday by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers), the caucus urged security operatives to go the extra mile to ensure the abducted students were rescued. According to him, the unfortunate development has been confirmed by the Niger State Government and the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora. We recall with deep pains in our hearts how suspected terrorists, in the early hours of Friday, 21st November, stormed St. Marys School Papiri in the Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, where they abducted several students and workers. These brazen actions of criminality are causing global embarrassment to Nigeria and must be stopped. Security operatives must think outside the box to restore the dignity of our nation and confidence of the people. Efforts should be intensified in the ongoing search for the missing students and staff of the school as we fervently pray for a rancour-free rescue mission, he said. READ ALSO: Top UN officials condemn mass abduction of Nigerian schoolchildren The lawmaker called for massive recruitment of security operatives across the board, saying that they should take decisive steps, including external collaboration, to ensure the safety of the lives of the citizens. He said that the main purpose of government was the security and welfare of the people as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, and the government was failing in the all-important responsibilities. The caucus sympathised with the family of the victims and prayed for the safe return of the abductees to their respective families. (NAN) The Yobe State Government has directed the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools in the state as a proactive measure to safeguard students. This is contained in a statement by Mamman Mohammed, Governor Mai Mala Bunis director-general, Press and Media Affairs, in Damaturu on Saturday. He said the decision was reached at the end of a security meeting held by the governor and security chiefs in the state. Mr Mohammed said the directive became imperative after a review of recent breaches of security at some schools in some states of the federation. The aide said Mr Buni had called on the citizenry to pray for leaders, security operatives, peace and improved security in the state and the country at large. Mr Muhammed quoted Bukar Aji-Bukar, the permanent secretary, Yobe State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, as saying that the closure was temporary, pending improvement of the situation. He said the principals of all the affected schools were directed to ensure full compliance. (NAN) A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), on Sunday, urged President Bola Tinubu to summon the political will to name those waging war against the country and their sponsors. Mr Olanipekun, who described Tinubu as the inheritor of the current insecurity, added that he should not reap what he did not sow. Speaking at the 29th edition of the Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme and the 6th Empowerment Programme in his hometown of Ikere-Ekiti, he stated that many people claim to be citizens of Nigeria but do not genuinely love the country and are working against its interests. The legal icon said the worsening situation suggests that some Nigerians are actively undermining the country by sponsoring insurrection, describing them as internal saboteurs whose actions and inactions have contributed significantly to Nigerias instability. Mr Olanipekun argued that such acts would not be tolerated in developed countries, where national interest is sacred, warning that Nigeria cannot continue to overlook the ignoble role some individuals, who hide behind political and regional interests, play in promoting instability. I sympathise with President Tinubu. And any time I see him, I tell him, I say, Mr President, I dont envy you. He will say, My lawyer, I applied for this job. So, he will say, Dont sympathise with me. But I sympathise with him because the problems have been there. But we should stop pretending as if we dont know the problems are there. However, my idea and suggestion regarding this is to stop pretending as if we dont know those who are waging the war and their sponsors. If we know them, why cant we expose them? That is the essence of being a nation. You cant do some of these things without consequences. You cant do it in America and get away with it. You cant sabotage your country. You cant work against the interests of your country. You cant be planting war against your country and you are living with that country. Why are we deceiving ourselves? Are we pretending as if we dont know those who are waging war against this country? So, why are we not naming names? Why are we not calling this spade by its name? Why are we describing spade as an agricultural instrument? Why will it take a Trump to tell us that please wake up, put your house in order, when we know those who are desecrating the house? People talk in this country as if theyre above the law. The way out is for the government to do the needful, to name the names. We dont need any external intervention, he said. Proffering solutions to the persistent security challenges, Mr Olanipekun renewed his call for regional federalism, declaring that restructuring Nigeria along regional lines remains the most realistic pathway to achieving sustainable stability. He noted that devolving more powers to the regions while retaining core national responsibilities at the centre would not only strengthen the governance architecture but also improve security coordination, reduce tension, and promote healthier competition among the federating units. Mr Olanipekun maintained that a regional structure would offer a more coherent and efficient framework for managing the countrys diversity and addressing several challenges that differ across the regions. He said, I want to plead and Im have been pleading it. Ive been preaching it. It is time for us to heal wounds. Its a time for us to say, look, how do we live together? How do we create a bridge that will not collapse in the next few years? And that comes back, it takes us to what Ive been saying. What can save Nigeria today is regional federalism. Through the regions, we can integrate properly, and I have been saying this since Obasanjo was president and when I was also president of the Nigerian Bar Association. That is the only way out for Nigeria regional federalism. Let the regions come together and form a strong alliance. Let the residual powers be in the regions, but the powers which are traditionally meant for the centre be donated to the centre. That has been my sing song, he added. In his remarks at the event, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, said those who would use their influence and resources to transform lives are the ones the country urgently needs to nurture a more educated, productive, and compassionate society. I read through the speech of Chief Olanipekun and from the beginning to the end, Chief was talking about compassion, sympathy and giving. I also listened to the chairman. He spoke in the same way. So, the lesson for us today is to ask ourselves, what are we living for? You dont need to be as rich as Chief to give. No matter where you are and who you are, God has created us to add value to our neighbours and the Bible says love your neighbour as thyself. The Niger State Caucus in the National Assembly has condemned the kidnapping of students and teachers of St. Marys Catholic School, Agwara, describing the attack as a brutal reminder of the worsening insecurity facing the state and the wider North. In a joint statement signed by senators and members of the House of Representatives from the state, the lawmakers expressed deep concern and profound sorrow over the raid on the school by armed terrorists. The statement was signed by three senators, Sani Musa, Sani Bello, and Peter Jiya, as well as members of the House; Idris Garba, Shehu Rijau, Abdullahi Mamudu, Saidu Abdullahi, and Jafaru Mohammed, Yusuf Baraje, Joshua Gana, Ismaila Modibbo, Adamu Tanko, and Abubakar Buba. They said they stand firmly with Governor Mohammed Bago, the Niger State Government, the people of Agwara LGA, and the traumatised families. Details of the kidnap The caucus said the community has been thrown into turmoil by the scale of the abduction. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), a verification exercise conducted after the attack confirmed that 303 students and 12 teachers were taken. CAN further reported that 88 of the abducted students were seized while attempting to flee the school compound. The abductees are aged between 10 and 18 years. The attack reportedly occurred between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., when most of the students were asleep in their hostels. During the raid, a security guard was seriously shot, according to the Diocese of Kontagora. The gunmen invaded the school on motorcycles and pick-up trucks, broke into the hostels, and forcefully removed the children before escaping with them into remote terrain. These details further illustrate the level of coordination and violence deployed by the attackers. Lawmakers condemn attack, demand coordinated rescue The caucus said the mass abduction is unacceptable and must spur urgent and decisive action. As representatives of the good people of Niger State in the Senate and House of Representatives, we strongly condemn this criminal attack, they said, adding that they are committed to working with security agencies to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of the abducted children and teachers. They stressed that no community in Niger State should be left at the mercy of terror groups. The lawmakers said the Agwara kidnapping mirrors the wider security deterioration in Niger State, where communities continue to suffer from banditry, mass abductions and terror attacks. Border communities like Agwara, they noted, remain particularly vulnerable due to difficult terrain and limited security presence. They warned that the Agwara incident is symptomatic of a broader national security challenge requiring sustained, coordinated intervention at federal, state and local levels. To address the crisis, the caucus called for enhanced military and security deployment across flashpoints, strengthened intelligence gathering and rapid-response mechanisms, improved inter-agency cooperation, and greater federal government intervention to reinforce the efforts of the Niger State Government. Caucus pledges stronger push at the national level The lawmakers pledged to intensify their engagement with the federal government and security institutions to ensure that Niger State receives urgent and consistent attention. They also committed to lobbying for increased funding, personnel and operational capacity for security agencies, as well as legislative reforms that strengthen national security. The caucus urged residents to remain calm but vigilant and to cooperate with security forces involved in the search-and-rescue operations. We call on our constituents to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of ongoing rescue operations. We urge security agencies to intensify their efforts to secure the safe return of the students and bring the perpetrators to justice. May God protect Niger State, safeguard our children, comfort the affected families, and grant lasting peace to Agwara LGA, Niger State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, they said. A report by the office of Nigerias Auditor-General has revealed that the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) approved a staggering N3.4 billion in payments without the required approval of the Group Managing Director (GMD). The 808-page 2022 Auditor-Generals annual report published in August 2025 and recently submitted to the National Assembly as Nigerias Constitution provides revealed that the payments were made for various services without attaching relevant supporting documents, violating the Financial Regulations (FR) of 2009. The sum of N3,445,022, 107.40 (Three billion, four hundred and forty five million, twenty two thousand, one hundred and seven naira, forty kobo) was paid from the special funding request for various services without attaching the relevant supporting documents, the report said. The audit report noted that the CFO granted the approval for the payments without evidence of approvals of the GMD, adding that when the amounts were above the CFOs approval threshold, the audit was not availed with the opportunity to confirm the actual expenditures from these special funds as they were mostly outside the NNPC Towers. The auditor general said the anomalies could be attributed to weaknesses in the internal control system at the NNPC, now NNPC Ltd. It could also amount to possible diversion of public funds and loss of public funds, the report stated. Umar Isa Ajiya, who served as the CFO of NNPC during the period covered by the Auditor-Generals report, has recently been accused of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds. In June 2019, the late former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Mr Ajiya as the CFO of the NNPC. Mr Ajiya held the position when NNPC was still a corporation and throughout its transition into a limited liability company, NNPC Limited, under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021. He was later replaced by Adedapo Segun in a management shake-up in November last year. On 23 June, PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Mr Ajiya. PREMIUM TIMES, at the time, learnt from the commissions officials briefed on the development, that he was arrested in connection with alleged $7.2 billion fraud associated with the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries. The three refineries have underperformed and recorded zero production over the years despite annual allocation of turnaround maintenance to them. According to the sources, Mr Ajiya was detained by the agency along with a former Managing Director of Warri Refinery, Jimoh Olasunkanmi. Mr Ajiya, however, denied the reports of his arrest by the EFCC, stating that he voluntarily submitted himself to the EFCC for questioning and was not arrested or detained. NNPC Defence Responding to the audit query, the NNPC management stated that all payments amounting to N3,445,022, 107.40 were inter-company transactions made to NNPC subsidiaries, including the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC). It explained that these payments were executed as part of operational funding processes to support the activities of the subsidiaries. It added that the CFOs approval for the payments was made in line with the NNPC Board-Approved Delegation of Authority (DOA), which permits the CFO to authorise inter-company transactions of this nature. The approvals were consistent with the regulatory framework governing the financial operations of NNPC, the NNPC said. To facilitate audit confirmation, NNPC Ltd requested that the specific transactions requiring verification be identified by the audit team. Upon receipt of the details, the relevant supporting documents will be retrieved and provided for audit purposes. However, the Auditor-Generals evaluation deemed the response unsatisfactory, and the findings remain valid until recommendations are implemented. Audit notes the managements response to the issue raised but not satisfactory. Therefore, the findings remain valid until the management implements the recommendations, the report said. Recommendations The Auditor-Generals report requested that the Group Chief Executive Officer provide explanations to the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly and recover and remit the N3.4 billion to the Treasury and forward evidence of remittance to the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly. The report recommended that, otherwise, sanctions relating to irregular payments and failure to account for public funds specified in paragraphs 3106 and 3115 of the Financial Regulations (2009) respectively, should apply. Hollywood legend Bruce Willis rarely thought about his illustrious career before his heartbreaking dementia diagnosis. Bruce Willis was diagnosed with dementia in 2022 The 70-year-old actor - who was diagnosed with the degenerative condition that causes a decline in thinking, memory, and reasoning skills in 2022 - just wanted to focus on injecting happiness into millions of people's lives through his film and TV projects. Bruce's 47-year-old wife Emma Heming Willis told People: "I don't know that he ever has [reflected on his legacy]. "I don't think that he's ever harped or thought long and hard about who he is, what he's done. I think he's just always enjoyed being an actor, entertaining people." Emma - who married the Die Hard actor in a gorgeous beachfront ceremony in the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2009 - says Bruce's humble nature is a reason she fell in love with him after they met at a gym shared by their personal trainer in 2007. She continued about Bruce being an entertainer: "He really loved it. It was a passion of his. That's why I love him. He's just always so humble. You would never know." Bruce shot to global stardom in the 1980s when he was cast in the ABC comedy-drama series, Moonlighting, as David Addison Jr. The award-winning star then went on to appear in major blockbusters, including the 1994 crime-thriller Pulp Fiction, the 1998 sci-fi-action movie Armageddon, and the 1999 horror-mystery film The Sixth Sense. Bruce retired from acting in 2022, after he was diagnosed with aphasia, which later progressed to frontotemporal dementia (FTD) - a group of brain disorders affecting personality, behaviour, and language. And his 37-year-old daughter Rumer Willis recently revealed that he does not recognise his eldest child - whom he has with his 63-year-old ex-wife, actress Demi Moore - when she visits him. Despite that, Rumer feels "so happy and grateful" to go to her dad's house and embrace him. In a video shared to her Instagram Stories, she said: "I'm so happy and grateful that I still get to go and hug him. "I'm so grateful that when I go over there, and I give him a hug, whether he recognises me or not, that he can feel the love I've given him, and I can feel it back from him. "That I still see a spark of him, and he can feel the love that I'm giving. So that feels really nice. "I just feel grateful that I get to go over there with Louetta and we get to spend time with him, and I get to feel the love that he has for me, and that I can love him and be with him." Rumer - who has a two-year-old daughter called Louetta - admitted Bruce is "doing OK" amid his battle with the progressive neurodegenerative disease. Bruce has daughters Rumer, Scout Willis, 34, and Tallulah Willis, 31, with his pal Demi - whom he married in 1988, but divorced in 1998. He has two more girls - Mabel Willis, 13, and 11 year old Evelyn Willis - with Emma. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Balie has its roots in medieval England and Scotland, where it originated as an occupational surname for bailiffs - officials who managed estates or served as stewards. This historical connection gives the name a sense of authority, responsibility, and trustworthiness. In Scottish tradition, the variant 'Bailie' referred to municipal officers or magistrates, particularly in burghs, indicating positions of community leadership and governance. The feminine adaptation of Balie represents a modern evolution of these traditional roles, blending historical gravitas with contemporary feminine identity. Throughout its usage, the name has maintained associations with protection, management, and reliable stewardship, reflecting the original duties of bailiffs who were responsible for safeguarding property and maintaining order. The name's journey from occupational title to personal name mirrors broader social changes in how we perceive identity and gender roles. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a global framework that benefits communities hosting critical minerals in Nigeria and Africa, ensuring value addition at the source. This is coming just as Nigeria also backed the creation of global ethical standards for Artificial Intelligence (AI), aimed at accelerating development across the world. President Tinubu made the call at the Third Session of the 2025 Group of 20 (G20) Leaders Summit, held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, South Africa, themed A Fair and Just Future for All: Critical Minerals, Decent Work, Artificial Intelligence. The president, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, highlighted that for Nigeria and Africa, critical minerals are more than natural deposits, as they hold the promise of industrial transformation for the continent. The Nigerian leader stressed that while the possession of resources alone does not guarantee prosperity, relevant authorities and stakeholders must ensure that the extraction and trade of critical minerals are governed by fairness, transparency, and accountability. President Tinubu emphasised that such responsible extraction and trade are necessary to ensure that the wealth generated from hosting communities translates into shared progress. He said: Nigeria calls for a global framework that promotes value addition at the source, supports local beneficiation, and ensures that communities hosting these resources are not left behind. The issue before us reaches far beyond the narrow arithmetic of economics and speaks to the moral character of the world we aspire to build. The Nigerian leader further stated that as the world advances through green and digital transitions, progress must remain people-centred. Decent work is the anchor that makes these transitions fair, inclusive, and sustainable. It is the foundation of development that ensures every person has the opportunity to contribute, thrive, and share in national prosperity, he added. President Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is investing in future-ready skills by empowering Nigerian youths through digital literacy, vocational training, and entrepreneurship. For a fair and just future, President Tinubu urged G20 leaders to deepen collaboration on technology transfer, capacity building, and inclusive investments that prioritise human dignity over profit alone. On artificial intelligence, which has immense potential to accelerate development globally, the President said the task before G20 leaders, development partners, and governments is to ensure that AI remains a servant of humanity, not a force that reshapes society at the expense of those it ought to uplift. According to the Nigerian President: Nigeria supports the creation of global ethical standards for AI that uphold safety, transparency, and equity, the President said, adding, We must ensure that AI becomes a tool of empowerment, not exclusion; of job creation, not displacement. To harness AIs job creation and empowerment potential, the President called for deliberate partnerships between developed and developing nations, between the public and private sectors, and between innovation and inclusion. The G20 must therefore address systemic bias and foster sustained multilateral dialogue to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared equitably and its risks responsibly managed, he added. The president noted that within a broader vision of shared responsibility and global stewardship, critical minerals, decent work, and artificial intelligence are bound by a single calling, which is to shape an economy that uplifts rather than excludes; an economy that measures its strength not only by growth but by the dignity it affords every human being. He urged the G20 leaders and partners to build a future where Africa is not merely a supplier of raw materials, but a continent of value creation, innovation, and dignity in work. Similarly, President Tinubu has asked world leaders to come up with a more equitable and responsive system to manage global financial flows and sincerely address the recurring debt crises in a manner that meets the needs of all nations. This, he said, had become necessary because many developing countries still grapple with systemic barriers restraining economic growth, as well as weakening trade and limiting financial inclusivity. The Nigerian leader, who is represented at the global event by his deputy, Vice President Shettima, regretted that the multilateral frameworks, currently being relied on, no longer reflect the complexities of the present world, as the were built in an era far removed from the present challenges, In his statement delivered on his behalf by VP Shettima, the Nigerian President pointed out that this years theme of the summit, bordering on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, trade, financing for development and the debt burden, speaks to the realities of developing nations. Demanding a fair deal for Africa and other developing countries of the world, he stated: For trade to be truly inclusive, the G20 must take bold and deliberate steps towards reforming the international financial architecture and the global institutions that sustain it. Only a more equitable and more responsive system can manage global financial flows with fairness, address recurring debt crises with sincerity and meet the needs of all nations, especially those in the Global South who have too often stood at the margins of global opportunity. President Tinubu said it would be difficult for Africa to realise a positive paradigm shift in its development trajectory without a collective resolve of the G20, READ ALSO: Gov Radda joins VP Shettima at G20 Summit in South Africa He noted that the continent cannot rise on the wings of aspiration alone without confronting the persistent regional challenges confronting it, particularly the urgent need for sustainable financing to ensure the effective implementation of our developmental priorities. The Nigerian leader observed that rising debt burdens have continued to drag economies back into cycles of fragility, transforming local difficulties into global vulnerabilities. Accordingly, he implored the G20 to place debt sustainability and the responsible utilisation of critical minerals at the heart of its agenda for inclusive development. The G20 must, in adopting the Leaders Declaration, take with utmost seriousness the responsibility to advance policies that drive sustainable growth, promote financial inclusion and confront emerging risks, he added. Stanley Nkwocha Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President) 22nd November 2025 UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed voiced deep alarm Saturday over the abduction of hundreds of students and teachers from St. Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Niger State, Nigeria, demanding urgent action. The UN deputy chief condemned the mass abduction of schoolchildren, calling for the immediate release of all those taken and emphasising the need to strengthen security measures protecting children in schools nationwide. Initial reports indicated that 215 pupils were kidnapped early Friday, but authorities later revised the number to 303 students and 12 teachers, highlighting the scale of the incident and the grave national concern. Leaders of the Niger Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, who visited the school on Friday, reported that the students abducted included both boys and girls aged between 10 and 18 years old. Ms Mohammed, a former minister of Environment in Nigeria, stressed that those responsible for the heinous crime must be identified, arrested, and held fully accountable to prevent similar incidents and ensure that justice is served. In a social media post, the UN deputy scribe stated that schools should remain sanctuaries for learning, not targets, urging the government and communities to protect children from violence in educational settings. She emphasised the urgent need to implement measures ensuring that perpetrators face justice, while insisting that global and national actors must work together to guarantee safe, secure, and uninterrupted learning for every child. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, described the mass abduction as heartbreaking, especially following the recent kidnappings in Kebbi, and called for immediate, coordinated efforts to rescue the missing students. Mr Fall expressed sympathy for families and communities affected, emphasising that all possible measures must be taken to ensure the safe recovery of students and staff, while addressing systemic security gaps in the education sector. The UN official further insisted that it was time to fully implement the Safe School Principle, urging the Nigerian government and partners to prioritise school safety and prevent further attacks against children. The Safe School Principle was launched at the First International Conference on Safe Schools in Oslo, Norway, in 2015, promoting international standards for protecting schools and reinforcing global commitments to student safety. Nigeria was among the nations endorsing the Safe Schools Declaration in 2015, signalling its commitment to improving protections for educational institutions, preventing attacks, and collaborating with international partners to enhance child safety nationwide. The UN noted that the number of students abducted from the latest Catholic school in Niger exceeds the 276 girls kidnapped during the infamous 2014 Chibok incident, highlighting the severity of the crisis. This Niger abduction is the latest in a growing series of mass kidnappings, including 25 pupils from a Government Girls School in Kebbi earlier this week, escalating concern among parents, authorities, and the public. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, while security forces have been deployed to locate the students and their captors, investigating the incident and working to prevent further kidnappings in the region. Niger State authorities reportedly closed all schools until further notice, implementing precautionary measures to protect students and teachers while security operations continue, and to restore calm and confidence in local communities. UNICEF stated this week that it continues to collaborate with government partners, civil society, and communities to strengthen child protection systems, reinforcing efforts to ensure that children are safe while pursuing education opportunities. These actions align with the declaration that no child should ever be put at risk while seeking education, highlighting the importance of secure learning environments and the collective responsibility of governments and communities. UNESCOs Nigeria office condemned Fridays mass abduction, stressing that schools must never be targets, and expressing solidarity with victims, families, and the Nigerian government while calling for the immediate release of abducted students. The agency declared, We stand with the victims, their families, and the Government of Nigeria, urging urgent action for the safe release of all abducted children while denouncing attacks undermining education and safety. The Federal High Court (FHC) says the report that Justice James Omotosho survived an assassination attempt following the life sentence passed on Nnamdi Kanu is fake news. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a blogger had reported on his Facebook page that Mr Omotosho survived an assassination attempt early Saturday morning, just days after handing down the life sentences to Nnamdi Kanu. According to the report, Mr Omotosho was immediately rushed to a hospital as security forces scrambled to secure the area. But reacting, the Chief Registrar of FHC, Sulaiman Hassan, in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday morning, said the report was untrue. The statement is titled, Rebuttal to False Publication by Celebrity Blogger on the Alleged Assassination Attempt on Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court. It reads: The attention of the Federal High Court has been drawn to a publication by CELEBRITY BLOGGER, alleging that the Honourable Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, survived an assassination attempt following the life sentence imposed on Nnamdi Kanu. We hereby firmly and unequivocally declare that the said report is completely false and unfounded. The public is advised to treat this publication as fake news and refrain from further dissemination to prevent the spread of misinformation. Mr Hassan, therefore, called on relevant security agencies to launch an investigation into the report with a view to arresting and prosecuting the culprits in line with the law. Given the gravity of the report, which has the potential to cause panic and undermine confidence in the judicial systempossibly intended as a form of intimidationwe call on the relevant security agencies and regulatory authorities to conduct a thorough investigation. The goal being to identify and apprehend the perpetrators responsible for this false report and prosecute them in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly those relating to cybercrime, defamation, and public misinformation. NAN reports that Mr Omotosho had, on Thursday, sentenced Mr Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of seven-count terrorism offences. The judge sentenced him to life imprisonment in relation to counts one, two, four, five and six, which carried a death sentence each. For count three, relating to the offences of belonging to a proscribed terrorist group, Mr Omotosho sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine. On count seven, bordering on his unlawful importation of a radio transmitter for the purpose of furthering the clandestine activities of Radio Biafra, which is not registered in Nigeria, the judge sentenced him to five years imprisonment without an option of fine. He, however, said that to extend the mercy on the defendant, counts three and seven would run concurrently. The judge, who noted that Mr Kanu had been unruly all through the trial, said the law allowed the court to sentence him to death for the terrorism offences, but that he (the judge), as a Christian, chose to be merciful to the defendant, citing Mathew 23:23. Justice Omotosho equally considered the allocutus made by Obi Aguocha, representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia in the National Assembly, on Mr Kanus behalf. He ordered that the IPOB leader be kept in protective custody in any part of the country, but not in Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja and that the radio transmitter be forfeited to the federal government. Besides, the judge ordered that Mr Kanu, while in custody, should be restricted from making use of digital devices to prevent him from further incitement. He held that if Mr Kanu must make use of a digital device, this must be closely monitored by the Office of the National Security Adviser. The judge held that, regarding other exhibits found with Kanu, the State Security Services (SSS), the prosecuting agency, could bring an application for forfeiture to the federal government after the expiration of 90 days of appeal. Mr Omotosho, who described Mr Kanus conduct as unruly behaviour, said the defendant was not remorseful. I have no hesitation to conclude that the defendant has tendency of violence and it has not left him, the judge had said. (NAN) North-west Nigeria remains tense as security agencies respond to a new wave of attacks and abductions in Zamfara and Kebbi states. On Friday night, police said they rescued 25 kidnap victims after repelling an attack by armed bandits in Kuraje, a village in the Damba area of Gusau Local Government Area. The Zamfara police spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, said in a statement on Saturday that the victims include 10 women and 15 children. They were abducted during a raid by gunmen who stormed the community, firing sporadically and taking hostages. Mr Abubakar said officers from the Damba Police Division and the Department of Operations, working with members of the Community Protection Guards (CPG), responded immediately after receiving a distress call. He said the joint team pursued the fleeing attackers and engaged them in what he described as a coordinated operation, leading to the safe rescue of all 25 abducted persons. The victims were later taken to Sabongari Damba for profiling and subsequently reunited with their families. The rescue comes as bandit attacks continue to unsettle communities across Zamfara and neighbouring states, despite ongoing military and police operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating in the region. In neighbouring Kebbi State, the police have warned residents against embarking on protests over the recent abduction of students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga. The police spokesperson, Nafiu Kotarkoshi, said intelligence reports suggested that some groups and non-governmental organisations were mobilising for demonstrations in response to the incident. He described the states security environment as fragile, warning that public protests could inflame tensions and disrupt ongoing rescue efforts. While the police acknowledge public concern over the abduction, the command views any planned protest as misguided and counterproductive, he said. The warning reflects growing public frustration across the North-west, where repeated attacks on schools, villages, and travellers have heightened fear and renewed calls for stronger government action. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared Sunday, 7 December, as a nationwide day of prayer to seek divine intervention against what it describes as an ongoing genocide in parts of the country. The directive follows the resolutions of the CAN National Executive Council meeting held recently in Jos, Plateau State. In a memo dated 20 November 2025 and signed by the CAN General Secretary, Samson Fatokun, the association directed all bloc leaders, zonal and state chairpersons, and heads of denominations to mobilise their congregations for the spiritual exercise. According to the memo, the prayer session will be observed simultaneously across all Christian denominations in Nigeria. Prayer Points The association stated that the intervention will focus on five key points: ending the alleged genocide against Christians; ensuring the safe resettlement of displaced victims; halting the activities of terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits; granting divine wisdom to government officials; and restoring peace nationwide. The CAN President, His Eminence Archbishop (Dr.) Daniel C. Okah, has directed that this prayer be taken with all fervency, the memo read in part. We strongly believe that our God will rise in power as He did in Esthers time. Citing biblical passages, the Christian body urged churches to intercede passionately for the nation. Recent Escalation The call by the Christian body comes amidst a worsening security situation in many parts of Nigeria. PREMIUM TIMES reported that gunmen invaded a Catholic school, St Marys Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, on Friday, kidnapping scores of students and teachers. According to the Niger State chapter of CAN, the number of abductees has risen to 315. The state CAN Chairman, Bulus Yohanna, disclosed through his media aide, Daniel Atori, on Saturday that while initial reports suggested 215 pupils were taken, a verification exercise confirmed that an additional 88 students, earlier presumed safe, were also captured. This brings the total number of abducted students to 303, alongside 12 teachersfour women and eight men. READ ALSO: Top UN officials condemn mass abduction of Nigerian schoolchildren The killings and kidnappings across Nigeria are, however, not limited to Christians as various armed groups target both civilians and security personnel, irrespective of religion. In Kebbi, armed men last week kidnapped 24 Muslim schoolgirls from a boarding school in the state. Also, armed men attacked a church in Kwara State, kidnapping many worshippers. Terrorists also attacked a military team last week, killing a brigadier general and many security officials. Kebbi State, in north-western Nigeria, has become the latest state in the country to indefinitely shut virtually all its schools, joining Katsina, Plateau, and Yobe, which have made similar announcements due to security concerns in the country. The Kebbi State Government on Sunday ordered the closure of all public and private secondary Schools, as well as all tertiary institutions across the state, except the College of Nursing Sciences, Birnin Kebbi. The announcement is contained in a statement jointly issued by the Kebbi Commissioner for Higher Education, Issa Abubakar-Tunga, and the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Halima Bande. The commissioners stated that the closure of both public, private and state-owned tertiary institutions had become necessary following the recent cases of attacks in parts of the state. They listed the affected tertiary institutions to include State Polytechnic Dakingari, Kebbi University of Science and Technology, Aliero, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Jega, and College of Education, Argungu. The commissioners, however, stated that the only institution not affected was the College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery, located in the state capital, Birnin Kebbi. The officials urged all institutions management to comply with the state governments directives and advised them to remain calm, as a new resumption date would be communicated in due course. Kebbi has witnessed many cases of insecurity, including the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls from a school in the state last week. Previous shutdowns PREMIUM TIMES reports that neighbouring Katsina State announced the closure of its schools on Friday. 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, the Public Relations Officer of the Katsina State Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education, Sani Danjuma, said in a statement. Plateau, in north-central Nigeria, also announced on Friday the closure of all its primary and junior secondary schools. 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, commonly referred to as Unity Schools. In Yobe State, north-east Nigeria, the state government, on Sunday, announced the closure of all boarding secondary schools in the state. Insecurity 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 over 300 students and staff. 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 Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, in a landmark judgment, has ordered President Bola Tinubu to direct the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to widely publish the names of those indicted in the alleged misappropriation of over N6 trillion meant to implement the abandoned 13,777 projects and in the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2000 and 2019. The court also ordered the president to publish and make available to the public the NDDC forensic audit report submitted to the federal government on September 2, 2021. The judgment was delivered on Monday, 10 November, by Justice Gladys Olotu following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021, brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). The certified true copy of the judgment was obtained last Friday. In her judgment, Justice Olotu held that, The forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as the names of persons indicted therein, clearly fall within the definition of public records as contained in Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act. Justice Olotu also held that, NDDC forensic audit report and the names of persons indicted therein are not exempted under Sections 11-19, as the information relates to the use and management of public funds. Justice Olotu also stated that, The refusal of the president and the Attorney General to publish the audit report or act on the allegations therein, despite formal demand by SERAP constitutes a breach of their statutory duties under the Freedom of Information Act, Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), and Nigerias international obligations to promote transparency and accountability. Justice Olotus judgment, read in part: Section 2(3) of the Freedom of Information Act mandates all public institutions to cause to be published certain categories of information, including details of finances and expenditures. Applying these principles, the Freedom of Information Act imposes on the president a clear, non-discretionary duty to make the NDDC forensic audit report available to the public and publish the names of those indicted in the report. It is trite law that for an order of mandamus to issue, SERAP must establish (a) a clear legal right to the performance of a duty, (b) a corresponding duty on the president and the Attorney General to perform that duty, (c) a demand for the performance of the duty, and (d) a refusal or neglect to perform same. Every person has the right to access information in the custody of any public official or institution, and such institution is under a statutory duty to grant access, except where the information falls within the limited exemptions set out under Sections 11-19 of the Act. SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: This ground-breaking judgment is a victory for transparency and accountability in the spending of public funds. Justice Olotus judgment shows the urgent need for the Tinubu government to provide the leadership to ensure transparency and accountability for the missing N6 trillion meant to implement the abandoned projects in the Niger Delta. We commend Justice Olotu for her courage and wisdom, and urge President Bola Tinubu to immediately obey the court orders. Femi Falana said on the judgment: SERAP deserves the commendation of all well-meaning people that have agonised over reports of systemic corruption in Nigeria. This is one of the most patriotic public interest litigation ever undertaken in Nigeria. I welcome this landmark judgment, which has upheld the publics right to know exactly what happened to the N6 trillion oil money documented in the NDDC forensic audit report. The Tinubu administration must now demonstrate real commitment to transparency and accountability by immediately publishing the NDDC forensic audit report and the names of those indicted, as ordered by the court. Those suspected to be responsible should be brought to justice and the proceeds of corruption fully recovered. Delayed enforcement of Justice Olotus judgment would undermine both the fight against corruption and the rule of law in the country. The time for secrecy over the names of those indicted in the report and the report itself is over. In the letter dated 22 November, sent to President Bola Tinubu on the judgment, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, We urge you to demonstrate your expressed commitment to the rule of law by immediately obeying and respecting the judgment of the Court. SERAPs letter, read in part: We urge you to direct the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately publish the names of those indicted in the alleged misappropriation of over N6 trillion meant to implement 13,777 projects and in the running of the NDDC between 2000 and 2019. SERAP urges you to make a clean break with the past and take clear and decisive steps that demonstrate your commitment to the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the governance processes. SERAP trusts that you will see compliance with this judgment as a central aspect of the rule of law; an essential stepping stone to constructing a basic institutional framework for legality and constitutionality. We therefore look forward to your positive response and action on the judgment. SERAP filed the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021 in November 2021, seeking the disclosure of the names of those indicted in the alleged misappropriation of over N6 trillion in the running of the NDDC between 2000 and 2019 and the publication of the NDDC audit report. The suit, read in part: The missing N6 trillion and over 13,000 abandoned projects in the Niger Delta have continued to have a negative impact on the human rights of Nigerians, undermining their access to basic public goods and services, such as education, healthcare, and regular and uninterrupted electricity supply. Justice Olotu granted the following orders of mandamus against the federal government: 1. AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling the 1st Respondent to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to widely publish the names of those indicted in the alleged misappropriation of over N6, Trillion Naira in the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2000 and 2019, as documented in the submitted Forensic Audit Report. 2. AN ORDER OF MANDAMUS is hereby made directing and compelling the 1st Respondent to publish and make available to the public the Forensic Audit Report on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) submitted to him on September 2, 2021. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Bola Tinubu of surrendering to terrorists following a wave of abductions, killings, and school shutdowns across northern Nigeria. In a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday and signed by its spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, the party stated that the president must either seek external assistance or resign if he is unable to secure the country. Mr Ememobong said the federal governments response to the deepening security crisis has been slow, disjointed and dangerously passive, despite repeated attacks targeting students, worshippers, military personnel and rural communities. Week of fear and violence Nigeria has witnessed a resurgence of mass kidnappings of late. In Kebbi State, armed men abducted 25 students from a secondary school. Within days, over 300 students and staff of a Catholic Church-run school in Niger State were abducted, marking one of the largest mass abductions in years. Separately, gunmen stormed a church in Kwara State during a service, killing worshippers and abducting several others, including the presiding pastor. In another incident, terrorists claimed responsibility for killing a senior military officer, Musa Uba, a brigadier general, signalling a growing boldness among insurgent networks. The attacks have forced some northern states to shut down schools. The PDP warned that school closures play directly into the mission of extremist groups like Boko Haram, whose founding doctrine opposes Western education the phrase Boko Haram itself translates loosely to Western education is forbidden. We are aware that the closure of schools in these areas is already being implemented by some state governments and is currently being contemplated by the Federal Government, the party said. We warn that this closure, if undertaken, like many of this administrations quick-fix approaches to serious governance issues, will amount to a complete surrender to terrorists, whose sole aim is to shut down schools and prevent children from obtaining formal education, which they declare forbidden. If the schools are closed, the goal of the terrorists would have been inadvertently achieved, the PDP warned. The opposition criticised what it described as a lack of leadership from the presidency, accusing Mr Tinubu of delegating crisis response instead of taking charge. Instead of the president visiting Kebbi and Niger States to meet and sympathise with the parents of the children who are in captivity, and to address the security personnel there, he merely directed the Minister of State for Defence to relocate to Kebbi, Mr Ememobong said. This reaction is most insensitive and dismissive of the gravity of the problem by the APC-led federal government, he added. Out-of-school children Nigeria already has the worlds highest number of out-of-school children 18.3 million, according to UNICEF. The majority are in the north. The PDP said the ongoing school shutdowns will deepen illiteracy, widen poverty and entrench recruitment pipelines for armed groups. This alarm is crucial because a closure of schools will certainly exacerbate the already challenging educational situation in Northern Nigeria, where, according to UNICEF, the majority of the 18.3 million out-of-school children (10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the secondary level) in Nigeria reside. This data not only paints a grim picture but also mirrors the exact situation in Nigeria. The series of attacks and kidnappings in different states within a week is indicative of the alarming insecurity that has become the contemporary lived experience and new reality of Nigerians under the APC-led Bola Tinubu government. Insecurity under PDP Although the PDP has continued to criticise Tinubus administration for the worsening insecurity, particularly in recent weeks, the party also had its fair share of security challenges, particularly during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The Chibok schoolgirls abduction in 2014 happened under the PDP leadership and remains one of the most symbolic failures of government protection. Other deadly events including the 2011 Christmas Day bombing and large-scale attacks in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa also occurred during the PDP rule. Besides attacks in the north during Jonathans administration, there were sustained attacks on oil pipelines in the south, resulting in a loss of revenue and a record low in the countrys oil production capacity. Seek help or resign The PDP said the government must immediately implement the National Policy on Safe Schools and invest in intelligence-led early warning systems. We again remind the President and the entire APC-led administration that the security of lives and property is the primary function of any government. At any time, government is unwilling, unable, or incapable of executing this primary role, such a government must either ask for help (locally or internationally) or honourably resign, if it is sincere and responsible, the party said. Bayo Onanuga, the spokesperson to President Tinubu, did not respond to a text message requesting comments at the time of filing this report. Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has accused President Bola Tinubu of failing to protect Nigerian schoolchildren after gunmen abducted pupils and teachers from St. Marys Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, in yet another attack targeting education facilities. Mr Amaechi described the attack as part of a worsening pattern of mass abductions, referencing the recent kidnapping of schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi State. He warned that recurring assaults on schools, farms, highways and worship centres show insecurity has become systemic, national and urgent. Government abroad Last week, a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu met with the US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth after President Donald Trump placed Nigeria on a list of Countries of Particular Concern and threatened military action over alleged Christian genocide. In a statement posted on Facebook, Mr Amaechi criticised the government for what he called a troubling disconnect between insecurity at home and government priorities abroad. International cooperation is important, but when children are being abducted from schools, it is not enough to issue statements after the fact. He noted that senior security officials including the Minister of Defence, NSA, Inspector-General of Police and Chief of Defence Staff were outside the country when the attacks in Niger and Kebbi occurred. Nigerians want to see visible, coordinated, decisive and proactive action, he added. If it was his turn to lead, then it must be his turn to protect Referencing Tinubus 2022 declaration Emi lo kan (It is my turn) Mr Amaechi accused the president of failing to fulfil the responsibilities that accompany power. If it is anyones turn, then it is also the turn of Nigerian children to be protected. The right to lead cannot be separated from the duty to protect. Mr Amaechi, now a member of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a 2027 presidential hopeful, said continued mass abductions threaten what remains of public confidence in the federal government. Nigeria leads the world in out-of-school children Nigeria has more than 18 million out-of-school children the highest figure worldwide, according to UNICEF. Of these, 10.2 million are of primary school age and 8.1 million are of junior secondary age. Mr Amaechi said repeated school attacks risk permanently worsening the crisis. When children are taken from classrooms, schooling becomes a risk, not a right. These incidents damage not only todays education, but tomorrows workforce, tomorrows economy, and tomorrows peace. Mr Amaechi criticised the handling of the Safe Schools Declaration, which Nigeria endorsed in 2018 to protect schools from armed attacks. He noted that the N16 billion allocated in 2022 has not translated into a visible impact under the present administration. We cannot claim to be serious about protecting schools while abandoning a critical national structure designed to do exactly that. Experts have similarly pointed to poor implementation, weak inter-agency coordination and inconsistent budget releases. Security, not just guns it is economic stability Beyond operational failures, Mr Amaechi linked insecurity to widespread poverty and lack of livelihood opportunities. If people cannot make a legitimate income, they will create illegitimate ones. Security is not only about operations; it is about opportunity, dignity and trust in the state. He urged President Tinubu to convene the National Council of State, calling it a necessary constitutional tool in times of national crisis. If we will not use such an instrument now, when will we? Rising criticism, rising fear The latest abduction adds to a decade of mass school kidnappings that began with the 2014 Chibok incident. While some victims have been rescued or released, some remain missing. Public pressure is mounting on President Tinubu as comparisons grow between his administration and those of his predecessors Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari both of whom faced severe public backlash over insecurity. Calls for the president to resign have also emerged from political rivals, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Earlier, the former APC spokesperson and aviation regulator, Ita Awak, publicly apologised to ex-President Jonathan for calling him clueless, stating that insecurity under Tinubu is now worse. A look back: insecurity under Buhari Former President Muhammadu Buhari came to office in 2015 with promises to fight corruption and restore security. Many Nigerians expected that his military background would strengthen national defence. Instead, insecurity escalated. About 31,821 people were killed by non-state actors between May 2015 and April 2023, according to data from the Nigeria Security Tracker, analysed by ICIR. In 2021 alone, more than 5,200 Nigerians were abducted more than the total recorded between 2014 and 2019. The wave of mass violence included banditry, insurgency, ransom kidnappings and deadly farmer-herder clashes. A stark example was the November 2020 killing of more than 100 rice farmers in Koshebe, Borno State, HumAngle reported. Travel became unsafe, farms and schools shut down, and civilian faith in government capacity waned. We would have saved lives Amaechi after the AbujaKaduna train attack Mr Amaechis frustration over systemic failures dates back to his time in Buharis cabinet. After the AbujaKaduna train attack on 28 March 2022, he expressed anger that a proposed surveillance system was delayed. I am devastated, and I honestly dont know what to tell Nigerians anymore; the process of procuring the integrated security surveillance and monitoring solution has been tedious. If the processes were shortened, we would have saved lives, PREMIUM TIMES reported. We knew what the problem would be If we had that equipment, you would see anybody on that track The cost of what weve lost is more than N3 billion. We only asked for approval. He further added, If these items were here drones would have told you there were people walking around here. We even need helicopters apart from the drones. Presidency responds When contacted, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Mr Amaechis suggestions were constructive and would be considered. I am sure they will receive urgent consideration by the Federal Government. However, he disputed Mr Amaechis claim that key security leaders were absent during the latest abductions. The Commander-in-Chief is around, the DG of DSS is around and has been briefing him. The Chief of Army Staff is around and rallying troops. Those not in the country went on another crucial assignment in the US following Trumps military threats. The NSA has been in contact with security officials on the ground to get our kidnapped children released, Mr Onanuga said. President Bola Tinubu on Sunday announced that all 38 worshippers abducted during Tuesdays attack on the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Igan, in Eruku, Kwara State, have been rescued. The victims were seized by armed men who invaded the church during a prayer service on 19 November. In a statement released on Sunday, the president said he had been closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving updates on rescue operations. Thanks to the efforts of our security forces over the last few days, all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State, have been rescued, he said. He also confirmed the recovery of 51 of the 303 students and school staff members abducted in a separate attack in Niger State. The president said he cancelled his planned trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to coordinate national security efforts. Let me be clear. I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety. Under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people, he said. The announcement aligns with an earlier statement issued by the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who reported on Sunday that the abductees had regained freedom following sustained military, police and intelligence operations. The governors spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the success resulted from a coordinated response ordered by the president. According to Mr Ajakaye, the presidents directive led to heightened deployments, including four specialised police units and additional troops. He said the governor thanked the Office of the National Security Adviser, the State Security Service, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Army and the Police for what he described as many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives. The worshippers were taken when gunmen stormed their church during a midweek prayer session. The attack occurred a day before the mass abduction in Niger State and days after another case in Kebbi, widening concerns over coordinated kidnapping rings operating across the North Central and North West regions. The Eruku abduction had drawn nationwide attention after the attackers killed three people and took away the 38 worshippers, mostly women and children. The state government responded by imposing temporary school closures in parts of Kwara and convening a security council meeting where commanders reviewed air missions, arrests and ground operations. Further details about the rescue, including the location and condition of the victims, are expected to be released after official debriefings. Individuals named Bamard are typically perceived as possessing bear-like qualities - strong, protective, and resilient. They often demonstrate natural leadership abilities combined with a protective instinct toward family and community. These individuals tend to be grounded, practical problem-solvers who approach challenges with methodical determination rather than impulsive action. Their strength is often complemented by a surprising gentleness in personal relationships, much like the bear's reputation for fierce protection balanced with nurturing care of its young. Bamards are frequently described as reliable anchors in their social circles, providing stability and security to those around them. They typically excel in situations requiring endurance and long-term commitment, whether in professional endeavors or personal relationships, and their presence often brings a sense of safety and dependability to any group dynamic. The personality traits associated with Bamard reflect the name's meaning of 'brave as a bear,' combining courage with a deeply rooted sense of responsibility and loyalty to those in their care. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security for Very Important Persons (VIPs) in the country. Henceforth, police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties. The presidential directive was issued during a security meeting held by President Tinubu on Sunday, attended by the police, air force, army chiefs, and the Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS) in Abuja. According to the presidential directive, VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few police officers at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult. In view of the current security challenges facing the country, the president is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities. READ ALSO: Thirteen people abducted as soldiers kill 18 Boko Haram insurgents in Borno Already, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide. Sundays meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Ajayi. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President, (Information and Strategy) November 23, 2025 Responses to Nigerias designation as a country of particular concern for religious freedoms have emphasised a seemingly uniform distribution of violence. While general insecurity is a valid concern, a focus on only terrorist violence will miss the specific nature of religious violence. This includes the overt targeting of Christian-majority communities, and the structural effect of Islamic laws on non-Muslims. Importantly, religious groups face both overt and structural forms of violence, but Christians are not its only victims. Nigeria has again been named a country of particular concern (CPC) for religious freedoms, after the US President, Donald Trump accused its government of allowing the killing of Christians. Ironically, the statements from Trump and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), have missed the core issues: instead of a genocide against Christians, Nigeria faces systemic violence against religious communities and suppression of the freedom of religion or belief (FORB). There are specific forms of violence against religious communities, including Christians, but the clues to these are not what Trump points to. While I dismiss the claims about a purported genocide, I wish to stress two points about anti-Christian violence in Nigeria. First, the anti-blasphemy laws in Northern Nigeria have been widely criticised. Although more Muslims are prosecuted under these laws than non-Muslims, Christians accused of blasphemy often face grimmer outcomes. But Sharia laws and governance practices challenge the secular nature of Nigeria and deepen concerns of anti-Christian violence. While many Christians live in Sharia-governed areas, Islamic laws limit their citizenship and freedoms. These limitations include the forced compliance with Ramadan fasting; ban on sale and consumption of alcohol; forced separation between males and females in public, including in public schools; state sponsorship of religious activities; and restricted access to land for non-Muslim religious groups. Sadly, over time, these restrictions have become invisible, even to Christian leaders. Johan Galtungs work on structural violence is relevant here: indirect violence embedded in social structures can, over time, inflict more harm than sporadic episodes of direct violence. Second, violence in the so-called farmerherder conflict disproportionately affects Christians. For instance, over 1,000 persons have been killed in Benue in the past two years in attacks often attributed to Muslim Fulani herders, but rarely substantiated. While these attacks may not be inherently anti-Christian, the demographics mean that most victims are Christians. But without thorough investigations, and with a perceived lack of empathy from officials, many of whom are Muslim, some Christian leaders are convinced that they are facing attempts at a genocide. Anti-Christian violence combines the limitations that non-Muslims face under Islamic law, as well as the unclaimed violence in central Nigeria. But labelling all perpetrators as terrorists is inaccurate, as this points to the proscribed armed groups whom the Nigerian State and its allies have fought for over a decade. We need a better framing to also account for the inequities embedded in Nigerian laws and governance. Two cases illustrate government inaction. In 2016, citizens led by a Catholic priest asked the regional ECOWAS Court of Justice to compel the Nigerian government to investigate massacres in Agatu, Benue State. The Nigerian government challenged the courts jurisdiction, rather than showing its investigation. Similarly, in May 2022, Deborah Samuel, a Christian student accused of blasphemy, was lynched by a mob in Sokoto. The police charged the suspects with criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbance, not murder. Nevertheless, the case was dismissed only seven months later due to lack of diligent prosecution by the police. Such responses by the state give credence to Trumps accusation that the government is allowing the killing of Christians. However, this underwhelming state response extends to violence affecting all religious, ethnic, and political groups. Trumps statement alternately blames Islamic terrorists and terrorist thugs for the anti-Christian violence, but if he is referring to Boko Haram, then it is inaccurate to frame their violence as exclusively anti-Christian. Boko Haram has killed more Muslims than members of any other religion. Nevertheless, the groups anti-Christian stance and attacks should not be ignored. Consider the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls (mostly Christians) in Chibok, and the governments failure to rescue Leah Sharibu, a Christian student, while it secured the release of all her Muslim classmates. Anti-Christian violence combines the limitations that non-Muslims face under Islamic law, as well as the unclaimed violence in central Nigeria. But labelling all perpetrators as terrorists is inaccurate, as this points to the proscribed armed groups whom the Nigerian State and its allies have fought for over a decade. We need a better framing to also account for the inequities embedded in Nigerian laws and governance. For example, when Nigeria sent a recent delegation to the US, they framed their discussion on counterterrorism, not justice or governance. Recent news highlights new waves of violence in Nigeria, including a church attack caught on livestream. The perpetrators are not worried about designations and the threat of American military intervention. Public officials are denying the claim of genocide, but concerning steps to improve religious freedoms, there is silence. The US is considering targeted sanctions against Nigerian officials complicit in suppressing religious freedoms. This would help. Partners can also assist security and judicial institutions to prioritise prosecutions of religious and identity-based violence. Diplomatic posts and trade missions can also help secure safety guarantees for businesses that are threatened, and compensation for disruptions. Strongly worded statements like Trumps may be necessary, but regional and international cooperation are even better. In international fora, Nigeria should be charged to uphold human rights and address violence, and it would help if other countries would demand for Nigeria to post its ambassadors. At the state level, partners can press for policy coherence on limiting Islamic law to Muslims, clearer boundaries for blasphemy laws, and greater action against mob violence. The US is considering targeted sanctions against Nigerian officials complicit in suppressing religious freedoms. This would help. Partners can also assist security and judicial institutions to prioritise prosecutions of religious and identity-based violence. Diplomatic posts and trade missions can also help secure safety guarantees for businesses that are threatened, and compensation for disruptions. Responses to Nigerias designation as a country of particular concern for religious freedoms have emphasised a seemingly uniform distribution of violence. While general insecurity is a valid concern, a focus on only terrorist violence will miss the specific nature of religious violence. This includes the overt targeting of Christian-majority communities, and the structural effect of Islamic laws on non-Muslims. Importantly, religious groups face both overt and structural forms of violence, but Christians are not its only victims. Nengak Daniel Gondyi is a PhD Candidate in International Environment and Development Studies at the Norwegian University of Life Science (NMBU) in As, Norway. This is why Nigeria must insist on telling its whole truth. A truth that honours Christian and Muslim victims equally. A truth that identifies governance collapse not religious persecution as the central driver of violence. A truth that demands stronger institutions, better security responses and international partnerships rooted in accuracy, not ideology. If Nigeria does not reclaim its story, others will continue telling it badly, and when the wrong story becomes the worlds truth, the decisions that follow may be ones Nigeria, in its fragile state, cannot survive. When a country is placed on Americas Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) list, it never remains a technical diplomatic category. It becomes a permanent shadow that trails the nation into investment discussions, military cooperation and the private rooms where powerful actors decide who to trust. Nigeria now carries that shadow, and for a country already overwhelmed by multiple security emergencies, the weight of this designation is neither abstract nor symbolic. It is political, economic and potentially destabilising. The most worrying aspect is that the designation rests on a narrative that fractures upon contact with reality: the claim that Nigeria is enabling a Christian genocide. It is a narrative that sounds coherent in Washingtons hearing rooms, where testimonies are polished and emotions are guided. Yet, once you step away from those rooms and into the communities where violence shapes the rhythm of daily life, the story changes completely. A Narrative Travelling Faster Than Truth The genocide narrative has spread quickly because it offers a clean explanation for a crisis that is anything but clean. It moved through congressional hearings, diaspora networks, lobbying circles and social-media echo chambers that seldom include those who bury their loved ones at dawn. In those distant spaces, the narrative feels straightforward and morally comfortable, but on Nigerian soil, it dissolves into a far more complex and painful reality. In Zamfara, over four hundred villages, mostly Muslim, have been emptied by bandits who kill for profit and control, not in the name of faith. In Katsina and Sokoto, entire communities have disappeared from maps, destroyed by criminal groups with no ideological agenda. In Plateau, twenty-five Muslim travellers were dragged from their vehicles and murdered in broad daylight by mobs from nearby Christian communities. In Anambra, Harira Jibril, pregnant and exhausted, was killed alongside her four children, simply because gunmen identified them as Muslims. These stories do not erase the suffering of Christian families who face similar horrors. Instead, they reveal what the genocide narrative refuses to confront: that the violence in Nigeria does not travel in one direction. It shifts according to geography, vulnerability, and an almost two-decade-long crack in the states security architecture. Just as Muslims do not assign collective guilt to Christians, Christians cannot assign collective blame to all Muslims for the crimes of extremists who misuse faith. Where the Evidence Falls Apart Genocide is not a rhetorical weapon; it is a legal term defined by intent. It requires a deliberate plan to exterminate a group of people because of who they are. Nigerias conflict landscape does not support that claim. In the North-East, Boko Haram targets Christians and Muslims alike, killing clerics who oppose extremism, villagers who refuse allegiance, and children caught in the crossfire. More than two million people of mixed faiths live in displacement camps, united not by creed but by vulnerability. In the North-West, the violence is driven by banditry, ransom economies, and territorial capture. Armed groups raid for money, power and fear, not ideology, and their victims are overwhelmingly Muslim. In the Middle Belt, a different logic governs the conflict: old land disputes, generational grievances, and cycles of retaliation. More than ten thousand people have been killed across Plateau, Benue, Katsina and Kebbi in just two years, yet none of these killings reflect a coordinated national extermination plan. Across the country, the devastation is staggering: thousands of villages razed, millions displaced, and livelihoods erased. Still, no pattern points to state-sponsored religious cleansing. Nigerias crisis is a knot of collapsing borders, unregulated weapons, drug-fuelled gangs, under-resourced security forces, and abandoned communities struggling to survive without the protection of their own government. When Foreign Narratives Replace Local Truth The danger begins when a single narrative becomes the only lens through which a country is understood. Sympathy for Christian victims is legitimate, but when that sympathy becomes exclusive, Muslim victims vanish entirely from the story. Their widows do not appear in Washington. Their mass graves do not trend. Their displacement does not register in global reports. A national tragedy becomes a one-directional script, and in that script, the failures of governance disappear behind the simplified idea of religious persecution. Once this misdiagnosed story takes root in Washington, policies begin to bend around it. Sanctions are proposed as moral pressure. Restrictions on arms sales are framed as accountability. Intervention is whispered as a last resort. These policies do not ask whether the next life at risk belongs to a Christian grandmother in Zangon Kataf or a Muslim farmer in Zurmi. They strike everyone equally, often worsening insecurity for those already living at the edge of danger. The Grief That Defines the Crisis In Kaduna, three years ago, I sat with a widow who lost her husband in a night attack. She did not know the attackers or their motives. All she knew was that when gunshots shattered the silence, no one came to help not the nearby police post, not the patrol team she had been assured would protect them, not the state she believed would stand between her family and danger. Her grief was neither Christian nor Muslim. It was the grief of a Nigerian who discovered, in one devastating moment, that she was on her own. Her story echoes across northern Nigeria. In Katsina, a man from Dansadau recounted how bandits demanded a tax of 200,000 in exchange for peace. When villagers failed to pay, the killings began, farms were abandoned, and hunger forced families across the border. Over eighty thousand Nigerians now live as refugees in Nigers Maradi region, while nearly four hundred thousand are displaced across Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara. Many do not appear in the data of Washington because they are Muslims? They sleep in classrooms, abandoned buildings, unfinished shops, and borrowed compounds. Their lives are held together by resilience and charity, not by state protection. From Plateau to Benue to Zamfara, the scenes repeat themselves: midnight escapes, separated families, villages negotiating with bandits and people surviving despite the government, not because of it. A Crisis Rooted in State Fragility Nigerias emergency is not a religious war; it is a terrifying manifestation of state fragility. Borders allow weapons to flow freely. Security forces operate with broken vehicles and empty fuel tanks. Criminal groups evolve faster than government responses. In many villages, the most powerful authority is the local bandit leader, not the state. Communities negotiate peace at gunpoint, surrender parts of their harvest as taxes and accept rules imposed by criminals because the state is too weak to govern. This is not the blueprint of genocide. It is the anatomy of state failure. And it is state failure not a government-backed religious mission that is killing Nigerians of all identities. Reclaiming Nigerias Story Nigeria cannot allow outsiders to dictate the meaning of its suffering. Foreign partners may care, but they must care responsibly. A misdiagnosed story in Washington becomes a policy; a policy becomes a precedent; and a precedent becomes a long-term obstacle to Nigerias security and development. Sanctions, arms restrictions and diplomatic isolation hit the vulnerable hardest, not the architects of state weakness. This is why Nigeria must insist on telling its whole truth. A truth that honours Christian and Muslim victims equally. A truth that identifies governance collapse not religious persecution as the central driver of violence. A truth that demands stronger institutions, better security responses and international partnerships rooted in accuracy, not ideology. If Nigeria does not reclaim its story, others will continue telling it badly, and when the wrong story becomes the worlds truth, the decisions that follow may be ones Nigeria, in its fragile state, cannot survive. Ismail Auwal is a freelance journalist. Today, the international community watches Nigeria the way one watches a sick relative concerned, impatient, and inches away from stepping in. But foreign intervention is not salvation; it is a sign that sovereignty is slipping away. We must not allow Nigerias story to be rewritten by outsiders. Before the world acts for us, we must act for ourselves. Before our cracks expand into canyons, we must mend the foundations. Before the fault lines erupt, we must reinforce the walls. There are moments in the life of a nation when the ground trembles not because it is breaking, but as warning. Nigeria has come to such a moment. The recent global outcry over religious killings, coupled with rising rhetoric about a possible foreign military intervention, has dragged our internal wounds onto the international stage. Like a buried fault line rising to the surface, the violence we have normalised now threatens to become a continental earthquake. The scripture speaks with piercing clarity: A city broken down and without walls is a man who lacks self-control (Proverbs 25:28). Today our nation resembles such a city cracked walls, unmended breaches, and a storm gathering just beyond the horizon. The world has taken notice, and the consequences of that attention may shape our destiny for decades. The roots of religious violence in Nigeria are neither new nor singular. They are layered sediments of mistrust, political manipulation, economic deprivation, and unhealed historical grievances. What the world simplistically tags as religious conflict is, in reality, an intersection where several streams of trouble converge. In the North-East, Boko Haram and ISWAP continue their reigns of terror, driven by extremist ideology but fuelled by poverty, state absence, and a generation raised amid broken schools and broken promises. Across the Middle Belt, herderfarmer clashes rage on. These are often framed as Muslim vs Christian, yet the deeper fuel is competition over land, water, grazing routes, and sheer survival. Climate shifts push herders southward; population growth tightens land availability; criminal gangs exploit the tensions; and soon a dispute over grass is recast as a war of faith. A dry riverbed can become a raging torrent after a single heavy rainfall; likewise, economic grievances become religious warfare when identity becomes the weapon. Political elites, from colonial times to todays democracy, have mastered the art of mixing religion and ethnicity to mobilise support. Every election cycle, identity becomes the tinder they scatter, leaving ordinary citizens to deal with the blaze. Compounding this is the weakness of our institutions: slow justice, unequal prosecution, underfunded policing, and a security apparatus stretched beyond endurance. In such an environment, communities prefer revenge to courts because this is swift, even if destructive. Where the law is slow, violence becomes fast. As the scripture warns, Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint (Proverbs 29:18). In Nigeria, where accountability is weak, restraint collapses and the land bleeds. This is the context in which the world now contemplates intervention. When a powerful nation publicly threatens military action over religious killings, two truths emerge: the world sees Nigeria as unwilling or unable to protect its vulnerable, and foreign involvement, once introduced into public discourse, gains its own momentum. This is where sober caution is required. History teaches that foreign armies rarely arrive to fix a problem; they come to manage interests. Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan are fresh reminders. External force can fracture a nation further, embolden extremist recruitment, and unleash unintended humanitarian disasters. Even when clothed in moral outrage, foreign intervention is a blunt instrument swung at a delicate problem. The scripture insists, Wisdom is better than weapons of war (Ecclesiastes 9:18). Nigeria needs wisdom, reform, and justice not rescue by outsiders. Nigeria now stands at a fork in the road. If governance continues to lag behind population growth, if impunity continues to mock justice, if politicians persist in weaponising religion, and if millions of young people remain locked out of meaningful livelihoods, the violence will not diminish it will expand. It will flow like tributaries feeding a river, merging into a national crisis too complex for any external military to untangle. Our present crisis did not appear overnight. It is the slow accumulation of unresolved historical issues. Colonial indirect rule entrenched ethnic and religious divisions. The Maitatsine riots of the 1980s created a template for violent extremism. The introduction of Sharia law in some Northern states in 1999 sharpened identity tensions. Our population has tripled since 1975, pressuring land, jobs, housing, and social cohesion. Rapid urban migrations created fragile coexistence in towns where a single rumour can set communities ablaze. These events are not scattered accidents; they are tectonic plates shifting beneath our national soil. Nigeria now stands at a fork in the road. If governance continues to lag behind population growth, if impunity continues to mock justice, if politicians persist in weaponising religion, and if millions of young people remain locked out of meaningful livelihoods, the violence will not diminish it will expand. It will flow like tributaries feeding a river, merging into a national crisis too complex for any external military to untangle. Yet, there is another path. A safer future emerges when Nigeria treats religious violence not as a headline but as an emergency. When justice becomes swift, impartial, and visible. When the state becomes strong enough to protect all, and fair enough to be trusted by all. The window for this restoration is still open but narrowing. The time to act is while the ground trembles, not after it breaks. Young Nigerians, the nations largest demographic, hold the decisive key. What they choose to do or fail to do will determine whether Nigeria heals or fractures. They must become builders of bridges, not walls. In a polarised nation, the future belongs to those who intentionally create interfaith and interethnic friendships, dialogue groups, joint projects, campus peace clubs, and digital interfaith spaces. Extremism loses oxygen when young people refuse to inherit ancient hatreds. They must also guard the truth fiercely. The next major conflict in Nigeria will likely be inflamed by misinformation. Young Nigerians must learn to verify claims, document evidence properly, and shut down false narratives before they spark violence. In a fragile nation, truth itself becomes national security. They must pursue skills that create economic stability. Idle hands are not only the devils workshop they are a recruiters paradise. Digital skills, vocational clusters, agriculture cooperatives, and innovation hubs serve as economic anchors, preventing the drift into violent networks. They must demand accountable leadership with more seriousness than hashtags. A generation that criticises but does not vote is building its future on guesswork. The youth must insist on credible elections, police reform, transparent local governance, and an end to identity-based politics. They must revive local conflict-resolution systems by partnering with traditional rulers, the clergy, and community elders, to defuse tensions before they explode. Prevention, in all its forms, is cheaper than peacekeeping. The scripture reminds us, Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach (Proverbs 14:34). A generation steeped in cynicism, revenge, and tribal bigotry cannot midwife peace. But a generation governed by justice, truth, restraint, and compassion can rebuild even the most broken walls. They must also protect the idea of Nigeria. Above all, this generation must prepare morally and spiritually. No nation rises above the character of its youth. The scripture reminds us, Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach (Proverbs 14:34). A generation steeped in cynicism, revenge, and tribal bigotry cannot midwife peace. But a generation governed by justice, truth, restraint, and compassion can rebuild even the most broken walls. They must also protect the idea of Nigeria. Every viable nation is built on an idea: liberty for America, civilisation for China, covenant for Israel. Nigeria must rediscover its own idea that a multi-faith, multi-ethnic nation can prove to the world that diversity does not doom destiny. Today, the international community watches Nigeria the way one watches a sick relative concerned, impatient, and inches away from stepping in. But foreign intervention is not salvation; it is a sign that sovereignty is slipping away. We must not allow Nigerias story to be rewritten by outsiders. Before the world acts for us, we must act for ourselves. Before our cracks expand into canyons, we must mend the foundations. Before the fault lines erupt, we must reinforce the walls. As the Psalmist urges, Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee (Psalm 122:6). Nigeria, too, deserves such prayer and such responsibility. The future remains open. Whether from it becomes a battlefield or a testimony depends on what Nigerians do now, especially the young. The ground is shaking, but a nation that confronts its fault lines can still find its footing. Sunday Ogidigbo is Senior Pastor of Holyhill Church, Abuja. He writes on faith, leadership, and the intersection of spirituality and culture. X/Instagram/Facebook: @SOgidigbo. Email: [email protected] Famous Ogbomoso, Oyo State-born bard, Ogundare Foyanmu, had some words for evil spins and spinners. Religionists call these spinners workers of iniquity. They are a legion in Nigerian politics. Foyanmu popularized this genre of oral poetry called Ijala Ode traditionally chanted by hunters and warriors. Though a special verbal art of worshipers of Ogun, the Yoruba god of iron and war, Ijala is sung by hunters most times at their leisure, upon return from hunting expeditions. In an Ijala chant which he entitled Ore Odale Betrayer Foyanmu chanted: While the liar dies and his legs are buried in a sprinkle of ashes; the evil one, at death, has his legs laid inside hot charcoal, the legs of the righteous, at death, are stretched inside a coffin made of brass. The bard rendered the poetry thus in Yoruba: Puropuro lo ku soju eeru o/Sikasika ku, o na se saaro/Sooto-sooto nikan lo ku sinu posi ide. In this particular poetry, Foyanmu compared evil-doers to alagabagebe hypocrites. They are deft and adept at killing and burying their victims, away from the gaze of the world. He, however, reminded them that when they have successfully killed and safely buried their victims, God alone is one who could take the evil shovel off their hands and unbowel their dark secrets. You will see Foyanmus poetry in action in Sayo Alagbes Ijala: Ogundare Foyanmu (2006). On the night of April 14, 2014, rumour took over the Nigerian space. On that night, as Islamic jihadists trucks and buses forcibly conveying abducted 276 girls from Chibok, Borno State, disappeared into the Sambisa forest, a scary rumour whooshed in the Nigerian air. The girls were aged 16 to 18 and students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok. It brings the question, what is the place of rumour in our everyday society? Nicholas DiFonzo and Prashant Bordia, in their Rumor, gossip and urban legends Diogenes (2007) say rumour is an unverified and instrumentally relevant information statement in circulation. Simply put, you can dismiss rumour at your peril. Because, as the ago (costume) shawls the masquerade from view, the egungun could emerge from the ago as human after all. As such, even with power, majesty and Intel reports at his disposal, as the Jihadists ferried the girls into Sambisa, President Goodluck Jonathan chose to queue behind rumour as an instrumentally relevant information. Rumour then assumed the place of fact. But, what was the rumour of Chibok? That the abducted schoolgirls, mostly Christians and a sprinkle Muslims, were instruments in the hands of Nigerian politicians. But, how? When? Why? While the All Progressives Congress (APC) was seeking to meander its way into Aso Rock in 2014, it was caught in the web of that rumour. Before anyone could stand in its way, the rumour had spiraled in like a typhoon. Even the maishai hawking hot tea by the sidewalks was sold the hot rumour. It was retailed on every outlet. Deft politicians of the APC were said to have woven the plot like a spider weaves its gossamer. Having brilliantly pelted the sour grape of lacklustre and clueless on Jonathan, ineptitude would finally ram in the last nail on his governments coffin. America would buy it and APC would coast home to power. The rumour goes thus: enlisting local militants to siphon the girls out of Chibok was a top-notch political masterplan to tar-brush Jonathan. It has been said that the global outrage the Chibok abduction courted, with Barack Obama and his wife becoming willing recruits of the agenda, incinerated Jonathan. Its effect was so massive that, when he got to the polls in 2015, Jonathan was as worthless as a roll of tissue paper. For a very long time, a Big Man in the APC, said to have been handed the job of ferrying those girls out of Chibok, was never in good terms with Jonathan. Now, pay-day is here. Fast-forward to last week. When their projection hits the bulls eye, Yoruba say, the Babalawo had hardly unpacked his Ifa divination tablet, also known as an Opon Ifa, than physical affirmation of his prophecy came to pass. DiFonzo and Bordias rumour definition again perched on us like a recalcitrant vulture on carcass. Events of last week earned the epaulette to be saluted as Nigerias most harrowing week. Gory occurrences happened in less than 24 hours span from one another. They were followed by high-quality rumours which traveled at the speed of light, bearing cadences of truth. Nigerias recent insecurity nightmares, the rumours say, are pay-day for persons in this government who, eleven years ago, gathered to cook a broth of lies with faggots of untruth. Time is a scatterer. Yoruba, chanting the unflattering cognomen of Time, say it scatters while evil ones build an anthill of lies. They thus nickname it atuwon ka nibi won gbe ndana iro. Last week, years of gathering to cook a broth of untruth with institutional and establishment lies burst and scattered like the dry fruits of agbaarin, the velvet bean. That bean is also known as cowhage. During dry season, unceremoniously, the agbaarin splinters into numberless pieces. So, the hidden evil broth whose cooking became springboard for the burning of a whole house, would seem to have become public knowledge. If you saw last weeks viral video of worshipers at a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church, (CAC) Eruku in Kwara State, the picture you would get is a prostrate Nigeria, on its knees. When you add that sobering picture to last Tuesdays story of armed Islamic terrorists killing of a vice principal, abducting at least 25 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, as well as the killing of a Nigerian Brigadier-General by ISWAP terrorists, the picture becomes complete. The week was almost ending when another horror occurred. Three hundred and fifteen students of St. Marys Catholic Secondary and Primary School, Papiri, Niger State were abducted. So huge is the terror that, in panic, government shut all the 47 unity colleges. When you dig a trench to bury your enemy, folk wisdom counsels that you dig it as shallow as possible. The nugget of the counsel is that, that same trench may well be your sepulcher. In the wake of the week of palpable agony that was unleashed on Nigeria last week, the Jonathan narrative returned to Nigerian public discourse. It is the narrative of a Nigeria being run by a government that is clueless in taming the shrew of insecurity, but heavy in propaganda. The Obamas have now been replaced by Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and co. as taunters of those who dug Jonathans grave. Evil has turned full circle. The Eruku church invasion has preyed on the subconscious of the world ever since. Its preying comes with terrifying and terrorizing images. We saw a pastor, with an interpreter by his side, holding forte. With a rapturous congregation, they prayed against existential calamities. How were they to know that the devil, who they daggered with their religious swords, was at an arms length, ready for retaliation? All of a sudden, the melancholic rat-a-tat of automatic gun rifles ricocheted through the church premises. The pastor and his interpreter at first resisted the instinct to flee. Children wailed. Adults groaned. They ran hither thither. The ricochet would not cease. The image that has refused to leave my mind is that of the elderly woman. Frail, senescent and helpless, age couldnt allow Grandma sprint off danger. The old womans back bent by age, the traditional church women scarf firmly plastered on her head, she tottered snailishly, seemingly oblivious of death that lurked by the corner. Grandma epitomizes the plight of helplessness of average Nigerians in the hands of those who lead them. Grandma must have painfully walked, with a combination of all muscles in her veins, in strides that appeared leisurely, all in the bid to beat the manic gaits of the rampaging bandits. It reminds me of the saying that, in the innermost recess of the cripple lies dance steps. He is however restrained by an inner force. The force, in the case of Grandma, was age. Yet, the gun would not cease. It boomed frighteningly. And then, the bandits stormed the church of God. Sporadic gunshots exploded. It was as if Eruku was Kyiv. Even before the invaders eventually stepped their infidel feet into the House of God, its premises were bleeding blood from fear of guns. When they eventually stepped their blood-stained feet on Gods sacred groove, the mainstreaming cameras caught the innermost recess of their hearts. It was thirsty for the blood of worshipers. Their physiognomy was unmistakable. It was that of our national tormentors, the Fula ethnic group, otherwise called Fulani. Dispersed across the Sahara, Sahel, West Africa and northern parts of Central Africa, South Sudan, Darfur and regions near the Red Sea coast in Sudan, this ethnic group has a sacred bonding that goes beyond the surreal. They are a large and widely dispersed Muslim ethnic group renowned as the worlds largest nomadic group. They are monolithic, with estimates putting their population figure between 25 and 40 million people worldwide. Though native to countries like Senegal and Ethiopia, their concentration is dense principally in Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, and Niger. They are as cohesive as ants. The glue that binds the Fula, in spite of their widespreadness, is their language, history and culture. They are like the biblical Hebrew tribe whose main features were their patrilineal descent from Jacob (Israel), their ancestral division into twelve distinct tribes, as well as their unique characteristics and destinies. As Hebrews are a unified nation developed into a nation with a common language and religion, so are the Fula. Though they lack an ancestral figure like the Hebrews do in Jacob, Fulani possess key characteristics of tribal structure and are almost completely of the Islamic faith, with a sprinkling minority of Christians or animists. In Nigeria, they are at the pinnacle of power. One of their topmost bloodlines in government today is Nigerias National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. So also was Muhammadu Buhari, who was once quoted to have said in 2013 that the military offensive against Boko Haram is anti-North. Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was also openly supportive of Fulani terror. In a viral video which had him crying and asking for retaliation, Isa Pantami, Nigerias erstwhile Minister of Communications, cried that there were retaliatory attacks against insurgents. In another sermon, Pantami called Boko Haram Islamic Jihadists our Muslim brothers who were being massacred like pigs rather than being accorded the privileges of Niger Delta militants. Under the Muhammadu Buhari presidency, a top official of that government shocked Nigerians when he said the Fula of countries in Africa had the inalienable rights to ingress into and egress out of Nigeria. They didnt need Visas. Last Tuesday, the Fula tormentors, cuddling menacing rifles like a mother cuddles her newborn, stormed Eruku. They stomped in like an army of occupation. Inhabitants said they got prior Intel of their invasion which they shared with security agencies. The question is, would Fula top chiefs manning Nigerian security hurt their bloodline to appease Eruku infidels? So, they struck. Viral videos of their clinical operation showed about five armed bandits. They meticulously ransacked the place of worship and carted away belongings of church members. Their faces were menacing, heads plastered with caps of blood, and hands bearing weapons of bloodshed. It was a terrifying sight. Children wailed. Adults cried. None of them could stop the blood-thirsty gun-wielders. As congregants scampered hither and thither, they encountered their Fula killers right inside the church. At the end of the raid, press reports claimed the attackers killed three worshipers. They must have muttered Allahu akbar as they did this. Kwara State has confirmed that 38 worshipers, which included the pastor and congregants, were equally rounded up and marched into the forest. But, judging by its contiguity to the southwest, does Tinubu know that the next place to walk into for the Fulani terrorists of Eruku is Yorubaland? Twenty four hours before, the terrorists found encore in Maga. Around 4a.m. on Monday, they struck this sleepy town in Kebbi State. It was the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area that they chose. Maga brings fond memories of Kebbi State to me.Thirty two years ago, I saw caravans of traders, travelling on their mules galloping across the deserts through Yelwa-Yauri, Koko-Besse, Zuru, Suru, Jega, down to Argungu. Maga existed for us in conversations. Carrion-hungry ravens would seem to have polluted the unvarnished peace of Kebbi. When they concluded their pre-dawn raid of terror, 25 students were matched into the bush while the vice principal and a security guard were said to have been shot dead. In an interview, Malama Amina, wife of the slain vice principal, said the Jihadists, who dressed in army camouflage, spoke fluent Fulfude. If you follow the unleashing of terror on the Nigerian space this past week, its abnormality would strike you firsthand. Was there a choreographed attempt to foist the narrative of an inept leadership? Or Christian persecution? The incongruities are manifest. One is that, kidnap of school students, since Chibok, would seem to have receded. Why its resurgence now? Second is that, the inundation of the country with about four terrorist attacks in one week cannot be a happenstance. Piling the horrors into one single week raises a red flag of suspicion. At a time when America is firing its tempers at Tinubu from all cylinders, even an incompetent military analyst would confirm that this fusillade of attacks is not organic. In the manner of a recent lingo curated in Ibadan, Oyo State, that went viral, it looks like some persons, sitting somewhere, have chosen to cure past madness or even recent ones, with madness. The upsurge of violence in Nigeria by Islamic fundamentalists looks like what Yoruba would refer to as egbinrin ote. It is a complex and endless web of plots, intrigues and conspiracies. In this roller-coaster of intrigues, any attempt to find solution to one plot leads to more plots surfacing. It is comparable to a recurring infestation of disease. To douse the fire of egbinrin ote requires tact. Nigeria must do three things to wean this repeated violent blood-let off it. First, we must find out what the ideology of Boko Haram and other Islamists is. It is only when we know what makes them tick that we can find solutions to the insurgents irritancy. It is apparent that the book is Haram philosophy credited to the insurgents spiritual leader, Mohammed Yusuff, is no longer the Jihadists current ideology. Is the ideology a Fulanisation agenda? Is it Islamic? Is it ethnic? These questions become necessary because there is so much Fulanisation wrapped round the Boko Haram insurgency which makes prising them apart difficult. Second, in trying to tame this Frankensteins monster of insurgency and banditry, the Tinubu government must come clean with itself, just as it must be ready to clean the Augean stable. For so long, Nigeria has accommodated seeds of destruction within itself like the proverbial foetuses within the gaboon viper, (Oka) which my people believe will eventually kill the snake. In Nigerias week of terror, security forces were fingered as enabling the insurgents. Government must clearly identify military barons and their civilian accomplices who see insurgency as business, religion or tribe. Upon identification, it must go after them with the venom of the western taipan, a species of extremely venomous snake of central east Australia origin. Saboteurs are a legion at the apex of power and are agents of the multiplication of the seeds of insurgency in Nigeria. It was this crack that Donald Trump entered in performing his disgraceful country showmanship. If Tinubu will, this hour, de-emphasise the politics of 2027 and embrace country, we will not have to repeat this orgy of bloodshed and kidnapping of our children. Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist. Alexander Hamilton may have called the judiciary the least dangerous branch, having neither force nor will but merely judgment, but in taking his personal fealty anthem to the floor of the judges conference, President Tinubu sought to relocate the source of the judicial function from its constitutional foundation to personal loyalty to him. The question he raised is simple: On whose mandate do judges stand? The judges cannot duck the issue posed by the presidents symbolic choice of battleground. I had discovered since my appointment as a High Court judge that most of the politicians in Nigeria and, indeed, in other developing countries only pay lip-service to the independence of the judiciary. It pays in the end for a judge, even at the risk of being a snob or of haughtiness, to be somewhat aloof, not only from members of the Executive, but also from political powerbrokers. Atanda Fatayi Williams, Faces, Cases and Places, pp. 77-78 (1983) Atanda Fatayi Williams, the fourth Chief Justice of post-colonial Nigeria (CJN), has not always received the kind of credit that he probably should for a judicial career of impact. Few judicial careers in Nigerian history can compete with that of this grand-son of an Ijebu merchant in terms of both legacy and luminosity. Sworn in as a judge a mere seven days after independence on 7 October 1960, Justice Fatayi Williams was the first person to be appointed a judge in post-independence Nigeria. 19 years later, he became Nigerias first Chief Justice of the presidential era. In this capacity, he was the first CJN to truly feel the pulse of the elected president as both head of state and head of government. It was his good fortune that the president during his tenure as CJN was the emollient Alhaji Shehu Shagari but he saw enough to leave him a sceptic about judicial dalliance with politicians. In Nigeria he warned in his memoirs, familiarity does not breed contempt. It breeds obligation. people with whom you are friendly expect you to bend the rules to suit their requirements. As CJN, Fatayi Williams pioneered the All Nigeria Judges Conference in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, on 8 March 1982. That was one year after the current CJN became a lawyer. Shehu Shagari, then the president, traveled to Ilorin to address the conference. His presence and delivery bore the hallmarks of the polished modesty that defined Shagaris long public service career. The conference has grown since then to become a biennial tradition of the bench of Nigerias Superior Courts of Record. For many judges, the opportunity to mix, introspect, and learn together with colleagues from across the country, both serving and retired, is the highpoint of every judicial biennium. The conference is also an opportunity for judges as a collective to diagnose common problems that afflict the judicial branch, think together, and communicate with the other branches of government on policy matters adjacent or relevant to the judiciary. For the past decade-and-a-half, the conference has acquired a permanent home on the premises of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja. This years conference began on 17 November at the same venue. The Administrator of the NJI, Babatunde Adejumo, himself a former president of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, ran the floor under the direction of the Chair of the Institute, who is also the CJN. As befits a conference with the president of Nigeria in attendance, the opening of the conference was supposed to be brisk. The Administrator of the NJI had to be persuaded from lingering on the microphone with prolix protocol. Thereafter, it was the turn of the CJN. Her delivery made a case that appeared both respectable and heartfelt, inviting her colleagues to defend and deepen democracy in Nigeria by ensuring that justice is not only done but manifestly seen to be done in every courtroom, across every jurisdiction, and in every case. With deftness, she acknowledged widespread notions that judicial decisions in Nigeria are sometimes vulnerable to external influences, a euphemism for perceptions of both corruption and capture of the judiciary; and admitted with candour that there are some within our ranks who have undermined the integrity of the Bench. She hoped that this must change but stopped short of saying how or when. The CJN ended her address by inviting President Bola Tinubu to address the judges and declare the conference open. As she unfurled this introduction and transition, the judges gathered in the Andrews Otutu Obaseki Auditorium of the NJI stood in unison both to applaud the delivery of the CJN and, presumably, as a mark of courtesy to their presidential patron. In unison, the military band from the presidential Guards Brigade broke into an instrumental rendition of On Your Madate We Shall Stand, the presidents personal fealty anthem. When the president was done with the delivery of his 1,314 word-long address, the same band again played the same accompaniment as the judges stood to applaud his transition from the presidential podium back to his seat. So, not once but twice in a period of less than 15 minutes, the presidential band played this partisan political rendition. From any other president, this may have been a mistake but this president is no political eunuch. If the first was an error, the second surely was comfort. Whatever the intention or design was, this guaranteed that no one remembers anything of what President Tinubu said. The only memory of his showing at this All Nigeria Judges Conference is that he sought to wheedle the judges with an instrumental symbolism of personal fealty. For a conference with the timely theme of Building a Confident Judiciary, President Tinubu could hardly have done worse in undermining public confidence in the judges. To their credit, many of the judges inside the conference auditorium were schtum at the rendition(s). Unmistakably, however, there were people within the hall who also sang along. President Tinubus own television station, TVC, later offered the spectacular apologia that the singing was done by the people who came with the president. The presidents staff, they were at the back, adding: if those ones were singing, can anyone question them for singing? This is a song they have been singing since they were in Lagos. They claimed that President Obasanjo had such a song too. That was absurd. To convince their audience of presumed presidential proselytes, they hyperventilated to the claim that the same tune had been played the previous week when the president opened the conference of the Guild of Editors. In their estimation, a gathering of Nigerias most senior judges is worth no more than the currency of a conference of the Guild of Editors. One judicial participant at the event went further, privately dissimulating that there was no such rendition and that any sound other than the National Anthem associated with their gathering was deep fake from Artificial Intelligence! The leadership of the judiciary appeared ambivalent. When eventually they responded, over 48 hours later, it was through a statement with mangled syntax signed by a middling officer described as the Head, Information, Media and Public Relations at the NJI. The only thing notable about this statement was what was missing on its face: no judicial principal was courageous enough to own the debacle. Its content was entirely forgettable. In its text, the statement dutifully dismissed the optics as unfounded, exculpated all conferees from suggestions of partisan political animus, and righteously denounced any attempt to distort the solemnity of the event, without offering evidence or process. Instead, they trained ostentatious indignation at people to whom they owed both contrition and apology. The authors of this statement apparently didnt know that the horse of the distortion of the solemnity of the event had long bolted. The president accomplished that with hubris to spare. It does considerable injustice to the current generation of judges in Nigeria to suggest, as that statement does, that they are incapable of running with efficiency and without partisan incident a conference in existence for over four decades. Its attempt to outsource responsibility for an incident that should never have occurred is beneath the dignity of judicial office. A confident judiciary should learn from this and promise itself that it shall never happen again. Alexander Hamilton may have called the judiciary the least dangerous branch, having neither force nor will but merely judgment, but in taking his personal fealty anthem to the floor of the judges conference, President Tinubu sought to relocate the source of the judicial function from its constitutional foundation to personal loyalty to him. The question he raised is simple: On whose mandate do judges stand? The judges cannot duck the issue posed by the presidents symbolic choice of battleground. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through [email protected]. It is not yet doomsday in Nigeria. There is still some chance to rescue us from ourselves, even if the buffeting winds of killings and maimings and outright erasure of human settlements from the surface of the earth have served adequate notice that we are pushing our luck. I have no partisan agenda other than the desire to contribute ideas towards our return to normalcy. I make this declaration knowing that looking out for the common good is viewed with suspicion by those who believe that nothing goes for nothing. In the face of unprecedented challenges, I stand solidly with Nigeria. We shall survive the current storm. It didnt start today. Our country began crumbling since 1966 when soldiers shot their way to power. We fought a civil war in which about three million people died. Decades later, the military gifted us the American presidential system in place of the parliamentary constitution they had overthrown. That zero-some constitution has not worked for us. It never will. Catalogue of Terror Since the end of the Nigerian civil war, no other time in our recent history compares to our current experience in terms of arson, killings, destruction of farms, ethnic hate and suspicion, rumbles of secession, carving out of evil fiefdoms and reduction of stable families to beggars in IDP camps. Oh, how I miss the old secure Nigeria where you could drive from Yenagoa to Sokoto, Aba to Maiduguri, Jos to Akure or Lagos to Kano. We are all hemmed in now. We need help! We didnt need to wait for the execution of Brig-General Musa Uba by ISWAP terrorists before realising that our security agencies, as presently constituted, cannot deliver peace nationwide any time soon. There is no shame in admitting that we cannot cope anymore, as the litany of terror shows. When, on the night of 1415 April 2014, 276 schoolgirls in the Government Secondary School, Chibok, aged between 16 and 18, were kidnapped by Boko Haram, we said, Never Again! We mounted a worldwide advocacy, Bring Back Our Girls. Eminent personalities, including Michelle Obama, joined in the global advocacy. Barely four years later, on 19 February, 2018, Boko Haram kidnapped 110 girls from the Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC) in Dapchi, Yobe State. Although most of the students were released by their abductors on 21 March, 2018, 14-year-old Leah Sharibu (a Christian girl who refused to be converted to Islam) was denied freedom and is still in captivity. On 11 December, 2020, bandits abducted 303 male students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State and released them one week later. As usual the government denied paying any ransom. On December 19, 2020, some gunmen abducted more than 80 Islamic school students in the same Katsina State but reportedly released them when the police rose to the occasion. On 17 February, 2021, bandits abducted 41 persons comprising students, teachers, and their family members from the Government Science College Kagara in Niger State. 27 students were among the abductees. On February 26, 2021, 317 female students were abducted from Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State. On 11 March, 2021, gunmen attacked the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Igabi LGA, Kaduna State, and kidnapped 39 students 23 male and 16 female. On 5 April, 2021, the government of Kaduna State announced that five of the 39 people abducted from Afaka had been released. On 8 April, 2021, the state further disclosed that an additional five students had been released. On May 5, 2021, the government announced that the remaining 29 students had been released. On 20 April, 2021, at least 20 students and two staff were kidnapped by bandits in Greenfield University, Kasarami village, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State. The kidnappers demanded an N800 million ransom but eventually received a negotiated sum of N150 million and eight brand new motorcycles after killing three of the students. On 30 May, 2021, an armed gang abducted about 100 pupils from an Islamic school in Niger State but later sent back those considered too small between ages four and 12. On Thursday, June 17, 2021, a mass of heavily armed bandits struck at Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State and reportedly took their time to select the girls (students) they took away. According to reports, the criminals killed a police officer and kidnapped at least 80 students and five teachers from the school. Nigerians had some respite until last week, on 17 November, when 24 schoolgirls were kidnapped by bandits during an early Monday morning attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State. The schools vice principal, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, was killed, while two students managed to escape. Then a spate of abductions swept through Eruku and Edu in Kwara State, Gwoza in Borno State, Sabon Birni in Sokoto State, and Agwara in Niger State, where about 315 students and staff were kidnapped from St Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary School. The ongoing escalation of attacks on schools and communities shows that theres a script being acted out. This is a time to rally behind the flag. View Appeals To Tinubu A coalition of prominent Northern women, operating under the banner of Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW) has made a passionate appeal to President Tinubu: No nation can claim to value its future while abandoning its daughters to violence. The girls of Maga must be located, rescued and reunited with their families without delay. With the recent insulting guns-a-blazing threat by US President Donald Trump to intervene in Nigerias security problems if the Nigerian government was deemed incapable of doing the job, there is a new sense of urgency palpable in government circles. Now we have no choice but to restore our country back to normalcy if we dont want outsiders to do it for us. A government that cannot protect its people is not a government. The regrettable death of Brig-Gen Musa Uba is more than a wake-up call. There are enemies within. The President needs to order an investigation into the allegations made by Gen. Alli-Keffi in his petition already sent to the president. He claims that, The moment we arrested some of these individuals and started exposing the financial pipelines of terror, the backlash began, contending that powerful interests within and outside the government are saboteurs. Mr President, please lets dig! We need to step up with technological surveillance and some of the latest hardware. We need help from friendly countries to train additional recruits into the armed forces while carrying on the war at the same time. All so-called repentant terrorists allegedly absorbed into the armed forces should be weeded out immediately. The government needs to withdraw all policemen and other security officers attached to so-called VIPs and deploy them to regular duties. We shouldnt rule out guns-for-hire (PMCs). Emergency Mr President, please declare a national emergency and constitute retired military/security officers below 70 into a think tank. Put all brains to the task. Lets pull together all our resources to fight this monster before it breaks us. Also, lets commence the process of reimagining and reinventing Nigeria. How about restructuring the political setup back to where we were coming fromthe parliamentary system? The existing six zones will naturally become semi-autonomous regions like the ones we had before this current winner-takes-all presidential system, which has proven to be strife-ridden and pestilential! Nigerians did much better under the parliamentary system negotiated at Independence. We should be glad to return to it without further delay. Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on [email protected], Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021 Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, is in the delegation of Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, holding from 22 to 23 November. The summit, themed Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability, marks the first time the G20 meeting of heads of state and government will be held on the African continent. Governor Raddas participation aligns with the Building Your Future administrations commitment to positioning Katsina as a hub for global investment, technology transfer, and sustainable development. The governor is expected to engage world leaders, international investors, and development partners to explore opportunities in agriculture, renewable energy, digital innovation, and manufacturing. The G20 summit brings together leaders from the worlds largest economies, representing over 85 per cent of global GDP and two-thirds of the worlds population. Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda, has achieved a significant diplomatic and economic milestone as he became the first Nigerian State governor to participate in Ambition Africa 2025, a premier international investment forum held under the distinguished patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron. The two-day event took place at the French Ministry of Economy and Finance in Bercy, Paris, convening global investors, senior policymakers, development agencies, and business leaders from across Europe and Africa. The forum featured high-ranking French officials, including Nicolas Forissier, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness; Didier Boulogne, Chief Operating Officer of Business Frances Export Division; and Sandra Kassab, Director of the Africa Department at the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD). Delegations from Egypt, Cote dIvoire, Cameroon, Kenya, Libya, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and several other African nations were also in attendance, underscoring the forums growing continental significance. During his engagements, Governor Radda reaffirmed Katsina States firm commitment to clean energy development, environmental sustainability, and long-term energy security. He highlighted the States strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening electricity access for industries, public institutions, MSMEs, and rural communities. The Governor also emphasized Katsinas strong track record of collaboration with French Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), noting that France continues to be a trusted partner in the States energy transition. He noted that significant progress has been made in enhancing stability across the State through strengthened community structures, improved inter-agency coordination, and governance reforms designed to safeguard critical assets. He reassured investors that Katsina remains stable, secure, and highly receptive to responsible investmentaligning with national efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinforce security and economic resilience across Nigeria. Mr Radda participated in a high-level panel discussion titled Meeting Africas Energy Challenge: What Sustainable Solutions?, where he joined global sector leaders including Jeanette Gitobu (Global Wind Energy Council), Prince Dave Dougagou Nzamba (ESOLVE-SDC), Nicolas Sureau (Eiffage Energie Systemes), Florence Maxwell-Aylwin (Venture Konect), and Belkacem Haftar (Libya Reconstruction & Development Fund). He presented emerging opportunities within Northern Nigerias energy sector and highlighted the innovative models required to deliver scalable, reliable, and affordable power. The governor elaborated on Katsinas systematic approach to energy planning, beginning with a comprehensive statewide energy assessment across MDAs, hospitals, schools, water facilities, and Local Government Areas. This assessment informed the development of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which prioritizes hybridization of existing assets, decentralized power systems, expanded rural electrification, and increased private-sector participation. He emphasised that the administrations vision is not solely to increase capacity but to build a secure, resilient, and future-ready energy ecosystem that can power industrial growth and economic transformation. Highlighting key renewable energy initiatives, Governor Radda showcased the hybridization of the 10MW Lambar Rimi Wind Farm with an additional 10MW of solar, the deployment of solar-plus-battery systems at essential institutions, the expansion of mini-grid infrastructure, and the rollout of small-hydro projects such as the 1MW Danja Dam project executed by French developers with support from the French Treasury. He further announced that Katsina State is advancing plans for a large-scale solar development within the proposed Green Economic Zone, designed as a dedicated industrial and clean-energy corridor that will host export-oriented manufacturing, agro-processing clusters, and technology-driven enterprises. The solar component of the Green Economic Zone will anchor reliable power supply for upcoming industries, strengthen the States renewable profile, and attract climate-conscious investors seeking sustainable production environments. Governor Radda encouraged French investors to explore opportunities in solar deployment, wind rehabilitation, battery storage, mini-hydro development, and clean-energy solutions geared towards agricultural value chains, including cold-chain systems. He further highlighted Katsinas investor-friendly ecosystem, including streamlined regulatory pathways, readily available land, and transparent Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) structures that offer long-term protection for private capital. Addressing general perceptions around stability, he reaffirmed that Katsina remains open, secure, and fully aligned with responsible investment principles, noting that renewable energy projects contribute directly to economic resilience by powering businesses, creating jobs, and expanding youth opportunities. He concluded by emphasising Katsina States exceptional renewable energy endowmentsworld-class solar irradiation, proven wind resources, and viable hydro siteswhich position the State as an emerging hub for affordable, reliable, and sustainable clean energy in Northern Nigeria. Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has secured major investment interest from leading French and Italian companies to accelerate industrialisation in the state. The governor held a high-level business meeting in Paris on 17 November 2025, where European firms expressed strong enthusiasm to partner with Katsina through Public-Private Partnerships. State Lead Consultant, Harun Abba Gana, delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining Katsinas roadmap for industrialisation and investment-ready PPP opportunities across multiple sectors. Mr Gana emphasised the difference between EPC&F and EPC models, demonstrating how these frameworks provide flexible options for investors while mitigating financial and operational risks. The discussions covered strategic sectors including solar energy for rural electrification, smart-city development, livestock and dairy production, agricultural technologies, human capital development, agri-food processing, and medical infrastructure. The companies also explored opportunities in remote medical support systems, workforce development, digital technology systems, green construction, and sustainable mobility solutions. Governor Radda presented his administrations industrialisation strategy, highlighting reforms, policies, and the enabling environment created to attract global investors. Our administration is committed to creating an enabling environment for sustainable investment. By partnering with leading international companies, we are accelerating industrialization, creating jobs, and empowering communities across Katsina State, the governor stated. He reaffirmed his commitment to positioning Katsina as the preferred destination for international investment in northern Nigeria, supported by enhanced security, streamlined regulatory processes, and ready-to-deploy infrastructure. The French and Italian companies commended Raddas proactive leadership, strategic vision, and determination to unlock economic opportunities for Katsina residents. They noted that their financing capacity and investment expertise align closely with the states development priorities. Investment and International Partnerships Consultant, Maasum Auwal Jibrin, described the meeting as a major breakthrough. The interest from French and Italian investors demonstrates growing confidence in Katsina State as a destination for strategic partnerships. This is a strong signal for continued economic growth and innovation in the region, Mr Jibrin said. The governor was accompanied by the Special Adviser on Power, Hafiz Ibrahim Ahmed, and other officials. The engagement represents a major milestone in Mr Raddas mission to industrialise Katsina, strengthen food security, expand clean energy access, and position the state as a leading hub for modern agriculture, technology, and manufacturing in Nigeria. Ibrahim Kaula Moham Individuals named Bastien are often perceived as charismatic and creative, with a natural ability to connect with others through their warm and approachable demeanor. They typically possess a blend of traditional values and contemporary thinking, making them adaptable in various social situations. Bastiens are frequently described as having artistic sensibilities and intellectual curiosity, often excelling in creative fields or professions requiring innovation and communication skills. Their personality combines the reverence suggested by the name's meaning with a modern, energetic spirit that makes them both respected and well-liked. They tend to be resilient in facing challenges, drawing from the historical strength associated with their name's origins, while maintaining a lighthearted and optimistic outlook that endears them to friends and colleagues alike. This combination of depth and accessibility often makes Bastiens effective leaders and valued team members who can navigate complex situations with both seriousness and grace. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (First E&P) recentlylaunched the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO), an engineering competition aimed at addressing at inspiring engineering students to develop innovative projects that will solve societal problems. The project is championed by Enactus Nigeria and has the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) as key partner. Explaining the concept, Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi, stated that the Nigerian Engineering Olympiad will inspire final-year, and postgraduate engineering students to envision and build a self-reliant Nigeria driven by knowledge, innovation, and collaboration. The Nigerian Engineering Olympiad embodies our belief that innovation must be nurtured where it begins, in the minds of young engineers. He added that by connecting academic creativity with industry realities, NEO provides the bridge that transforms knowledge into impact, and ideas into enterprise. In his remarks the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the programmes theme, Inspiring Engineering Solutions, aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubus Nigeria First policy. Mr Ogbe highlighted that, despite Nigerias large population offering immense potential, the engineering sector continues to grapple with a critical skills gap. He noted a negligible percentage of engineering graduates are considered industry-ready upon graduation. He warned that this deficit has far-reaching implications, including a shortage of competent local engineers, over-reliance on expatriates, and an accelerating brain drain. Represented by the Director of Capacity Building, Abayomi Bamidele, the NCDMB boss explained that the Olympiad complements the agencys human capacity development initiatives, which have trained young Nigerians in petroleum engineering, digital technology, robotics, and other advanced fields. Our goal is to institutionalise an annual national platform that identifies, nurtures, and supports exceptional engineering talent while connecting participants to industry mentorship and commercialisation pathways, he stated. He added that the Board is equally committed to strengthening entrepreneurial and leadership skills to enable young engineers to thrive in the workforce or launch technology-driven enterprises. The Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, who was represented by Ms Ebiho Agun, described the creativity and ingenuity of Nigerian youth as one of the countrys greatest assets in a world increasingly driven by science, innovation, and problem-solving. She noted that the Olympiad provides a vital platform for young Nigerians to expand their imagination, deepen technical expertise, and showcase excellence both locally and internationally. Addressing the students as the heartbeat of Nigerias future, she urged participants to view the competition as an opportunity for learning, discovery, and career advancement, while reaffirming the Ministrys commitment to expanding programmes that foster youth creativity, skills development, and mentorship. The General Manager, Integrated Gas at First E&P, Yetunde Taiwo, said the companys participation reflects its core values of nurturing talent, innovation, and entrepreneurship. While First E&P has long supported education at the secondary-school level, she explained, the Olympiad offers a unique opportunity to engage university-level engineering students and expose them to real-world industry challenges. Expressing concern over the growing brain drain, Mrs Taiwo noted that many graduates emigrate due to limited opportunities to apply their skills locally. She emphasised that initiatives like the Olympiad, supported by strong government-industry collaboration, can create sustainable career pathways, help retain talent, and reassure young engineers that viable opportunities exist within Nigerias energy sector. The Executive Vice Chairman of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr Khalil Suleiman Halilu, represented by Engr. Amino Hamisu, hailed the Olympiad as a landmark step toward strengthening engineering excellence and advancing national technological development. In her keynote address, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Margaret Aina Ogunsola, described the Olympiad as a watershed moment in bridging the gap between academia and industry. She called it a national innovation incubator designed to transform final-year engineering projects into commercially viable products through structured mentorship, prototype development, and intellectual property support. She confirmed that NSE will provide expert guidance to ensure students innovations meet global standards. How the Olympiad Will Operate Applications opened on 20 November 2025 and will close on 11 January 2026. The competition will proceed as follows: -Screening Level 1 Intra-school competition, one winner per school Following submission, selected teams will receive technical mentorship and access to development resources to refine their concepts into prototypes. Screening Level 2 Regional inter-school contests, 5 schools will qualify per region each team showcasing innovation aligned with national priorities. 30 teams will emerge in total, 5 per region and they will advance to a mentorship and prototyping phase. The teams will receive funding and technical mentorship to develop their Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). Screening Level 3 Twelve (12) teams will advance to the semi-finals 2 teams per region will go into an intensive mentorship and business development boot camp for prototype refinement Screening Level 4 The Olympiad will culminate in a national grand finale, where four winners will emerge as the top innovations. Grand finale, is scheduled for 11 April 2026. Teams can register via the official portal: https://www.neo.org.ng Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has been invited to deliver a keynote address at ChangeNOW 2026, making him the first Nigerian leader to speak at the worlds second-largest platform for sustainable and climate-focused solutions. The summit, scheduled for 30 March to 1 April 2026, at the Grand Palais in Paris, will feature over 40,000 participants from 140 countries, including entrepreneurs, policymakers, civil society leaders, and investors. The invitation followed a high-level meeting between Governor Radda and Mr Santiago Lefebvre, President and Co-Founder of ChangeNOW, at the organisations headquarters in Paris on November 19, 2025. Lefebvre expressed strong interest in supporting Katsina States green energy programmes through strategic partnerships and international collaboration. Governor Raddas leadership in renewable energy and community-focused sustainability programmes is exemplary. We are thrilled to welcome him as our first Nigerian keynote speaker, reflecting the critical role of regional governments in drivings climate solutions, Mr Lefebvre stated. The meeting focused on advancing Katsinas renewable energy agenda and environmental sustainability initiatives, including solar and wind energy projects and large-scale afforestation programmes. Governor Radda was accompanied by his Technical Assistant on Renewable Energy, Engr. Abdulaziz Kabir Abdullahi, and Mr. Maasum Auwal Jibrin, ChangeNOWs Country Representative for Nigeria. Responding, Governor Radda described the invitation as recognition of Katsinas commitment to building a sustainable future. Katsina State is committed to building a sustainable future through renewable energy and environmental stewardship. Our participation at ChangeNOW 2026 is an opportunity to showcase our efforts and collaborate with global partners for a greener world, the governor said. He emphasized that renewable energy remains central to his administrations vision for economic growth, job creation, and environmental resilience. The governors keynote address will highlight Katsinas green transformation initiatives, including the hybridization of the Lambar Rimi Wind Farm with solar energy, deployment of solar-plus-battery systems across public institutions, and planned development of the Green Economic Zone. ChangeNOW 2026 aims to foster ambitious, inclusive action for climate and environmental sustainability, bringing together innovators, investors, and policymakers to accelerate solutions for a greener planet. Suspected Boko Haram members reportedly abducted 13 people in Mussa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno, on Saturday. The victims are farmers from Huyim, another community in the local government area, who were in the village to harvest their farm produce. According to sources in the communities, the victims were an elderly woman and 12 girls between 15 and 20 years old. However, one of the girls reportedly managed to escape and returned home on Sunday. Confirming the incident, Junaid Jibrin, media aide to Senator Ali Ndume, stated that the escapee had been reunited with her family and was also assisting security agencies with intelligence. According to information available, the girls were kidnapped while harvesting. Fortunately, one of the abducted girls managed to escape and has returned home safely. She is currently assisting officials and family members with vital information about the incident, Mr Jibrin said. Borno lawmaker demands immediate rescue In his reaction, the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, called on the security agencies to swiftly rescue the victims. Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri on Sunday, he urged residents to remain calm and help the security forces with intelligence to aid the rescue. Meanwhile, the insurgents also attacked the headquarters of Magumeri Local Government of Borno on Saturday night. Sources said there was no loss of life, but they burned down houses, vehicles, and other equipment, some of which belonged to the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). In a related development, the military repelled an attack on Mallam Fatori in the Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State. They reportedly eliminated 18 i surgents during the operation. The terrorists had attacked the town on Wednesday and deployed an armed drone. They also advanced with ground fire, leaving eight CJTF members injured. The troops later overpowered and denied them entry into the town. Rising Insecurity The incidents occurred amid rising attacks by the insurgents across the state. A few days ago, a brigadier general was killed in Damboa village with some soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force in Gwoza and Bama. Responding to the crisis, Governor Babagana Zulum called for a statewide fast and prayer for divine intervention over the rising insecurity. He made the call on Saturday while urging residents to be calm and to help security agencies in the fight against the insurgency. The police are yet to speak on the latest developments. Nanum Daso, the police spokesman, did not respond to calls and messages to his phone. Fifty pupils abducted from St. Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have escaped from their captors, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state has confirmed. The development, announced on Sunday, comes days after armed men invaded the school and abducted 303 pupils, students, and staff, triggering widespread outrage and renewed calls for improved security in the state. According to school officials, the children escaped between Friday and Saturday. Many of them reportedly fled into nearby communities and were unable to return to the school premises. Their identities were confirmed after staff traced and contacted their families. Updated Figures From the School 50 pupils escaped and have returned home. 141 pupils were not abducted during the attack. 253 persons remain in captivity, comprising: 236 primary school pupils 3 children of staff 14 secondary school students 12 staff membersThe school further confirmed that the primary section has 430 pupils, including 377 boarders and 53 day students. According to the latest breakdown provided by the management: 50 pupils escaped and have returned home. 141 pupils were not abducted during the attack. 253 persons remain in captivity, comprising: 236 primary school pupils 3 children of staff 14 secondary school students 12 staff membersThe school further confirmed that the primary section has 430 pupils, including 377 boarders and 53 day students. The Chairman of CAN in Niger State and proprietor of the school, Bulus Yohanna, described the escape of the 50 pupils as a significant relief but said the situation remained distressing. We receive the return of these children with gratitude and relief, but our hearts remain with those still in captivity. We urge everyone to continue praying for their safe return, he said. The Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out a suit filed by WinHomes Estate Global Services Limited and Ifeoma Okengwu challenging the federal governments alleged encroachment on an 18.838-hectare property at Okun-Ajah over the ongoing construction of the coastal highway. The court ruled that the case falls outside its jurisdiction. In his ruling on Friday, the judge, Akintayo Aluko, after upholding two separate preliminary objections filed by the first to third defendants, the Controller of Works, Lagos; the Minister for Works; and the Attorney-General of the Federation, as well as Hitech Construction Company. WinHomes had instituted the suit on 4 October 2024, claiming that the ongoing realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway encroached upon its titled land, allegedly leading to demolition activities and trespass. Mr Aluko ruled that the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction under Section 251 of the Constitution because the plaintiffs claims concerned land use and trespass matters beyond the courtls authority. He also held that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi, noting that WinHomes had admitted in court filings that its interest in the land had been divested or sold to third parties. The judge found that the plaintiffs failed to disclose a reasonable cause of action against the defendants. WinHomes had obtained the parcel of land from a local community for development, built only a gatehouse, subdivided the land into plots, and sold them. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway passes through the parcel, and the Federal Ministry of Works, after stakeholder engagement and offering monetary compensation, which WinHomes refused, demolished the gatehouse to proceed with the highway alignment. WinHomes had sought declaratory relief and injunctions to restrain the defendants pending the determination of the suit. The defendants countered with preliminary objections, arguing that the case was fundamentally a land dispute, a matter exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Lagos State High Court under the Land Use Act. Mr Aluko agreed, noting that although the plaintiffs attempted to frame the suit as a challenge to federal agency actions, the relief sought related to ownership, use, and boundaries of land vested in Lagos State. He cited Supreme Court and Court of Appeal precedents confirming that disputes over statutory rights of occupancy, trespass, or land title must be heard exclusively by a State High Court. The judge also ruled that the plaintiffs use of Originating Summons was inappropriate for a matter involving conflicting facts, further undermining the competence of the action. He held that the 2nd and 3rd defendants, the Minister for Works and the Controller of Works, Lagos, lacked juristic personality and could not be sued. As a result, the court struck out the suit in its entirety for want of jurisdiction, stating that the proper venue for WinHomes to pursue its claims is the Lagos State High Court. Background In October, WinHomes petitioned President Bola Tinubu over what it described as the reckless and unconstitutional conduct of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in a $250 million Diaspora-funded development in Lagos. In an open letter, the organisations Chief Executive Officer, Stella Okengwu, a United States citizen and Nigerian Diaspora investor, accused Mr Umahi of abuse of office and actions capable of eroding foreign investor confidence. She claimed the m inister repeatedly invoked the Presidents name while taking public actions on the contested land, calling the move dangerous, improper, and constitutionally untenable. WinHomes estimated the projects value at N375 billion ($250 million) and claimed that highway diversion through the estate affected 400 plots worth N60 billion, with infrastructure damages of N85 billion. The company stressed that all funds were transferred through legitimate channels and denied any financial impropriety. It also accused the minister of facilitating attempts by private developers to acquire portions of the disputed estate. Ministers response Mr Umahi dismissed the allegations during an Arise TV interview, insisting he acted within the law. He questioned the legality of the land acquisition, the financial structure of WinHomes, and whether the company properly registered its transactions with the Lagos State Government. He also noted discrepancies between the estates claimed plot allocations and its actual size, stating that physical inspections revealed inadequate infrastructure and poorly constructed fences and drainage. Mr Umahi said only one unauthorised structure outside the gatehouse had been demolished and challenged the company to make its documents public. He described the estate as being inadequately prepared for the governments highway project and cited the potential risks of unverified investments. READ ALSO: Federal High Court dismisses report of assassination attempt on Justice Omotosho Diaspora investors reaction The demolition sparked outrage among Diaspora investors, who claimed they were not given prior notice. In October 2024, Mrs Okengwu, on behalf of the investors in a statement, reiterated that WinHomes followed proper due diligence, obtained certificates of occupancy, and secured government consent. She alleged that ministry officials, accompanied by military and Lagos State Taskforce personnel, demolished properties without warning and removed building materials worth hundreds of millions of naira. The investors stated they are not seeking financial compensation but appealed to President Tinubu to mandate the Minister of Works to revert to the 2006 gazetted highway alignment, warning that continued ministerial overreach could damage Nigerias investment reputation and contravene diaspora investment initiatives. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a former lead counsel to the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has blamed the IPOB leaders conviction on the legal teams alleged lack of strategy and mishandling of the defence. In a statement on Saturday, Mr Ejiofor, who led Mr Kanus legal team from 2015 until his withdrawal from the case in 2023, accused individuals who took over from him of what he termed amateur legal showmanship and social-media theatrics. The former lead counsel said he was compelled to speak in response to an avalanche of calls and messages from Nigerians who asked him to weigh in on the conviction of the IPOB leader. The lawyer noted that his team, before their disengagement from the case, secured landmark victories between 2015 and 2023, including the 2022 court of appeal judgement, which discharged and acquitted Mr Kanu. Sustained pressure, strategic diplomacy, and airtight legal manoeuvring had placed us on the verge of another monumental breakthrough, he said. He added that he and Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who stepped in to lead the team in 2022, were on the threshold of securing yet another major relief for Mr Kanu at the time, but that the legal progress was derailed after Mr Kanu innocently shared sensitive details with some clueless clowns who persuaded the IPOB leader to alter the defence structure. Rather than support a strategy they (the legal team) barely understood, they seized the information as an opportunity to derail the entire process and treacherously orchestrated a change in the status quo. Consequently, we exited the team gloriously, and with our integrity intact, the former counsel said. From criminal trial to parody of legal representation Mr Ejiofor contended that Mr Kanus legal team mishandled his defence, stressing that, unlike before, the team approached such an internationally sensitive criminal trial as a circus ring. But once these bloated, delusional entertainers-in-wigs inserted themselves into the process, everything degenerated into a grotesque parody of legal representation. Instead of crafting a legal strategy, they crafted Instagram stories. Instead of mastering case law, they mastered camera angles. At every court session, their priority wasnt research or preparation, it was posing, filming, updating, grandstanding, and going viral, he said. Meanwhile, the accused mans fate hung by a thread. Kanus conviction was avoidable; defending himself was an error Mr Ejiofor expressed surprise that, despite the courts warning against it, members of the legal team, later converted into consultants, supported Mr Kanu to defend himself in a criminal matter. They (the legal team) railroaded him (Kanu), knowingly or unknowingly, into the savage pit of a full criminal trial, fully aware that other lawful avenues existed. And so the unthinkable happened: A conviction that could have been prevented; an outcome that was entirely avoidable, yet allowed to proceed under the guidance of legal lightweights intoxicated by social-media relevance, he said. The lawyer faulted the disengagement of the former legal team at such a critical moment of trial despite the team comprising foremost legal minds, globally respected Senior Advocates of Nigeria and men fully versed in the anatomy of high-wire criminal litigation. Way forward Mr Ejiofor said that the first task for any legal expert to rescue the situation would be to clean up the monumental damage caused by the legal team. A comprehensive review of methodology, effective engagement, and drastically reduced publicity must precede any intervention. Only then can a coherent, sophisticated legal and political strategy be fashioned, he stated. Life imprisonment On Thursday, Mr Kanu was convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja after being found guilty on all seven counts filed against him by the Nigerian government. Justice 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 Mr Kanu 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. The Imo State Government has accused the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) of planning massive power outages in the state. EEDC is the power distribution company responsible for electricity supply in south-eastern Nigeria. The Commissioner for Information in Imo State, Declan Emelumba, in a statement on Sunday, stated that the alleged planned power outage by the EEDC was intended to sabotage the Light Up Imo Project, an electricity initiative of the state government. Mr Emelumba claimed without evidence that the state government had obtained credible intelligence of the alleged plans by EEDC management to unleash major power outages in Imo State. He further claimed that the government has ample evidence indicating the EEDCs plan was to frustrate and sabotage the states electricity project, which will soon provide uninterrupted electricity to all parts of the state. The government has always known that the management of EEDC will want to hold on to its current monopoly of providing erratic electricity to Imo people at exorbitant tariffs. The idea behind the planned massive power outage by EEDC is to turn around and blame the installation process of the Orashi Electricity Company, the state governments licensed company, for the blackouts, he said. Mr Emelumba claimed the EEDC has already prepared a statement in which the firm would blame the state government and Orashi Electricity Company for the outages. This is a ploy to turn Imo people against the company and also create the false impression that the company lacks the technical knowledge and capacity to function, he claimed. The commissioner added that the EEDC is already aware that the first phase of the Light Up Imo Project will significantly cover the entire Owerri metropolis and is therefore afraid of losing its monopoly and the attendant revenue. That is the reason for this desperation, he claimed. He said the state government had alerted the security agencies in the state over the alleged plot by the EEDC. The government is, by this statement, putting Imo people on notice of this unholy plan by EEDC to inflict avoidable hardship and huge losses to businesses through this wicked plan to throw the state into darkness anytime from today or tomorrow, he said. Allegation baseless, unfounded, EEDC speaks When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, the EEDC spokesperson, Emeka Eze, denied the allegations. Mr Ezeh, in a statement forwarded to this newspaper on Sunday night, described the allegation as baseless, unfounded, and completely devoid of truth. We therefore advise our esteemed customers in Imo State and the general public to disregard the claim in its entirety, as EEDC has no intention whatsoever to carry out any major power outages in the state, he said. Continuing, the spokesperson added, However, we urge all our customers in Imo State to note that if any power outage occurs from this moment onward, the responsible party is clear. The state government, having raised false alarms and made unfounded, unverified, and baseless accusations against EEDC, should be held accountable. Mr Ezeh accused the Imo State Government of choosing the path of propaganda as a means of diverting public attention and masking its longstanding hostility toward EEDC. He urged the state government to provide an enabling environment for licensed operators to function effectively, rather than frustrating their operations through the use of state machinery. Imos electricity project The Light Up Imo Project is an initiative by the Imo State Government to provide reliable electricity across the state. The project involves a joint effort between the state and local governments, with the Orashi Power Project playing a key role in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity within the state. The Orashi Electricity Distribution Company began its operations in Imo State after it was licensed by the Imo State Government. READ ALSO: Drama at Enugu airport as aircraft suffers nose gear fault during landing The licensing of the electricity firm in Imo State followed the enactment of the Electricity Act of 2023, which authorised the state governments to generate, transmit and distribute electricity. Previous blackout Meanwhile, the Imo State Governments allegation that the EEDC was plotting massive power outages in Imo came barely one week after some parts of the state experienced a three-day blackout. PREMIUM TIMES had reported that some parts of Imo were plunged into darkness on 17 November, following the withdrawal of services by electricity workers. The withdrawal of services by the electricity workers followed an allegation that some armed police operatives had invaded the Egbu 132/33kV Transmission Substation in Owerri, the state capital, on 15 November. 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 Cultural & Historical Significance Bedver holds a crucial position in Arthurian legend as the knight entrusted with King Arthur's final command - to return the magical sword Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake. This act represents one of the most poignant moments in Arthurian literature, symbolizing the end of an era and the fulfillment of sacred obligations. As one of Arthur's earliest and most loyal companions, Bedver appears in numerous medieval texts including Geoffrey of Monmouth's 'Historia Regum Britanniae' and Thomas Malory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur,' where his character evolves from a mighty warrior to a spiritual figure completing the Arthurian cycle. In Welsh tradition as Bedwyr, he appears in the Mabinogion as a brave and handsome knight, often described as having only one hand yet remaining exceptionally skilled in combat. His transformation across cultural retellings reflects the evolution of Arthurian ideals from pure martial prowess to deeper spiritual and loyal virtues. The name Bedver has come to represent the archetype of the faithful retainer who carries out his king's final wishes despite personal grief, making him a symbol of duty, loyalty, and the bittersweet nature of endings. Individuals named Bernelle are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of strength and gentleness, reflecting the name's meaning of 'strong as a bear.' They typically exhibit quiet determination, deep spiritual sensitivity, and a compassionate nature that draws others to them. Bernelles are known for their steadfast loyalty to family and friends, often serving as pillars of support during difficult times. Their intuitive understanding of others' emotions makes them excellent listeners and trusted confidantes. While they may appear reserved initially, Bernelles possess inner resilience and moral courage that enables them to stand firm in their convictions. They often demonstrate practical wisdom, combining traditional values with modern sensibilities, and tend to approach life with a sense of purpose and spiritual depth that inspires those around them. Their nurturing disposition is balanced by a strong sense of independence and the ability to overcome challenges with grace and perseverance, making them both reliable companions and quietly influential leaders in their communities. Individuals named Birdhil are typically perceived as observant, contemplative, and spiritually inclined, reflecting the name's connection to both nature and elevation. They often possess a unique ability to see broader perspectives and patterns that others might miss, much like birds surveying landscapes from above. This aerial viewpoint translates metaphorically into strategic thinking and wisdom in personal and professional matters. Birdhils tend to be patient observers who gather information before acting, and they often serve as mediators or advisors in their communities. Their connection to the hill element suggests stability, reliability, and a grounded nature despite their elevated perspectives. They typically value both independence and community, balancing solitary reflection with meaningful social engagement, and often demonstrate strong ethical principles rooted in their observational nature and spiritual inclinations. This combination of traits makes them particularly suited to roles requiring both practical wisdom and spiritual insight, often excelling in teaching, counseling, or leadership positions where their balanced perspective can guide others effectively. Women named Blaire are often perceived as strong, independent, and determined individuals who carry themselves with natural confidence. The name's battlefield origins suggest resilience and the ability to overcome challenges, traits commonly associated with those bearing this name. Blaires tend to be practical problem-solvers with a straightforward approach to life, combining traditional values with modern perspectives. They often exhibit leadership qualities and are not afraid to speak their minds, yet maintain a balanced demeanor that allows them to navigate social situations with grace. Many Blaires are known for their loyalty to friends and family, their strong work ethic, and their ability to adapt to changing circumstances while staying true to their core principles. The name suggests someone who is both grounded and ambitious, capable of handling responsibility while maintaining their individuality. This combination of strength and adaptability makes Blaires particularly effective in leadership roles and challenging situations where clear thinking and determination are required. Men named Bonifaco are typically characterized by their strong moral compass and natural leadership abilities. They tend to be principled individuals who approach life with seriousness and purpose, often taking on responsibilities that others might avoid. Their inherent sense of justice makes them advocates for fairness and equality, while their practical nature ensures they follow through on their commitments. These individuals often possess a quiet confidence that inspires trust in others, combined with the emotional intelligence to understand and address the needs of their community or family. While they may not seek the spotlight, Bonifacos often find themselves in positions of influence due to their reliability and integrity. Their strength is balanced by genuine compassion, making them both respected leaders and caring family members who prioritize the well-being of those around them. Individuals named Bourn are often perceived as calm, reflective, and deeply connected to their roots, much like the steady flow of a stream. They tend to possess an innate wisdom and emotional depth, with a natural ability to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining their core values. These individuals typically exhibit strong intuition and are often drawn to contemplative pursuits, showing patience in their decision-making and relationships. Their connection to water symbolism often manifests as emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate complex social situations with grace. While they may appear reserved initially, Bourns often reveal profound inner strength and resilience when faced with challenges, demonstrating the persistent power of water that gradually shapes even the hardest stone over time. They are typically good listeners and natural peacemakers, preferring harmony over conflict. Their thoughtful nature makes them excellent problem-solvers who consider multiple perspectives before acting. The name suggests someone who moves through life with purpose and determination, much like a stream that eventually reaches the sea despite any obstacles in its path. Individuals named Brooke are often perceived as calm, adaptable, and deeply intuitive, much like the flowing streams their name represents. They tend to possess a natural grace and emotional depth that allows them to navigate complex social situations with ease. Their personality often reflects the qualities of water - they can be gentle and nurturing when circumstances call for compassion, yet determined and persistent when facing obstacles. Brookes are typically excellent communicators who flow through conversations naturally, making them effective mediators and trusted confidants. They often demonstrate remarkable resilience, able to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining their core values and integrity. This adaptability combined with their innate emotional intelligence makes them well-suited for leadership roles where understanding human dynamics is crucial. Their thoughtful nature often leads them to careers in counseling, education, or creative fields where they can help others navigate life's currents while maintaining their own sense of purpose and direction. Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man was inspired by Rian Johnson's "very complicated relationship with religion". Wake Up Dead Man was inspired by Rian Johnson's battle with his faith The 51-year-old filmmaker is back at the helm for a third murder mystery in the Netflix franchise, with Daniel Craig returning as Benoit Blanc in a story centred around a Catholic church in New York. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Craig said: "He has a very complicated relationship with religion. "And that's the birth of this movie." Johnson grew up in a Evangelical family in California, and he decided to make the movie as a way to reevaluate his youth. The director explained: "I slowly realised I was writing this through the lens of me, now. "I had to step back into me, 30 years ago, and back into the things that inspired and drove me as a Christian." The film features characters like Josh O'Connor's junior priest Reverend Jud Duplenticy, and the church's cruel leader Monseignior Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). Johnson noted how the congregation all represent himself in different ways. He said: "Every single one of them is a different slice of my own personal experience with faith." For Cailee Spaeny's disabled former concert cellist Simone Vivane, Johnson noted he "wanted to express a deep embodying of it in a physical way". Jeremy Renner plays town doctor Nat Sharp, who represents "the notion of a bitterness that you're hanging onto". Meanwhile, Daryl McCormack appears as aspiring politician Cy Draven, whose alt right-flirting viewers are a way of tackling Johnson's old political attitudes, which he has turned away from. He said: "I know that feeling, of it feeling good to jab at the world. I hope I wasn't that bad, but I can relate." When the filmmaker went to college, he found himself shunning religion, and had to spend time coming to terms with his faith. He added: "At some point, I definitely had a moment of, 'Oh, wait a minute, am I not a Christian anymore?' "It was a real loss of identity for me. I had to spend the rest of my 20s putting the pieces back together and figuring out a new way to frame the world." Cultural & Historical Significance The Buchanan name carries profound cultural significance rooted in Scottish clan history, originating from the lands around Loch Lomond in Stirlingshire. As one of the prominent Scottish clans, the Buchanans played crucial roles in medieval Scottish politics and warfare, with their influence extending through the Jacobite period. The name's Gaelic origin 'both chanain' (house of the canon) suggests connections to religious office, adding spiritual dimensions to its historical weight. The clan's migration patterns during the Highland Clearances and subsequent diaspora spread the Buchanan name globally, particularly to North America and Commonwealth countries, where it became a marker of Scottish identity. The Buchanan tartan, clan crest, and motto 'Clarior Hinc Honos' (Hence the brighter honour) remain important cultural symbols for descendants worldwide. The name represents not just familial lineage but the broader Scottish experienceencompassing both the romanticized Highland culture and the practical realities of Scottish emigration and adaptation. In modern contexts, Buchanan serves as a living connection to Scottish heritage, maintained through clan societies, cultural festivals, and the ongoing use of Scottish naming traditions. It embodies the resilience of Scottish identity through centuries of political and social change. Train manufacturer Stadler has signed a framework agreement to supply 36 FLIRT commuter trains to the Dutch railway operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). The new trains comprising 18 four-car and 18 six-car FLIRT trains will be built entirely in Poland and enter service in 2030. The order comes as there is an increasing use of trains in the Netherlands, and strengthens the long-standing partnership between NS and Stadler. The word FLIRT is an acronym of Flinker Leichter Intercity- und Regional-Triebzug, or in English, fast, light, innovative intercity and regional train. Signing the contract, with Peter Spuhler, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Stadler (centre left), and Wouter Koolmees, CEO of NS (centre right). // Credit: Stadler The trains will be designed to be fully accessible, both through the entrance doors and throughout the interior. Special areas will be reserved for passengers with reduced mobility, and with plenty of space for luggage, pushchairs, and bicycles. Real-time passenger information displays and clear signage will also be fitted. Internally, passengers should have a calm and pleasant journey, as the ambient lighting will be adjusted automatically depending on the external environmental conditions, including varying it according to the time of day and season. Over 3,000 FLIRT trains are in service in 24 countries worldwide, including with Transport for Wales, and 134 are currently in service in the Netherlands. The new trains will be modular in design with engineering carried out by Stadler at its site in Prague in the Czech Republic, and they will be constructed Stadlers factory at Siedlce in Poland. A FLIRT drivers cab. // Credit: Stadler We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Stadler and to introduce these new sprinter trains in the Netherlands. It is important to us that these trains are reliable and modern. They are suitable for various routes and services. This means we are well equipped for the future and can continue to meet the changing needs of our passengers. Wouter Koolmees, CEO of NS Siblings Sam and Ethan Caspary have been making music together for as long as they can remember. Their musical journey began early: Sam Caspary began taking ukulele and bass guitar lessons around the same time that her older brother began guitar lessons. From the start, Ethan Caspary said the two have kind of always been forced to get along, since playing music together quickly became a constant in their lives. Bangladesh's interim government of Muhammad Yunus has sent an official letter to New Delhi seeking the extradition of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina after the country's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) sentenced her to death. IMAGE: Deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Photograph: ANI Photo The letter was sent the day before yesterday (Friday), the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported, quoting foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain as saying without elaboration. The special Bangladeshi tribunal on November 17 handed Hasina, 78, the capital punishment along with then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on charges of committing crimes against humanity after their trial in absentia while both are staying in India. The third accused in the case, former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who faced the trial in person was handed a five-year jail term as he appeared as an approver or state witness. Hasina's Awami League government was toppled in a student-led violent protest termed as the 'July Uprising' on August 5 last year. Three days later, Nobel Laureate Yunus flew from Paris at the call of the protesting students to assume the charge of the interim government as its chief adviser. Hasina and the two others were accused of adopting brutal means to tame the protestors while a UN rights office report said about 1,400 people were killed in between July 15 and August 15 last year. The interim government had in December last year sent a diplomatic note verbal seeking Hasina's extradition when India just acknowledged its receipt with no further comment. However, hours after the ICT-BD verdict was delivered last week, the external affairs ministry issued a statement saying India has noted the verdict announced by the 'International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh' concerning former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. "As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end," the statement read. Law adviser Asif Nazrul on November 20 said the interim government would send a letter to Delhi to return Hasina and her home minister adding that the government was also thinking about going to the International Criminal Court to bring them back as they were now fugitive convicts. "We will hold a meeting soon to decide whether we can approach the International Criminal Court regarding the return of these convicted individuals," Nazrul told reporters. Three days later, he reiterated the plan saying, "We are going to issue a letter requesting the extradition of Hasina and Kamal," and added "we believe India has an added responsibility to return them." In the line of fire over its move on Chandigarh's administrative structure, the Centre on Sunday said no final decision has been taken on the proposal and asserted that it does not aim to change traditional arrangements between the Union territory and Punjab and Haryana. IMAGE: AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo The Centre's move on Chandigarh has raised the hackles of various parties in Punjab, with Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal terming it as a "direct attack" on Punjab's identity and constitutional rights. The row erupted over a bulletin of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha which showed that the Centre has proposed to include the Union territory of Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution, empowering the president to make regulations for the UT and legislate directly. This could pave the way for the appointment of an independent administrator in Chandigarh, similar to when it had an independent chief secretary in the past. With the development triggering a political storm in Punjab, the Union home ministry said no final decision has been taken on the proposal to "simplify law-making" in Chandigarh, asserting that it does not aim to change traditional arrangements between the Union territory and Punjab and Haryana. Chandigarh is the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. "The proposal only to simplify the central government's law-making process for the Union territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration with the central government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal," a home ministry spokesperson said in a statement. Allaying concerns raised by political leaders in Punjab regarding the proposal, the ministry said the proposal in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh's governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change "traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the states of Punjab or Haryana". "A suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for any concern on this matter. The central government has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter session of Parliament," it said. The move had sparked outrage in Punjab, with the ruling AAP, Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre, accusing the government of attempting to "snatch" Chandigarh from Punjab. Kejriwal vehemently opposed the Centre's proposed move, calling it a "direct attack" on Punjab's identity and constitutional rights. "The BJP-led central government's attempt to eliminate Punjab's rights over Chandigarh through constitutional amendment is not part of a simple move, but a direct attack on Punjab's identity and constitutional rights. This mentality of undermining the federal structure and depriving Punjabis of their rights is extremely dangerous," Kejriwal said in a post on X. "Punjab, which has always sacrificed for the nation's security, food, water, and humanity, is today being deprived of its own share. This is not just an administrative decision, but akin to wounding the soul of Punjab. "History bears witness that Punjabis have never bowed before any dictatorship. Punjab will not bow even today. Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and will remain with Punjab," he further said. Shiromani Akali Dal MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that with this move, Punjab will lose its rights over Chandigarh. "The Shiromani Akali Dal strongly opposes the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill being brought by the Central Government in Winter session. With this amendment, Chandigarh will be converted into a state, and Punjab will completely lose its right over Chandigarh," she said. Badal described it as a significant blow to Punjab, noting that the Congress had initially taken Chandigarh from Punjab and asserting that the decision to make it a separate state would not be accepted. "This amendment bill is a robbery of the rights of Punjab and also a violation of the principles of federal structure. The Shiromani Akali Dal will not allow this to happen and will strongly oppose it in this session," she said. The SAD has called an emergency meeting of its core committee on November 24 to discuss this issue. SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said the meeting, to be chaired by SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal, will chart out the next steps. Senior constitutional experts will be consulted to finalise a strong strategy to counter the Centre's move, he added. Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala said the move to "amend Article 240" of the Constitution is a "debilitating assault on federalism". He alleged that the latest instance of amending Article 240 "is the new tool to attack the identity, ethos and spirit of the States of Haryana and Punjab". In a post on X addressed to the people of Haryana and Punjab, Surjewala said, "the move by Govt of India to amend Article 240 of the Constitution of India is a debilitating assault on Federalism as also the rights of Haryana and Punjab over Chandigarh as a joint Capital of the two States under Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966". "Question is 'Why is the Modi Govt & BJP acting inimically to the States of Haryana and Punjab?'" Surjewala asked. Surjewala said the Centre must withdraw from these "wholly ill advised moves to undo the equilibrium of what we call as the "City Beautiful" - Chandigarh". "A piece of advise for Nayab Saini Govt and BJP in Punjab. Please smell the Coffee and stand up for the rights and unwavering spirit of Haryana and Punjab." "And a note of caution to politicians, persons & parties in Punjab, who are creating an off repeated false bogey of 'Chandigarh for Punjab' or 'Panjab University for Punjab'. Your arguments are self defeating and go against the grain of "Punjabiyat". "Haryana was also Punjab prior to 1st November, 1966. Then, how can Haryana be denied its rightful legacy? Grow Up ! Remember, two Brothers grow up, they separate, start their own families, divide properties amicably but the blood and spirit always remains the same," he said. Surjewala told them not to be blindsided by the "parochial arguments and petty point scoring". He said the two states have a shared heritage and can hold hands as brothers for a better future "for our children and generations to come". "Let Chandigarh and our shared institutions not fall prey to the Machiavellian politics of those out to divide us!" he said. Congress MLA Pargat Singh said that the Centre's latest endeavour aims to "completely snatch" Chandigarh from Punjab and transform it into a separate Union territory. He described this action as "an act of sheer aggression that Punjab will never accept." "I urge Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to strongly oppose this anti-Punjab move in Monday's Assembly session and pass a resolution against it. An all-party meeting must be convened so that Punjab can stand united, go to Delhi before the Parliament session, stage a protest against this unconstitutional assault, and meet the president with an all-party delegation to formally register Punjab's objection," he said. Currently, the Punjab governor serves as the Administrator of the UT of Chandigarh. It was previously administered independently by a chief secretary since November 1, 1966, when Punjab was reorganised. However, since June 1, 1984, Chandigarh has been administered by the Punjab governor and the chief secretary's position was converted to an adviser to the UT administrator. In August 2016, the Centre sought to restore the old practice of having an independent administrator by appointing former IAS officer K J Alphons for the top post. However, the move was withdrawn after stiff opposition from the then-Punjab chief minister, Parkash Singh Badal, who was part of the NDA, and other parties, including the Congress and AAP. Punjab, which has staked its claim on Chandigarh, also wants the immediate transfer of Chandigarh to it. The chief minister has reiterated this demand during a recent meeting of the Northern Zonal Council held in Faridabad. Earlier in the day, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said he would meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the matter. "I have sought time from the Union home minister for a meeting," Jakhar told PTI, adding that he wants the decision regarding the bill to be withdrawn. "To facilitate the administrative requirements of Chandigarh, the sentiments of Punjab cannot be ignored. Chandigarh is just not a geographical piece. Sentiments of Punjab are attached to it. There should be no ambiguity about it," he said. Earlier, in a post on X, Jakhar said Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, assuring that the "confusion" regarding the Union territory will be resolved. "Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab, and the Punjab BJP stands firmly with the interests of the state, whether it is the issue of Chandigarh or the waters of Punjab. Whatever confusion has arisen regarding Chandigarh will be resolved by discussing it with the government. As a Punjabi myself, I assure you that for us, Punjab always comes first," he said. Chhattisgarh deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has met surrendered Maoists at a rehabilitation centre in Sukma district and asked officials to arrange their visit to the state assembly during the winter session to help them understand democratic processes. IMAGE: Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma. Photograph: ANI Photo Sukma, once considered a Maoist stronghold, is now witnessing significant progress in counter-insurgency efforts, with the central government aiming to make Chhattisgarh as well as the country free of the Maoist menace by March 2026. More than 2,100 Maoists have surrendered in Chhattisgarh in the last 23 months, while senior Maoist leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi laid down arms along with 60 other cadres in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district last month. Sharma, who also holds the Home portfolio, paid a surprise visit late Saturday evening to the rehabilitation centre in Sukma town, which houses 94 surrendered Maoists, comprising 54 men and 40 women, as per officials. He held a 'choupal' (traditional meeting) with the youth who have surrendered arms and joined the mainstream, an official statement said. The deputy CM sat on the ground with the youth, listened to their concerns and experiences and directed officials to provide proper food, accommodation and other essential services to them. He also directed officials to organise a special health camp at the rehabilitation centre and arrange their visit to the state assembly in Raipur during the winter session next month to help them understand the democratic processes and government functioning, the release said. During the interaction, Sharma sought details about the training programmes being offered at the centre and personally reviewed the basic facilities available to the beneficiaries. He directed officials to ensure proper food, accommodation and other essential services for the youth, the release said. Sharma also enquired about their education, agricultural activities and meetings with family members. He instructed officers to allow family visits on market days or whenever requested. "If the family members of any rehabilitated youth are lodged in jail and the youth wishes to meet them, arrangements should be made," he said. Sharma told officials that if any of the rehabilitated youth wish to get married, the administration would facilitate a community wedding ceremony for them, the release said. Some of the surrendered Maoists informed the deputy CM that their basic documents were incomplete. Sharma immediately instructed the district administration to initiate the documentation process, it said. The rehabilitation centre in Sukma currently provides training in masonry, agriculture-based entrepreneurship and tailoring, according to officials. Under the state's rehabilitation policy, the youth who have surrendered are also being assisted in securing long-term employment, the release said. Additional Director General of Police Vivekanand Sinha, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattilingam, Sukma Collector Devesh Kumar Dhruv, Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan and other officials were present, it added. Notably, top Naxalite commander Madvi Hidma, who hailed from Puvarti village in Sukma, was killed in an encounter in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh on November 18, a breakthrough the Chhattisgarh Police described as the "last nail in the coffin" of the insurgency in the Dandakaranya region. In contemporary naming practices, Carlota maintains a respected position as a classic yet distinctive choice in Spanish-speaking communities worldwide. While it doesn't rank among the most popular names in countries like Spain or Mexico, it enjoys consistent usage across generations, particularly among families valuing traditional names with historical significance. Recent years have seen a mild resurgence in its popularity as vintage names return to fashion and parents seek names that are both culturally authentic and uncommon enough to stand out. The name's royal connotations and strong feminine associations make it appealing to modern parents who want to instill a sense of heritage and strength in their daughters. In international contexts, Carlota remains primarily within Hispanic communities, though its similarity to the more globally popular Charlotte has increased its recognition and accessibility in multicultural societies. Deepshikha, the woman who saw the school student for the last time, before he headed to the Rajendra Place Metro Station in New Delhi and allegedly died by suicide, said that he looked disturbed and told her that the teachers 'tortured' him. IMAGE: Parents hold a protest outside St Columba's School in Ashok Place over the death of a 16-year-old student, allegedly by suicide, at Rajendra Place Metro Station on November 18, in New Delhi on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Deepshikha said that she was in the same rickshaw as the victim on November 18. She said, "I bring my ward home from school in a rickshaw every day. But on the afternoon of November 18, when I had just sat in the rickshaw with my son, he (the victim) suddenly came running and quickly got in. He kept telling the driver to go faster. He looked very disturbed." "I asked him what had happened, and he replied, 'You should withdraw your son from the school.' He further said, 'My board exams are coming up, and the teachers torture me a lot. I can't even explain how much. My parents are called to school again and again'," the woman added. The Class 10 student left a note accusing his school teachers of harassment and calling for strict action against them. According to the FIR, the student allegedly jumped from Platform No. 2 of the Rajendra Place Metro Station. While parents and students continued their protest outside the private school on Saturday, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said on Friday that the state government had formed an investigation committee. Sood said the school has also taken action in the case. He informed that he will be writing to schools to enquire whether they are monitoring students' mental health and overall well-being in accordance with the CBSE guidelines. "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. The state government is ready to provide handholding and support. We are deeply concerned about our children's mental health and well-being," the Delhi Education Minister said. Meanwhile, the school, located in central Delhi, has suspended four of its staff members. Days after Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's remarks linking development funds to voter support, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday dismissed the suggestion of discrimination as unintended rhetoric and asserted the government aims to develop all regions. IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inspects the 'Agrovision Agricultural Exhibition', in Nagpur, November 23, 2025. Photograph: @CMOMaharashtra X/ANI Photo Fadnavis also dismissed reports of distrust with deputy CM and Shiv Sena head Eknath Shinde and called the speculation baseless, saying the two leaders continue to meet and interact regularly and that media claims of a rift are misleading. The CM was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Nagpur. During campaigning on Friday for elections to the Malegaon Nagar Panchayat in Baramati tehsil of Pune district, NCP Ajit Pawar told voters that he will ensure there is no shortage of funds for the town if they elect the candidates of his party, but if they reject them, he will also "reject". "I will ensure there is no shortage of funds if you elect all 18 NCP candidates. If you elect all 18 candidates, I am committed to give whatever I have promised. But if you reject, I will also reject. You have votes, I have funds," said Pawar, who holds the finance portfolio in the Bharatiya Janata Party-Nationalist Congress Party-Shiv Sena Mahayuti government. Asked about the remarks, Fadnavis asserted that the government is committed to the development of every region in Maharashtra. "Many times, a lot of things are said in a speech (during election), but it does not mean the same. Even if our ally or someone had said that, it was not their intention and they would never do such discrimination. And certainly, the people will elect Mahayuti in the coming elections, though we may fight separately in some places," he said. Fadnavis also rejected reports of distrust with deputy CM Eknath Shinde, calling the claims unfounded. "This is a bazaar of mad people, and some media have also got mad in this bazaar. We, Shinde Saheb and I, met the day before yesterday as well at the Hutatma Smarak programme. We spoke to each other as well. Similarly, yesterday we also met at a programme and spoke with each other," he said. "There is no reason why we should not talk. There is no such situation that the media is showing, and those people who are showing this will fall on their face," the BJP leader said. On Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani's claims of discrimination against Muslims in India amid the Delhi blast probe, Fadnavis said, "Former President of India late APJ Abdul Kalam is the real icon of Muslims to whom we also bow with respect. He always held his head high, make him the icon, why make others the icon." Asked about Congress leader Rashid Alvi targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Delhi blast and the 'white-collar' terror module, Fadnavis said it is true that the educated youth should use their knowledge for good work, but the forces that are radicalising them, will they (a reference to Congress leaders) speak against them? "Will they oppose the forces that are sowing anti-India seeds in their (youth) minds?" he asked. Hence, action should be taken against those who indulge in anti-India activities, irrespective of their caste, religion and race, the CM added. This 'white-collar' module was busted on November 10 after an intense investigation by Srinagar police and led to the arrest of eight persons, including three doctors. But one, Dr Umar-un-Nabi, had managed to give a slip and was driving the explosive-laden car that blasted outside Red Fort in Delhi, killing 15 persons on November 10. As speculation around the chief minister change in Karnataka refuses to die down, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said that the party high command will decide whatever it is, and he has nothing to say now. IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge pays tribute to former PM Indira Gandhi on her 108th birth anniversary at Indira Gandhi Memorial, as CPP chairperson Sonia Gandhi looks on, in New Delhi, November 19, 2025. Photograph: AICC/ANI Photo The All India Congress Committee chief stated this, a day after his more than an hour long meeting with chief minister Siddaramaiah here. "I have nothing to say about the developments that have happened. So you (media) standing here is a waste of your time and I too feel bad. Whatever it is, the high command will do it. There is no need for you to worry more about it," Kharge told reporters outside his residence in Bengaluru. The power tussle within the ruling party has intensified, amid speculations about chief minister change in the state, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. Speaking to reporters last night, after meeting Kharge, the second such meeting between the two in less than a week, Siddaramaiah, while responding to a question regarding clarity about his tenure as the CM had said, he will abide by whatever the high command decides, and everyone also should. He however had termed the buzz around leadership change as speculation and media creation. The CM's meeting with the AICC chief had come after some MLAs supporting Shivakumar travelled to Delhi and met Kharge, as the Congress government completed 2.5 years in office. Shivakumar, however, had said he was not aware of legislators travelling to Delhi to meet Kharge. On Sunday, ministers H C Mahadevappa and K Venkatesh -- considered close to CM Siddaramaiah -- met Kharge at his residence. Speaking to reporters after meeting Kharge, Mahadevappa said, there is no situation for CM change now, and in case such a situation arises, the Congress high command will decide. Stating that it was a courtesy call with Kharge, he said, during the meeting, organising the party and preparing it for the upcoming local body polls were discussed. Asked about the discussion on leadership change, Dalit CM and cabinet reshuffle with Kharge, the minister said, "None of them were discussed...there is no race for CM post." Asserting that there is no question of leadership change before the party, as Siddaramaiah, who is holding the CM position is working effectively, he said, "If such a situation arises, the high command will take a decision, but such a situation is not there right now." Mahadevappa also ruled out any signature campaign in the party to gather opinion on CM change. "No one has called or contacted us so far." "Congress will complete its full term and will come back to power in 2028. The CM will be there till 2028 and complete the term," he added. While Siddaramaiah is pushing for a reshuffle of his Cabinet, Shivakumar wants the party to first decide on a leadership change, party sources said. According to several party insiders, if the Congress high command approves the cabinet reshuffle, it would signal that the incumbent chief minister Siddaramaiah will complete the full five years term, which will scuttle the chances of Shivakumar from occupying the coveted post. There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the deputy CM. There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they were not officially confirmed by the party. Alleging 'horse-trading' between factions within the ruling Congress in Karnataka, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Sunday claimed that Rs 50 crore, a flat and a car were being offered to MLAs to win them over. IMAGE: Karnataka BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy. Photograph: ANI Photo Accusing AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, of "doing business" by allegedly seeking Rs 200 crore from ministerial aspirants, Narayanaswamy demanded a probe and said he planned to write to the Enforcement Directorate on the matter. His remarks come amid speculation over a possible change of chief minister as the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term, referred to by some leaders as the 'November revolution' linked to an alleged power-sharing understanding between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar. The government completed 2.5 years in office on November 20. "More than infighting, trading is happening in Congress," Narayanaswamy told reporters in Bengaluru. "At first, we heard Rs 50 crore was being offered to each MLA. Now the bargaining has increased, some are demanding Rs 75 crore, others up to Rs 100 crore. But the offer of Rs 50 crore plus a flat and a Fortuner car is what I have been told," he added. He said that while 'horse-trading' was earlier heard of between rival parties, it is now occurring within the Congress itself. "There are multiple factions in Congress, but the big two are led by the CM and the deputy CM. I have heard that both sides have begun trying to buy MLAs from each other. This must be investigated, and I am writing to the ED," he said, alleging misuse of public money to "purchase" legislators. Alleging that Surjewala had started doing 'business' with ministerial aspirants by demanding Rs 200 crore, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council claimed that MLA K C Veerendra 'Puppy', who was arrested in an ED case, had apparently paid an advance. "This must be probed, and Surjewala should be arrested. He is doing business for ministerial posts," he claimed. Narayanaswamy also accused the Congress government of "betraying the people", citing issues faced by farmers and Dalits. With the ruling party enjoying the support of around 140 MLAs, he alleged its leaders were "intoxicated by power" and said the public would "teach them a lesson." Stating that the BJP, as the opposition, would not remain silent, the party leader said, "If the Congress government continues to indulge in activities like horse-trading without addressing people's concerns, we will not sit quietly." He added that BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition in the assembly R Ashoka and other senior leaders would decide the party's next course of action after discussions. Hitting out at Dalit leaders in the Congress, Narayanaswamy claimed they "lack the guts" and only make statements. Responding to a question on the demand for a Dalit chief minister, he alleged that the party uses Dalits "merely as a vote bank." "If you (Congress Dalit leaders) have the guts, take the CM post. Don't mislead people with mere statements. Congress is like slow poison for Dalits. It has done injustice to Ambedkar," he claimed. Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Sunday hinted that he too was in the race to become the chief minister, in case of leadership change in the state, and amid demands for a "Dalit CM". IMAGE: Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara. Photograph: ANI on X However, trying to play down reports about confusion within the party on the issue of Chief Minister change, he pointed out that no one from the Congress high command has spoken on the matter so far, nor has it been discussed in the Congress Legislature Party. The senior Congress leader further said that All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge will decide on leadership change, if there is a need, after discussing with top party leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently abroad. There have been speculation about chief minister change in the state, after the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, which is being referred to by some as the "November revolution", citing alleged "power-sharing" agreement involving CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar in 2023. The government completed 2.5 years in power on November 20. "I'm always in the race, it is not a big issue. I was the Pradesh Congress Committee President in 2013. We brought the Congress government to power (in 2013 Assembly polls). I never claimed credit for it solely. I lost in that poll. Had I won, what would have happened, I don't know," Parameshwara said in response to a question whether he was in the CM race. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I was in the race then, naturally, as there is a convention in the Congress party where the PCC president is often given a chance (to become CM), but it is not followed in some situations..." Asked if he will ask the high command to consider him in case there is a leadership change, Parameshwara said, "Let that situation come, such a situation has not come." On his name doing the rounds as a probable CM candidate, amid "fight" for the top post between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, he termed it as media creation. When questioned if there was a demand for a "Dalit CM" in case of a leadership change, citing repeated meetings of ministers from SC/ST community involving him, H C Mahadevappa, Satish Jarkiholi and others, Parameshwara replied, "there is demand for a Dalit to become CM for long." "Will it happen, just because we meet," he asked. Stating that they have met several times on issues relating to the community-- like internal reservation among SCs, he said, "should we not discuss our issues. Some of us, like minded people, meet and discuss things." Making a Dalit the CM has been a hotly debated matter within Congress, on and off for a long time now, and senior party leaders from the community like Parameshwara and Mahadevappa have spoken on the subject in the past. To a question on confusion within the Congress party over power sharing, with CM Siddaramaiah meeting Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday, the minister merely said that the question should be asked to the party chief. Noting that all decisions in the Congress happen involving the high command, the home minister asked if anyone from the high command had said anything about leadership change and cabinet reshuffle. He said Siddaramaiah was chosen as the chief minister at the Congress Legislature Party meeting after the 2023 Assembly polls, in the presence of AICC observers, and nothing was said about a 2.5 year term for the CM then. "Siddaramaiah was chosen as the CM then, he is there as the CM. If CM has to be changed in between, it is left to the high command. We cannot do it... if the situation comes they will do it. It was done in the past, Veerappa Moily replaced S Bangarappa as chief minister," he said, adding that, however, he doesn't feel such a situation has come. Pointing out that Rahul Gandhi is abroad, Kharge will discuss with him and decide, if there are such developments, upon his return. "AICC President is from Karnataka. No one probably knows the state politics better than him. He will decide, no one needs to tell him," he said. Asked whether the Congress high command has become "incapable" in resolving the issue, Parameshwara said there was no issue at all at the first place, and they are only the creation of media. Meanwhile, reacting to Parameshwara hinting at CM aspiration in case of leadership change, Minister Satish Jarkiholi speaking to reporters in Belagavi said, there is nothing wrong, and he had expressed his desire in the past too. "There is nothing wrong in what he has said. Main voters for this party are SC/ST and minorities and there is a desire that they should get prominence," he said, adding that Parameshwara was KPCC chief for eight years, and had worked for the party to come to power (in 2013). Many workers and legislators contributed to the party's success and coming to power in the state. "I don't accept claims by some people that the party came to power because of a select few," he said in an apparent reference to Shivakumar. Outgoing Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Sunday said that the apex court gave a balanced verdict by doing away with the timelines for governors and the President on bills, as the Constitution does not permit it, and at the same time holding that governors cannot sit over the bills indefinitely. IMAGE: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu and CJI Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai (middle), during the SEEK Convention organised by the Advocates Association of the Andhra Pradesh high court on the occasion of the Indian Constitution coming into force 75 years ago, in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, November 16, 2025. Photograph: @AndhraPradeshCMx/ANI Photo In a candid conversation with media persons at his official residence, Justice Gavai said that the Constitution rests on the principle of separation of powers and does not permit the court to read timelines where none exist. Friday was his last working day in the Supreme Court. "We have not only relaxed the timeline, but we also balanced it by saying that the governor cannot sit over the bill for an endless time," the outgoing CJI said. Responding to criticism that he diluted timelines for governors' decisions on bills, he said, "The Constitution does not permit the court to read timelines where none exist. But we have said the governor cannot sit indefinitely. Judicial review is available in extreme delays." He cited the "separation of powers" and maintained that while a governor "cannot sit over the bill for endless time" and a limited judicial review is available, the judiciary cannot read something into the Constitution that "isn't there. On November 20, the apex court refused to accept the preliminary objections raised by opposition-ruled states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala to the maintainability of Presidential Reference, saying the issues raised in it pertain to the very core and foundational modalities of the constitutional machinery. In its unanimous verdict, a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai said the unique nature of the advisory jurisdiction of this court lies in its institutional character and the "power to interpret the Constitution, nay, the duty to interpret it for the benefit of the Republic and its constituents, is exclusively vested with the judiciary". Underlining that there could be many factors that prevent the governor from deciding on a bill at a particular time, CJI Gavai said that the constitution rests on the principle of separation of powers, and the power to make laws lies with the legislature. He, however, refused to comment on the Judge Yashwant Verma matter, saying that the issue is currently before the Parliamentary Committee. Justice Verma landed in controversy after a fire incident at his residence in the national capital in March, when he was a judge at the Delhi High Court, led to the discovery of several burnt sacks of cash at the outhouse. Speaking on the independence of the judiciary, Justice Gavai asserted that it is significant in terms of maintaining public trust and for ensuring this, the collegium system of judges appointing judges should remain. Independence of judiciary, as has always been said, if you want the public to have complete trust in the judiciary, independence has to be maintained, he said. He said that in contemporary jurisprudence, a judge is called "independent only if the decision is given against the government", calling it an incorrect approach. Unless you decide against the government, you are not an independent judge. That's not correct for a judge. You don't decide as to whether the litigant is the government or a private citizen. You decide as per the papers before you, he said. In any case the government may succeed or lose. But the thinking in some quarters that unless you decide everything against the government, you are not an independent judge, is not a correct approach, CJI Gavai added. The police have rescued four manager-level employees of a city-based BPO firm who were allegedly abducted by a gang of eight persons posing as cops, and have nabbed the accused, which includes a police constable. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo The accused had allegedly extorted Rs 8.90 lakh from the operations manager of the firm, and had demanded for more money, the police said. The incident took place around midnight on Friday and most of the accused are from Kolar, police sources said, adding that one of the accused is a police constable in Kolar, and further investigation is on. The accused had claimed to be police personnel conducting a cybercrime inspection, officials said. Those abducted were kept as hostages at a place in Kolar district's Malur. The police swung into action on receiving a complaint on emergency helpline 112 from the BPO staff, early on Saturday and arrested the culprits. Home minister G Parameshwara, speaking to reporters on Sunday said, arrests have been made in the Koramangala case. The arrested police constable is posted at the Malur town police station. He said instructions will be given in the department to be vigilant, and take merciless action against the police personnel involved in such activities, by taking disciplinary and legal action. DCP (south-east) Sarah Fathima told reporters on Saturday said, "On Friday at 1 am, eight people posing as police took four manager level employees working at a BPO in Koramangala police station limits under the pretext of an inquiry and kidnapped them." She said they demanded money from the abducted and forced one person--operations manager of the firm--to transfer Rs 8.90 lakh to four bank accounts of those related to the accused through online. They also demanded more money in the form of cash. The police received the complaint at 4.30 am on Saturday and four teams were formed to track the case. The DCP said eight accused persons have been arrested and two vehicles used for kidnapping have been seized. "The accused have tried to get as much money as they can. They had demanded hard cash and had tried to share location over phone to deliver the money. We have nabbed the accused kidnappers before the delivery," she said. Most of the accused are from Kolar district doing different kinds of jobs. They have been arrested and further investigation will be done, the DCP said. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea filed by Sonam Wangchuk's wife which termed the climate activist's detention under the stringent National Security Act as illegal and an arbitrary exercise violating his fundamental rights. IMAGE: Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk speaks on the violent protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in Leh, September 24, 2025. Photograph: Sonam Wangchuk X/ANI Video Grab The top court had on October 29 sought response of the Centre and the Ladakh administration on the amended plea of Wangchuk's wife Gitanjali J Angmo. As per the apex court's cause list of November 24, the plea is slated to come up for hearing before a bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria. Wangchuk was detained under the National Security Act (NSA) on September 26, two days after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and 90 injured in the Union Territory. The government had accused him of inciting the violence. The amended plea has said, "The detention order is founded upon stale FIRs, vague imputations, and speculative assertions, lacks any live or proximate connection to the purported grounds of detention and is thus devoid of any legal or factual justification". "Such arbitrary exercise of preventive powers amounts to a gross abuse of authority, striking at the core of constitutional liberties and due process, rendering the detention order liable to be vitiated by this court," it said. The plea said it is wholly preposterous that after over three decades of being recognized at the state, national, and international levels for his contributions to grassroots education, innovation, and environmental conservation in Ladakh and across India, Wangchuk would suddenly be targeted. "Merely two months before the elections and the final rounds of dialogue between ABL (Apex Body of Leh), KDA (Kargil Democratic Alliance), and the Ministry of Home Affairs, he was served with notices for land lease cancellation, FCRA cancellation, initiation of a CBI investigation, and summons from the Income Tax Department," it said. The plea claimed these coordinated actions, taken in close temporal proximity, make it prima facie evident that the order of detention is not based on genuine concerns of public order or security but is instead a calculated attempt to silence a respected citizen exercising his democratic and constitutional right to dissent. The plea said the unfortunate events of violence in Leh on September 24 cannot be attributed to the actions or statements of Wangchuk in any manner. It said Wangchuk himself condemned the violence through his social media handles and categorically stated that violence would lead to the failure of Ladakh's "tapasya" and peaceful pursuit of five years and stated that "it is the saddest day of his life". It further stated that complete grounds of detention were only supplied to Wangchuk after a flagrant delay of 28 days, which is in clear violation of the statutory timeline prescribed under section 8 of the NSA. The plea said under section 8 of the NSA the detaining authority shall as soon as may be, but ordinarily not later than five days and, in exceptional circumstances and for reasons to be recorded in writing, not later than ten days, communicate to the detenu the complete grounds of detention. The NSA empowers the Centre and states to detain individuals to prevent them from acting in a manner "prejudicial to the defence of India". The maximum detention period is 12 months, though it can be revoked earlier. Amid an ongoing power tussle in the ruling Congress, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called on party president Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence in Bengaluru, and dismissed speculation of a leadership change in the state. IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah meets Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Photograph: @AICC/ANI Photo The chief minister described his meeting with Kharge, who returned from New Delhi on Friday evening, as a courtesy call. On Friday, Siddaramaiah, who is involved in a power tussle with his deputy and Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar, asserted that he would continue in office and also present state budgets in the future. In response, Shivakumar wished him 'all the best'. Addressing reporters after meeting Kharge on Saturday, Siddaramaiah said, "Apart from the courtesy call, we discussed the organisation and upcoming local body elections, including the Bengaluru municipal polls." Asked whether there was any discussion on a leadership change in the state, the chief minister said, "That is only speculation. You (media) only created it." He also said he did not ask Kharge why some Congress MLAs from Karnataka met him in Delhi. "If at all I have to gather information about the reason behind the MLAs meeting Kharge, I will collect it from the intelligence department. I have not asked the MLAs why they went there. "Let the MLAs go to Delhi. Ultimately, every leader, every minister, even me and D K Shivakumar, have to abide by the party high command's decision," he added. At least 15 MLAs and about a dozen MLCs have camped in New Delhi to push the Congress high command to make Shivakumar the next Karnataka CM, Congress sources earlier said. According to reports, the demand is based on a purported power-sharing agreement reached in 2023, under which Siddaramaiah was to serve as the CM for two and a half years (till November 2025) before making way for Shivakumar. Meanwhile, Union minister H D Kumaraswamy claimed 'explosive developments' were in the offing in the Congress and that the party cadre should gear up for it. The atmosphere in the police interrogation room at Srinagar is tense but a Haryana preacher detained in connection with a 'white-collar' terror module remains focused on unpaid rent from arrested doctors. 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, November 21, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Maulvi Ishtiyaq, the religious preacher from Mewat in Haryana, was picked up by the Jammu and Kashmir police after the recovery of 2,900 kg of explosive material, including ammonium nitrate, potassium chlorate, and sulphur, from his rented residence located outside Faridabad's Al Falah University, which has emerged as the epicentre of the terror module. His name surfaced during the interrogation of Dr Muzammil Ganaie, a key member of the 'white-collar' terror module arrested from the University. At his instance, the police team recovered explosives from the residence of the preacher. This white-collar module was busted on November 10 after an intense investigation by Srinagar police and led to the arrest of eight persons, including three doctors. But one, Dr Umar-un-Nabi, had managed to give a slip and was driving the explosive-laden car that blasted outside Red Fort, killing 15 people on November 10. Maulvi Ishtiyaq told his interrogators a shockingly different story, claiming that Ganaie and Umar approached him earlier this year, asking him to store what they called "fertilisers" at his home and allegedly agreed upon a monthly storage fee of Rs 2,500, according to officials. Maulvi Ishtiyaq was not concerned about the gravity of the situation and his concern was about the outstanding rent owed by Ganaie and Umar which was pending for the last six months, they said. Living below the poverty line and struggling to support his four children and family, the religious preacher told the officials of the National Investigation Agency, Srinagar police and others from central security agencies to recover the outstanding rent from Ganaie so that he could send the money back home. The officials recalled that the disparity between the heinous crime of storing enough material for a massive terror attack and the detainee's immediate, desperate concern for the rent payment was enough to briefly break the tension in the interrogation room. The incident provides a bizarre and tragicomic look into the lives entangled on the fringes of major terror plots, said a senior police official. His story was supported by Ganaie during interrogation, the officials said, adding Maulvi Ishtiyaq has been handed over to the State Investigation Agency for further action. The preacher was detained on November 12 after a series of raids conducted by Jammu and Kashmir police along with their Haryana counterparts. The Jammu and Kashmir police on November 10 along with their counterparts in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh carried out the operation to unravel a 'white-collar' terror network of banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind and arrested eight people. Investigations led to the Al Falah University where 2,900 kg of explosives were recovered. It all started on the intervening night of October 18-19, when posters of the banned JeM surfaced on walls just outside Srinagar city. The posters warned of attacks on police and security forces in the Valley. Three people -- Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid -- were arrested after CCTV footage showed them pasting the posters. During interrogation, they named former paramedic-turned-preacher Maulvi Irfanas the one who had supplied the posters. He was arrested. This was the thread that led to the unravelling of the plot. Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Saeed were held from Faridabad. Later, Adeel Rather was picked up from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Individuals named Cerdic are typically perceived as natural leaders with strong, decisive personalities and a commanding presence. They often exhibit strategic thinking, courage in adversity, and a deep sense of responsibility toward those they lead. Historically associated with warrior-kings and founders of dynasties, the name suggests someone who is ambitious yet practical, capable of both bold action and careful planning. These individuals tend to be traditional in their values but innovative in their methods, combining respect for established customs with the vision to create new institutions. Their leadership style often involves inspiring loyalty through personal example and maintaining authority through competence rather than mere position. The name carries connotations of reliability, strength of character, and the ability to navigate complex challenges with wisdom and determination, making Cerdic-suited individuals well-equipped for roles requiring both vision and practical execution. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Snow showers this morning. Peeks of sunshine later. High 26F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Some clouds. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 14F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Belarusian authoritarian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko has pardoned and released 31 Ukrainian citizens who had been held in Belarus, a move Minsk said was part of an agreement reached with US President Donald Trump. Ukraines prisoner exchange coordination committee confirmed the action on November 22, saying it received the civilians from Belarusian authorities. "Women and men detained in Belarus and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment ranging from two to 11 years are returning to Ukraine," the coordination committee said on Telegram. "We express our gratitude to the United States of America and President Donald Trump for their fruitful work in returning Ukrainian civilians and military personnel from Belarus and Russia," it added. The specific charges under which the prisoners had been held were not immediately clear. Ukrainian officials said that "these are civilian men and women who were held for a pro-Ukrainian position, accused of aiding and abetting Ukraine." Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has authorized several prisoner releases over the past year as he seeks to improve relations with the West. The Belarus strongmen is hoping better ties will lead to an easing of Western sanctions, imposed following the country's cooperation with Russia in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. But while Minsk basks in the narrative of warming relations with Washington, dark questions have been raised by accounts of torture and mistreatment related by previously released prisoners. Trump has named a special envoy to Belarus with a goal of negotiating further releases. The US president, who surprised many by speaking to Lukashenko by phone in August, said in September that he believed the Eastern European nation would be releasing many of the hundreds of political prisoners it was holding. "I believe they're going to be releasing a lot of those 1,400," Trump told reporters on September 5, adding that it could happen "in the pretty near future." Chechnya has introduced a new ban for women's fashion that prohibits traditional clothing featuring "masculine elements." While this isn't the first time the Russian republic's authorities have imposed restrictions on women's appearance, observers say the rationale behind the latest rules is about control - not tradition, as claimed. The Chechen Culture Ministry said clothing designers are now prohibited from using certain styles that "contradict traditional customs and cultural values." Specifically, the authorities cited gazyrs -- rows of bullet pockets sewn in rows at chest level on the traditional cherkeska, a high-necked woolen coat. Why were gazyrs singled out? "Warriors used them to store gunpowder charges," the ministry explained. "Over time, they became a symbol of courage, honor, and a protective spirit." "The use of such elements in women's clothing is perceived as an infringement on male symbolism and a violation of centuries-old traditions," it concluded. This is the second restriction on women's appearance by the Chechen authorities in less than a month. In late October, women were banned from going outside without a head scarf. A woman caught without a head scarf will be subject to "explanatory talks," according to Amir Sugaipov, an aide to the republic's strongman leader, Ramzan Kadyrov. Niqabs, Muslim head coverings that have a slit for the eyes, are also banned. A Test Of Loyalty For The Masses Political observers, historians, and advocates for women's rights have criticized the official line that these restrictions reflect Chechen culture. The Marem crisis group, which advocates for women's rights in the North Caucasus, said it was "hardly surprised" that the "men from the Culture Ministry decided to find fault with women's fashion. What we would like to see is civil servants fighting for other symbols of courage and dignity like the end of femicide and the rejection of violence" against women. Political scientist Ruslan Aisin compares the situation to that in North Korea, which also regulates what clothing and even hairstyles people can wear. A totalitarian regime demands absolute ideological loyalty -- "so there are no deviations," he said. The same thing is happening in Chechnya, he adds, and it has nothing to do with traditions and more about a test of loyalty among the populace. "Everything the state does in terms of culture is always for show and is always aimed at control. Firstly, there's official culture, and then there's folk culture. They often clash. If you take Chechen traditions, there's no dictator." Dress Codes And The Politics Of Succession Kadyrov has long been known to install family members in powerful cabinet posts. He also has his eye on his eventual succession. Isa Ibragimov, a relative of Kadyrov's, heads the Culture Ministry, which announced the latest ban. Kadyrov's daughter, Aishat Kadyrova, held this post from 2021 to 2023, before becoming deputy prime minister for social affairs. The 26-year-old Kadyrova resigned in February, saying the job was more suited to a "strong man" and that she intended to focus on a career in business. These business interests include her most famous enterprise, the Firdaws fashion house. According to the mission statement on its website, Firdaws' designers "work in the authentic modest fashion segment" and produce clothing that is "true to traditional Chechen style, Vainakh patterns, and nature" for "men and women who prefer an elegant style and remain true to their culture." Both Kadyrova and Firdaws are under sanctions by the European Union and the United States. Now that it can no longer do business abroad in Western countries, Firdaws' collections have become even more conservative. Political scientist Aisin says Kadyrova could very well be a beneficiary of clothing restrictions for Chechen women. "Within Chechnya, there's a power transition underway from Kadyrov, from a monocentric model to a polycentric one, to the family. This requires some movement, ideological and political steps. Basically, they need to distribute power among his daughter, son, grandchildren, son-in-law, in-law, and so on," Aisin said. "Aishat, for example, will oversee this. She will have a kind of external, symbolic element of power. I don't think Kadyrov personally formulates it this way, but it logically follows from everything they're doing there." 'Maintaining Order' For The Kremlin Svetlana Anokhina, the founder of Marem, said using "traditions" as grounds for bans is a longstanding trend in the North Caucasus. "Men have always perceived various 'border violations' by women as an infringement on their privileges and their 'masculinity,'" she said. Even the act of Kadyrov handing down such a ban contradicts Chechen tradition, she explained. "According to tradition, a stranger cannot give orders to a woman -- he must address her through the men in her family. But apparently, Kadyrov considers himself the 'father of the people' and acts accordingly: He allows women to be punished, publicly reprimanded, forbidden from wearing certain items, and vetoes their attire," Anokhina said. Fatima Gazieva of PeaceWomen Across the Globe in Belgium said Chechen authorities are using such restrictions not only to strengthen control within the republic but also to demonstrate their loyalty and ability to "maintain order" to the Kremlin. If the authorities want to follow traditions, they should protect women, not control them. "We're talking about respecting women's dignity, which has always been part of genuine, not politically exploited, Chechen values," she said. "In other words, if the authorities truly want to uphold tradition, they should protect women, not control them." When a 25-year-old Chinese construction worker died at a vast solar power plant site in Bosnia-Herzegovina this summer, few expected the incident to snowball into one of the most significant legal blows against Chinese-backed projects in the country. The accident at the Aurora Solar site near the southern Bosnian city of Stolac triggered an inspection that uncovered 71 illegal Chinese workers in October. Authorities quickly deported them, ruled construction of the $116 million project illegal, and opened investigations into the possible misuse of public land in November. But local residents say the construction site has not yet closed. For a region where Chinese infrastructure investments are often shielded by political alliances and government patronage, the move marked a rare setback for China's economic footprint in the Balkans and a successful instance of public resistance to Chinese projects. Experts say officials in the region have often embraced Chinese capital as fast money for energy and infrastructure development at the expense of protecting the environment and upholding labor laws. "Chinese companies behave in the Balkans the way they are allowed to do so," Vuk Vuksanovic, a senior researcher at the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, told RFE/RL. Broken Promises, Environmental Concerns Following months of legal wrangling and pressure from the local community, a government inspector effectively blocked any new construction at the solar power plant site in Stolac. Residents like Arman Ajanic had raised concern that facilities for the project were built closer to populated areas than originally presented to the public and that construction could bring environmental and safety risks such as landslides. "The location is a proven landslide-prone area and has a slope toward residential houses," Ajanic told RFE/RL. "Our neighbor Elmira Sefo was killed by a landslide caused by an earthquake. Having learned from these negative experiences, we simply did not want to sit idly by." He added that locals began their legal campaign to stop the project in January, spending hours each day researching the relevant laws. "This should not be the job of ordinary citizens but of institutions," Ajanic said. The mayor's office, who led the effort to build the plant, did not respond to RFE/RL's request for comment. Kemal Svrakic, the lawyer for China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), the Chinese company building the solar project, told RFE/RL's Balkan Service last month that all the workers arrived legally and he had filed all the necessary paperwork for each of them. What Is NORINCO? China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) is a subsidiary of a larger state-owned defense company, China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO Group), which manufactures commercial and military products. NORINCO markets its parent company's products internationally and is also involved in military defense projects in China and civil construction projects, increasingly within the renewables sector, at home and abroad. 'Free Rein To The Chinese The solar plant near Stolac is the latest high-profile project being built or managed by Chinese state-owned firms across the Balkans that has recently become embroiled in controversy and stalled due to local pushback. There is the hydropower plant in the village of Ulog in southern Bosnia, where locals have for years pointed to environmental damage and mass fish die-offs. An investigation has now been opened into the cause of the fish deaths. There is also the Bistrica hydropower plant in Bosnia whose building permit was revoked and which faced a local backlash. The projects have faced public blowback for similar reasons, including circumventing local laws around labor, the environment, and land ownership. Researchers like Vuksanovic said these issues derive from Balkan politicians' attempts to get an influx of Chinese investment into the country and benefit from a web of newfound capital. "All of the concerns about illegal labor, the environment, and the expropriation of land exist because local elites give free rein to the Chinese so that a project can get completed," Vuksanovic said. "If you allow companies to operate without clear rules, this is what can happen." Both Aurora Solar, which is developing the solar plant project, and NORINCO, the contractor, maintain that all necessary permits were obtained in accordance with the law. Neither company has announced that it plans to challenge the decision. A Pattern Across The Balkans Across the border in Serbia, however, local opposition has struggled to break through. In the eastern mining hub of Bor, which is home to Serbia's only copper mining complex, residents accuse the Chinese conglomerate Zijin Mining Group of land grabs, causing pollution, and disregarding their livelihoods. But years of legal battles have brought little progress. Miodrag Zivkovic from the village of Slatina said he lost seven hectares of land in 2020 after receiving an expropriation order from the government to take his property for public use. Zivkovic is now in a legal dispute with the Chinese mining company Zijin because it is listed as the beneficiary of the expropriation, even though the Serbian government had carried it out on the companys behalf. He said the authorities have gone to great lengths to accommodate Zijin and sidestepped legal procedures in the process. "The Finance Ministry issued a decision allowing the company to take possession before compensating me, citing the urgency of the project," Zivkovic explained to RFE/RL. "Instead of instructing the company to pay the compensation set by law, the ministry sided with them." Serbia Zijin Mining, the Chinese firm's local subsidiary that controls much of the former state-run Bor complex, insists it acquired most of the land on a voluntary basis and only a small portion was expropriated after the state designated the area for "public interest." Zivkovic, who depends on a small disability pension, said he lost not just land but his entire livelihood. He added that the mining in Bor has led to air pollution with high concentrations of arsenic. "There is no such thing as a green mine, especially not here where the mining company is Chinese," Zivkovic said, referring to the heavy environmental impact of mining. "This is certainly not true when we consider the results of air quality measures conducted by our Mining Institute in Bor. It is a disaster." Zijin In Serbia Zijin entered Serbia in 2018 with backing from Belgrade when it paid $350 million to recapitalize the failing RTB Bor firm, pledging to invest $1.26 billion at the site over the following six years. Since then, the company has revived mining in the area and sought to open new sites. In September 2023, it announced a $3.8 billion investment to expand its copper mines amid rising global demand for the commodity. While Belgrade has praised Zijin's role in rejuvenating the country's mining industry and bringing jobs to the Balkan country, grievances between the company and locals have grown. Zijin has repeatedly said it operates in compliance with all laws and regulations. Since entering Serbia, Zijin has been fined for pollution violations and in April 2021 the company was ordered to halt work at the copper mine after it failed to follow environmental standards and build a wastewater treatment plant. Since China's Zijin Mining Group acquired Serbia's only copper and precious metals producer in 2018, it has become one of the country's largest exporters, with earnings nearing 1 billion euros by the end of 2024. For Belgrade, such investments showcase a model partnership often described by Chinese and Serbian leaders Xi Jinping and Aleksandar Vucic as a "steel friendship." But some residents say that alliance has come at a steep cost, one measured not in economic promise but in lost land, polluted air, and unenforced court rulings. "It's tough to get any company to fully respect environmental laws in your country, but it's even more difficult when the local and national governments are complicit in doing this too," Damir Dizdarevic, who tracks Chinese investments in the Balkans for the Belgrade-based BFPE Foundation for a Responsible Society, told RFE/RL. Controversies Involving Another Chinese Company In Serbia The Chinese company Linglong, which is building a nearly $1 billion tire factory in Serbia, has also found itself embroiled in scandals over the years for a spotty environmental record and poor labor practices. In 2020, Serbian NGOs revealed that some of the construction work surrounding the tire plant in the town of Zrenjanin had been done without permits or environmental impact studies, leading to protests. A national scandal also erupted after poor labor standards were uncovered at the factory, where hundreds of Vietnamese workers who were hired by a subcontractor lived in makeshift lodgings without electricity, heating, or water and had their passports confiscated. China's Green Pivot Vladimir Shopov, an expert on China in the Balkans at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the Balkan countries are a convenient springboard for Chinese companies to build their portfolios and fine-tune their operations so they can meet the more stringent business and environmental standards of the European Union and compete in its single market. "While its long-term goals -- political positioning in future EU member states, building networks of friendly local actors, and gaining influence in key policy and economic sectors -- remain the same, Beijing is expanding its toolkit to achieve these goals," Shopov wrote in an analysis earlier this month. China's investments in renewable energy, including wind and solar power, are a major pillar of that new toolkit. State subsidies and a massive manufacturing base have turned China into the world's largest and most cost-effective producer of solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. In recent years, Chinese institutions have also bankrolled green-energy projects across the world as Beijing looks to rebrand its global image from a top polluter to green investor and shore up business for its companies abroad. Across the Balkans, Chinese state-owned firms have often funded these green energy projects using local intermediaries to navigate loose legal systems and weak oversight. But as Stolac shows, this strategy can backfire when local communities push back. What began as a tragic workplace death ended with the dismantling of an entire venture. Ajanic said he and locals from Stolac are banding together with other activists across the country to prepare additional legal steps against similar projects where they believe the law has been circumvented. "We joined a national alliance demanding lawful management of public land," he said. "We've engaged institutions at all levels because a healthy environment and lawful procedures dont have a price." With contribution from Edib Bajrovic and Nevena Bogdanovic of the Balkan Service US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said there has been "tremendous progress" at talks on ending the war in Ukraine, and that President Donald Trump was "pleased" when he briefed him on the discussions. Rubio spoke to reporters for a second time on November 23, after talks with a Ukrainian delegation in Geneva that he earlier said had been "the most productive and meaningful" since the Trump administration took office in January. "There's still some work to be done, but we are much further ahead today at this time than we were when we began this morning and where we were a week ago, for certain," Rubio said. He did not elaborate on what the points were, but said security guarantees for Ukraine were something that "has to be discussed" and that work would continue on November 24. The meetings in the Swiss lakeside city are focusing on a US plan to stop fighting that has raged since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The plan has not yet been officially disclosed, although key elements have been leaked -- sparking Kyiv's allies to suggest that it is highly tilted in Russia's favor. Trump had earlier said the plan was not his final word, suggesting changes could be made to it. But in comments on Truth Social on November 23 indicated frustration with European and Ukrainian positions. Ukraines leadership has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts, and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia, he wrote in all-caps comments. Two European Union member states still purchase Russian crude oil: Hungary and Slovakia. NATO-member Turkey also buys Russian crude. Apparently responding in a social media post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pointedly stated his gratitude "personally to President Trump" for help that "is saving the lives of Ukrainians." In a later post, Zelenskyy also gave an impression of the pace of diplomacy in Geneva. "A lot is changing we are working very carefully on the steps needed to end the war," he said. "Tomorrow will be no less active." What's In The Deal? Many of the terms of the proposed deal require sweeping concessions by Kyiv and appear to mirror many of the Kremlin's demands -- including surrender of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions -- known as the Donbas -- and Crimea, along with setting limits on the size of its military. Kyiv would also be required to enact a constitutional prohibition on joining NATO, while restrictions would be put on the Western military alliance itself regarding the stationing of its troops. Financial sanctions on Moscow would also be eased under the plan. In return, Ukraine would receive some form of security guarantees, most notably from the United States, be allowed to join the European Union, and receive some financial benefits. Russia would also be required to withdraw from some Ukrainian areas it currently occupies. Amid pushback from US lawmakers and foreign allies, Trump on November 22 left open the possibility of changes being made to the plan. Asked by reporters if his proposal was his "final offer to Ukraine," Trump said, "No." Ukraine's European allies, who were not involved in drafting the US plan, have said the proposal requires "additional work." Reuters news agency reported details of European counterproposals that included a larger force size for Ukraine and a US security guarantee like NATO's Article 5 -- under which an attack on one country is considered an attack on all. Rubio said he had not seen any European counterproposals. Democrats, Republicans Push Back The US plan has also received criticism among influential members of Trumps own Republican party, including a joint statement with rival Democrats that calls for changes in the proposal. "We will not achieve that lasting peace by offering [Russian President Vladimir] Putin concession after concession and fatally degrading Ukraine's ability to defend itself," said the statement, signed by three Democrats, one Republican, and one independent senator. Veteran Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, a former Senate leader, wrote on X that "rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America's interests." Republican Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he is "highly skeptical" the plan will bring about peace. Rubio has denied remarks by Republican Senator Mike Rounds, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, and independent Angus King that the proposal was not drafted by Washington but was the Kremlin's "wish list" handed over by the Russians. Western media outlets have cited sources as saying the document was largely the product of talks between Witkoff and a special envoy for Putin, Kirill Dmitriev. Meanwhile, officials in Russia and Ukraine reported on new strikes on November 23. An 11-year-old girl was among 19 people injured by drone strikes in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, said Vladislav Haivanenko, head of the regional military administration. Moscow's Vnukovo airport suspended flights as the city's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, reported incoming Ukrainian drones. Zelenskyy has said his country faces "one of the most difficult moments" in its history, warning that it risks losing one of its key allies -- Washington -- but that Kyiv would not betray its own interests in any negotiations. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Reuters, AFP, and dpa Individuals named Chaga are typically characterized by their dynamic energy and determined nature. They approach life with vigor and intensity, often excelling in situations that require sustained effort and commitment. These individuals tend to be natural leaders who inspire others through their actions rather than just their words. Their 'prevalent' nature means they often become central figures in their social and professional circles, influencing others through their strong presence and unwavering determination. Chaga-named individuals usually possess excellent problem-solving skills and thrive in challenging environments. They are practical, results-oriented people who prefer action over contemplation. While they can be intense and sometimes impatient, they balance this with a strong sense of responsibility toward their communities and families. Their vigorous approach to life often makes them successful entrepreneurs, community organizers, or professionals in fields requiring persistence and physical or mental stamina. They value tradition but are not afraid to innovate when necessary, embodying the perfect balance between respect for heritage and forward-thinking progress. The Bishop of Elphin has assigned a new priest to the Castlerea Deanery. Bishop Kevin Doran has assigned Fr. Mario Zalki to minister in the Castlerea Deanery under the direction of Fr. John McManus. While most of Fr. Mario's duties will be in the parish of Castlerea, he will, from time to time, assist in other parishes in the deanery. Fr. Mario told parishioners at Masses in Castlerea this morning, Sunday, that he was from India and had been in Ireland for the past three months. He said that he was looking forward to serving in the parish and deanery of Castlerea. He thanked the people for their welcome and asked for their prayers as he embarked on his priestly duties in the parish. He explained that for now he will be residing at the parochial house in Loughglynn with Fr. Yashin Jos, who is also from India. November 23, 2025 UPDATE A roundup of local and world news November 23, 2025 UPDATE Newsroom, 23.11.2025, 20:00 DEFENCE Romanias new National Defence Strategy will be discussed by the Supreme Defence Council on Monday, before being presented to Parliament also next week. According to the Presidency, proposals from civil society have been incorporated in the document in recent days, so as to clarify certain provisions of the strategy. Other ideas, while not included in the new strategy, will contribute to the substantiation of its implementation plan. The National Defence Strategy was already presented by president Nicusor Dan last week, when he said that it is based on the concept of solidary independence. The head of state explained that there is an increase in military tensions around the world, along with a decrease in the capacity of international bodies to maintain a rules-based order. Russias hostile actions are the main threat to national security, but the document also identifies other weaknesses, from demographic decline to the governments administrative capacity. Under the new strategy, intelligence services will once again be assigned an important, yet clearly regulated role in the fight against corruption. PARADE Over 2,900 troops and personnel from the defence ministry, interior ministry, the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Special Telecommunications Service and the National Penitentiary Administration, with 220 vehicles and 45 aircraft, will take part in the military parade organised on December 1 Romanias National Day, in Bucharest. According to the defence ministry, 240 troops from Allied and partner states, including France, North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and the US, will also take part in the military parade. The military personnel in theaters of operations and on foreign missions will participate in ceremonies and related activities occasioned by the National Day. BY-ELECTION The campaign for the December 7th by-election for the Bucharest City Hall continues, with 18 candidates competing. 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. LEGISLATION The government of Romania intends to have the bill reforming the retirement of judges and prosecutors passed by the end of next week, if it receives the opinion of the Higher Council of Magistrates. Courts and prosecutors offices are scheduled to convene on Monday and Tuesday to express their view on the draft law. Subsequently, the Higher Council of Magistrates will issue its official opinion, which is consultative, but mandatory for the bill to pass. However, the magistrates did not announce the exact date on which the Council will issue the opinion. PM Ilie Bolojan will take responsibility for the bill before Parliament, and the procedure is expected to start on Thursday or Friday, so as to meet the deadline on which the payment of EUR 231 million under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan depends. WEAPONS Two men were detained by police in Bistrita (northwestern Romania) for smuggling and breaching of weapons legislation. They received from Spain via a courier company a parcel containing a silencer, a night vision device and 2 weapons, one for target shooting and one for hunting. When police officers equipped with scanners asked to inspect the parcel, one of the men tried to flee, but he was caught. The police carry on the investigations. BELGIUM The Romanian foreign ministry warns citizens who are in, transiting or planning to travel to the Kingdom of Belgium that a nation-wide strike has been announced on 24-26 November, with significant transport disruptions expected throughout the country. No aircraft will take off from Brussels-Zaventem airport on 26 November 2025. So far no cancellations of incoming flights for this airport have been announced, but the schedule may be subject to changes. Brussels-Charleroi Airport has not announced any changes to the flight schedule so far. As of Sunday night railway transport will also be suspended for 72 hours, with the entire staff of the Belgian National Railway Company SNCB (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges) and its subsidiaries taking part in the strike. In public transport, operators announce significant disruptions and estimate very limited traffic on the Brussels and Flemish networks between November 24 and 26. Romanian citizens can request consular assistance at the telephone numbers of the Romanian Embassy in Brussels. (AMP) Pete Campos For decades, New Mexico policymakers have been talking about reforming the capital outlay process. And some progress has been made, but the reality remains frustrating: Billions of dollars of authorized spending are stuck in neutral as projects across the state idle. At the end of the fiscal year on June 30, New Mexico had $7.2 billion in outstanding balances tied to 6,500 capital outlay projects. However, nearly 4,200 of those projects were local construction projects and equipment purchases for city, county and tribal governments and other local entities funded at the discretion of individual legislators and the governor. This imbalance tells a story. The current capital outlay process struggles to get local dollars where theyll be most effective, while state-level projects, which go through a formal vetting process, are moving ahead with more consistency and purpose. State agencies are required by state law to craft five-year plans for major capital improvement projects. Each year, agencies present their priorities to a panel of executive and legislative staff. These hearings help shape the Legislative Finance Committees recommendations, which serve as the foundation for capital outlay discussions. Roughly half of the available funds go to these well-vetted, statewide projects. The other half is divided among the House, Senate and governor, and legislators get an equal share of the amount allocated to their chamber. This allocation empowers each legislator to fund priorities in their districts, but the individual amounts are often ineffective in addressing the greatest needs in local communities or supporting economic growth. This is largely for two reasons: The amounts are too small to get the project launched or completed, and vetting for the projects is limited, meaning many projects were not sought by the community or the community is not prepared to use the money effectively. Its time for a new approach to vetting and prioritizing local projects. Staff with the newly created Infrastructure Planning and Development Division at the Department of Finance and Administration should assess whether local entities are truly ready to take on a project. They can identify underfunded efforts that need a boost. And they can guide communities toward existing grant programs especially for essentials like drinking water and wastewater systems before they seek capital outlay dollars. Legislators, too, must sharpen their focus. Lets prioritize unfinished but vital projects across the state. Lets build regional plans for senior centers, libraries, soil and water conservation districts, and other community anchors. Lets coordinate construction material purchases to leverage bulk pricing and stretch every dollar further. Capital outlay isnt just a budget issue its a powerful tool to improve lives and grow our economy. But it only works if we use it wisely, strategically and with a shared commitment to impact. New Mexico deserves better than billions in limbo. People named Cleveland are typically perceived as possessing a strong moral compass and unwavering principles. They often exhibit natural leadership qualities combined with practical wisdom, making them reliable problem-solothers in both personal and professional settings. Their personality tends toward the serious and responsible, with a deep sense of duty toward family, community, and their chosen causes. This stems from the name's association with stability and protection, much like the cliffs from which it derives. Despite their serious nature, Clevelands often possess dry wit and observational humor, able to see the irony in situations while maintaining their grounded perspective. They value tradition but are not afraid of progress, often serving as bridges between old and new ways of thinking. Their resilience in facing challenges is notable - they tend to approach difficulties with quiet determination rather than dramatic displays. Friends and colleagues typically describe them as the 'rock' in relationships, providing steady support during turbulent times. Women named Concetta are often perceived as having strong moral character, spiritual depth, and nurturing qualities. They tend to be compassionate, reliable individuals who value family traditions and maintain strong connections to their cultural roots. Many Concettas exhibit a quiet strength and resilience, often serving as pillars within their communities and families. Their name's religious association frequently translates into a personality marked by integrity, devotion to loved ones, and a sense of purpose that guides their decisions and relationships throughout life. These personality traits often manifest as exceptional loyalty, a strong work ethic, and deep commitment to their principles. Concettas are typically seen as grounded individuals who provide stability and wisdom to those around them. While they may be traditional in their values, they often possess a quiet determination and inner strength that enables them to navigate challenges with grace. The combination of spiritual depth and practical sensibility makes them valued advisors and confidantes within their social circles. A geomagnetic superstorm is one of the most extreme forms of space weather, created when the Sun sends enormous bursts of energy and charged particles toward Earth. These powerful events rarely occur, typically appearing only once every 20-25 years. On May 10-11, 2024, Earth was hit by the strongest event of this kind in more than two decades, known as the Gannon storm or Mother's Day storm. A research effort led by Dr. Atsuki Shinbori of Nagoya University's Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research gathered direct observations during the storm and produced the first detailed view of how such an event squeezes Earth's plasmasphere (a protective region of charged particles surrounding the planet). The results, published in Earth, Planets and Space, show how both the plasmasphere and the ionosphere respond during intense solar disturbances and offer insight that can improve predictions of satellite disruptions, GPS problems, and communication issues caused by extreme space weather. Arase Satellite Captures a Rare Plasmasphere Collapse Launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2016, the Arase satellite travels through Earth's plasmasphere and measures plasma waves and magnetic fields. During the May 2024 superstorm, it happened to be in an ideal position to record the severe compression of the plasmasphere and the long, slow recovery that followed. This marked the first time scientists had continuous, direct data showing the plasmasphere contracting to such a low altitude during a superstorm. "We tracked changes in the plasmasphere using the Arase satellite and used ground-based GPS receivers to monitor the ionosphere -- the source of charged particles that refill the plasmasphere. Monitoring both layers showed us how dramatically the plasmasphere contracted and why recovery took so long," Dr. Shinbori explained. Superstorm Pushes Plasmasphere to Record-Low Altitudes The plasmasphere works with Earth's magnetic field to help block harmful charged particles from the Sun and deep space, offering natural protection for satellites and other technology. Under normal conditions, this region stretches far from Earth, but the May storm forced its outer edge inward from about 44,000 km above the surface to only 9,600 km. The storm formed after several major eruptions on the Sun released billions of tons of charged particles toward Earth. Within just nine hours, the plasmasphere was compressed to roughly one-fifth of its usual size. Its recovery was unusually slow, requiring more than four days to refill, which is the longest recovery time recorded since Arase began monitoring the region in 2017. "We found that the storm first caused intense heating near the poles, but later this led to a big drop in charged particles across the ionosphere, which slowed recovery. This prolonged disruption can affect GPS accuracy, interfere with satellite operations, and complicate space weather forecasting," Dr. Shinbori noted. Superstorm Pushes Auroras Farther Toward the Equator During the peak of the storm, the Sun's activity compressed Earth's magnetic field so strongly that charged particles were able to travel much farther along magnetic field lines toward the equator. As a result, vivid auroras appeared in places that rarely experience them. Auroras normally occur near the poles because Earth's magnetic field channels solar particles into the atmosphere there. This storm was powerful enough to shift the auroral zone far beyond its usual location near the Arctic and Antarctic circles, producing displays in mid-latitude regions such as Japan, Mexico, and southern Europe -- areas where auroras are seldom seen. Stronger geomagnetic storms allow the lights to reach increasingly equatorial regions. Negative Storms Slow the Plasmasphere's Return to Normal About an hour after the superstorm arrived, charged particles surged through Earth's upper atmosphere at high latitudes and flowed toward the polar cap. As the storm weakened, the plasmasphere began to replenish with particles supplied by the ionosphere. This refill process usually takes only a day or two, but in this case the recovery stretched out to four days because of a phenomenon known as a negative storm. In a negative storm, particle levels in the ionosphere drop sharply over large areas when intense heating alters atmospheric chemistry. This reduces oxygen ions that help create hydrogen particles needed to restore the plasmasphere. Negative storms are invisible and can only be detected using satellites. "The negative storm slowed recovery by altering atmospheric chemistry and cutting off the supply of particles to the plasmasphere. This link between negative storms and delayed recovery had never been clearly observed before," Dr. Shinbori said. Why These Findings Matter for Space Weather and Technology These results provide a clearer understanding of how the plasmasphere changes during a severe solar storm and how energy moves through this region of space. Several satellites experienced electrical problems or stopped transmitting data during the event, GPS signals became less accurate, and radio communications were disrupted. Knowing how long Earth's plasma layer takes to recover from such disturbances is essential for predicting future space weather and for protecting the technology that relies on stable conditions in near-Earth space. Individuals named Constantino are typically perceived as reliable, determined, and principled. They often exhibit strong leadership qualities and a natural authority that commands respect from others. Their steadfast nature makes them dependable friends and colleagues who follow through on commitments and maintain consistency in their relationships and endeavors. Constantinos tend to be traditional in their outlook while possessing the wisdom to adapt when necessary. They often demonstrate remarkable patience and perseverance when facing challenges, rarely giving up on their goals. This combination of traditional values with practical adaptability makes them effective problem-solvers who can navigate complex situations with grace and determination. Their strong sense of duty and moral compass frequently positions them as pillars within their communities and families. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their deep loyalty and the thoughtful wisdom they bring to important decisions. Individuals named Cord are typically perceived as reliable, straightforward, and practical problem-solvers. They embody the name's meaning of 'honest advisor' through their natural inclination toward giving sound counsel and maintaining integrity in their relationships. Cords are often characterized by their no-nonsense approach to life, preferring direct communication and practical solutions over theoretical discussions. They tend to be grounded individuals who value stability and consistency, making them dependable friends and colleagues who can be counted on in times of need. Their analytical nature allows them to assess situations objectively and provide balanced perspectives, though they may sometimes be perceived as overly pragmatic or reserved in emotional matters. Cords typically excel in roles requiring careful judgment and practical wisdom, and they often become the go-to person in their social circles for advice on important decisions. While they may not be the most expressive individuals emotionally, their loyalty and reliability make them valued members of any community. They approach challenges with methodical determination and are known for seeing projects through to completion, earning respect for their work ethic and consistent performance across various aspects of their lives. People might see the price of a favorite food staple go up by over 100%. And the reason is one oft-cited these days: taxes. CBS News reports how the Trump administration is considering a new import tax of 107 percent on 13 of Italys largest pasta exporters. This is partially the result of a federal probe that found how some Italian pasta brands such as La Molisana and Pastificio Lucio Garofalo were selling their products below U.S. market prices. This idea was brought forward via a proposal published by the U.S. Commerce Department in September. Should it come to fruition, a new 92 antidumping duty would be placed on these products on top of the existing 15 percent tariff on European Union imports. Gotta stock up on Garofalo before this hits, wrote someone on Reddit in reaction to the news. Welp, time to start making my own pasta I guess, wrote someone else. Italian pasta companies, on their end, were shaken by the news: Representatives from the company claim that their second biggest export market would shrink substantially if prices in America would more than double. These tariffs are completely senseless, said Pasta Rummo CEO, Cosimo Rummo, to CBS. These are fast-moving consumer goodsWho would ever buy a pack of pasta that costs 10 dollars, the same prices of a bottle of wine? A duty of 107 percent would definitely kill this flow of expert, added Lucio Miranda, president of consultancy group Export USA, to The Dallas Morning News. Its not going to be something that you can just dump on the consumer and move on, life continues. It will definitely be a deal killer. Further information regarding this proposed levy on pasta remains pending as of the publishing of this report. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Big Time Rush members, from left, Carlos PenaVega, James Maslow, Logan Henderson and Kendall Schmidt perform on NBC's Today show at Rockefeller Plaza on Friday, June 2, 2023, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) Charles Sykes/Invision/AP STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A member of a popular boyband is recovering after being rushed to a hospital in Poland during a concert due to a bloody injury. Logan Henderson, 36, of Big Time Rush posted to Instagram from a hospital in Krakow after sliding down a set piece with his boyband members Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, and Carlos PenaVega. A piece of the set caught Hendersons knee and sliced it open. Sorry I couldnt stay and finish, I was having a little too much fun, Henderson said in the post. So, I hit my knee pretty bad and had to get taken to the emergency room, but Im doing okay and theyre fixing me up so I should be better in no time. Henderson then flipped the camera to his bloody knee, which he said required stitches. The incident happened towards the end of their show, according to TMZ, during their hit song, Love Me Love Me. When Henderson will rejoin the band on their upcoming shows in Germany and Italy remains to be seen. The American boyband started out in a Nickelodeon TV of the same name, Big Time Rush, back in 2009. The showed aired from 2009 to 2013. Theyre currently on their European tour through December before heading back to the states in late January 2026. The last legs of the tour dont have any dates in New York City or New Jersey, but they will perform upstate in Syracuse on Jan. 31, 2026, at Upstate Medical Arena at the Oncenter War Memorial, according to Big Time Rushs website. Donald Glover performs during the BET Awards on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A Grammy Award-winning musician and Emmy Award-winning actor revealed he had a series of dangerous health issues in 2024, forcing him to cancel his tour. Donald Glover, 42, revealed Saturday that he had a stroke the day of a concert in September 2024. During a performance at Tyler, the Creators Camp Flog Gnaw music festival, Glover said this on Sunday, according to People: I had a really bad pain in my head in Louisiana and I did the show anyway. I couldnt really see well, so when we went to Houston I went to the hospital and the doctor was like, You had a stroke. The first thing he thought of, Glover said, was, Im letting everybody down. But Glovers issues did not end there. After breaking his foot, doctors found a hole in my heart, Glover explained. so I had this surgery, and then I had to have another surgery. As a result, he needed to cancel the rest of his New World Tour, comprising North American, United Kingdom, European, Australian, and New Zealand concert dates. This is the first time Glover opened up about the extent of his health issues. Known by his stage name Childish Gambino, Glover sings and raps songs like This is America, Redbone, and more. His musical talents are featured in Disneys live-action remake of The Lion King, where Glover portrays the adult Simba. On the silver screen, fans will recognize him from shows like Atlanta and Community, and from movies like Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, The Martian and Solo: A Star Wars Story. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Families across Staten Island gathered Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 at the Pavilion on the Terrace for a NYC Public Schools event created to support caregivers and provide valuable community resources. The Caring for Our Caregivers initiative, part of the districts NYCPS Cares program, offered families information on college readiness, adult education, wellness resources and free tax consultations. Why dont we just get the community together and raise educational awareness and really get the research to the community in a beautiful space,said Dr. Hena Ali-Bernard, Supervisor of School Social Workers and member of the Central Crisis Support Team. The events idea originated from a partnership that highlighted the substantial amount of unclaimed tax credits and other financial resources that families in New York City had left on the table. Understanding the importance of increasing awareness about these opportunities, NYCPS and its partners decided to host an educational event that intertwined financial guidance and broader community support. It aligns perfectly with Chancellor Aviles-Ramoss priorities around strategic planning and community and we really wanted to pour into the caregivers Introduced in Spring 2025, NYCPS Cares, demonstrates Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos dedication to assisting school communities, including staff, students and families. They focus on safety, wellness, and family support through programs such as Every Child and Family is Known, where caring adults are connected with children and families. The crisis team plays an important role in the districts social-emotional support system. Dr. Ali-Bernard explained that the team operates across four key areas: crisis deployment, professional learning for counselors and social workers, resource and community development, and providing support through school-based interns. On Staten Island specifically, we have an amazing relationship and we have an amazing superintendent, she said. Scenes from the NYCPS "Caring for Caregivers" event. Marcia Herrera Collaboration was a key factor in the creation of the event. The public schools partnered with Staten Island S.T.R.O.N.G, Project Hospitality and the Mayors Office to provide families with access to scholarships, FAFSA guidance and resources for tax preparation. We got some feedback around FAFSA and the importance of college readiness and unless youve been in the process before, it can be super challenging, said Dr. Ali-Bernard Public schools plan to continue these efforts, using community surveys to understand the needs of families and stakeholders. This feedback will facilitate future events, ensuring that the districts support is intentional. For any additional information about NYCPS Cares and upcoming projects, families are encouraged to visit the agencys website. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. At the November full-board meeting for Staten Islands Community Board 1, two new free public health vending machines were discussed for the boroughs North Shore. Vanessa Mical, the harm reduction and community engagement coordinator for the Tackling Youth Substance Abuse coalition, shared details about the vending machines and asked for community support. The program was first announced over the summer but without detail about the locations for the kiosks; now, one of the machines is tentatively set to be sited in St. George, while Mical said conversations continue for siting the second. Our project, which is essentially vending machineshow you can imagine vending machines for snacks and drinksbut instead of any money exchange, we are offering public health supplies, Mical said. She said among the free items are harm reduction supplies, like the overdose reversing agent Narcan, and fentanyl and xylozine test strips. There has been really good news about overdoses on Staten Island, we want to keep working on that and bringing those numbers down, Mical said, referring to recent NYC Health Department data that showed a dramatic 49% decline in fatal overdoses on the borough. The tentative St. George location will be in the back lot, behind the Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness on St. Marks Place. Once a location is fully secured, it will take approximately three months for the machines to be operational said Adrienne Abbate, executive director for Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness. Currently there are two such machines each in Queens and Brooklyn, but these mark the first on Staten Island, which will make harm reduction supplies available to the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to harm reduction supplies, the machines will have safer sex supplies and personal hygiene kits. The machines are paid for through a grant via the opioid settlement fund. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The Powerball jackpot is still on the table, just as America prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving. With no winners in Saturdays drawing, the jackpot jumped to an eye-popping $654 million Sunday morning. In fact, there were only two players who scored the Powerball third-place prize a cool $1 million Saturday night. Those tickets were purchased in Georgia and Oklahoma. With the next drawing approaching Monday night, theres only a bit of time left for lottery players to grab their tickets. The cash value? A comfortable $293.2 million. The odds of winning the jackpot is just one in 292,201,338, according to the New York Lottery website. Still, the overall odds of winning any cash prize from Powerball sits at about one in 24.90. The winning numbers for the Powerball game are drawn from a field of one to 69. The Powerball number is drawn from a separate field of one to 26. In order to win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls in any order and the red Powerball number. Powerball tickets can be purchased at any New York Lottery retailer for $2, seven days a week. The deadline for purchasing a ticket is 10 p.m. on draw nights. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m., and the New York Lottery urges players to buy tickets early to avoid last-minute lines. Players can securely check their tickets on the New York Lottery app. Order your official NY Lottery tickets online at Jackpot.com and never miss a draw again. Click here to get a free ticket with your first deposit. The New York Lottery continues to be North Americas largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.8 billion in fiscal year 2023-2024 to benefit public schools in New York State. New Yorkers struggling with a gambling addiction, or who know someone who is, can find help by calling the States toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369). If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. 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. 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 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. She also urged candidates to embrace what she called a Beyonce-Taylor Swift strategy, referring to the pop stars boosting the economies of the cities where they performed on tour. What I would advise anyone who wants to be president in 2028, she said, is to roll up your sleeves and help. CNN is reporting that there could be a big shakeup in President Donald Trumps cabinet as the president closes out the first year of his second term in the White House. And a well-known Republican is being touted to quickly step into any vacancy. CNN said that there could be changes at the top of the Department of Homeland Security, a high-profile agency in Trumps battle against illegal immigration. While Trump is said to happy with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, top White House officials are said to be growing weary of Noems chief advisor, Corey Lewandowski. The President loves Kristi. He loves the job shes doing, one senior White House official told CNN. But there is some concern about how much power Lewandowski is amassing in what is technically a temporary role at DHS. Lewandowski helped run Trumps successful 2016 presidential campaign. Yes, he likes [Noem], but it has been brought to his attention that [Lewandowski] is a problem, and the agency is being mismanaged because of it, a person close to the White House said. Given the closeness of their relationship, CNN said there has been speculation that Noem and Lewandowski would exit at the same time. DHS spokesperson said in response to CNNs questions: Mr. Lewandowski certainly has reputation of reprimanding officials who impede or slow down the administration and undermine the will of the American peoplethe American people voted for Donald J. Trump, not a bureaucrat. CNN said Energy Secretary Chris Wright could also be in the crosshairs, with some in the White House believing that he is slow-walking Trumps policies. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is term-limited out of office in January, is among the Republicans expected to be under consideration for any cabinet openings or other vacancies in the administration. While the president has praised Youngkin, according to Republicans close to Trump, the two have not spoken about any Youngkin role at the White House. The administration pushed back at the notion that there would be any cabinet shakeup. The cabinet is not changing no matter how much CNN wishes that it would because it thrives off drama, said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. Cultural & Historical Significance Damaskenos holds profound cultural significance as a name that bridges Greek and Middle Eastern heritage. Historically, it identified individuals originating from Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities and a major center of learning, trade, and craftsmanship in the ancient world. The name gained particular prominence through Saint John of Damascus (c. 675-749 AD), one of the most important Christian theologians and a Doctor of the Church, whose writings defended icon veneration and shaped Eastern Orthodox theology. His work represents the synthesis of Greek philosophical tradition with Christian doctrine, making the name synonymous with intellectual depth and religious orthodoxy. Throughout Byzantine and post-Byzantine history, the name continued to be borne by significant cultural figures, including historians like Nicholas Damaskenos, who served in Herod's court, and artists like Michael Damaskenos of the Cretan School, whose work blended Byzantine and Italian Renaissance styles. The name symbolizes the cultural exchange between Greece and the Levant, reflecting Damascus's role as a crossroads of civilizations. In modern Greek culture, Damaskenos maintains its association with tradition, scholarship, and the preservation of Orthodox Christian heritage, serving as a living connection to both classical learning and early Christian history. The best thing about a life in politics is getting to be an ex-politician. For the top ones, it usually means a vague but cushy job in the private sector (government relations, a miscellaneous board position or two), a few handy residual perks plus the odd free trip, all with the public glare dimmed down a little. And nobody is #winning post-political life quite like Gladys Berejiklian. The woman who saved Australia was found to have engaged in serious corrupt conduct by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and yet she is still probably more popular than anybody else the Liberal Party has served up ever since. She has a dreamy-eyed boyfriend who isnt engaged in criminal side-hustles like her ex. Rebel Wilson has denied she is a liar and a bully and said the multiple defamation suits launched against her by the producers and star of her film The Deb were the result of people trying to sling mud at me. There is zero evidence of any kind of bullying or anything, said Wilson. And these lawsuits, these allegations, these things are just people who, you know, are trying to sling mud at me This is a situation where I was a whistleblower. I stood up when it was important to stand up and say something. Rebel Wilson on 60 Minutes. The actor and director has denied being a liar and a bully on her film The Deb. Wilson made the comments on *Nines flagship current affairs program 60 Minutes on Sunday night, in which she addressed the legal issues surrounding The Deb, which include multiple lawsuits, allegations of sexual harassment, false imprisonment, financial irregularities and the creation of a smear campaign against one of the films producers. Speaking to reporter Tara Brown, Wilson said it was absolutely untrue that she had asked her publicist to register and publish a series of malicious websites about one of the films producers, Amanda Ghost. The final hours of the COP climate talks that finally ended a day late in Brazil on Saturday were even more brutal than usual, foreshadowing a tough year ahead for Australian Climate Change and Energy Minster Chris Bowen, who will preside over next years talks in Turkey. Things got particularly ugly when Russian diplomats turned their guns on a handful of Latin American countries, which in turn had delayed proceedings with a series of objections to the way the Brazilian COP president Andre Correa do Lago was managing the contentious negotiation over adaptation plans. Andre Correa do Lago, COP30 president, sits as Simon Stiell, UN climate chief (left) speaks with other UN officials during a plenary session at the COP30 meeting. Credit: AP Dont behave like children who want to get their hands on all the sweets and stuff them down their throats, said a Russian diplomat to his American colleagues on the floor of the plenary session at one point, before demanding that they behave more cordially. India chimed in to agree. As the dispute went on the session was stalled. The talks came close to collapsing entirely, says one observer. First, the apartment developers left western Sydney, lured east by better profits. Now, the banks that lend to the developers could be leaving, too. Data compiled by KPMG reveals non-bank lenders, mostly private credit firms, are the largest group to finance new apartment builds in Sydneys western suburbs, financing 45 per cent of the value of the regions projects. The big four banks finance just 35 per cent, and smaller banks make up just 3 per cent. Apartment building development in the western suburbs is increasingly being funded by non-bank lenders. Credit: Dan Peled The percentage of non-bank lenders is significantly higher than the rest of NSW, which has 11 per cent fewer projects, by value, than the west. The consultancys NSW Apartment Development Market Report suggests this means non-bank lenders are not only financing more projects in Western Sydney, but also larger value projects. It reveals how cheap and cheerful developments in the west have given way to higher-end luxury developments in more expensive parts of Sydney, and the difficulty developers of smaller apartments have in securing the right funding from banks. This octogenarian was trundling along the bike path on his old workhorse bicycle when two teenagers approached, riding their bikes, writes Geoff Turnbull of Ashfield. I stopped and they stopped. Geoff, I said. Jasper, Liam, they replied. You should be wearing helmets, boys. Yeah, we probably should. Do both your brakes work, mate? asked Jasper. Only the rear one, I said. Jasper proceeded to make an adjustment to my front brake and voila! Both brakes work. Youre a champion, I said, as they rode off. With teenagers like this, the future of our nation is in good hands. In my first job at McDonalds Waitara in the early nineties we were sometimes treated to the golden tonsils of one John Laws (C8) when working on drive-thru, recalls Melinda Barwell of Forestville. Hed always order a large fries with extra salt. We concluded it was due to his predilection for Valvoline. You know what she means. Plenty of famous Fangs (C8) out there. Just ask Adrian Bell of Davistown: While no doubt unrelated to Fang Fraser, Fang was a common nom de plume. At Sydney Boys High in the mid-1950s, the word Fang was drawn in chalk in every possible spot, much to the apoplectic annoyance of the headmaster, Ken Andrews. Although never officially confirmed, the culprit was generally accepted to be the illustrious Peter Crittle, a prefect at the school and proud member of the Wallabies, playing 15 Tests and practising as a respected barrister. Peter died last year at age 86. According to Bill Thompson of Crows Nest, Comedian Phyllis Diller always referred to her husband as Fang. One of her quotes is, Ive been asked to say a couple of words about my husband, Fang. How about short and cheap? Has anyone suggested a name change for the Coalition yet? asks George Zivkovic of Northmead. The Hekawi tribe from the 1960s sitcom F Troop, was a fictional Native American tribe whose name is a pun on the phrase, Where the heck are we? They were given this name after an incident where the tribe fell off a cliff and got lost. Three men who police believe are behind a home invasion and shooting in Sydneys west were forced to flee on foot after police stopped them reaching their getaway vehicle. CCTV footage from a nearby street, obtained by Nine News, appears to show the men running from the scene of the attack in Penrith, during which a 26-year-old man was shot in the leg. CCTV appears to show the men fleeing the scene of the Penrith home invasion. Credit: Nine News Emergency services were called to Stafford Street about 11.45pm on Sunday, with the shooting victim taken to Westmead Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Five paramedic units attended the shooting including three intensive care teams. The incident is believed to be a targeted attack, with a person in the home known to police, but not the man who has been shot. The number of Sydney suburbs classified as affordability deserts for renters has been laid bare as housing advocates call for an overhaul of the states planning laws in a bid to boost the supply of housing for key workers and low and middle-income households. The 2025 national rental affordability index report has found not a single suburb in the citys east, lower north shore or northern beaches is classified as affordable for renters meaning the average Sydney renter now must travel up to 20 kilometres from the CBD in order to find an affordable place to live. The report, released by National Shelter and SGS Economics and Planning on Monday, shows rental affordability has also worsened in regional NSW over the last quarter, driven by rental increases in coastal areas spanning Port Macquarie to the Tweed Coast. The rental crisis gripping Sydneys east is also now pushing further into parts of Sydneys west and south-west. Large parts of the Camden, Liverpool and Parramatta areas are now classified as unaffordable for renters. Frustrated locals have resorted to carrying lanterns and strip lights to illuminate an inner-city rail bridge more than a year after raising the alarm about the dangerous crossing, which the state government has declared unsafe. Pedestrians have reported stumbling and falling at night while crossing the Erskineville Road bridge, an unlit passageway spanning 50 metres over the heavy rail tracks on the T3 line, and part of the arterial road leading to King Street. Zio Ledeux holds the lantern he uses to illuminate the Erksineville Road bridge. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone Responsibility for the bridge lies with the state government, which accepted control months after Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore urged then-transport minister Jo Haylen in December to urgently install lighting on the bridge before an injury occurs. Moore requested lights be installed on the bridge to optimise walker visibility a proposal that Transport has pushed back on amid concerns that the lights could visually impair train operators on the line below. Instead, it is investigating the addition of a single light pole at the end of the bridge, a measure that locals believe would illuminate only one side of the footpath. Women named Delyssa are often characterized by their warm, engaging personalities and natural ability to bring joy to others. They typically possess a cheerful disposition and genuine interest in people, making them excellent communicators and natural peacemakers. Their name meaning often manifests in their approach to life - they tend to find pleasure in simple things and have a talent for creating harmonious environments wherever they go. Delyssas are frequently creative individuals with strong aesthetic sensibilities, often drawn to artistic pursuits or careers that involve helping others. They exhibit emotional intelligence and empathy, making them valued friends and confidantes. While generally optimistic, they can be sensitive to conflict and strive to maintain positive relationships. Their combination of practicality and idealism allows them to pursue their goals while remaining grounded and connected to their communities. The Albanese government has offered the Greens a deal sweetener on native forest logging as it tries to secure an agreement that would usher through its totemic environmental laws in the last parliamentary sitting week of the year. The Greens are considering a concession to have native forestry fall under the proposed National Environmental Standards after a three-year transitional period. On Sunday, Environment Minister Murray Watt held a press conference in the Greens only lower house electorate to try to increase pressure for the minor partys support. Weve deliberately chosen to do this event in the [Brisbane] electorate of Ryan because it is, of course, now the only electorate held by the Greens party in the House of Representatives anywhere across Australia, Watt said. We saw at the last federal election that the Greens party paid a very big political price for being seen by the Australian people to be blocking progress on important things like housing and environmental law reform. So theres a real opportunity for the Greens this week to demonstrate that they have heard the message from the Australian people that theyre not going to keep blocking progress. 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 Dakar, Senegal: The children were still sleeping when gun-toting men on motorcycles arrived at the Catholic boarding school in the early morning hours of Friday, witnesses told friends and family members. They fired their weapons into the air and headed straight for the elementary dormitories. Then the gunmen forced dozens of young students, some as young as six, into a large truck and sped away into the darkness. Many other details about the mass kidnapping at St Marys School in Niger state, in north-west Nigeria, are still unknown, including the identity of the kidnappers and the number of children taken, with estimates ranging from 50 to more than 300. Such incidents are common in this long-volatile region where criminal gangs operate with impunity, analysts said, targeting schools and places of worship and holding hostages for ransom. Assailants kidnapped two dozen girls from a school in neighbouring Kebbi state overnight on Monday. The next day, two worshippers were killed during a live-streamed church service in the state of Kwara. A man walks past belongings at the St Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri community, Nigeria, after gunmen abducted children and staff. Credit: Christian Association of Nigeria via AP The violence comes at a fraught moment in US relations with Nigeria, the most populous nation in West Africa. US President Donald Trump recently caught Washington and the region off guard when he threatened to go guns-a-blazing into Nigeria if the government failed to address the persecution of Christians. On Thursday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met with a delegation of Nigerian security leaders at the Pentagon, according to a statement from his office, to discuss ways to make tangible progress on stopping violence against Christians in Nigeria and combating West African jihadist terrorist groups. Hegseth emphasised the need for Nigeria to demonstrate commitment and take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians and conveyed the Departments desire to work by, with, and through Nigeria to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States, the statement said. Advertisement Republican congressman Riley Moore, whom Trump has appointed to lead an investigation into the killing of Christians in Nigeria, described the situation at St Marys as heartbreaking in a Friday post on X. Enough is enough, he wrote. We must do everything we can to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ. Basuna Magaji, 54, is an uncle to four students at St Marys, which is known as one of the best schools in the area. His 20-year-old nephew and 16-year-old niece managed to escape their abductors, he said, but his brothers two youngest children an 11-year-old girl and six-year-old boy were taken. The dormitories of St Marys after the kidnapping. Credit: Christian Association of Nigeria via AP The older children told Magaji they were able to slip away as the armed men herded them into the truck at about 3am, sprinting more than three kilometres back to the nearest village. They were crying, tired, they had no shoes, he recounted during a phone interview. On Friday afternoon, the local government in Agwara said all schools would be closed immediately to protect the lives and safety of students, teachers and school workers. Spokesman Bello Gidi said authorities were still trying to determine how many students were abducted. Magaji said his brother and other families were camped out at the school, waiting for answers. Advertisement Surging violence Nigerias population of 230 million is roughly split between Christians and Muslims. While Trump officials have focused on the dangers facing Christians, experts say Muslim communities are frequently victimised as well, and many attacks are not religiously motivated. Insecurity is widespread throughout the country. Islamist insurgencies rage in the north-east, farmer-herder conflicts are common in central Nigeria, and the north-west where the two school kidnappings took place is afflicted by increasingly violent banditry. While bandits were probably responsible for the kidnapping at St Marys, experts said, Islamist militant groups had made recent gains in the area. Sometimes, they said, criminals sold hostages to the militants, who ransomed them back to their families. There are rivalries and co-operation when it comes to the relationship between the bandits and the Islamists, and it could be a mix of both, said Confidence McHarry, a senior analyst at SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based consultancy. The financial incentive is very strong. Between July 2024 and June, according to an SBM report, 4722 people were kidnapped across Nigeria in nearly 1000 separate incidents. The kidnappers received the equivalent of $US1.7 million ($2.6 million) in ransom payments, the report found. Advertisement McHarry said the money was often paid by a mix of federal and local governments, in addition to relatives. The vast majority of school kidnappings take place at government institutions, which are not religious. This made the kidnapping at St Marys especially high profile, he said, and will definitely lead to more attention and more pressure on the Nigerian state. A spokesman for Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not respond to requests for comment. Tinubu had postponed international travel plans this week after the earlier kidnapping in Kebbi state. My fear is that we are in a new cycle, said James Barnett, a Nigeria specialist based between Lagos and the United Kingdom, noting that mass kidnappings tend to come in bursts. They were quite common in 2021, he said, when there was something of a copycat effect. A man in Lagos reads a local newspaper with headlines about the abductions. Credit: AP Bandits looked for soft targets, Barnett added, typically driven more by opportunism than ideology. The 24 girls taken on Monday were from Muslim families, while those abducted on Friday were from a Catholic school, he noted. Some Christian communities had been targeted, said Dengiyefa Angalapu, a research analyst with the Centre for Democracy and Development. Many big churches, he said, now had armed guards out front. Nigeria could use US assistance to address the security crisis, but any help should be more strategic than tactical, Angalapu said. Our country is very divided, he continued. In the event of a heavy-handed American intervention, there is no guarantee that things wont escalate. Advertisement Lebanon: Israel has struck Lebanons capital for the first time since June, saying it killed Hezbollahs chief of staff Haytham Tabtabai and warning the Iran-backed militant group not to rearm and rebuild a year after their latest war. The strike in Beiruts southern suburbs killed five people and wounded 25 others, Lebanons Health Ministry said. Hezbollah confirmed Tabtabais death. Earlier, it said the strike, launched almost exactly a year after a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war, threatened an escalation of attacks just days before Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Lebanon on his first foreign trip. Security officers gather near destroyed vehicles at the site where an Israeli strike hit at an apartment building in Dahiyeh, Beirut. Credit: AP We will continue to act forcefully to prevent any threat to the residents of the north and the state of Israel, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said. The military instructed residents in northern Israel near the Lebanese border to continue with daily routines, indicating that it did not anticipate a military response from Hezbollah. Trump followed up his Quiet, piggy moment by berating another female journalist, Mary Bruce of ABC News, who asked Saudi Arabias crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, during his appearance with the president, about his culpability in the dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. US intelligence concluded that the crown prince gave the order. Loading You dont have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that, Trump chided Bruce. When she later asked why Trump was waiting for Congress to release the Epstein files when he could do it unilaterally, he called her question a horrible, insubordinate and just a terrible question. He added that Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, should look into revoking ABCs broadcast licence. Trump even defamed Khashoggi, saying that a lot of people didnt like him and noting cavalierly that things happen. Yes, Things Happen when you have no morals and your family is doing lucrative business deals with the Saudis. By contrast, Trump was his most charming self Friday in his fascist v socialist meeting with New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. He had blasted Mamdani earlier as a communist and JEW HATER and threatened to withhold federal funding for New York and send in troops. But by the end of their Oval Office news conference, the two were so lovey-dovey, a Fox News anchor warned that JD Vance might have to move over for Mamdani. And Trump, who once warned that wealthy New Yorkers and businesses would flee if the democratic socialist were elected, dramatically flipped, saying he would feel very comfortable moving back to Gotham under this mayor. (It was a Great Honour meeting Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City! Trump gushed in a bromance-y Truth Social post featuring pictures of the pair on a colonnade and posing in front of FDRs portrait.) It just proved that Trump admires charismatic winners more than he cares about ideology or consistency. Mamdani was prepared, focusing on their common ground while flattering Trump by noting his election statistics and hometown roots, and avoiding Dear Leader fawning. He strategically embraced Trump as he touted the affordability issue, which the billionaire president loved. Seeing Americans restive at his fixation on foreign conflicts, Trump is feigning a new-found interest in grocery prices. The president was so taken with Mamdani, he even jovially told him, in response to a Fox News reporters question, to go ahead and repeat his campaign claim that Trump is a fascist. Trump also defended Mamdani from the incendiary falsehood of Elise Stefanik, the Republican whos running for governor of New York, that the Muslim mayor-elect is a jihadist. Stefanik, a Trump henchwoman, broke away from the president on this issue, doubling down and posting on Friday evening that Mamdani is Kathy Hochuls jihadist. Unfortunately, we dont get to see this genial Trump very much these days. Hes mean when hes cornered, like the snapping turtle I had as a pet when I was a child. Republicans got creamed in the recent elections. To extend the porcine metaphor, Trumps polls are dropping, to use a Dave Barry phrase, like a pig out of a helicopter. Loading The president, ordinarily a master at recasting reality, had to give up his ludicrous attempt to paint the Epstein files as a Democratic hoax. Labelling Marjorie Taylor Greene, his former acolyte who now says she identifies with the Epstein victims, a traitor backfired. On Friday night, Greene announced in a social media post that she was leaving Congress and said she didnt want to face a hateful primary stirred by Trump. Standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men, she wrote, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the president of the United States, whom I fought for. She added, I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better. And Trumps jeering post about Republican congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky, the co-sponsor of the bill to get the files released, wasnt well received. Trump mocked Massie, a widower, for marrying again 16 months after his wife died. Boy, that was quick! This coming from the man who went straight from cheating with Marla Maples during his Ivana marriage to marrying her at the Plaza a year later. Maligning members of his own party raised questions about why he was so desperate to hide the files of a child molester who was once his pal; the two bonded over their leering predilection for young women. In a rare show of rebellion, Republicans refused to bend the knee and pretend that it was OK to shield a sexual pervert and give his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, treats in prison and pardon dreams just because Trump didnt want the details of his involvement with Epstein to surface. In emails Democrats released, Epstein wrote that Trump had spent hours at my house with one of the victims and that he believed Trump knew more than he had acknowledged, and called Trump evil beyond belief. You know youre in trouble when someone evil beyond belief calls you evil beyond belief. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, risks being in trouble with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, on Thanksgiving if she does not make him a key holiday staple. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex The 44-year-old royal will need to whip up a "rich gravy" for her 41-year-old husband if she wants their holiday celebration on November 27 in their lavish $30 million Montecito, California, mansion to go down without a hitch. Sharing her top tips to host a perfect Thanksgiving, Meghan - who has son Prince Archie, six, and daughter Princess Lilibet, four, with the Duke - told People: "Chop your veggies and herbs in advance to save time on the day, and also for those finishing touches, whether youre serving homemade or store-bought dishes. "Your kids can join in too! They can proudly say they helped. "Top tip on the carrots - keep the tops and blend them with parmesan, olive oil and pine nuts for a refreshing take on pesto to elevate your holiday spread. Served with creamy mashed potatoes, a green salad speckled with flower sprinkles and rich gravy (my husband would never forgive me if I didnt add that to the table), this is sure to please your entire gathering." The Duchess of Sussex suggests having lots of lit candles and to strategically place scented and non-scented ones around the house to achieve the ultimate cosy and calm atmosphere. Meghan said: "Light a few candles - choose scented ones to set the mood in the living areas and unscented for the kitchen (in those spaces, let the fragrance of the food shine)." She also encouraged people to welcome guests with a drink and some food before beginning "a few ice breakers". The As Ever lifestyle brand founder said: "Welcome your guests as they arrive with drinks and have some easy appetisers ready to enjoy (think baked Brie with jam, perhaps?). "Set out a few ice breakers, like puzzles or board games, to spark conversation and help guests connect." The Duchess of Sussex says meeting guests' needs is vital for a successful party. Meghan - who becomes a hostess in her Netflix lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan - added: "Being a great host is all about anticipating your guests needs - something I learnt working in restaurants and now love bringing into my own home. "With a little thoughtful planning, you can make everyone feel comfortable and cared for." And her last top tip is for hosts to ask for support if they need it. Meghan - who will get festive in the With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration on December 3 - said: "When guests offer to help, say yes! You dont get the gold star for doing everything. Whether someone wants to bring a pie, pick up a side dish, or provide the ice cream, letting your guests contribute lightens your load and creates a sense of shared celebration. "Accepting support isnt just practical; it makes everyone feel included and valued. When I go to someones home, I like to bring a bottle of wine or bubbles or offer practical help like setting the table. "If you have the time to make a family favourite to share, do it! A sentimental recipe makes you make you more than a part of the meal; it makes you part of the memory." She continued: "Other ways to be supportive? Help the host out the next morning with an easy breakfast offering. Bring a mason jar of homemade granola (simply toast oats with maple, cinnamon, a dash of ginger, and any other cosy autumnal flavours you love) with a container of yogurt and fruit preserves. "Youll make their day!" Cultural & Historical Significance The name Doane carries significant cultural weight in American Christian history, particularly within Puritan and Congregationalist traditions. Originating as an English topographic surname meaning 'from the down hill,' it was brought to America by early settlers who established strong religious communities. The Doane family became prominent in educational and religious circles, founding institutions that emphasized Christian values and academic excellence. This legacy continues through various educational establishments bearing the name, creating an enduring association between the name Doane and Christian education. The name represents a bridge between Old World traditions and New World religious development, embodying the values of faith, learning, and community service that characterized early American Protestantism. Throughout American history, individuals bearing this name have often been associated with leadership in religious and educational contexts, maintaining the name's connection to Christian service and intellectual pursuit. Trump urges jail time for Democrats over military message Washington, Nov 23 (AFP) Nov 23, 2025 US President Donald Trump said late Saturday that six Democrats involved in a video calling on military officers to refuse illegal commands "should be in jail." The Republican leader's remarks came after he accused the Democrat lawmakers on Friday of "seditious behaviour, punishable by death." Democrats slammed Trump's comments as "absolutely vile" threats against the six senators and representatives, all of whom have served in the military or intelligence community. Trump took to social media on Saturday night, writing: "THE TRAITORS THAT TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW, NOT ROAMING THE FAKE NEWS NETWORKS TRYING TO EXPLAIN THAT WHAT THEY SAID WAS OK." He said that the Democrats' message was "SEDITION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL" and that "THERE CAN BE NO OTHER INTERPRETATION OF WHAT THEY SAID". The video posted on social media Friday called on the military to "refuse illegal orders" and featured Arizona's Mark Kelly, Michigan's Elissa Slotkin, along with Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire. They did not specify which orders they were referring to, but Trump has ordered the National Guard into multiple US cities, in many cases against the wishes of local officials, in a bid to bring alleged rampant unrest under control. Abroad, Trump has also ordered strikes on a series of alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean that have left more than 80 people dead and which experts say are illegal. Trump has alluded to the death penalty on previous occasions. In 2023, former US military officer Mark Milley told a journalist he had secretly called his Chinese counterpart after the January 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol to reassure Beijing that the United States remained "stable" and had no intention to attack China. Trump subsequently wrote on social media that "in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!" ane/dhw Israel says targeted Hezbollah chief of staff in Beirut strike Jerusalem, Nov 23 (AFP) Nov 23, 2025 Israel said it had carried out an air strike Sunday targeting Hezbollah's chief of staff in Beirut, leaving a smoking hole in the side of an apartment building and debris scattered in the street, according to AFP journalists. Lebanon's health ministry reported at least one person killed in the strike, and 21 people wounded, calling it a "preliminary toll". The strike took place in Beirut's southern suburbs, a densely populated area where Hezbollah holds sway, and caused "injuries and significant damage", according to Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he had given the orders for the attack -- the latest against a target in Lebanon despite a year-long ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. "A short while ago, in the heart of Beirut, the IDF (Israeli military) attacked the Hezbollah chief of staff, who had been leading the terrorist organisation's buildup and rearmament," the premier's office said in a statement. "Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times." An AFP correspondent at the scene said the strike hit the third and fourth floors of a nine-storey building, with ambulances gathered around it and rescuers inspecting the apartments. NNA reported three missiles were fired at the building in the Haret Hreik area, damaging vehicles and other nearby structures. Israel has carried out near-daily strikes in Lebanon since the November 2024 ceasefire that sought to end more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah, usually saying it is striking members of the group in the country's south and east. Sunday's strike, however, was the first on Beirut's southern suburbs since June 5, when Israel said it hit a Hezbollah drone factory. It follows an earlier strike on the southern town of Aita al-Shaab, which the Lebanese health ministry said killed one person. Hezbollah was weakened by its fight with Israel, which it started in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza in October 2023 with cross-border exchanges of fire that later escalated into two months of full-blown war. Since then, Lebanon has come under increasing Israeli and American pressure to disarm Hezbollah, a move that group has rejected. Netanyahu had insisted earlier on Sunday that Israel would do "everything necessary" to stop Hezbollah from regrouping in Lebanon. On the other side of the world, an incredulous Richard (Joseph Fiennes) is having to contend with dubious foreign office advice, which basically consists of doing nothing and not drawing attention to the issue. When he does just that by going to the press, the Government is even less help. The third episode features actual footage of Boris Johnson, whose easy-breezy declaration that Nazanin was teaching journalism in Iran landed her in deeper trouble with its authorities; its utterly rage inducing. Women named Efra are typically perceived as nurturing, creative, and resilient individuals with a strong connection to their roots and community. They often exhibit a natural warmth and empathy that makes them excellent caregivers and friends, combined with a practical wisdom that helps them navigate life's challenges. Their personality often reflects the name's meaning of abundance - they tend to be generous with their time and resources, creating rich social networks and meaningful relationships. Efra's are frequently described as having an artistic sensibility and an appreciation for beauty in everyday life, whether expressed through creative pursuits, home decoration, or personal style. They possess an inner strength that allows them to weather difficulties while maintaining their compassionate nature, making them pillars of support within their families and social circles. This combination of softness and resilience makes Efra's particularly adept at balancing tradition with innovation in their personal and professional lives, often serving as cultural bridges between generations and communities. Allow Google Search To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to enable search. See our privacy policy for more information. Allow and Continue According to the newspaper, the West Midlands Police report said Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam threw members of the public into the river; that 500-600 of them targeted Muslim communities; that 200 were linked to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF); that the fans were highly organised, skilled fighters with a serious desire and will to fight with police and opposing groups; and that Dutch police deployed 5,000 officers in response. If there were a pari-mutuel window in the federal courthouse in El Paso, it's likely the smart money would have been on the three-judge panel ruling in favor of the state of Texas in the politically charged lawsuit over the congressional redistricting plan enacted by the Republican Legislature in September and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. After all, two of the judges assigned to the case were appointed by Republican presidents. And guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court over the past couple of decades suggests that a majority of the justices have been generally OK with how Republican Texas lawmakers have drawn district lines to benefit their own party. That made the 2-1 ruling handed down Tuesday, with filing for the March 3 Republican and Democratic primaries already underway, both surprising and dramatic. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, writing for the prevailing side, not only struck down the map, but he also issued some particularly sharp criticism for how everyone involved in the process decided that Texas needed to overhaul the congressional map enacted just two years earlier. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown, left, listens to oral arguments in a Texas school finance case at the state Supreme Court on Sept. 1, 2015, in Austin. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, Pool) Eric Gay/AP Legally unsound, baseless, erroneous, ham-fisted and a mess" were some of the words Brown had for the way the 2025 redistricting plan came to be. Anyone who saw Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's quote blaming the radical left" for the ruling, or Abbott's assertion that the decision was "clearly erroneous and undermines the authority the U.S. Constitution assigns to the Texas Legislature," might have thought that Brown was the one judge on the panel appointed by a Democratic administration. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Advertisement Article continues below this ad Not so. Brown was named to the federal bench in 2019 by President Donald Trump, who this summer stated openly that he wanted Texas to enact a map that would give Republicans five more seats in Congress after the 2026 midterm elections. Brown also worked for Abbott when the future governor was a justice on the Texas Supreme Court. And Brown later became a justice on that court, running for the seat as a Republican. Trump has been up front that he expects people he appoints to office to be loyal to him. And that expectation would seem to reinforce the belief that Brown would have sided with Circuit Court Judge Jerry Smith, the other Republican appointee on the panel, to uphold the map. But here's the rub: The way the American system of government works, judges, no matter how they find their way to the bench, must promise their loyalty to the law and the Constitution, not to their political benefactors. Does that always hold up in practice? Probably not. But it remains the ideal. We'll leave it to legal scholars to debate whether Brown's ruling and his reasoning were correct. Smith, who has served on the federal bench since then-President Ronald Reagan appointed him to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1987, made it clear in his dissent that he believes the ruling was wrong-headed and that his fellow Republican jurist might be deserving of the "Nobel Prize for Fiction." Advertisement Article continues below this ad This, instead, is a cautionary tale against reading the tea leaves to predict how judges will rule on any given case. Going back to the middle of the 20th century, President Dwight Eisenhower appointed California Gov. Earl Warren to be chief justice of the United States. Politically, it made perfect sense for the president then in the first year of his first term. Like Eisenhower, Warren was a Republican in good standing and, like his president, a picture of the GOP establishment of the 1940s and '50s. But events would take Warren in a direction that Eisenhower might not have foreseen. According to a report published by Georgetown University Law Center, Warren presided over "not just the most liberal Supreme Court in American history, but arguably the only liberal Supreme Court in American history." Among the Warren Court's landmark rulings: that public schools must be desegregated and that the long-held notion of "separate but equal" was an abomination to the Constitution. The court also ruled that the government had no business telling married couples they couldn't use contraceptives, and it further safeguarded the principle of freedom of the press. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Eisenhower would later say that his appointment of Warren was the biggest damn-fool mistake I ever made. President John F. Kennedy's first Supreme Court appointee would go on to become something of an anatagonist for liberal Democrats. Justice Byron White was considered a New Frontier progressive when he joined the high court in 1962. Ten years later, he was one of just two justices who voted against the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that affirmed national abortion rights. "The Court apparently values the convenience of the pregnant mother more than the continued existence and development of the life or potential life that she carries," White wrote in his dissent. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Abortion during Kennedy's time in the White House was not central to his party's platform, as it would become in the decades that followed. But when he nominated White, it's safe to assume Kennedy believed his pick would be a mainstay of the high court's liberal faction. Instead, White became a swing vote who frequently sided with the court's conservatives. Women named Eiric are typically perceived as natural leaders with a strong sense of purpose and determination. They often exhibit a blend of traditional Scottish resilience with modern adaptability, showing both the steadfastness of their cultural heritage and the flexibility required in contemporary society. These individuals tend to be decisive yet thoughtful in their actions, combining strategic thinking with emotional intelligence that allows them to lead effectively while maintaining strong personal connections. Their leadership style often emphasizes collaboration and community building, reflecting the clan-oriented values of their Scottish roots. Eirics are known for their loyalty to family and principles, their ability to navigate complex situations with grace, and their commitment to preserving what they value while embracing necessary change. They typically demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills and are often sought out for advice and guidance. While they can be firm in their convictions, they also show remarkable empathy and understanding, making them effective mediators and community leaders who inspire trust and respect. Women named Eleadora are typically perceived as warm, radiant individuals who bring light and positivity to those around them. They often possess a natural generosity of spirit and a nurturing quality that makes others feel comfortable and valued. Their 'solar' nature manifests as optimism, resilience, and the ability to illuminate difficult situations with wisdom and compassion. Eleadoras are frequently described as having strong moral convictions and a deep sense of purpose, often drawn to helping professions or community leadership roles. They tend to be creative problem-solvers who can see possibilities where others see obstacles, much like sunlight finding its way through shadows. While generally patient and understanding, they can be fiercely protective of those they care about and principles they hold dear. Their strength often lies in their ability to maintain warmth and hope even during challenging times, serving as beacons of stability for their communities and families. The combination of solar symbolism and the 'gift' concept creates a personality profile of someone who not only shines brightly but also generously shares their light with others. November 23, 2025: Malicious hackers are increasingly active. They are not carrying out many attacks, but they are probing and mapping internet networks they seek to eventually take down. Over the last decade America has been increasingly active in sanctioning individuals and organizations believed involved in supporting, or actually engaging in, criminal hacking activities. These sanctions are often difficult to implement because the individuals in foreign countries often have no assets available to sanction. This is often the case for hackers operating out of North Korea, Iran, Russia, some parts of China, Cuba and any nation with regions it does not control. Myanmar is a good example of this, with northern areas that are no longer under government control. The Chinese are selective about which areas they will allow North Korean hackers to establish operations in. Until recently some hackers hid out in remote areas of the Philippines. Russian GRU and FSB intelligence agencies, Iranian intelligence and Nor Some of the more publicized hacking efforts are side effects of wars like the one in Ukraine. Since 2022 Russia has been hit with sanctions on Russian IT/Information Technology companies. This effort has had little impact because the Russian computer manufacturers continue to obtain western components smuggled in via third countries. Russian software developers still create software for Russian laptops and desktop computers and install western-quality software. One difference is the GPS tracking feature of most PCs, tablets and laptops. This enables foreign intelligence agencies to note that many Russian computers are still operating despite the sanctions that were meant to cripple them. When needed, Russian users can easily disable the GPS feature in their computers. At the same time Russia is still engaging in Cyber War. These include disrupting GPS navigation in the Baltic Sea. This attack was aimed at one of the Baltic states, Estonia, because a World War II T-34 tank serving as a Soviet Communist war memorial in Estonia was removed. Estonia declared neutrality when World War II broke out in 1939, and spent most of the war occupied by neutral German troops. The Russians drove the Germans out in late 1944 and brutally occupied Estonia until 1991. That was why the T-34 memorial was removed. The Russians responded by jamming Estonian GPS. There was even worse retribution against the tiny Caucasus nation of Georgia. Russian Cyber Warriors gained access to and sometimes disrupted operations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finance, the National Bank of Georgia, energy and telecommunications companies, oil terminals, and television networks. Russia could have also terminated Georgias power plant operations. The situation is not completely normal for the Russian IT industry. Over ten percent of their IT specialists have left the country because the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Russian IT companies and banned Russian IT specialists from working for American clients. Some of the IT specialists may have left to avoid being mobilized into the army and sent to Ukraine. The current Cyber War is not the first between Estonia and Russia. Back in 2007 NATO was called on by Estonia to declare Cyber War on Russia. This was because recent Russian Cyber War attacks on Estonia caused enormous financial losses. Estonia wants this sort of thing declared terrorism, and dealt with. NATO agreed to discuss the issue and make a decision. That's big progress in this area. Cyber Wars have been going on since the 1990s and are getting worse. It started in the 1990s, as individuals attacked the web sites in other nations because of diplomatic disputes. This was usually stirred up by some international incident. India and Pakistan went at it several times, and Arabs and Israelis have been trashing each others web sites for years. The Arabs soon backed down because the Israeli hackers were much more effective. Chinese and Taiwanese hackers went at each other periodically, and in 2001, Chinese and American hackers clashed because of a collision off the Chinese coast between an American reconnaissance aircraft and a Chinese fighter. After that these Cyber Wars have escalated from website defacing and shutting down sites with massive DDOS/Distributed Denial of Service attacks. There were also elaborate espionage efforts against American military networks. The attackers were believed to be Chinese, and some American military commanders were calling for counter attacks to deal with the matter. The Russian attacks against Estonia were the result of Estonia moving a statue honoring Russian World War II soldiers from the center of the capital to a military cemetery. The Estonians always saw the statue as a reminder of half a century of Russian occupation and oppression. Russia saw the statue move as an insult to the efforts of Russian soldiers to liberate Estonia, and enable the Russians to occupy the place for half a century. The basic problem here is that most Russians don't see their Soviet era ancestors as evil people, despite the millions of Russians and non-Russians killed by the Soviet secret police. The Russians are very proud of their defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, ignoring the fact that in 1939 the Soviet government was just biding its time before it launched its own invasion of Germany and Europe in general. While many Russians would have backed a military attack on Estonia, to retaliate for the insult by an ungrateful neighbor, this approach was seen as imprudent. Estonia is now part of NATO, and an attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all. It's because of this Russian threat that Estonia was so eager to get into NATO. The Russians, however, believe that massive Cyber War attacks will not trigger a NATO response. They were so sure of this that some of the early DDOS attacks were easily traced back to computers owned by the Russian government. When that got out, the attacks stopped for a few days, resumed from what appeared to be illegal botnets, and maybe some legal botnets as well. Russian language message boards were full of useful information on how to join the holy war against evil Estonia. There's no indication that anyone is afraid of a visit from the Russian cyber-police for any damage they might do to Estonia. And the damage has been significant, amounting to millions of dollars. While no one was injured, Estonia is insisting that this attack, by Russia, should trigger the mutual defense provisions of the NATO treaty. That did not happen but the results of this incident were interesting. Camp Commander Matthew ONeil prepares the members of Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War to march out of the chapel at Hendon Cemetery in London on Nov. 22, 2025, to the grave of U.S. Civil War veteran Pvt. Stephen T. Adams. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes) This story has been corrected LONDON Another veteran of the American Civil War who died in obscurity in England is finally receiving recognition of his service thanks to the longtime efforts of a British amateur historian. A headstone dedication ceremony was held Saturday at Hendon Cemetery for Pvt. Stephen T. Adams, a native of London who joined the Union armys Mississippi Marine Brigade and was buried in an unmarked grave after his death in 1929. Representatives of an England-based chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War presided over the ceremony, and the headstone was provided by the U.S. Veterans Administration. No relatives of Adams were in attendance. A recounting of Adams life and military service in the U.S. was provided by Michael Hammerson, the junior vice commander of the Union veterans organizations Ensign John Davis Camp No. 10. Michael Hammerson, junior vice commander of the England-based chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, prepares to put a rose onto the grave of Pvt. Stephen T. Adams on Nov. 22, 2025, in London. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes) For years, Hammerson has been gathering information about Civil War soldiers buried in England, Scotland and Wales. Adams was born in London in 1845 and came to America when he was 7. After working as a farmer, he signed up in 1864 for a three-year enlistment in the military, according to a biography prepared for the ceremony. But only a few months into his service, he became severely ill after drinking water from the Mississippi River. He developed dysentery so debilitating that he was declared unfit for duty. After the war, he settled in Compromise, Ill., where he met his future wife, Henrietta, and became a teacher. He and his wife had a son named Kay. But in 1904, Adams left his family out of concern that he might cause them harm, according to the biography. Its clear from his pension file that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Hammerson said in an email ahead of the ceremony. Camp Commander Matthew ONeill delivers a dedication Nov. 22, 2025, at the grave of Civil War veteran Pvt. Stephen T. Adams at Hendon Cemetery in London. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes) He lived for a time in a home for disabled volunteer soldiers but eventually was discharged at his own request. He spent time in Oregon, California and Hawaii before ending up back in London, where he died of a heart attack on Jan. 29, 1929. For 96 years, his final resting place was unmarked, an omission which we are here today to put right, Camp Commander Matthew ONeill said Saturday. A choral ensemble accompanied by trumpet and organ sang hymns including The Vacant Chair and Amazing Grace, and Hammerson delivered a speech. Later, a rose, a laurel and a small American flag were placed at Adams grave. A chaplain blesses the grave of Pvt. Stephen T. Adams on Nov. 22, 2025, at Hendon Cemetery in London. A headstone was dedicated at the previously unmarked grave of Adams, who fought in the U.S. Civil War. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes) Adams is one of over 1,200 Union veterans the Ensign John Davis Camp has identified as being buried in the U.K, Hammerson said. The group is the only camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War outside the United States, according to its website. Among its remembrance activities are ceremonies like the one Saturday to install a new headstone at Union veterans graves where a marker is either lacking or badly worn. Adams grave is the second at Hendon Cemetery to have a rededication ceremony sponsored by the group, Hammerson said. Women named Elizabeth are often perceived as possessing a natural grace, intelligence, and inner strength that commands respect. They tend to be disciplined and principled individuals who value tradition while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. The name carries an air of sophistication and reliability, suggesting someone who is both thoughtful in decision-making and steadfast in their commitments. Elizabeths are frequently seen as natural leaders who combine emotional intelligence with practical wisdom. They often exhibit a balanced personalityequally capable of showing warmth and compassion as they are of demonstrating firm resolve when necessary. This combination of gentle strength and unwavering integrity makes them trusted confidantes and effective problem-solvers in both personal and professional settings. The historical weight of the name seems to instill a sense of responsibility and purpose in those who bear it, often resulting in individuals who approach life with both dignity and determination. In Arthurian terms, an Elizabeth would likely embody the courtly virtues of loyalty, wisdom, and moral courage. Women bearing the name Eloxochitl are often characterized by a unique blend of strength and grace, mirroring the qualities of the magnolia flower that gives the name its meaning. They typically exhibit deep-rooted resilience combined with natural elegance, able to withstand life's challenges while maintaining their inherent dignity and beauty. Their connection to tradition and nature often makes them thoughtful, observant individuals who value authenticity and cultural continuity. Many demonstrate artistic talents or appreciation for beauty in various forms, from visual arts to poetry and music. In social contexts, Eloxochitls are frequently seen as nurturing figures who support their communities while maintaining strong personal boundaries. They tend to be selective in their relationships, preferring deep, meaningful connections over superficial interactions. Their wisdom often manifests as practical insight combined with spiritual awareness, making them valuable advisors and confidantes. While they may appear reserved initially, they reveal warmth and depth to those who earn their trust. Their personality reflects the name's botanical origins - rooted in tradition yet capable of beautiful expression, enduring through seasons of change while maintaining their essential character. Women named Els are often perceived as practical, reliable, and deeply principled individuals. They tend to be organized and methodical in their approach to life, with a strong sense of duty and commitment to their beliefs. Their devotion, as suggested by the name's meaning, often translates into loyalty to family, friends, and causes they believe in. Els are typically seen as grounded individuals who value stability and tradition, yet they possess an inner strength that allows them to face challenges with quiet determination. They often excel in roles that require attention to detail and consistent effort, and they're known for their ability to create secure, nurturing environments for those around them. In social settings, Els may come across as reserved initially, but this often masks a warm and caring nature that reveals itself gradually. They are typically good listeners and valued confidantes, known for their discretion and sound judgment. Their practical approach to problem-solving makes them excellent in crisis situations, where they remain calm and focused. While not necessarily seeking the spotlight, Els often become pillars of their communities through steady, reliable contributions. Their combination of practicality and deep-seated values makes them particularly effective in roles that require both organizational skills and emotional intelligence, from healthcare and education to community leadership and family management. Bruce Willis daughter, Rumer Willis, gave fans an update on her fathers frontotemporal dementia diagnosis during a recent Instagram Q&A. The 37-year-old actress told followers Thursday that her father is doing OK, in terms of somebody whos dealing with frontotemporal dementia, though she noted the harsh truth that anybody with FTD is not doing great. As a refresher, the Die Hard star, 70, stepped away from acting in 2022 following an aphasia diagnosis. His family later revealed he was suffering from frontotemporal dementia, or FTD. Actor Bruce Willis kisses daughter Rumer Willis' head at an event celebrating 25 years of "Die Hard" at Fox Studio Lot on January 31, 2013 in Century City, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) Getty Images Despite the progressive nature of the disease, Rumer said she finds comfort in the moments they share. Im so grateful that when I go over there, and I give him a hug, whether he recognizes me or not, that he can feel the love Ive given him, and I can feel it back from him, she said. That I still see a spark of him, and he can feel the love that Im giving. So that feels really nice, she added. Willis now lives in a nearby residence where he receives round-the-clock care, a decision his wife, Emma Heming Willis, discussed publicly in August at Endwell Health 2025 via the New York Post. She described the choice as necessary for the familys safety and well-being, saying, This is the best decision for our family. It was the safest one. And our family is now, in essence, thriving. Heming Willis noted their daughters world has completely opened up since the decision. Its the right thing for our family, and it might not be right for everybody elses, but thats OK. Were all on our own journey, she said. Bruce Williss ex-wife, Demi Moore, also spoke about his condition in December 2024 to CNN, describing him as being in a very stable place at the moment. Moore emphasized the importance of meeting people with dementia where theyre at, and from that place, there is such loving and joy. Willis has five daughters: Rumer, Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 31, with Moore, and Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, with Heming Willis. President Donald Trump welcomed Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a state visit last week. The president rebuked a reporter for asking a question about the princes role in the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Kashoggi, saying, Things happen. Steve Breen leads this weeks editorial cartoon gallery with his view of Trump shining MBSs shoes and telling journalists, Quit asking him questions about people he had killed! Youre embarrasing yourselves. Bill Bramhall follows with the prince tracking bloody footprints on the White House red carpet. Jack Ohman provides an alternate meaning for the acronym MBS, Mister Bone Saw, referring to the fate of Kashoggis body. Another hot topic this week is Trumps sudden turnabout on release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. After months of delay and pressure, the president signed the bill passed overwhelmingly by Congress to release the files, which are thought to contain more embarrassing revelations about powerful Washington figures and their relationship to the disgraced financier. Nick Anderson sees Trump in a barrel bobbing toward the Epstein Files waterfall. Other news events in this weeks gallery include the presidents Quiet, piggy insult to a female journalist on Air Force One; high grocery and energy prices; and a proposed Ukraine peace deal that would require the country to cede territory to Russia. Cartoons were drawn by Jack Ohman, Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Mike Luckovich, Steve Breen and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate. KINGSTON, N.Y. (AP) A former New York state trooper accused of ramming his car into an SUV that crashed during a high-speed chase faces a new trial in the death of a 11-year-old passenger after a jury acquitted him of murder but failed to reach a verdict Friday on manslaughter. Jurors found Christopher Baldner, 52, not guilty on seven of eight counts, returning that part of the verdict on Thursday. But they deadlocked on the remaining manslaughter charge as deliberations continued for a fourth day. Ulster County Judge Bryan Rounds declared a mistrial on the undecided charge and said he will schedule a new trial on that count. Baldners acquittals on the other counts are unaffected by the deadlock. Baldners case involves his actions on the night of Dec. 22, 2020, when he pulled over a Dodge Journey driven by Tristin Goods for speeding on the New York State Thruway. The driver, his wife and two daughters were heading north from New York City for a holiday with family when Baldner stopped them near Kingston. Baldner and Goods argued, and the trooper pepper-sprayed the inside of the vehicle. Goods drove off, leading Baldner on a high-speed chase. The trooper rammed the SUV twice, causing it to lose control and flip over, prosecutors said. Eleven-year-old Monica Goods was killed in the crash. Messages seeking comment on the verdict were left with Baldners lawyer. The New York attorney generals office, which prosecuted the case, said in a statement: We look forward to returning to court to argue our case on the new trial date as set by the judge. During the trial, Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Gashi told the jury that Baldners actions were a fatal abuse of power. A defense attorney told the jury the prosecution was trying to demonize Baldner, who was dealing with a belligerent and uncooperative driver who sped away from the traffic stop. The defense claimed the fatal crash occurred when Tristin Goods overcorrected after veering into the path of and colliding slightly with the troopers car, according to the Daily Freeman. Baldner had radioed dispatch that night that the SUV had rammed his vehicle, according to court papers. Tristin Goods testified that he pulled away from the traffic stop because he was scared for my life after he was pepper-sprayed, according to the Daily Gazette. Tristin Goods acknowledged during testimony that at the time of the crash, he believed in the ideas of sovereign citizens, whose followers dont believe they have to follow laws not enshrined in the Constitution. He said those beliefs, and what he called Baldners aggressive behavior during the traffic stop, led him to refuse to give the trooper his license and registration, according to the Daily Freeman. Baldner also was acquitted of three reckless endangerment charges related to a separate 2019 case on the Thruway in which he is accused of ramming the back of a Dodge Caravan with three people aboard, causing the vehicle to crash into a guardrail. Defense attorney Anthony Ricco told the jury it was possible the SUV decelerated before impact. Baldner has been free on $100,000 bail. Rounds agreed to free him from home confinement. The ex-trooper retired in 2022 after almost 20 years with the state police. Geneva Top European and Ukrainian envoys conferred in Geneva on Sunday ahead of talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio over President Donald Trumps proposal to end Russias war on Ukraine. The head of the Ukrainian delegation, presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, wrote on social media said that they held their first meeting with the national security advisers from the U.K., France and Germany. The allies have rallied around Kyiv in a push to revise the plan, which is seen as favoring Moscow. The next meeting is with the U.S. delegation. We are in a very constructive mood, Yermak said. We continue working together to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine. Rubio was expected to join the talks together with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff. Before the meeting, Trump on Sunday used a lengthy online post to blast Ukraine for a lack of gratitude for U.S. military assistance, while notably shying away from criticizing Russia. With strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP, Trump wrote, Russias invasion of Ukraine would have NEVER HAPPENED. Trump also took a swipe at U.S. allies in Europe, writing, UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was waiting for the outcome of the talks. A positive result is needed for all of us, he said. Ukrainian and American teams, teams of our European partners are in close contact, and I very much hope there will be a result. Bloodshed must be stopped and it must be guaranteed that the war will not be reignited," he wrote in a post on Telegram on Sunday. In a later post, Zelenskyy said that there was an understanding the U.S. would take into account a number of elements in a peace deal that are important for Ukraine, but did not elaborate further. There have already been brief reports from the team about the results of the first meetings and conversations, he said. There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraines national interests. Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council and a member of Ukraines Geneva delegation, wrote that although the peace plan proposals were still be finalized, they included many Ukrainian priorities. We appreciate our American partners working closely with us to understand our concerns to reach this critical point and we expect to make more progress today, he said. Ukraine and allies have ruled out territorial concessions The 28-point blueprint drawn up by the U.S. to end the nearly four-year war has sparked alarm in Kyiv and European capitals. Zelenskyy has said his country could face a stark choice between standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs. The proposal, originating from negotiations between Washington and Moscow, acquiesces to many Russian demands that Zelenskyy has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. The Ukrainian leader has vowed that his peoplewill always defend their home. Speaking before Sundays talks, Alice Rufo, Frances minister delegate at the Defense Ministry, told broadcaster France Info that key points of discussion would include the plans restrictions on the Ukrainian army, which she described as a limitation on its sovereignty. Ukraine must be able to defend itself, she said. Russia wants war and waged war many times in fact over the past years. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, Trump said the U.S. proposal was not his 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, Trump said. One way or the other, we have to get it ended. Trump didnt explain what he meant by the plan not being his final offer and the White House didnt respond to a request for clarification. Rubios reported comments cause confusion Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Sunday that Warsaw was ready to work on the plan with the leaders of Europe, Canada and Japan, but also said that it would be good to know for sure who is the author of the plan and where was it created. Some U.S. lawmakers said Saturday that Rubio had described the plan as a Russian wish list rather than a Washington-led proposal. The bipartisan group of senators told a news conference that they had spoken to Rubio about the peace plan after he reached out to some of them while on his way to Geneva. Independent Maine Sen. Angus King said Rubio told them the plan was not the administrations plan but a wish list of the Russians. 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. On Sunday, the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee said the peace plan appeared to be almost a series of Russian talking points, had made Europeans feel like theyve been totally left high and dry and had led to ferocious pushback. U.S. Sen. Mark Warner told ABCs This Week that he thought Trump was seeing this one-sided plan kind of blow up in his face. My hope is hell come back and be a bit more reasonable, Warner said. Possibility for additional talks Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he would hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. He said he would talk to the Russian leader about reviving a previous deal from July 2022 that allowed Ukraine to safely ship exports of grain via the Black Sea. The agreement stayed in place until the following year, when Putin refused to extend it, saying that a parallel agreement promising to remove obstacles to Russian exports of food and fertilizer hadnt been honored. We had a grain corridor endeavor to open the path to peace, Erdogan said, Unfortunately we were only partially able to succeed. Tomorrow I will be asking Putin to revisit the endeavor. Erdogans new diplomatic push comes just days after he met with Zelenskyy in Ankara. Women named Estee are often perceived as sophisticated, creative, and possessing natural elegance. They tend to have strong aesthetic sensibilities and an eye for beauty in all aspects of life, from personal style to their surroundings. Estee's are typically ambitious yet graceful in their pursuits, combining determination with charm. They often exhibit leadership qualities tempered with empathy, making them effective in collaborative environments. Their star-inspired name seems to manifest in their ability to shine in social situations while maintaining a sense of mystery and depth that draws others to them naturally. Estee's are frequently described as having excellent taste, being detail-oriented, and possessing an innate understanding of quality and refinement. They tend to be loyal friends and partners who value meaningful connections over superficial relationships, often serving as beacons of stability and inspiration within their social circles. Salesforce is investigating a security incident after discovering unusual activity involving apps published by Gainsight, a customer-success software provider whose tools integrate directly with Salesforce environments. The company confirmed that hackers may have gained unauthorized access to some customers data through these third-party apps. In an advisory published on Thursday, Salesforce emphasized that the incident did not arise from any vulnerability or flaw within its own platform. Instead, early findings point to the compromise of external connections created when customers installed and authorized Gainsight-published apps from Salesforces AppExchange marketplace. Following the discovery, the company revoked all active access and refresh tokens tied to Gainsight-published apps and temporarily removed them from the AppExchange. Affected customers have been notified directly. Also, those requiring further assistance can contact the Salesforce Help team. Links To Earlier Large-Scale OAuth Attacks While Salesforce has not yet disclosed the full scope of the breach, the attack closely resembles the high-profile August breach at Salesloft, where the ShinyHunters group used stolen OAuth tokens to gain access to hundreds of Salesforce instances. The same group now claims it accessed an additional 285 Salesforce environments via Gainsight, this time by abusing secrets and OAuth tokens allegedly obtained during the Salesloft breach leveraging them to compromise Gainsight integrations. Gainsights Response And Ongoing Investigation Gainsight has acknowledged on its status update page that it is working with Salesforce and has launched its own internal investigation. The company later confirmed it has engaged security firm Mandiant to assist it in its comprehensive, independent forensic investigation. However, it has yet to provide detailed information on the number of affected customers or the nature of the stolen data. Gainsight was also among the companies compromised in the earlier Salesloft-linked attack, during which attackers accessed business contact information, licensing details, and support case content. Whats Next Salesforce says it is continuing to investigate and will share updates directly with affected customers. Gainsight maintains that its own review is ongoing and has not yet disclosed the full scope of the compromise. Meanwhile, security experts urge Salesforce customers to immediately: Audit all connected third-party apps Review and revoke unnecessary or high-risk OAuth integrations Enable tighter access controls around third-party app permissions Monitor for suspicious activity tied to external connections With attackers increasingly targeting third-party SaaS integrations rather than core platforms, this latest breach underscores the challenges of securing complex cloud ecosystems where even one compromised app can become an entry point to large-scale data breaches. The name Eurymachus suggests a personality marked by strategic intelligence, social grace, and ambitious drive, tempered by the cautionary legacy of its mythological namesake. Individuals with this name are often perceived as natural leaders with strong persuasive abilities and political acumen, capable of navigating complex social hierarchies. However, the mythological association also implies potential for arrogance, manipulative tendencies, and ethical flexibility when pursuing goals. The name carries an inherent tension between noble aspirations and the corrupting influence of power, suggesting someone who must consciously balance ambition with integrity. Modern interpretations might view Eurymachus as representing the sophisticated strategist who understands social dynamics thoroughly but must guard against the temptation to exploit them for personal gain. 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 -- under house arrest while he appeals a conviction for a foiled coup attempt -- was taken into custody Saturday after the Supreme Court deemed him a high flight risk. The court said the far-right firebrand -- who 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 -- had attempted to disable his ankle monitor in order to flee. Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes said Bolsonaro's detention was a preventive measure as final appeals play out. In a video made public by the court, Bolsonaro admitted that he had used a soldering iron on the monitoring bracelet out of "curiosity." The video showed the device badly damaged and burned, but still on his ankle. The 70-year-old 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. Moraes said in his ruling 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 the attempted disabling of the ankle monitor occurred 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 gave Bolsonaro's attorneys 24 hours to explain the incident. "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, maintaining his call for a vigil. The judge also highlighted the proximity of Bolsonaro's home to the US embassy, raising the risk of him seeking political asylum. Bolsonaro, a former army captain, is an ally of US President Donald Trump, who has called the trial a "witch hunt" and imposed punitive tariffs and sanctions against Brazil over it. Trump said Saturday he had spoken to Bolsonaro "last night" and would be meeting him "in the very near future." When asked about the arrest, the US leader said he knew nothing about it, but added: "That's too bad." - 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. 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," she said. Supporters also arrived at the scene, draped in Brazil's green and yellow flag. "This is all political persecution," said Alessandro Goncalves de Almeida, a 53-year-old rideshare driver. - Time running out - 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. His defense team said they would appeal the detention which "could put his life at risk" due to his alleged frail health. Bolsonaro suffers ongoing consequences of a stab wound to the abdomen during a 2018 campaign trail attack and has required several follow-up surgeries. During his presidency, Bolsonaro was praised for his handling of the economy but slammed for overseeing record Amazon deforestation and dismissing Covid-19 as a "little flu." He was convicted in September of leading a criminal organization that conspired to ensure his "authoritarian hold on power." The plot allegedly involved a plan to assassinate Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Moraes. Cultural & Historical Significance Filmer has significant cultural roots in English history, particularly within Christian and aristocratic contexts. The name gained prominence during the medieval period as a surname that later transitioned to a given name, often associated with families of Norman descent who maintained strong Christian values. Its most notable bearer, Sir Robert Filmer, cemented the name's place in Western political philosophy through his influential writings on monarchical authority and divine right, which were widely debated during the Enlightenment era and referenced by thinkers like John Locke in his 'Two Treatises of Government'. The name carries connotations of tradition, authority, and intellectual legacy within English-speaking Christian communities, particularly among Anglican and Catholic families who valued its historical connections to both religious and political leadership. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Filmer was often chosen by families seeking to emphasize their connection to English heritage and Christian governance principles. The name's association with political theory and religious authority made it particularly appealing during periods of religious and political consolidation. In colonial contexts, the name traveled with English settlers to America and other parts of the British Empire, where it maintained its connotations of English gentry and Christian values. The name's cultural significance lies in its embodiment of the intersection between faith, governance, and intellectual tradition that characterized much of English history. 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 President Donald Trumps unusually warm reception of New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani during their first meeting has left director Spike Lee dumbfounded. Trump, 79, and Mamdani, 34, who have previously traded barbs, met for the first time on Friday in the Oval Office. During their unexpectedly friendly introduction, both men were all smiles as they shook hands and discussed Mamdanis plans for the presidents hometown. Later that day, during a press conference at the Torino Film Festival, the 68-year-old Do the Right Thing filmmaker addressed Trumps sudden change of tune. Noting that during the citys recent mayoral election, Trump had labeled Mamdani a communist and said New York City was going to go down the drain, Lee added: I mean, the President said he was going to cut off federal funding. So from the things that were said to this quick turnaround Im puzzled. Of whether Trumps amiable reaction to Mamdani would last, the BlacKkKlansman director said, We shall see. open image in gallery Director Spike Lee (left) said he's 'puzzled' by Zohran Mamdani (middle) and Trump's sudden Oval Office bromance ( Getty ) open image in gallery Lee and his wife, Tonya, walk the red carpet at the opening night of the Torino Film Festival ( Getty Images for Stellantis ) When you go back and see what the President said about him, and what would happen to New York City if [Mamdani] won, it just seems, Lee noted, trailing off. It seems like they somehow found common ground. Following a private, closed-door meeting, which Mamdani described as productive, the two posed for press photos, with Trump seated behind the Resolute Desk and Mamdani standing to his right. Asked by a reporter about whether he was affirming prior comments in which he referred to the president as a fascist, Mamdani began, Ive spoken about The president, who frequently called Mamdani a communist during his mayoral campaign, interrupted and said with a smile: Thats ok. You can just say yes. Then, patting Mamdani on the arm, the president added, Its easier. Its easier than explaining. I dont mind. open image in gallery The two had a surprisingly friendly press conference where Trump brushed off Mamdani's past criticisms ( Donald Trump via Truth Social ) Meanwhile, Trump has a history of turning on political allies. Recently, he became locked in a heated public spat with Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was once one of his closest allies and biggest supporters, over a variety of issues ranging from healthcare to affordability. However, it was her criticism of Trumps handling of the governments remaining files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that set him off, leading him to brand Greene a raging lunatic. On Friday, she announced she will resign from Congress in January. Lee, who recently released his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington, attended the Torino Film Festival with his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, where he was honored with a lifetime achievement award, alongside Antonio Banderas. The Royal Ballets Nutcracker is a sparkling and much-loved Christmas treat. Since Peter Wrights production opened in 1984, generations of dancers have grown up with it: as child performers in the party scene and the mouse battle, moving on to be snowflakes, national dancers, waltzing roses, princes and sugar plum fairies. On the first night of this revival, Wright celebrated his 99th birthday on stage, with a special garland hanging overhead, a cake just like the one that appears in the ballet, and a flood of goodwill throughout the theatre. The show itself comes up spick and span. Julia Trevelyan Omans designs, lovingly researched and beautifully drawn, take the heroine Clara from her family home in 19th-century Nuremberg through a snowy forest to the Land of Sweets. Theres plenty of bustle and characterisation in the family party. The transformation scene is majestic: the Christmas tree simply grows, rising higher and higher to the sweep of Tchaikovskys score. Conductor Koen Kessels brings out the power and the fizz of this music. Viola Pantuso is a lively, engaged Clara, caught up in her magical journey. She and Leo Dixon, as the Nutcracker, bring a flowing musicality to their big duet. Arriving in the Sugar Plum Fairys kingdom, the Nutcracker explains the story so far; Dixon is irresistible in this tiny, vivid mime scene. Invited to join the divertissement dances of the second act, Pantuso and Dixon jump in with verve, particularly in the bounding Russian dance. Thomas Whitehead brings a touch of melancholy to the magician Drosselmeyer. He has plenty of flourish as he works his enchantments, directing the action, but brings to it a touch of seriousness too. Fumi Kaneko dances the Sugar Plum Fairy with long-limbed poise. She has a crystalline elegance in the famous solo, with its hushed strings and tinkling celesta. Shes partnered by the princely William Bracewell, who dances with lyrical line. Theres a lovely openness to his dancing, with generous ease in the soaring jumps. Sae Maeda is a speedy Rose Fairy, with airy dancing from the leading flowers. As the Harlequin dolls, Teo Dubreuil and Mica Bradbury move with crisp, clockwork precision. (I love the moment when hes picked up and carried away by an assistant, suddenly stiff as a mannequin.) Taisuke Nakao and Chisato Katsura, meanwhile, dance with bold attack as the soldier couple. Throughout, the company move with warmth as well as polish. There's a Christmassy glow to the whole show, a cherished tradition unwrapped again for the holidays. The Nutcracker is on at the Royal Opera House until 5 January; tickets here Princess Diana's personal dresser Paul Costelloe has died aged 80. Fashion mogul Paul Costelloe The fashion mogul - who made many of the late royal's outfits, including the controversial chiffon skirt that became a tad see-through when backlit - passed away surrounded by his family in London on Friday (21.11.25). A statement from his eponymous label - which he led up until his death - read: "We are 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. "We kindly ask that you respect the privacy of the family during this time." Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, 65, and his deputy, Tanaiste Simon Harris, 39, are both saddened by Paul's passing. Mr. Martin penned on social media: "Very saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Costelloe. An icon of design, Paul elevated Irish fashion to the global stage. Deepest sympathies to his wife Anne and their family." And Mr. Harris added: "Paul led a remarkable life as a leading figure in Irish, UK and international fashion and business for decades. He built a hugely successful business through incredible talent, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to quality. "His eponymous fashion house has built an extraordinary legacy that will live on. His was and is a quite remarkable Irish success story. "His collaborations, including his memorable work with Princess Diana and long relationship with Dunnes Stores, reflected not just his skill but his abiding pride in his Irish roots, which often inspired his craftsmanship. "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. "I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, his children, his wider family, friends and all those whom he was close to." Paul - who is survived by his wife Anne Cooper and their seven children, Jessica, William, Robert, Gavin, Justin, Paul-Emmet and Nicholas - was born in Dublin in 1945, and studied fashion at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design. His career in the industry began at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris, France. Paul later moved to Milan, Italy, to help British retailer Marks and Spencer enter the Italian market - which proved unsuccessful. In 1979, he decided to launch his label, Paul Costelloe Collections, and three years later, he was made the personal designer to Diana, Princess of Wales, after she visited his shop in Windsor in 1982. They worked with each other until her death in 1997, following a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris, France, aged 36. Some of the iconic outfits Paul made for the beloved Diana included a custom-made pink suit she wore for a tour of Canada in 1983, and a pink and white floral-patterned dress, which she took with her on a trip to Nigeria in 1990. In 2020, Paul - who also designed outfits for Anne, Princess Royal, 75, and her 44-year-old daughter Zara Tindall - said Diana was "lovely to dress" and "a very honest, sincere person". Cultural & Historical Significance The name Fugeltun carries deep cultural significance rooted in Anglo-Saxon England, where it originally denoted someone from a 'folk's estate' or settlement belonging to the people. This naming convention reflected the social structure of early medieval communities, where land ownership and community identity were intrinsically linked. The name suggests heritage connected to communal lands rather than private property, indicating a family history of stewardship and community responsibility. Throughout Christian history, names with 'folk' or community elements were often associated with church leaders who served their congregations. The name Fugeltun appears in ecclesiastical records from the 11th to 14th centuries, particularly in northern England and southern Scotland, where it was borne by minor nobility and church officials who managed community lands. This historical context gives the name connotations of reliability, tradition, and service to others, values that align with Christian teachings about community and stewardship. The name's persistence in certain family lines demonstrates how naming traditions can preserve cultural memory and social values across generations. In modern times, while rare, the name continues to symbolize a connection to English heritage and the Christian ideal of serving one's community, making it a meaningful choice for families valuing these traditions. 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 Lewis Cope topped the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard on Saturday night but it was another of the shows stars who delivered the real wow moment of the action-packed Blackpool special: the phenomenal Karen Carney. With her partner Carlos Gu and their backing dancers an addition that brings extra spice to all the Blackpool routines Carney perfectly executed one of the best paso dobles Strictly has ever seen. From the moment the music kicked in, the former England player was every inch the powerful performer, and she comfortably held her own in a routine packed with drama, lifts and dizzying spins. open image in gallery Carneys electrifying paso doble was the highlight of the night ( BBC ) Thats how you score a goal, thats for sure, said Craig Revel Horwood - who hopefully regrets his decision not to give Carney a 10. I do not have a paddle that can express how good that dance was, added Motsi Mabuse. It doesnt exist. Shirley Ballas chimed in: Ive never seen a paso doble like that. This was an absolute tour de force, concluded Anton du Beke. The routine was Carneys most impactful since week one, when she set the bar incredibly high for herself with a jive that gave the impression shed been dancing for years. Unfortunately for Carney, she suffered the rare fate of coming out of the blocks too strong and has arguably been chasing the wow factor of that Saturday ever since. Its not that the England Lioness hasnt had plenty of fantastic moments since week one. Her Halloween Week Argentine Tango was a similarly electric affair and the following Saturday, she delivered one of the most energetic Charlestons the Strictly ballroom has ever seen. But in Blackpool, she was back at her best. There are multiple factors that may well have helped. Carney has thrived in routines that require getting into character and Saturday nights needed that in spades. There was also the fact the pressure was off (at least temporarily), as there wont be a dance-off this week following La Voixs exit due to injury. But more than anything, the performance was a testament to how hard Carney works in the training room. After her thrilling take on the American Smooth last week, a sobbing Gu told Claudia Winkleman: "[Karen] worked so hard this week. Referencing the fact Carney has a spinal condition that causes a curved spine, he continued: I know the ballroom is not her strength, but she came into the training room and she said, 'Carlos, I really want to try hard. I know my back has problems, but I really want to try and I really want to show that I'm improving just a little bit'. And just hearing [the judges praise]... you have no idea how hard she's been working. If there were any doubts about Carney, Blackpool will have banished them. This years Strictly is arguably the most open the competition has been in recent years. But with the final four weeks away (meaning there are just three eliminations to go) Saturday night proved one thing for sure: Carney deserves a place in it. 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 Ants, arguments, and unexpected reptilian encounters dominated the latest Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! episode as camp tensions flared following a challenging Bushtucker Trial. Former England Lionesses star Alex Scott discovered the camp in disarray, sparking a heated exchange among the celebrities. Returning from the 'Tents Of Torment' trial, Scott, alongside EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, Celebs Go Dating receptionist Tom Read Wilson, and TV presenter Vogue Williams, confronted the messy state of their living quarters. Scott reported finding "ants everywhere" and leftover rice, a claim supported by Williams, who noted the rice hadn't been properly soaked. Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp and model Kelly Brook defended themselves, insisting it had been soaked but absorbed. A frustrated Scott later confided in the Bush Telegraph: "Then why was it a mess?! Are they lying to us? What happened to make camp just like a bomb had hit it?" The 'Tents Of Torment' trial proved a significant test of nerves. Williams and Wilson lay in separate tents, each with six stars secured by padlocks. Scott and McGarty retrieved keys from a pool of offal and fish guts to unlock them. Williams, admitting to being "absolutely terrified" beforehand, found herself joined by snakes. She quickly unlocked two padlocks, but presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly gasped as a snake slithered onto her stomach, prompting her to shriek: "Oh my god. Jesus, its a big one." The current line-up of Im a Celebrity ( ITV ) Wilson adopted a unique coping mechanism, singing to himself amidst the snakes. Both he and Williams successfully unlocked all six padlocks. However, Wilson experienced a particularly close encounter, remarking: "I think one of you might be up my shorts." As he stood, a snake's tail visibly protruded from his shorts, which rangers promptly and safely removed. The group ultimately secured a perfect score, bringing back all 12 available stars. Away from the trial's drama, Kelly Brook engaged in a candid conversation with Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley about her public persona. Riley observed: "Youve always been a sex kitten, you know that, youve made a career out of it." Brook responded: "Yeah but its weird, it doesnt match your soul what you portray. The face and the facade and the body doesnt match the person. Im a clown inside." Later, a simple breakfast of eggs, beans, mushrooms, bread, and sausages brought both Riley and Martin Kemp to tears. Kemp expressed his contentment, stating: "I feel like Im at home," which moved Riley to cry, much to the bemusement of Brook, who queried: "Are you both crying over your breakfasts?" Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! continues nightly at 9pm on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player. Im A Celebrity Unpacked airs nightly after the main show on ITV2, STV, ITVX & STV Player. 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 Without being at all flippant about Prisoner 951, the dramatisation of the story of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, abducted and held hostage by the Iranians for six years on spying charges, there is one sequence of grim comedy. It is 2017 and we see Nazanin (Narges Rashidi), already imprisoned for over a year, in a special jail for female political prisoners, a fairly easy-going situation compared to some of the other more brutal places where shed been kept in solitary confinement. Suddenly theres a commotion around the television. Theyre talking about me, Nazanin notices. She goes over to see Iranian state TV broadcasting a clip of Boris Johnson, the then British foreign secretary, giving evidence to a Commons committee. You may recall his foolish, blundering remarks: When we look at what Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was doing, she was simply teaching people journalism, as I understand it, at the very limit. Nazanin, having already sustained a year of mental torture by the notorious Revolutionary Guard, as sadistic and misogynistic a secret police as the world has seen, is suddenly frozen in a moment of unspoken, unspeakable despair as the camera lingers and time slows down; Rashidi conveys Nazanins silent trauma brilliantly. After so much deception and manipulation at the hands of the Iranians, here she is now witnessing the ultimate betrayal of her as a British citizen. Nazanin had always maintained, whatever the coercion, that she had taken her two-year-old daughter to see the little girls grandparents. Her work as a project manager at the Thomson Reuters Foundation the charity, not the news wire was unrelated to her visit. The Iranians either didnt understand the distinction, or chose not to in order to acquire a valuable hostage, a bargaining chip. Now, in one underprepared sentence, Johnson was effectively calling her a liar and a spy. Its too awful to reflect on, though we have to. (Mercifully, Johnson is left uncast. Hes buffoon enough without needing an actor to camp things up.) The humour comes a little later. Not long after Johnsons idiocy and partly to try to make amends he flies into Tehran for talks with the ayatollahs and their allies. Again, we see the women in prison watching the footage of him shaking hands with their tormentors, but thats not why they cannot believe what they are seeing: Nazanin, how can this man be important? He looks like he fell out of a bush. It is a rare moment of relief, both for Nazanin and the audience. If Prisoner 951 is anything then its a Solzhenitsyn-esque study in resilience, both on her part, but also that of her husband Richard Ratcliffe (an intense and moving performance by Joseph Fiennes), their daughter Gabriella (charmingly played by Mana Sayyah in her youth and Ava Rose later on) and their families (with Nicholas Farrell supplying a reliably upper middle class father-in-law). The excruciating passage of time is captured brilliantly, and you lose count of the number of times Nazanin is tormented by dashed hopes. Promises of imminent release and a return to Britain for Gabriella are broken. Appeals to bogus courts are lost. Richard and Nazanin both go on hunger strikes, and theres never much of a gap between scenes where one or both of them lapse into utter, suicidal despair but their bond is unbreakable, and portrayed in the many flashbacks to their early romance and marriage. Rashidi opposite Joseph Fiennes as Richard Rafcliffe ( BBC/Dancing Ledge ) All the while, Nazanin is plagued by attempts from the Iranian authorities to force a false confession out of her attempts that she eventually succumbs to. This is how Nazanin eventually achieves release, set against the wider backdrop of the British government finally paying a 400m debt to Iran. The Revolutionary Guards, whether the older rude martinets in cheap suits, the younger men in sunglasses and leather jackets, or their fanatical female accomplices in traditional chadors, turn long stretches of the saga into horrific mini-thrillers. By the time the BBC series comes to an end, you have to conclude that paranoia is both contagious and the one thing that holds contemporary Iran together. With women such as human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, who had been one of Nazanins fellow inmates, and the defiant insolence of the young, we know that the regime in Tehran cannot last forever. Just as Nazanins sufferings eventually passed, so too will the sufferings of the nation she still loves. Prisoner 951 is available in full on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Sunday 23 November, and airs on BBC One from 9pm that night 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 Rapper and actor Donald Glover has disclosed that shortly after he suffered a stroke while on his The New World tour last year, doctors found a hole in his heart. Glover, 42, who has since retired his Childish Gambino moniker, was forced to cancel the remainder of his tour in October 2024 due to health issues. He initially postponed it, but later revealed that he needed to seriously confront my path to recovery. During his headline performance at Tyler, the Creators Camp Flog Gnaw music festival in Los Angeles on Sunday, the Grammy-winning This is America artist opened up about the ailment he faced last year. I had a really bad pain in my head in Louisiana and I did the show anyway, Glover told the crowd in a clip of his concert streamed on Amazon Music. I couldnt really see well, so when we went to Houston, I went to the hospital and the doctor was like, You had a stroke, he recalled. open image in gallery Donald Glover was forced to cancel his North American tour last October after suffering a series of health issues ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Rapper, who previously released music under Childish Gambino, said doctors found a hole in his heart after he suffered a stroke ( 2017 Invision ) The first thing I thought was like, Oh, here I am still copying Jamie Foxx, he quipped, referring to the Django Unchained actors near-death experience in 2023. Thats really like the second thing. The first thing was like, Im letting everybody down, Glover continued. But the ailments didnt stop there. He said shortly after the scary stroke discovery, he broke his foot, which led to the doctors finding a hole in my heart. So I had this surgery, and then I had to have another surgery, he shared. They say everybody has two lives, and the second life starts when you realize you have one. You should be living your life how you want. If we have to do this again, it can only get better. Glover was only about a month into his The New World tour, which was in support of his final albums, Atavista and Bando Stone in the New World, released under his Childish Gambino persona. He was originally expected to make stops in several other major North American cities before heading to Europe, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. After my show in New Orleans, I went to the hospital in Houston to make sure of an ailment that had become apparent, Glover wrote on X at the time. After being assessed, it became clear i would not perform that night, and after more tests, i could not perform the rest of the US tour in the time asked. As of now I have surgery scheduled and need time out to heal. My path to recovery is something I need to confront seriously, he added. With that said, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the North American tour and the UK and European dates. 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 Elizabeth Olsen has shared her unique perspective on aging, saying she finds it such a privilege. The 36-year-old actor, who leads David Freynes new afterlife romcom Eternity alongside Callum Turner and Miles Teller, spoke to USA Today about the concept of growing old and why shes always looked forward to it. I knew one grandparent growing up. The other three passed before I was born, Olsen said. So I dont see growing old as a given. I think of it as such a privilege. Explaining that the loss of her grandparents contributed to her fantasy of growing old, she added that its something Ive always looked forward to, and maybe in a weird way, because I just thought it was something that was so foreign to me and exotic. Olsen revealed that she thinks a lot about her own mortality because she has a major fear of death. I dont want to die young, she said. open image in gallery Elizabeth Olsen says it's a 'privilege' to grow older ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Elizabeth Olsen (middle) with her twin sisters Mary-Kate (left) and Ashley ( Getty Images ) I dont think about an afterlife, she continued. I think thats why I really dont like the idea of dying. I would be comforted if I had a belief in something else, but I dont. Ive been curious, but I cant quite believe in it. Olsen is one of six children. She has an older brother, Trent, 41, and two older twin sisters, former child actors Mary-Kate and Ashley, 39. She also has two younger half-siblings, Courtney Taylor, 28, and Jake, 27, from her father Davids second marriage. The Emmy-nominated WandaVision stars new movie, Eternity, follows her character Joan, who must decide between spending her afterlife with her longtime husband Larry (Teller) or her first love Luke (Turner). Of the movie, out in theaters Wednesday, Olsen told the outlet that she sees its message as being about how special the simplest and most ordinary relationships can be. open image in gallery (L-R) Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller and Callum Turner lead new romcom 'Eternity' ( A24 ) Olsen, who wed musician Robbie Arnett in an intimate 2020 ceremony, said that she really did relate to Joan and Larry. It was almost like a fantasy I got to live out, that (my husband and I) got to grow old together, she said. Last month, Olsen expressed her firm belief that streaming shouldnt be the end-all model. If a movie is made independently and only sells to a streamer, then fine. But I dont want to make something where its the end-all, she told InStyle magazine. I think its important for people to gather as a community, to see other humans, be together in a space. Thats why I like sports. I think its really powerful for people to come together for something that theyre excited about. We dont even audition in person anymore. Eternity premieres in theaters Wednesday, November 26. 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 On the first Monday in May, the biggest names in fashion, film and music will ascend the stairs of New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art for the iconic venues annual gala. And presiding over them all, alongside Vogue stalwart Anna Wintour, will be a couple whose presence on the rarefied guest list might have raised eyebrows just a few years ago: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos. Earlier this week, US Vogue confirmed that the multi-billionaire Amazon founder, currently the third richest man in the world, along with his TV host-turned-philanthropist wife, will serve as the lead sponsors for the 2026 Met Gala. Theyll also fund the accompanying exhibition at the Mets Costume Institute (publishing house Conde Nast and fashion brand Saint Lauren are providing financial support, too). This venture for the newlyweds, who tied the knot back in June in a staggeringly lavish or eye-wateringly ostentatious Venetian extravaganza, wont come cheap. Last years Gala cost around $6 million, although that sum is small change when your estimated net worth sits somewhere around the $250 billion mark. Bezos buys his wife the party of the year, read one disparaging headline from the Daily Beast. Social media users, meanwhile, inevitably joked about attendees ordering their outfits via Amazons next-day Prime delivery. But this latest move shows how seriously the pair have jointly set their sights on the fashion industry, and the celebrity circuit at large. Wintour famously gets the final say on the galas invitees, but as sponsors of the event often referred to as the Oscars of fashion, the pair will inevitably have some influence over who gets the call-up (does that mean everyone onboard the Blue Origin rocket during Sanchezs recent foray into space travel is guaranteed a spot?). And Sanchez will surely have her pick of designers queuing up to dress her for the night. Their Met Gala takeover is just the latest sign that the couple, whose joint ethos could probably be loosely summed up as more is more, and then some, are not content with simply being jaw-droppingly wealthy. Instead, they are seeking the cultural cachet that comes with infiltrating fashions upper echelons, and the reflected glory that comes with hanging out with the A-list. While their fellow Silicon Valley couples are content to wield power behind the scenes, the Bezos-Sachezes, it seems, are vying for the spotlight. Its as if theyre trying to emulate David and Victoria Beckham, a stylish power duo with lucrative business interests across a whole range of fields, rather than, say, Mark and Priscilla Zuckerberg. Its all a far cry from the 61-year-old Bezoss early days as an e-commerce pioneer. The one-time hedge fund manager launched Amazon in a rented garage in Washington in 1994 and, for more than two decades, he and his first wife MacKenzie Scott opted for a low-key lifestyle described by a family friend as abnormally normal. His reputation was that of a publicity-shy tech geek, someone who wasnt exactly flash: in 2013, Bezos was reportedly still driving a 1997 Honda, because it was a perfectly good car. open image in gallery Bezos was once described as having an 'abnormally normal' lifestyle ( AFP via Getty ) There were signs, however, that he might aspire to a more glamorous milieu. In 2012, he attended the Met Gala for the first time with Scott, when Amazon sponsored the event. A few years later, in an early sign of his designs on Hollywood, he hosted his own starry party for Manchester by the Sea, which would become Amazons first Academy Award-nominated movie. That night would put him on a path heading far away from abnormally normal. On the guest list was Patrick Whitesell, CEO of the Hollywood talent agency Endeavour, who reportedly introduced Bezos to his wife Lauren Sanchez. Back then, she was best known as a TV host on Fox, but shed recently become a keen helicopter pilot; she was also about to launch Black Ops Aviation, a production company specialising in aerial filming. In 2018, Bezos hired Black Ops to shoot footage for the space tech company Blue Origin, his passion project. Soon, the limelight-averse founder and the showbiz interviewer found themselves becoming the story. At the start of 2019, Bezos and Scott confirmed that they were divorcing after 25 years of marriage; in the happy-clappy parlance of celebrity break-up statements, they promised to continue our shared life as friends. But the following day, the National Enquirer ran a story alleging that Bezos and Sanchez were embroiled in an affair (sources close to the couple, meanwhile, argued that their respective marriages had been over long before their relationship began). The tabloid also published texts between them: I love you, alive girl was somehow one of the less mortifying messages from him to her. Bezos, meanwhile, hit back by accusing the Enquirers publisher, American Media Inc, of extortion and blackmail for threatening to publish intimate photos of the pair (in a statement at the time, AMI said it believe[d] fervently that it acted lawfully in the reporting of the story of Mr Bezos). Bezoss personal life was now tabloid fodder; no longer was he simply someone you might read about in the business pages, or in a tech magazine profile. Thanks to speedy divorce proceedings, he and Scotts marriage officially ended in April; Sanchez also finalised her split from Whitesell, and the new couple started to embark on a series of paparazzi-friendly vacations around the world. In 2021, Bezos stepped down as Amazons chief executive, giving him more time to fully embrace the super-rich lifestyle. Hed soon hire celebrity personal trainer Wes Okerson to overhaul his image from weedy tech guy to beefed-up Broligarch, and reportedly dropped around $500 million on his custom superyacht, Koru (a boat so massive it comes with its own support yacht). He and Sanchez were joined on board by a load of celebrity pals, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Usher, Katy Perry and her then-fiance Orlando Bloom; Sanchez, it seemed, was introducing him to a whole new social circle. open image in gallery Sanchezs inauguration outfit made headlines back in January ( Getty ) The yacht was also the backdrop for the couples 2023 engagement, after Bezos hid a (massive) diamond ring under Sanchezs pillow while they were travelling on Koru. When he opened the box, I think I blacked out a bit, Sanchez revealed in a US Vogue interview published a few months later. This profile, accompanied by a lavish Annie Leibovitz photoshoot, was one of the first signs that the couple were winning over fashion world tastemaker Wintour, who has always had a keen eye for strategic alliances (sorry, friendships). In the piece, Sanchez positioned herself and Bezos as a sort of super-rich two-for-one, working in tandem. We always look at each other and go, Were the team, she told the magazine. So everythings shared. They also talked up their philanthropic efforts, such as the Bezos Earth Fund, a $10 billion commitment to tackling climate change (the question of whether the couples superyacht and its significant carbon footprint might sit uneasily alongside those efforts remained unasked). A few months later, Bezos and Sanchez attended the 2024 Met Gala; according to reports, Wintour helped select the latters Oscar de la Renta gown, due to concerns that Sanchez might opt for something akin to the sparkling, plunging and semi-sheer number shed worn to a White House dinner. Indeed, Sanchezs route to fashion acceptance feels a little like the one taken by her friend Kim Kardashian about a decade earlier: the nod of approval from Wintour, the Vogue interview, the subtle image overhaul, the front-row appearances. The transformation, though, has probably been less dramatic in Sanchezs case: she still loves a plunging neckline, as demonstrated by her headline-grabbing bra top worn at Donald Trumps presidential inauguration in January. open image in gallery Sanchez and Bezos during their wedding festivities in Venice ( AFP/Getty ) The couples presence at the inauguration, sitting near Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, also seemed like the start of a new political pivot, for Bezos especially, who once voiced a fear that Trump would be a threat to democracy. Trump, for his part, hasnt always been overly enamoured of Bezos either; he once referred to him, inevitably, as Jeff Bozo. But in 2024, The Washington Post, the paper Bezos bought in 2013, refused to back Kamala Harriss presidential campaign, reportedly at the owners request. Whether his new alignment with Maga is an actual political shift or pure business-minded pragmatism remains to be seen; perhaps Sanchezs friendship with Trumps daughter Ivanka helped smooth things over too. Ivanka was one of the high-profile guests at the Bezos-Sanchez wedding in June, alongside the likes of DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey, actor Sydney Sweeney and a handful of Kardashians. It was an event that played out with all the fanfare and media scrutiny of a royal wedding, although the couples decision to get married in Venice stoked the ire of environmental activists and locals fighting over-tourism; they later claimed a victory after Bezos reportedly had to change venues at the last minute due to planned protests. Another gushing Vogue profile documented the occasion, revealing Sanchezs lacy Dolce & Gabbana gown to the world. Soon after, reports began to swirl that Bezos was considering buying Conde Nast, the publishing house behind Vogue and GQ, as a wedding gift for his new bride. But sources close to Bezos shut down the rumours, and the houses longtime owners, the Newhouse family, said their titles werent for sale. Purchasing a print media company in the year 2025 would have arguably been a strange decision for a forward-thinker like Bezos, anyway; he already has the Post in his portfolio to tick off the legacy media box. open image in gallery The couple at Paris Fashion Week in October ( Getty ) Whether or not shes secretly harbouring ambitions to be the next Wintour, Sanchezs charm offensive on the fashion industry has continued. In October, she was a front-row fixture at Paris Fashion Week, attending shows for the likes of Dior and Chanel in archival vintage looks that reflected her growing industry clout. To curate this Paris wardrobe, she worked with in-demand stylist Molly Dickson, whose clients have included Lana del Rey, Stranger Things actor Sadie Sink and Sanchezs pal Sweeney (could she have put them in touch?) Indeed, Sanchezs strong ties with Tinseltown could also prove useful for another Amazon venture: the brands streaming service. Amazon gained creative control of the James Bond franchise earlier this year, and Bezos is reportedly keen for Sweeney to appear as a leading lady in a future 007 instalment. Its not hard to imagine the couple wooing acting talent by giving them the hard sell over dinner at their Miami mega-home. What else is on the cards for the pair? Like so many other Silicon Valley types, Bezos is clearly fascinated by the quest to make getting old and frail a thing of the past (if you can afford it). Hes thought to be a major investor in Altos Labs, a biotech startup that aims to reverse the ageing process by rejuvenating cells. And, of course, theres Blue Origin. The fact that Sanchez and pals girlboss-y jaunt to the Karman Line, the boundary of space, was roundly mocked earlier this year is unlikely to have made any difference to their future plans (however funny the memes may have been). Like them, loathe them, or just find them a bit, well, cringe, this is a power couple whose influence is only going to grow til it reaches truly stratospheric levels. 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 When Salli Squires Cook brought home her first rescue cat, Bubby, she decided he deserved nothing less than a life of luxury. What he needed, was a pet palace. So she reached out to Colorado-based Cat Topia, which had opened a few months earlier, specializing in custom outdoor enclosures for cats. She told business owner, Lance Harding, in 2019 that she wanted something that would keep her cats safe at night, while allowing them to roam outdoors during the day at her home in Denver. The cat home which the builders dub a palace for pets, catio or luxury outdoor cat enclosure cost $2,000 and was accessible from Cooks garage. The tall, rectangular enclosure had a path for Bubby to run through, stairs to jump on and took up a chunk of the backyard. There was also a protective fence to stop Bubby from wandering too far. Cook was such a big fan that when she got another cat, she decided to expand to twice the size of her initial one. The price tag? $5,000. The second catio had to have special needs ramps for our girl, who has a hard time getting up and down, Cook, who now has four cats Mariah, 13, Bubby, nine, Lewis, five, and Proxi, one told The Independent. open image in gallery This catio in Los Angeles has a long wooden path for a cat to run through, with an outdoor enclosure located in the backyard and connecting to a family house ( Alan Breslauer ) open image in gallery Salli Squires Cook's wooden catio in Denver has a fence to keep her cat safe and a path, which connects to her homes garage, for the pet to run through ( Salli Squires Cook ) It had to have a bridge up in the trees for them to see all of the wildlife, secure and thick-gauge fencing for safety, a solid roof to keep out the elements, doors for us to get into them easily to clean, weather-proof lumber, and spaces to hide. Since her original catio was installed in 2019, Cook has seen how theyve offered major improvements to her cats lifestyles. They can get vitamin D and sun themselves, she explains. They are enriched by being in the fresh air and watching birds and squirrels that keep their hunting instincts sharp, but without harming any of the wildlife. Additionally, two of our four cats were outside only when we first got them, and this has made their transition to being indoor only so much easier. Some 49 million American households have at least one cat, with ownership rising by 23 percent in 2024, the American Pet Products Associations 2025 Dog & Cat Report found. The organization also noted that owners are forming deeper bonds with their pets and finding more ways to integrate them into their daily lives. open image in gallery An outdoor wooden catio, with a roof, in Burlington County, New Jersey, that comes with scratching posts and running path for a cat ( Courtesy of Lance Harding at Cat Topia ) open image in gallery A metal, rectangular catio in Pasadena, California, that is fenced and features stairs, shelves, and scratching posts for cats to climb on ( Alan Breslauer at The Catio Guy ) Pet ownership overall rose sharply during the pandemic, with more than 23 million Americans getting an animal during that time, according to a survey from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. But caring for a pet is no small feat. From vet visits, medication, food, pet insurance, and more, Rover, a site that connects pet owners with walkers and sitters, found that it costs approximately $34,550 to care for a dog over its average 10-year lifespan, and $32,170 for a cat that lives for 16 years. While Cook's pet palace has everything her cats could want, it's a drop in the ocean compared to some others, where people are dropping six-figure sums on luxury catios. At Cat Topia, Harding has helped create wooden, outdoor patios and enclosures, filled with cubbies, scratching posts, and a tunnel. He recently built a luxury cat catio in Burlington County, New Jersey, featuring a 400 square foot enclosure, painted and with a roof, and a 100-foot tunnel. The asking price for his creation? $125,000, a third of the average house price listing in the area, according to Realtor.com. open image in gallery A white outdoor cat enclosure in Los Angeles with stairs, furniture, and a scratching post for the family cat ( Alan Breslauer from The Catio Guy ) open image in gallery A wooden outdoor cat enclosure, with furniture, connected to the yard of a home in the South Bay region of California ( Alan Breslauer from The Catio Guy ) The catio, part of the homes porch, also has amenities like a built-in couch and hammock for the feline family members. Not all catios are this expensive, however. Harding has clients with different budgets, and hes built some outdoor enclosures for $6,000. But with every catio that Cat Topia makes, Harding has the same goal: Giving cats the chance to roam outdoors without the dangers that can come with it. People see their pets as family members and want the best for them, he told The Independent. They live a long time if under indoor circumstances, but that doesnt give them a lot of room for running and exercise. Indoor cats also have a lot of anxiety, so the catio decreases that and allows them to have a world outdoors. So far, Cat Topia has created more than 500 catios across all 50 states, and no two are the same. Harding considers the climate and predators in every state. A catio in New York will be heated due to cold winter weather, while one in the humid state of Florida may feature a heavy-duty bug screen. We really look at what it comes down to at a micro level of what cats really need, and we make sure that our catios are ready to support that in every state, Harding added. open image in gallery A cat inside of its wooden, fenced outdoor enclosure outside of a home in Colorado ( Lance Harding from Cat Topia ) We have a whole database of what the customer should know when were designing stuff. And this is a burgeoning business. In 2017, Alan Breslauer launched his Catio Guy company to build expansive outdoor enclosures, featuring runs and bridges for cats. Business took off in the pandemic, when families were spending more time at home and wanted to expand their spaces for pets. Since then, Breslauer and his team in Los Angeles have built more than 500 catios, with prices ranging from $5,000 to up to $94,000. Breslauer primarily works in California including Santa Barbara, Orange County, and Palm Springs where cats (and their owners) experience some of the best weather year-round. Most of his catios are attached to large homes in Los Angeles, where home prices start at $1 million and go from there, according to Realtor.com. Were essentially making fancy enclosures that keep cats protected but allow them to go outside and bathe in the sunshine, get the stimulation from the birds, squirrels, and bugs, Breslauer explained to The Independent. open image in gallery A white, roofed catio with stairs and tree bark inside for the cat to climb on, built outside a home in Texas ( Lance Harding from Cat Topia ) Its a cat Disneyland where they run around and play without the danger of getting run over by a car or eaten by a coyote in L.A. Just like Harding, Breslauer wants cats to have the chance to be outside without their owners being worried about the risk of losing a pet. While cats lifespans vary - some live up to 20 years - there are risks to letting them roam outdoors alone, like infections and parasites, injury, poisoning, and exposure to predators, says the American Animal Hospital Association. Catios have helped his clients cats during a major life change, Breslauer notes. He had one client who moved from LA to Santa Barbara with her fiance, and her cat was unhappy about it, resulting in him urinating outside of the litter box for a year straight. A year later, they got the catio and the marking stopped completely, Breslauer explained. Then he ended up loving the new guy in his life. There are just remarkable differences between being cats before and after these enclosures. Indoor cats only have so many behavioral risks, and the catio just does so much for their mental well-being. 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump issued another pair of calls for Democrats who spoke out against illegal orders to the military to be jailed late Saturday evening as he battles a sinking public image and unprecedented resistance within his own party on the Hill. The president delivered his latest statements in the form of all-caps tirades on Truth Social, where he defended the supposed legal basis for charging members of the opposing political party with treason or seditious conspiracy. But even in doing so, he seemed to back away explicitly from calls for their executions, something hed raised as a threat only days before. But the president was clearly irked by the refusal of congressional Republicans to join him, and used one Truth Social post to insist that Americas legal scholars were on his side without naming any. The episode marked just his latest crash-out stemming from the original issue: A video, posted by congressional Democratic members who served in the military, urging the commanders of the armed services to follow their constitutional duty to refuse illegal orders from the White House or Defense Department. MANY GREAT LEGAL SCHOLARS AGREE THAT THE DEMOCRAT TRAITORS THAT TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS, AS PRESIDENT, HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME OF SERIOUS PROPORTION! he argued. In a second post 10 minutes earlier, just before midnight, he wrote: THE TRAITORS THAT TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW, NOT ROAMING THE FAKE NEWS NETWORKS TRYING TO EXPLAIN THAT WHAT THEY SAID WAS OK. IT WASNT, AND NEVER WILL BE! open image in gallery Donald Trump has seen congressional Republicans refuse to back up his more outlandish claims and accusations against Democrats as his grasp on them slips He added that Democrats like Sen. Elissa Slotkin and Rep. Chris Deluzio who appeared in the video had committed SEDITION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL, before noting incorrectly: AND SEDITION IS A MAJOR CRIME. Slotkin, a Michigan Democratic senator, responded Sunday on ABCs This Week. She noted that she hadnt seen any specific examples of illegal orders issued by the Department of Defense or the White House. "He's trying to get us to shut up because he doesn't want to be talking about this," Slotkin said of the attacks. "In fact, I would argue that one of the things that he's been doing by repeating it and talking about it is trying to distract us from the big stories of last week, which were the Epstein files and then the economy." Sedition itself is not a defined crime in the U.S. criminal code. The applicable charge is seditious conspiracy, a similar-sounding charge that requires prosecutors to prove that an organized conspiracy exists aimed at overthrowing or otherwise harming the federal government. And legal scholars generally agree that the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitutions Bill of Rights generally protects a wide range of speech and expression against the government, including calls for it to be abolished. Generally speaking, anti-government speech or expression is protected unless it actively calls for imminent violent criminal acts against the government or its representatives. Nothing in the video message released by Democrats would fall outside of those protections, except in the opinions of Trumps closest loyalists. In fact, a number of constitutional law experts have already spoken about how the video does not call for any use of force to resist the president or his actions; merely telling officers to refuse orders they believe are illegal falls far short of that standard. "Encouraging the military not to obey unlawful orders is not an agreement under the seditious conspiracy statute, Carlton Larson, a constitutional law scholar with University of California-Davis, told Politifact. More telling, however, is the fact that even Trumps allies in Congress arent backing him up. Speaker Mike Johnson would not back Trump up on his explicit calls for Democrats to be charged with seditious behavior last week, and gave the notion that the president was merely providing a legal definition of the term as his excuse for the president obviously urging that those members be put to death. Johnsons half-hearted defense of the presidents words ignored that there was very little in his original statements that corresponded to reality, including his ongoing failure to actually get the name of the corresponding criminal charge right in his posts. open image in gallery Speaker Mike Johnson suffered defeats in the House this month as he faced a rebellion over the Epstein files and on Saturday saw a member of his caucus announce her resignation, citing death threats from Trump supporters ( Reuters ) Johnson told reporters on Thursday that "the words that the president chose are not the ones that I would use", while maintaining that Trump was merely "defining the crime of sedition", which he did not do and is not, by itself, a federal crime. He had no response to the barrage of death threats and even bomb threats reported by the members of Congress the president had called to be executed, which came as Republicans have weakly argued that political violence is a left-wing problem that does not exist in widespread instances on the right. Meanwhile, Indiana Republicans who resisted Trumps demand for the state to begin mid-decade redistricting in the hopes of changing the midterm election results are also facing those death threats from some of the presidents followers. Republicans eagerly condemned political violence in the wake of Charlie Kirks assassination over the summer, but the push to punish Democrats over it quickly fell apart in the face of the evidence of Trumps own infatuation with the same concept. open image in gallery MAGA-aligned Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene cited threats from Trump supporters as a reason she would resign in January ( Getty ) The president famously called for protesters at his rallies in 2016 to be beaten up by other attendees. His latest calls for Democrats to be killed for seditious behavior is just the most recent example in a long line of instances wherein Trump or his followers have excused or joined in on calls for violence or state suppression of his political enemies. In another Truth Social post this past week, Trump shared a post from a follower demanding that members of Congress be hanged. The post could have been taken as outright support for lynch mobs; the U.S. government has not put an inmate to death by hanging since 1996, and has only used the method three times since the 1960s. Even Trumps own press secretary would not directly endorse the legal basis for charging Democrats with seditious conspiracy this past week. She also denied that Trump wanted to see members of Congress executed, despite him claiming their actions were punishable by death. open image in gallery When asked if the president wants to execute members of Congress, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, 'No' ( Win McNamee/Getty Images ) The sanctity of our military rests on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is broken, it can lead to people getting killed. It can lead to chaos, Karoline Leavitt said. That is a very, very dangerous message, message, and it perhaps is punishable by law. I'm not a lawyer. I'll leave that to the Department of Justice and the Department of War to decide, Leavitt continued. Cultural & Historical Significance Gamaliel holds profound significance in both Jewish and Christian traditions. In Judaism, the name is associated with one of the most respected dynasties of rabbinic scholars, beginning with Gamaliel the Elder, who was a leading authority in the Sanhedrin and known for his wisdom and moderation. The Gamaliel dynasty produced several generations of prominent Jewish leaders who helped shape rabbinic Judaism during the critical period following the destruction of the Second Temple. These leaders were instrumental in establishing the foundations of modern Judaism through their teachings and legal decisions. In Christian tradition, Gamaliel the Elder is remembered as the teacher of Saint Paul and for his counsel of tolerance toward the early Christians in the Book of Acts. His famous speech to the Sanhedrin, where he advised against persecuting Jesus' followers, arguing that if their movement was of human origin it would fail, but if it was from God it could not be stopped, represents a remarkable moment of religious tolerance in ancient texts. This dual significance makes Gamaliel a unique bridge figure between Judaism and Christianity, embodying wisdom, fairness, and the importance of allowing divine truth to manifest over time. 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. Proposed tweaks to boating rules in Port Phillip Bay have triggered a fresh call to push jet-skis further away from Melbournes beaches amid concerns about dangerous riding. But experienced jet-skiers believe boundary changes will do little to stop hoons who flout existing laws anyway. Experienced jet-skiers believe the proposed tweaks to boundary changes will do little to stop hoons. Parks Victoria recently revealed planned changes to no-boating zones around St Kilda and Altona piers. The adjustments, released for consultation on November 12, would account for the piers new designs. Dozens of complaints of the most serious workplace offences, including rape and sexual assault, may go unreported each year, after parliaments employee support service altered its reporting methods. The service, which received 40 complaints of bullying and 28 instances of harassment during its second year of operations, has been slammed by a senator who alleged she was sexually harassed in Parliament House. Victorian independent Lidia Thorpe said the service was potentially hiding misconduct from the public under the proviso of protecting complainants privacy. A senator has alleged she was sexually harassed in Parliament House in Canberra. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The number of complaints of rape or sexual assault, sexual harassment, assault, and stalking and intimidation was not provided in the Parliamentary Workplace Support Services most recent annual report because there were fewer than 10 individual complaints of each offence. The service was established as a recommendation of the Jenkins review into Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces, launched following a number of sexual misconduct allegations, including a rape allegation made by former staffer Brittany Higgins. Amelia Hamer, rising Liberal star and newly endorsed candidate for the blue-ribbon seat of Malvern, says her emphatic preselection victory was a vote by party members for generational change. Hamer brushed aside the challenge from Jacqueline Blackwell who was backed by former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg to win by a margin of almost 70 votes despite predictions of a close race. Newly endorsed candidate for Malvern Amelia Hamer and Opposition Leader Jess Wilson. Credit: Photograph by Chris Hopkins More than 200 Liberal Party members attended Caulfield Racecourse on Sunday to select a new candidate following the retirement of former Liberal leader Michael OBrien, who will step down after next years November state election. The victory further cements a generational shift within the Victorian branch of the party, following the elevation of 35-year-old Jess Wilson to opposition leader on Tuesday. Canberra: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and fellow world leaders have stared down opposition from US President Donald Trump to issue a declaration at the G20 summit in South Africa backing the Paris climate change agreement, endorsing net zero climate emissions by the middle of the century and praising free trade. The federal government also released more details about Energy Minister Chris Bowens upcoming role as head of negotiations for the next round of global climate talks, as it surprised environmentalists by signing up to a voluntary statement calling for a plan to eventually phase out fossil fuels. Trump boycotted the G20 conference in Johannesburg following months of accusations that South Africa was discriminating against minority white Afrikaners. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the opening day of the summit in Johannesburg. Credit: AP A senior Trump administration official branded it shameful that South Africa had forged ahead with a leaders declaration despite US opposition to the text, saying it undermined the G20 model of consensus. Individuals named Ganymede are often perceived as possessing exceptional beauty, grace, and charm that draws others to them naturally. They tend to be charismatic figures who excel in social situations, much like their mythological counterpart who served the gods with elegance and poise. These individuals often display a refined aesthetic sense and appreciation for beauty in all forms, along with a diplomatic nature that allows them to navigate complex social dynamics with ease. There's frequently an air of mystery or otherworldliness about them, as if they possess insights or perspectives beyond the ordinary. They may demonstrate loyalty and service-oriented qualities, yet maintain a certain independence and self-possession that makes them compelling figures in any social circle. Their combination of physical appeal, social grace, and intellectual depth often positions them as natural leaders or influential figures in their communities, though they may prefer roles that allow them to serve from behind the scenes rather than seeking overt power. Washington/London: The 28-point peace deal being pushed on Kyiv by the Trump administration will be rewritten to fully uphold Ukraines sovereignty following negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials, and confusion in Washington about the origins of the proposal. The delegations that met in Geneva drafted an updated peace plan, according to a statement from both parties, and will continue intense work on the emerging settlement framework over the coming days ahead of the loose Thursday deadline issued by US President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) speaks to reporters alongside Ukraines head of presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, in Geneva on Sunday. Credit: AP Meanwhile, a White House summary of the meeting, which did not outline the agreed changes, said Ukraine was satisfied by what had transpired. The Ukrainian delegation affirmed that all of their principal concerns security guarantees, long-term economic development, infrastructure protection, freedom of navigation, and political sovereignty were thoroughly addressed during the meeting, the readout said. 2 MBBS students killed in Jagdalpur road accident, truck driver held Staff Reporter : Raipur : Two MBBS students from the 2021 batch of the Government Medical College, Dimrapal, lost their lives in a road accident on the Jagdalpur highway on Saturday afternoon. The victims, identified as Ankit Dani of Bhilai, Sector 7 and Aali Shrivastava of Raipur, were returning towards Dimrapal on a motorcycle when a speeding truck coming from the opposite direction struck them near a roadside eatery known locally as In Dhaba. According to eyewitnesses, the impact of the collision was severe and threw both riders off the motorcycle. Ankit died on the spot due to multiple injuries, while Aali sustained severe trauma and was rushed to Mekaz Hospital where he died during treatment. Eyewitnesses also stated that the truck continued moving forward after the crash and dragged the motorcycle for almost 100 metres before coming to a halt. Locals immediately informed police and helped shift both injured students to the hospital. Upon receiving information, Superintendent Dr Anurup Sahu, senior doctors and a large number of medical students reached the hospital and assisted in the emergency response. The sudden deaths of two students created an atmosphere of shock among classmates and faculty members. Police teams reached the accident site, seized the truck and detained the driver. Officials confirmed that the driver has been arrested and that further investigation is underway to determine the exact sequence of events, vehicle speed and possible negligence. The motorcycle and the truck have been sent for mechanical examination, and statements of eyewitnesses are being recorded. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, and police have informed the families of both students. The case has been registered and is being investigated by the Jagdalpur police. 300+ children abductedin Nigeria school attack ABUJA : A TOTAL of 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were abducted by gunmen during an attack on St Marys School, a Catholic institution in north-central Nigerias Niger state, the Christian Association of Nigeria said Saturday, updating an earlier tally of 215 schoolchildren. The tally was changed after a verification exercise and a final census was carried out, according to a statement issued by the Most Rev Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Niger state chapter of CAN, who visited the school on Friday. He said 88 other students were also captured after they tried to escape during the attack. The students were both male and female and ranged in age from 10 to 18. The school kidnapping in Niger states remote Papiri community happened four days after 25 schoolchildren were seized in similar circumstances in neighbouring Kebbi states Maga town, which is 170 km 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. Yohanna described as false a claim from the state government that the school had reopened for studies despite an earlier directive forschoolsin thatpart of Niger state to close temporarilydue tosecurity threats. We did not receive any circular. Itmustbeanafterthought and a way to shift blame, he said, calling on families to remain calm and prayerful. School kidnappings have come to define insecurity in Africasmost populous nation, and armed gangs often see schools asstrategic targets to draw more attention. UNICEF said last year that only 37% of schools across 10 of the conflict-hit states have earlywarningsystems todetect threats. The kidnappings are happening amid US President Donald Trumps claims of targetedkillingsagainstChristians in the West African country. Attacks in Nigeria affect both Christians and Muslims. The school attack earlier this week inKebbi statewasinaMuslimmajority town. The attack also took place as Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu was visiting the US where he met DefenceSecretaryPeteHegseth on Friday AI-based agricultural analysis highly beneficial for farmers: Experts Business Reporter : ON THE second day of Agrovision 2025, organised by the Agrovision Foundation, a special workshop on Startups in the Agriculture Sector was conducted on Saturday at the grounds of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University as part of the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026. The workshop focused on the effective use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology in agriculture. In the panel discussion, experts agreed that AI-based agricultural analysis can be highly beneficial for farmers. The workshop was attended by experts which included Ajay Srivastava, Director of STPI under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, Anup Kumar, retired Additional Secretary of the State Government; Dr Premalal Patel, Director of VNIT; Shashikant Chaudhary, Co-founder of Happy-eaters App; Hemant Chaudhary, Founder and Executive Director of Circular Economy Alliance, Australia; Sachin Suri, Co-founder of CropData Technology; and STPI DG Arvind Kumar, among others. During the session, Anup Kumar said, AI must be made available in local languages, only then will it effectively reach farmers. Suri stressed the importance of integrating accurate data, including factors such as climate, water availability, soil texture, and seed quality. He explained that meaningful AI recommendations can be generated only after developing value- and risk-based matrices. He also stressed the importance of integrating accurate data, including factors such as climate, water availability, soil texture, and seed quality. He explained that meaningful AI recommendations can be generated only after developing value- and risk-based matrices. Ajay Srivastava said that Nagpur has great potential for excellence in agricultural technology, environment, and mining sectors. Work has already begun for creating a roadmap to develop world-class products in Nagpur, he noted. Dr Patel explained how remote sensing, AI, ML, and IoT technologies can make targeted water usage and micro-irrigation more efficient. He also emphasised the development of crops that deliver higher yields with lower water consumption while Hemant Chaudhary spoke about circular economy principles. Also, an interactive session was held with Sapna Nauharia, Microsoft and Tarun Tej Thadana, IIT Kharagpur, ABIF. Prashant Mishra, Founder and CEO of Click2Cloud was present. Participants engaged in discussions on sustainability, AI, and entrepreneurship. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari visited the session and encouraged the participants. The introductory remarks were delivered by Ajay Srivastava. The panel discussion was moderated by Shashikant Chaudhary, while the workshop proceedings were conducted by Asavari Deshpande. Agrovision Foundation Advisor C D Mayee was also present. DELHI CAR BLAST CASE:Multi-layer handler-network exposed NEW DELHI : INTELLIGENC : Eagencies 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. 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 Adeels locker. This weapon purchase is a critical link. It reflects the level of preparation and financing behind the module, an i n t e l l i g e n c e agency source said. Sources further revealed that each accused in the module was reporting to a different handler. Muzammils handler was separate, while blast-accused Umar was reporting to another. Two key handlers, Mansoor and Hashim, were operating underaseniorhandlerbelieved to be supervising the modules overall activities. These handlers were operating in layers, an official said. Intelligence sources confirmed thatin2022,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 themwaiting fornearly a week, the handler backed out, a source said. Investigators found that Okasa communicated with Muzammil throughaTelegram 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 fromNuh andelectronic components from Bhagirath Palace and Faridabads NIT Market. HC seeks reply on cultivation of vegetables using sewage water in Jabalpur Legal Correspondent : The High Court sought answers on cultivation of vegetables using sewage water in Jabalpur. The matter was taken up suo motu as a public interest litigation (PIL) and notices were issued to the Collector and others. A bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf criticized the practice of growing vegetables using sewage water in Jabalpur. The court, taking cognizance of the news, initiated the hearing of the matter as a PIL and issued notices to the Collector and others, seeking their responses. Senior advocate Rameshwar Singh Thakur has been appointed as amicus curiae in this case. He argued that the water contaminated with sewage contains the most detergent. Experts have consistently warned that sewage water is extremely dangerous. Therefore, growing vegetables using such water is a blatant threat to public health. In Jabalpur, vegetables are grown using the sewage water from the Omti drain in areas ranging from Kachpura and Vijay Nagar to Kachnari and surrounding areas. Similarly, contaminated water from the Moti Drain is being used for vegetable cultivation in villages from Gohalpur to Baghaura in Belkhadu and surrounding areas. Toxic elements dissolved in the sewage water are endangering peoples health. Demands to curb this type of cultivation have been raised for a long time, but the officials responsible for taking action are avoiding action. All departments are blaming each other. The High Court was informed that the Omti Drain, originating near the Kanchghar Hills, was once known as the Omvati River. Over time, population on both sides of drain increased, and it came to rest in the heart of the city. Now, only septic tank and bathroom wastewater flows through it. The same situation is with the Moti Drain, which passes through the Gohalpur area. Experts believe that the water from these drains can be extremely dangerous and toxic. It was argued that the drains contain detergent, along with sewage. Sodium carbonate is also found in detergents, which can cause diseases like hypertension, potassium deficiency, gas and bloating, headaches and allergies. Sodium laureth sulfate is used to create foam in detergents, which can cause skin irritation, acne, mouth ulcers and even cancer. Alkyl benzene sulfonate is widely used in detergents to remove stains. It removes stains from clothes, it is itself a disgrace to nature, causing immense harm to the environment. It is not biodegradable and always remains on the ground, causing harm to water and soil. Water quality deteriorates and soil loses its fertility. Is the fear of police fading? Rising crime continues unabated in State capital Residents feel unsafe as large groups of armed youth attack residential colonies and public spaces in Gandhi Nagar, Misrod, Jatkhedi and Shahpura Staff Reporter : A spree of hooliganism and lawlessness continues to plague the State capital. Sensational incidents reported over the past week in four separate areas, Gandhi Nagar, Misrod, Jatkhedi, and Shahpura, have not only raised serious questions about police effectiveness but have also deepened the sense of insecurity among citizens. The most concerning aspect of these crimes is the fearlessness of the assailants, who are brazenly attacking residential colonies, cafes, and vehicles parked in public spaces. Most gravely, several incidents involved groups of 15 to 20 armed youths gathering to carry out highly co-ordinated attacks. This group violence is a clear indication of the growing audacity among the capitals criminals and the complete erosion of their fear of the law. Preliminary police investigations and analysis of these four separate incidents reveal that miscreants frequently use minor disputes or old rivalries as a pretext to launch large-scale group attacks. Although the police have taken action and made some arrests, the critical question remains: Will the police be able to get to the root of these continuous incidents and dismantle a larger network, or will such crimes continue unchecked? Visible policing on the streets: Public Following such a widespread attack on the citys law and order, the need for stringent and comprehensive action has become clear. Senior citizens, colony residents, and the general public have united to demand an increase in police patrols, strict action against groups involved in hooliganism, and, crucially, increased police visibility (presence) especially during the night. Citizens argue that until the police are effectively visible on the streets, the morale of criminals will not be broken. Relocation of NIT Youth Hub sparks chaos Police detain former Congress MLA Vikash Upadhyay Staff Reporter : Raipur : The demolition and relocation of the Government Science College Chowpatty, widely known across the capital as the NIT Youth Hub, situated on GE Road, triggered one of the most dramatic political standoffs. The developments spanned from late Friday night to Saturday morning here as Congress workers and traders clashed with police, BJP supporters mobilised in retaliation and former Congress MLA Vikash Upadhyay was detained while attempting to block demolition machinery. Tension had begun rising earlier in the week since last Tuesday, but the situation escalated sharply on Friday night when municipal preparations for clearing the Chowpatty reached local residents and vendors. The friction intensified near the residence of former Minister and current BJP Raipur West MLA Rajesh Munat where Congress and BJP workers exchanged heated arguments that soon turned into shoving and physical scuffles. Eyewitnesses reported that police were compelled to intervene to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. Moreover, a brief confrontation involving former councillor husband Pritam Thakur and a senior Congress party office-bearers Subodh Haritwal amplified the tension and drew a reinforced police presence. At the centre of the protest stood Vikash Upadhyay, who accused the administration of political vendetta. He said that nearly ten crore rupees of investment by vendors and traders would be destroyed without prior notice, discussion or rehabilitation. He asserted that the Chowpatty would be cleared only after the JCB moves over his body. His remarks energised supporters and drew additional crowds as the night progressed. By midnight, the area had turned into a full scale demonstration with Congress workers, vendors and local residents staging an overnight vigil. Protesters said there was no written notice from the municipal administration and that the sudden execution of demolition amounted to a unilateral action. Many insisted that they were not given any timeline, relocation plan or space for consultation. Early Saturday morning, RMC teams, supported by police, arrived with JCBs, cranes and transport vehicles to begin dismantling the kiosks. Several protesters climbed the machinery in an attempt to stop the drive. Police removed them and detained Upadhyay while municipal teams continued clearing the structures. Vendors alleged that structures built over several years were dismantled abruptly and that they were left with no clarity about the relocation. RMC workers then began loading kiosks onto trucks and preparing the new site beside the overbridge for shifting the NIT Youth Hub. Traders complained that the new location lacked basic infrastructure and planning and that the sudden shift would severely affect their business. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao reacted sharply to the confrontation and said that protest is acceptable in a democracy but the Congress must decide whether it wants constructive politics or disruption. He added that the relocation forms part of a broader plan for city development and student convenience. Congress leaders have warned of a larger agitation if vendors are not heard. Police officials maintained that their priority remained the maintenance of public order as the dispute continues to widen across political and civic lines. Cultural & Historical Significance Genivee represents a modern interpretation of traditional Germanic feminine names, blending classical roots with contemporary appeal. The name carries echoes of ancient Germanic tribes where women held significant roles in both family and community life, often serving as keepers of tradition and wisdom. In German-speaking regions, names with similar phonetic qualities have historically been associated with strength, resilience, and feminine power, reflecting the cultural importance placed on women as foundational pillars of society and family structures. The name's evolution reflects broader cultural shifts in how femininity is perceived and valued. While maintaining its connection to traditional Germanic naming conventions, Genivee also embodies modern sensibilities about gender identity and female empowerment. This dual nature makes it particularly significant in contemporary German culture, where there's a growing appreciation for names that honor heritage while embracing progressive values about women's roles in society. Shares of iShares ESG Aware 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF (BATS:EAOA Get Free Report) traded down 1.2% on Thursday . The company traded as low as $40.00 and last traded at $40.00. 4,152 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 96% from the average session volume of 2,122 shares. The stock had previously closed at $40.4831. iShares ESG Aware 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $32.43 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.72 and a beta of 0.80. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $40.90 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $39.16. Get iShares ESG Aware 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares ESG Aware 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF A hedge fund recently raised its stake in iShares ESG Aware 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in iShares ESG Aware 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF (BATS:EAOA Free Report) by 1,393.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 11,503 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 10,733 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned about 1.44% of iShares ESG Aware 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF worth $443,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. About iShares ESG Aware 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF The iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in target risk asset allocation. The fund is an index-tracking fund of funds that tactically allocates 80\u002F20 global equites and US investment grade bonds with positive ESG characteristics. EAOA was launched on Jun 12, 2020 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares ESG Aware 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares ESG Aware 80/20 Aggressive Allocation ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note released on Saturday. AEM has been the subject of several other reports. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Zacks Research downgraded Agnico Eagle Mines from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $140.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Scotiabank reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, TD Securities upped their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from $154.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $184.50. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Agnico Eagle Mines Agnico Eagle Mines Trading Up 0.8% Shares of AEM stock opened at $159.82 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $164.52 and a 200 day simple moving average of $139.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $80.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.45. Agnico Eagle Mines has a fifty-two week low of $76.91 and a fifty-two week high of $187.50. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 2.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM Get Free Report) (TSE:AEM) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The mining company reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.40. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 32.62% and a return on equity of 15.97%. The firm had revenue of $3.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.93 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.14 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Agnico Eagle Mines will post 4.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Agnico Eagle Mines Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 101.7% during the third quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,173 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $872,000 after buying an additional 2,608 shares in the last quarter. Danske Bank A S acquired a new stake in Agnico Eagle Mines during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,554,000. Advisory Services Network LLC grew its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 20,711 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $3,491,000 after acquiring an additional 514 shares in the last quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp purchased a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines during the 3rd quarter valued at about $217,000. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 32.9% in the 3rd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 22,466 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $3,787,000 after purchasing an additional 5,563 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.34% of the companys stock. About Agnico Eagle Mines (Get Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Tower (NYSE:AMT Get Free Report) and Americold Realty Trust (NYSE:COLD Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, valuation, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership and dividends. Risk and Volatility American Tower has a beta of 0.85, indicating that its share price is 15% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Americold Realty Trust has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its share price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get American Tower alerts: Valuation and Earnings This table compares American Tower and Americold Realty Trusts top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio American Tower $10.45 billion 8.04 $2.26 billion $6.26 28.68 Americold Realty Trust $2.61 billion 1.13 -$94.31 million ($0.22) -47.09 American Tower has higher revenue and earnings than Americold Realty Trust. Americold Realty Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than American Tower, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for American Tower and Americold Realty Trust, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score American Tower 0 5 13 2 2.85 Americold Realty Trust 3 7 5 0 2.13 American Tower currently has a consensus price target of $228.44, suggesting a potential upside of 27.22%. Americold Realty Trust has a consensus price target of $16.62, suggesting a potential upside of 60.38%. Given Americold Realty Trusts higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Americold Realty Trust is more favorable than American Tower. Dividends American Tower pays an annual dividend of $6.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Americold Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $0.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.9%. American Tower pays out 108.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Americold Realty Trust pays out -418.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. American Tower has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Americold Realty Trust has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Americold Realty Trust is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Institutional & Insider Ownership 92.7% of American Tower shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.1% of Americold Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of American Tower shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Americold Realty Trust shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares American Tower and Americold Realty Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets American Tower 28.11% 28.79% 4.69% Americold Realty Trust -2.09% -1.68% -0.69% Summary American Tower beats Americold Realty Trust on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About American Tower (Get Free Report) American Tower, one of the largest global REITs, is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of over 224,000 communications sites and a highly interconnected footprint of U.S. data center facilities. About Americold Realty Trust (Get Free Report) Americold Realty Trust, Inc. is a real estate investment trust, which focuses on the ownership, operation, development, and acquisition of temperature-controlled warehouses. It operates through the following segments: Warehouse, Third-Party Managed, Transportation, and Other. The Warehouse segment collects rent and storage fees from customers to store frozen and perishable food and other products within the firms real estate portfolio. The Third-Party Managed segment manages warehouses on behalf of third parties and provides warehouse management services to food retailers and manufacturers in customer-owned facilities. The Transportation segment is involved in brokering and managing transportation of frozen and perishable food and other products. The Other segment includes ownership in a limestone quarry in Carthage, Missouri. The company was founded in 1931 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Receive News & Ratings for American Tower Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Tower and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canada Goose (NYSE:GOOS Get Free Report) and American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO Get Free Report) are both retail/wholesale companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk and profitability. Institutional & Insider Ownership 83.6% of Canada Goose shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 97.3% of American Eagle Outfitters shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of Canada Goose shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 8.7% of American Eagle Outfitters shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Canada Goose alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Canada Goose and American Eagle Outfitters, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Canada Goose 2 3 4 1 2.40 American Eagle Outfitters 3 9 1 1 2.00 Profitability Canada Goose currently has a consensus target price of $15.00, suggesting a potential upside of 19.86%. American Eagle Outfitters has a consensus target price of $15.11, suggesting a potential downside of 18.67%. Given Canada Gooses stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Canada Goose is more favorable than American Eagle Outfitters. This table compares Canada Goose and American Eagle Outfitters net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Canada Goose 1.96% 15.35% 4.62% American Eagle Outfitters 3.74% 13.67% 5.80% Valuation & Earnings This table compares Canada Goose and American Eagle Outfitterss revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Canada Goose $969.08 million 1.25 $68.13 million $0.18 69.53 American Eagle Outfitters $5.27 billion 0.60 $329.38 million $1.04 17.87 American Eagle Outfitters has higher revenue and earnings than Canada Goose. American Eagle Outfitters is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Canada Goose, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Volatility and Risk Canada Goose has a beta of 1.64, suggesting that its share price is 64% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, American Eagle Outfitters has a beta of 1.58, suggesting that its share price is 58% more volatile than the S&P 500. About Canada Goose (Get Free Report) Canada Goose Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells performance luxury apparel for men, women, youth, children, and babies in Canada, the United States, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Wholesale, and Other. It offers parkas, lightweight down jackets, rainwear, windwear, apparel, fleece, footwear, and accessories for fall, winter, and spring seasons. The company operates through national e-commerce markets and directly operated retail stores. Canada Goose Holdings Inc. was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. About American Eagle Outfitters (Get Free Report) American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men under the American Eagle brand; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections under the Aerie and OFFLINE by Aerie brands. It also offers menswear products under the Todd Snyder New York brand; and fashion clothing and accessories under the Unsubscribed brand. The company sells its products through own and licensed retail stores; concession-based shops-within-shops; and digital channels, such as www.ae.com, www.aerie.com, www.toddsnyder.com, and www.unsubscribed.com. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Receive News & Ratings for Canada Goose Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canada Goose and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Talon International (OTCMKTS:TALN Get Free Report) and Revolve Group (NYSE:RVLV Get Free Report) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership and dividends. Profitability This table compares Talon International and Revolve Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Talon International alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Talon International N/A N/A N/A Revolve Group 4.64% 11.26% 7.30% Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Talon International and Revolve Group, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Talon International 0 0 0 0 0.00 Revolve Group 0 7 9 0 2.56 Institutional & Insider Ownership Revolve Group has a consensus target price of $26.21, indicating a potential upside of 11.87%. Given Revolve Groups stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Revolve Group is more favorable than Talon International. 67.6% of Revolve Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 20.3% of Talon International shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 43.8% of Revolve Group shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Talon International and Revolve Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Talon International $32.11 million 0.17 $220,000.00 N/A N/A Revolve Group $1.13 billion 1.48 $49.56 million $0.76 30.83 Revolve Group has higher revenue and earnings than Talon International. Volatility and Risk Talon International has a beta of -0.7, suggesting that its stock price is 170% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Revolve Group has a beta of 1.93, suggesting that its stock price is 93% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Revolve Group beats Talon International on 12 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Talon International (Get Free Report) Talon International, Inc. manufactures and distributes apparel components and accessories to manufacturers of fashion apparel, specialty retailers, and mass merchandisers. The company offers a line of metal, coil, and plastic zippers under the Talon brand name; apparel trim components, including tags, labels, buttons, rivets, leather patches, woven labels, heat transfer seals, tapes, ribbons, printed marketing material, polybasic, packing cartons, and hangers; Flex-It films, adhesive films, overlay films, seam sealing tapes; metal fasteners; stretch waistbands, shirt collars, and inner pocketing panels under the Tekfit brand, as well as packaging and other items; and specialty stretch technology for interlinings. It also provides outsourced trim design, sourcing, and management services, as well as supplies custom branded trim components. The company sells its products through its own sales force in the United States, Hong Kong, China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, as well as through sales representatives in Europe. The company was formerly known as Tag-It Pacific, Inc. and changed its name to Talon International, Inc. in July 2007. Talon International, Inc. was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Woodland Hills, California. About Revolve Group (Get Free Report) Revolve Group, Inc. operates as an online fashion retailer for millennial and generation z consumers in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, REVOLVE and FWRD. It operates a platform that connects consumers and global fashion influencers, as well as emerging, established, and owned brands. The company offers apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, and home products from emerging, established, and owned brands, as well as luxury brands through its websites and mobile apps. The company was formerly known as Advance Holdings, LLC and changed its name to Revolve Group, Inc. in October 2018. Revolve Group, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Cerritos, California. Receive News & Ratings for Talon International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Talon International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Nova Scotia (The) (NYSE:BNS Get Free Report) (TSE:BNS) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the five analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $86.00. BNS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 30th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Bank of Nova Scotia from $80.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. Get Bank of Nova Scotia alerts: View Our Latest Report on Bank of Nova Scotia Bank of Nova Scotia Stock Performance NYSE BNS opened at $66.64 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. The stocks fifty day moving average is $65.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $59.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $82.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.17. Bank of Nova Scotia has a fifty-two week low of $44.09 and a fifty-two week high of $68.10. Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS Get Free Report) (TSE:BNS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 26th. The bank reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.28 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $6.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.29 billion. Bank of Nova Scotia had a return on equity of 11.61% and a net margin of 9.74%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.63 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Bank of Nova Scotia will post 4.91 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of Bank of Nova Scotia Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. lifted its position in Bank of Nova Scotia by 0.5% in the first quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 58,073 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,754,000 after buying an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ raised its stake in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 4.7% in the 1st quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ now owns 168,186 shares of the banks stock valued at $7,977,000 after acquiring an additional 7,500 shares during the period. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 235.5% in the 1st quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd now owns 18,268 shares of the banks stock worth $874,000 after acquiring an additional 12,823 shares during the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia by 8.0% during the 1st quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,406 shares of the banks stock worth $209,000 after purchasing an additional 327 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC increased its holdings in Bank of Nova Scotia by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 56,446 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,677,000 after purchasing an additional 1,060 shares during the last quarter. 49.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Bank of Nova Scotia (Get Free Report) The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Nova Scotia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Nova Scotia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barclays PLC (LON:BARC Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the six brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 450. A number of brokerages recently issued reports on BARC. Citigroup upped their target price on Barclays from GBX 400 to GBX 415 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Barclays from GBX 455 to GBX 470 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Barclays from GBX 500 to GBX 525 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of Barclays from GBX 435 to GBX 500 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Get Barclays alerts: View Our Latest Report on BARC Barclays Price Performance LON BARC opened at GBX 392.20 on Tuesday. The firms fifty day moving average price is GBX 390.61 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 360.84. Barclays has a 12 month low of GBX 223.75 and a 12 month high of GBX 430.90. The company has a market capitalization of 54.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.36. Barclays (LON:BARC Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The financial services provider reported GBX 10.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Barclays had a net margin of 19.54% and a return on equity of 6.97%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Barclays will post 39.1062802 earnings per share for the current year. About Barclays (Get Free Report) Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Barclays Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barclays and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Profitability This table compares Benchmark Bankshares and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Benchmark Bankshares 23.75% N/A N/A Benchmark Bankshares Competitors 16.58% 9.98% 1.05% Institutional & Insider Ownership 3.2% of Benchmark Bankshares shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 50.4% of shares of all BANKS SOUTHEAST companies are owned by institutional investors. 14.0% of Benchmark Bankshares shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 12.5% of shares of all BANKS SOUTHEAST companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Benchmark Bankshares alerts: Earnings and Valuation This table compares Benchmark Bankshares and its competitors top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Benchmark Bankshares $73.53 million $15.85 million 7.46 Benchmark Bankshares Competitors $604.66 million $154.64 million 13.37 Volatility and Risk Benchmark Bankshares competitors have higher revenue and earnings than Benchmark Bankshares. Benchmark Bankshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Benchmark Bankshares has a beta of 0.17, suggesting that its stock price is 83% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Benchmark Bankshares competitors have a beta of 0.69, suggesting that their average stock price is 31% less volatile than the S&P 500. Dividends Benchmark Bankshares pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Benchmark Bankshares pays out 20.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BANKS SOUTHEAST companies pay a dividend yield of 2.1% and pay out 24.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Benchmark Bankshares is clearly a better dividend stock than its competitors, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Summary Benchmark Bankshares competitors beat Benchmark Bankshares on 7 of the 11 factors compared. Benchmark Bankshares Company Profile (Get Free Report) Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. operates as the holding company for Benchmark Community Bank that provides various banking products and services in the United States. The company accepts various deposits, such as checking, saving, commercial services, and youth accounts. Its loan products include personal, mortgage, other real estate, business, auto, and student loans. The company also offers credit and debit cards; wealth management services comprising financial solutions, financial and retirement planning, and portfolio management, as well as estate, charitable giving, and trust services; and reorder checks, safe deposit boxes, wire transfers, bill pay, and internet and mobile banking services. The company was founded in 1971 and is based in Kenbridge, Virginia. Receive News & Ratings for Benchmark Bankshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Benchmark Bankshares 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 companies that develop, produce, or materially derive revenue from AI technologiessuch as providers of AI software and services, cloud platforms, specialized semiconductors, and data infrastructure. Investors buy these stocks to gain exposure to potential growth from AI adoption, while taking on sector-specific risks like high valuations, competition, and regulatory or ethical uncertainty. 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 See Also Cultural & Historical Significance Gilah holds profound cultural significance in Hebrew tradition as a name that encapsulates one of Judaism's core spiritual valuesthe pursuit of sacred joy. Derived from the Hebrew root meaning 'to rejoice,' the name appears throughout Jewish liturgical texts, particularly in Psalms where it describes the joy of divine worship and celebration. In Jewish philosophy, simcha (joy) is considered a religious obligation and pathway to spiritual elevation, making Gilah more than just a pleasant nameit represents an ideal way of being in the world. Historically, names expressing joy like Gilah have been particularly meaningful in Jewish communities, often given during times of celebration or as expressions of gratitude. The name carries the weight of Jewish historical experience, symbolizing the community's ability to find and create joy despite centuries of persecution and displacement. It represents the enduring Jewish spirit that chooses life and celebration even in the face of adversity, making it a name rich with cultural memory and spiritual aspiration. Shares of BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust (NYSE:BYM Get Free Report) crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $10.98 and traded as low as $10.83. BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust shares last traded at $10.83, with a volume of 63,990 shares. BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust Stock Performance The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $10.98 and a 200-day moving average price of $10.67. Get BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust alerts: BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be paid a $0.0555 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Institutional Investors Weigh In On BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust About BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Ackerman Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust by 83.8% in the first quarter. Ackerman Capital Advisors LLC now owns 30,730 shares of the companys stock valued at $331,000 after buying an additional 14,010 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust during the 1st quarter valued at $203,000. Sit Investment Associates Inc. lifted its stake in shares of BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust by 349.6% in the 1st quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 64,522 shares of the companys stock valued at $696,000 after purchasing an additional 50,171 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in shares of BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust by 136.2% in the 1st quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 20,299 shares of the companys stock worth $219,000 after purchasing an additional 11,705 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Comerica Bank grew its stake in shares of BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust by 27.8% during the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 53,421 shares of the companys stock worth $576,000 after purchasing an additional 11,624 shares during the period. (Get Free Report) BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in investment grade municipal bonds exempt from federal income taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC decreased its position in Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report) by 2.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 221,724 shares of the banks stock after selling 5,520 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLCs holdings in Citizens Financial Group were worth $9,922,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of CFG. IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 6.2% in the first quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 8,471 shares of the banks stock worth $347,000 after purchasing an additional 496 shares during the last quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH grew its position in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 9.3% in the 1st quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 307,649 shares of the banks stock worth $12,604,000 after buying an additional 26,273 shares during the last quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. increased its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 10.8% during the first quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 37,662 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,543,000 after buying an additional 3,659 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 11,167.0% during the first quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,347,537 shares of the banks stock valued at $55,209,000 after acquiring an additional 1,335,577 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HB Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Citizens Financial Group by 30.9% in the first quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 21,345 shares of the banks stock worth $875,000 after acquiring an additional 5,037 shares during the period. 94.90% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Citizens Financial Group alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Citizens Financial Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $53.00 to $71.00 in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $58.00 to $56.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Barclays lifted their price objective on Citizens Financial Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Bank of America raised Citizens Financial Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their target price for the stock from $52.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $56.57. Citizens Financial Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE CFG opened at $52.31 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $51.72 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $47.85. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $32.60 and a fifty-two week high of $55.24. The company has a market capitalization of $22.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.65, a P/E/G ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.85. Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The bank reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.02. Citizens Financial Group had a return on equity of 7.48% and a net margin of 14.17%.The company had revenue of $2.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.10 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.79 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Citizens Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.92 EPS for the current fiscal year. Citizens Financial Group Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 29th were issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 29th. This is a boost from Citizens Financial Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Citizens Financial Groups dividend payout ratio is 51.54%. Citizens Financial Group Profile (Free Report) Citizens Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CFG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Citizens Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizens Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Nomad Foods Limited (NYSE:NOMD Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the five analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has assigned a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $18.6667. Several equities analysts have weighed in on NOMD shares. Barclays dropped their price objective on Nomad Foods from $20.00 to $18.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 8th. Mizuho decreased their price target on Nomad Foods from $23.00 to $20.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Zacks Research downgraded Nomad Foods from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Nomad Foods in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, BTIG Research reissued a buy rating and issued a $18.00 target price on shares of Nomad Foods in a report on Monday, November 10th. Get Nomad Foods alerts: Read Our Latest Report on NOMD Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nomad Foods Nomad Foods Stock Performance A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Boston Partners raised its holdings in shares of Nomad Foods by 40.3% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 14,323,433 shares of the companys stock worth $243,276,000 after buying an additional 4,114,150 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of Nomad Foods by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 7,330,537 shares of the companys stock valued at $124,546,000 after acquiring an additional 27,177 shares in the last quarter. Polaris Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Nomad Foods by 138.8% during the third quarter. Polaris Capital Management LLC now owns 3,441,900 shares of the companys stock worth $45,261,000 after purchasing an additional 2,000,400 shares during the last quarter. Royce & Associates LP increased its position in Nomad Foods by 45.4% in the 3rd quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 2,451,806 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,241,000 after acquiring an additional 765,690 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in Nomad Foods by 46.2% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,851,199 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,376,000 after purchasing an additional 585,054 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.26% of the companys stock. NYSE NOMD opened at $12.19 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $12.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $15.25. Nomad Foods has a 12-month low of $11.04 and a 12-month high of $20.81. The company has a market capitalization of $1.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.35 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. Nomad Foods (NYSE:NOMD Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.57 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.58 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $881.94 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $760.75 million. Nomad Foods had a return on equity of 10.26% and a net margin of 6.93%.The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.55 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Nomad Foods will post 1.82 earnings per share for the current year. Nomad Foods Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th will be paid a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th. Nomad Foodss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.22%. About Nomad Foods (Get Free Report) Nomad Foods Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, and distributes a range of frozen food products in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company offers frozen fish products, including fish fingers, coated fish, and natural fish; ready-to-cook vegetable products, such as peas and spinach; and frozen poultry and meat products comprising nuggets, grills, and burgers. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Nomad Foods Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nomad Foods and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (NYSE:BIP Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) by 70.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 26,544 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 62,833 shares during the quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners were worth $889,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. SouthState Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners during the first quarter worth approximately $37,000. Pandora Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $80,000. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its position in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 23.1% in the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 2,523 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $85,000 after buying an additional 474 shares in the last quarter. State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners during the 1st quarter valued at $97,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its holdings in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 9.2% during the 1st quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 3,866 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $115,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.92% of the companys stock. Get Brookfield Infrastructure Partners alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts recently issued reports on BIP shares. National Bank Financial upgraded Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 25th. National Bankshares set a $35.00 price target on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $37.00 price target on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $40.00 price objective on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a research note on Thursday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $40.43. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Stock Up 0.5% Shares of BIP stock opened at $35.22 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $33.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $32.71. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP has a twelve month low of $25.72 and a twelve month high of $36.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.88. The company has a market capitalization of $16.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 704.54 and a beta of 1.14. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.86 by ($0.42). Brookfield Infrastructure Partners had a net margin of 1.54% and a return on equity of 1.15%. The company had revenue of $5.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.76 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP will post 3.45 EPS for the current year. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.43 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.9%. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss payout ratio is currently 256.72%. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Profile (Free Report) Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. owns and operates utilities, transport, midstream, and data businesses in North and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company's Utilities segment operates approximately 2,900 km of electricity transmission lines; 4,200 km of natural gas pipelines; 8.1 million electricity and natural gas connections; and 0.6 million long-term contracted sub-metering services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BIP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (NYSE:BIP Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN). Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CenterBook Partners LP grew its position in Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK Free Report) by 174.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 38,452 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 24,434 shares during the quarter. CenterBook Partners LPs holdings in Mohawk Industries were worth $4,031,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. boosted its stake in Mohawk Industries by 23.9% in the 2nd quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. now owns 1,150 shares of the companys stock valued at $121,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the period. CFC Planning Co LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mohawk Industries during the second quarter worth $242,000. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its position in shares of Mohawk Industries by 12.6% in the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 141,815 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,868,000 after acquiring an additional 15,834 shares during the period. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Mohawk Industries in the second quarter valued at about $177,000. Finally, Magnetar Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Mohawk Industries in the second quarter valued at about $4,928,000. Institutional investors own 78.98% of the companys stock. Get Mohawk Industries alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have weighed in on MHK. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of Mohawk Industries from $124.00 to $118.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $123.00 price target (up from $119.00) on shares of Mohawk Industries in a research report on Monday, July 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Mohawk Industries from $139.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Wells Fargo & Company restated a neutral rating and set a $130.00 price objective on shares of Mohawk Industries in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Vertical Research initiated coverage on Mohawk Industries in a research report on Monday, October 20th. They set a buy rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $138.00. Mohawk Industries Trading Up 6.0% Shares of MHK opened at $109.90 on Friday. Mohawk Industries, Inc. has a 52-week low of $96.24 and a 52-week high of $146.93. The businesss fifty day moving average is $120.44 and its 200-day moving average is $116.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 2.25. The firm has a market cap of $6.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.35, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 1.31. Mohawk Industries (NYSE:MHK Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $2.67 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.68 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $2.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.73 billion. Mohawk Industries had a return on equity of 6.97% and a net margin of 3.93%.Mohawk Industriess quarterly revenue was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.90 earnings per share. Mohawk Industries has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.900-2.000 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Mohawk Industries, Inc. will post 9.8 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at Mohawk Industries In related news, insider Suzanne L. Helen sold 500 shares of Mohawk Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $109.04, for a total transaction of $54,520.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 82,378 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,982,497.12. The trade was a 0.60% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 6,406 shares of company stock valued at $793,753. Company insiders own 17.40% of the companys stock. Mohawk Industries Profile (Free Report) Mohawk Industries, Inc designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets flooring products for residential and commercial remodeling, and new construction channels in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Global Ceramic, Flooring North America, and Flooring Rest of the World. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MHK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mohawk Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mohawk Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Compania Cervecerias Unidas, S.A. (NYSE:CCU Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $12.72 and traded as high as $13.03. Compania Cervecerias Unidas shares last traded at $12.77, with a volume of 352,145 shares changing hands. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CCU has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas in a research report on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on Compania Cervecerias Unidas from $11.50 to $10.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, September 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Compania Cervecerias Unidas presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $10.00. Get Compania Cervecerias Unidas alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on CCU Compania Cervecerias Unidas Price Performance The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 2.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $12.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $12.70. The company has a market capitalization of $2.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.69. Compania Cervecerias Unidas (NYSE:CCU Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.17 by ($0.08). Compania Cervecerias Unidas had a net margin of 4.93% and a return on equity of 9.01%. The firm had revenue of $704.86 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $783.08 million. Equities research analysts anticipate that Compania Cervecerias Unidas, S.A. will post 0.68 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 1,252.7% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,233 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 2,994 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Corp acquired a new position in Compania Cervecerias Unidas in the third quarter valued at about $60,000. Rhumbline Advisers grew its stake in Compania Cervecerias Unidas by 12.7% in the third quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 7,277 shares of the companys stock valued at $88,000 after acquiring an additional 822 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas during the 3rd quarter valued at about $91,000. Finally, First Affirmative Financial Network acquired a new position in shares of Compania Cervecerias Unidas in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $143,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 24.07% of the companys stock. Compania Cervecerias Unidas Company Profile (Get Free Report) Compania Cervecerias Unidas SA operates as a beverage company in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The company operates through three segments: Chile, International Business, and Wine. It produces and sells alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer under proprietary and licensed brands, as well as distributes Pernod Ricard products in non-supermarket retail stores. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Compania Cervecerias Unidas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Compania Cervecerias Unidas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta (NYSE:VTMX Get Free Report) and Brookfield (NYSE:BN Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership and risk. Institutional & Insider Ownership 6.6% of Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 61.6% of Brookfield shares are owned by institutional investors. 11.0% of Brookfield shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta and Brookfield, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta 2 1 2 1 2.33 Brookfield 0 2 9 2 3.00 Dividends Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta currently has a consensus target price of $32.00, indicating a potential upside of 4.71%. Brookfield has a consensus target price of $53.47, indicating a potential upside of 19.56%. Given Brookfields stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Brookfield is more favorable than Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta pays an annual dividend of $0.17 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Brookfield pays an annual dividend of $0.24 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.5%. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta pays out 850.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Brookfield pays out 66.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Brookfield has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Risk and Volatility Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta has a beta of 0.71, suggesting that its stock price is 29% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Brookfield has a beta of 1.73, suggesting that its stock price is 73% more volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta and Brookfields top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta $252.33 million 10.25 $223.35 million $0.02 1,528.00 Brookfield $74.37 billion 1.49 $641.00 million $0.36 124.22 Brookfield has higher revenue and earnings than Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta. Brookfield is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta and Brookfields net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta 1.83% 0.19% 0.12% Brookfield 1.11% 3.77% 1.21% Summary Brookfield beats Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta on 14 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks. About Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta (Get Free Report) Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, S.A.B. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, manages, operates, and leases industrial buildings and distribution facilities in Mexico. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. About Brookfield (Get Free Report) Brookfield Corporation is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It typically makes investments in sizeable, premier assets across geographies and asset classes. It invests both its own capital as well as capital from other investors. Within private equity and venture capital, it focuses on acquisition, early ventures, control buyouts and financially distressed, buyouts and corporate carve-outs, recapitalizations, convertible, senior and mezzanine financings, operational and capital structure restructuring, strategic re-direction, turnaround, and under-performing midmarket companies. It invests in both public debt and equity markets. It invests in private equity sectors with focus on Business Services include infrastructure, healthcare, road fuel distribution and marketing, construction and real estate; Industrials include manufacturers of automotive batteries, graphite electrodes, returnable plastic packaging, and sanitation management and development; and Residential/ infrastructure services. It targets companies which likely possess underlying real assets, primarily in sectors such as industrial products, building materials, metals, mining, homebuilding, oil and gas, paper and packaging, manufacturing and forest product sectors. It invests globally with focus on North America including Brazil, the United States, Canada; Europe; and Australia; and Asia-Pacific. The firm considers equity investments in the range of $2 million to $500 million. It has a four-year investment period and a 10-year term with two one-year extensions. The firm prefers to take minority stake and majority stake. Brookfield Corporation was founded in 1997 and based in Toronto, Canada with additional offices across Northern America; South America; Europe; Middle East and Asia. Receive News & Ratings for Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Covalis Capital LLP bought a new stake in BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE:BWA Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 483,018 shares of the auto parts companys stock, valued at approximately $16,171,000. BorgWarner comprises 2.0% of Covalis Capital LLPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its holdings in BorgWarner by 1,133.3% during the 2nd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 777 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 714 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of BorgWarner by 1,647.8% during the second quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 804 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 758 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. grew its stake in shares of BorgWarner by 81.8% during the second quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 809 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 364 shares during the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BorgWarner in the first quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont lifted its stake in shares of BorgWarner by 55,000.0% during the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 1,102 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 1,100 shares during the last quarter. 95.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get BorgWarner alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on BorgWarner from $45.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Zacks Research cut shares of BorgWarner from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of BorgWarner from $45.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of BorgWarner in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Bank of America downgraded shares of BorgWarner from a buy rating to a neutral rating and upped their target price for the stock from $41.00 to $46.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, BorgWarner presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $45.85. Insider Transactions at BorgWarner In related news, Director Alexis P. Michas sold 8,772 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.31, for a total transaction of $371,143.32. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 78,903 shares in the company, valued at $3,338,385.93. This represents a 10.01% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, VP Stefan Demmerle sold 15,000 shares of BorgWarner stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $45.52, for a total value of $682,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 209,040 shares in the company, valued at $9,515,500.80. This trade represents a 6.70% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders sold 31,972 shares of company stock valued at $1,425,479. Corporate insiders own 0.45% of the companys stock. BorgWarner Trading Up 4.8% NYSE BWA opened at $42.94 on Friday. BorgWarner Inc. has a one year low of $24.40 and a one year high of $46.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a current ratio of 2.02. The company has a market capitalization of $9.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.06. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $43.61 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $38.97. BorgWarner (NYSE:BWA Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The auto parts company reported $1.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.16 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $3.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.58 billion. BorgWarner had a net margin of 1.50% and a return on equity of 16.17%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.09 earnings per share. BorgWarner has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.600-4.750 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that BorgWarner Inc. will post 4.28 EPS for the current fiscal year. BorgWarner Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. BorgWarners dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 107.94%. BorgWarner announced that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, July 31st that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the auto parts company to reacquire up to 13.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued. About BorgWarner (Free Report) BorgWarner Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides solutions for combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles worldwide. It offers turbochargers, eBoosters, eTurbos, timing systems, emissions systems, thermal systems, gasoline ignition technology, smart remote actuators, powertrain sensors, cabin heaters, battery modules and systems, battery heaters, and battery charging. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BWA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE:BWA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BorgWarner Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BorgWarner and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centerspace (NYSE:CSR Get Free Report) and United Dominion Realty Trust (NYSE:UDR Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk and valuation. Volatility and Risk Centerspace has a beta of 0.75, indicating that its stock price is 25% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, United Dominion Realty Trust has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Centerspace alerts: Profitability This table compares Centerspace and United Dominion Realty Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Centerspace -9.13% -2.81% -1.27% United Dominion Realty Trust 8.80% 4.51% 1.39% Insider & Institutional Ownership Dividends 79.0% of Centerspace shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 97.8% of United Dominion Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of Centerspace shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.4% of United Dominion Realty Trust shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Centerspace pays an annual dividend of $3.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. United Dominion Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.8%. Centerspace pays out 172.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. United Dominion Realty Trust pays out 390.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Centerspace has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years and United Dominion Realty Trust has raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years. United Dominion Realty Trust is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Centerspace and United Dominion Realty Trusts gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Centerspace $273.45 million 4.07 -$10.69 million $1.79 37.20 United Dominion Realty Trust $1.70 billion 6.91 $89.58 million $0.44 80.89 United Dominion Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than Centerspace. Centerspace is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than United Dominion Realty Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Centerspace and United Dominion Realty Trust, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Centerspace 0 7 3 0 2.30 United Dominion Realty Trust 1 13 4 0 2.17 Centerspace presently has a consensus target price of $69.67, suggesting a potential upside of 4.63%. United Dominion Realty Trust has a consensus target price of $41.10, suggesting a potential upside of 15.47%. Given United Dominion Realty Trusts higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe United Dominion Realty Trust is more favorable than Centerspace. Summary United Dominion Realty Trust beats Centerspace on 14 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Centerspace (Get Free Report) Centerspace is an owner and operator of apartment communities committed to providing great homes by focusing on integrity and serving others. Founded in 1970, as of September 30, 2023, Centerspace owned interests in 71 apartment communities consisting of 12,785 apartment homes located in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Centerspace was named a Top Workplace for the fourth consecutive year in 2023 by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. About United Dominion Realty Trust (Get Free Report) UDR, Inc. (NYSE: UDR), an S&P 500 company, is a leading multifamily real estate investment trust with a demonstrated performance history of delivering superior and dependable returns by successfully managing, buying, selling, developing and redeveloping attractive real estate communities in targeted U.S. markets. As of December 31, 2023, UDR owned or had an ownership position in 60,336 apartment homes including 359 homes under development. For over 51 years, UDR has delivered long-term value to shareholders, the best standard of service to Residents and the highest quality experience for Associates. Receive News & Ratings for Centerspace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Centerspace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Getty Realty (NYSE:GTY Get Free Report) and CTO Realty Growth (NYSE:CTO Get Free Report) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations and profitability. Volatility and Risk Getty Realty has a beta of 0.83, suggesting that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, CTO Realty Growth has a beta of 0.76, suggesting that its stock price is 24% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Getty Realty alerts: Institutional and Insider Ownership 85.1% of Getty Realty shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 67.2% of CTO Realty Growth shares are owned by institutional investors. 8.8% of Getty Realty shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 4.0% of CTO Realty Growth shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Getty Realty 0 3 3 0 2.50 CTO Realty Growth 1 0 2 2 3.00 This is a breakdown of current ratings for Getty Realty and CTO Realty Growth, as provided by MarketBeat. Getty Realty currently has a consensus target price of $31.80, suggesting a potential upside of 11.45%. CTO Realty Growth has a consensus target price of $22.00, suggesting a potential upside of 25.82%. Given CTO Realty Growths stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe CTO Realty Growth is more favorable than Getty Realty. Dividends Getty Realty pays an annual dividend of $1.94 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.8%. CTO Realty Growth pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 8.7%. Getty Realty pays out 151.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. CTO Realty Growth pays out -117.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Getty Realty has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. CTO Realty Growth is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Profitability This table compares Getty Realty and CTO Realty Growths net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Getty Realty 34.76% 7.60% 3.72% CTO Realty Growth -22.77% -5.72% -2.74% Earnings and Valuation This table compares Getty Realty and CTO Realty Growths gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Getty Realty $214.19 million 7.69 $71.06 million $1.28 22.29 CTO Realty Growth $146.95 million 3.85 -$1.97 million ($1.29) -13.55 Getty Realty has higher revenue and earnings than CTO Realty Growth. CTO Realty Growth is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Getty Realty, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Getty Realty beats CTO Realty Growth on 13 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks. About Getty Realty (Get Free Report) Getty Realty Corp. is a publicly traded, net lease REIT specializing in the acquisition, financing and development of convenience, automotive and other single tenant retail real estate. As of December 31, 2023, the Companys portfolio included 1,093 freestanding properties located in 40 states across the United States and Washington, D.C. About CTO Realty Growth (Get Free Report) CTO Realty Growth, Inc. is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns and operates a portfolio of high-quality, retail-based properties located primarily in higher growth markets in the United States. CTO also externally manages and owns a meaningful interest in Alpine Income Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE: PINE), a publicly traded net lease REIT. Receive News & Ratings for Getty Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Getty Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Individuals named Gilbride are typically perceived as possessing a strong sense of duty, spiritual depth, and intellectual curiosity. They often demonstrate a natural inclination toward leadership roles, combining practical wisdom with philosophical insight. Their connection to Saint Bridget's legacy frequently manifests in creative problem-solving abilities and a compassionate approach to helping others. Gilbrides tend to be methodical and persistent, with a quiet determination that enables them to overcome challenges through careful planning rather than brute force. They value tradition and heritage while remaining open to new ideas that align with their core principles. In social settings, they often serve as mediators and advisors, drawing on their innate sense of fairness and historical perspective. Their strength lies in balancing spiritual values with practical action, making them effective in roles that require both vision and implementation. While they can be reserved in unfamiliar situations, they form deep, lasting relationships built on mutual respect and shared values. The name suggests someone who bridges different worlds - connecting past and present, spiritual and practical, individual and community. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Douglas Dynamics (NYSE:PLOW Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Saturday morning. A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on PLOW. DA Davidson set a $39.00 price objective on Douglas Dynamics in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Douglas Dynamics in a report on Wednesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $39.00. Get Douglas Dynamics alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Douglas Dynamics Douglas Dynamics Stock Performance NYSE:PLOW opened at $31.11 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $31.04 and its 200-day moving average is $30.32. The company has a market cap of $716.78 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.15, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 2.11. Douglas Dynamics has a 52-week low of $21.30 and a 52-week high of $34.25. Douglas Dynamics (NYSE:PLOW Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The auto parts company reported $0.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.04. Douglas Dynamics had a return on equity of 15.16% and a net margin of 11.38%.The business had revenue of $162.12 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $163.27 million. Douglas Dynamics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.850-2.250 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Douglas Dynamics will post 1.3 earnings per share for the current year. Douglas Dynamics Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 16th were given a dividend of $0.295 per share. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 16th. Douglas Dynamicss dividend payout ratio is presently 67.05%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC acquired a new position in Douglas Dynamics during the 3rd quarter worth $721,000. Virtus Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Douglas Dynamics during the third quarter worth $477,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Douglas Dynamics during the third quarter valued at $3,244,000. Punch & Associates Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Douglas Dynamics by 0.4% in the third quarter. Punch & Associates Investment Management Inc. now owns 614,815 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $19,219,000 after acquiring an additional 2,184 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Douglas Dynamics by 4.3% in the third quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 18,010 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $563,000 after acquiring an additional 744 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.85% of the companys stock. About Douglas Dynamics (Get Free Report) Douglas Dynamics, Inc operates as a manufacturer and upfitter of commercial work truck attachments and equipment in North America. It operates through two segments, Work Truck Attachments and Work Truck Solutions. The Work Truck Attachments segment manufactures and sells snow and ice control attachments, including snowplows, and sand and salt spreaders for light trucks and heavy duty trucks, as well as various related parts and accessories. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Douglas Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Douglas Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd raised its stake in shares of Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS Free Report) by 39.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 15,300 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 4,330 shares during the quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltds holdings in Webster Financial were worth $835,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Webster Financial by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 7,108,082 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $366,408,000 after purchasing an additional 487,264 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Webster Financial in the 1st quarter worth about $23,603,000. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Webster Financial by 229.9% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 487,804 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $24,732,000 after buying an additional 339,950 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its holdings in Webster Financial by 29,356.4% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 217,388 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $11,206,000 after purchasing an additional 216,650 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Algebris UK Ltd boosted its holdings in Webster Financial by 122.9% in the 1st quarter. Algebris UK Ltd now owns 372,647 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $17,784,000 after buying an additional 205,501 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.58% of the companys stock. Get Webster Financial alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Webster Financial news, insider James Mi Griffin sold 807 shares of Webster Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.14, for a total value of $50,146.98. Following the sale, the insider owned 12,556 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $780,229.84. The trade was a 6.04% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO John R. Ciulla sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.45, for a total transaction of $443,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 231,872 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,857,302.40. This represents a 3.34% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 11,807 shares of company stock valued at $678,527. 0.54% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Webster Financial Trading Up 3.3% Shares of Webster Financial stock opened at $57.66 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $57.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $56.95. The stock has a market cap of $9.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.74, a PEG ratio of 0.50 and a beta of 1.13. Webster Financial Corporation has a 12-month low of $39.43 and a 12-month high of $63.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. Webster Financial (NYSE:WBS Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.54 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.02. Webster Financial had a return on equity of 11.07% and a net margin of 21.32%.The business had revenue of $756.06 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $725.22 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.34 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Webster Financial Corporation will post 5.88 EPS for the current fiscal year. Webster Financial Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. Webster Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 29.80%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have issued reports on WBS. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $65.00 target price (down previously from $68.00) on shares of Webster Financial in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Webster Financial from $64.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Webster Financial in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. They issued a buy rating and a $78.00 price target on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Webster Financial from $75.00 to $70.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Webster Financial in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Webster Financial currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $69.85. Get Our Latest Analysis on WBS About Webster Financial (Free Report) Webster Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Webster Bank, National Association that provides a range of financial products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Commercial Banking, HSA Bank, and Consumer Banking. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WBS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Webster Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Webster Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd bought a new position in Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE:CFR Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 6,170 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $793,000. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CFR. M.E. Allison & CO. Inc. raised its stake in shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers by 35.1% in the second quarter. M.E. Allison & CO. Inc. now owns 8,734 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,123,000 after acquiring an additional 2,270 shares during the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd bought a new stake in Cullen/Frost Bankers during the 1st quarter worth approximately $241,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 55.9% during the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 18,084 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,264,000 after purchasing an additional 6,484 shares in the last quarter. Norden Group LLC acquired a new stake in Cullen/Frost Bankers during the 1st quarter valued at $214,000. Finally, HB Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 18.9% in the 2nd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,255 shares of the banks stock valued at $290,000 after purchasing an additional 358 shares during the last quarter. 86.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Cullen/Frost Bankers alerts: Cullen/Frost Bankers Stock Up 3.2% Shares of NYSE:CFR opened at $123.68 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The stock has a market cap of $7.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.31, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a 50 day moving average of $124.78 and a 200-day moving average of $127.73. Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. has a one year low of $100.31 and a one year high of $147.64. Cullen/Frost Bankers Announces Dividend Cullen/Frost Bankers ( NYSE:CFR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $2.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.38 by $0.29. Cullen/Frost Bankers had a net margin of 21.20% and a return on equity of 15.46%. The firm had revenue of $567.27 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $565.54 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.24 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. will post 8.85 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. Cullen/Frost Bankerss dividend payout ratio is currently 41.15%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CFR has been the subject of a number of research reports. TD Cowen upgraded Cullen/Frost Bankers to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from $112.00 to $114.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from $155.00 to $145.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. They issued a neutral rating and a $138.00 price target for the company. Finally, Raymond James Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from $150.00 to $145.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $136.75. View Our Latest Stock Report on CFR About Cullen/Frost Bankers (Free Report) Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Frost Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking services in Texas. The company offers commercial banking services to corporations, including financing for industrial and commercial properties, interim construction related to industrial and commercial properties, equipment, inventories and accounts receivables, and acquisitions; and treasury management services, as well as originates commercial leasing services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CFR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE:CFR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cullen/Frost Bankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cullen/Frost Bankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HII Get Free Report) VP Edmond Jr. Hughes sold 850 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.44, for a total value of $268,124.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 8,731 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,754,106.64. This represents a 8.87% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Huntington Ingalls Industries Stock Performance Shares of HII stock opened at $305.88 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $293.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $264.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.08. The stock has a market cap of $12.00 billion, a PE ratio of 22.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 0.40. Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. has a 1 year low of $158.88 and a 1 year high of $330.00. Get Huntington Ingalls Industries alerts: Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The aerospace company reported $3.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by $0.39. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a return on equity of 11.34% and a net margin of 4.54%.The business had revenue of $3.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.95 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.56 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. Huntington Ingalls Industries has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. will post 13.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Huntington Ingalls Industries Increases Dividend Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $1.38 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This is an increase from Huntington Ingalls Industriess previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. Huntington Ingalls Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.12%. HII has been the topic of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from $287.00 to $342.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $316.00 to $356.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Wall Street Zen downgraded Huntington Ingalls Industries from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, September 7th. Zacks Research cut Huntington Ingalls Industries from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $180.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $318.57. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Huntington Ingalls Industries Institutional Trading of Huntington Ingalls Industries Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 1.6% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,047,205 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $252,403,000 after purchasing an additional 16,236 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 5.9% in the third quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 966,622 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $278,272,000 after purchasing an additional 54,139 shares during the last quarter. Earnest Partners LLC lifted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 0.7% during the third quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 901,140 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $259,447,000 after buying an additional 6,046 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its position in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 12.9% during the third quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 670,268 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $192,977,000 after buying an additional 76,512 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 666,440 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $160,919,000 after buying an additional 25,737 shares during the last quarter. 90.46% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Huntington Ingalls Industries Company Profile (Get Free Report) Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc designs, builds, overhauls, and repairs military ships in the United States. It operates through three segments: Ingalls, Newport News, and Mission Technologies. The company is involved in the design and construction of non-nuclear ships comprising amphibious assault ships; expeditionary warfare ships; surface combatants; and national security cutters for the U.S. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW Free Report) by 24.5% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 13,000 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,560 shares during the quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $1,017,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $313,000. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 22.1% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 225,026 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $17,599,000 after buying an additional 40,795 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management lifted its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 86,534 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $6,768,000 after acquiring an additional 607 shares in the last quarter. Magnetar Financial LLC purchased a new position in Edwards Lifesciences during the 2nd quarter valued at about $7,305,000. Finally, Swiss National Bank grew its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 6.6% in the 2nd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 1,773,100 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $138,674,000 after acquiring an additional 109,600 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.46% of the companys stock. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently issued reports on EW. Daiwa America raised shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $98.00 target price on shares of Edwards Lifesciences and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating and issued a $90.00 price target on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Edwards Lifesciences from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $96.00 price target for the company in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $95.00 target price (up from $90.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a report on Friday, October 31st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $91.39. Edwards Lifesciences Price Performance Shares of EW opened at $85.02 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $78.80 and a 200 day moving average price of $78.07. The stock 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. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has a 1-year low of $65.94 and a 1-year high of $87.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 4.68 and a quick ratio of 3.87. Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The medical research company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.59 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $1.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.49 billion. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 15.01% and a net margin of 72.96%.The businesss revenue was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.67 earnings per share. Edwards Lifesciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.560-2.620 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.580-0.640 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.45 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity at Edwards Lifesciences In other news, VP Daniel J. Lippis sold 1,020 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $82.55, for a total transaction of $84,201.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 22,002 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,816,265.10. This trade represents a 4.43% 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, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 13,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.08, for a total transaction of $1,080,040.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 39,898 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,314,725.84. This represents a 24.58% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. 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. Eisler Capital Management Ltd. lessened its stake in Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY Free Report) by 8.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 568,244 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 53,006 shares during the quarter. Ally Financial comprises about 0.1% of Eisler Capital Management Ltd.s holdings, making the stock its 13th largest holding. Eisler Capital Management Ltd.s holdings in Ally Financial were worth $22,144,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ALLY. WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in Ally Financial in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ally Financial during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in shares of Ally Financial by 385.2% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 752 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 597 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its position in Ally Financial by 662.0% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 823 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 715 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Ally Financial by 116.8% during the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 837 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 451 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.76% of the companys stock. Get Ally Financial alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Ally Financial in a research note on Wednesday. Cowen raised Ally Financial from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Ally Financial from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Wall Street Zen cut Ally Financial from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, November 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Ally Financial from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ally Financial presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $45.67. Ally Financial Price Performance ALLY stock opened at $38.49 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $40.09 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.79. Ally Financial Inc. has a 12-month low of $29.52 and a 12-month high of $44.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. The company has a market capitalization of $11.86 billion, a PE ratio of 23.19, a P/E/G ratio of 0.26 and a beta of 1.21. Ally Financial (NYSE:ALLY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The financial services provider reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $2.06 billion during the quarter. Ally Financial had a return on equity of 9.96% and a net margin of 8.10%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Ally Financial Inc. will post 3.57 EPS for the current year. Ally Financial Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Investors of record on Friday, October 31st were paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 31st. Ally Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 72.29%. Insider Transactions at Ally Financial In other Ally Financial news, insider Kathleen L. Patterson sold 29,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.86, for a total value of $1,184,940.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 100,203 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,094,294.58. This trade represents a 22.45% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.67% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. About Ally Financial (Free Report) Ally Financial Inc, a digital financial-services company, provides various digital financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda. The company operates through Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, and Corporate Finance Operations segments. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ALLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ally Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ally Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eisler Capital Management Ltd. lessened its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM Free Report) (TSE:CM) by 17.4% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 289,100 shares of the banks stock after selling 60,900 shares during the quarter. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce comprises 0.1% of Eisler Capital Management Ltd.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Eisler Capital Management Ltd.s holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce were worth $20,500,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 5.1% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 3,288 shares of the banks stock worth $233,000 after buying an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 53,477 shares of the banks stock valued at $3,788,000 after acquiring an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 5.3% during the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 4,320 shares of the banks stock valued at $243,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. PDS Planning Inc grew its holdings in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 4.0% during the second quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 5,655 shares of the banks stock worth $401,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. Finally, L.M. Kohn & Company increased its position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 6.0% in the second quarter. L.M. Kohn & Company now owns 4,090 shares of the banks stock worth $290,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 49.88% of the companys stock. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Up 1.3% Shares of NYSE CM opened at $84.02 on Friday. The stock 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. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a one year low of $53.62 and a one year high of $87.37. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $82.23 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $75.18. 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 Increases Dividend Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ( NYSE:CM Get Free Report ) (TSE:CM) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 28th. The bank reported $1.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.14. The company 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 was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.93 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 5.5 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 29th were paid a $0.97 dividend. This is a boost from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.70. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 29th. This represents a $3.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.6%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio is presently 47.64%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have issued reports on CM shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective 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. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $107.50. Get Our Latest Report on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company 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. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 181,025 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $12,297,000. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in XYZ. Vanguard Group Inc. purchased a new position in Block during the 2nd quarter valued at about $3,730,489,000. Geode Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Block in the second quarter valued at approximately $634,721,000. ARK Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Block during the second quarter valued at approximately $210,016,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. bought a new stake in Block during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $204,223,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA purchased a new stake in Block in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $111,109,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.44% of the companys stock. Get Block alerts: Block Price Performance Shares of Block stock opened at $61.88 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $37.60 billion, a PE ratio of 12.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 2.73. The company has a current ratio of 2.18, a quick ratio of 2.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Block, Inc. has a 12 month low of $44.27 and a 12 month high of $99.26. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $73.17 and its 200-day moving average price is $70.42. Insider Buying and Selling at Block Block ( NYSE:XYZ Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The technology company reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.25 by $0.29. Block had a return on equity of 5.54% and a net margin of 12.99%.The business had revenue of $6.11 billion during the quarter. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.53 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Block, Inc. will post 2.54 EPS for the current fiscal year. In related news, CFO Amrita Ahuja sold 6,581 shares of Block stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total value of $493,575.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 285,551 shares in the company, valued at $21,416,325. This trade represents a 2.25% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Ajmere Dale sold 750 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.22, for a total transaction of $54,165.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 103,578 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,480,403.16. This represents a 0.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 61,360 shares of company stock worth $4,799,162 in the last quarter. 10.85% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have recently commented on XYZ shares. Truist Financial upgraded shares of Block from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Morgan Stanley restated a positive rating and set a $72.00 target price on shares of Block in a research report on Friday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Block in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Needham & Company LLC cut their price objective on Block from $100.00 to $80.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of Block from $58.00 to $55.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Block presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $83.42. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on XYZ Block Profile (Free Report) Square, Inc provides payment and point-of-sale solutions in the United States and internationally. The company's commerce ecosystem includes point-of-sale software and hardware that enables sellers to turn mobile and computing devices into payment and point-of-sale solutions. It offers hardware products, including Magstripe reader, which enables swiped transactions of magnetic stripe cards; Contactless and chip reader that accepts EMV chip cards and Near Field Communication payments; Chip card reader, which accepts EMV chip cards and enables swiped transactions of magnetic stripe cards; Square Stand, which enables an iPad to be used as a payment terminal or full point of sale solution; and Square Register that combines its hardware, point-of-sale software, and payments technology, as well as managed payments solutions. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XYZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Block, Inc. (NYSE:XYZ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Block Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Block and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP lifted its position in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 416.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,877 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 3,127 shares during the quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLPs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $311,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in WFC. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt boosted its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 2,735,254.3% in the second quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 949,769,723 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $76,095,550,000 after buying an additional 949,735,001 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 54.9% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,635,681 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,332,851,000 after acquiring an additional 5,894,747 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $109,643,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 34.6% during the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 5,307,366 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $381,016,000 after acquiring an additional 1,365,629 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 302,092,955 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $24,203,688,000 after purchasing an additional 1,341,222 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.90% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:WFC opened at $83.14 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $260.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.22. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1-year low of $58.42 and a 1-year high of $88.64. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $84.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $80.29. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.18. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.18% and a return on equity of 12.51%. The company had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.11 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.42 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is currently 29.61%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have commented on WFC. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. UBS Group reduced their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $89.57. Read Our Latest Research Report on Wells Fargo & Company Wells Fargo & Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Ltd reduced its stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP Free Report) by 94.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 184 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 3,125 shares during the quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Ltds holdings in American Express were worth $59,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Express in the 1st quarter valued at $1,454,667,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in American Express by 13.7% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 18,025,562 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $4,849,777,000 after buying an additional 2,168,445 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in American Express by 11.1% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 13,487,316 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $4,282,984,000 after acquiring an additional 1,349,746 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in American Express by 25.5% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,752,690 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,278,711,000 after acquiring an additional 965,221 shares during the period. Finally, Provident Trust Co. raised its position in shares of American Express by 136.6% in the 2nd quarter. Provident Trust Co. now owns 1,108,971 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $353,740,000 after acquiring an additional 640,214 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.33% of the companys stock. Get American Express alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other American Express news, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of American Express stock in a transaction on Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total transaction of $18,010,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 85,577 shares of the companys stock, valued at $30,825,691.17. The trade was a 36.88% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Stephen J. Squeri sold 112,272 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $329.86, for a total transaction of $37,034,041.92. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 92,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,614,306.60. This represents a 54.74% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 193,292 shares of company stock valued at $65,363,878. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. American Express Stock Performance AXP opened at $352.95 on Friday. American Express Company has a 1-year low of $220.43 and a 1-year high of $377.23. The company has a market cap of $243.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.69, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27. The companys fifty day moving average price is $345.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $320.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.61, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 17th. The payment services company reported $4.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.98 by $0.16. American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The firm had revenue of $17.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.03 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.49 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. On average, analysts expect that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. American Express Dividend Announcement The business 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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is 22.01%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts recently commented on AXP shares. Compass Point restated a neutral rating and set a $324.00 target price on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, October 20th. UBS Group increased their price target on American Express from $330.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of American Express from $311.00 to $362.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price 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. Finally, BTIG Research increased their target price on shares of American Express from $277.00 to $307.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, American Express currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $332.65. Get Our Latest Stock Report on American Express About American Express (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Featured Articles 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. Individuals named Ginnie are often perceived as warm, approachable, and genuinely kind-hearted. The name's soft, melodic sound suggests a person who is nurturing and emotionally available, often serving as a confidante and support system for friends and family. Ginnies tend to be practical and down-to-earth, with a natural ability to make others feel comfortable and valued. They often possess a quiet strength and resilience that may not be immediately apparent, combined with a playful, sometimes mischievous sense of humor that emerges among trusted companions. Their approachability doesn't mean they lack convictionGinnies typically have strong moral compasses and will stand up for their beliefs when necessary, though they prefer to do so with grace rather than confrontation. This combination of warmth and inner strength makes them particularly effective in caregiving roles, education, and community leadership positions. The name suggests someone who balances traditional values with modern practicality, creating a personality that is both comforting and capable. Ginnies are often the steady, reliable presence in their social circles, providing emotional anchor points during turbulent times while maintaining a lightheartedness that makes everyday interactions enjoyable. Millrose Properties (NYSE:MRP Get Free Report) is one of 82 public companies in the REAL ESTATE OPS industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare Millrose Properties to related businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, valuation and earnings. Dividends Millrose Properties pays an annual dividend of $2.92 per share and has a dividend yield of 9.6%. Millrose Properties pays out 171.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, REAL ESTATE OPS companies pay a dividend yield of 1.5% and pay out 49.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Get Millrose Properties alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Millrose Properties and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Millrose Properties 0 1 3 0 2.75 Millrose Properties Competitors 412 1120 1398 113 2.40 Insider & Institutional Ownership Millrose Properties presently has a consensus target price of $37.38, indicating a potential upside of 22.82%. As a group, REAL ESTATE OPS companies have a potential upside of 18.22%. Given Millrose Properties stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Millrose Properties is more favorable than its peers. 58.4% of shares of all REAL ESTATE OPS companies are owned by institutional investors. 23.0% of shares of all REAL ESTATE OPS companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares Millrose Properties and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Millrose Properties N/A 3.81% 2.93% Millrose Properties Competitors -0.05% -21.16% -0.46% Earnings and Valuation This table compares Millrose Properties and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Millrose Properties N/A -$246.22 million 17.90 Millrose Properties Competitors $3.46 billion $120.05 million 38.45 Millrose Properties peers have higher revenue and earnings than Millrose Properties. Millrose Properties is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. About Millrose Properties (Get Free Report) Millrose Properties, Inc. is a real estate investment and management company that focuses on acquiring, developing, and managing high-quality commercial properties. They are headquartered in Purchase, New York. Receive News & Ratings for Millrose Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Millrose Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Horizon Corporation (NYSE:FHN Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twenty brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, nine have assigned a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $24.4118. Several equities research analysts recently commented on FHN shares. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on First Horizon from $25.00 to $23.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 16th. TD Cowen assumed coverage on shares of First Horizon in a report on Thursday, September 25th. They set a hold rating and a $25.00 price target on the stock. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of First Horizon from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Cowen began coverage on shares of First Horizon in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of First Horizon from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Get First Horizon alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on FHN First Horizon Price Performance Shares of FHN opened at $21.72 on Tuesday. First Horizon has a twelve month low of $15.19 and a twelve month high of $23.70. The company has a market capitalization of $10.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.70. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $21.81 and a 200 day moving average of $21.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. First Horizon (NYSE:FHN Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.06. First Horizon had a return on equity of 11.03% and a net margin of 18.08%.The business had revenue of $893.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $848.08 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.42 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that First Horizon will post 1.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. First Horizon announced that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Monday, October 27th that allows the company to buyback $1.20 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to buy up to 11.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. First Horizon Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. First Horizons dividend payout ratio is 36.36%. Insider Buying and Selling In other First Horizon news, EVP David T. Popwell sold 155,149 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.31, for a total value of $3,306,225.19. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 307,432 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,551,375.92. This trade represents a 33.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Jeff L. Fleming sold 7,619 shares of First Horizon stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.74, for a total transaction of $165,637.06. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 128,626 shares in the company, valued at $2,796,329.24. This represents a 5.59% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.87% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On First Horizon Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in First Horizon in the second quarter worth about $131,399,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its stake in shares of First Horizon by 53.5% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 12,594,944 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $244,594,000 after acquiring an additional 4,392,405 shares during the period. William Blair Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in First Horizon in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $79,776,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in First Horizon by 78.4% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 6,755,510 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $131,192,000 after acquiring an additional 2,968,012 shares during the period. Finally, Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in First Horizon during the first quarter valued at approximately $46,640,000. 80.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About First Horizon (Get Free Report) First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through Regional Banking and Specialty Banking segments. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for First Horizon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Horizon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in shares of Envista Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NVST Free Report) by 16.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 8,956,572 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,284,767 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. owned 5.39% of Envista worth $175,011,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Legal & General Group Plc increased its stake in shares of Envista by 0.4% during the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 347,523 shares of the companys stock worth $6,791,000 after acquiring an additional 1,407 shares during the period. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Envista in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $234,000. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board acquired a new position in Envista during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,287,000. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS increased its position in Envista by 5.8% during the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 43,546 shares of the companys stock worth $851,000 after purchasing an additional 2,386 shares during the period. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey raised its stake in shares of Envista by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 65,510 shares of the companys stock worth $1,280,000 after buying an additional 3,427 shares in the last quarter. Get Envista alerts: Envista Trading Up 3.9% NYSE:NVST opened at $19.86 on Friday. Envista Holdings Corporation has a 52-week low of $14.22 and a 52-week high of $22.68. The company has a quick ratio of 2.08, a current ratio of 2.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $20.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of $19.79. The company has a market capitalization of $3.27 billion, a PE ratio of 62.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.05. Analyst Ratings Changes Envista ( NYSE:NVST Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.27 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $669.90 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $639.49 million. Envista had a net margin of 2.11% and a return on equity of 4.84%. The firms revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.12 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Envista Holdings Corporation will post 1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. NVST has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised Envista from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Mizuho set a $19.00 target price on shares of Envista in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Evercore ISI reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Envista in a report on Friday, October 31st. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Envista from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $27.00 target price on shares of Envista in a research report on Friday, October 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $21.33. Get Our Latest Research Report on NVST Envista Profile (Free Report) Envista Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells dental products in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Specialty Products & Technologies, and Equipment & Consumables. The Specialty Products & Technologies segment offers dental implant systems, guided surgery systems, biomaterials, and prefabricated and custom-built prosthetics to oral surgeons, prosthodontists and periodontists, and general dentist; and brackets and wires, tubes and bands, archwires, clear aligners, digital orthodontic treatments, retainers, and other orthodontic laboratory products. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Envista Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NVST Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Envista Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Envista and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its stake in Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE:VMI Free Report) by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 525,890 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 13,578 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. owned about 2.66% of Valmont Industries worth $171,740,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. increased its stake in shares of Valmont Industries by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 843 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $275,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. D.B. Root & Company LLC grew its holdings in shares of Valmont Industries by 1.6% in the second quarter. D.B. Root & Company LLC now owns 2,685 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $877,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Valmont Industries by 87.7% in the first quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 107 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Vestcor Inc increased its position in Valmont Industries by 2.0% during the first quarter. Vestcor Inc now owns 2,651 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $757,000 after purchasing an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its stake in Valmont Industries by 4.0% during the second quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 1,549 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $506,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.84% of the companys stock. Get Valmont Industries alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of Valmont Industries from $400.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. DA Davidson upped their price objective on Valmont Industries from $400.00 to $415.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Valmont Industries in a research note on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen raised Valmont Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, October 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Valmont Industries in a report on Friday, September 26th. They set an overweight rating and a $480.00 price target for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Valmont Industries presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $448.33. Insider Activity In other news, insider James Christopher Colwell sold 375 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $410.68, for a total transaction of $154,005.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,286 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,992,214.48. The trade was a 4.89% 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. Insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock. Valmont Industries Trading Up 3.7% NYSE VMI opened at $393.13 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 2.26. The firm has a market cap of $7.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.86 and a beta of 1.21. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $397.13 and a 200-day simple moving average of $362.39. Valmont Industries, Inc. has a one year low of $250.07 and a one year high of $427.81. Valmont Industries (NYSE:VMI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The industrial products company reported $4.98 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.64 by $0.34. Valmont Industries had a net margin of 6.33% and a return on equity of 22.92%. The company had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.03 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.11 EPS. The firms revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Valmont Industries has set its FY 2025 guidance at 18.700-19.50 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Valmont Industries, Inc. will post 18.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. Valmont Industries Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be given a $0.68 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $2.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Valmont Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 23.43%. Valmont Industries Profile (Free Report) Valmont Industries, Inc operates as manufacturer of products and services for infrastructure and agriculture markets in the United States, Australia, Brazil, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Infrastructure and Agriculture. The company manufactures and distributes steel, pre-stressed concrete, composite structures for electrical transmission, substation, and distribution applications; and designs, engineers, and manufactures metal, steel, wood, aluminum, and composite poles and structures for lighting and transportation applications. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VMI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE:VMI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Valmont Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valmont Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB lessened its position in shares of Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Free Report) by 5.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 216,250 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 13,638 shares during the quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB owned 0.06% of Equity Residential worth $14,595,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. TCW Group Inc. grew its position in Equity Residential by 40.4% during the first quarter. TCW Group Inc. now owns 83,417 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $5,971,000 after buying an additional 23,997 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Equity Residential by 11.0% during the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 845,820 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $60,544,000 after acquiring an additional 83,788 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Equity Residential by 9.0% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 54,271 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,885,000 after acquiring an additional 4,499 shares during the last quarter. Aberdeen Group plc grew its position in shares of Equity Residential by 9.3% during the 2nd quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 422,260 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $28,498,000 after acquiring an additional 36,047 shares during the period. Finally, Andra AP fonden increased its stake in shares of Equity Residential by 30.3% in the 2nd quarter. Andra AP fonden now owns 187,100 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $12,627,000 after purchasing an additional 43,500 shares in the last quarter. 92.68% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Equity Residential alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts recently weighed in on EQR shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on Equity Residential from $72.00 to $70.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on Equity Residential from $72.00 to $70.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Equity Residential from $68.00 to $62.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Equity Residential in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. They set an overweight rating and a $70.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Equity Residential from $75.00 to $73.50 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $70.83. Equity Residential Stock Up 2.3% NYSE EQR opened at $60.53 on Friday. Equity Residential has a 12 month low of $58.38 and a 12 month high of $78.32. The company has a current ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 0.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The stock has a market cap of $23.03 billion, a PE ratio of 19.98, a P/E/G ratio of 2.99 and a beta of 0.88. The stocks 50 day moving average is $62.01 and its 200 day moving average is $65.28. Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.02. Equity Residential had a net margin of 37.58% and a return on equity of 10.30%. The firm had revenue of $782.41 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $779.68 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.98 earnings per share. Equity Residential has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.020-1.060 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 3.980-4.020 EPS. Research analysts predict that Equity Residential will post 3.98 EPS for the current fiscal year. Equity Residential Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 25th were paid a $0.6925 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 25th. This represents a $2.77 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.6%. Equity Residentials payout ratio is presently 91.42%. Equity Residential Profile (Free Report) Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Equity Residential Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equity Residential and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Turning Point Brands (NYSE:TPB Get Free Report) and Japan Tobacco (OTCMKTS:JAPAF Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, risk, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and earnings. Profitability This table compares Turning Point Brands and Japan Tobaccos net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Turning Point Brands alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Turning Point Brands 12.02% 24.44% 9.96% Japan Tobacco N/A N/A N/A Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Turning Point Brands and Japan Tobacco, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Turning Point Brands 0 1 5 1 3.00 Japan Tobacco 0 0 0 0 0.00 Insider & Institutional Ownership Turning Point Brands currently has a consensus target price of $97.00, indicating a potential downside of 0.58%. Given Turning Point Brands stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Turning Point Brands is more favorable than Japan Tobacco. 96.1% of Turning Point Brands shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 24.7% of Japan Tobacco shares are held by institutional investors. 6.6% of Turning Point Brands shares are held by company 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. Dividends Turning Point Brands pays an annual dividend of $0.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.3%. Japan Tobacco pays an annual dividend of $79.71 per share and has a dividend yield of 206.4%. Turning Point Brands pays out 10.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Japan Tobacco pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Turning Point Brands has increased its dividend for 7 consecutive years. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Turning Point Brands and Japan Tobaccos revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Turning Point Brands $360.66 million 5.16 $39.81 million $2.84 34.35 Japan Tobacco N/A N/A N/A $225.55 0.17 Turning Point Brands has higher revenue and earnings than Japan Tobacco. Japan Tobacco is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Turning Point Brands, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Turning Point Brands beats Japan Tobacco on 13 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Turning Point Brands (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. The Stokers Products segment manufactures and markets moist snuff tobacco and loose-leaf chewing tobacco products under the Stokers, Beech-Nut, Durango, Trophy, and Wind River brands. Its Creative Distribution Solutions segment market and distribute other products without tobacco and/or nicotine to individual consumers through VaporFi B2C online platform, as well as non-traditional retail through VaporBeast. In addition, it markets and distributes cannabis accessories and tobacco products. The company sells its products to wholesale distributors and retail merchants in the independent and chain convenience stores, tobacco outlets, food stores, mass merchandising, drug store, and non-traditional retail channels. The company was formerly known as North Atlantic Holding Company, Inc. and changed its name to Turning Point Brands, Inc. in November 2015. Turning Point Brands, Inc. was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. About Japan Tobacco (Get Free Report) Japan Tobacco Inc., a tobacco company, manufactures and sells tobacco products, pharmaceuticals, and processed foods in Japan and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Tobacco Business, Pharmaceutical Business, and Processed Food Business. It offers tobacco products, such as cigarettes, heat-not-burn tobacco products, E-vapor products, fine cut tobacco products, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco products, and hookah and kretek products. The company provides reduced-risk products, including infused tobacco capsules and heated tobacco sticks. In addition, it researches and develops, manufactures, and sells prescription drugs for the therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, kidney and metabolism, immunity/inflammation, and central nervous system. Further, the company provides frozen and room-temperature products, such as frozen udon noodles, packed rice, and frozen okonomiyaki; bakery products; and seasonings, including yeast extracts, assembled, kelp and bonito extracts, and oyster sauces. It offers its products under the Winston, Camel, MEVIUS, and LD brands. Japan Tobacco Inc. was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. 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. UnitedHealth Group, Johnson & Johnson, Hims & Hers Health, Intuitive Surgical, Tempus AI, Medtronic, and GE HealthCare Technologies are the seven Healthcare stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Healthcare stocks are shares of companies that operate in the medical and health-related industriesincluding pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics, healthcare providers, and insurers. Investors view them as a distinct sector that can offer defensive qualities from steady demand, but performance is heavily influenced by drug approvals, regulatory and reimbursement changes, R&D outcomes, and demographic trends. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Healthcare stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: UnitedHealth Group (UNH) UnitedHealth Group Incorporated operates as a diversified health care company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: UnitedHealthcare, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. The UnitedHealthcare segment offers consumer-oriented health benefit plans and services for national employers, public sector employers, mid-sized employers, small businesses, and individuals; health care coverage, and health and well-being services to individuals age 50 and older addressing their needs; Medicaid plans, children's health insurance and health care programs; and health and dental benefits, and hospital and clinical services, as well as health care benefits products and services to state programs caring for the economically disadvantaged, medically underserved, and those without the benefit of employer-funded health care coverage. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) Johnson & Johnson is a holding company, which engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of products in the healthcare field. It operates through the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments. The Innovative Medicine segment focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolism, and pulmonary hypertension. Read Our Latest Research Report on JNJ Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) Hims & Hers Health, Inc. operates a telehealth consultation platform. It connects consumers to healthcare professionals, enabling them to access medical care for mental health, sexual health, dermatology and primary care. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Read Our Latest Research Report on HIMS Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) Intuitive Surgical, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets products that enable physicians and healthcare providers to enhance the quality of and access to minimally invasive care in the United States and internationally. The company offers the da Vinci Surgical System that enables complex surgery using a minimally invasive approach; and Ion endoluminal system, which extends its commercial offerings beyond surgery into diagnostic procedures enabling minimally invasive biopsies in the lung. Read Our Latest Research Report on ISRG 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 Medtronic (MDT) Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software. Read Our Latest Research Report on MDT GE HealthCare Technologies (GEHC) GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, and marketing of products, services, and complementary digital solutions used in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Imaging, Ultrasound, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics. Read Our Latest Research Report on GEHC Read More SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its stake in shares of Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL Free Report) by 250.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,992 shares of the aerospace companys stock after purchasing an additional 12,852 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLCs holdings in Hexcel were worth $1,016,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in HXL. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its holdings in Hexcel by 6.5% during the second quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 20,660 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,167,000 after buying an additional 1,266 shares in the last quarter. Grandfield & Dodd LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hexcel by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Grandfield & Dodd LLC now owns 334,285 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $18,884,000 after acquiring an additional 4,139 shares in the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey grew its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 30,854 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,743,000 after acquiring an additional 1,596 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP increased its stake in Hexcel by 54.4% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 991 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 349 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ProShare Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Hexcel by 3.7% during the second quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 4,779 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $270,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.47% of the companys stock. Get Hexcel alerts: Insider Activity at Hexcel In other Hexcel news, insider Gina Fitzsimons sold 911 shares of Hexcel stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total value of $59,215.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 4,283 shares of the companys stock, valued at $278,395. The trade was a 17.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Thierry Merlot sold 8,897 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.86, for a total transaction of $568,162.42. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 51,308 shares in the company, valued at $3,276,528.88. This trade represents a 14.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 15,298 shares of company stock valued at $1,029,349. 1.39% of the stock is owned by insiders. Hexcel Price Performance Shares of Hexcel stock opened at $72.52 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $66.35 and its 200 day moving average price is $61.13. Hexcel Corporation has a twelve month low of $45.28 and a twelve month high of $74.35. The company has a current ratio of 2.75, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 85.32, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.35. Hexcel (NYSE:HXL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The aerospace company reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.38 by ($0.01). Hexcel had a net margin of 3.67% and a return on equity of 9.25%. The company had revenue of $456.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $449.99 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.47 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .2% on a year-over-year basis. Hexcel has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.700-1.800 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Hexcel Corporation will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year. Hexcel Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 10th. Investors of record on Monday, November 3rd were paid a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 3rd. Hexcels payout ratio is 80.00%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently issued reports on HXL shares. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Hexcel from $75.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Hexcel from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, September 4th. Citigroup reaffirmed a reduce rating on shares of Hexcel in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Hexcel in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of Hexcel in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $73.33. Get Our Latest Research Report on Hexcel Hexcel Profile (Free Report) Hexcel Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets carbon fibers, structural reinforcements, honeycomb structures, resins, and composite materials and parts for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense, and industrial applications. It operates through two segments, Composite Materials and Engineered Products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hexcel Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hexcel and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Samsara Inc. (NYSE:IOT Get Free Report) insider Sanjit Biswas sold 36,664 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.13, for a total transaction of $1,324,670.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 171,952 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,212,625.76. This trade represents a 17.57% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Sanjit Biswas also recently made the following trade(s): Get Samsara alerts: On Tuesday, November 18th, Sanjit Biswas sold 123,336 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.50, for a total transaction of $4,501,764.00. On Wednesday, November 5th, Sanjit Biswas sold 10,937 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.38, for a total transaction of $419,762.06. On Tuesday, November 4th, Sanjit Biswas sold 149,063 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.94, for a total value of $5,804,513.22. On Tuesday, October 21st, Sanjit Biswas sold 160,000 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.63, for a total value of $6,180,800.00. On Tuesday, October 7th, Sanjit Biswas sold 160,000 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.36, for a total value of $6,137,600.00. On Wednesday, September 24th, Sanjit Biswas sold 26,590 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.60, for a total value of $999,784.00. On Tuesday, September 23rd, Sanjit Biswas sold 133,410 shares of Samsara stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.97, for a total value of $5,198,987.70. On Wednesday, September 3rd, Sanjit Biswas sold 30,145 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.57, for a total value of $1,072,257.65. On Tuesday, September 2nd, Sanjit Biswas sold 129,855 shares of Samsara stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.37, for a total transaction of $4,592,971.35. Samsara Trading Up 4.9% Shares of IOT opened at $36.74 on Friday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $38.51 and its 200 day simple moving average is $39.25. Samsara Inc. has a 1-year low of $31.40 and a 1-year high of $61.90. The company has a market cap of $21.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -229.63 and a beta of 1.61. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Samsara ( NYSE:IOT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 4th. The company reported $0.12 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $391.48 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $372.22 million. Samsara had a negative net margin of 6.16% and a negative return on equity of 7.53%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 30.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.05 EPS. Samsara has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.450-0.470 EPS. Q3 2026 guidance at 0.110-0.12 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Samsara Inc. will post -0.3 earnings per share for the current year. Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IOT. Keystone Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Samsara by 300.0% during the first quarter. Keystone Financial Group Inc. now owns 600 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Samsara during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in Samsara by 6,078.6% in the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 865 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 851 shares in the last quarter. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Samsara in the 2nd quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, AlphaQuest LLC grew its position in shares of Samsara by 519.6% during the 1st quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 1,041 shares of the companys stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 873 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.02% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Samsara from $35.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on Samsara from $54.00 to $47.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Samsara from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $48.00 price objective on shares of Samsara in a report on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of Samsara from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $49.55. Get Our Latest Report on Samsara About Samsara (Get Free Report) Samsara Inc provides solutions that connects physical operations data to its connected operations cloud in the United States and internationally. The company's Connected Operations Cloud includes Data Platform, which ingests, aggregates, and enriches data from its IoT devices and has embedded capabilities for AI, workflows and analytics, alerts, API connections, and data security and privacy. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Samsara Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Samsara and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report) by 22.8% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 6,830 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,266 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLCs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $1,689,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 4.2% during the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 72,504 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $17,927,000 after purchasing an additional 2,912 shares during the period. CWS Financial Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. CWS Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,530 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $378,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 13.3% during the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 10,666 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,637,000 after buying an additional 1,255 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 7.1% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 65,392 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $16,168,000 after buying an additional 4,313 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empower Advisory Group LLC grew its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC now owns 370,631 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $91,638,000 after buying an additional 13,699 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.77% of the companys stock. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have issued reports on ITW. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Bank of America raised Illinois Tool Works from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $220.00 to $255.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $298.00 to $275.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Barclays increased their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $243.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $255.00 to $261.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Illinois Tool Works has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $263.77. Illinois Tool Works Price Performance Shares of NYSE ITW opened at $247.79 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $71.88 billion, a PE ratio of 24.03, a P/E/G ratio of 4.10 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $251.26 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $253.12. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $214.66 and a fifty-two week high of $279.13. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The industrial products company reported $2.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.72 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $4.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.09 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 93.26% and a net margin of 19.05%.Illinois Tool Workss quarterly revenue was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.91 EPS. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2025 guidance at 10.400-10.500 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Illinois Tool Works Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be issued a dividend of $1.61 per share. This represents a $6.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is 62.46%. Insider Activity at Illinois Tool Works In other Illinois Tool Works news, Director Pamela B. Strobel sold 1,521 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.25, for a total value of $373,025.25. Following the sale, the director owned 39,249 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,625,817.25. This trade represents a 3.73% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 6,802 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $265.08, for a total value of $1,803,074.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 10,314 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,734,035.12. The trade was a 39.74% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock. About Illinois Tool Works (Free Report) Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United States and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cultural & Historical Significance Graciana holds deep cultural significance in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Spain and Latin America, where it embodies traditional values of elegance, religious devotion, and feminine virtue. The name emerged during the Renaissance period when classical Latin names experienced a revival, with Graciana representing the ideal of graceful womanhood. In Hispanic cultures, the name is often associated with the concept of 'gracia' - a quality that combines charm, wit, and divine blessing. Historically, Graciana was popular among aristocratic families who valued its classical roots and elegant sound, while in religious contexts it connects to the theological concept of divine grace. The name maintains its prestige in modern times while adapting to contemporary naming trends, serving as a bridge between traditional values and modern sensibilities. Its continued use reflects the enduring appeal of names that convey both cultural heritage and personal refinement in Hispanic societies. Waterloo Capital L.P. decreased its holdings in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI Free Report) by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 99,746 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 6,479 shares during the quarter. Waterloo Capital L.P.s holdings in iShares China Large-Cap ETF were worth $3,667,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 283.5% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 29,228,254 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,047,541,000 after buying an additional 21,607,602 shares during the last quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC purchased a new position in iShares China Large-Cap ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $284,898,000. National Bank of Canada FI grew its holdings in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 55.5% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 5,285,334 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $189,426,000 after purchasing an additional 1,886,646 shares in the last quarter. Spear Holdings RSC Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF during the second quarter worth about $188,976,000. Finally, Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd increased its holdings in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 35.5% during the 2nd quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 2,980,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $109,545,000 after purchasing an additional 780,000 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares China Large-Cap ETF alerts: iShares China Large-Cap ETF Price Performance FXI opened at $38.72 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.54 billion, a PE ratio of 10.78 and a beta of 0.28. The firms fifty day moving average price is $40.34 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.35. iShares China Large-Cap ETF has a 12-month low of $28.41 and a 12-month high of $42.00. iShares China Large-Cap ETF Profile iShares China Large-Cap ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the FTSE China 25 Index (the Underlying Index). The Funds portfolio of sectors include Financials, Telecommunication, Oil & gas, Technology and Consumer goods. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FXI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares China Large-Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares China Large-Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Poland UCITS ETF USD (Acc) (LON:SPOL Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 2,226.10 and traded as high as GBX 2,269. iShares MSCI Poland UCITS ETF USD (Acc) shares last traded at GBX 2,259, with a volume of 6,639 shares. iShares MSCI Poland UCITS ETF USD (Acc) Stock Performance The firms 50 day moving average price is GBX 2,226.10 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 2,141.10. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Poland UCITS ETF USD (Acc) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Poland UCITS ETF USD (Acc) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 5.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,259,017 shares of the companys stock after selling 702,203 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s holdings in Altria Group were worth $660,116,000 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. Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 4.5% during the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,816 shares of the companys stock valued at $224,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the period. Jacobi Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Altria Group by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC now owns 26,335 shares of the companys stock worth $1,581,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares during the last quarter. Bar Harbor Wealth Management boosted its holdings in Altria Group by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bar Harbor Wealth Management now owns 5,656 shares of the companys stock valued at $332,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares during the period. Parcion Private Wealth LLC grew its position in Altria Group by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC now owns 11,172 shares of the companys stock valued at $655,000 after acquiring an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Patten & Patten Inc. TN increased its stake in Altria Group by 1.5% in the first quarter. Patten & Patten Inc. TN now owns 12,049 shares of the companys stock worth $723,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the period. 57.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Altria Group alerts: Altria Group Price Performance NYSE:MO opened at $58.16 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $50.08 and a 1-year high of $68.60. The company has a 50-day moving average of $62.50 and a 200 day moving average of $61.80. The firm has a market cap of $97.63 billion, a PE ratio of 11.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.51. Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.01. Altria Group had a net margin of 37.24% and a negative return on equity of 295.26%. The business had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.31 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.38 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Altria Group announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase program on Thursday, October 30th that authorizes the company to buyback $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 1.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on MO. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Altria Group from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 22nd. UBS Group lowered their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Altria Group from $49.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Altria Group currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $62.33. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Altria Group Altria Group Company 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. Featured Articles 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. KBC Group NV trimmed its holdings in shares of Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA Free Report) by 97.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,215 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 170,733 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NVs holdings in Mueller Water Products were worth $101,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of MWA. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Mueller Water Products by 16.8% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 19,795,482 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $503,201,000 after buying an additional 2,840,895 shares during the period. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Mueller Water Products by 66.2% in the 1st quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,401,086 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $137,296,000 after acquiring an additional 2,152,096 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Mueller Water Products by 21.6% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,880,108 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $124,052,000 after purchasing an additional 865,977 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in Mueller Water Products by 18.7% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,440,516 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $62,038,000 after purchasing an additional 383,884 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in Mueller Water Products in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $61,497,000. 91.68% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Mueller Water Products alerts: Insider Activity at Mueller Water Products In other news, Director Brian C. Healy purchased 1,070 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 7th. The stock was bought at an average price of $25.78 per share, for a total transaction of $27,584.60. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 16,800 shares of the companys stock, valued at $433,104. The trade was a 6.80% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CAO Suzanne G. Smith sold 1,288 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.91, for a total transaction of $34,660.08. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 763 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,532.33. This represents a 62.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 1.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Mueller Water Products Stock Up 1.9% Mueller Water Products stock opened at $23.74 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a current ratio of 3.86, a quick ratio of 2.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Mueller Water Products has a twelve month low of $21.35 and a twelve month high of $28.58. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $25.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $25.06. Mueller Water Products (NYSE:MWA Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 24th. The industrial products company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $237.40 million during the quarter. Mueller Water Products had a return on equity of 20.89% and a net margin of 10.67%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Mueller Water Products will post 1.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Mueller Water Products Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a dividend of $0.07 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. This is a positive change from Mueller Water Productss previous quarterly dividend of $0.07. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. Mueller Water Productss payout ratio is currently 23.14%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Mueller Water Products in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $29.00. Read Our Latest Analysis on MWA About Mueller Water Products (Free Report) Mueller Water Products, Inc manufactures and markets products and services for the transmission, distribution, and measurement of water used by municipalities, and the residential and non-residential construction industries in the United States, Israel, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Water Flow Solutions and Water Management Solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Mueller Water Products Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mueller Water Products and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW Get Free Report) and George Weston (OTCMKTS:WNGRF Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and risk. Risk & Volatility Lamb Weston has a beta of 0.51, meaning that its stock price is 49% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, George Weston has a beta of 0.55, meaning that its stock price is 45% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Lamb Weston alerts: Institutional and Insider Ownership 89.6% of Lamb Weston shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of George Weston shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of Lamb Weston shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 53.6% of George Weston shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Lamb Weston 1 8 4 1 2.36 George Weston 0 2 4 0 2.67 This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Lamb Weston and George Weston, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Lamb Weston currently has a consensus price target of $65.70, suggesting a potential upside of 13.92%. Given Lamb Westons higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Lamb Weston is more favorable than George Weston. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Lamb Weston and George Westons revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Lamb Weston $6.45 billion 1.25 $357.20 million $2.09 27.59 George Weston $44.97 billion 0.58 $991.80 million $2.71 25.25 George Weston has higher revenue and earnings than Lamb Weston. George Weston is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Lamb Weston, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Dividends Lamb Weston pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. George Weston pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.2%. Lamb Weston pays out 70.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. George Weston pays out 31.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Lamb Weston has increased its dividend for 7 consecutive years. Lamb Weston is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Profitability This table compares Lamb Weston and George Westons net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Lamb Weston 4.56% 28.08% 6.47% George Weston 1.67% 12.84% 3.29% Summary Lamb Weston beats George Weston on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Lamb Weston (Get Free Report) Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. produces, distributes, and markets frozen potato products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Global, Foodservice, Retail, and Other. It offers frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as under various customer labels. The company also provides its products under its owned or licensed brands, such as Grown in Idaho and Alexia, and other licensed brands, as well as under retailers' own brands. In addition, it engages in the vegetable and dairy businesses. The company sells its products through a network of internal sales personnel and independent brokers, agents, and distributors to chain restaurants, wholesale, grocery, mass merchants, club and specialty retailers, businesses, educational institutions, independent restaurants, regional chain restaurants, and convenience stores. Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1950 and is headquartered in Eagle, Idaho. About George Weston (Get Free Report) George Weston Limited provides food and drug retailing, and financial services in Canada. The company operates through two segments, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (Choice Properties). The Loblaw segment provides grocery, pharmacy and healthcare services, health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, and financial services. This segment also offers credit card and other banking services, insurance brokerage services, guaranteed investment certificates, and wireless mobile products and services. The Choice Properties segment owns, operates, manages, and develops retail commercial and residential properties, leased to necessity-based tenants, industrial, and mixed-use and residential assets. It markets its products under the Shoppers Drug Mart, Joe Fresh, Presidents Choice Bank, no name, Farmers Market, T&T, Life Brand, and PC Optimum brands. The company was founded in 1882 and is based in Toronto, Canada. George Weston Limited operates as a subsidiary of Wittington Investments, Limited. Receive News & Ratings for Lamb Weston Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lamb Weston and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legal & General Group Plc lessened its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR Free Report) by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,082,299 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 7,008 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc owned 0.92% of Broadridge Financial Solutions worth $263,031,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 89.5% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 108 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 360.0% during the second quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 115 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 85.1% during the second quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 124 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares during the period. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust grew its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 110.3% in the second quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 122 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd increased its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 450.0% in the first quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 143 shares of the business services providers stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares during the period. 90.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Broadridge Financial Solutions alerts: Broadridge Financial Solutions Price Performance Shares of NYSE:BR opened at $228.34 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.65 billion, a PE ratio of 29.24 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a 1-year low of $212.33 and a 1-year high of $271.91. The businesss 50 day moving average is $231.17 and its 200-day moving average is $241.03. Broadridge Financial Solutions Announces Dividend Broadridge Financial Solutions ( NYSE:BR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 3rd. The business services provider reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a return on equity of 43.28% and a net margin of 13.11%.The business had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter. Sell-side analysts predict that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 8.53 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.975 per share. This represents a $3.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. Broadridge Financial Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 49.94%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $261.00 to $256.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. UBS Group cut their price target on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $280.00 to $250.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 13th. DA Davidson reissued a neutral rating and issued a $240.00 price objective on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC upped their target price 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. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given 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 $259.83. Read Our Latest Stock Report on BR Insider Activity In other Broadridge Financial Solutions news, President Christopher John Perry sold 3,984 shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.00, for a total transaction of $900,384.00. Following the sale, the president directly owned 44,829 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,131,354. The trade was a 8.16% 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 this link. Also, CEO Timothy C. Gokey sold 5,674 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $258.37, for a total value of $1,465,991.38. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 143,285 shares in the company, valued at approximately $37,020,545.45. This represents a 3.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. 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 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. Magnetar Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (NYSE:AXTA Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 106,994 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock, valued at approximately $3,177,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Axalta Coating Systems by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 14,386 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $427,000 after buying an additional 368 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System grew its position in Axalta Coating Systems by 0.7% in the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 61,500 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,826,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System raised its stake in shares of Axalta Coating Systems by 0.8% during the second quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 52,600 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $1,562,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in shares of Axalta Coating Systems by 7.7% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 7,317 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $217,000 after purchasing an additional 521 shares during the period. Finally, Truist Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Axalta Coating Systems by 8.1% during the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 7,426 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $220,000 after purchasing an additional 556 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.28% of the companys stock. Get Axalta Coating Systems alerts: Axalta Coating Systems Stock Up 5.2% NYSE:AXTA opened at $30.19 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a current ratio of 2.20. The company has a market capitalization of $6.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.31. Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. has a one year low of $26.28 and a one year high of $41.65. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $28.60 and a 200 day simple moving average of $29.83. Analysts Set New Price Targets Axalta Coating Systems ( NYSE:AXTA Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.31 billion. Axalta Coating Systems had a return on equity of 24.92% and a net margin of 8.81%.Axalta Coating Systemss quarterly revenue was down 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.59 EPS. Axalta Coating Systems has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.600-0.600 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 2.500-2.500 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of research firms recently weighed in on AXTA. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Axalta Coating Systems from $30.00 to $29.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Citigroup raised their target price on Axalta Coating Systems from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Mizuho cut their price target on Axalta Coating Systems from $35.00 to $33.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Evercore ISI reissued an in-line rating and issued a $32.00 price target (down previously from $47.00) on shares of Axalta Coating Systems in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Bank of America dropped their price objective on Axalta Coating Systems from $42.00 to $41.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Axalta Coating Systems currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $36.06. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Axalta Coating Systems Axalta Coating Systems Profile (Free Report) Axalta Coating Systems Ltd., through its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, and distributes high-performance coatings systems in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through two segments, Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Axalta Coating Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Axalta Coating Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd trimmed its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO Free Report) by 55.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 47,782 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 58,816 shares during the period. Mediolanum International Funds Ltds holdings in Valero Energy were worth $6,436,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of VLO. Hancock Whitney Corp increased its holdings in Valero Energy by 8.9% during the first quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp now owns 46,474 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $6,138,000 after buying an additional 3,790 shares during the last quarter. United Super Pty Ltd in its capacity as Trustee for the Construction & Building Unions Superannuation Fund acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the first quarter valued at $766,000. FORA Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $866,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 11.2% during the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 560,495 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $74,025,000 after purchasing an additional 56,274 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 8.5% in the 2nd quarter. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. now owns 30,152 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,053,000 after purchasing an additional 2,372 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the companys stock. Get Valero Energy alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes VLO has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Barclays lifted their price target on Valero Energy from $169.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Valero Energy from $177.00 to $197.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and set a $183.00 target price on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Friday, October 24th. Wall Street Zen cut Valero Energy from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $201.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $182.00. Valero Energy Stock Performance NYSE:VLO opened at $173.46 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $168.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $149.71. The stock has a market cap of $52.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.21, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.01. Valero Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $99.00 and a 1-year high of $185.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. 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 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.15 by $0.51. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 1.21%.The firm had revenue of $32.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.14 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year. Valero Energy Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 20th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 20th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. Valero Energys payout ratio is 94.36%. Valero Energy Profile (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. Read More 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. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd lowered its position in Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Free Report) by 69.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 83,928 shares of the companys stock after selling 188,247 shares during the period. Mediolanum International Funds Ltds holdings in Archer Daniels Midland were worth $4,363,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of ADM. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Archer Daniels Midland in the 1st quarter worth $25,000. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. bought a new position in shares of Archer Daniels Midland in the second quarter valued at $25,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH bought a new position in shares of Archer Daniels Midland in the second quarter valued at $32,000. Pandora Wealth Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Archer Daniels Midland during the first quarter worth about $39,000. Finally, Westpac Banking Corp raised its holdings in shares of Archer Daniels Midland by 38.0% in the 2nd quarter. Westpac Banking Corp now owns 733 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.28% of the companys stock. Get Archer Daniels Midland alerts: Archer Daniels Midland Stock Performance Shares of Archer Daniels Midland stock opened at $58.59 on Friday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $60.46 and its 200 day simple moving average is $56.68. The company has a current ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. Archer Daniels Midland Company has a 12 month low of $40.98 and a 12 month high of $65.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $28.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.78 and a beta of 0.70. Archer Daniels Midland Announces Dividend Archer Daniels Midland ( NYSE:ADM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $20.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.96 billion. Archer Daniels Midland had a return on equity of 8.43% and a net margin of 1.33%.The businesss revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.09 EPS. Archer Daniels Midland has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.500 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Archer Daniels Midland Company will post 4.31 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 19th will be paid a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 19th. Archer Daniels Midlands payout ratio is presently 83.27%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have issued reports on ADM. Zacks Research downgraded Archer Daniels Midland from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an underweight rating and set a $59.00 target price (down previously from $61.00) on shares of Archer Daniels Midland in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $70.00 price target (up previously from $60.00) on shares of Archer Daniels Midland in a report on Monday, August 11th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Archer Daniels Midland from $47.00 to $57.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Finally, Barclays upgraded shares of Archer Daniels Midland from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and upped their target price for the stock from $50.00 to $61.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $55.25. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Archer Daniels Midland About Archer Daniels Midland (Free Report) Archer-Daniels-Midland Company engages in the procurement, transportation, storage, processing, and merchandising of agricultural commodities, ingredients, flavors, and solutions in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ADM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Archer Daniels Midland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer Daniels Midland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legal & General Group Plc grew its stake in shares of MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI Free Report) by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 580,125 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 25,859 shares during the quarter. Legal & General Group Plc owned approximately 0.75% of MSCI worth $334,581,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in MSCI by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 9,508,242 shares of the technology companys stock worth $5,483,783,000 after buying an additional 131,390 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of MSCI by 1.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,993,524 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,146,298,000 after acquiring an additional 34,335 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of MSCI by 2.0% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,008,778 shares of the technology companys stock worth $570,464,000 after acquiring an additional 19,846 shares during the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp increased its holdings in shares of MSCI by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 969,850 shares of the technology companys stock worth $559,351,000 after acquiring an additional 20,682 shares during the period. Finally, PineStone Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in MSCI by 11.9% in the 2nd quarter. PineStone Asset Management Inc. now owns 890,123 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $513,370,000 after purchasing an additional 94,466 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.97% of the companys stock. Get MSCI alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes MSCI has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of MSCI to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on MSCI from $588.00 to $611.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on MSCI from $655.00 to $680.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of MSCI in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on MSCI from $700.00 to $710.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $655.90. MSCI Stock Performance Shares of MSCI stock opened at $562.03 on Friday. MSCI Inc has a 1 year low of $486.73 and a 1 year high of $642.45. The businesss fifty day moving average is $562.90 and its 200-day moving average is $563.47. The stock has a market cap of $42.23 billion, a PE ratio of 35.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.34. MSCI (NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The technology company reported $4.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.37 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $793.43 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $794.87 million. MSCI had a negative return on equity of 110.94% and a net margin of 40.03%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.86 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that MSCI Inc will post 16.86 earnings per share for the current year. MSCI Dividend Announcement 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 $1.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $7.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. MSCIs payout ratio is currently 45.63%. MSCI announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, October 28th that allows the company to buyback $3.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the technology company to purchase up to 7.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. MSCI Profile (Free Report) MSCI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides critical decision support tools and solutions for the investment community to manage investment processes worldwide. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed financial product, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, and over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct. See Also Receive News & Ratings for MSCI Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MSCI and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Graent holds significant cultural importance within Celtic Christian traditions, particularly in Wales and Cornwall. Originating from the Celtic word meaning 'great' or 'noble,' it became popular among early Christian communities in Britain during the 5th and 6th centuries. Many early saints and religious leaders bore this name, reflecting its association with spiritual leadership and moral greatness. The name was particularly favored in regions where Celtic Christianity flourished, serving as a bridge between pre-Christian Celtic traditions and the new Christian faith. Throughout medieval times, Graent remained a name of distinction, often given to children in noble families who were expected to embody the Christian virtues of leadership, wisdom, and moral strength. The name's persistence in Welsh and Cornish communities demonstrates its deep roots in Celtic Christian heritage and its enduring appeal as a symbol of spiritual and cultural identity. In modern times, it represents a connection to ancient Christian traditions while maintaining its distinctive Celtic character. Nemes Rush Group LLC boosted its position in BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XONE Free Report) by 51.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 113,004 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 38,470 shares during the period. Nemes Rush Group LLC owned approximately 0.88% of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF worth $5,608,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in XONE. Tanager Wealth Management LLP lifted its holdings in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 474.1% in the 2nd quarter. Tanager Wealth Management LLP now owns 185,219 shares of the companys stock worth $9,192,000 after purchasing an additional 152,958 shares in the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 12.7% during the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,054,535 shares of the companys stock worth $52,337,000 after buying an additional 118,884 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new position in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF in the second quarter valued at $4,865,000. Astor Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 72.5% during the first quarter. Astor Investment Management LLC now owns 230,477 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,459,000 after buying an additional 96,876 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Access Financial Services Inc. increased its position in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 26.5% during the second quarter. Access Financial Services Inc. now owns 454,694 shares of the companys stock worth $22,566,000 after acquiring an additional 95,384 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 47.99% of the companys stock. Get BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF alerts: BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Price Performance XONE opened at $49.63 on Friday. BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF has a fifty-two week low of $49.40 and a fifty-two week high of $49.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $660.58 million, a PE ratio of -52.80 and a beta of 0.08. The companys 50-day moving average is $49.61 and its 200 day moving average is $49.55. About BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF The Bondbloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (XONE) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is passively managed to invest in a portfolio of US Treasury securities with a target duration of one year. XONE was launched on Sep 13, 2022 and is managed by BondBloxx. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XONE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XONE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BondBloxx Bloomberg One Year Target Duration US Treasury ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nemes Rush Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 482.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 4,301 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,562 shares during the period. Nemes Rush Group LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $3,044,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,800.0% during the 2nd quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 38 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Ridgewood Investments LLC grew its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 45.9% during the second quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC now owns 54 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares during the period. Finally, MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, COO John E. Waldron sold 9,244 shares of the firms stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 115,268 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $86,463,679.48. This trade represents a 7.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock. The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Up 0.1% GS stock opened at $774.74 on Friday. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $232.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.74, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.41. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $439.38 and a fifty-two week high of $841.28. The business has a 50-day moving average of $786.01 and a 200-day moving average of $718.34. The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 14.79% and a net margin of 13.18%.The business had revenue of $15.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.68 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $8.40 EPS. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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 issued a dividend of $4.00 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 32.50%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on GS shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $850.00 to $870.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. BNP Paribas Exane increased their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $685.00 to $775.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Dbs Bank raised their price target 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. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $854.00 to $828.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $786.00. Get Our Latest Report on GS The Goldman Sachs Group Profile (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nemes Rush Group LLC trimmed its stake in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 4.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 49,640 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after selling 2,293 shares during the period. Motorola Solutions comprises approximately 2.3% of Nemes Rush Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest position. Nemes Rush Group LLCs holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $20,871,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC grew its position in shares of Motorola Solutions by 20.4% in the 2nd quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC now owns 67,129 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $28,225,000 after buying an additional 11,357 shares during the last quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 0.3% in the second quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 390,119 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $164,030,000 after acquiring an additional 1,253 shares during the period. Stevens Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Motorola Solutions in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,176,000. CenterBook Partners LP acquired a new stake in Motorola Solutions during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,109,000. Finally, Mufg Securities Americas Inc. increased its position in Motorola Solutions by 25.0% during the 2nd quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. now owns 3,699 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,555,000 after purchasing an additional 740 shares during the period. 84.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Motorola Solutions Stock Performance Shares of MSI opened at $368.43 on Friday. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a one year low of $365.75 and a one year high of $503.62. The company has a market cap of $61.36 billion, a PE ratio of 29.66, a P/E/G ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 0.96. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $432.68 and a 200-day moving average of $433.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.86, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 1.54. Motorola Solutions Increases Dividend Motorola Solutions ( NYSE:MSI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The communications equipment provider reported $4.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.85 by $0.21. Motorola Solutions had a return on equity of 134.30% and a net margin of 19.08%.The business had revenue of $3.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.99 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.74 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 13.55 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a $1.21 dividend. This represents a $4.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This is an increase from Motorola Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.01. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is 34.99%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MSI has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Motorola Solutions from $490.00 to $510.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Barclays dropped their target price 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. Piper Sandler reiterated a neutral rating and set a $465.00 price target (down from $495.00) on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their target price on Motorola Solutions from $500.00 to $525.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $506.43. Read Our Latest Analysis on MSI Insider Buying and Selling at Motorola Solutions In other news, SVP James A. Niewiara sold 1,700 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $485.43, for a total transaction of $825,231.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 14,542 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,059,123.06. The trade was a 10.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Rajan Naik sold 8,014 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $474.45, for a total transaction of $3,802,242.30. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 10,244 shares in the company, valued at $4,860,265.80. This represents a 43.89% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 110,614 shares of company stock worth $53,085,917. 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. See Also 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. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 1,038 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $303,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 4.9% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,502,305 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,499,819,000 after purchasing an additional 256,687 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in General Dynamics by 34.8% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 2,748,380 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $749,252,000 after buying an additional 709,782 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in General Dynamics by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,582,388 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $431,327,000 after buying an additional 5,313 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners boosted its stake in General Dynamics by 9.0% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,413,021 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $413,812,000 after buying an additional 116,524 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG grew its holdings in General Dynamics by 120.9% in the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 1,261,525 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $343,866,000 after buying an additional 690,349 shares during the period. 86.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get General Dynamics alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have recently weighed in on GD. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of General Dynamics from $280.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Argus increased their price target on shares of General Dynamics from $345.00 to $380.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating and issued a $400.00 price target on shares of General Dynamics in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Melius Research upgraded General Dynamics to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn upgraded General Dynamics from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $358.10. Insider Transactions at General Dynamics In related news, VP Christopher J. Brady sold 8,150 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $321.18, for a total transaction of $2,617,617.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 22,818 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,328,685.24. This trade represents a 26.32% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Mark Malcolm sold 3,220 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.45, for a total value of $1,060,829.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 10,186 shares in the company, valued at $3,355,777.70. This trade represents a 24.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. General Dynamics Stock Performance Shares of GD stock opened at $340.31 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The company has a market cap of $91.92 billion, a PE ratio of 22.06, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.46. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $338.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $312.24. General Dynamics Corporation has a 52 week low of $239.20 and a 52 week high of $360.50. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.88 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.69 by $0.19. General Dynamics had a net margin of 8.18% and a return on equity of 18.27%. The firm had revenue of $12.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.49 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.35 EPS. The firms revenue was up 10.6% on a year-over-year basis. General Dynamics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.300-15.35 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that General Dynamics Corporation will post 14.83 EPS for the current year. General Dynamics Profile (Free Report) General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for General Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Northland Power, Inc. (OTCMKTS:NPIFF Get Free Report) shares traded down 4.9% on Friday . The stock traded as low as $11.8450 and last traded at $11.85. 10,107 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 86% from the average session volume of 72,701 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.46. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently issued reports on NPIFF. Desjardins cut Northland Power to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. CIBC reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Northland Power in a report on Friday. Scotiabank reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of Northland Power in a research report on Friday. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Northland Power in a report on Friday, November 14th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating on shares of Northland Power in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Northland Power alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on NPIFF Northland Power Trading Down 3.2% Northland Power Cuts Dividend The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.15 billion and a PE ratio of -14.89. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $16.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $16.16. The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a dividend of $0.0724 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 542.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 29th. Northland Powers payout ratio is currently -104.94%. Northland Power Company Profile (Get Free Report) Northland Power Inc, an independent power producer, develops, builds, owns, and operates clean and green power projects in Canada, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Colombia, and internationally. The company produces electricity from renewable resources, such as wind and solar, as well as natural gas for sale under power purchase agreements and other revenue arrangements. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Northland Power Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northland Power and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Petro Matad Limited (LON:MATD Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 1.17 and traded as low as GBX 1. Petro Matad shares last traded at GBX 1.05, with a volume of 5,973,612 shares changing hands. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Shore Capital reaffirmed a house stock rating on shares of Petro Matad in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Get Petro Matad alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Petro Matad Petro Matad Stock Performance About Petro Matad The company has a market capitalization of 18.80 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.50 and a beta of 2.24. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 1.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 1.16. (Get Free Report) Petro Matad is a company focused on delivery of energy in Mongolia from both the hydrocarbon and renewables sectors. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Petro Matad Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Petro Matad and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Private Management Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 40,565 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $1,815,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of CFG. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Citizens Financial Group by 0.4% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 51,548,977 shares of the banks stock worth $2,306,817,000 after purchasing an additional 209,467 shares during the last quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 7.2% in the first quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 10,380,605 shares of the banks stock valued at $425,293,000 after buying an additional 697,494 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 19.1% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 7,366,754 shares of the banks stock worth $294,007,000 after buying an additional 1,180,390 shares during the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its position in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 8.9% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 6,801,856 shares of the banks stock worth $278,672,000 after buying an additional 554,618 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management grew its stake in Citizens Financial Group by 14.5% in the 2nd quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 6,562,791 shares of the banks stock valued at $293,685,000 after acquiring an additional 833,399 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.90% of the companys stock. Get Citizens Financial Group alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have issued reports on CFG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Citizens Financial Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $48.50 to $52.00 in a research report on Friday, August 1st. DA Davidson reissued a buy rating and set a $59.00 price objective on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Citizens Financial Group from $58.00 to $56.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Citigroup increased their target price on Citizens Financial Group from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, September 19th. Finally, Stephens reissued an overweight rating and issued a $60.00 price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $56.57. Citizens Financial Group Trading Up 3.2% Shares of CFG opened at $52.31 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $51.72 and a two-hundred day moving average of $47.85. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $32.60 and a fifty-two week high of $55.24. The company has a market capitalization of $22.47 billion, a PE ratio of 14.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.85. Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The bank reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $2.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.10 billion. Citizens Financial Group had a net margin of 14.17% and a return on equity of 7.48%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.79 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Citizens Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.92 EPS for the current year. Citizens Financial Group Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 29th were given a $0.46 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 29th. This is a positive change from Citizens Financial Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. Citizens Financial Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 51.54%. Citizens Financial Group Company Profile (Free Report) Citizens Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Citizens Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizens Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prudential Financial Inc. lowered its stake in shares of Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 9.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,279,233 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after selling 133,027 shares during the quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. owned about 0.09% of Boston Scientific worth $137,402,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 14,391.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 2,919,801 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $313,618,000 after purchasing an additional 2,899,653 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted 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 valued at $14,729,575,000 after buying an additional 2,545,381 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in 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 worth $1,070,387,000 after buying an additional 1,664,108 shares in the last quarter. Swedbank AB increased its stake in Boston Scientific by 114.5% during the second quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 2,819,249 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $302,816,000 after acquiring an additional 1,505,019 shares during the period. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 1,383,524 shares in the last quarter. 89.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Boston Scientific Stock Up 0.2% Shares of NYSE:BSX opened at $96.77 on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average is $98.97 and its 200-day moving average is $102.36. 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 52 week low of $85.98 and a 52 week high of $109.50. The company has a market capitalization of $143.46 billion, a PE ratio of 51.75, a P/E/G ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.58. Insider Buying and Selling Boston Scientific ( NYSE:BSX Get Free Report ) last announced its 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. The business had revenue of $5.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.97 billion. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 14.43% and a return on equity of 19.74%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 20.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.63 EPS. Boston Scientific has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.020-3.040 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.770-0.790 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Boston Scientific Corporation will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other Boston Scientific 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 value of $1,266,927.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 24,134 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,371,889.52. The trade was a 34.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, 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 value of $4,923,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 178,342 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,561,336.74. This represents a 21.90% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 175,782 shares of company stock valued at $17,742,314 in the last quarter. 0.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth BSX has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded Boston Scientific from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $125.00 target price on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Leerink Partners increased their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $127.00 to $128.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $123.77. View Our Latest Report on BSX 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. Further Reading 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. Ormat Technologies (NYSE:ORA Get Free Report) and Ameresco (NYSE:AMRC Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, dividends and earnings. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Ormat Technologies and Amerescos top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Ormat Technologies alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Ormat Technologies $944.25 million 6.99 $123.73 million $2.18 49.83 Ameresco $1.88 billion 0.88 $56.76 million $1.19 26.51 Profitability Ormat Technologies has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Ameresco. Ameresco is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ormat Technologies, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This table compares Ormat Technologies and Amerescos net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Ormat Technologies 14.49% 5.47% 2.43% Ameresco 3.34% 7.00% 1.74% Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Ormat Technologies and Ameresco, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Ormat Technologies 0 4 7 1 2.75 Ameresco 1 3 7 1 2.67 Ormat Technologies presently has a consensus target price of $115.44, indicating a potential upside of 6.27%. Ameresco has a consensus target price of $36.00, indicating a potential upside of 14.10%. Given Amerescos higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Ameresco is more favorable than Ormat Technologies. Insider & Institutional Ownership 95.5% of Ormat Technologies shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 99.2% of Ameresco shares are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of Ormat Technologies shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 45.0% of Ameresco shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Volatility and Risk Ormat Technologies has a beta of 0.77, indicating that its share price is 23% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ameresco has a beta of 2.42, indicating that its share price is 142% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Ormat Technologies beats Ameresco on 7 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Ormat Technologies (Get Free Report) Ormat Technologies, Inc. engages in the geothermal and recovered energy power business in the United States, Indonesia, Kenya, Turkey, Chile, Guatemala, Guadeloupe, New Zealand, Honduras, and internationally. It operates in three segments: Electricity, Product, and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment develops, builds, owns, and operates geothermal, solar photovoltaic, and recovered energy-based power plants; and sells electricity. The Product segment designs, manufactures, and sells equipment for geothermal and recovered energy-based electricity generation; and provides services relating to the engineering, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of geothermal and recovered energy-based power plants. This segment serves contractors; and owners and operators of interstate natural gas pipelines, gas processing plants, and cement plants, as well as companies in other energy-intensive industrial processes. The Energy Storage segment offers battery energy storage systems and related services. Ormat Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, Nevada. About Ameresco (Get Free Report) Ameresco, Inc., a clean technology integrator, provides a portfolio of energy efficiency and renewable energy supply solutions in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. It operates through U.S. Regions, U.S. Federal, Canada, Europe, Alternative Fuels, and All Other segments. The company offers energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, energy security and resilience, asset sustainability, and renewable energy solutions for businesses and organizations. It designs, develops, engineers, and installs projects that reduce the energy, as well as operations and maintenance (O&M) costs of its customers' facilities; and projects primarily include various measures customized for the facility and designed to enhance the efficiency of building systems, such as heating, ventilation, cooling, and lighting systems. In addition, the company offers renewable energy solutions and services, such as the construction of small-scale plants that the company owns or develops for customers that produce electricity, gas, heat, or cooling from renewable sources of energy and O&M services; and electricity, processed renewable gas fuel, and heat or cooling produced from renewable sources of energy. Further, the company sells photovoltaic (PV) solar energy products and systems, as well as provides consulting, and enterprise energy management services; and operates wind farms. It serves the federal, state, local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, airports, public housing authorities and public universities, municipal utilities, and commercial and industrial customers. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned and operated 185 small-scale renewable energy plants and solar PV installations. Ameresco, Inc. was incorporated in 2000 and is headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts. Receive News & Ratings for Ormat Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ormat Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rhumbline Advisers cut its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,544,470 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 65,822 shares during the quarter. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $142,872,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 0.8% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 123,457,125 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $6,932,118,000 after acquiring an additional 993,798 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 7.6% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 56,827,332 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $2,853,302,000 after purchasing an additional 4,027,016 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 8.0% during the 1st quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 32,505,318 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,632,092,000 after purchasing an additional 2,404,798 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 29,659,508 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,657,193,000 after buying an additional 325,926 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.1% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 20,662,628 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,037,471,000 after buying an additional 425,648 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.30% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance CMG stock opened at $31.60 on Friday. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a 52 week low of $29.75 and a 52 week high of $66.74. The company has a market capitalization of $41.78 billion, a PE ratio of 27.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.98. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $37.35 and its 200 day simple moving average is $44.71. Analyst Ratings Changes Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 earnings per share 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 business had revenue of $3 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.06 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.27 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current year. CMG has been the topic of several analyst reports. Rothschild & Co Redburn raised shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $55.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $40.00 price objective (down from $52.00) on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $45.00 to $40.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $55.00 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Chipotle Mexican Grill currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $49.81. Check Out Our Latest Report on CMG About Chipotle Mexican Grill (Free Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. 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. Cultural & Historical Significance Hadad holds profound cultural significance as one of the most important deities in ancient Semitic pantheons, particularly among the Arameans, Assyrians, and Babylonians. As the god of storms, rain, and fertility, he was worshipped as the bringer of life-giving waters to arid regions, making him central to agricultural societies. His cult spread throughout the Levant and Mesopotamia, with temples dedicated to him in major cities like Damascus and Aleppo. The name represents a crucial link to pre-Islamic Arabian religious history and the complex transition from polytheistic traditions to monotheistic Islam. In Islamic cultural contexts, while the divine associations were abandoned, the name persisted as a historical reference and cultural artifact. Scholars of early Islamic history often referenced Hadad when discussing the jahiliyyah period and the religious landscape that preceded Islam. The name thus serves as a bridge between ancient Semitic heritage and Islamic civilization, representing both the continuity and transformation of cultural identity in the Middle East. For modern Muslim communities, the name carries layers of historical depth while remaining compatible with Islamic naming conventions. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC lifted its stake in shares of Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN Free Report) by 2,563.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,225 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,179 shares during the period. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLCs holdings in Accenture were worth $366,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA bought a new position in shares of Accenture during the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. RMG Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Accenture in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in Accenture in the first quarter worth approximately $42,000. Cheviot Value Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Accenture during the first quarter worth approximately $43,000. Finally, Fiduciary Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Accenture in the 1st quarter worth approximately $45,000. Institutional investors own 75.14% of the companys stock. Get Accenture alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ACN has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Accenture from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Wolfe Research boosted their target price on Accenture from $285.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Accenture from $355.00 to $315.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Guggenheim lowered their price objective on Accenture from $305.00 to $285.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on shares of Accenture from $372.00 to $285.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Accenture currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $294.25. Insider Buying and Selling at Accenture In related news, insider Manish Sharma sold 6,902 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.01, for a total transaction of $1,725,569.02. Following the sale, the insider owned 1,860 shares of the companys stock, valued at $465,018.60. The trade was a 78.77% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Ryoji Sekido sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $249.47, for a total value of $623,675.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,390 shares in the company, valued at approximately $346,763.30. This represents a 64.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 33,319 shares of company stock valued at $8,335,225. 0.02% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Accenture Price Performance Shares of ACN stock opened at $251.87 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a current ratio of 1.42. The firm has a market cap of $165.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 1.28. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $244.30 and its 200-day moving average price is $270.93. Accenture PLC has a fifty-two week low of $229.40 and a fifty-two week high of $398.35. Accenture (NYSE:ACN Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, September 25th. The information technology services provider reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.98 by $0.05. Accenture had a return on equity of 26.45% and a net margin of 11.02%.The company had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.34 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.66 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. Accenture has set its FY 2026 guidance at 13.190-13.570 EPS. Q1 2026 guidance at EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Accenture PLC will post 12.73 earnings per share for the current year. Accenture Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 10th were issued a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. This is a boost from Accentures previous quarterly dividend of $1.48. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.66%. Accenture Profile (Free Report) Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ACN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC grew its holdings in KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) by 5.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 291,569 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 14,043 shares during the quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC owned about 0.23% of KBR worth $13,978,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of KBR by 75.8% during the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 617 shares of the construction companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 266 shares in the last quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in KBR during the 2nd quarter worth $41,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in KBR by 37.5% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,093 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 298 shares during the period. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of KBR during the second quarter worth about $76,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. lifted its holdings in shares of KBR by 34.3% during the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,761 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $84,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.02% of the companys stock. Get KBR alerts: KBR Stock Up 1.4% Shares of KBR opened at $40.33 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $44.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $48.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73. The company has a market capitalization of $5.12 billion, a PE ratio of 14.61, a PEG ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 0.68. KBR, Inc. has a 12 month low of $39.65 and a 12 month high of $62.14. KBR Dividend Announcement KBR ( NYSE:KBR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $525.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. KBR had a net margin of 4.52% and a return on equity of 33.65%. The businesss revenue was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.84 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that KBR, Inc. will post 3.26 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a $0.165 dividend. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. KBRs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.68%. Analysts Set New Price Targets KBR has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Truist Financial set a $62.00 price objective on shares of KBR in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of KBR from $62.00 to $57.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of KBR in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $45.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Bank of America cut their price objective on shares of KBR from $55.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, KBR presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $59.00. Get Our Latest Research Report on KBR KBR Profile (Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shakespeare Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:VOE Free Report) by 3.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 170,565 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 5,367 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF comprises about 7.5% of Shakespeare Wealth Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th largest position. Shakespeare Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF were worth $28,051,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Assetmark Inc. raised its position in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 4,264,948 shares of the companys stock valued at $701,413,000 after buying an additional 161,894 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 3,262,796 shares of the companys stock valued at $523,809,000 after purchasing an additional 65,644 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 2,459,081 shares of the companys stock worth $415,566,000 after purchasing an additional 39,545 shares during the period. EP Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF by 18.7% during the 1st quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,515,445 shares of the companys stock valued at $243,290,000 after purchasing an additional 239,192 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stephens Group Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF by 9.0% during the 2nd quarter. Stephens Group Asset Management LLC now owns 1,190,312 shares of the companys stock valued at $195,759,000 after buying an additional 98,460 shares during the period. Get Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF alerts: Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF Stock Up 1.9% Shares of VOE opened at $172.09 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $173.09 and a 200 day moving average of $168.68. The company has a market cap of $18.94 billion, a PE ratio of 17.19 and a beta of 0.94. Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF has a 52-week low of $139.38 and a 52-week high of $176.83. Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF Profile Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund (Fund) is an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund offers two classes of shares: Investor Shares and ETF Shares. Investor Shares are available to any investor who meets the funds minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares can be purchased and sold through a broker. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VOE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:VOE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC decreased its position in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT Free Report) by 14.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,229 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 693 shares during the quarter. Sierra Summit Advisors LLCs holdings in Brinker International were worth $763,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Alberta Investment Management Corp bought a new stake in Brinker International during the second quarter worth about $4,112,000. Axiom Investors LLC DE purchased a new position in shares of Brinker International during the first quarter valued at approximately $8,079,000. DAVENPORT & Co LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 117.0% during the second quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 4,272 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $770,000 after purchasing an additional 2,303 shares during the last quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Brinker International by 13.4% in the 1st quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 16,513 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $2,461,000 after purchasing an additional 1,956 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Transcendent Capital Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Brinker International in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,822,000. Get Brinker International alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have issued reports on EAT. Barclays lowered their price objective on Brinker International from $145.00 to $135.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Wall Street Zen lowered Brinker International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price target on shares of Brinker International from $207.00 to $180.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Brinker International in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of Brinker International from $155.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $165.67. Insider Activity at Brinker International In other news, CEO Kevin Hochman sold 44,000 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total transaction of $6,944,080.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 212,867 shares in the company, valued at $33,594,669.94. This trade represents a 17.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 16,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on 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 directly owned 12,951 shares in the company, valued at $2,026,572.48. This trade represents a 55.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 1.43% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Brinker International Trading Up 6.3% Shares of NYSE:EAT opened at $135.15 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a current ratio of 0.35. Brinker International, Inc. has a 52-week low of $100.30 and a 52-week high of $192.21. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $124.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $149.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.02, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.38. Brinker International (NYSE:EAT Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $1.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.32 billion. Brinker International had a net margin of 7.94% and a return on equity of 164.66%. Brinker Internationals quarterly revenue was up 18.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.95 EPS. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.50 EPS. Analysts expect that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current year. 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. Soundwatch Capital LLC acquired a new position in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 6,042 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock, valued at approximately $746,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. TCTC Holdings LLC grew its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 210.1% during the 1st quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 214 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares during the period. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at about $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in TJX Companies by 121.1% in the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 272 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Activest Wealth Management boosted its stake in TJX Companies by 4,485.7% during the first quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 321 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 314 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock. Get TJX Companies alerts: Insider Activity at TJX Companies In related news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total value of $75,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 22,212 shares in the company, valued at $3,362,896.80. The trade was a 2.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.31, for a total transaction of $3,686,365.53. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 510,780 shares in the company, valued at approximately $77,286,121.80. This represents a 4.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 54,863 shares of company stock worth $8,226,366. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. TJX Companies Stock Performance NYSE:TJX opened at $151.46 on Friday. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $112.10 and a 52 week high of $152.58. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $143.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $134.13. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company has a market cap 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. TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.63% and a net margin of 8.59%.The firm had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.80 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.14 earnings per share. TJX Companiess 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. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. TJX Companies Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.425 per share. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 13th. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 37.53%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on TJX shares. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $170.00 price target on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Robert W. Baird set a $160.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. Barclays reissued an overweight rating and issued a $168.00 target price (up previously from $155.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Thursday. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and set a $170.00 price target (up from $155.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $168.00 price objective (up from $160.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday. One investment 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $158.90. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on TJX About TJX Companies (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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TJX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report). 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. Stevens Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 8,628 shares of the airlines stock, valued at approximately $280,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of LUV. Ameriflex Group Inc. raised its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 7.1% in the second quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 4,690 shares of the airlines stock worth $148,000 after purchasing an additional 310 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Southwest Airlines by 0.5% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 76,719 shares of the airlines stock worth $2,576,000 after acquiring an additional 345 shares in the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC grew its stake in Southwest Airlines by 4.5% in the first quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 8,590 shares of the airlines stock valued at $288,000 after acquiring an additional 369 shares during the period. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Southwest Airlines by 6.1% in the second quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,547 shares of the airlines stock valued at $212,000 after acquiring an additional 374 shares during the period. Finally, Wallace Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 3.6% in the second quarter. Wallace Advisory Group LLC now owns 11,050 shares of the airlines stock worth $371,000 after acquiring an additional 386 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.82% of the companys stock. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have weighed in on LUV shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Southwest Airlines in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Southwest Airlines from $21.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $35.00 to $33.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Southwest Airlines from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Southwest Airlines from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $33.80. Southwest Airlines Stock Performance LUV opened at $32.81 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $32.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $32.42. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 52-week low of $23.82 and a 52-week high of $37.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.97 billion, a PE ratio of 50.48, a PEG ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.23. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The airline reported ($0.38) earnings per share 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%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $0.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 110.77%. About Southwest Airlines (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. Recommended Stories 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. Stevens Capital Management LP bought a new stake in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 1,943 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $231,000. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines in the second quarter valued at $25,000. MJT & Associates Financial Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. City State Bank boosted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 69.2% during the second quarter. City State Bank now owns 269 shares of the mining companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dagco Inc. purchased a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines during the first quarter worth approximately $39,000. 68.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (a-) rating on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Thursday. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $209.00 to $226.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. TD Securities raised their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from $154.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Raymond James Financial boosted their price target on Agnico Eagle Mines from $155.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $140.00 to $198.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $184.50. Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Performance NYSE AEM opened at $159.82 on Friday. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a fifty-two week low of $76.91 and a fifty-two week high of $187.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.45. The stocks fifty day moving average is $164.52 and its two-hundred day moving average is $139.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 2.03. Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM Get Free Report) (TSE:AEM) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The mining company reported $2.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.40. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 32.62% and a return on equity of 15.97%. The firm had revenue of $3.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.93 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.14 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 4.63 earnings per share for the current year. About Agnico Eagle Mines (Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM). Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Swiss National Bank lifted its stake in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG Free Report) by 5.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 863,900 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 46,400 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Banks holdings in The Hartford Insurance Group were worth $109,603,000 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. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group by 95.1% in the first quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 6,443 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $797,000 after acquiring an additional 3,140 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in The Hartford Insurance Group by 61.5% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 125,825 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $15,727,000 after purchasing an additional 47,919 shares during the period. Ground Swell Capital LLC purchased a new stake in The Hartford Insurance Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $324,000. Jump Financial LLC increased its position in The Hartford Insurance Group by 330.5% during the 1st quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 28,218 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $3,491,000 after purchasing an additional 21,664 shares during the period. Finally, ASR Vermogensbeheer N.V. acquired a new position in The Hartford Insurance Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $8,439,000. 93.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get The Hartford Insurance Group alerts: Insider Activity In related news, EVP Donald Christian Hunt sold 2,124 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.87, for a total transaction of $284,339.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Lori A. Rodden sold 7,841 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.41, for a total transaction of $959,816.81. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 18,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,252,344. This trade represents a 29.88% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders. The Hartford Insurance Group Trading Up 1.2% NYSE:HIG opened at $136.34 on Friday. The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $104.93 and a 52-week high of $137.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $129.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of $128.32. The company has a market capitalization of $37.99 billion, a PE ratio of 11.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.69. The Hartford Insurance Group (NYSE:HIG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The insurance provider reported $3.78 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.76. The Hartford Insurance Group had a return on equity of 21.07% and a net margin of 12.75%.The company had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.17 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.53 earnings per share. The Hartford Insurance Groups revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. will post 11.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The Hartford Insurance Group Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a $0.60 dividend. This is a positive change from The Hartford Insurance Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The Hartford Insurance Groups payout ratio is currently 19.61%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades HIG has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded The Hartford Insurance Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on The Hartford Insurance Group from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. They set an overweight rating and a $152.00 price target on the stock. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and set a $140.00 target price (up from $135.00) on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group in a research report on Friday, August 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $140.86. Get Our Latest Research Report on HIG The Hartford Insurance Group Company Profile (Free Report) The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, accident, health, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HIG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Hartford Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hartford Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. J. L. Bainbridge & Co. Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 1.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 160,840 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 1,909 shares during the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing makes up 3.3% of J. L. Bainbridge & Co. Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. J. L. Bainbridge & Co. Inc.s holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $36,429,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Powers Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the second quarter worth about $240,000. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. grew its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 10.1% in the second quarter. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. now owns 236,503 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $53,566,000 after purchasing an additional 21,648 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP increased its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 452.2% during the 1st quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 47,425 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $7,873,000 after purchasing an additional 38,837 shares in the last quarter. RFG Holdings Inc. increased its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 66.1% during the 2nd quarter. RFG Holdings Inc. now owns 3,898 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $883,000 after purchasing an additional 1,551 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Duquesne Family Office LLC raised its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 456.9% during the 1st quarter. Duquesne Family Office LLC now owns 598,780 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $99,397,000 after purchasing an additional 491,265 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Trading Down 0.9% NYSE TSM opened at $275.01 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $1.43 trillion, a P/E ratio of 28.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 12 month low of $134.25 and a 12 month high of $311.37. 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 50-day moving average of $287.83 and a 200-day moving average of $245.76. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend 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, 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $951.89 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.94 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.9678 per share. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is currently 26.97%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have commented on TSM shares. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and set a $360.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Barclays upped their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Itau BBA Securities assumed coverage on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Wednesday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $371.67. Get Our Latest Report on TSM 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. Further Reading 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. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC decreased its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 23.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 53,881 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 16,246 shares during the period. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $12,204,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 2.4% in the second quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,815 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $411,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the period. Pflug Koory LLC increased its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Pflug Koory LLC now owns 1,133 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $257,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 9.1% in the 2nd quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 517 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $117,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC boosted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC now owns 3,621 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $820,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. Finally, Liberty One Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 4.3% in the second quarter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC now owns 1,076 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $244,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes TSM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Barclays lifted their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Itau BBA Securities initiated coverage on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. They set an outperform rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and set a $360.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $371.67. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance TSM stock opened at $275.01 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $287.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $245.76. The company has a quick ratio of 2.15, a current ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The stock has a market cap of $1.43 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.21, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a fifty-two week low of $134.25 and a fifty-two week high of $311.37. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 36.06%. The company had revenue of $32.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $951.89 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.94 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. Equities research 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 business 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 $0.9678 dividend. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. This is a boost from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is presently 26.97%. About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (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. Read More 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. La Voix has withdrawn from this year's Strictly Come Dancing due to injury. La Voix and Aljaz Skorjanec were paired up on Strictly Come Dancing 2025 The RuPaul's Drag Race UK star felt a niggle in my foot whilst performing the foxtrot on the November 15 live show, and it soon got worse, resulting in her and professional dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec, 35, pulling out of performing their Samba at the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Saturday (22.11.25) night. Now, the pair will not be returning to the BBC's Latin and Ballroom dance show, which was confirmed at the start of Saturday night's live show. Host Tess Daly, 56, told viewers: "We can confirm she has very sadly had to withdraw from the competition." The drag queen - real name Christopher Dennis - shared her heartbreak about having to permanently pull out of Strictly Come Dancing on her Instagram account following the announcement. In a statement, she said: "I'm absolutely devastated to be withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing. This isn't the glittering exit I ever imagined, and it breaks my heart to feel like I'm letting people down. "My spirit wanted to keep dancing, but my foot has other ideas!" La Voix, 45, went on to thank Strictly Come Dancing's viewers for supporting her and Aljaz each week. She added: "Thank you for every cheer, every vote, and every sparkle of support - it's meant the world to me." And the star said she will always be grateful for the experience. La Voix concluded her statement with: "This isn't the ending I imagined, but I'll cherish this forever." After confirming that the performer will not be returning to Strictly Come Dancing, Tess also revealed that a celebrity and their professional dance partner will not leave the competition this week. It means the six remaining couples - including Emmerdale star Lewis Cope, 30, and Katya Jones, 36, who topped this week's leaderboard with a perfect 40 points, and EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, 46, and Julian Caillon, 30, who came last with 33 points - go through to the November 29 live show. Scores from the judges - Craig Revel Horwood, 60, Motsi Mabuse, 44, Shirley Ballas, 65, and 59 year old Anton Du Beke - as well as viewers' votes will be carried over, and combined with next week's points and votes. Two couples with the fewest votes will take part in the dreaded dance-off, where they will fight it out for one of them to stay in the competition during the November 30 results show. La Voix's exit comes after former Love Island star Dani Dyer, 29, quit the competition before the first live show on September 27 after she fractured her ankle in rehearsals. And Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis, 67, pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing on October 20 because he tore a calf muscle. Strictly Come Dancing returns on Sunday (23.11.25) night at 7.15pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Individuals named Haethowine are typically characterized by strong loyalty and protective instincts, embodying the 'war friend' meaning of their name. They tend to be natural leaders who form deep, lasting bonds with those they consider their companions or community. This loyalty extends beyond personal relationships to principles and causes they believe in, making them steadfast in their commitments and reliable in times of crisis. Their warrior heritage often manifests as courage and resilience rather than aggression, with a preference for defending rather than attacking. Haethowines typically possess a balanced nature that combines strength with compassion. They are often strategic thinkers who approach challenges with both practical wisdom and moral consideration. The Christian influence in the name's history tends to manifest as a strong sense of justice and protection of the vulnerable. While they can be formidable when defending their principles or loved ones, they generally prefer diplomacy and building alliances over conflict, truly living the 'friend' aspect of their name's meaning. In social settings, Haethowines are often the glue that holds groups together during difficult times. They have a natural ability to inspire confidence and maintain morale when facing adversity. Their combination of strength and loyalty makes them excellent team players and trusted advisors, though they may sometimes take on too much responsibility for others' wellbeing. The historical weight of the name often gives modern bearers a sense of connection to traditions of honorable conduct and service. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU Free Report) (TSE:T) by 20.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,529,471 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock after purchasing an additional 780,607 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned about 0.30% of TELUS worth $76,335,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of TU. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of TELUS by 26.1% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 3,227 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 667 shares during the period. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in TELUS by 169.6% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,658 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $59,000 after acquiring an additional 2,301 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in TELUS in the first quarter valued at approximately $134,000. Golden State Equity Partners acquired a new position in TELUS in the second quarter valued at approximately $161,000. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of TELUS by 13.7% during the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 13,190 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $189,000 after purchasing an additional 1,590 shares during the last quarter. 49.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get TELUS alerts: TELUS Trading Down 0.7% Shares of TU stock opened at $13.28 on Friday. TELUS Corporation has a 1 year low of $13.24 and a 1 year high of $16.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.38 billion, a PE ratio of 24.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.82 and a beta of 0.71. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $15.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $15.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.76. TELUS Increases Dividend TELUS ( NYSE:TU Get Free Report ) (TSE:T) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.17 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $3.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.77 billion. TELUS had a net margin of 5.71% and a return on equity of 8.76%. TELUSs revenue for the quarter was up .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.28 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that TELUS Corporation will post 0.71 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 11th will be paid a $0.4184 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 11th. This represents a $1.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.6%. This is an increase from TELUSs previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. TELUSs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 220.00%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts recently issued reports on TU shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an underweight rating and issued a $19.00 price target (down previously from $22.00) on shares of TELUS in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of TELUS in a research report on Wednesday. National Bank Financial raised shares of TELUS from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on shares of TELUS from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $18.17. Get Our Latest Stock Report on TELUS About TELUS (Free Report) TELUS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of telecommunications and information technology products and services in Canada. It operates through Technology Solutions and Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segments. The Technology Solutions segment offers a range of telecommunications products and services; network services; healthcare services; mobile technologies equipment; data services, such as internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology, and cloud-based services; software, data management, and data analytics-driven smart food-chain and consumer goods technologies; home and business security; healthcare software and technology solutions; and voice and other telecommunications services, as well as mobile and fixed voice and data telecommunications services and products. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU Free Report) (TSE:T). 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. Personal CFO Solutions LLC cut its stake in shares of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Free Report) by 41.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,185 shares of the banks stock after selling 2,935 shares during the period. Personal CFO Solutions LLCs holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $381,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 78.9% during the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 288 shares of the banks stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Hoey Investments Inc. purchased a new stake in Bank of New York Mellon during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Bank of New York Mellon during the 1st quarter worth $32,000. GFG Capital LLC acquired a new position in Bank of New York Mellon in the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. Finally, McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Bank of New York Mellon in the 1st quarter valued at about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.31% of the companys stock. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Bank of New York Mellon Trading Up 0.1% Shares of NYSE BK opened at $106.54 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $107.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $100.01. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation has a 52-week low of $70.46 and a 52-week high of $113.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $74.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.37, a PEG ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.13. Bank of New York Mellon Dividend Announcement Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 26th. The bank reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 14.03% and a net margin of 12.86%.The business had revenue of $4.38 billion during the quarter. On average, analysts anticipate that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will post 6.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 27th were issued a dividend of $0.53 per share. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 27th. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio is 30.59%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on BK. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on Bank of New York Mellon in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. They set an outperform rating and a $125.00 target price on the stock. Barclays raised their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $104.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. 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. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $100.00 to $109.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised their price target 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 research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $111.29. Read Our Latest Report on Bank of New York Mellon Bank of New York Mellon Company 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. Surge Component (OTCMKTS:SPRS Get Free Report) and TT Electronics (OTCMKTS:TTGPF Get Free Report) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, profitability and analyst recommendations. Profitability This table compares Surge Component and TT Electronics net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Surge Component alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Surge Component 2.56% 4.49% 3.47% TT Electronics N/A N/A N/A Risk & Volatility Surge Component has a beta of 0.71, indicating that its share price is 29% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, TT Electronics has a beta of 0.67, indicating that its share price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500. Earnings and Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Surge Component $31.21 million 0.59 $830,000.00 $0.15 21.06 TT Electronics $665.93 million 0.53 -$68.24 million N/A N/A This table compares Surge Component and TT Electronicss gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Surge Component has higher earnings, but lower revenue than TT Electronics. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Surge Component and TT Electronics, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Surge Component 0 0 0 0 0.00 TT Electronics 0 2 0 0 2.00 Summary Surge Component beats TT Electronics on 6 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Surge Component (Get Free Report) Surge Components, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, supplies electronic products and components. It offers capacitors, which are electrical energy storage devices; and discrete semiconductor components, such as rectifiers, transistors, diodes, circuit protection devices, and audible components comprising audible transducers, Piezo buzzers, speakers, and microphones. The company also provides resonators, alarms, chimes, filters, and discriminators, as well as fuses, printed circuit boards, and switches. Its products are used in the electronic circuitry of various industries, including automotive, computer, communications, cellular telephones, consumer electronics, garage door openers, security equipment, audio equipment, telecom products, computer related products, power supply products, utility meters, and household appliances. The company sells its products to original equipment manufacturers and distributors through independent sales representatives or organizations in Canada, China, other Asian countries, South America, and Europe. Surge Components, Inc. was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Deer Park, New York. About TT Electronics (Get Free Report) TT Electronics plc provides design-led advanced electronics technologies for performance critical applications in the healthcare, aerospace and defense, and automation and electrification markets in the United Kingdom, Rest of Europe, North America, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Power and Connectivity, Global Manufacturing Solutions, and Sensors and Specialist Components. The Power and Connectivity segment designs and manufactures power application products and connectivity devices, which enable the capture and wireless transfer of data to optimize electronic systems. The Global Manufacturing Solutions segment provides manufacturing services and engineering solutions for its product divisions and to customers that require a lower volume and higher mix of various products. This segment manufactures integrated product assemblies, as well as provides engineering services, including designing testing solutions and value-engineering. The Sensors and Specialist Components segment develops standard and customized solutions, including sensors and power management devices. Its solutions enhance the precision, speed, and reliability of critical aspects of its customers applications. It offers its products and services under the AB Connectors, Aero Stanrew, BI Technologies, Ferranti, IRC, Optek Technology, Precision, Power Partners, PowerPax, Roxspur Measurement and Control, Semelab, Stontronics, Torotel, and Welwyn brands. The company was formerly known as TT Group plc and changed its name to TT Electronics plc in 2000. The company was incorporated in 1906 and is headquartered in Woking, the United Kingdom. Receive News & Ratings for Surge Component Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Surge Component and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE:EGP Free Report) by 1.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,306,840 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 108,561 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 13.70% of EastGroup Properties worth $1,221,119,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of EGP. Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 5.6% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,161 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $205,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of EastGroup Properties by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 3,668 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $613,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. grew its stake in EastGroup Properties by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 2,029 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $339,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd increased its position in EastGroup Properties by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd now owns 13,900 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,448,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Securian Asset Management Inc. increased its position in EastGroup Properties by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,045 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $676,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.14% of the companys stock. Get EastGroup Properties alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have weighed in on EGP shares. Industrial Alliance Securities set a $200.00 price target on EastGroup Properties in a report on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of EastGroup Properties in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of EastGroup Properties from $180.00 to $179.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of EastGroup Properties from $177.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of EastGroup Properties from $170.00 to $178.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $190.80. Insider Buying and Selling at EastGroup Properties In other news, EVP Richard Reid Dunbar sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total value of $350,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 20,630 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,610,250. The trade was a 8.84% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.00% of the companys stock. EastGroup Properties Price Performance Shares of NYSE:EGP opened at $179.74 on Friday. EastGroup Properties, Inc. has a twelve month low of $137.67 and a twelve month high of $188.89. The company has a current ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 0.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. The company has a market cap of $9.59 billion, a PE ratio of 37.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.67 and a beta of 1.04. The companys 50 day moving average is $173.66 and its 200 day moving average is $169.61. EastGroup Properties (NYSE:EGP Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $2.27 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.28 by ($0.01). EastGroup Properties had a net margin of 35.58% and a return on equity of 7.28%. The business had revenue of $182.14 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $181.88 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.13 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 11.8% on a year-over-year basis. EastGroup Properties has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.940-8.980 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 2.300-2.340 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that EastGroup Properties, Inc. will post 8.94 EPS for the current year. EastGroup Properties Profile (Free Report) EastGroup Properties, Inc (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. Read More Receive News & Ratings for EastGroup Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EastGroup Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Waterloo Capital L.P. raised its stake in Rithm Capital Corp. (NYSE:RITM Free Report) by 4.6% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 391,278 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 17,118 shares during the quarter. Waterloo Capital L.P.s holdings in Rithm Capital were worth $4,418,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Rithm Capital in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $96,027,000. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Rithm Capital by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,991,146 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $101,528,000 after purchasing an additional 98,307 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in Rithm Capital by 36.3% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 4,907,737 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $56,194,000 after purchasing an additional 1,307,276 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its stake in Rithm Capital by 288.6% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 2,725,392 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $31,206,000 after purchasing an additional 2,024,090 shares during the last quarter. Finally, VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al bought a new position in Rithm Capital during the second quarter worth about $24,938,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 44.92% of the companys stock. Get Rithm Capital alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have issued reports on RITM shares. UBS Group upped their price objective on Rithm Capital from $14.00 to $16.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Rithm Capital from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Wednesday. BTIG Research reiterated a buy rating and issued a $16.00 price target on shares of Rithm Capital in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Jones Trading restated a buy rating and set a $13.50 price objective on shares of Rithm Capital in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $14.00 target price on shares of Rithm Capital in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Rithm Capital presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $14.25. Rithm Capital Trading Up 2.1% Shares of NYSE:RITM opened at $11.02 on Friday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $11.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $11.58. Rithm Capital Corp. has a 1 year low of $9.13 and a 1 year high of $12.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52, a current ratio of 0.45 and a quick ratio of 0.45. The company has a market capitalization of $6.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.60 and a beta of 1.30. Rithm Capital (NYSE:RITM Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.54. The firm had revenue of $1.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.07 billion. Rithm Capital had a return on equity of 18.82% and a net margin of 17.08%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Rithm Capital Corp. will post 1.93 EPS for the current fiscal year. Rithm Capital Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 1st were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.1%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 1st. Rithm Capitals dividend payout ratio is presently 68.97%. Insider Activity In other news, insider David Zeiden sold 19,285 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.11, for a total transaction of $214,256.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Michael Nierenberg sold 301,548 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.00, for a total transaction of $3,317,028.00. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.44% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Rithm Capital Company Profile (Free Report) Rithm Capital Corp. operates as an asset manager focused on real estate, credit, and financial services. It operates through Origination and Servicing, Investment Portfolio, Mortgage Loans Receivable, and Asset Management segments. Its investment portfolio primarily comprises of mortgage servicing rights (MSR), and MSR financing receivables, title, appraisal and property preservation, excess MSRs, and services advance investments; real estate securities, call rights, SFR properties, and residential mortgage loans; consumer and business purpose loans; and asset management related investments. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RITM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Rithm Capital Corp. (NYSE:RITM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Rithm Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rithm Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Women named Hailie typically exhibit a compelling blend of strength and sensitivity that makes them natural leaders and compassionate friends. They often possess an inner resilience that allows them to face challenges with grace and determination, living up to the heroic connotations of their name. Their strength isn't aggressive but rather a quiet confidence that inspires others. Hailies tend to be emotionally intelligent, able to read situations accurately and respond with both wisdom and empathy. They're often the pillars in their social circles, providing support and guidance while maintaining their own independence. In professional and personal settings, Hailies demonstrate remarkable adaptability combined with strong principles. They can navigate complex situations while staying true to their values, making them effective in leadership roles and trusted confidantes. Their charismatic nature isn't flashy but genuine, drawing people to them through authenticity rather than performance. They typically excel in careers that allow them to help others or make a positive impact, whether in healthcare, education, creative fields, or community leadership. The combination of their innate strength and compassionate nature makes them particularly effective in crisis situations, where they can provide both practical solutions and emotional support. Individuals named Hardwyn typically exhibit a balanced combination of strength and compassion, making them natural leaders and loyal companions. They possess an inner courage that allows them to face challenges head-on while maintaining a deep sense of responsibility toward those they care about. This unique blend of traits often makes them the 'rock' in their social circles - someone who can be relied upon in times of crisis yet remains approachable and supportive in everyday interactions. Their bravery is not merely physical but extends to moral courage, standing up for their beliefs and protecting the vulnerable. At the same time, their friendly nature ensures they build strong, lasting relationships based on mutual trust and respect. This duality makes Hardwyns excellent mediators and trusted advisors, capable of both decisive action and empathetic understanding. They often become the cornerstone of their communities, valued for their reliability and the safe harbor they provide to friends and family alike. Cultural & Historical Significance Healhtun originates from Old English Christian traditions, specifically referencing hillslope estates that were often sites of early Christian settlements in England. The name carries strong connections to the Anglo-Saxon period when Christianity was spreading throughout the British Isles, with many early churches and monasteries being established on hillslopes for both practical and spiritual reasons. These locations provided natural defense, clean water sources, and symbolic elevation closer to heaven, making them ideal for religious communities. The name reflects the deep integration of Christian faith with the English landscape, embodying the concept of stewardship over both spiritual and physical domains. Throughout medieval England, individuals named Healhtun were often associated with land management, religious leadership, and community organization. The name represents a bridge between earthly responsibilities and spiritual devotion, characteristic of early English Christianity where faith was deeply connected to one's relationship with the land and community. Individuals named Healum typically exhibit a balanced personality that combines spiritual depth with practical wisdom. They are often described as grounded yet aspirational, reflecting the name's imagery of dwelling on slopesneither completely in the valley nor at the peak. This positioning lends them a unique perspective, making them excellent mediators and counselors who understand both humble circumstances and elevated ideals. Healums tend to be patient, methodical individuals who build their lives and relationships with careful consideration, much like the gradual shaping of slopes over time. Their Christian upbringing typically manifests in quiet devotion rather than overt piety, with a focus on service, hospitality, and creating spaces where others can find spiritual and physical refuge. While not naturally flamboyant, Healums command respect through their consistency, reliability, and the quiet strength that comes from understanding their place in both earthly and spiritual realms. They often demonstrate remarkable resilience in facing life's challenges, viewing difficulties as necessary contours in the landscape of spiritual growth rather than obstacles to be avoided. This temperament makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both compassion and practical problem-solving. Individuals named Hughetta are often perceived as possessing a blend of traditional values and quiet strength, reflecting the name's Christian heritage and diminutive nature. They typically exhibit thoughtful, introspective qualities with a strong sense of moral conviction and personal integrity. The 'little' aspect of the meaning often manifests as humility and modesty, while the connection to 'mind/spirit' suggests intellectual depth and spiritual awareness. Hughettas are frequently described as reliable, conscientious individuals who approach life with careful consideration and emotional intelligence. Their combination of traditional grounding and inner strength makes them particularly effective in roles requiring patience, wisdom, and emotional support. While they may appear reserved initially, Hughettas often reveal surprising resilience and determination when faced with challenges, embodying the quiet power suggested by their name's historical connections to noble and religious women. They tend to be loyal friends and family members who value deep, meaningful relationships over superficial connections, and they often serve as stabilizing influences in their communities through their consistent values and thoughtful approach to life's complexities. When Florence Nightingale walked through the wards during the Crimean War, she carried more than a lamp; she carried the beginnings of a profession that would redefine health care for centuries. Across the world, nurses remain the reassuring voice by the bedside, the steady hands in crisis, and the anchor of trust for families. The World Health Organization has described nurses as indispensable to universal health coverage and central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, even as the workforce has grown steadily, many regions continue to face deep inequities. The memory of a pre-pandemic shortfall of nearly six million nurses is a reminder that sustained investment and policy support cannot pause. Amid these challenges, a remarkable transformation is underway. Advanced practice roles now enable nurses to assess, diagnose, prescribe, and guide multidisciplinary teams. These pathways are not only expanding access to care, but also demonstrating the leadership potential of the profession. At a time when nursing is being reimagined globally, Apollos journey in India exemplifies how the profession can lead with compassion, expertise and vision. The symbol of a nurse in our logo and our mascot reflects the healing hands and devoted hearts at the core of our care. Apollos nurses are empowered through Career Pathways, FINE (Finishing Skills in Nursing Excellence), nurse-led clinics, specialised councils, research, home care, and global workforce development, to deliver precise, data-driven care, advance patient safety and influence health care policy. Through their dedication, they stand as exemplars of resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of nursing, carrying forward Apollos legacy of world-class, compassionate health care. Illustration: Deni Lal A few years ago, in 2020, when the World Health Organization declared it the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, the world paused to honour the profound impact of nurses on global health. In India, nurses have been the steadfast guardians of wellbeingleading maternal and child health programmes, immunisation campaigns, infection control, and chronic disease management with unwavering dedication. Their service across hospitals, communities, and public health initiatives has not only strengthened health care delivery but also safeguarded millions of lives, embodying compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the promise of care turning tireless service into hope, resilience into recovery, and their presence into a lifeline for the nation. At its core, nursing is a vocation of the heart. It is the quiet strength that holds steady in times of uncertainty, the presence that patients remember long after they return home, and the daily leadership that safeguards quality and safety. Even as health care embraces artificial intelligence, robotics and continuing advancements, nurses remain the human bridge between advanced science and lived experience. Further, nursing today is not only a profession of compassion, it is a discipline that blends science with service, and leadership with lifelong learning. New avenues are emerging in fields such as critical care, oncology, perioperative services, digital health and genomicsareas that are shaping the very future of medicine. This evolution opens a horizon of opportunity and for those seeking careers of impact, nursing offers a path where ambition and purpose grow together. It is not only a way to secure ones own future, but also a means to strengthen families, uplift communities, and contribute to Indias role in global health. Above all, each young person who steps into this calling carries forward a legacy that began with a lamp in a war hospital, and today shines as a beacon of healing, hope, and progress for the world. Dr Preetha Reddy is Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited. My memories of Iran in the nineties tinkle with the sound of water. Of streams running down the slopes of the Alborz mountains above Tehran, fed by the snows of Mount Damavand. Of chinar leaves floating in the water channels that raced along Vali Asr, the long avenue that slopes through the city. Of sipping black tea from thin glasses under the Si-o-se Pol (the bridge of the 33 arches) in Isfahan as the Zayandeh Rud (literally, the life-giving river) flowed past. But today, northern Iran brings up visions from T.S. Eliots The Waste Land: Here is no water but only rock Rock and no water and the sandy road The road winding above among the mountains Which are mountains of rock without water One by one, Irans reservoirs are drying up. People walk on the dry bed of the Zayandeh Rud; the tea house under the arches must be bereft of all its charm. The turquoise Lake Urmia, the worlds sixth largest salt-water lake, has dried up to a depth of only half a metre and may soon go the way of the Aral Sea. The nightmarish possibility of having to evacuate the 10 million strong capital looms large. Located in the dry latitudes, drought is not new in Iran, but is now in its fifth consecutive year. Admittedly, Iran has not done enough to avoid this crisis and its experience should be a cautionary tale for those in India who salivate to bring development to fragile ecosystems. There is rampant over-extraction of ground water including through illegal boring; in fact, the subsidence created by this over-extraction now endangers the architectural treasures of Isfahan. Irans agricultural practicesfamously inefficientheighten wasteful consumption. Faulty policies, gross mismanagement and poorly built dams further exacerbate the situation. But undeniably, climate change with steadily rising temperatures has been the trigger for the present dire situation. More than 20 provinces of the country have not had a drop of rain in what is officially the rainy season. Snow cover has decreased by almost 99 per cent nationwide compared to last year, and rainfall is down 89 per cent against long-term averages; in fact there has been a 30 per cent reduction in rainfall over the last five years. Imaging: Deni Lal Geopolitics twists matters further. Sanctions hamper Irans ability for climate change mitigation by curbing access to international finance and green technologies. Iran is yet to ratify the Paris Agreement of 2015. Its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) pledged a reduction of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions by four per cent by 2030 plus a further eight per cent decrease contingent on removal of US sanctions, and that is nowhere in sight. Iran remains among the top ten emitters of GHG, given its reliance on fossil fuels. The 12-day war with Israel has further damaged the water infrastructure in Iran. In a cynical offer, Benjamin Netanyahu has offered to supply water experts and technologies if the Iranian people take to the streets and effect regime change: this proposal, if there was enough water, would be dead in a cupful. Belem in Brazil, where the COP30 is in its second week, may be far from Tehran but the issues are all inter-connected. What happens to the Amazon impacts rainfall patterns everywhere. While the indigenous people of the Amazon are protesting in Belem against deforestation, mining and drilling in the lungs of the world, the Iranians are flocking to the mosques, hands raised in prayer. Neither protest nor prayer are going to help much. Man by his selfishness, his ever-growing greed, his rampant lust to ravage the earth, has angered the gods and they are not listening. Emperor Krishnadeva Raya once decided to invade Bijapur. The sultan of Bijapur, knowing he couldnt fight the Vijayanagara army, sent a smart and young astrologer to the Raya's court. The soothsayer impressed the king and courtiers with his glib talk, and drew the king into asking him how the planned war would fare. The fellow then pretended to read the royal horoscope, drew a grim face, and said the stars werent favourable. The Raya was dismayed, as were his courtiers who were preparing for war. Then walked in the fabled jester Tenali Rama, actually a wise man like all jesters in the courts of the orient and the plays of Shakespeare. Rama suspected the astrologer to be an enemy agent, and began quizzing him. Can you predict your own death? Rama suddenly asked. The astrologer replied: As per my calculations, I shall live up to 90. The next moment, Rama drew his sword and cut the fellows head. Horrific, but everyone took it as the price for violating the shastras. Astrologers say they cant predict their own futures, though M.J. Akbar tells us in After Me, Chaos that emperor Humayun did. He foresaw his own death. Be that as it may, satvic jyotishis warn that if anyone can read ones own future, one shouldnt speak it out or seek to alter it through parihara kriyas. Humayun did neither. Imaging: Deni Lal Star-gazers have an earthy reason for forbidding self-prediction. Personal emotions, biases and desires could cloud your vision, leading to inaccurate predictions. Thats what happened to Prashant Kishor. Though not an astrologer, he seemed to have been foreseeing how parties would fare in polls, and making a living out of suggesting electoral and political parihara kriyas that would ward off the doshas visiting them. Thus he is said to have strategised more than half a dozen electoral wins, including Narendra Modis in 2014. But as Humayun failed in predicting the fate of his own battles, Kishor failed in foreseeing the outcome of his own election. His Jan Suraaj, launched three years ago, failed to win a single seat, and 236 of its 238 candidates forfeited deposits. Kishors big mistake was to confuse strategist with leader. He was a strategist, never a leader. He had no masses to leadneither the forwards nor the backwards, neither the majority nor the minorities, neither the moneyed nor the jobless, neither the middle class nor the low class, neither the conservative nor the liberal, neither the rightist nor the leftist. A few from every one of these classes agreed with what he said, but they were just a few among the chattering gatherings, scattered across Bihara few thousand jobless, a few thousand who were piqued by the liquor ban, a few thousand who were cross with corruption. Vote for your kids, he said, meaning vote for the future; but Biharis were concerned about their present. They wanted MLAs who could get their sons freed from the thana, MLAs who could call the bank and get them a loan, MLAs who could call the collector and get their land freed from the moneylender. Kishor didnt appear to them as one who could. He talked principles, but gave tickets to turncoats. He had no ideology. Arvind Kejriwal may have come to power sans ideology and stayed in power for a decade, but that was in urban Delhi where there are more piqued persons than mobilised masses. And then a fatal flaw. He ran away from the battle when it was to be joined. He had threatened to take the field at Raghopur against Tejashwi Yadav, then backed off to his strategy room. In the end, Kishor cut the sorriest figure in the Bihar round of 2025. Ever had to cancel or miss a flight because of urgent reasons, after which you sadly see the money you spent on a ticket go down the drain? That may not be the case soon, as the Indian government is considering rolling out an in-built air travel insurance component over the next few months that could get you up to 80 per cent of your ticket fare refunded, despite last-minute exigency cancellations. In certain casesand with strong proofyou could even get a full refund, but this is purely discretionary, a Times of India report said. In that regard, the aviation secretary is currently in talks with various Indian carriers to figure out the best way for airlines and insurance companies to split and bear the costs amongst themselves, so that passengers would not have to. I missed an Air India flight from Delhi to Bengaluru a few months back. Requested Air India support to mark the booking 'No Show' and refund the taxes to the source credit card. No refund for the last 3 months, so I escalated. They shared a form over the call yesterday. pic.twitter.com/ISDN6RAqnN Ravisutanjani (@Ravisutanjani) November 23, 2025 We are exploring whether an insurance element can be added in the lowest fare (category) so that passengers get some refund. The details are being worked out, a senior official of a leading airline said. "The uncertainty of being able to travel and then the fear of losing money or facing trouble in getting the refund is a big factor in many people avoiding booking flights," the official added. As of now, if you were to cancel a flight within three hours of the take-off time, it is treated as a no-show, for which no refund is given. The only hope of a refund lies in paying extra moneyon top of the ticket feefor airline insurance. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is also in the process of amending its current refund rules to make them more passenger-friendly, as the process has become a major pain for passengers. These new changes include 21-day refunds and 48-hour ticket cancellation/amendment at no extra charge (except fare difference) if their domestic flight departure is at least five days away or their international flight departure is at least 15 days away. The Hakimpur BSF border outpost in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas, has become an informal departure corridor for "illegal Bangladeshis," who lived on the Indian side for years. According to reports, families are seen queuing up at the post, pleading the BSF jawans to let them pass and "go home." Across the South Bengal border belt, security personnel and locals reportedly claim the number of undocumented Bangladeshi nationals wanting to return to their native lands has sharply increased since early November. Several officials link this reverse migration directly to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in West Bengal, news agency PTI said. Many in the queue admit they procured Aadhaar cards, ration cards or voter IDs through touts and middlemen during their stay in West Bengal, PTI claimed. With SIR demanding verification of older documents, several said they preferred leaving rather than risking questioning and possible detention. If they check old papers, we cannot show anything. Better to leave before they ask questions, the report quoted a Bangladesh national who lived in Kolkata for eight years as saying. The concern is echoed across the queue of men, women and families who arrived from areas such as New Town, Birati, Dhulagori, Bamangachi, Ghusuri and parts of Howrah's industrial belt. A group of men from Satkhira said they paid between Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,000 to enter West Bengal earlier. Others spent significantly more. I paid nearly Rs 20,000 to get documents, said 29-year-old Manirul Sheikh, who worked in garment units in Dhulagori and collected scrap iron. According to the BSF, 150200 people a day are being detained and pushed back after verification. The queues began swelling from November 4, the day the SIR exercise began. Verification is mandatory. Biometric details are sent to district authorities and the state police. That takes time. Because of the volume, delays of two to three days are common. People wait outside the outpost gate on plastic sheets, newspapers or under halted trucks. We cannot assume everyone here is simply returning home, a BSF officer said. BSF personnel provide meals to those inside the camp, but people waiting outside depend on roadside stalls or occasional food distribution by local youth and shopkeepers. The surge has, however, strained local policing. We had 95 detainees in two days. No station has the space or facilities to hold so many. We stopped taking custody after that, an officer reportedly told the news agency. Officials said around 1,200 people have returned to Bangladesh after undergoing official procedures in the past six days. Nearly 60 people were still waiting on Saturday. As the sun dipped behind the barbed fence, a BSF jawan watched the line snake down the mud road. They came in the dark, he said, referring to years of night crossings. Now they leave in daylight, through the proper channel. That is the difference. During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had shot down Pakistan's Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) plane along with a handful of fighter jets. The AWACS was about 300 km away when hit, and bringing it down critically hampered Pakistan's ability to strike back, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh had said in August. AWACS is a modified aircraft equipped with a radar capable of detecting air traffic over large distances and at low altitudes. In simplest terms, they are planes tasked to monitor a nation's airspace in real-time. How could the Chinese PL-17s give Pakistan the edge? The - took another flight test! Its highly agile, manoeuvrable, carrying long range AAMs like the PL-17, with a jaw-dropping 400km range. China has won the 6 gen race, dominating the skiespic.twitter.com/vSJynLO0Ba PLA Military Updates (@PLA_MilitaryUpd) September 29, 2025 China's PL-17 is unparalleled in terms of range and the long-range missiles being integrated into Pakistans J-10C fleet could pose a real challenge to New Delhi, including a serious threat to its own "Big Birds" a.k.a AWACS. The People's Liberation Army Air Force's (PLAAF) most potent weapon was created to cripple the adversarys command, control, and surveillance ecosystem located even at great distances. ALSO READ | Rafale losing to J-10C? Shares of Dassault dip, Chinese fighter plane maker CAC soar US intelligence agencies claim that the UAE transferred technologies to the Chinese company Huawei, which China used to extend the range of air-to-air missiles (PL-15 and PL-17). This information is contained in the 2022 US intelligence data reviewed by the Financial Times. pic.twitter.com/ECkiNBvqxx USA Europe Asia (@usaeuropeasia) October 26, 2025 The initial setbacks that the IAF openly confessed to have suffered while striking the terror launchpads in Pak-occupied Kashmir was said to be a consequence of underestimating the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) J-10C fighters armed with the PL-15Es, Defence Central Asia said in a report. The PL-15E already outclasses many of Indias Beyond Visual Range (BVR) assets and the PL-17 now threatens New Delhi's AWACS, refuellers, ISR aircraft, and stand-off jammers, the report added. It named Indias Netra and Phalcon AWACS, IL-78 refuelling tankers, and long-range maritime surveillance aircraft as "exactly the types of high-value assets the PL-17 was built to destroy." ALSO READ | Chinese weapons, fighter jets will continue to dominate Pakistan's arsenal: Expert "The pairing of the PL-17 with the J-10C would effectively give Pakistan a stand-off anti-AWACS strike capability comparable to those traditionally reserved for major air powers such as the United States and China," Defence Central Asia said in a report. As a consequence, IAF will be forced to operate its AWACS and refuellers well inside its mainland, which could significantly reduce its radar coverage and capability to contribute to frontline operations. In case of AWACS, its early-warning timelines could well be affected if forced to stay deeper inside Indian airspace for its own safety. Two days after Pakistan declared that it has sealed an export deal for the JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets with an unnamed friendly nation at the Dubai Airshow 2025, a report claimed that the buyer could well be Bangladesh. FULL REPORT | Win for Pakistan as JF-17 Thunder Block III jet export deal sealed with friendly nation at Dubai Airshow 2025: Report In what is described as Bangladeshs largest fighter jet acquisition in history, Pakistan will hand over 16 to 24 aircraft valued at USD 400700 million to its neighbour, the Defence Security Asia said in a report. Myanmar, Nigeria, and Azerbaijan are other states to have bought the jets so far. The development comes weeks after Bangladesh decided to equip its Army with Chinese-made SY-400 Missile Systems.Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stopped short of revealing the identity, withheld due to strategic sensitivities. The speculation was further fuelled by the fact that Bangladesh is known for its discreet procurement strategy, often waiting until the last moment before making their defensive developments official, the Defence Security Asia report said. It added that the possibility of the MoU having been signed in Dhaka between Bangladesh Air Force officials and representatives of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) cannot be ruled out. Pakistan will also train BAF pilots to fly the jets and also provide maintenance support and spares, it added. Dhaka decided to look for alternatives to Russia fearing sanctions. Supply chain delays and engine dependencies are said to have forced them to distance themselves from their conventional defence partner, China. Bangladesh is said to have begun formal evaluation of the JF-17 in January 2025, evaluating all aspects including feasibility studies, pilot familiarisation, and technical briefings. The current Bangladesh Air Force fleet consists of aging F-7BG/MB fighters, MiG-29s, and Yak-130 trainers, which in no manner suits a modern air force with sea and land challenges to deal with. This is said to be the reason for the country to make a masterplan to modernise its forces by 2030. ALSO READ | From Pakistans ISI to Zakir Naik: How Bangladesh's new alliances threaten India's security Bangladesh, which was born after a war with Pakistan in 1971, is looking for affordable options to modernise its armed forces by 2030 and has zeroed in on JF-17 Thunder Block IIIs as a great asset for its Air Force (BAF). Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime, the relations between Dhaka and Islamabad have improved. Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interim chief adviser, even created a diplomatic stir by gifting a "Greater Bangladesh" map to a Pakistani general, appearing to incorporate parts of India's Northeast. Earlier this month, a top Bangladeshi diplomat has said that his country's ties with Pakistan have improved since last year, as he emphasised the need to establish direct sea links between Karachi and Chittagong to boost trade between the two nations. Bangladesh-Pakistan ties were at their lowest ebb during Sheikh Hasinas Awami League regime, particularly when it initiated in 2010 the trial of collaborators of Pakistani troops during the Liberation War. A violent student-led street movement toppled Hasina's government on August 5, 2024, paving the way for revitalising ties with Islamabad. CLAIM: Hot water bath cures cancer. FACT: False. Hot water baths do not cure cancer. Experts note that any benefits are limited to symptomatic relief, and there is no evidence that home hot baths can cure cancer. Hot water therapy should not be considered a substitute for medical treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or clinically supervised hyperthermia therapy. A reader recently asked us if hot baths cure cancer over our WhatsApp tipline. While they did not share where they came across the fantastical claim, a quick search on the web reveals that several videos are circulating on social media claiming that taking hot water baths, often referred to as hot water immersion therapy, can cure cancer. This video, for instance, shared by a supposed hospital with close to 7 lakh subscribers on YouTube, features 'Dr' Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, a popular online figure who reportedly has no medical qualification, speaking about how "hot water immersion therapy," along with other treatments, can help "reverse cancer." Another shows Acharya Manish, who calls himself an Ayurvedic practitioner and motivational speaker who emphasises prevention rather than cure," appearing on a podcast with comedian Bharti Singh, speaking of the benefits of the therapy for patients of kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease and even cancer. "I say people get bathtubs installed in their homes, but never use it. I would request you with folded hands that please use your bathtub too," he says, adding that people should sit for about 30 minutes in water that is about 38 to 40 degrees hot, to help cure them of such diseases. The same Acharya, on his own YouTube channel, which has over a million subscribers, speaks of "hot water immersion therapy," which he explains is where a person sits in a tub full of water heated to 40 degrees Celsius. "Sitting in it for some time is equivalent to dialysis. Sitting in can reduce pains also, even of cancer," he says, adding that the treatment is "prescribed" to all kidney disease and cancer patients that come to him for help. Does a hot bath cure cancer? No, a hot bath does not cure cancer. There is no large-scale scientific studies showing that hot water baths can cure cancer. While warm baths may provide temporary comfort or relaxation, they are not a medical therapy for cancer. In fact, if you listen to Acharya Manish in the last video mentioned, he is also speaking of how the therapy helps reduce pain in cancer patients. The confusion regarding the benefits of hot water baths often arises because a specialised medical procedure called hyperthermia therapy uses carefully controlled heat to make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation. This clinical treatment is completely different from a home hot bath and must be performed only under medical supervision. According to the National Cancer Institute in the United States, Hyperthermia can help other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, work better. The institute also states that treatment with hyperthermia requires special equipment and expertise and is not widely available. It is also not clear if it helps people live longer. However, while hot baths do not impact survival, warm-water therapies may still provide symptomatic relief. In 20201, a randomised controlled trial was conducted on 75 chemotherapy patients to evaluate whether a warm salt-water foot bath could help manage chemotherapy-induced fatigue. Patients were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group performed a 20-minute warm salt-water foot bath daily for seven days, while both groups received standard information about managing fatigue. The study found that warm salt water footbath can be an effective approach in enhancing fatigue-related quality of life in cancer patients. More studies should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of this intervention. The researchers observed that although overall fatigue scores did not differ significantly at baseline, the decrease in fatigueespecially behavioural, sensory, affective, and cognitive componentswas significantly greater in the foot-bath group. What is hyperthermia therapy and how does it differ from a hot bath? Hyperthermia therapy is an experimental cancer treatment in which body tissues are heated up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit or 45 degrees Celsius to damage and shrink tumours. It is usually used alongside chemotherapy or radiation. The heat can be delivered through local hyperthermia, where a small tumour is heated using energy sources such as microwaves, ultrasound or radiofrequency. It can also be delivered through regional hyperthermia, which involves heating an organ, limb or body cavity, for example, in HIPEC, where heated chemotherapy drugs are circulated inside the abdomen during surgery. In some cases, whole-body hyperthermia is used, where the temperature of the entire body is raised with a heated blanket, incubator or a bath of warm water when cancer has spread throughout the body. Some patients receive fever-range whole-body hyperthermia, which is a short and controlled fever that may help activate the immune system. None of these techniques can be replicated through hot bathing at home. Hyperthermia therapy requires specialised machines, temperature monitoring and trained oncologists. Researchers still classify hyperthermia as under investigation and in clinical trials, which means it is not widely available and is not yet proven to improve survival on its own. What do the experts say? Dr Gaurav Jaswal, Director and Consultant Radiation Oncologist at TGH-Onco Life Cancer Centre, Maharashtra, clarified that regular hot water baths do not cure cancer. He explained that Hot water treatment is a specialised form of therapy where we can expect some oncological control, but normal baths at home do not reach temperatures sufficient to provide any clinical benefit to the patient. He emphasised, It does not have any cancer-clearing effect or cancer-reducing effect. On the role of hyperthermia therapy, Dr Jaswal noted that it is often misunderstood. Clinical hyperthermia helps increase the temperature of the body and may make cancer cells more sensitive to the oncological treatments we are giving, such as radiation and chemotherapy. It aids these treatments rather than serving as a standalone therapy, he said. Regarding symptomatic relief from warm water baths, Dr Jaswal observed from clinical practice that they can help reduce fatigue and provide relaxation. Day-to-day, hot water therapy does help with pain relief, relaxation, and decreasing fatigue. But there is no clinical evidence that it can treat cancer, he said. Addressing the claims circulating on social media, Dr Jaswal advised caution. People should understand that taking hot water baths cannot cure cancer. Warm foot baths or baths may improve fatigue and mood, but they have no curative effect, he said. He also warned that in some skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or cutaneous myelosis, very hot baths can worsen symptoms. He added, Giving a clandestine opinion on social media about hot water curing cancer is clinically unsound. People should approach such claims with an open mind and make informed decisions rather than following misinformation. This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS. A recent study revealed that lactating mothers from several parts of Bihar had traces of Uranium (U238) in their breast milk. The researchers analysed milk samples from around 40 mothers from different districts of Bihar and found uranium in all of them. There is no standard for permissible levels of uranium in breast milk. However, the WHO sets a provisional limit of 30 micrograms per litre (ug/L) for uranium in drinking water. Germany has set a stricter standard of 10 micrograms per litre. The research concluded that overall, the levels of the heavy metals in the milk were far below permissible levels. Dr Ashok Sharma of AIIMS Delhi, who is a co-author of the study, told ANI, Our research found uranium in all 40 breast milk samples. While 70% of infants showed potential non-carcinogenic health risks, the overall uranium levels were still below permissible limits. Therefore, the actual health impact on mothers and infants is expected to be minimal. The breast milk samples had uranium levels of 0-5.25ug/L/L. "However, based on the observed uranium concentrations in breast milk samples (0-5.25 ug/L), the study still concludes that the actual impact on infant health is likely low, and most uranium absorbed by mothers is excreted primarily through urine, not concentrated in breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding remains recommended, unless a clinical indication suggests otherwise," Dr Sharma said. Nuclear scientist Dr Dnesh K Aswal, member of NDMA and former group director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, who spoke to NDTV, said that the levels were well within safe limits. "The levels detected are well within safe limits. In fact, the World Health Organisation's permissible threshold in drinking water is nearly six times higher than what has been observed," he said. The study found that the highest levels were found in samples found in Kathihar district, and the highest average contamination was found in Khagaria. Why is the uranium still a concern? Uranium is naturally present in rocks like granite and can seep into groundwater over time. Mining, coal combustion, nuclear industry operations and the use of phosphate fertilisers can increase the presence of the material in the environment. Infants are more vulnerable as their bodies are not efficient in eliminating the heavy metals. According to the findings, 70 per cent of the infants had HQ>1, which indicated that they could have non-carcinogenic health risks from uranium exposure through breast milk. Exposure to the material during infancy may affect kidney development, neurological development, and cognitive and mental health outcomes (including low IQ and neurological development delay) if exposure continues. Even though some infants had hazard quotient (HQ) values above 1, indicating possible health risks, the actual uranium levels in breast milk ranged from 0 to 5.25 micrograms per litre. Most uranium comes through the mothers urine, not concentrated in breast milk. Dr Sharma said. Why mothers should continue breastfeeding Despite the finding, the researchers and health experts have concluded that the mothers should continue breastfeeding as it's the best source of nutrition for the infants. Unless there is a specific clinical reason, mothers should continue to breastfeed, Dr Sharma added. The benefits of breast milk far outweigh the potential risks posed by uranium at the levels we observed. Dr Sharma also said that the researchers are planning to conduct more studies to understand the presence of heavy metals and their effects on human health. Past research has identified arsenic, lead and mercury in breast milk, and future studies will look at pesticides and other environmental contaminants. Cultural & Historical Significance Huntley originated as an English surname that evolved into a given name, deeply rooted in medieval English culture where occupational and locational surnames were common. The name combines 'hunt' from the Old English 'hunta' (hunter) with 'ley' from 'leah' (meadow or clearing), reflecting the importance of hunting in feudal society and the pastoral English landscape. As Christianity spread through England, many such occupational names were baptized into Christian usage, with the hunting symbolism often interpreted through biblical lenses of provision and stewardship. The name carries echoes of English country life, where hunting was both a practical necessity and a noble pursuit, blending practical survival skills with the peaceful imagery of meadowlands. In Christian tradition, the hunting aspect can symbolize the pursuit of spiritual goals or the seeking of God's truth, while the meadow represents the peace and abundance found in faith. This dual nature made the name appealing as it transitioned from surname to given name within Christian communities, representing both active faith and spiritual contentment. The Jammu and Kashmir Police's State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Saturday detained a man in connection with the November 10 blast near Delhi's Red Fort, that killed at least ten people. Identified as Tufail Niyaz Bhat, an electrician from Srinagar's Batamaloo area, he has been suspected of involvement in the 'white collar' terror module. Though Bhat's role in the blast has not yet been revealed to the public, a local CID official told Hindustan Times that there was now concrete evidence linking the electrician to the blast (and its planning). The case so far A Delhi court on Saturday has allowed Jasir Bilal Wani (alias Danish), another of the prime accused in the case, to meet his lawyer at the NIA headquarters. Wani was arrested in Srinagar by the NIA on November 17 for allegedly providing technical support for the terror attack by modifying drones and attempting to make rockets. This follows the arrest of four prime accused in the 'white collar' terror module by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Srinagar on Thursday, which has brought the total arrest tally in the case to six. The four suspects were soon produced before the District Sessions Judge at the Patiala House Court, after which they were sent to ten days' NIA custody. The fouridentified as Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai, Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather, Dr Shaheen Saeed, and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagaywere suspected of links to a "terror" module, and were also reportedly linked to the seizure of almost 3,000kg of explosives at Haryana's Faridabad. Jasir Bilal Wani, as well as Amir Rashid Ali (in whose name the car driven by Dr Umar un Nabi in the blast was registered), are the other accused who have been arrested so far. The Centres proposal to bring the Union Territory of Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Constitution has sparked a massive political row in Punjab, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accusing the Narendra Modi government of "conspiring to snatch" the states capital. The Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have also come out strongly against the move. According to a Parliament bulletin, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 was slated to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, beginning December 1, 2025. However, as the controversy raged, the government issued a clarification on Sunday, saying it has no intention of presenting any bill to this effect in the winter session. "The proposal to simplify the process of law-making exclusively by the Central Government for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is currently under consideration at the level of the Central Government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal," the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement. | | - PIB - Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) November 23, 2025 It added that the new proposal does not in any way involve altering the governance and administrative arrangements of Chandigarh or the traditional relations of the city with Punjab or Haryana. What is Article 240? Article 240 of the Constitution grants powers to the president to make regulations for the peace, progress and effective governance of the Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Puducherry. Bringing Chandigarh under the purview of this Article will empower the president to make regulations for the UT and legislate directly. The move could also pave the way for the appointment of an independent administrator in Chandigarh. Article 240 applies to Union territories without legislatures. It says that when a body is created under Article 239A to function as a legislature for a Union territory (as is the case in Puducherry), the president shall not make any regulation with effect from the day of the first meeting of the legislature. History of Chandigarh administration Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, was administered independently by the chief secretary since November 1, 1966, when the two states were formed as part of the Punjab Reorganization Act. However, since June 1, 1984, Chandigarh has been administered by the Punjab governor and the chief secretary's position was converted to Adviser to the UT Administrator. In 2016, the Centre made a proposal to restore the old practice, but the move was withdrawn after stiff opposition from the state parties, including the SAD, which was part of the NDA. Why they oppose Punjab has consistently staked its claim on Chandigarh. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asserted that the city will always remain an integral part of the state. Nobody can deny that being the parent state, Punjab has the sole right to its capital, Chandigarh, the AAP leader said. The Congress also echoed this view with the partys state president, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, calling the move "totally uncalled for". "Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and any attempt to snatch it away will have serious repercussions, he said. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal termed the move a "betrayal" of the commitments given by the Centre to restore Chandigarh to Punjab. He alleged that the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill sought to take the union territory permanently out of Punjab's administrative and political control. Four manager-level employees of a private company in Bengaluru were kidnapped on Saturday morning from the city's Koramangala area. The police have now arrested eight people and seized a Toyota Inova and a Maruthi Suzuki Wagon R, which they used for the crime. The four employees were working for a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company called Global Telecom Connect Pvt. Limited. The kidnapping occurred at around 1 am on Saturday. The employees were working late at night. The accused had gone to the call centre at midnight, called them downstairs and threatened them by posing as policemen. Once Pawan, Rajveer, Akash and Anas were out of the building, they were forced into the car and driven off. The accused then demanded a sum of Rs 25 lakh from the men. They transferred around Rs 8.90 lakh from their operation managers account to four different bank accounts of the relatives of the accused via online banking. Some reports say that the victims transferred around Rs 18.90 lakh. Police were later informed that the men had continued to demand physical cash until police arrived. Other BPO staff at the office noticed the four missing and called the police at around 4:30 am. The online cash transfer helped police locate the accused. Officers immediately jumped into action and formed four teams to search for the accused. At around 11 am, officials located the the men and found the four employees who were kidnapped at a lodge in Hoskote. DCP Fatima, who spoke to reporters, said that all eight of the accused hailed from Kolar district. The men were between the ages of 27 and 30 years. It's suspected that the accused may have used the recent call centre raids to their advantage to pose as policemen. A case was registered at the Koramangla police station, and officials are investigating the gang and their relation to the victims. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, talking about the significance of Indus River, recalled veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani's words and said, "Tomorrow, Sindh may return to India." Addressing an event in Delhi, Singh said, "Advani ji wrote in one of his books that Sindhi Hindus, especially those of his generation, still haven't accepted the matter of separation of Sindh from India." #WATCH | Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, "...Today, the land of Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilisationally, Sindh will always be a part of India. And as far as land is concerned, borders can change. Who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India again..." pic.twitter.com/9Wp1zorTMt ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2025 "Not just in Sindh, but throughout India, Hindus considered the Indus River (Sindhu in Hindi) sacred. Many Muslims in Sindh also believed that the water of the Indus was no less sacred than the Aab-e-Zamzam (holiest of the waters) of Mecca, the defence minister said. "This is Advani ji's quote. Today, the land of Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilisationally, Sindh will always be a part of India," Singh said. Saying borders can change, the defence minister added, "Who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India. Our people of Sindh, who hold the Indus River sacred, will always be our own; no matter where they are, they will always be ours." The Sindh province became a part of Pakistan after partition. The defence minister mentioned that a large segment of the Indus River went to the Pakistani side during partition, and the entire Sindh province is in Pakistan. "But, this does not mean that for us the importance of Sindhu, Sindh and Sindhi has lessened. It still holds the same importance as thousands of years ago," he added. Singh asserted that "even today people sing with pride, '...Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat, Maratha', and they will continue to sing, and forever sing it, and sing it till we exist". Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai on Sunday says he is cooling down after six-and-a-half years on the bench, and intends to take 810 days off, doing nothing, before returning to Delhi not as a power-centre former CJI, but as a private citizen committed to social work. CJI B.R. Gavai retires on Sunday. Justice Suryakant will take oath as 53rd Chief Justice of India on Monday (November 24). Rejecting all speculation about post-retirement assignments, Gavai says he will not accept any official position, and will instead devote time to NGOs already working in Maharashtra. In a candid farewell interaction, the countrys second Dalit CJI reflected on judicial independence, pendency, appointments, the presidential reference verdict, reservation, social media pressures and even the shoe-throwing incident he famously brushed off in court. Judicial independence, pendency and AI In his view, the judiciarys most urgent task remains reducing pendency. He believes artificial intelligence can be deployed meaningfully to tackle docket congestion. Pendency is a huge problem and employing AI, we can do it better, he says, adding that digital transformation must be a priority across courts. What, in his assessment, changed during his tenure? Independence of the judiciary, he says without hesitation. Yes, the collegium system is criticised, but for him the very complaints against it prove its value: It helps in the independence of the judiciary. But, a balanced approach needs to be there. On whether the government pushed back on judicial outcomes, his answer is categorical: No pressure from the executive. You have seen my judgments; they are not always palatable for the government. On appointments, transfers and dissent On appointments, Gavai argues the government is always taken on board, We always take the government on board. He points to the 107 judicial appointments cleared during his term. At the same time, he defends transfers as administrative necessities: Two or three instances are there. We transfer for better administration of justice. There is huge concentration in some high courts. He rejects criticism that the collegium promotes dynasties. This perception is wrong. Hardly 10 per cent. Appointment is solely based on merit. On the issue of why Justice B.V. Nagarathna's dissent regarding the elevation of one of the judges was not taken note of, he contextualises: If dissent had relevance, the other four judges wouldnt have agreed. For a name to go through, it should be 4:1. Women judges, social media and shoe-throwing Gavai concedes that consensus on appointing more women judges was elusive. There were collegium issues, we couldnt reach consensus, he says. He, however, insists representation is improving in the judiciarys own ranks, pointing to his own courtroom staff: Four court masters, two are women. The rising toxicity of online discourse is a concern. Social media has become a problem everywhere. Things you never say in court are put in your mouth. He recalls the shoe-throwing incident with unusual calm: It was a decision taken at the spot. I just ignored it. Reservation, caste and Ambedkarite grounding As Indias second Dalit chief justice, Gavai repeatedly returns to his fathers Ambedkarite influence. His upbringing shaped my outlook. Fundamental rights and directive principles must be given equal weight. On the reservation and the creamy layer debate for SC/ST communities, he is clear: This has to be done by the executive. Its a societal issue. Reservation is needed for those still backward. He cites his tenures interventions on caste discrimination and its entrenched social realities. The Presidential reference Gavai stresses that the Supreme Courts recent ruling on the powers of governors over pending state bills. Our Constitution rests on separation of powers. Parliament makes laws. The Court, he says, only clarified limits. We cannot overrule the judgment. We reiterated the law. There cannot be a straight-jacket formula. Facts matter. Justice Yadav, death penalty, pollution On the controversy involving Justice Shekhar Yadav, he declines to say more: We tried to take some action. Let the new CJI take it up. On the death penalty, he says trends are shifting: instead of confirming capital punishment, courts are balancing the nitty-gritty and increasingly thinking in terms of fixed timelines. Pollution, he admits, is a systemic failure: The approach must change. We cannot wake up only when levels spike. Enforcement cannot depend on the Supreme Court alone. A tenure of intensity and contentment Reflecting on his high-voltage 2021 remark, threatening to jail a fellow passenger on a flight after a woman was harassed for asking him to wear a mask, Gavai smiles: Enough is enough was spontaneous, he says. Ultimately, his takeaway is one of peace: Jo ho nahi sakta, uske baare mein kya sochna? I am satisfied and content that what I thought, I could do. As he steps away, with no office to occupy and no title to seek, B.R. Gavai seems intent on carrying the values he championed inside the courtroom into public service outside it. The Kerala Crime Branch will seek assistance from law enforcement agencies in multiple foreign countries as part of the investigation into the 2019 hacking incident involving the communication system of the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (Norka), a state government agency. The state government has granted approval to obtain legal assistance from the UK, Tunisia, Serbia and Saudi Arabia, Crime Branch officials said on Sunday. The case pertains to the hacking of Norka's BSNL Single Voice over Internet Protocol (SIP) line at its Kakkanad office in Kochi between September 1 and September 22, 2019. The line was being handled by a contract firm responsible for Norka's global operations. The incident surfaced after BSNL issued a bill of Rs 83.35 lakh for the operation of the SIP line made during the period. After a complaint was filed by Norka, the Kochi Cyber Police registered a case, which was later transferred to the Crime Branch, news agency PTI reported. The case was registered under Sections 43(a), 66 and 66C of the Information Technology Act. Officials said the investigation revealed the system was hacked by unknown persons and several international calls were made through the compromised line, based on which the agency decided to seek co-operation from authorities in the identified countries. As per a recent order by the Kerala Home Department, the Chief is permitted to send a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request to the United Kingdom through the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Since India does not have Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties with Tunisia, Serbia, or Saudi Arabia, investigators may send Letters Rogatory (LRs) to these countries. Officials said MLA requests must be routed through the MHA, while LR requests require court approval. After the court issues the LR, it will be forwarded to the MHA, which then sends it to the competent authority in the foreign nation. Crime Branch officials said the investigation remains pending, as crucial information from abroad is required to proceed. The Uttar Pradesh Police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) have launched an investigation after two Kashmiri PhD scholars from IIT Kanpur went missing suspiciously amid the ongoing probe into the Delhi car blast case. The institute officials stated that they have no information regarding the students' whereabouts for the last few weeks. According to reports, one of the students has been missing since October 18, while the second student went missing on November 10, on the day of the blast near Red Fort. Both of them joined IIT Kanpur in 2019 as PhD scholars. The security agencies are examining the student records and verifying movement logs to track them. Notably, the Uttar Pradesh government had sought a detailed report on the Kashmiri students residing in the state, in the wake of the blast that killed 13 people and injured over 30 others. Another arrest in J&K Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested a man from Srinagar on Saturday for alleged links with the 'white collar' terror module, which is suspected to be behind the Delhi car blast. The arrested person has been identified as Tufail Niyaz Bhat, a resident of the Batamaloo area. Six people have been arrested by the National Investigation (NIA) so far in connection with the blast case. They included key accused Amir Rashid Ali, co-accused Jasir Bilal Wani, and doctors Muzammil Ganaie, Adeel Rather and Shaheena Saeed, besides preacher Maulvi Irfan Ahmed Wagay. They all are presently in NIA custody. Two months after 41 people died in a tragic stampede during his rally at Karur, actor and Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay resumed his campaign from a college campus at Kanchipuram on the outskirts of Chennai. Returning to the public sphere again, the actor-politician took a dig at the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), accusing it of corruption, dynasty politics and abandoning the ideals floated by former chief minister C.N. Annadurai. Addressing the party cadres in a limited-access, closed-door meeting, actor Vijay said that he came into politics to do good for the people of the state, while questioning the DMK for not keeping up its promises on abolishing NEET. He said that when he comes to power, he would bring back education from the concurrent list to the state list and education for all. TVK did not make an empty claim like the DMK on ending NEET. Instead, we sought to bring back education to the state list. We will ensure that everyone completes at least one degree, and everyone has a motorcycle or a car to commute. We will elaborate all this in our manifesto, Vijay said. Stating that he was standing in Kanchipuram, the birthplace of Annadurai, from where he started his first public outreach, Vijay said his party stands strong on the ideals floated by Anna, unlike the DMK. After a period of great turmoil, our public outreach programme has resumed, and it begins again in Kancheepuram. We are following the path shown by Anna, who said, "Makkalidam Sel" (go to the people). But those who run the party today have deviated from Annas principles. He slammed the ruling DMK for questioning his partys ideology and asserted that the TVK was founded on solid ideological standpoints. For a party that declared Pirapokkum Ella Uyrikkum (all beings are equal by birth), how can they say we have no principles? We opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act even before our party was formed. We have been advocating for a caste census to ensure social justice for everyone. We were the first to approach the Supreme Court against the Waqf (amendment) Bill, Vijay added. He also took at the opposition AIADMK, saying that the party helmed by former chief minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) doesnt have a strong leader now, with an aim to position himself and his TVK as the primary force opposing the ruling DMK. Making his party workers repeat that the fight in the 2026 election is between the DMK and the TVK three times, Vijay, once again, wanted to reiterate that the AIADMK is not the opposition party. The most interesting aspect of Vijays speech on Sunday was when he replied to his party men being called as 'Tharkuris' (meaning a foolish or a stupid person) online, Vijay unleashed an anger against those calling him so and said, We are not 'tharkuris'. We are aachariyakuris (exclamation mark) we are maatrathirkaana arikuri (a sign of change) in Tamil Nadu politics. The Sunday meeting, that was attended by around 2,000 party men after they scanned a QR code to get into the venue, was again a show of strength by Vijay to say that he is still active in Tamil Nadu politics. But, during the speech, Vijay did not fail to promote his next movie Jananayakan by saying Blastu Blastu, the dialogue in the first single from the film which was released a few weeks ago. It may be recalled that the promotions for his Jananayakan had already started, and the audio launch of the film is scheduled to happen on December 27, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Iran has announced that it was withdrawing from the agreement that would have allowed international inspectors to return to its nuclear sites, a decision made only hours after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) demanded a full accounting of its enriched uranium stock and the condition of facilities struck during Israeli and American air raids in June. That 12-day conflict left several key sites damaged and has prevented the IAEA from conducting inspections ever since. Although President Donald Trump declared that Irans enrichment programme had been destroyed, many officials and independent experts doubt this claim and fear that the attacks may instead have strengthened Tehrans determination to pursue a nuclear deterrent. The deterioration accelerated after the IAEA adopted a resolution earlier this month that demanded precise information from Iran regarding nuclear material, safeguarded facilities and the access required to verify both. Tehran instantly dismissed the resolution as hostile and threatened retaliation. This reaction was consistent with the hardening mood in Iran since the June war, which had already led the government to suspend all cooperation with inspectors. For a brief moment in early September, there appeared to be hope of a reset when the IAEAs Director General reached an agreement in Cairo with Irans Foreign Minister to resume inspections. That understanding quickly faded as political tensions increased. Britain, France and Germany moved to trigger the snapback mechanism of the 2015 nuclear agreement, reinstating United Nations sanctions that had previously been lifted. Tehran responded with anger, insisting it would no longer implement the Cairo agreement. Following the IAEAs latest resolution, Iran formally notified the agency that it was terminating the Cairo arrangement and warned that further steps could follow. Officials also rejected any renewed access to bombed sites such as Fordo and Natanz and continued to refuse entry to a suspected new enrichment location known as Pickaxe Mountain. With inspectors kept out, the status of Irans nuclear stockpile has become impossible to verify. Analysts estimate that Iran retains roughly 400kg of uranium enriched to sixty per cent, which is perilously close to weapons grade. That quantity is believed to be sufficient for several nuclear devices. Conflicting claims from Israel and Iran suggest that this material is either buried under rubble or has been discreetly moved elsewhere. Either scenario deepens the uncertainty that surrounds Irans programme. This lack of visibility has created what many analysts describe as a dangerous stalemate. Without inspections or diplomacy, mistrust grows on all sides. Israeli officials believe that the June strikes were only a partial success and have hinted that a further operation may be necessary if Iran edges closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Many Gulf states have come to view another confrontation as almost inevitable. Irans leadership appears to share this expectation and has begun preparing for a potential new war. Senior officials have spoken of plans to launch as many as 2,000 missiles simultaneously in any future conflict, far more than the 500 fired in June. The intention is to overwhelm Israels air defence systems and to demonstrate that Iran remains capable of powerful retaliation despite the damage inflicted earlier in the year. As military tension grows, Iran finds itself increasingly isolated. The reimposition of United Nations sanctions has deepened an economic crisis that was already eroding living standards. Tehran now has fewer international partners than at any point in recent decades and has turned more heavily toward Moscow. Russia is seen in Tehran as an indispensable ally, able to provide economic support, military hardware and political cover. The two countries have announced ambitious cooperation on nuclear energy, including a multibillion-dollar project to build the Hormoz Nuclear Power Plant. Iran is also acquiring Russian weapons and defence systems, including dozens of Su 35 fighter jets. The presence of Russian personnel at Iranian facilities may inadvertently deter further Israeli or American strikes, as both countries have previously avoided attacking sites linked to Russia. With most international observers now excluded, Russia is becoming almost the only major power able to comment on the nature of Irans nuclear activities. Western states still hope for a diplomatic opening, and Trump has said he remains willing to discuss a new agreement. Iran has rejected calls for direct talks and refuses to halt enrichment. As a result, Irans nuclear programme now appears to be moving toward higher levels of enrichment with minimal scrutiny, supported by a deepening partnership with Russia and shaped by the expectation of further conflict. Exactly 20 years ago, writer-director Stephen Gaghan released an intricate geopolitical thriller, the kind of which is unlikely to get made. It was my introduction to "hyperlink cinema" a term popularised by critic Roger Ebert before realising that I've encountered similar examples earlier, most notably Gaghan's own brilliant screenplay of the multi-Oscar winning Traffic (directed by Steven Soderbergh), Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's Amores Perros, Quentin Tarantinos Pulp Fiction, and Satyajit Ray's Kanchenjunga. Syriana tracks intriguing machinations of slimy corporate executives and cunning lawyers, espionage, disillusionment, terrorism, shifting alliances, betrayal, and above all, the race for oil all captured with the necessary immediacy by master cinematographer Robert Elswitt (There Will Be Blood, Nightcrawler). If not for Gaghan's name under the director credit, the film would've possibly been mistaken for something made by Michael Mann, given the nail-biting faux documentary quality that was strongly felt in the latters The Insider, Heat, and Collateral. Instead of following a single central protagonist, we get multiple protagonists from several narrative strands that are inextricably linked, each exploring the events that shape the life of the individual. Gaghan's bold narrative accommodates an incredibly complex, multi-layered story that spans continents, exploring the invisible threads that bind multinational corporations, governments, espionage agents, immigrant workers, lawyers, and an energy analyst. George Clooney is CIA field agent Bob Barnes, who oversees a missile deal involving Iranian arms dealers. When a missile is diverted to an Egyptian terror group, Bob reports his suspicions. His superiors, made uneasy by his memos, offer him a desk job but first assign him to assassinate a Middle Eastern prince. Barnes travels to Beirut for the task, but complications arise, and the CIA distances itself from him. Along the way, we meet Prince Nasir (Alexander Siddig), a good-hearted idealist who opposes his father's decision to make his younger brother the next Emir. Nasir's decision to grant natural gas drilling rights to a Chinese company angers the American firm Connex. When the latter learns that Killen, a rival, has secured rights in Kazakhstan, they seek a merger. This attracts the attention of the U.S. Justice Department and Dean Whiting (Christopher Plummer), a powerful lawyer who assigns Bennett Holiday (Jeffrey Wright) to the case. Whiting persuades Nasir's family to accept his help. Matt Damon plays Bryan Goodman, an energy analyst in Switzerland hired by Nasir, after the former experiences a personal tragedy. Concurrent events comprise the story of migrant Pakistani labourers working in one of Connex's oil plants in another Middle Eastern country. An unexpected Chinese takeover leaves them jobless. While seeking new prospects, two of the young workers strike up a friendship with an Egyptian fundamentalist who, seeing them as potential candidates for an upcoming mission, invites them to a garage tour where the very same missile that Barnes sold earlier is discovered. Without giving anything away, everything leads to a tense finale that begs the expression, "Two birds with one stone." Despite the films overall icy and detached tone, it invites some stirring emotions courtesy of the recurring theme of the father-son dynamic that dominates each narrative strand. Barnes has a college-going son who is irked by the fact that both his parents are "professional liars" and feels betrayed by his father. Elsewhere, another son, Prince Nasir, is actually betrayed by his father. In the meantime, a father mourns the loss of his son. In another part of the globe, a grown-up, well-to-do man awkwardly deals with his fractured relationship with his father. And there is, of course, the migrant father who is about to lose his son to terrorists. Syriana is a classic conspiracy thriller in the vein of some of the best examples in the genre from the 1970s The Parallax View, All the President's Men, and Three Days of the Condor, to name a few. Loosely based on the book "See No Evil", by Robert Baer, an ex-CIA employee, the film's complex screenplay understandably caused significant confusion among many moviegoers and critics. However, those who were enamoured with it have returned to it more than twice, discovering new layers upon each revisit. It has been the case with me. Syriana is exactly the kind of multi-layered, dialogue-driven story that always gives me the kicks. While not all answers are offered on a silver platter, Syriana continues to be undoubtedly rewarding to this day. At a few points in the narrative, Gaghan challenges us to put two and two together instead of doing it for us. There are areas where we are as much in the dark as some of its characters, unclear about who is really pulling all the strings and who is doing what to whom and why a pretty good reflection of the current state of our world. Individuals named Huon are often perceived as possessing a blend of traditional values and adventurous spirit, reflecting the name's medieval literary heritage. They tend to exhibit qualities of leadership, integrity, and a strong sense of honor, much like the legendary knight Huon of Bordeaux. These individuals often demonstrate resilience in facing challenges and maintain a principled approach to life's difficulties, showing determination without sacrificing their moral compass. There's frequently an intellectual curiosity and appreciation for history or literature that accompanies the name, along with a quiet confidence that doesn't need constant validation. Huons are typically seen as reliable and steadfast, with a depth of character that develops over time, making them valued friends and colleagues who bring stability and wisdom to their relationships. They often possess a natural authority that comes from inner strength rather than outward assertion, and they tend to approach life with both practicality and imagination. Days after almost 200 staff were laid off from Petrofac UAE, a British international energy services company, reports state that the unpaid gratuity owed to the staff could exceed AED 27 million. However, much to the concern of the laid off employees, the company is yet to give them a clear answer on gratuity or settlements. Petrofac was forced to lay off employees after it lost a a two-gigawatt Dutch offshore wind transmission programme, pushing the group to cut off staff during a Town Hall meeting on November 18. They were told that their roles were ending, with November 19 set as their last working day. However, employees said the company failed to follow rules or ethics. We knew the company was going through a bad financial phase. A few of our colleagues had already resigned because they saw this coming. But layoffs still have to be done properly. There is a law, and there are ethics. None of that is being followed here, an employee told Khaleej Times. The report added that he estimated his own gratuity to be around Dh600,000, adding that collectively, terminated employees may be owed more than Dh27 million. We know businesses face ups and downs, but they still need to follow proper procedures. We just want what we have earned over the years. The employees alleged that not a single person was told when their end-of-service benefits would be paid, and they feel it was clear that the company had no intention to pay them anytime soon. They only gave me a partial amount. Some employees are owed nearly $200,000 (Dh734,500). We are not asking for anything extra, just what the law guarantees us, an employee told Khaleej Times. There are reports that Internal HR emails indicated that November salaries will be paid only for days worked up to the 18th or 19th, and instructed staff to clear desks, return IT equipment, and update personal contact details. There was no word of the end-of-the service payouts. However, Arabian Business reported that some staff were planning to approach the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) against this. However, many are concerned about potential issues related to insolvency. The report quoted another manager who cited an internal Q&A which stated Petrofacs EOS liability in the UAE is roughly $65 million and that the company does not have the funds to pay that out all at once. US President Donald Trump on Sunday called Ukraine ungrateful and targeted the European Union for continuing trade ties with Russia. Trump's outburst comes as officials from Ukraine, the European Union and the US are discussing Trump's 28-point peace plan to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Trump's outburst signals he is seemingly unhappy with the "amendments" Ukraine has reportedly sought in the peace plan. A while ago, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country's delegation is working out "doable solutions" in Geneva to end the conflict. "Currently, there is an understanding that the American proposals may include a number of elements based on Ukrainian perspectives and critical for Ukrainian national interests. Further work is ongoing to make all elements truly effective in achieving the main goal anticipated by our people: to finally put an end to the bloodshed and war," Zelenskyy tweeted. However, Trump, in a post on Truth Social, charged that Ukraine has expressed "zero gratitude" for the US's efforts. Trump said the war wouldn't have happened if there were strong, proper leadership in both countries. Joe Biden was the president of US when the war broke out. "It began long before I took office for a second term, during the sleepy Joe Biden administration, and has only gotten worse," Trump said. "I inherited a war that should have never happened, a war that is a loser for everyone, especially the millions of people that have so needlessly died," he added. "Ukraine 'leadership' has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts, and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia. The USA continues to sell massive amounts of weapons to NATO, for distribution to Ukraine (crooked Joe gave everything, free, free, free, including 'big' money!)," Trump charged in his post. The 28-point blueprint drawn up by the US to end the nearly four-year war has sparked alarm in Kyiv and European capitals. The plan permits many Russian demands that Zelenskyy has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. In a Telegram post, Ukraine's top security official, Rustem Umerov, said, "We appreciate our American partners working closely with us to understand our concerns to reach this critical point, and we expect to make more progress today." Amid speculations that the marriage of US Vice President J D Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance could be on the rocks, the latter emerged without her wedding ring, causing a stir online. Usha was visiting Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps facility in North Carolina, alongside First Lady Melania Trump on Wednesday, when photographers caught her without her wedding band on her left hand. Soon, rumour mills were abuzz that the couple could be heading for a split, and even the social media handle of Democrats took a jibe at Vance sleeping on the couch. However, now the spokesperson of Usha has put to rest all speculations regarding her marital status. Usha is a mother of three young children, who does a lot of dishes, gives lots of baths, and forgets her ring sometimes, the spokesperson told People. I took this video of our First Lady Melania Trump & Second Lady Usha Vance departing North Carolina after a full day meeting with troops, their families and young students. I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, this duo is unstoppable. These two women have been so unfairly pic.twitter.com/g1Vi3tOGhU Link Lauren (@itslinklauren) November 20, 2025 Usha and JD Vance have been married since 2014 and share three children: sons Ewan, 8, and Vivek, 5, and daughter Mirabel, 3. The couple, who had put up a united front during the campaign and inauguration, first triggered rumours after Erika Kirk, wife of slaim conservative activist Charlie Kirk, hugged Vance during an event. Erika was seen moving her hand to the back of Vances head, and his hands briefly rested on her waist. The incident went viral after Erika gave a tearful speech, during which she said she sees similarities between her late husband and JD while introducing the vice president. "No one will ever replace my husband. But I do see some similarities between my husband in JD in Vice President JD Vance. I do. And that's why I am so blessed to be able to introduce him tonight, she said. Vance fuelled further rumours when he said he wished Usha, a Hindu, would convert to Christianity. As Ive told her, and Ive said publicly, and Ill say now in front of 10,000 of my closest friends: Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved by church? Yes, 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 told attendees at a Turning Point USA event in Mississippi last month. Amid reports that US President Donald Trump is mooting a 28-point plan to bring peace in Ukraine, the analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have predicted how long it would take Russia to capture the prized Donbas region. The pace of the Russian invasion has picked up since the August 15 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Two months after the crucial meeting, Russia has seized approximately 908 square kilometers of additional territory in Ukraine. This area is roughly equivalent in size to Berlin, the analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) claimed. Experts note that some of these territorial gains were due to seasonal weather (fog and rain), which impaired the Ukrainian Armed Forces' ability to use drones. However, the speed of Russian advancement will likely slow as weather conditions stabilise. Despite recent successes, ISW predicts that it will take Russia years to capture Donbas. Analysts claim that Russia's success is inevitable, and the Kremlin is now making significant efforts to force Ukraine to capitulate. VIDEO: Why is the Donbas so important to both Russia and Ukraine? Russia's army has launched a renewed push on Pokrovsk, a strategic city in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region. Should it fall to Moscow, it would leave open the way to Ukraine's "fortress belt"#AFPVertical pic.twitter.com/4VLBkC2XGE AFP News Agency (@AFP) November 8, 2025 Even Trump is convinced that Ukraine will soon lose Donbas. He stated that Ukraine will be forced to give up even the lands it didn't lose during the standoff with Russia. "They will lose the territory soon, yes," he said. Realising the fact that they wouldnt be able to seize the territory by force, the Kremlin is intensifying its campaign to force Ukraine to surrender critical territories in the Donetsk region. The report added that continued military aid from Europe and European funding for American arms sales will likely allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend the "Fortress Belt" in the Donetsk region for several years and perhaps even recapture some Russian gains. Earlier, there were reports that Russians are conducting a strategic offensive operation in the Pokrovsk area to break through the Ukrainian defenses and occupy the Donetsk region. The Russian Federation has concentrated a large number of personnel in the Pokrovsk, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky, told The New York Post . The enemy tried to create a local advantage - a significant part of the group was sent to the area: of the approximately 700 thousand Russian military personnel estimated to be in Ukraine, approximately 150 thousand were involved near Pokrovsk. Large mechanised units and four marine brigades were also involved in the offensive, he added. According to Syrsky, the Russians want to capture Pokrovsk and neighboring cities from the north, south, and east and prevent supplies from passing through. Then, civilians will leave Pokrovsk, and the Russians will be able to make a "final maneuver" in the Donetsk region. Police authorities in Canada on Friday arrested Indian-origin fugitive Nicholas Singh after a "Canada-wide warrant" was issued for his arrest in 2024. Singh, who was ranked #15 on the Bolo Program's list of 25 most-wanted fugitives, was serving a "five-year, five-month and 10-day sentence for robbery and firearm-related charges when he went on the run on May 31, 2024". We congratulate @TorontoPolice, @TPS14Div and @OPP_News ROPE Squad for the arrest of Bolos #15, Nicholas Singh, in Toronto, on November 21, 2025. Singh was wanted for being unlawfully at large. He was serving a five-year, five-month and 10-day sentence for robbery and pic.twitter.com/Brfp3weKcY Bolo Program | Programme Bolo (@BoloProgram) November 23, 2025 BOLO is a common law enforcement term meaning 'be on the lookout'. According to the Ontario Provincial Police, Nicholas Singh was sought by the Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad since he went unlawfully at large on May 31, and has been taken into custody by the Toronto Police. The 23-year-old was previously convicted of discharging a restricted/prohibited firearm with intent, robbery using a restricted/prohibited firearm, and possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order. Still, he was allegedly caught with a firearm, extended magazine, and ammunition when he was arrested on Friday, the Toronto Police said, as per a Toronto Sun report. The report added that he was located in a vehicle near Bathurst and Dupont Sts at about 11:20 PM on Friday night (local time), after which he was arrested "without incident". Police authorities later said that the ROPE Squad had been closely tracking his activities, and finally zeroed in on him after a crucial community tip. Singh now faces new charges that include: a) Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence and registration certificate b) Possession of a firearm other than restrict or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a licence c) Possession of a prohibited/restricted weapon or prohibited device knowing no authority d) Occupying a motor vehicle with firearm e) Possession of a loaded regulated firearm f) Possession of a firearm with an altered serial number In 1968, a group of armed Naxalites, inspired by leftist revolutions around the world and driven by Mao Zedongs ideology, launched an attack on a police camp in Pulpally in Wayanad district in Kerala. After killing a policeman, they fled into the forest but were captured within a few days. A college student, Philip M. Prasad was one of those who took part in the attack. In jail, he thought deeply about human life, turned towards spirituality and soon became a staunch devotee of Sathya Sai Baba. Guess what, the attack [on the police camp] took place on November 23, 1968, Babas birthday, said Prasad. By the time I entered jail, I had already been disillusioned with Marxism. The transformation to spirituality did not happen overnight. When I look back at those early steps of change, I am convinced there is a such a thing as soul reincarnation. Once my soul must have been that of a Hindu sanyasi. But how did a Naxalite, who once dreamt of creating an egalitarian world through violence, undergo such a transformation? Was the divine truly greater than equality achieved by force? I was born a Syrian Christian, in the Mar Thoma tradition, and was raised in those beliefs. Even in jail, I used to recite the Lords Prayer. For nine consecutive nights, I could not sleepmy mother had taught me that prayer. Tears gushed from my eyes; unstoppable. I thought I was going mad. It was then that the first seed of faith began to germinate. It was in jail that Prasad first encountered devotees of Baba. They offered me an orange. In anger, I squeezed it and threw it at them. It hit a man on his head, and he turned around and simply smiled. From that moment onwards, strange coincidences began to unfolda chain of small miracles that, when pieced together, revealed a meaning and purpose, Prasad said. During the six years he spent in prison, Prasad learned Sanskrit and studied the Gita, along with scriptures from other religions. The Gita had already entered powerfully into me before I came to jail, but it was out of jail that I began to take it seriously, said Prasad. During his time in jail, he had not read much about Baba. But on November 19, 1984, something inexplicable happened. A copper ring materialised in my suitcase. It was slightly warm and had the image of Shirdi Sai Baba imprinted in it. I investigated every possible explanationand found none, he said. That moment marked the beginning of his devotion to Shirdi Sai Baba. And, on January 1, 1985, I reached Puttaparthi to meet Sathya Sai Baba. Even before I entered the ashram, tears began to flow uncontrollably from my eyes, he said. I sat there, surrounded by many others, reciting the Lords Prayer. He [Sathya Sai Baba] looked at mea powerful, piercing gaze that went straight through me. That very day, I decided to give up three bad habits. I instantly gave up smoking and drinking. But the thirdmy anarchic sexual habitstook me longer to overcome. Baba granted Prasad long interviews on at least three occasions. But I did something against his wishes, Prasad, 78, admitted. I converted to Hinduism. He never wanted me to do that. Nihon M&A Center Holdings Inc. (OTCMKTS:NHMAF Get Free Report)s share price dropped 3.5% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $4.56 and last traded at $4.56. Approximately 100 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 429 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.7250. Nihon M&A Center Price Performance The firms 50-day moving average is $5.27 and its 200 day moving average is $5.07. About Nihon M&A Center (Get Free Report) Nihon M&A Center Holdings Inc provides mergers and acquisition (M&A) related services in Japan and internationally. The company offers M&A support services, such as reorganization, capital policies, and MBO for small and medium-sized enterprises. Nihon M&A Center Holdings Inc was incorporated in 1991 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Nihon M&A Center Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nihon M&A Center and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares (NYSEARCA:HIBS Get Free Report) shares rose 10.4% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $7.28 and last traded at $7.25. Approximately 3,101,619 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 408% from the average daily volume of 610,413 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.57. Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares Trading Down 5.5% The business has a fifty day moving average price of $6.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.54. Get Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Choreo LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $2,366,000. Prosperity Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares by 213.9% in the 3rd quarter. Prosperity Wealth Management Inc. now owns 249,733 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,621,000 after purchasing an additional 170,165 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC boosted its position in Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares by 3.6% in the first quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 30,651 shares of the companys stock valued at $775,000 after buying an additional 1,070 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC bought a new stake in shares of Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares during the second quarter worth $219,000. Finally, Group One Trading LLC acquired a new position in shares of Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares during the third quarter worth $28,000. Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares Company Profile The Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares (HIBS) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 High Beta index. The fund provides 3x daily inverse exposure to a beta-weighted index of 100 highest-beta stocks in the S&P 500. HIBS was launched on Nov 7, 2019 and is managed by Direxion. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Direxion Daily S&P 500 High Beta Bear 3X Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Strathcona Resources Ltd. (OTCMKTS:BKBEF Get Free Report) shares traded down 2.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $1.3680 and last traded at $1.3740. 83,600 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 118% from the average session volume of 38,292 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.41. Strathcona Resources Stock Down 2.6% The companys 50 day moving average is $1.37 and its 200 day moving average is $1.37. Strathcona Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Strathcona Resources Ltd. acquires, explores for, develops, and produces petroleum and natural gas reserves in western Canada. The company has 100% interests in the Cactus Lake property located to the south of Macklin, Saskatchewan; the Winter property located to the northwest of Unity, Saskatchewan; and the Court property located to the southeast of Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Strathcona Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Strathcona Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:JHCB Get Free Report)s stock price rose 0.1% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $21.64 and last traded at $21.61. Approximately 35,579 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 87% from the average daily volume of 18,978 shares. The stock had previously closed at $21.59. John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF Stock Up 0.4% The stocks fifty day moving average price is $21.79 and its 200 day moving average price is $21.48. Get John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Legacy CG LLC purchased a new position in shares of John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $8,709,000. Granite Bay Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF by 12.8% in the 3rd quarter. Granite Bay Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,512,592 shares of the companys stock worth $32,853,000 after buying an additional 171,565 shares during the last quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC lifted its position in John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF by 452.7% in the 2nd quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 69,082 shares of the companys stock worth $1,481,000 after buying an additional 56,583 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF by 326.4% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 65,185 shares of the companys stock worth $1,384,000 after buying an additional 49,899 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new position in John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF during the third quarter valued at approximately $733,000. About John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF The John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF (JHCB) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate Bond index. The fund is actively managed to focus on investment-grade corporate bonds, of any maturity, that are perceived as undervalued. JHCB was launched on Mar 30, 2021 and is managed by John Hancock. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Individuals named Ignado are typically characterized by intense passion, boundless energy, and a transformative approach to life. They possess a natural magnetism that draws others to their causes and ideas, often serving as catalysts for change in their communities and professions. Their fiery nature manifests as both creative inspiration and occasional impulsiveness, with a tendency to approach challenges with burning determination rather than cautious deliberation. Ignados are known for their quick wit, emotional intensity, and ability to ignite enthusiasm in others, making them natural leaders and innovators. However, this same fiery temperament can sometimes lead to impatience or conflicts when their passionate convictions clash with more measured perspectives. They thrive in environments that allow for dynamic expression and transformation, often excelling in creative fields, activism, or any pursuit requiring visionary thinking and the courage to challenge established norms. Their personality reflects the dual nature of fire itselfboth life-giving warmth and destructive powercreating complex individuals capable of profound creation and necessary destruction in equal measure. Becle, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:BCCLF Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 0.7% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $1.20 and last traded at $1.20. 19,251 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 55% from the average session volume of 42,944 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.1920. Becle Stock Performance The businesss 50 day moving average price is $1.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.20. About Becle (Get Free Report) Becle, SAB. de C.V. manufactures and distributes spirits and other distilled beverages in Mexico, the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company offers tequila under the 1800, Jose Cuervo Especial, Jose Cuervo Tradicional, Reserva de la Familia, Gran Centenario, and Maestro Dobel brand names; whiskey, including North American whiskey under the Stranahans, Tincup, and Pendleton brands, as well as Irish whiskey under the Bushmills, Proper No. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Becle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Becle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mesabi Trust (NYSE:MSB Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $29.28 and traded as high as $35.85. Mesabi Trust shares last traded at $33.60, with a volume of 37,041 shares. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Mesabi Trust in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy. Get Mesabi Trust alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Mesabi Trust Mesabi Trust Trading Down 9.1% Mesabi Trust Increases Dividend The stock has a market cap of $400.16 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.31 and a beta of 0.59. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $32.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $29.30. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 30th were given a dividend of $0.34 per share. This is a positive change from Mesabi Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 30th. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.5%. Mesabi Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently 19.24%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mesabi Trust A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. EagleClaw Capital Managment LLC grew its stake in shares of Mesabi Trust by 13.4% in the first quarter. EagleClaw Capital Managment LLC now owns 165,225 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $4,494,000 after buying an additional 19,500 shares in the last quarter. Redhawk Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Mesabi Trust during the second quarter worth approximately $818,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Mesabi Trust in the second quarter valued at about $329,000. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Mesabi Trust by 19.8% in the 1st quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 24,421 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $664,000 after purchasing an additional 4,034 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in Mesabi Trust by 1.5% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 77,213 shares of the mining companys stock worth $2,100,000 after buying an additional 1,127 shares in the last quarter. About Mesabi Trust (Get Free Report) Mesabi Trust, a royalty trust, engages in iron ore mining business in the United States. Mesabi Trust was founded in 1961 and is based in New York, New York. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mesabi Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mesabi Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$31.10 and traded as high as C$32.92. Laurentian Bank of Canada shares last traded at C$32.47, with a volume of 146,187 shares traded. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Desjardins upped their price target on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$29.00 to C$30.00 and gave the stock a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$29.00 to C$31.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$32.00 to C$33.00 in a research note on Friday, October 10th. CIBC lifted their price target on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$33.00 to C$35.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, Raymond James Financial boosted their price target on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$28.00 to C$30.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of C$30.71. Get Laurentian Bank of Canada alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Laurentian Bank of Canada Laurentian Bank of Canada Price Performance The company has a market cap of C$1.46 billion, a PE ratio of 10.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.47. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of C$32.78 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$31.14. Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 29th. The company reported C$0.73 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.72 by C$0.01. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a negative return on equity of 0.20% and a negative net margin of 0.30%.During the same period last year, the business posted $0.88 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 3.8414986 EPS for the current year. Laurentian Bank of Canada Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Saturday, November 1st were issued a $0.47 dividend. This represents a $1.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.7%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 1st. Laurentian Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 61.64%. About Laurentian Bank of Canada (Get Free Report) Laurentian Bank of Canada provides personal banking, business banking and real estate and commercial financing to its personal, business, and institutional customers across Canada and the United States. The company reports three operating segments: personal, business services, and capital markets. The personal segment offers financial services to retail clients. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of NASB Financial Inc. (OTCMKTS:NASB Get Free Report) crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $35.11 and traded as high as $36.00. NASB Financial shares last traded at $36.00, with a volume of 1,200 shares changing hands. NASB Financial Price Performance The companys 50-day simple moving average is $35.12 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $34.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $259.52 million, a P/E ratio of 9.73 and a beta of 0.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.37. Get NASB Financial alerts: NASB Financial Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 12th were paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.9%. This is an increase from NASB Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. NASB Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.84%. About NASB Financial NASB Financial, Inc operates as a unitary thrift holding company for North American Savings Bank, F.S.B. that provides various banking products and services in the United States. The company offers checking, savings, money market, and certificate of deposit accounts. It also mortgages and refinancing products, including conventional, veterans administration, federal housing administration, jumbo, and IRA residential real-estate loans. Read More Receive News & Ratings for NASB Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NASB Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Forterra plc (LON:FORT Get Free Report) passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 182.14 and traded as low as GBX 173. Forterra shares last traded at GBX 174.60, with a volume of 582,673 shares. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades FORT has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on Forterra from GBX 261 to GBX 208 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 20th. Peel Hunt reiterated an add rating and set a GBX 230 price objective on shares of Forterra in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 320 target price on shares of Forterra in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a hold rating and set a GBX 220 price target on shares of Forterra in a research note on Monday, September 8th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on Forterra from GBX 176 to GBX 210 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 234.67. Get Forterra alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Forterra Forterra Price Performance Insider Activity The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 59.58, a current ratio of 1.79 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The company has a market capitalization of 364.88 million, a P/E ratio of 23.38, a PEG ratio of 0.30 and a beta of 1.25. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is GBX 181.76 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 189.50. In other Forterra news, insider Nigel Lingwood purchased 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 180 per share, for a total transaction of 90,000. Insiders own 0.45% of the companys stock. About Forterra (Get Free Report) Forterra is a leading UK manufacturer of essential clay and concrete building products, with a unique combination of strong market positions in clay bricks, concrete blocks and precast concrete flooring. Our heritage dates back many decades and the durability, longevity and inherent sustainability of our products is evident in the construction of buildings that last for generations; wherever you are in Britain, you wont be far from a building with a Forterra product within its fabric. Our clay brick business combines our extensive secure mineral reserves with modern and efficient high-volume manufacturing processes to produce large quantities of extruded and soft mud bricks, primarily for the new build housing market. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Forterra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Forterra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Vantage Drilling and Royal Vopaks gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Vantage Drilling $239.27 million 0.00 $27.81 million $0.75 N/A Royal Vopak $1.42 billion 3.44 $406.55 million $4.53 9.37 Get Vantage Drilling alerts: Royal Vopak has higher revenue and earnings than Vantage Drilling. Vantage Drilling is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Royal Vopak, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Vantage Drilling 5.56% -23.51% -12.76% Royal Vopak 37.14% 12.16% 5.72% Volatility and Risk This table compares Vantage Drilling and Royal Vopaks net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Vantage Drilling has a beta of 0.23, meaning that its stock price is 77% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Royal Vopak has a beta of 0.66, meaning that its stock price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Royal Vopak beats Vantage Drilling on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Vantage Drilling (Get Free Report) Vantage Drilling Company is in liquidation. Previously, the company was engaged in the provision of offshore contract drilling services for multinational oil and natural gas companies, government owned oil and natural gas companies, and independent oil and natural gas producers in the United States and internationally. Vantage Drilling Company was founded in 2007 and is based in Houston, Texas. About Royal Vopak (Get Free Report) Koninklijke Vopak N.V., an independent tank storage company, stores and handles liquid chemicals, gases, and oil products to the energy and manufacturing markets worldwide. The company operates LPG and chemical gas, industrial, chemical, and oil terminals; and owns and operates specialized facilities consisting of tanks, jetties, truck loading stations, and pipelines. It stores and handles chemicals, such as methanol, xylenes, styrene, alpha olefins, and mono-ethylene glycol; gas, including LNG, LPG, ethylene, butadiene, and ammonia; oil products consisting of crude oil, fuel oil, diesel, jet fuel, gasoline, and naphtha; and vegoils and biofuels comprising ethanol, biodiesel, and sustainable aviation fuel. In addition, the company is involved in the development of infrastructure solutions within ports for low-carbon and renewable hydrogen, CO2, long-duration energy storage, and sustainable fuels and feedstocks. Further, it operates 76 terminals in 23 countries with a storage capacity of 35.2 million cubic meters. It serves producers, manufacturers, distributors, governments, traders, and chemical and energy companies. The company was founded in 1616 and is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Receive News & Ratings for Vantage Drilling Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vantage Drilling and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Risk & Volatility Escalon Medical has a beta of 0.25, suggesting that its stock price is 75% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Remedent has a beta of -0.3, suggesting that its stock price is 130% less volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares Escalon Medical and Remedents net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Escalon Medical alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Escalon Medical 0.88% 7.73% 2.16% Remedent N/A N/A N/A Valuation & Earnings This table compares Escalon Medical and Remedents top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Escalon Medical $12.05 million 0.10 $110,000.00 ($0.02) -7.75 Remedent $990,000.00 0.01 -$270,000.00 ($0.01) -0.03 Escalon Medical has higher revenue and earnings than Remedent. Escalon Medical is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Remedent, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Escalon Medical beats Remedent on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Escalon Medical (Get Free Report) Escalon Medical Corp. engages in the development, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of medical devices and pharmaceuticals in the area of ophthalmology in the United States and internationally. It offers A-Scan, which provides information about the internal structure of the eye; B-Scan, a diagnostic tool that supplies information to physicians where the media within the eye are cloudy or opaque; UBM, a high frequency/high resolution ultrasound device, which provides detailed information about the anterior segment of the eye; and Pachymeter that measures the thickness of cornea. The company also provides Ispan Intraocular Gases, such as C3F8 and SF6 that are used by vitreoretinal surgeons as a temporary tamponade in detached retina surgery; and AXIS Image management system for managing ophthalmic diagnostic images through the web browser from various devices. In addition, it markets disposable surgical packs used in vitreoretinal surgery, including packs that aid surgeons in the process of injecting and extracting silicone oil. Further, the company engages in the manufacturing and distribution of patented disposable universal gas kit, which delivers the gas from the canister to the patient. It sells its products to medical institutions through independent sales representatives, network of distributors, and internal sales employees. Escalon Medical Corp. was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania. About Remedent (Get Free Report) Remedent, Inc. researches, designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes oral care and cosmetic dentistry products in the United States and internationally. It primarily provides professional veneers and teeth whitening products for professional and over-the-counter use. The company also offers River8, a prefab veneer that enables the dentist to find the right combination of teeth for a patient with minor reshaping. In addition, it provides GlamSmile veneers, which are ultra-thin claddings attached to the front of the patients teeth. Further, the company offers SmileMe Mirror, an integrated marketing concept for the dental practice that enables dentists to offer smile consultation in approximately 10 minutes; SmileSketch, a simulation software to make a sketch of what the patient could look like; and various Treatment Pages to explain the benefits of certain treatments, as well as Condor, an intra-oral 3D scanner. Additionally, it provides dental implant solutions and treatment concepts. The company sells its products through internal sales force and third party distributors. Remedent, Inc. was incorporated in 1986 and is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. Receive News & Ratings for Escalon Medical Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Escalon Medical and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thomson Reuters Co. (TSE:TRI Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) has received an average rating of Strong Buy from the ten ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and six have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$265.80. TRI has been the topic of several research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. TD Securities upgraded shares of Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from C$275.00 to C$285.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. Scotiabank upgraded Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Cibc World Mkts upgraded Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 19th. Finally, Huber Research upgraded Thomson Reuters to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Get Thomson Reuters alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Thomson Reuters Thomson Reuters Trading Up 2.5% Shares of TRI stock opened at C$190.48 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of C$212.96 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$245.22. Thomson Reuters has a 12-month low of C$185.00 and a 12-month high of C$299.24. The company has a market capitalization of C$84.73 billion, a PE ratio of 48.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.28. Thomson Reuters (TSE:TRI Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported C$0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$2.48 billion for the quarter. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 20.19% and a net margin of 32.12%. As a group, analysts predict that Thomson Reuters will post 5.6395803 earnings per share for the current year. Thomson Reuters Company Profile (Get Free Report) Thomson Reuters is the result of the $17.6 billion megamerger of Canadas Thomson and the United Kingdoms Reuters Group in 2008 and the 2018 carve-out of its finance and risk business, Refinitiv, in which it holds a 45% stake. In 2019, the company agreed to exchange its 45% stake in Refinitiv for a 15% stake in LSE. Further Reading 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. Nu Skin Enterprises (NYSE:NUS Get Free Report) and e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE:ELF Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, risk, dividends and profitability. Institutional and Insider Ownership 82.8% of Nu Skin Enterprises shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 92.4% of e.l.f. Beauty shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.0% of Nu Skin Enterprises shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.9% of e.l.f. Beauty shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Get Nu Skin Enterprises alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Nu Skin Enterprises and e.l.f. Beauty, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nu Skin Enterprises 0 3 0 0 2.00 e.l.f. Beauty 1 6 10 1 2.61 Volatility and Risk Nu Skin Enterprises presently has a consensus price target of $7.00, suggesting a potential downside of 30.04%. e.l.f. Beauty has a consensus price target of $126.80, suggesting a potential upside of 81.40%. Given e.l.f. Beautys stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe e.l.f. Beauty is more favorable than Nu Skin Enterprises. Nu Skin Enterprises has a beta of 0.97, suggesting that its share price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, e.l.f. Beauty has a beta of 1.61, suggesting that its share price is 61% more volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares Nu Skin Enterprises and e.l.f. Beautys net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nu Skin Enterprises 6.20% 8.23% 4.05% e.l.f. Beauty 5.90% 13.77% 7.78% Valuation and Earnings This table compares Nu Skin Enterprises and e.l.f. Beautys revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Nu Skin Enterprises $1.56 billion 0.31 -$146.59 million $2.18 4.59 e.l.f. Beauty $1.31 billion 3.17 $112.09 million $1.42 49.23 e.l.f. Beauty has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Nu Skin Enterprises. Nu Skin Enterprises is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than e.l.f. Beauty, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary e.l.f. Beauty beats Nu Skin Enterprises on 12 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Nu Skin Enterprises (Get Free Report) Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development and distribution of various beauty and wellness products worldwide. It offers skin care devices, cosmetics, and other personal care products, including ageLOC LumiSpa and ageLOC LumiSpa iO; and nutricentials skin care products. The company also provides wellness products, such as LifePak nutritional supplements, ageLOC TR90 weight management system, and Beauty Focus Collagen+. In addition, it is involved in the research and product development of skin care products and nutritional supplements. The company sells its products under the Nu Skin, Pharmanex, and ageLOC brands through retail stores, website, digital platforms, and independent direct sellers and marketers, as well as a service center. Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Provo, Utah. About e.l.f. Beauty (Get Free Report) e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of inclusive, accessible, clean, vegan and cruelty free cosmetics and skin care products. The company focuses on the e-commerce, national retailers and international business channels. Its brands include elf, elf skin, WELL People and KEYS soulcare. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Oakland, CA. Receive News & Ratings for Nu Skin Enterprises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nu Skin Enterprises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Magnetar Financial LLC bought a new position in Amcor PLC (NYSE:AMCR Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor bought 374,066 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,438,000. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in AMCR. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Amcor by 377.9% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 2,810 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 2,222 shares in the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc raised its stake in Amcor by 839.8% during the 2nd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 3,026 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 2,704 shares during the period. Brentview Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Amcor during the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. Adirondack Trust Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Amcor in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Amcor in the second quarter worth $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 45.14% of the companys stock. Get Amcor alerts: Amcor Stock Up 1.4% AMCR opened at $8.48 on Friday. Amcor PLC has a fifty-two week low of $7.66 and a fifty-two week high of $10.70. The business has a 50-day moving average of $8.18 and a 200-day moving average of $8.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The company has a market capitalization of $19.55 billion, a PE ratio of 23.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.72. Amcor Increases Dividend Amcor ( NYSE:AMCR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.19 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.19. Amcor had a return on equity of 19.43% and a net margin of 3.40%.The business had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.77 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.16 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 71.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Amcor PLC will post 0.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. This is a positive change from Amcors previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.1%. Amcors dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 152.94%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Amcor from $11.00 to $9.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Amcor in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $11.50 target price on shares of Amcor in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Amcor in a report on Friday, September 19th. They set an overweight rating and a $10.00 price target for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised shares of Amcor from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $10.20 price objective on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $10.91. View Our Latest Research Report on AMCR About Amcor (Free Report) Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries. Featured Stories 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. Women named Ileanna are often perceived as possessing a natural grace and intellectual curiosity that draws others to them. They typically exhibit strong communication skills and emotional intelligence, making them excellent mediators and friends. There's a characteristic warmth and nurturing quality to Ileannas, combined with a determined spirit that helps them overcome challenges. Their approach to life tends to be both practical and imaginative, allowing them to navigate complex situations with creativity and wisdom. Many Ileannas display artistic sensibilities and creative problem-solving abilities, often excelling in fields that require both analytical thinking and emotional connection. Their balanced nature allows them to be both practical and dreamy, grounded yet imaginativea combination that makes them adaptable to various life circumstances while maintaining their core values and identity. They often serve as pillars in their communities and families, offering support and insight while pursuing their own ambitions with quiet determination. The name seems to attract individuals who value deep relationships and meaningful connections, making Ileannas particularly skilled at building and maintaining strong social networks. MAI Capital Management lifted its stake in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 5.2% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 14,313 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 704 shares during the quarter. MAI Capital Managements holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $3,829,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of TRV. Avalon Trust Co raised its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 23.4% in the 2nd quarter. Avalon Trust Co now owns 7,541 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,018,000 after purchasing an additional 1,429 shares in the last quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Travelers Companies by 890.9% during the first quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 4,558 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,205,000 after buying an additional 4,098 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its stake in Travelers Companies by 25.4% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 480,633 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $127,108,000 after buying an additional 97,247 shares in the last quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Travelers Companies by 702.5% during the first quarter. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. now owns 11,459 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $3,030,000 after buying an additional 10,031 shares during the period. Finally, Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC boosted its position in Travelers Companies by 54.1% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 8,838 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,337,000 after acquiring an additional 3,101 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.45% of the companys stock. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Travelers Companies Stock Up 0.8% TRV stock opened at $290.21 on Friday. The stock 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. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $230.23 and a 52 week high of $292.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $276.41 and a 200 day moving average of $270.39. Travelers Companies Announces Dividend Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The insurance provider reported $8.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.01 by $2.13. The business had revenue of $12.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.15 billion. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 12.14% and a return on equity of 20.28%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $5.24 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be paid a $1.10 dividend. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 10th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 17.30%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Travelers Companies news, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 1,803 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.55, for a total transaction of $522,058.65. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 255,086 shares in the company, valued at approximately $73,860,151.30. The trade was a 0.70% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 25,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $278.25, for a total transaction of $6,956,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 26,932 shares in the company, valued at $7,493,829. This trade represents a 48.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 37,375 shares of company stock valued at $10,374,006 over the last quarter. 1.46% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TRV has been the subject of several recent research reports. UBS Group boosted their price target on Travelers Companies from $284.00 to $287.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Monday, September 15th. They issued a peer perform rating for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Travelers Companies to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $304.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $320.00 to $322.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $292.73. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Travelers Companies 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. Rock Creek Group LP trimmed its holdings in shares of Amentum Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AMTM Free Report) by 40.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 15,000 shares of the companys stock after selling 10,000 shares during the period. Rock Creek Group LPs holdings in Amentum were worth $354,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in Amentum during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Amentum in the first quarter worth $30,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Amentum by 1,517.0% during the second quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,520 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,426 shares in the last quarter. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new position in shares of Amentum during the second quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, Signaturefd LLC raised its position in shares of Amentum by 27.0% in the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,241 shares of the companys stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 477 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 39.93% of the companys stock. Get Amentum alerts: Amentum Price Performance AMTM opened at $24.28 on Friday. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $23.04 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $23.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 1.58 and a current ratio of 1.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 62.26, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 0.23. Amentum Holdings, Inc. has a 52-week low of $16.01 and a 52-week high of $26.63. Analyst Ratings Changes AMTM has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of Amentum in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $30.00 target price on shares of Amentum in a research note on Monday, August 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of Amentum in a report on Thursday, October 9th. They set a neutral rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Amentum from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, BTIG Research restated a buy rating and issued a $30.00 price objective on shares of Amentum in a report on Monday, October 27th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Amentum currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $28.25. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Amentum Amentum Profile (Free Report) Amentum Holdings, Inc provides engineering and technology solutions to address challenges in science, security, and sustainability. It serves various markets, such as energy and environment, space, intelligence, defense, civilian, commercial, and international markets. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is headquatered in Chantilly, Virginia. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Amentum Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amentum and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd reduced its stake in Toronto Dominion Bank (The) (NYSE:TD Free Report) (TSE:TD) by 17.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 87,968 shares of the banks stock after selling 18,831 shares during the period. Mediolanum International Funds Ltds holdings in Toronto Dominion Bank were worth $6,405,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in TD. Quaker Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Toronto Dominion Bank by 200.0% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 428 shares of the banks stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 856 shares in the last quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Toronto Dominion Bank during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Tobam boosted its position in shares of Toronto Dominion Bank by 44.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tobam now owns 490 shares of the banks stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Toronto Dominion Bank during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Brentview Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Toronto Dominion Bank in the first quarter valued at $40,000. 52.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Toronto Dominion Bank alerts: Toronto Dominion Bank Price Performance TD stock opened at $81.99 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $138.52 billion, a PE ratio of 9.58, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.79. Toronto Dominion Bank has a 12 month low of $51.25 and a 12 month high of $82.93. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $80.36 and a 200 day moving average price of $74.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. Toronto Dominion Bank Increases Dividend Toronto Dominion Bank ( NYSE:TD Get Free Report ) (TSE:TD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 28th. The bank reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.45. Toronto Dominion Bank had a net margin of 16.40% and a return on equity of 13.59%. The company had revenue of $10.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.73 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.05 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Toronto Dominion Bank will post 5.48 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Friday, October 10th were issued a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. This is an increase from Toronto Dominion Banks previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. Toronto Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.16%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TD has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 15th. Desjardins raised shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Toronto Dominion Bank from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Toronto Dominion Bank in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $93.00. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TD About Toronto Dominion Bank (Free Report) The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Toronto Dominion Bank (The) (NYSE:TD Free Report) (TSE:TD). 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. Rhumbline Advisers cut its position in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Free Report) by 10.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 639,067 shares of the companys stock after selling 71,420 shares during the quarter. Rhumbline Advisers owned about 0.19% of Vistra worth $123,857,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VST. Banque Transatlantique SA lifted its position in Vistra by 132.0% during the first quarter. Banque Transatlantique SA now owns 232 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 132 shares during the period. Anfield Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vistra in the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. City State Bank grew its position in shares of Vistra by 210.0% in the 2nd quarter. City State Bank now owns 155 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 105 shares during the period. Keener Financial Planning LLC bought a new position in shares of Vistra in the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Vistra during the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Vistra alerts: Vistra Trading Down 3.2% Shares of NYSE:VST opened at $168.28 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $57.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.75, a PEG ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.74, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.88. Vistra Corp. has a 1 year low of $90.51 and a 1 year high of $219.82. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $195.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $187.88. Vistra Increases Dividend Vistra ( NYSE:VST Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $1.75 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.78 by ($0.03). Vistra had a return on equity of 64.04% and a net margin of 6.70%.The business had revenue of $4.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.60 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Vistra Corp. will post 7 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.227 per share. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. This is a positive change from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 22nd. Vistras payout ratio is currently 32.49%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth VST has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Melius initiated coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They issued a buy rating and a $295.00 price objective on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered Vistra from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th. TD Cowen started coverage on Vistra in a report on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a buy rating and a $250.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Vistra from $227.00 to $248.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Vistra in a research note on Wednesday. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $234.36. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on VST Insider Buying and Selling In other Vistra news, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 56,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.86, for a total value of $9,456,160.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 306,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $51,772,476. This represents a 15.44% 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, EVP Carrie Lee Kirby sold 58,275 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.75, for a total value of $10,183,556.25. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 218,239 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $38,137,265.25. This represents a 21.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 860,120 shares of company stock worth $171,817,820. 1.42% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Vistra (Free Report) Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in shares of Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Free Report) by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 796,026 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,586 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers owned 0.20% of Phillips 66 worth $94,966,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC boosted its stake in Phillips 66 by 62.1% during the second quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 214 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Pinpoint Asset Management Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Phillips 66 in the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Webster Bank N. A. raised its holdings in shares of Phillips 66 by 58.8% during the 2nd quarter. Webster Bank N. A. now owns 270 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Nova Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Phillips 66 during the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. boosted its position in shares of Phillips 66 by 111.5% during the 1st quarter. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. now owns 330 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.93% of the companys stock. Get Phillips 66 alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets PSX has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Bank of America lowered shares of Phillips 66 from a buy rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the company from $144.00 to $147.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Phillips 66 from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Phillips 66 from $128.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Phillips 66 in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and set a $150.00 price objective (up from $145.00) on shares of Phillips 66 in a research report on Friday, October 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and thirteen have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $145.71. Insider Activity at Phillips 66 In other Phillips 66 news, CFO Kevin J. Mitchell sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.00, for a total value of $4,140,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 89,771 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,388,398. This trade represents a 25.05% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Vanessa Allen Sutherland sold 4,393 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.00, for a total value of $615,020.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 34,587 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,842,180. This represents a 11.27% 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 64,986 shares of company stock worth $8,955,291. Company insiders own 0.22% of the companys stock. Phillips 66 Trading Up 1.4% 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 business has a fifty day simple moving average of $134.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $127.08. The firm has a market cap of $53.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. 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 for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.38. The company had revenue of $33.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $32.29 billion. Phillips 66 had a return on equity of 5.51% and a net margin of 1.12%.During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.04 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Phillips 66 will post 6.8 earnings per share for the current 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 paid a $1.20 dividend. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. Phillips 66s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 131.15%. About Phillips 66 (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Free Report). 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. Patrick Mauro Investment Advisor INC. cut its stake in Consolidated Edison Inc (NYSE:ED Free Report) by 37.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,041 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 3,038 shares during the quarter. Patrick Mauro Investment Advisor INC.s holdings in Consolidated Edison were worth $506,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of ED. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Consolidated Edison in the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Consolidated Edison by 64.9% during the first quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 305 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the period. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC grew its position in shares of Consolidated Edison by 53.2% in the second quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 314 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC increased its stake in shares of Consolidated Edison by 886.5% during the second quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 365 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 328 shares during the period. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. lifted its holdings in Consolidated Edison by 1,677.3% during the 2nd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 391 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 369 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.29% of the companys stock. Get Consolidated Edison alerts: Consolidated Edison Trading Down 1.1% Shares of Consolidated Edison stock opened at $99.86 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. Consolidated Edison Inc has a 12-month low of $87.28 and a 12-month high of $114.87. The company has a market capitalization of $36.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.12, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.32. The firms 50-day moving average price is $99.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $100.86. Consolidated Edison Dividend Announcement Consolidated Edison ( NYSE:ED Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.90 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.14. Consolidated Edison had a net margin of 11.98% and a return on equity of 8.56%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.68 earnings per share. Consolidated Edison has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.600-5.700 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Consolidated Edison Inc will post 5.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 19th. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. Consolidated Edisons dividend payout ratio is presently 59.44%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently issued reports on ED. Bank of America downgraded Consolidated Edison from a buy rating to an underperform rating and reduced their price target for the company from $112.00 to $101.00 in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Consolidated Edison in a report on Monday, November 17th. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of Consolidated Edison in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. They issued an in-line rating and a $106.00 price target on the stock. Mizuho raised their price target on shares of Consolidated Edison from $107.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $101.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and an average target price of $104.58. View Our Latest Analysis on Consolidated Edison About Consolidated Edison (Free Report) Consolidated Edison, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,530 customers in parts of Manhattan. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ED? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Consolidated Edison Inc (NYSE:ED Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Consolidated Edison Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Consolidated Edison and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd trimmed its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 21.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 131,834 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 35,893 shares during the quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltds holdings in Pfizer were worth $3,189,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Pfizer by 44.4% in the 2nd quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 1,637,574 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $39,695,000 after acquiring an additional 503,895 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc boosted its position in shares of Pfizer by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 38,444,771 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $931,901,000 after purchasing an additional 1,384,227 shares during the period. Neo Ivy Capital Management increased its holdings in Pfizer by 56.0% in the 2nd quarter. Neo Ivy Capital Management now owns 121,284 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,940,000 after purchasing an additional 43,542 shares during the last quarter. DNB Asset Management AS raised its position in Pfizer by 8.3% in the second quarter. DNB Asset Management AS now owns 1,291,757 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $31,312,000 after purchasing an additional 99,031 shares during the period. Finally, Entropy Technologies LP lifted its stake in Pfizer by 186.9% during the second quarter. Entropy Technologies LP now owns 537,233 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $13,023,000 after purchasing an additional 350,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Stock Performance Shares of Pfizer stock opened at $25.02 on Friday. Pfizer Inc. has a one year low of $20.92 and a one year high of $27.69. The company has a market cap of $142.26 billion, a PE ratio of 13.31, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 1.16. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $24.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $24.49. Pfizer Announces Dividend Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.08. Pfizer had a net margin of 16.84% and a return on equity of 21.42%. The firm had revenue of $16.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.94 billion. Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.000-3.150 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.43 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.9%. Pfizers payout ratio is presently 100.00%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In PFE has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wall Street Zen cut Pfizer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, September 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and set a $26.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Pfizer from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Scotiabank initiated coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $30.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Pfizer has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $28.28. Check Out Our Latest 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. See Also 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. Volatility & Risk YaSheng Group has a beta of 0.67, indicating that its share price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, YaSheng Groups rivals have a beta of 0.80, indicating that their average share price is 20% less volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation and Earnings This table compares YaSheng Group and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get YaSheng Group alerts: Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio YaSheng Group $18.59 million $5.31 million 1.45 YaSheng Group Competitors $34.14 billion $103.03 million 3.05 YaSheng Groups rivals have higher revenue and earnings than YaSheng Group. YaSheng Group 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. Insider & Institutional Ownership Profitability 41.7% of shares of all AGRI OPERATIONS companies are owned by institutional investors. 11.6% of shares of all AGRI OPERATIONS companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. This table compares YaSheng Group and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets YaSheng Group N/A N/A N/A YaSheng Group Competitors -293.47% -82.89% -18.09% Summary YaSheng Group rivals beat YaSheng Group on 6 of the 9 factors compared. YaSheng Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) YaSheng Group, through its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets farming and sideline products; chemical materials and products; textiles; construction materials; and livestock and poultry products primarily in the People's Republic of China. It cultivates, processes, markets, and distributes various food and agro-byproducts. The company's products include cotton, corns, barley, wheat, flax, and alfalfa; vegetables comprising onions, potatoes, beet, and peas; fruits, including apples, pears, and apricots; specialty crops consisting of hops, wolfberries, cumin, hemp, and liquorices; seeds, such as black melon, sunflower, corn, hemp, and flax seeds; and eggs. It also provides construction materials, such as cement; and designs, develops, and markets new technologies related to agriculture and genetic biology. The company sells its products to food processors, supermarkets, and wholesale stores through distributors, as well as to direct customers. YaSheng Group exports its products. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Lanzhou, the People's Republic of China. As of December 31, 2015, YaSheng Group is a subsidiary of Gansu Yasheng Salt Chemical Industrial Group, Ltd. Receive News & Ratings for YaSheng Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for YaSheng Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH trimmed its stake in shares of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE:OGS Free Report) by 46.3% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 58,793 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 50,715 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbHs holdings in ONE Gas were worth $4,225,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of ONE Gas in the second quarter valued at approximately $51,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in ONE Gas by 36.1% in the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 856 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $62,000 after buying an additional 227 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in ONE Gas by 5,362.5% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 874 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $63,000 after buying an additional 858 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its position in ONE Gas by 20.1% during the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 910 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC purchased a new position in ONE Gas during the 1st quarter worth $76,000. 88.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get ONE Gas alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of ONE Gas in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of ONE Gas from $89.00 to $99.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Mizuho boosted their target price on ONE Gas from $86.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. UBS Group raised ONE Gas from a sell rating to a neutral rating and increased their target price for the stock from $66.00 to $86.00 in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an underperform rating and issued a $75.00 price target on shares of ONE Gas in a research note on Thursday. Five investment 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.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $81.72. ONE Gas Stock Up 1.4% OGS stock opened at $82.96 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The companys 50-day moving average price is $80.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $76.36. ONE Gas, Inc. has a 52 week low of $66.38 and a 52 week high of $83.62. The company has a market cap of $4.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.34, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.85. ONE Gas (NYSE:OGS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.44. The company had revenue of $379.13 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $404.19 million. ONE Gas had a net margin of 10.76% and a return on equity of 8.06%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.34 earnings per share. ONE Gas has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.340-4.400 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that ONE Gas, Inc. will post 4.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. ONE Gas Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. ONE Gass payout ratio is presently 62.47%. ONE Gas Profile (Free Report) ONE Gas, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a regulated natural gas distribution company in the United States. The company provides natural gas distribution services to approximately 2.3 million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. It serves residential, commercial, and transportation customers. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OGS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE:OGS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ONE Gas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ONE Gas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. reduced its stake in shares of ITT Inc. (NYSE:ITT Free Report) by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 7,998,324 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 279,720 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned about 0.10% of ITT worth $1,254,377,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ITT in the first quarter worth about $156,406,000. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in ITT by 97.1% in the first quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,835,894 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $237,125,000 after acquiring an additional 904,654 shares during the period. Findlay Park Partners LLP boosted its position in ITT by 94.7% in the 1st quarter. Findlay Park Partners LLP now owns 795,600 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $102,760,000 after purchasing an additional 387,000 shares in the last quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. grew its stake in shares of ITT by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 4,765,602 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $615,525,000 after purchasing an additional 200,676 shares during the period. Finally, AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc purchased a new position in shares of ITT during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $21,894,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.59% of the companys stock. Get ITT alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other ITT news, CAO Mesa Graziano Cheryl De sold 238 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.08, for a total value of $43,573.04. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 5,062 shares in the company, valued at approximately $926,750.96. This trade represents a 4.49% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Emmanuel Caprais sold 5,500 shares of ITT stock in a transaction on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.23, for a total transaction of $1,018,765.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 36,830 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,822,020.90. This trade represents a 12.99% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of ITT from $202.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of ITT from $207.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. DA Davidson set a $190.00 target price on ITT and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 4th. KeyCorp upped their price target on ITT from $200.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on ITT from $168.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $201.25. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on ITT ITT Stock Down 0.1% ITT opened at $178.76 on Friday. ITT Inc. has a twelve month low of $105.64 and a twelve month high of $197.07. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $180.13 and a 200 day moving average price of $166.54. The company has a market cap of $13.94 billion, a PE ratio of 29.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.40. ITT (NYSE:ITT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The conglomerate reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.11. ITT had a return on equity of 18.96% and a net margin of 12.67%.The company had revenue of $999.10 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $973.69 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.46 EPS. ITTs revenue was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. ITT has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.620-6.680 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that ITT Inc. will post 6.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. ITT Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be paid a $0.351 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. ITTs dividend payout ratio is currently 23.26%. ITT Profile (Free Report) ITT Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered critical components and customized technology solutions for the transportation, industrial, and energy markets in the United States and internationally. The Motion Technologies segment manufactures brake pads, shims, shock absorbers, and energy absorption components; and sealing technologies primarily for the transportation industry, including passenger cars, trucks, light- and heavy-duty commercial and military vehicles, buses, and trains. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ITT Inc. (NYSE:ITT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ITT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ITT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NEW YORK, Nov. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: MOH) between February 5, 2025 and July 23, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important December 2, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. So What: If you purchased Molina securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the Molina Healthcare class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=45913 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 2, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period failed to disclose to investors that: (1) material, adverse facts concerning Molina's "medical cost trend assumptions;" (2) Molina was experiencing a "dislocation between premium rates and medical cost trend;" (3) Molina's near term growth was dependent on a lack of "utilization of behavioral health, pharmacy, and inpatient and outpatient services;" (4) as a result of the foregoing, Molina's financial guidance for fiscal year 2025 was substantially likely to be cut; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Molina's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Molina Healthcare class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=45913 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. Cultural & Historical Significance Izaan holds profound cultural significance in Muslim societies as it encapsulates the essence of Islamic faith - complete submission to Allah's will. The name derives from the Arabic root meaning 'to obey' or 'to accept,' reflecting the fundamental relationship between Creator and creation in Islamic theology. Throughout Islamic history, the concept of Izaan has been central to religious teachings, with scholars emphasizing that true faith involves willing obedience rather than mere ritual compliance. The name is particularly valued because it represents the ideal Muslim character - one who submits to divine guidance with understanding and contentment. In many Muslim cultures, naming a child Izaan expresses the parents' hope that their child will embody these cherished qualities of faithful obedience and spiritual acceptance. The name also carries historical resonance through its connection to early Islamic communities where voluntary submission to God's commands defined the Muslim identity and distinguished it from pre-Islamic traditions. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE:OHI Free Report) by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 40,765,481 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 1,210,595 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 0.14% of Omega Healthcare Investors worth $1,494,055,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Omega Healthcare Investors by 59.0% in the second quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 11,915 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $437,000 after buying an additional 4,420 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in Omega Healthcare Investors by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,058,107 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $154,533,000 after acquiring an additional 165,554 shares in the last quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board raised its holdings in Omega Healthcare Investors by 73.2% in the 1st quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 67,919 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,586,000 after acquiring an additional 28,701 shares during the last quarter. Triumph Capital Management purchased a new position in Omega Healthcare Investors in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $321,000. Finally, Jump Financial LLC purchased a new position in Omega Healthcare Investors in the 1st quarter worth approximately $4,169,000. 65.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Omega Healthcare Investors alerts: Insider Transactions at Omega Healthcare Investors In related news, CEO C Taylor Pickett acquired 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $43.14 per share, with a total value of $862,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 20,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $862,800. This trade represents a ? increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CIO Vikas Gupta bought 11,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $42.97 per share, for a total transaction of $494,155.00. Following the transaction, the executive owned 13,773 shares of the companys stock, valued at $591,825.81. This trade represents a 505.94% increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth OHI has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on Omega Healthcare Investors in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. They set an overweight rating and a $50.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on Omega Healthcare Investors from $41.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Omega Healthcare Investors from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Omega Healthcare Investors currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $45.89. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Omega Healthcare Investors Omega Healthcare Investors Trading Up 1.1% Shares of Omega Healthcare Investors stock opened at $45.07 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $41.83 and a 200 day moving average of $39.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 7.10 and a current ratio of 7.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.82, a PEG ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.69. Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $35.04 and a fifty-two week high of $45.47. Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE:OHI Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.79 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $311.59 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $262.48 million. Omega Healthcare Investors had a return on equity of 9.78% and a net margin of 42.23%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.71 EPS. Omega Healthcare Investors has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.080-3.100 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. will post 2.86 earnings per share for the current year. Omega Healthcare Investors Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 3rd. Omega Healthcare Investorss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 149.72%. Omega Healthcare Investors Company Profile (Free Report) Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc engages in the provision of financing and capital to the long-term healthcare industry with a particular focus on skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities, rehabilitation and acute care facilities, and medical office buildings. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OHI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE:OHI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Omega Healthcare Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Omega Healthcare Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Swiss National Bank lifted its stake in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A Free Report) by 7.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 863,000 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 57,600 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Bank owned approximately 0.30% of Agilent Technologies worth $101,843,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Handelsbanken Fonder AB increased its position in shares of Agilent Technologies by 5.2% during the 2nd quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 151,001 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $17,820,000 after purchasing an additional 7,524 shares during the last quarter. Prudential PLC increased its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 4.3% during the second quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 72,015 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $8,498,000 after buying an additional 2,980 shares during the last quarter. Hikari Tsushin Inc. raised its position in Agilent Technologies by 252.8% during the second quarter. Hikari Tsushin Inc. now owns 6,403 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $756,000 after acquiring an additional 4,588 shares in the last quarter. Sierra Legacy Group increased its stake in shares of Agilent Technologies by 63.2% during the 2nd quarter. Sierra Legacy Group now owns 10,780 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,272,000 after purchasing an additional 4,175 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 11.4% during the second quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 43,678 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $5,144,000 after purchasing an additional 4,481 shares during the period. 87.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Agilent Technologies alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have recently weighed in on A. UBS Group raised shares of Agilent Technologies from a neutral rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from $130.00 to $170.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Agilent Technologies from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Wall Street Zen raised Agilent Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Rothschild Redb raised Agilent Technologies to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price target on Agilent Technologies from $150.00 to $162.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $149.62. Insider Buying and Selling In other Agilent Technologies news, CEO Padraig Mcdonnell sold 911 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $143.24, for a total transaction of $130,491.64. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 32,058 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,591,987.92. The trade was a 2.76% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Agilent Technologies Stock Up 4.4% Shares of NYSE A opened at $151.49 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $139.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $125.24. The company has a market cap of $42.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.56, a PEG ratio of 4.67 and a beta of 1.29. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a 12 month low of $96.43 and a 12 month high of $153.84. The company has a current ratio of 2.25, a quick ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 27th. The medical research company reported $1.37 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.37. The company had revenue of $1.74 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.67 billion. Agilent Technologies had a return on equity of 25.51% and a net margin of 17.97%.Agilent Technologiess revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.32 EPS. Agilent Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.560-5.590 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 1.570-1.600 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Agilent Technologies Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 6th will be issued a $0.255 dividend. This is a boost from Agilent Technologiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 6th. This represents a $1.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Agilent Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.94%. Agilent Technologies Profile (Free Report) Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Life Sciences and Applied Markets, Diagnostics and Genomics, and Agilent CrossLab. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; and vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding A? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Agilent Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agilent Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Walled Lake Planning & Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF (NYSEARCA:BILZ Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund purchased 228,396 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $23,114,000. PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF comprises approximately 7.5% of Walled Lake Planning & Wealth Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest position. A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in BILZ. CWM LLC increased its holdings in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 2,145.5% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 494 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 472 shares in the last quarter. Rialto Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 420.2% during the second quarter. Rialto Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,778 shares of the companys stock valued at $281,000 after buying an additional 2,244 shares during the last quarter. Heirloom Wealth Management grew its holdings in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 60.2% during the second quarter. Heirloom Wealth Management now owns 4,073 shares of the companys stock worth $412,000 after buying an additional 1,531 shares in the last quarter. Addison Capital Co raised its position in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF by 12.4% in the 1st quarter. Addison Capital Co now owns 4,474 shares of the companys stock valued at $453,000 after buying an additional 493 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Atria Investments Inc bought a new position in PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at $465,000. Get PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF alerts: PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF Stock Up 0.0% BILZ opened at $100.99 on Friday. PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF has a 1 year low of $100.78 and a 1 year high of $101.27. The firms fifty day moving average price is $100.99 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $101.02. PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF Company Profile The PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active Exchange-Traded Fund (BILZ) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is an actively managed fund that invests in treasury bills and notes, repurchase agreements, and cash collateralized by the US government. Securities selected have a maximum maturity of six months. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BILZ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF (NYSEARCA:BILZ Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PIMCO Ultra Short Government Active ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vestor Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV Free Report) by 30.6% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,064 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 718 shares during the period. Vestor Capital LLCs holdings in Elevance Health were worth $1,192,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Elevance Health during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in Elevance Health during the second quarter worth $32,000. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new position in shares of Elevance Health during the first quarter worth $40,000. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc boosted its position in shares of Elevance Health by 400.0% during the second quarter. Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc now owns 100 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the period. Finally, Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new stake in shares of Elevance Health in the second quarter valued at $43,000. 89.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Elevance Health alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently issued reports on ELV. Mizuho decreased their target price on Elevance Health from $420.00 to $400.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Guggenheim lifted their target price on Elevance Health from $360.00 to $398.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Truist Financial set a $400.00 price target on shares of Elevance Health in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Elevance Health in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. They issued a neutral rating and a $343.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Elevance Health in a report on Monday, November 17th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $397.33. Elevance Health Price Performance ELV stock opened at $321.73 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $330.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $338.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.60. Elevance Health, Inc. has a 1 year low of $273.71 and a 1 year high of $458.75. Elevance Health (NYSE:ELV Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $6.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.03 by $1.00. The firm had revenue of $50.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $49.26 billion. Elevance Health had a net margin of 2.84% and a return on equity of 16.17%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $8.37 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Elevance Health, Inc. will post 33.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Elevance Health Dividend Announcement The company 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 $1.71 dividend. This represents a $6.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. Elevance Healths dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.96%. About Elevance Health (Free Report) Elevance Health, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a health benefits company in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Health Benefits, CarelonRx, Carelon Services, and Corporate & Other. It offers a variety of health plans and services to program members; health products; an array of fee-based administrative managed care services; and specialty and other insurance products and services, such as stop loss, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental health insurance benefits. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ELV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:ELV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Elevance Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Elevance Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (TSE:AEM Get Free Report) (NYSE:AEM)s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$192.88 and traded as high as C$227.00. Agnico Eagle Mines shares last traded at C$225.52, with a volume of 809,363 shares traded. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$195.00 to C$300.00 in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Agnico Eagle Mines presently has a consensus rating of Strong Buy and an average target price of C$198.33. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Agnico Eagle Mines Agnico Eagle Mines Price Performance The company has a market cap of C$113.55 billion, a PE ratio of 32.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 22.97 and a beta of 1.32. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$229.69 and a 200 day moving average of C$193.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.88, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 0.89. Agnico Eagle Mines (TSE:AEM Get Free Report) (NYSE:AEM) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported C$2.10 EPS for the quarter. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 12.86% and a return on equity of 5.05%. The firm had revenue of C$4.26 billion during the quarter. As a group, research analysts predict that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 5.4966052 EPS for the current year. Agnico Eagle Mines Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio is currently 23.39%. Insider Activity at Agnico Eagle Mines In other news, insider Jean Robitaille sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$235.00, for a total value of C$705,000.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 1,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$235,000. This represents a 75.00% decrease in their position. Company insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock. About Agnico Eagle Mines (Get Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines is a gold miner operating mines in Canada, Mexico, and Finland. It also owns 50% of the Canadian Malartic mine. Agnico operated just one mine, LaRonde, as recently as 2008 before bringing its other mines on line in rapid succession in the following years. The company produced more than 1.7 million gold ounces in 2020. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fortune Minerals Limited (TSE:FT Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$0.08 and traded as high as C$0.09. Fortune Minerals shares last traded at C$0.09, with a volume of 88,092 shares. Fortune Minerals Stock Performance The company has a market cap of C$47.57 million, a PE ratio of -4.25 and a beta of -1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of -111.61, a quick ratio of 0.04 and a current ratio of 0.39. The firms 50 day moving average is C$0.09 and its 200-day moving average is C$0.08. Get Fortune Minerals alerts: Fortune Minerals (TSE:FT Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The company reported C$0.00 earnings per share for the quarter. Fortune Minerals had a positive return on equity of 30.09% and a negative net margin of 13,690.93%. Fortune Minerals Company Profile Fortune Minerals Ltd is a Canadian mining and mine development company focused on developing the NICO Cobalt-Gold-Bismuth Copper Project in the Northwest Territories. The company plans to build a hydrometallurgical plant in southern Canada to process NICO metal concentrates. It also owns the satellite Sue-Dianne Copper-Silver-Gold Deposit located 25 km north of the NICO Project, which is a potential future source of incremental mill feed to extend the life. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Fortune Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortune Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Waterloo Capital L.P. lifted its stake in Southern Company (The) (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 10.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 41,460 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 3,860 shares during the period. Waterloo Capital L.P.s holdings in Southern were worth $3,807,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Southern by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 105,904,243 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $9,725,187,000 after acquiring an additional 1,694,066 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Southern by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 26,006,919 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,377,494,000 after buying an additional 241,572 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in Southern by 1.0% in the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 10,912,663 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,003,419,000 after purchasing an additional 107,394 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Southern by 1.3% during the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,768,667 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $621,567,000 after purchasing an additional 87,891 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in shares of Southern in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $510,229,000. Institutional investors own 64.10% of the companys stock. Get Southern alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have weighed in on SO. Barclays lowered their price target on Southern from $98.00 to $91.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Cowen started coverage on shares of Southern in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. They set a buy rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Southern in a report on Monday, October 27th. They issued an equal weight rating and a $97.00 target price on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. Finally, Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Southern from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $99.03. Southern Price Performance Shares of SO stock opened at $89.36 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $93.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $92.45. The stock has a market cap of $98.39 billion, a PE ratio of 22.97, a PEG ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.45. Southern Company has a 52-week low of $80.46 and a 52-week high of $100.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a current ratio of 0.74. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The utilities provider reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.51 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $7.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.04 billion. Southern had a return on equity of 12.09% and a net margin of 15.10%.The firms revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.39 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Southern Company will post 4.29 EPS for the current year. Southern Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 8th. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th will be given a $0.74 dividend. This represents a $2.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. Southerns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 73.27%. Southern Profile (Free Report) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prudential Financial Inc. boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 5.4% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 278,688 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 14,314 shares during the quarter. Prudential Financial Inc.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $197,241,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GS. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 617,504.5% during the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 29,058,291 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $20,566,005,000 after acquiring an additional 29,053,586 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the first quarter worth $897,185,000. Ninety One UK Ltd acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter worth $408,780,000. AGF Management Ltd. boosted its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2,429.6% during the second quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 485,375 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $343,524,000 after purchasing an additional 466,187 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi grew its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 13.6% in the first quarter. Amundi now owns 1,891,260 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $967,193,000 after purchasing an additional 225,993 shares during the last quarter. 71.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Up 0.1% Shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $774.74 on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $439.38 and a fifty-two week high of $841.28. The businesss fifty day moving average is $786.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $718.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.23. The firm has a market cap 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 Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 14.79% and a net margin of 13.18%.The business had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.68 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $8.40 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be issued a dividend of $4.00 per share. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 32.50%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Dbs Bank lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $800.00 to $890.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $762.00 to $805.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $720.00 to $850.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $725.00 to $790.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $786.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on GS Insider Activity In related news, COO John E. Waldron sold 9,000 shares of the businesss 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 sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 106,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $79,755,196.68. The trade was a 7.81% 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. Corporate insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock. About The Goldman Sachs Group (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. See Also 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. Shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:DHY Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $2.09 and traded as low as $2.00. Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund shares last traded at $2.01, with a volume of 215,043 shares. Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund Stock Performance The business has a 50-day moving average price of $2.07 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $2.09. Get Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund alerts: Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 24th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be given a dividend of $0.0155 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.3%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund About Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Adapt Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund in the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund by 33.3% in the 1st quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC now owns 20,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 5,000 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP acquired a new position in shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at $43,000. Integrity Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund in the 3rd quarter worth $44,000. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund by 227.2% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 24,628 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 17,101 shares during the period. (Get Free Report) Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Credit Suisse Asset Management, LLC. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It invests in the securities of companies across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in below-investment-grade corporate bonds with an average credit quality lower than BBB by Standard & Poor's and an average duration of 5.07 years. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Providence Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 49.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 12,702 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 4,220 shares during the period. Providence Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $804,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Mattson Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Altria Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Global X Japan Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. Carderock Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the second quarter worth $26,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 334.7% during the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 539 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 415 shares during the period. Finally, Winnow Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Altria Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.41% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes MO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Altria Group in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Stifel Nicolaus set a $72.00 price objective on shares of Altria Group in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on Altria Group from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $62.33. Altria Group Trading Down 0.0% Shares of Altria Group stock opened at $58.16 on Friday. Altria Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $50.08 and a 12-month high of $68.60. The stock has a market cap of $97.63 billion, a PE ratio of 11.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a 50-day moving average of $62.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of $61.80. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.01. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 295.26% and a net margin of 37.24%.The business had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.31 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.38 EPS. The companys revenue was down 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Altria Group declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Thursday, October 30th that permits the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 1.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued. Altria Group Company 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. Further Reading 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. Individuals named Jennabel are often perceived as creative, compassionate, and socially aware. They typically possess a unique blend of traditional values and modern thinking, making them adaptable in various social situations. Their creative nature often manifests in artistic pursuits, problem-solving abilities, and innovative approaches to challenges. Many Jennabels demonstrate strong emotional intelligence and empathy, allowing them to form deep connections with others while maintaining their distinctive personal identity. Jennabels are frequently described as having graceful confidence and natural leadership qualities. They tend to be excellent communicators who can bridge different perspectives and bring people together. Their combination of Jennifer's strong, independent qualities with Annabel's elegance and charm creates a personality that is both determined and diplomatic. These individuals often excel in careers that require both creativity and interpersonal skills, and they typically approach life with optimism, resilience, and a strong sense of personal integrity that guides their decisions and relationships. The name suggests someone who balances warmth with strength, making them both approachable and respected in their personal and professional lives. Community Bancorp. (OTCMKTS:CMTV Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $22.90 and traded as high as $24.00. Community Bancorp. shares last traded at $23.25, with a volume of 2,867 shares trading hands. Community Bancorp. Stock Performance The company has a market capitalization of $129.74 million, a PE ratio of 7.99 and a beta of 0.36. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $22.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $21.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 0.92. Get Community Bancorp. alerts: Community Bancorp. (OTCMKTS:CMTV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 14th. The financial services provider reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $12.61 million during the quarter. Community Bancorp. had a net margin of 24.43% and a return on equity of 15.91%. Community Bancorp. Company Profile Community Bancorp. operates as the bank holding company for Community National Bank that provides financial services to individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities in northern and central Vermont. It offers financing for commercial business properties, equipment, inventories, and accounts receivable, as well as standby letters of credit; and business checking and other deposit accounts, cash management services, repurchase agreements, ACH and wire transfer services, card processing, and remote deposit capture. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Community Bancorp. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Community Bancorp. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (CVE:SPA Get Free Report) passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$0.14 and traded as low as C$0.13. Spanish Mountain Gold shares last traded at C$0.14, with a volume of 536,434 shares. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Atrium Research upgraded shares of Spanish Mountain Gold to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Strong Buy. Get Spanish Mountain Gold alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on SPA Spanish Mountain Gold Stock Performance Spanish Mountain Gold Company Profile The company has a quick ratio of 3.03, a current ratio of 5.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The stock has a market capitalization of C$68.63 million, a P/E ratio of -14.00 and a beta of 1.09. The business has a fifty day moving average price of C$0.14 and a 200-day moving average price of C$0.15. (Get Free Report) Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd., an exploration stage resource company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Canada. It holds a 100% interest in the Spanish Mountain gold project, which comprises approximately 50 contiguous mineral claims and 13 placer claims covering an area of approximately 10,414 hectares located in the Cariboo region of central British Columbia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Spanish Mountain Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spanish Mountain Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC increased its holdings in GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV Free Report) by 18.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 30,554 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,650 shares during the quarter. GE Vernova accounts for 2.9% of Sierra Summit Advisors LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest position. Sierra Summit Advisors LLCs holdings in GE Vernova were worth $16,168,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in GEV. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in GE Vernova by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,664,571 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,051,258,000 after buying an additional 271,958 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of GE Vernova by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,108,484 shares of the companys stock worth $3,221,404,000 after acquiring an additional 129,315 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of GE Vernova by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 3,129,958 shares of the companys stock valued at $955,513,000 after purchasing an additional 214,483 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its position in shares of GE Vernova by 21.4% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 2,080,006 shares of the companys stock valued at $634,984,000 after purchasing an additional 367,150 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of GE Vernova by 50.9% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,029,948 shares of the companys stock valued at $619,703,000 after purchasing an additional 684,794 shares in the last quarter. Get GE Vernova alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other GE Vernova news, CFO Kenneth Scott Parks sold 3,300 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $620.00, for a total value of $2,046,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 7,590 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,705,800. This represents a 30.30% 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. Company insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have commented on GEV. Susquehanna raised their price objective on GE Vernova from $740.00 to $750.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. HSBC increased their price target on shares of GE Vernova from $570.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of GE Vernova from $690.00 to $710.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Melius Research set a $740.00 target price on shares of GE Vernova and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Redburn Partners set a $475.00 target price on shares of GE Vernova in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have issued a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $607.81. Get Our Latest Research Report on GEV GE Vernova Price Performance Shares of NYSE:GEV opened at $555.98 on Friday. GE Vernova Inc. has a 1 year low of $252.25 and a 1 year high of $677.29. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $595.52 and its 200-day moving average price is $563.46. The company has a market cap of $150.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 90.55, a PEG ratio of 4.13 and a beta of 1.68. GE Vernova (NYSE:GEV Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $1.64 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by ($0.08). GE Vernova had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 4.52%.The business had revenue of $9.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.15 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted ($0.35) EPS. GE Vernovas quarterly revenue was up 11.8% compared to the same quarter last year. GE Vernova has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that GE Vernova Inc. will post 6.59 earnings per share for the current year. GE Vernova Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Monday, October 20th were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 20th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.2%. GE Vernovas payout ratio is presently 16.29%. GE Vernova Company Profile (Free Report) GE Vernova LLC, an energy business company, generates electricity. It operates under three segments: Power, Wind, and Electrification. The Power segments generates and sells electricity through hydro, gas, nuclear, and steam power. Wind segment engages in the manufacturing and sale of wind turbine blades; and Electrification segment provides grid solutions, power conversion, solar, and storage solutions. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GEV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for GE Vernova Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GE Vernova and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Corporacion America Airports (NYSE:CAAP Get Free Report) and International Consolidated Airlines Group (OTCMKTS:ICAGY Get Free Report) are both transportation companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability and risk. Insider & Institutional Ownership 13.0% of Corporacion America Airports shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of International Consolidated Airlines Group shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get Corporacion America Airports alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Corporacion America Airports and International Consolidated Airlines Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Corporacion America Airports 1 0 5 0 2.67 International Consolidated Airlines Group 1 2 4 0 2.43 Risk & Volatility Corporacion America Airports presently has a consensus price target of $24.40, suggesting a potential upside of 8.74%. Given Corporacion America Airports stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Corporacion America Airports is more favorable than International Consolidated Airlines Group. Corporacion America Airports has a beta of 1.38, suggesting that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, International Consolidated Airlines Group has a beta of 2, suggesting that its stock price is 100% more volatile than the S&P 500. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Corporacion America Airports and International Consolidated Airlines Groups gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Corporacion America Airports $1.84 billion 1.99 $282.67 million $0.85 26.40 International Consolidated Airlines Group $34.74 billion 0.66 $2.96 billion $3.30 3.02 International Consolidated Airlines Group has higher revenue and earnings than Corporacion America Airports. International Consolidated Airlines Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Corporacion America Airports, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares Corporacion America Airports and International Consolidated Airlines Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Corporacion America Airports 7.53% 9.06% 3.25% International Consolidated Airlines Group 9.52% 84.18% 11.63% Summary International Consolidated Airlines Group beats Corporacion America Airports on 7 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Corporacion America Airports (Get Free Report) Corporacion America Airports S.A., through its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, and operates airport concessions. It operates 52 airports in Latin America, Europe, and Eurasia. The company was formerly known as A.C.I. Airports International S.a r.l. and changed its name to Corporacion America Airports S.A. in September 2017. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Corporacion America Airports S.A. is a subsidiary of A.C.I. Airports S.a r.l. About International Consolidated Airlines Group (Get Free Report) International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of passenger and cargo transportation services in the United Kingdom, Spain, the United States, and rest of the world. It also provides aircraft leasing, aircraft maintenance, tour operation, air freight operations, call centre, ground handling, trustee, retail, IT, finance, procurement, storage and custody, aircraft technical assistance, human resources support, and airport infrastructure development services; and manages airline loyalty programmes. The company operates under the British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL brands. It operates a fleet of 582 aircrafts. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Harmondsworth, United Kingdom. Receive News & Ratings for Corporacion America Airports Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Corporacion America Airports and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Met Eireann has confirmed that seven counties in Ireland have been placed under Status Yellow weather warnings as the country prepares for heavy rain showers and strong winds. A Status Yellow rain warning is now in effect for counties Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo. Heavy rain, which may turn showery, is expected along with some hail showers also. The warning will lift at 9pm this Sunday, November 23. Also in Donegal, a Status Yellow wind warning will come into effect at 12pm on Sunday before lifting at 4pm. Strong and gusty west to northwest winds are expected to hit the county. READ MORE: ALERT: Gardai concerned for wellbeing of missing Laois man as appeal to find him is launched A wind warning has been put in place for Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo, as well as Galway. The Status Yellow warning will come into effect at 1pm, where people are urged to gear up for strong and gusty west to northwest winds. This will lift at 10pm on Sunday night. Wicklow's Status Yellow wind warning will come into effect at 3pm, staying in place until 8pm that evening, November 23. County Clare is also preparing to be hit with these strong and gusty winds, with the weather warning coming into effect at 7pm in the evening before lifting three hours later at 10pm. The Irish weather forecaster has warned that counties placed under the rain warning may experience spot flooding and difficult travelling conditions while counties under the wind warning could face potential impacts of fallen branches, loose debris and difficult travelling conditions. 23/11/2025 Santiago Castro is the young Argentine set to solve Everton's striker problem but he plays for Bologna in Serie A and is contracted to them through June 2028, so the fee is expected to be at least 31M. Castro is only 21 and has scored 4 goals so far this season, with one assist in 9 games for Bologna. It remains to be seen if that level of goal return will be enough to provide what's needed for Everton in the Premier League. Everton should certainly be able to tempt him with a wage packet that is substantially higher than the 16k per week he reportedly gets in Italy, but the real issues should he be so tempted will be his sutability to the Premier League, and indeed how long it will take him to convoince David Moyes he is ready to play in such a demanding physical environment. Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () How to get rid of these ads and support TW ToffeeWeb Followup on this Golden Ghetto legal showdown . . . Did the commission overstep its authority? Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach thinks so. Commissioners disagree. On Wednesday, they faced off in a Topeka courtroom and handed the decision over to Kansas Third District Judge Jay Befort. If the county commission wins its case, then the voters will get the sales tax question on a March 3 special election ballot. A ruling would have to come by Dec. 9 in order to print ballots on time, should the county win. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Right now the adventures of the Angels inspire one more peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Private Cowtown Stacks Exposed Library Retreats - IN Kansas City Magazine If you're a collector of books, a dedicated library is probably high on your dream home wish list. Get inspired by these three rooms designed for a lucky bibliophile. Courthouse Nod . . . Jackson County executive announces appointments, reappointments to BOE Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota announced the appointment and reappointment of three members to the Jackson County Board of Equalization (BOE). Locals Need Bus Money Is more money coming for World Cup buses? KC transit leaders eye ticking clock The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has begun the process of moving dollars within its budget to add bus service for the event. Golden Ghetto Connection Arrives Johnson County cities launch free shuttle to KCI Airport ahead of World Cup The "Johnson County United Drop and Ride" will connect KCI Airport to Lenexa City Center and the Overland Park Convention Center. Holiday Shopping Season Starts Check out these 6 Kansas City maker's markets, fairs and festivals this holiday season Kansas City small businesses need your support, so this year, head to your talented neighbors and spend your dollars where they matter the most. Here's where you can find handcrafted goods, local art and unique gifts for your loved ones. Financing The Angels Victoria's Secret Squares Off With Investor and Boardroom Hopeful Brett Blundy The Australian retail entrepreneur holds a 12.9 percent stake and sees a need for big change in the lingerie giant's management. MAGA Unleashed Against MTG Trump slams 'traitor' Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as he celebrates her resignation from Congress: 'Went BAD' President Trump hailed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's surprising resignation announcement, revealing that she did not share her plans with him ahead of time. Progressively Tense Turkey Day Bill Maher Blasts Liberals For 'Ghosting Half This Country' Comedian Bill Maher lambasted American liberals who cut off family members who voted for President Trump in the last episode of his show before Thanksgiving. Tesla King Connection Cut Exclusive-DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter "That doesn't exist," Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor told Reuters earlier this month when asked about DOGE's status. American Life Lesson North Dakota court upholds near-total abortion ban The ban on abortion returns after three judges on the five-judge supreme court ruled it was unconstitutional. MAGA Ultimatum For Europe Trump's signals to Zelensky and Europe: Accept this plan or you're on your own | CNN The 28-point plan hammered out by US and Russian envoys and put to Ukraine this week came with a deadline and an implicit threat: Sign up or face the risk of being abandoned. Populist Pals?!? Inside Trump and Mamdani's surprising bond of convenience They're both populist outsiders, lovers of the Big Apple, and politicians who each want what the other has. Fighting International Femicide South Africa declares gender-based violence a national disaster amid G20 protests Women's groups welcomed the announcement on the eve of the international leaders' summit in Johannesburg South Of Border Paperwork U.S. considers dropping leaflets in Venezuela as it ramps up pressure on Maduro, sources say The U.S. is considering dropping leaflets on Caracas as a kind of psychological warfare to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, multiple U.S. officials familiar with the talks told CBS News. El Papa Advocates For Captives Pope prays for kidnapped kids, priests in Nigeria, Cameroon Let us pray for these brothers and sisters of ours, and that churches and schools may always and everywhere remain places of safety and hope. BBQ Legend Suffers Setback Arthur Bryant's Barbeque remains closed after waterline struck during renovation Arthur Bryant's Barbeque has temporarily closed in Kansas City, MO after a waterline break caused some damage and flooding. Sunday Autumn Flux . . . First Warn Forecast: Beautiful, dry weekend ahead of next week's weather rollercoaster While you may want to have a light jacket on hand, you can leave the rain gear at home as we stay rain-free all weekend long. Bob Marley & The Wailers - One Love is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Women named Jimmi are often perceived as approachable, confident, and independent individuals who blend traditional warmth with contemporary assertiveness. The name's casual, friendly sound suggests someone who is easy to talk to and forms connections quickly, while its unconventional spelling and gender-bending nature indicate a person comfortable standing out from the crowd. Jimmi's tend to be seen as bridge-builderspeople who can navigate different social circles and adapt to various situations with equal ease. They often possess a natural leadership quality that feels more collaborative than authoritative, making others feel valued and heard. The name's modern origins suggest someone who is forward-thinking and open to new ideas, while its connection to the traditional James provides an underlying sense of reliability and determination. This combination creates individuals who are both innovative and grounded, capable of pioneering new paths while maintaining strong connections to their roots and communities. The personality associated with Jimmi reflects the name's unique position between tradition and modernity, creating women who are both dependable and surprising in equal measure. Just a bit of upscale parking lot info . . . Airside Innovation Missouri LLC will build a $55 million fixed-base operation facility at the Kansas City Downtown Airport-Wheeler Field . . . The KC Aviation Department said the project will bring a new hangar, office and maintenance space to the Downtown Airport's last available acreage. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . KC Biz Journal: KC Aviation Department taps developers for $55M project at Downtown Airport Skip the paywall and read by way of Internet archive or public library card. Developing . . . BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23. The COP summits, held consecutively at a critical stage of global climate processes, are one of the most important diplomatic platforms that determine the future of humanity. However, the significant differences that emerged between COP29 and COP30 clearly show the direction in which climate diplomacy is heading, the dynamics of international trust changing, and the vulnerability of the processes. A comparison of these two events, especially against the background of the great successes of Baku COP29, allows to better understand the challenges of COP30, held in Belem, and the current shortcomings in global climate governance. The main reason why COP29 was considered a "symbol of success" in the international community was its organizational, diplomatic and result-oriented model. The agreement in Baku on a number of critical issues that had been awaited for a decade gave new dynamism to the global climate agenda. The full agreement on the sixth article of the Paris Agreement, the operationalization of highly integrated global carbon markets, the institutionalization of loss and damage mechanisms, and the setting of a record financial target for the green economy are considered a turning point not only for Azerbaijan, but for humanity as a whole. Moreover, the smooth organization of COP29 in terms of security, logistics and diplomatic inclusiveness further strengthened international trust. While previous COPs held in different countries of the world were marked by protests, security problems, and chaotic logistics incidents, the Baku summit ended without any serious misunderstandings. This once again proved that Azerbaijan is a reliable host for global events. This year's COP30 event held in Belem, Brazil, was remembered with problems. Serious organizational shortcomings, high hotel prices, infrastructure deficiencies, and a fire-related security incident significantly slowed down the pace of the summit. In particular, the freeze in financial negotiations and the lack of progress in implementing the annual climate finance target of at least $300 billion set at COP29 were one of the biggest blows to COP30. On the other hand, the failure of many countries to submit new national climate commitments both narrowed the possibilities for diplomatic compromise and kept the negotiations in limbo. This shows that COP30 faced both organizational and political coordination problems. This difference has several main reasons. Baku set an example with logistics, security, and infrastructure reliability, while Belem struggled with even basic organizational issues. As a result of long-term diplomatic work, Azerbaijan managed to agree on complex issues, while Brazil showed significant gaps in creating a consensus reality. COP29 specified financial guarantees, while COP30 was deadlocked over the question of "by what mechanisms this guarantee will be implemented". COP29 motivated countries to take new steps, while COP30 failed to ensure the sustainability of this motivation. While COP29 strengthened trust between countries, COP30 showed how difficult it's to maintain this trust. This also proves that climate diplomacy is measured not only by the number of decisions, but also by the conditions created for their implementation. The trials experienced by COP30 show that if the solid foundation established at COP29 isn't reinforced with real mechanisms, the sustainability of the achievements may face risk. COP29 went down in history as a pinnacle in global climate relations. Meanwhile, COP30 raises questions in the international community against the backdrop of successive logistical, financial and coordination problems. The dramatic difference between these two events once again shows that successful climate diplomacy is possible not only through political will and ambition, but also through professional organization, inclusiveness, and the establishment of a unified coordination environment. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23. From November 10 to 22, the city of Belem in Brazil hosted the 30th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), and on November 67, the Leaders Summit took place, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports. The Azerbaijani Republic was represented at the Leaders Summit by a delegation headed by the Chair of the Milli Majlis, Sahiba Gafarova. The Speaker delivered a statement on behalf of Azerbaijan and held a number of bilateral meetings with heads of various countries. On the official opening day of COP30, the presidency of the Conference of the Parties was transferred from Azerbaijan to Brazil. The Presidents Special Representative on Climate Issues and COP29 President, Mukhtar Babayev, spoke at the COP30 opening session, presenting information on the historic results achieved at COP29 held in Baku last year, as well as on the activities carried out by Azerbaijan during its presidency. He also took part in several COP30 events and held bilateral meetings with the heads of delegations. The delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan also participated in both segments of COP30. During the conference, MFA representatives engaged in negotiations on draft decisions that were planned for adoption at the conclusion of the event. Azerbaijan was entrusted with leading negotiations and coordinating two key documents. Under the mandate granted by COP30 President Andre do Lago to Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Brazilian Deputy Foreign Minister Mauricio Lyrio to conduct negotiations between Turkiye and Australia the candidate countries to host COP31 an agreement was reached after 12 days of intensive consultations to award the right to host COP31 to Turkiye. Additionally, by order of the COP30 President, representatives of Azerbaijan and Norway were tasked with leading the process of coordinating documents related to the Global Stocktake (GST) of the Paris Agreement and conducting intergovernmental negotiations. On behalf of Azerbaijan, this process was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev, and on behalf of Norway, by Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen. Following consultations with all negotiation groups, the Azerbaijani and Norwegian sides submitted their recommendations on possible draft decisions to the Brazilian Presidency of COP31, contributing to the adoption of the relevant documents. Furthermore, in line with the Baku Financial Goal adopted at COP29, Azerbaijan and Brazil prepared and presented at COP30 the Roadmap from Baku to Belem, aimed at increasing global climate finance to 1.3 trillion US dollars. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23. Trade operations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye reached $4.77 billion from January through October 2025. The data obtained by Trend from the State Customs Committee indicates that this figure is $378.5 million, or 7.3 percent lower compared to the same period of 2024. Trade with Turkiye accounted for 11.67 percent of Azerbaijans total trade turnover during the reporting period, securing Turkiye's position as the second-largest trade partner after Italy. Azerbaijan's exports to Turkiye reached $2.8 billion, reflecting a decline of $408.7 million, or 12.7 percent, compared to the previous year. Of this amount, over $65 million was derived from crude oil and oil products extracted from bituminous rocks, totaling 133,100 tons. In comparison to the previous year, oil exports to Turkiye fell by $128.9 million, or threefold in value, and 221,300 tons, or 2.7 times in volume, which placed Turkiye 18th among Azerbaijans crude oil export destinations. In contrast, exports of non-oil products to Turkiye amounted to $486.3 million, representing a modest increase of $8.7 million, or 1.8 percent, year-on-year. Non-oil goods accounted for 16.28 percent of Azerbaijans total non-oil exports, positioning Turkiye as the second-largest importer of these goods. Azerbaijan's imports from Turkiye totaled $1.94 billion, reflecting an increase of $30.2 million, or 1.6 percent, compared to the previous year. This placed Turkiye as Azerbaijan's third-largest import partner. Overall, Azerbaijan conducted $40.8 billion worth of trade operations with foreign countries from January through October 2025, an increase of $1.5 billion, or 3.8 percent, compared to the same period in 2024. Exports accounted for $21.6 billion, while imports totaled $19.2 billion. Over the past year, exports decreased by 4.9 percent, or $1.1 billion, while imports rose by 15.6 percent, or $2.6 billion, resulting in a positive trade balance of $2.41 billion, which is $3.7 billion, or 2.5 times less than the previous year. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 23. Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkiye totaled $2.43 billion from January through October 2025, Trend reports via Uzbekistans Committee on Statistics. According to the provided data, this figure shows a slight decrease compared to the $2.46 billion recorded during the same period in 2024. Turkiye remains Uzbekistans fourth-largest trading partner. During the reporting period, Uzbekistan's trade dynamics with Turkiye showcased export figures totaling $942 million, juxtaposed against import valuations from Turkiye that escalated to $1.5 billion. Overall, Uzbekistan carries out trade with 210 countries around the globe. China takes the lion's share of the country's foreign trade turnover at 19.7 percent, followed closely by Russia with 15.9 percent, while Kazakhstan chipped in with 5.9 percent, while Turkiye and the Republic of Korea contributed 3.7 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively, rounding out the mix. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23. Iran's product imports from Kazakhstan decreased by 49.3 percent in value and by 38.7 percent in volume over the first seven months of the current Iranian year (from March 21 through October 22, 2025) compared to the same period last year (from March 20 through October 21, 2024), Trend reports via the Iranian Customs Administration (IRICA). During the reporting period, the imports amounted to 43,600 tons worth $15.7 million against 71,100 tons worth $30.9 million. The import mainly included wheat and barley, alongside a diverse array of machinery and ancillary apparatus, among other commodities. In the reporting timeframe, non-oil trade turnover between Iran and Kazakhstan reached $159 million and 277,000 tons, reflecting a 7.7 percent growth in value with the parallel 24.4 percent decrease in volume year on year. The data from IRICA shows that the countrys total imports over the seven months amounted to $34.2 billion and 22.3 million tons. Overall imports decreased by 16 percent in value while increasing by 1.6 percent in volume compared to the same period last year. Iran prioritizes the import of essential goods needed by the country and applies restrictions on bringing in products that have domestically produced equivalents. --- Follow the author on X: @BaghishovElnur BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23. The average prices of Azeri LT CIF, Azeri Light FOB Ceyhan, and Dated Brent crude oil brands rose, while the average price of Urals (EX NOVO) crude oil decreased this week, Trend reports. The average price of Azeri Light CIF oil produced at Azerbaijan's Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli field increased by $1.06, or 1.6 percent, compared to last week, to $67.56 per barrel. The highest price for this grade of oil during the reporting period came in at $68 per barrel, while the lowest dropped down to $66.51 per barrel. This week, the average price of Azeri Light crude oil on FOB terms at the Turkish port of Ceyhan was $65.42 per barrel, which is $1.11, or 1.73 percent, more than a week before. During the reporting period, the maximum price for this grade of oil was $65.82 per barrel, and the minimum price was $64.43 per barrel. URALS oil averaged $50.06 per barrel, down $1.47, or 2.85 percent, from last week. The highest price for URALS oil during the week was $52.13 per barrel, and the lowest was $47.14 per barrel. Dated Brent crude oil averaged $63.3 per barrel for the week, up $0.36, or 0.57 percent, from last week. The highest price for Dated Brent crude oil for the week was $63.66 per barrel, and the lowest was $62.38 per barrel. Oil type/date 17.10.2025 18.10.2025 19.10.2025 20.10.2025 21.10.2025 Average price Azeri LT CIF $67.93 $68 $67.67 $67.69 $66.51 $67.56 Azeri Light FOB Ceyhan $65.72 $65.82 $65.55 $65.6 $64.43 $65.42 Urals (EX NOVO) $52.13 $51.65 $50.08 $49.31 $47.14 $50.06 Dated Brent $63.66 $63.55 $63.35 $63.54 $62.38 $63.3 Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23. Overall, mediation and mediators between Iran and the United States are considered secondary matters, Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said at a press conference held in Tehran, Trend reports. He said that while the United States should be engaging in discussions in line with diplomatic norms, it has instead chosen the path of dictation. As long as the U.S. insists on this approach, no meaningful or logical negotiations can take shape. Baqaei added that Iran welcomes all countries working to promote peace and stability in the region. He noted that positive relations exist between Iran and Saudi Arabia. However, at present, there is no talk of mediation between Iran and the United States. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23. Introducing a resolution against Iran at the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency will only make the situation more complicated, Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said at a press conference in Tehran, Trend reports. He said that such a resolution by the Board of Governors contradicts the procedures of both the International Atomic Energy Agency and the UN Security Council, and will not help resolve the issue. Baqaei noted that there is no goodwill in this resolution. He added that the document fails to address the illegal attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Irans peaceful nuclear facilities. The resolution adopted on November 20 by the IAEA Board of Governors demands that Iran provide the agency with accurate information regarding its stock of 60% enriched uranium and allow inspections at its nuclear facilities. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23. Nuclear cooperation between Iran and Russia is continuing robustly, Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said at a press conference in Tehran, Trend reports. He stated that cooperation between Iran and Russia in the peaceful use of nuclear energy is progressing. Baqaei noted that the important point is that Russias nuclear cooperation with Iran and other countries should continue in the same manner as with any non-nuclear-weapon state. This principle is reflected in Resolution 2231. The resolution states that once its term expires, Iran will be treated like any other state that does not possess nuclear weapons. Baqaei added that this means Iran has full authority to cooperate with other countries in the field of peaceful nuclear energy. Based on this, Russias position is a principled one. Russia has declared this stance in the face of efforts by European countries and the United States to reinstate the revoked UN Security Council resolutions. Iran welcomes this position. Women named Jolleen are often perceived as compassionate, nurturing individuals with strong spiritual foundations. They typically exhibit a balanced personality that combines traditional values with modern adaptability, making them well-suited for roles that require both empathy and practical problem-solving. Their name's combination of the strong 'Jo' prefix with the gentle '-leen' suffix suggests someone who can be both determined and gentle when circumstances require. Many Jolleens are described as having natural leadership qualities tempered by humility, often taking on supportive roles in their communities and families. They tend to be reliable, faithful friends and family members who prioritize relationships and spiritual growth. The name's Christian associations often translate to individuals who value integrity, service to others, and maintaining strong moral principles in their daily lives, creating a personality profile of someone who is both spiritually grounded and practically effective in their interactions with others. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Muhammad Ali Jauhar: Freedom Hero who is remembered more by Palestine than by India Born 10 December 1878 in Rampur and educated at Aligarh and Oxford, Muhammad Ali Jauhar belonged to the first generation of modern Indian political thinkers shaped simultaneously by Islamic reform, English liberalism and anti-colonial nationalism [Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Maulana Shaukat Ali with their mother] Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar (18781931), was not a footnote in the Indian freedom struggle he was a headline. Few leaders of the national movement commanded such fear in the British Empire, such devotion among Indias masses, and such moral authority across continents. Yet, paradoxically, few have been so thoroughly forgotten by the nation they helped free. Born 10 December 1878 in Rampur and educated at Aligarh and Oxford, Jauhar belonged to the first generation of modern Indian political thinkers shaped simultaneously by Islamic reform, English liberalism and anti-colonial nationalism. He was a gifted journalist, razor-sharp orator and uncompromising patriot whose pen and voice electrified Indians from all communities. A Journalist Who Shook the Empire Jauhar was the first Indian to establish a quality English political weekly from the Indian soil. His newspapers Comrade (in English) and Hamdard (Urdu) became the intellectual artillery of the national movement. He attacked imperial injustices with such courage that the British banned Comrade within four years of its launch. Lord Minto once remarked that there was no more dangerous pen in India than that of Muhammad Ali Jauhar. Through journalism, he connected Indian Muslims to global anti-colonial struggles from the Ottoman Empire to Egypt, while also fiercely advocating HinduMuslim unity. His writings laid the early ideological foundations for composite nationalism. Political Leadership and the Early Call for Quit India Maulana Jauhar was among the front-ranking leaders of the Indian National Congress. Elected President of the Kakinada Session in 1923, he used the platform to argue that Indias freedom could not be divided by community or creedit had to be fought for jointly. It was he, not the Congress of 1942, who first coined and popularised the slogan Quit India in the 1920stwo decades before the official Quit India Movement . His speeches, delivered in packed maidan gatherings across India, were fiery indictments of the Raj and bold appeals for complete swaraj. Architect of the KhilafatNon-Cooperation Alliance Maulana Jauhars most transformative contribution came through the Khilafat Movement (19191924). Along with his brother, Maulana Shaukat Ali, he mobilised lakhs of Indian Muslims into active satyagraha. For the first time, these masses marched shoulder-to-shoulder with Mahatma Gandhis national movement. This HinduMuslim unity was a nightmare for the British. It produced the largest non-violent mobilisation India had ever seen before 1920. The Ali brothers became household names, symbols of resistance, and heroes of the oppressed world. A Life of Sacrifice and Imprisonment Between 1907 and 1930, Jauhar was jailed six times, spending over eight years in prison. His health broke repeatedly, but his resolve never did. When Gandhi signed the GandhiIrwin Pact in 1931, Jauhar bitterly remarked that the struggle was far from over and that compromises weakened the nations soul. The First Round Table Conference and a Broken Heart In 1930, he was chosen as a delegate to the First Round Table Conference in London. Despite his frailty, he arrived with hope that India would finally receive attention. Instead, he witnessed evasion, half-promises and colonial cynicism. He felt betrayednot personally, but on behalf of India. On 4 January 1931, at the age of 52, he died in London, worn down by illness and disillusionment. His dying whisper to his doctor was among the most heartbreaking lines in the history of Indias freedom struggle: India is not free yet. I do not want my body to lie in an occupied country. He asked to be buried in the sacred soil of Jerusalemthen under British occupation but spiritually uncolonised. A Funeral That Shook Palestine His brother, Shaukat Ali, fulfilled that wish. The coffin was shipped from London to Suez and then transported to Jaffa. On 2223 January 1931, one of the largest funeral processions in Palestines history took place. Tens of thousands lined the road from Jaffa to Jerusalem. The British tried to stop it; the people refused. The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, led the prayer. Shaukat Ali personally lowered the body into the grave at the historic Nabi Musa Complex, 20 km east of Jerusalem. A simple inscription was placed on the marble slab: Here lies Muhammad Ali Jauhar, Son of India, lover of Palestine. Ninety-Four Years of Silence From 1931 to 202594 years, India has forgotten the grave of one of its bravest sons. Not one Indian Prime Minister has visited the tomb. Not Nehru, not Indira Gandhi, not Rajiv Gandhi, not Vajpayee, not Narasimha Rao, not Manmohan Singh, not Narendra Modi. Not one Indian president. Not Rajendra Prasad, not Zakir Husain, not Abdul Kalam, not Pranab Mukherjee, not Droupadi Murmu. Not a single Congress or BJP president. Not Sonia or Rahul Gandhi. Not Asaduddin Owaisi. Not a single chief minister from Uttar Pradesh, the state that proudly claims Jauhar as its son. Not even the institutions closest to his legacy. Aligarh Muslim Universitynever sent an official delegation. Jamia Millia Islamia, founded by the Ali brothers, never sent a Vice-Chancellor or delegation of students. No wreath. No delegation. No two-minute silence on his death anniversary. Not even a ceremonial mention in official speeches. Remembered More by Palestine than by India Yet the grave survives. Palestinian caretakers sweep it every week. On Indian Independence Day, neighbourhood children place roses on the tomb because their elders taught them: This is the Indian who loved us. In 2021, after storms damaged the site, Palestinians crowdfunded its restoration. Theynot Indiaprotected the memory of Muhammad Ali Jauhar. Why India Must Remember Jauhar Today Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar embodies the inclusive, resolute, morally courageous nationalism that defined Indias finest hour. He stood for: HinduMuslim unity Global anti-colonial solidarity Freedom through moral courage Journalism as a weapon of truth A nation above narrow identities His life is a reminder that Indias freedom struggle was plural, diverse and powered by voices that refused to bend. Remembering Jauhar is not merely an act of historical correction. It is a reaffirmation of the values that made Indias independence possibleand the values required to preserve it. Ninety-four years after his death, perhaps the time has come for free India to finally walk those 30 minutes from Jerusalem to Nabi Musa. Not just with an official visit, but with gratitude. [The writer, Dr Syed Mohammad Raghib, has PhD from School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic By Jenny Lavey, UM News Service MISSOULA The Montana Board of Regents has named Julia Galloway, a University of Montana professor and director of ceramics, a Regents Professor, the highest honor conferred upon faculty in the Montana University System. Galloway is the 14th UM faculty member to earn the professor rank since it was established in 1991, and she is the first visual artist from UM to receive the distinction. Im delighted the arts are being recognized in this way, Galloway said. The Regents Award brings a level of real credibility to the arts as a sincere and endeavor of scholarship and research. This gives students hope in a different kind of way that theyre doing something essential and worthy. UM President Seth Bodnar said Galloways impact on the arts at UM has been tremendous. Galloway speaks during the Nov. 20 Board of Regents meeting in Missoula before she is named a Regents Professor of Art. (UM photo by Tommy Martino) Professor Galloway embodies the best of what higher education in Montana stands for creativity, service and excellence, said UM President Seth Bodnar. Through her art and teaching, she has brought international recognition to the University of Montana and inspired countless students to find purpose in their craft. A video celebrating Galloways award can be seen here. An internationally recognized artist and educator, Galloway is celebrated for her pioneering work in ceramics in Montana and across the country, her commitment to sustainability and her lauded mentorship of generations of emerging artists. Galloway joined UM in 2009 and has since transformed the Universitys ceramics program into one of the most respected in the nation. Her work, known for blending traditional craft with ecological and cultural commentary, is featured in more than 30 solo exhibitions and 275 group shows worldwide. Her pieces are included in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Smithsonians Renwick Gallery, the American Museum of Ceramic Art and the Montana Museum of Art and Culture. Among her many honors, Galloway was named the 2023 Artist of the Year by Ceramics Monthly and the Ceramics Arts Network. In 2018, she became one of only four potters to receive a United States Artist Fellowship since 2006. Galloway also holds a Fellow of the Council lifetime appointment with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts. Additionally, she is a former director at large of the National Council for the Education of the Ceramic Arts and board member for Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana, and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine. Her current project, the decade-long Endangered Species Project, brings together art, science and environmental advocacy through the creation of more than 1,100 hand-carved porcelain urns, each representing a species either on or lost from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Endangered Species list. The series will embark on a national museum tour in 2028. Galloway receives a hug from UM President Seth Bodnar during the Nov. 20 Board of Regents meeting in Missoula. (UM photo by Tommy Martino) Art has the power to make loss visible and inspire empathy, Galloway said. This project is about remembering that we are connected to all living things. The survival of other species is deeply tied to our own. At UM, Galloway has earned a reputation as a transformative teacher who champions both technical mastery and creative exploration. She founded Montana Clay, a statewide collective of ceramic artists, and developed the Field Guide for Ceramic Artisans, a professional resource used by potters around the world. Julia is not only one of the most respected ceramic artists of her generation, shes also a thought leader whose work continues to elevate the field, said Richard Notkin, a Guggenheim Fellow and renowned ceramic sculptor. Adrea Lawrence, UM provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the Regents Professor Selection Committees decision was unanimous. Professor Galloways career represents sustained excellence across scholarship, teaching and service, Lawrence said. She has deepened the University of Montanas impact while helping shape the field of contemporary ceramics on a global scale. As a Regents Professor, Galloway joins an elite group of Montana educators recognized for their contributions to scholarship and public service. Julia Galloways work reminds us that creativity is not a luxury its a way of understanding and caring for the world around us, Bodnar said. We are deeply proud to see her recognized with this honor. ### Contact: Dave Kuntz, UM strategic communications director, 406-243-5569, dave.kuntz@umotnana.edu; Julia Galloway, director and professor, UM School of Art, julia.galloway@umontana.edu. Women named Julina are often perceived as possessing a natural grace combined with inner strength, reflecting the name's connection to Jupiter, the king of gods. They typically exhibit warmth and approachability while maintaining a dignified presence that commands respect. Julianas are frequently described as creative individuals with strong intuition and emotional intelligence, making them excellent communicators and natural mediators in social situations. Their youthful energy (reflecting the 'youthful' meaning of Julian) often manifests as curiosity and adaptability, allowing them to navigate changing circumstances with resilience. Many Julianas demonstrate leadership qualities tempered with compassion, creating balanced personalities that can both inspire and nurture those around them. This combination of traits often makes them successful in careers requiring both analytical thinking and interpersonal skills, from education and healthcare to creative arts and business management. 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 neighboring 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Waterford Camera Club presented a cheque for 834.22 to Waterford City River Rescue. The money was raised from a recent exhibition at City Square, where the public voted for the best picture. Photographer Joe Evans captured the cheque presentation earlier this week. REVIEW: A Streetcar Named Desire by Stagemad at Garter Lane "I dont want reality. I want magic," drawls southern belle Blanche DuBois when attempts are made to force her to confront the awfulness of her situation in the tiny New Orleans apartment that houses younger sister Stella (Clodagh Kenny) and her fiery husband Stanley (Barry Roe). Unemployed and desperate, she seeks shelter from the storm of her life in a home where there is open hostility to her demanding presence. Neurotic, delusional and condescending, Blanche pours scorn on her sisters shabby home and her "common, angry husband" in a series of barbs that are cruel, calculated and cunning. The energy that this trio creates drives the play ever onwards towards its devastating climax. Director James Powers situating of off-stage actors that squat, circle and listen to the ongoing tensions gives a claustrophobic feel to the drama that suggests the inevitability of the plotline. Continuous tense and acrimonious poker games add to the bluff and bluster of the drama. Stanleys battles with Blanche can only ever have one winner and it isnt going to be the fragile Blanche who hides in self-delusion behind imagined, wealthy beaus with her narcissistic self as the centre of all attraction. While Stanley strips to his vest to reveal his bulging muscular frame, Blanche strips to a variety of dresses to adopt another elegant faux-persona. Their battles between raw power and vulnerability are all about the ownership of Stella. The glory of Blanches character lies in the many guises she invents and poses she adopts as she struggles to stay on in Stellas tiny apartment. Her inventions fool no one but the force of her personality postpones open confrontations. The gradual avalanche of revelations, along with the dubious nature of their sources, is the key that keeps the lock turning and suspends our criticism of the neurotic, suffering Blanche. Blanches journey that begins on the streetcar on the Desire line ultimately ends in the inappropriately named Elysian Fields, where Stellas shabby apartment is located. Her journey is a descent from genteel, southern delusion to the harsh reality of post-war, dirt-poor America. Her struggle to maintain the illusion of her Southern belle past crashes on the rocks of Stanleys accusations and her final acknowledgment of the events that have brought her to this pathetic plight will ultimately destroy her. Impoverished heiress to a debt-ridden estate, inventor of gentlemen callers from a colonial world that no longer exists, hints of a promiscuous lifestyle with a penchant for young boys of seventeen and an empty purse tumble out as the facts of Blanches life now. Helena Walsh Kiely gives very strong support as the upstairs neighbour and landlady Eunice, as does Dean Sullivan as her boorish husband Steve, who only goes with other women to show how much he loves his wife. Mmmmm? John Moloney gives a fine performance as the timid, understated, mother-dominated Mitch, who sees a possible future with Blanche that is destroyed by Stanleys interference. Other parts are filled by Killian Delahunty (Pablo), Daniel Andrews (Young Man), Fergal ONeill (Doctor), Sophie Reynolds (Nurse) and Angelica Cisneros (Flower Lady). Unfortunately, lack of projection leaves the audience straining for lines in many roles. This becomes especially obvious whenever Blanche was onstage because other actors raised their projection to meet hers. Confidential and intimate scenes, along with seated interludes such as the poker sessions, all require projection its the most basic requirement of any actor - and was a major flaw in this production. Roisin Hackett Nolans sound design brings great atmosphere to the production and the jarring streetcar bell becomes ominous. The crashing and banging of the streetcars arrival during the rape scene creates an aural violence that is terrifying although the pair should have remained on the bed throughout. Lauren Cardiff is magnificent as the delusional and quixotic Blanche that constantly schemes and talks her way out of the many dead ends shes reached. Lauren is also the perfect age for Blanche, who is early thirties. At the time the play was written, this was considered a somewhat older age for an unmarried woman that, in turn, adds to her anxieties and desperation. Her character is obsessed with her fading beauty and her fear of being seen in direct light reflects her fear of aging. Laurens southern drawl and lengthy self-analysis and neurotic deception depict a woman on the edge facing multiple challenges that ultimately suffocate her and leave her "dependent on the kindness of strangers". Cardiffs Blanche sees the world differently and its that difference that keeps us mesmerised from opening to curtain: I don't want realism. I want magic! Yes, yes, magic! I try to give that to people. I misrepresent things to them. I don't tell the truth, I tell what ought to be the truth. And if that's sinful, then let me be damned for it! A wonderful production to mark Stagemads 40th anniversary. Congratulations James Power. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share Everything in the room is red: the plush chairs, the benches and tables, the roses, the vase-sized burgundy spittoons. Rows of spotless wine glasses are stacked in crimson wheelie trays. There are designer-looking engraved corks resting in what looks like jewellery boxes. Small groups are clustered around the room, some in aprons, swirling, sniffing, tasting, and poring over liquid worth perhaps more than some earn in a month. Welcome to Penfolds red wine recorking clinic, where the price of entry isnt cash, its an expensive, old bottle of red wine. Fifteen years or older, to be exact: thats what qualifies a bottle for inspection at these recorking clinics, where wine lovers and collectors can see how well their Grange, St Henri Shiraz or Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon have held up in their cellars. On this occasion, wine lovers and collectors across South Australia have converged at Adelaides famed Penfolds Magill Estate, the birthplace of global winemaker Treasury Wine Estates flagship brand. Many come armed with several bottles, sometimes cases, of their long-term investment, which can start from as low as a few hundred dollars and go upwards of $30,000. It can be an emotional time. There are real tears, says Peter Gago, Penfolds chief winemaker. People are quiveringly handing over things. Theyre real quivers. Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago. James Brickwood Gago, who has played Penfolds chief host for over three decades, is a celebrity unto himself, a Rolodex of vintages, tasting notes, and charming anecdotes. A lot of this is about therapy and condition and, you know, meeting expectations You get every kaleidoscopic array of human behaviour here. Advertisement These recorking clinics began in 1991, inspired by Penfolds first winemaker Max Schubert, the creator of Grange who was known to recork old vintages for friends. Since then, over 200,000 bottles have been uncorked and recorked in a world tour that has visited New York, London, Beijing, Tokyo, Stockholm, Munich, Toronto and Hong Kong as well as Australian capital cities Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. By appointment only, they are always booked out: people are anxious to know if their carefully temperature-controlled assets have expired. Over the years, wine corks can lose elasticity and become crumbly or spongy, a death sentence for wine which loses flavour and vibrancy once it becomes oxidised. If deemed assessable, wines are opened, inspected and tasted. If it has kept well, the wine is topped up with the latest vintage, recorked, recapsuled, granted a certification sticker and entered into a database. What these well-heeled collectors (remember, you must be rich in both financial wealth and time for an appointment at these clinics) want is this certification. Where a wine is exceptionally rare, Penfolds may buy it back. What no one wants to see is the white sticker of doom, which indicates the wine has deteriorated too much. This can be unexpectedly good news. They give you permission to drink the wine, says Gago. Two white dots means its not fit for consumption (cue the tears). Bottles that have aged well are certified with a label, which can increase resale value. Advertisement The clinics, a free after-sales service, are a multimillion-dollar expense to Treasury, the only wine company to consistently run such clinics (every two or so years). It did not disclose costs, but sending teams of winemakers around the world, the logistics of specialised machinery, and no doubt Gago himself, is no small operation. This is state-of-the art bottling equipment, custom-modified, he says. Its like a rock-and-roll show on and off airplanes. The clinics serve another purpose, doubling as an expensive marketing exercise. The theatrics of uncorking hoisted on a screen is live footage of a birds-eye-view behind the recorking machine attracts television crews, radio producers and writers as it tours the globe. The optics are carefully orchestrated: perceptions of luxury are shaped more by service than by product alone. Its a highly personalised one-on-one experience. Most wine is sold without any connection to the winemaker, says Emperor Champagne founder Kyla Kirkpatrick. It says: you are significant, you are important, Im going to inspect how my wine is doing in your home. Its almost the reverse of how classical wineries operate. Although Penfolds which makes up about 60 per cent of Treasury Wines profits can be counted among a select handful of truly global Australian-born luxury brands (RM Williams, Aesop, Zimmerman), it could use the publicity. The interest for us in the wine industry is important, says Gago. Its about the culture of wine, and youve got to spread the word, because all these young people [theyre] not drinking wine. Weve got to get people back into this. The recorking clinic at Penfolds Magill Estates in Adelaide, November 2025. Advertisement The last few years have forced Treasury Wine Estates to roll with the punches. The four-year trade war between Beijing and Canberra was not fatal, but it choked the winemakers access to its most lucrative market ($1.2 billion): China. Treasury diverted shipments to neighbouring countries like South Korea, Japan and Singapore and redoubled focus on the US market, where it made a $1.6 billion gamble on California-based Daou Vineyards to become the next flagship brand. Penfolds kept its allure as a coveted luxury brand among Chinese consumers, who were replenished by grapes not from South Australia but from California, Bordeau and Ningxia, China itself. Partnerships with Japanese fashion designer Nigo and local influencers helped. It took on counterfeiters who tried to rip off the Penfolds brand and won. But these efforts to reassert Penfolds pole position are in a world that is slowly shrinking. Fewer people particularly Gen Z are drinking wine, as spritzers, seltzers, and canned drinks rise in popularity. Global wine consumption hit its lowest point in over 60 years, declared the International Vine and Wine Organisation in April. Tim Ford, the recently departed CEO of Treasury Wine, steered it out of the depths of the pandemic and devastating China tariffs. Eamon Gallagher Lower-quality wine $15 or less has fallen out of favour: people are drinking less, but better. The future for Treasury is in its luxury and icon portfolio (Grange, Bin series), where margins are highest. The wine giant put commercial wine brands Wolf Blass, Lindemans, Yellowglen and Blossom Hill on the market, but couldnt find a buyer for the right price. China has never returned to the market it once was for Australian winemakers. Many have sold their vineyards or ripped up grape vines to plant white grapes or fruit instead. Those who remain are now competing with a new wave of domestic Chinese winemakers. In May this year, the Chinese government tightened its crackdown on bureaucratic excess, banning alcohol, cigarettes, alcohol, and even fancy plants from official receptions. Advertisement These problems are structural, not cyclical: Treasury Wine has been forced to reset investor expectations. In October, Treasury Wine admitted Chinese drinkers were holding back more than anticipated and dumped profit predictions. Panicked investors sent the ASX giants share price to a 15-year low, pointing to a high level of uncertainty caused by evolving consumption dynamics in the Chinese market, noted RBC Capital Markets analyst Michael Toner. After a wine is assessed and approved for certification, it is recorked and recapsuled. James Brickwood Not only is demand shrinking, but its getting more expensive to make and grow wine. Climate change is disrupting terroirs and temperatures, leading Treasury to diversify grape-growing regions and invest in developing new climate-resistant varieties, water-saving technology and renewable energy. These are the challenges facing Treasurys new chief executive Sam Fischer, the former boss of beer maker Lion Group. Amid the change, recorking clinics are a conspicuous reminder of Penfolds legacy of prestige and luxury and looks great on social media. The clinics also serve a very commercial purpose: bad wines are taken out of the system to improve the gene pool, says Gago. Certification can pump up a bottles value, all at no additional cost to the owner. Fine wine auction house Langtons guide to Penfolds describes Grange as the most important wine in the secondary market. Penfolds Grange is traded enormously on auctions, said independent wine writer and critic Huon Hooke. When a wine appears with a sticker on it, it says this has been clinic-ed and adds to desirability. Prices on auctions are actually higher for clinicd wines. Advertisement Kristin Scott Thomas: 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. The star of Slow Horses has spent 39 years trying to convince the world shes nothing like the characters she plays. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share 11 View all comments This story is part of the November 23 edition of Sunday Life. See all 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. 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. 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 Advertisement LifestyleLife & relationshipsSunday Life Hope and Tom paid $250,000 to secure their dream home, then nearly lost it all Shona Hendley November 23, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 75 View all comments This story is part of the November 23 edition of Sunday Life. See all stories . In 2023, heavily pregnant Hope Clifford, and her husband, Tom, were making plans to build their dream house. Wed found a block of land just outside Dubbo [NSW], says Hope Clifford. Like most Australians who have bought a house, we know the legal contract exchange can be complex, but we had done it before. After receiving an email from their solicitor asking them to deposit their $250,715 settlement funds into a bank account, the couple went to their local NAB branch with the email containing the payment instructions. The bank teller processed the transaction, says Clifford, and I then sent our solicitors an email with the receipt of payment. About three weeks later, the couple received an email from their solicitor with an invoice for the full $250,715 attached. Confused and worried, they phoned immediately, and it was soon established that the solicitors email account had been hacked. A fraudulent invoice had been sent to the couple, who had unwittingly then transferred $250,715 into a Commonwealth Bank mule account. This put their dream of building a home in jeopardy and set off a nearly two-year-long legal battle for reimbursement of the lost funds. Tom and Hope Clifford fought for years after scammers intercepted their property settlement. Unfortunately, the Cliffords are not alone. More than 108,000 scams and associated financial losses of about $174 million were reported to the National Anti-Scam Centres Scamwatch by Australians in the first half of 2025. Fake websites, online advertisements and making contact through social media were the criminals preferred methods of reaching people. Advertisement Alex Brooks, of the Scam Victim Alliance, says the Cliffords are typical in that people rarely know they are the victim of fraud until its too late. There are no clear red flags for most modern financial scams, says Brooks. Criminals evolve and move to the most successful tactics faster than ever before. A common pattern is your scammer pretending to be someone you trust: a bank, a lawyer, even [the Australian Securities and Investments Commission] or Australia Post. The crime is proliferating all over the globe. Its extremely lucrative and rarely prosecuted. This was the case for Clifford, who says that she and her husband had no idea that the payment instructions they were emailed by their solicitor, using the same email chain theyd previously communicated on, had been intercepted by a criminal group. People feel silly, and because the authorities, police, regulators and banks continue to blame them, the cycle continues. Alex Brooks, Scam Victim Alliance We didnt know that real estate agents and lawyers emails are widely hacked by financial criminals and organised crime rings who sell these details and work with money mules to commit sophisticated property frauds, says Clifford. It was only after the crime that we discovered these real estate frauds are committed across the country, targeting businesses that dont keep their cybersecurity as up to date as they should. But victims of fraud arent just affected financially; shame and trauma can also arise from the experience. People feel silly, and because the authorities, police, regulators and banks continue to blame them, the cycle continues, says Brooks. Advertisement 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. Related Article Exclusive Scams Scammers stole almost $50,000 from Katrina. Her bank offered her goodwill instead of getting it back 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Related Article Scams Its not your fault: How to overcome shame after being scammed 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. Advertisement Two years on, thanks to Hope and Tom Cliffords perseverance, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority forced their bank, NAB, to repay 70 per cent of the couples loss. We got whats called a panel determination, and it was an extremely gruelling process, says Hope Clifford. But it does mean weve created a precedent for other home-buyer fraud victims, which is the only highlight of what weve been through. We hope no one else has to be blamed and shamed and humiliated like we have. Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter. Members of the Greens and the crossbench are firing back at Pauline Hanson as she entered the Senate chamber wearing a burqa after she failed to raise a motion to have the garment banned. Pauline Hanson wears a burqa in the Senate on Monday. Dominic Lorrimer She is disrespecting a faith ... its absolutely unconstitutional. This needs to be dealt with immediately before we proceed, senator Fatima Payman said. The chair found that Hansons dress is allowed, and proceedings should not be stopped. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe rose to her feet and yelled out: This cant be happening. Get this racist woman out of here now. Get her out. Get her out whos in charge here? Hanson also wore a burqa in the Senate on August 17, 2017. Andrew Meares Ill shut down this senate until she is removed, Thorpe said. Thorpe yelled at Labor senators to stand up and speak on what was going on in the chamber. Racism should not be the choice of the Senate. This is a racist senator, Greens deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi said. There is a person in here ridiculing my religion. Hansons renewed attempt to ban the burqa was slammed by Australias Islamophobia envoy, who said the move would worsen harassment, threats of rape and violence against Muslim women in Australia. The One Nation leader performed the same stunt in 2017 and it was dubbed by the then attorney-general, George Brandis, as an appalling thing to do. Advertisement Exclusive NationalVictoriaMelbourne childcare crisis A little girl was repeatedly raped at family daycare. Her mother says regulators took no action Carla Jaeger November 23, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A home-based daycare worker whose husband repeatedly raped a seven-year-old girl in their house did not lose her Working With Children Check, and most parents were never alerted to the horrific abuse even after the predators conviction. Despite being investigated by childcare authorities, the woman, who ran a now-closed family daycare from her home in Melbournes west, was allowed to continue running a separate NDIS care service after her husband repeatedly attacked the girl when she was left unsupervised. After the rapist was arrested in late 2022 and police began investigating, the regulator initially declared the wife and her employer were compliant. The states early learning regulator subsequently banned daycare operations at the home five months later but took no action against the educator or employer. A Melbourne mother whose daughter was abused in family daycare is speaking out against the response from Victorias childcare authorities Aresna Villaneuva Advertisement An investigation by this masthead has uncovered the responses from the childcare regulator, known as the Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD) a unit within the Department of Education and the Victorian Commission for Children and Young People after they were alerted to the abuse. In an ordeal spanning almost three years, the mother, who asked to be known as Ruth to protect her identity, said she had encountered a disturbing level of failure from agencies set up to protect the interests of children like her daughter, who she asked to be identified as Luna. Ruth says her pleas for justice have been met with delays and failures to investigate crucial information. Only after this masthead began asking questions did the Commission for Children inform her that it had reopened its investigation. The early learning regulator began investigating the educator and her employer in December 2022, days after sex-crime detectives arrested her husband. It closed its investigation without taking any action against the educator or her employer, despite pleas from Lunas family. Both authorities eventually reopened their investigations, which are still ongoing, after Ruth spent months pleading for action, a process she describes as exhausting and re-traumatising. Advertisement Loading 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Related Article Exclusive Child safety Allan government postpones key child safety reform in row over disability watchdogs 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsFederalBlood Oil This should ring alarm bells: Twiggy Forrest demands an end to Russian oil loopholes in Australia Nick O'Malley and Matthew Knott November 24, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 152 View all comments Blood oil: A new series by the Herald and The Age. See all stories . One of the countrys most influential business leaders, Fortescue Mining founder Andrew Forrest, has urged the Albanese government to take decisive action to stop Russian-origin oil from entering Australia as he warns existing sanctions loopholes are empowering tyrants and undermining the nations foreign policy. Forrest was responding to the Herald and The Ages Blood Oil series examining the vast quantities of Russian-origin oil that have entered Australia since the war in Ukraine began and that have provided a crucial source of funding to Vladimir Putins war machine. Vast quantities of Russian-origin oil have entered Australia since the war in Ukraine began and that have provided a crucial source of funding to Vladimir Putins war machine. Artwork: Marija Ercegovac The billionaire philanthropists intervention came as the Australian-Ukrainian community urged the government to join a coalition of like-minded nations opposing US President Donald Trumps controversial plan to end the war in Ukraine. No family filling their car with petrol should have to wonder whether their money is helping bankroll Putins assault on Ukraine. This should ring alarm bells across Australia, Forrest told this masthead. Advertisement Allowing tainted fossil fuels to seep into our economy is not just a policy failure; it is a national vulnerability. We cannot and must not allow it. Forrest has been a major supporter of Ukraine since the war began, championing its cause at international business and diplomatic forums and donating $30 million to de-mining and recovery operations in Ukraine via the Minderoo Foundation, the philanthropic organisation he founded with his former wife Nicola Forrest. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meeting with Andrew Forrest in Kyiv in mid-2022. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a non-profit group based in Finland, estimates that Australians bought $3.8 billion worth of petrol and diesel produced from Russian crude and refined in India between February 2023 and June 2025. Advertisement This has allowed importers to skirt tough Australian sanctions banning imports of Russian oil, introduced after Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Related Article Blood Oil Will Australians pay more at the petrol pump to cut off Putins blood oil? Declaring that sanctions with loopholes are useless, Forrest said: Australia needs a sanctions regime in line with the European Union, that stops Russian oil being laundered through third countries. The EU has announced a ban on imports into Europe of petroleum products made of refined oil from Russian crude oil in third countries, and Britain has made a similar pledge. Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the EU and British moves but she said it was not clear how they would be implemented in practice. Advertisement Were liaising closely with the EU and UK, assessing and consulting on whether there are European regulatory measures we can utilise, a spokesperson for Wong said. The government has made our expectations clear and is taking further action to starve Russias war machine of oil revenue. Wong last week applauded Reliance Industries, the largest Indian supplier of fuel to Australia, for announcing it would end the use of Russian oil at its export refinery from the start of December. Forrest said Australia must take the lead to ensure that its sanctions laws keep pace with global energy markets. When fuel made from Russian crude reaches Australia, it undermines our stance on Ukraine, he said. Advertisement We must close these channels and align our values with our supply chains. Accelerating the shift to green energy would help cut off support for autocrats like Putin, he said. To stop tyrants weaponising oil, we need an economy that no longer relies on it, he said. Trumps draft plan to end the war would require Ukraine to cede land in the Donbas region along its border with Russia, even though some of the territory is still held by Ukrainian forces, and to slash the size of the Ukrainian army. Advertisement Leaders from the EU, Canada, Japan and Britain joined together over the weekend at the G20 summit to issue a statement welcoming the peace plan but saying it would require additional work. Related Article Blood Oil Blood oil: How this Australia-bound ship is helping pay for Putins war We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force, the leaders said. We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraines armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack. Australia did not sign the statement. Government sources said this was because Albanese had not been invited to attend the meeting where it was drafted, meaning Australia was not involved in the process. Advertisement Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations chair Kateryna Argyrou said the shameful proposal would amount to a dangerous capitulation to tyranny and aggression. We urge the Albanese government to join our allies including the UK, Germany, France, Japan and Canada, who overnight released a statement supporting Ukraine and the principle that borders must not be changed by force, she said. Natalia and Anatoliy Zhygunov cry at the coffin of their son Ruslan, a Ukrainian serviceman who was killed at the frontline. AP Wongs spokesperson said a lasting peace should uphold Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, support security and stability in Europe, and ensure Russia does not renew its aggression. We support efforts to achieve a peace deal that ends Russias illegal and immoral war and safeguards security and stability in Europe. Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsVictoriaVictoria Police These rates are astonishing: Victoria Polices profiling problem laid bare in new report Cameron Houston November 24, 2025 2:30am 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 A disproportionate number of police searches against Aboriginal, African, Middle Eastern and Pacific Island communities has prompted accusations against Victoria Police of racially discriminating. Research by the Centre Against Racial Profiling found people perceived by police to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander were 15 times more likely to be searched than white people in 2024, but were less likely to be found with prohibited items, such as drugs or weapons. A new report shows Aboriginal, African, Middle Eastern and Pacific Island communities account for a disproportionate number of searches and interactions involving force by Victoria Police. Jason South First Nations people were also 10 times more likely to have force, or the threat of force used against them by police, while officers were 13 times more likely to use, or threaten to use tasers on those perceived to be Aboriginal. The report, based on data obtained from Victoria Police under freedom of information laws, also identified racial profiling of African community members, who were eight times more likely to be searched by police than white people in 2024, but also less likely to be found in possession of banned items. Advertisement Those perceived to be African were seven times more likely to be the subject of a forceful interaction with police, who were also 24 times more likely to initiate a pursuit against someone of African appearance. Related Article Exclusive Victoria Police conduct Top cop in charge of welfare at police academy accused of racism, homophobia, bullying According to the report due to be released on Monday, police were five times more likely to use, or threaten force against a Pacific Islander than a white person in 2024. Those perceived by police to be Middle Eastern were more than twice as likely to be involved in a forceful interaction with police compared to white people. Since 2019, police officers have been able to record the ethnic appearance of those searched without a warrant, when they suspect a person has committed, or is about to commit an offence, or can assist with the investigation of a serious offence. The ethnicity of anyone arrested or detained by police is recorded based on their self-identification. Advertisement A Victoria Police spokesman said officers were trained to respond to a persons behaviour, not their background, and said the force had zero tolerance towards racial profiling. Assertions made in this research are incorrect. It is not mandatory for police to record ethnic appearance information when conducting all searches, the spokesman said. Its important to clarify that the use of force includes not just physical force but when police merely threaten to use force. For tasers, this includes when members draw their device, but its never actually discharged. This is the case in close to nine out of every 10 incidents involving tasers. Advertisement However, Dr Tamar Hopkins, the author of the centres report, said the information obtained from Victoria Police clearly demonstrated its officers engaged in racial profiling. Its time the police and government took the polices own data seriously and took action to stop the over-policing of particular racialised communities in Victoria, Hopkins said. The increased rate of stop, investigation, questioning and search of these groups is likely to be behind the higher use of force. In 2015, Victoria Police became the first Australian law enforcement agency to officially define and prohibit racial profiling by its officers. Advertisement The Victoria Police Manual defines the practice as making policing decisions that are not based on objective or reasonable justification, but on stereotypical assumptions about race, colour, language, ethnicity, ancestry or religion. Related Article Courts Police, fireys accused of excessive force after injured man dies following Brunswick arrest Hopkins said the apparent targeting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was particularly troubling. These statistics indicate that systemic racism in policing was not solved by the chief commissioner of polices apology to the Yoorrook Commission in 2023. Systemic racism is not a thing of the past, but is alive and well today, she said. Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service chief executive Nerita Waight said the research proved discrimination and abuses of power by police, which she said could not be attributed to a few bad apples. Advertisement These rates are astonishing, and the report highlights Victoria Police members continuing to engage in disturbing racist policing practices with little accountability and no independent oversight, Waight told The Age. This initial contact with police forges a path that our community are disproportionately familiar with being forced to interact with the criminal legal system. The psychological harm and impact this has on families and communities is felt deeply. Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service chief executive Nerita Waight says the research proves discrimination and abuses of power by police. The allegations of discrimination have prompted fresh calls for the Allan government to introduce an independent police ombudsman to investigate police misconduct. Human Rights Law Centre associate legal director Monique Hurley said the recent expansion of police powers by the government had green-lit this kind of heavy-handed and discriminatory policing. Advertisement The Allan government must stop endlessly expanding police powers, support community-led alternatives to policing, and end the status quo of police impunity by creating an independent police ombudsman now, Hurley said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Individuals named Kennon are often perceived as strong, reliable, and charismatic. They tend to possess natural leadership qualities combined with a practical approach to problem-solving. The name suggests someone who is both traditional in values and innovative in thinking, able to bridge old wisdom with new ideas. Kennons are typically seen as determined and ambitious, yet maintain a warm and approachable demeanor that draws people to them. They often exhibit a balance of strength and sensitivity, making them effective in both professional and personal relationships. Their Scottish heritage connection may contribute to a sense of pride, resilience, and loyalty that characterizes their interactions and life approach. This combination of traits makes Kennons well-suited for leadership roles where they can inspire others while maintaining genuine connections. The name carries an expectation of integrity and steadfastness, qualities that often manifest in the character of those who bear it. Advertisement InspirationFoodie travel One of the worlds most delicious curries, but its name is confusing Ben Groundwater November 24, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 7 View all comments Plate up Panang curry in every Thai restaurant. Getty Images Tip for first-time players: this curry is not from, and also has nothing to do with, the Malaysian island of Penang. Note the slightly different spelling, and also the fact this is a deeply cherished Thai dish that the locals will not be sharing with Malaysia anytime soon. Now that we have that out of the way, we can talk about what must be one of the most fragrant, spicy and delicious curries out there (big call, its true). A panang curry also occasionally spelled phanaeng, or phanang is based on a curry paste made with dried chillies, galangal, lemongrass, makrut,lime zest, coriander root and seeds, cumin seeds, garlic, eschalots, shrimp paste, peanuts and salt. That paste is fried until fragrant and then mixed with cubed meat typically pork, beef or chicken as well as coconut milk, makrut leaves, palm sugar and fish sauce, and cooked down until its quite dry. The curry is then served over rice, and it hits all of those notes you want from a great Thai dish: spicy, sweet, salty and sour. First serve Advertisement As we said: not from Penang. In fact, panang curry is thought to have originated from central Thailand, a long way from that Malaysian island. The history of this dish stretches back centuries, though its not one thats well-defined. All we know is that the first mention of panang curry is in Tamra Kap Khao, a legendary Thai cookbook first published in 1890. This curry has some similarities to a few other favourite curries from Thailand, namely red curry and massaman, though the makrut lime leaves here give it a distinctive, zesty flavour. Related Article Opinion Foodie travel The worlds 14 iconic dishes you must try in their home cities Ben Groundwater Travel writer Order there Bangkok, the Michelin-recommended Krua Apsorn does a very good panang curry. (facebook.com/kruaapsorn). Order here Advertisement In Sydney, tuck into a classic panang curry at Spice I Am (spiceiam.com). In Melbourne, try the beef cheek panang curry at BKK (her.melbourne/bkk). And in Adelaide, opt for Angel Thai (itsangelthai.com). Cook it Make a beef panang curry at home following this recipe on Good Food. One more thing Panang curry isnt the only dish that can be geographically confusing. Theres the saltena, a Bolivian empanada named after a city in Argentina; and French fries, which are probably Belgian, or maybe even Chilean. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Foodie travel Thailand Ben Groundwater is a Sydney-based travel writer, columnist, broadcaster, author and occasional tour guide with more than 25 years experience in media, and a lifetime of experience traversing the globe. He specialises in food and wine writing about it, as well as consuming it and at any given moment in time Ben is probably thinking about either ramen in Tokyo, pintxos in San Sebastian, or carbonara in Rome. Follow him on Instagram @bengroundwater Connect via email Traveller Guides Advertisement Reviews & adviceTripologist Opinion Sir, better to be closing eyes: My terrifying car rides overseas Michael Gebicki The Tripologist November 24, 2025 2:00am November 24, 2025 2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 70 View all comments Key points The countries with the highest number of road fatalities per capita are in Africa Driving rules in developing countries are often informal and chaotic Local road practices can be risky, including high-speed tailgating, overtaking on blind corners and driving contrary to traffic flow Sir, better to be closing eyes. Thats my driver talking. Im in the front seat of a four-wheel drive heading down away from the Indian hill station of Darjeeling. Its been pouring with rain since we started and only one windscreen wiper is working. On my side, not his. Every now and again he will roll down his window, reach out and make a few sweeps of the windscreen with a sodden rag. This does nothing to improve his vision, but luckily the road doesnt run straight for more than about 50 metres and its busy and so our speed is slow. Road rules are more vague guidelines in some countries. iStock Travel exposes you to a different set of road rules, particularly in developing countries. From Australia, where speed limits, lane markings and merging conventions are more or less obeyed and vehicles tend to drive in one direction depending on whether theyre on the left or right side of the road, you might find yourself in a country where vehicles overtake on blind corners and even drive into oncoming traffic, where lane markings are notional and where drivers refuse to turn on their headlights until darkness falls since that consumes battery power. In March I had to drive from Cairo to Siwa Oasis in Egypts Western Desert, about 750 kilometres. I was picked up early in the morning by a couple of youths driving a van that had seen much better days. The road north of Cairo is several lanes wide, traffic was subdued and they wasted no time. Advertisement From the back seat I would glance at the speedometer from time to time and we were nudging 160 km/h. On the coast road past Alexandria my driver passed a friend. This was a cause for some celebration. We edged closer and there was a hearty exchange of greetings that went on for several minutes. We then fell in behind them and I swear we were never more than five metres from their rear end. Occasionally, passengers in the other car would wave to us from the back seat. This continued for perhaps 50 kilometres until they peeled off. I arrived in Siwa Oasis barely eight hours after leaving Cairo, and that included a stop for lunch, a couple of toilet stops and a change of drivers. Driving in a beat-up old van at 160 km/h is not for the faint-hearted. iStock One of my most dramatic drives happened in Romania. I was late leaving Bucharest and darkness fell as I began the climb into the wooded peaks of the sub-Carpathians. The traffic consisted of two contrasting streams. Coming down the mountainside were convoys of semi-trailers headed for Turkey. On my side of the road were wagons loaded with tree trunks, each with a team of straining horses at the front lashed on by a driver in a tall fur hat. Some wagons were lit from behind by small, fiery cauldrons spewing black smoke, but more often they were all but invisible in the murk until I braked hard behind the pale spears of timber. Ten (unofficial) rules for driving in developing countries The largest vehicle has right of way. A car has priority over a bicycle, scooter or a tuk-tuk, but a bus or a truck trumps a car. A police car with flashing lights is a gift from the traffic gods. Latch onto its rear end and sail past your fellow motorists. Advertisement The rear vision mirror only exists to check your hair and to keep an eye on rear-seat passengers. The same applies to side mirrors. Any vehicle behind you is irrelevant. What matters is only what is in front. The same applies to vehicles alongside, and therefore peripheral vision is of no use. If you reach a multi-lane, divided road and if your destination is a short distance away but contrary to the traffic flow, it is permissible to drive against the traffic. Tailgating is normal. Whether you are caught in city traffic or driving at 120 km/h, if you can see the bumper bar of the car in front you are too far away. Close the gap lest others squeeze in. Signalling is ambiguous. If youre following a truck and the outside light is flashing, it probably indicates that it is now safe to overtake. On the other hand, it might indicate that the truck is about to turn. When a truck suffers a breakdown, the driver will often build a small rock cairn near his offside wheel to prevent vehicles from running into his stationary vehicle. It is the duty of the truck driver to build the cairn but not to remove it. When the vehicle finally moves off, it becomes a hazard for every passing vehicle. Advertisement In fog, do not slow down and do not activate rear warning lights. Slow down in fog and you are likely to be rear-ended by another vehicle. Speeding up is safer. Related Article Opinion Tripologist How car-hire companies try to fleece you (and how to avoid it) Michael Gebicki The Tripologist At a pedestrian crossing, do not stop if you see someone waiting to cross. Only slow down if the pedestrian is a woman with small children or an elderly person. Lane markings are advisory only, there is no obligation to stay in one lane. The same applies to a hard shoulder. Use it if it will expedite your journey. In India, use your horn at every opportunity. When stopped at traffic lights, when another vehicle wants to pass you, when you want to pass another vehicle, when you are driving on an empty road. Trucks often have Horn please painted on their sterns to encourage honking. Advertisement Some genuine tips for driving and riding in developing countries Hire a local driver if possible Local drivers understand the unwritten rules, road etiquette and hazards. Since they speak the language they can more easily deal with police checks and bureaucracy, which can create major problems for foreign drivers. Chances are a car plus driver will only cost slightly more than a vehicle you drive yourself. Make sure your vehicle is suitable for local conditions A functioning air conditioner/heater, good tyres and a spare, windscreen wipers and working lights are non-negotiable. You might need a 4WD if conditions require it. Dont be afraid to take control If youre with a driver, you are in command. If theyre driving too fast, too slow, if the music or the temperature isnt to your liking, let them know. If youre behind the wheel, drive defensively Anticipate mistakes from others. Until youre confident, treat every intersection, bend and overtaking situation as a potential hazard. Regardless of how the local drivers behave, dont do anything you wouldnt do at home. Advertisement As far as possible, avoid night driving Poor lighting, unlit vehicles and lack of signage increase risk. The same applies to bad weather. Local drivers might continue to drive at unsafe speed in fog or heavy rain, don t be tempted to do the same. As the signs say in India, Better to be late Mr Driver than the late Mr Driver. Which are the most dangerous countries to travel by road? According to the fifth Global Status Report on Road Safety from the World Health Organization released in 2023, Guinea was named the worlds most dangerous country to drive in. Top 10 countries for the number of road traffic deaths per 100,000 population: Guinea Libya Haiti Guinea-Bissau Zimbabwe Syria Yemen Comoros Nepal Kenya Advertisement Top 10 countries with the lowest number of road traffic deaths per 100,000 population: Maldives Norway Singapore Malta Sweden Denmark UK Switzerland Iceland Japan The first European country to appear on the list of most dangerous countries is Albania, coming in at number 100. Australia appears at 150th on the list, and thats reassuring. Im in Morocco right now, which comes in at 43rd on the league tables. Thats not a great number, but tomorrow Ill be heading into the desert in a four-wheel drive with a Berber driver. Off piste, zero chance of rain. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Tripologist Road trips For subscribers Opinion Michael Gebicki is a Sydney-based travel writer, best known for his Tripologist column published for more than 15 years in Traveller. With four decades of experience, his specialty is practical advice, destination insights and problem-solving for travellers. He also designs and leads slow, immersive tours to some of his favourite places. Connect via Instagram @michael_gebicki Connect via email Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaRussia-Ukraine war Rewrite begins on US peace plan for Ukraine amid Republican revolt Michael Koziol and David Crowe Updated November 24, 2025 9:33am ,first published November 24, 2025 2:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 301 View all comments Key points Confusion has erupted in Washington over the authorship of a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, with one Republican senator describing it as a Russian wish list. The backlash comes as European leaders have countered with a rival 24-point proposal, creating a diplomatic standoff ahead of a Thursday deadline set by President Trump for Ukraine to accept the US terms. President Donald Trump has distanced himself slightly, calling the plan a framework rather than a final offer, but also attacked Ukraines President Zelensky on social media for showing zero gratitude. Washington/London: The 28-point peace deal being pushed on Kyiv by the Trump administration will be rewritten to fully uphold Ukraines sovereignty following negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials, and confusion in Washington about the origins of the proposal. The delegations that met in Geneva drafted an updated peace plan, according to a statement from both parties, and will continue intense work on the emerging settlement framework over the coming days ahead of the loose Thursday deadline issued by US President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) speaks to reporters alongside Ukraines head of presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, in Geneva on Sunday. AP Meanwhile, a White House summary of the meeting, which did not outline the agreed changes, said Ukraine was satisfied by what had transpired. The Ukrainian delegation affirmed that all of their principal concerns security guarantees, long-term economic development, infrastructure protection, freedom of navigation, and political sovereignty were thoroughly addressed during the meeting, the readout said. Advertisement The US delegation was led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and army secretary Dan Driscoll. The Ukrainian team was led by Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskys office. Rubio told reporters in Geneva it was the best meeting they had had all year. Zelensky also sounded positive about changing the draft US plan after speaking with Western leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The first draft of the peace plan was thrashed out by Donald Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff (centre). Rubio (right) was not fully looped in. AP Diplomacy has been reinvigorated, and this is good. We expect the outcome to deliver the right steps, Zelensky said. The rewrite came as European leaders pushed for a rival 24-point peace plan that seeks to maintain pressure on Russia by holding sanctions in place and allowing foreign defence forces to be stationed on Ukrainian soil. Advertisement It also came as some Republicans grew alarmed about the provenance of the initial US proposal, which was generally seen as harsh on Ukraine and light on concessions asked of Russia (which started the war). Related Article Updated Russia-Ukraine war Absolutely senseless: Trump peace plan triggers backlash in Ukraine Multiple US senators, after being briefed by Rubio on the weekend, said the secretary had conveyed in their calls that the 28-point plan was not a proposal by the US government. He made it very clear to us that we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives. It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan, Republican senator Mike Rounds said at a news conference on the sidelines of a security forum in Canada. But hours later, Rubio flatly rejected that characterisation of the briefings. The peace proposal was authored by the US, he wrote on X, characterising it as a framework for ongoing talks. Advertisement US State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott also sought to control the damage, calling the senators claims blatantly false. He said the document was written by the US with input from Russia and Ukraine. A Russian wish list Bloomberg News reported on Sunday (Monday AEDT) that the plan largely resulted from behind-the-scenes talks between Witkoff and his Russian counterpart, Kirill Dmitriev, including an October meeting in Miami that included Kushner. Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Trump personally for support. Getty Images According to Bloomberg, Rubio was not fully looped in until late in the process, while Trump found out about it at the last minute, but he blessed it once he was briefed. Advertisement Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said the proposal looked like a Russian wish list. Its better for the United States not to make such incredible concessions to the Russians because I think ultimately it puts us at a disadvantage, he told TV network NewsNation. Related Article Russia-Ukraine war Western leaders say Trumps plan leaves Ukraine vulnerable and needs work Republican congressman from Nebraska Don Bacon, who sits on the House armed services committee, said the messy situation had hurt the US, undermined its alliances and encouraged its adversaries. Some people better get fired on Monday for the gross buffoonery we just witnessed over the last four days, he said. Todd Young, a Republican senator from Indiana, said he was pleased that Trump acknowledged the plan was not a final offer. Its time to tighten the thumbscrews on [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, not throw in the towel against him, he said. Advertisement But Trump instead tightened the screws on Zelensky. In a social media post, he reprised his previous complaints that Kyiv was ungrateful for US support and Europe was hindering peace efforts. UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA, Trump wrote. Natalia and Anatoliy Zhygunov cry at the coffin of their son Ruslan, a Ukrainian serviceman who was killed at the frontline. AP He claimed again that the war, which began in February 2022 when Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, would not have happened if there had been strong and proper US and Ukrainian leadership at the time. Meanwhile, European leaders pushed alternative proposals as their officials met US and Ukrainian counterparts in Geneva. Advertisement Like the US plan, the European proposal says Russia would rejoin the global economy and be restored to the group of major economies, which would again become the G8, but it differs dramatically in keeping sanctions in place until there is proof of long-term peace. While the US seeks to cap the Ukrainian military at 600,000 personnel, the European plan suggests 800,000. Crucially, the European plan avoids any restriction on placing foreign troops on Ukrainian soil a scenario ruled out in the draft US plan and says it would be up to NATO members to decide if Ukraine could join the defence pact. The European terms are in keeping with the long-term position put by leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Macron, when they convened the coalition of the willing among national leaders to consider a peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he would be open to considering the options, but has made no commitment about sending Australian peacekeepers. 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. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Kleef has significant roots in Christian and European cultural traditions, particularly in regions with prominent cliff formations. In Christian symbolism, cliffs often represent steadfast faith and spiritual fortitude, drawing from biblical references where rocks and high places symbolize God's protection and strength. The name became popular in coastal communities where cliffs served as natural landmarks and defensive positions, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany where the name originated. Throughout European history, families bearing the name Kleef were often associated with geographic locations near cliffs or elevated terrain. In medieval times, the name was adopted by Christian families who saw spiritual significance in the cliff's representation of unwavering faith and divine protection. The name spread through trade routes and religious migrations, maintaining its connection to both geographical features and spiritual symbolism across generations. The cultural legacy of the name extends to artistic and literary traditions, where cliff imagery has been used to represent moral steadfastness and spiritual elevation. This has cemented Kleef's position as a name carrying deep cultural resonance beyond its literal meaning. Upon the request of Salem Police Department, ISP will handle the investigation. Individuals named Langundo typically exhibit a calm, centered demeanor that serves as an anchor in turbulent situations. They possess an innate ability to mediate conflicts and bring opposing parties together, often displaying remarkable patience and emotional intelligence. Their peaceful nature doesn't indicate weakness but rather a profound inner strength that allows them to stand firm in their convictions without resorting to aggression. This makes them natural leaders who inspire trust and loyalty through their consistent, principled behavior. Langundos are often deeply intuitive and spiritually aware, with a strong connection to nature and tradition. They tend to be protective of those they care about while maintaining an open, inclusive attitude toward others. Their analytical minds allow them to see multiple perspectives in complex situations, making them excellent problem-solvers and advisors. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, meaningful relationships and are known for their unwavering loyalty and dependable presence in times of need. A state pathologist was called by gardai to conduct a post-mortem examination on a 30-year-old Slovakian national who died on a mattress on the floor of accommodation where he had been staying in Ballyhaunis. The body of Renato Luptak, Devlis Cottages, Ballyhaunis, showed signs of bruising and abrasions but the state pathologist Dr Sally Ann Collis ruled out foul play following an extensive autopsy. In a written statement to an inquest at Ballina Courthouse last week, Dr Collis said she concluded the cause of death was acute alcohol and mixed drug intoxication with complications of blunt force face/head injury. Foul play was initially suspected after Mr Luptak who was found dead on October 28, 2023. The deceased, who had worked previously in Dawn Meats and Western Brand Chickens, had a history of sustained alcohol intoxication. On the day he died, his blood alcohol reading was four times the legal driving limit. Evidence was given to the inquest that before he died he had been drinking heavily a mixture of vodka, whiskey and beer with three friends. All three were intoxicated when gardai investigated and empty bottles and cans were strewn about the property. Returning a verdict of death from unnatural causes, coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald noted there wasnt sufficient evidence to suggest foul play. A dangerous and frustrating North Mayo school bus issue has been highlighted in the Dail. Pupils from the townlands of Derryfadda and Boleyglass in Bofeenaun have found themselves without a post-primary bus service despite fully meeting the criteria since the 2023/2024 school year. A bus had serviced the route from 1979 up to 2021 when it was withdrawn due to a decline in student numbers. A local action group has been actively campaigning to get this route reinstated after the number of students rose again. Local parents in Derryfadda and Boleyglass told the Western People last month that the absence of this service has resulted in a daily scramble to ensure their children are collected from schools and that rural children have a right to a safe, reliable and affordable school transport option that is available in towns and cities. Speaking in the Dail, Mayo Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway-Walsh said common sense is required to ensure school transport schemes are fit for purpose and serving the needs of the community. For over a year now, I have been trying to resolve the dangerous situation currently in operation on the Derryfadda-Boleyglass school route. Since 2021, a bus route which had serviced these areas since 1979 - for more than 40 years - ceased operation due to a decline in student numbers. Since then, student numbers have risen again, and they meet the criteria to have the route reinstated. However, Bus Eireann and the Department of Education have failed to reinstate this service, said Deputy Conway-Walsh. Instead, parents and children are expected to travel to the nearest designated collection/drop-off point, which happens to be located at the intersection of the R315 and the L1723, a busy commuter route with no bicycle lanes or street lighting and a significant blindspot on approach for other road users. There is a bus already in operation on this route for primary school pupils, so why can the previously operational route at post-primary level not be reinstated? There needs to be some common sense applied in this situation, especially now in the winter months when visibility on our rural roads is significantly reduced. At a time when we need families returning to our rural townlands and villages to counteract rural decline, we should not have barriers such as inadequate and unsafe school transport preventing this." Deputy Conway-Walsh said it is baffling that a route which operated for four decades cannot be reinstated. We are simply asking for the reinstatement of a previously operational route that served the students of Derryfadda and Boleyglass for 40 years. If we could do it in 1979, why cant it be done today? Reading, PA (19601) 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. 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. Cultural & Historical Significance Llacheu holds a significant position in early Arthurian tradition as one of King Arthur's sons, primarily appearing in Welsh sources where he is portrayed as a brave warrior and legitimate heir. His character represents the tragic dimension of Arthurian legend, as most traditions indicate he died young, often in battle, preventing him from succeeding his father. This early demise symbolizes the fragility of Arthur's legacy and the ultimate downfall of Camelot. In Welsh triads and poems like 'Pa Gur yv y Porthaur?' (What Man is the Gatekeeper?), Llacheu is celebrated as one of Arthur's foremost warriors, fighting alongside other legendary figures like Cei and Bedwyr. His presence in these early texts demonstrates how the Arthurian mythos evolved from Welsh heroic tradition before being adapted into the more familiar French romances where he often appears under the name Loholt. The character's evolution across different cultural traditions reflects the complex transmission and adaptation of Arthurian material throughout medieval Europe. People named Llewelyn are often characterized by their natural leadership qualities and strong sense of responsibility. They tend to be ambitious yet principled individuals who approach challenges with strategic thinking and determination. The historical weight of the name seems to inspire a sense of purpose and dignity in those who bear it, often manifesting as protective instincts toward family and community. Llewelyns typically possess a quiet confidence that doesn't need to assert itself loudly but commands respect through consistent action and integrity. Their personality often blends traditional values with forward-thinking vision, making them effective at balancing respect for heritage with adaptation to modern circumstances. They're frequently described as loyal friends and devoted family members who take their commitments seriously. While they can be reserved in unfamiliar situations, they demonstrate warmth and generosity within their trusted circles. The combination of strength and sensitivity in their character allows them to be both decisive leaders and empathetic counselors, capable of inspiring others through both their words and their example. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close LOS ANGELES, Nov. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a city where image holds significant influence and innovation remains a central force, Los Angeles is set to welcome a new presence in aesthetic medicine. Defyne Plastic Surgery, the Scottsdale-based practice recognized for its "awake" surgical techniques and natural surgical outcomes, is expanding to Los Angeles in early 2026. The move establishes a new phase of cosmetic care that integrates modern clinical approaches with refined surgical technique. The Future of Aesthetic Surgery Lands in L.A.: Defyne Plastic Surgery Expands to West Coast in 2026 (PRNewsfoto/Defyne Plastic Surgery) Founded by board-certified plastic and reconstructive microsurgeon Dr. Oren Tessler, MD, Defyne Plastic Surgery operates with a model designed around individualized, minimally invasive treatment options. The practice offers procedures performed either awake or under anesthesia, depending on clinical considerations and patient needs. The focus is on results that reflect subtle refinement rather than dramatic alteration. "Our patients want more than a change. They want transformation without compromise," said Dr. Tessler. "We've designed Defyne to deliver luxury-level care, data-backed innovation, and natural results that align with identity, not trends." Defyne Plastic Surgery is noted for its combination of surgical experience, procedural accuracy, and emphasis on privacy. Many procedures can be performed awake for additional intraoperative communication and reduced recovery time, while others are completed under anesthesia based on procedural scope. The practice places importance on understated, functional outcomes designed to integrate naturally with existing features. While Defyne offers a full range of aesthetic surgical procedures, several techniques are consistently requested, including: Enhanced Viability Fat Transfer (EVFT): An approach to fat grafting that emphasizes cell preservation for long-term volume retention. S.M.A.R.T. Tuck: A contouring technique intended to provide definition with reduced downtime. Regenerative Nanofat Therapy: A treatment designed to support skin quality and underlying tissue vitality. Defyne's Los Angeles location will be led by Dr. David Mok, a board-certified plastic surgeon from Canada. He is relocating to Los Angeles to join the practice and guide its West Coast expansion. With more than 15 years of experience in aesthetic plastic surgery, Dr. Mok specializes in facial rejuvenation, body contouring, and breast surgery, maintaining a focus on detailed surgical planning and patient-centered methodology. "Dr. Mok's artistic eye and technical mastery embody what Defyne is all about: tailored care that reflects the individual, not a template," said Dr. Tessler. Joining him in Los Angeles is Dr. Jonathan Kanevsky, MD, FRCSC, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon known for his refined technique, artistic approach, and supportive philosophy. Trained at McGill University with advanced surgical experience across North America, he specializes in high-definition body contouring, awake liposuction, and natural breast enhancement using autologous fat transfer. "Dr. Kanevsky's blend of precision, artistry, and innovation is a perfect fit for Defyne," added Dr. Tessler. "He helps patients feel seen, understood, and confident. That aligns exactly with our philosophy of individualized care." The Los Angeles location, situated along Beverly Hills' sought-after Roxbury Drive, is more than a clinic. It is a destination created to feel restorative and private from the moment patients arrive. Every detail, from layout to lighting, supports an experience that feels as good as the results look. With education-first consultations, non-invasive options, and regenerative medical technologies, Defyne Plastic Surgery is redefining what modern aesthetic medicine can be. As anticipation builds for the L.A. debut, Defyne Plastic Surgery is planning a series of exclusive launch events, expert-led educational seminars, and community activations that introduce Angelenos to the Defyne approach. Private preview appointments, media walkthroughs, and curated panels on the future of aesthetic medicine will reflect the same thoughtfulness and precision Defyne brings to every patient interaction. The brand is committed to building long-term relationships within the city, not only with patients but with L.A.'s broader wellness, beauty, and medical communities. "Our patients become part of our extended family," said Dr. Tessler. "This isn't just a clinic opening. It's the next chapter in a movement. We're excited to grow that family in Los Angeles and become part of the city's fabric, one beautiful, natural result at a time." Defyne MD of Los Angeles is located at 450 Roxbury Dr. Suite 450, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. The website is DefyneMD.com and its Instagram account is @DefyneMD. Appointments open late 2025, with doors officially opening in early 2026. Contact Holly Morgan Media [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2830429/Defyne_Plastic_Surgery.jpg SOURCE Defyne Plastic Surgery Women named Loriel are often perceived as graceful yet determined individuals who combine traditional values with modern sensibilities. They typically exhibit strong leadership qualities balanced with compassion, reflecting the name's association with victory and honor. Many Loriels are known for their creative problem-solving abilities and their capacity to inspire others through both words and actions. Their personality often blends the steadfast reliability associated with traditional names with the innovative spirit suggested by the name's modern construction. They tend to be achievement-oriented but approach success with humility, understanding that true victory comes through perseverance and faith rather than mere ambition. This combination makes them effective in roles requiring both strategic thinking and emotional intelligence. The laurel symbolism often manifests in their approach to challenges - they see obstacles as opportunities for growth and victory. Their faith typically plays a central role in their identity, providing the foundation for their resilience and their commitment to using their achievements to benefit others rather than for personal glory alone. Aaron Paul has joined the many actors who have decided to leave Los Angeles behind. When the fires happened in L.A., we just knew that we were done with L.A., so we sold our house in L.A. and moved to Paris, the Breaking Bad actor, 46, told the Daily Mail while attending The Only at 1850 by American Express party during the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix on Friday, November 21. Paris is awesome, Paul told the outlet, adding that he moved there with his wife, Lauren Paul, and their two young children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We went out there for the kiddos, he added, before exclaiming that he and his wife always dreamed of doing a year abroad. We just always wanted to be around a completely different culture, he said. Lone Stars: Glen Powell, Matthew McConaughey and Other Celebrities Who Live in Texas In January, multiple wildfires broke out in and around the Los Angeles area, destroying over 18,000 structures, burning more than 57,5000 acres and killing upwards of 440 people, including indirect deaths from smoke exposure. The wildfires are believed to have cost anywhere from $28 billion to $53.8 billion. In July, People reported that Paul put his Los Feliz home on the market, listing the three bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home for $10 million. The home designed by famed architect Stiles O. Clements and previously owned by Robert Pattinson, Tim Curry, Noah Wyle, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jim Parsons sits on 1.5 acres and combines preserved period detail with refined inferior updates, according to the listing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aberdeen has been a safe haven for my family and we feel so lucky to have experienced so much life here over the years, Paul said of his former home in a statement to People at the time. We will forever hold this home and its history close to our hearts. Getty Images Paul is just the latest Hollywood A-lister to leave the U.S. for a life across the pond. Both Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie ODonnell have decided to relocate to Europe in the wake of Donald Trumps 2024 presidential victory. Im happy. Clay is happy. I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home, and Im trying to find a home here in this beautiful country, ODonnell said in a TikTok video detailing her move to Ireland and the reason behind it. And when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, thats when we will consider coming back. DeGeneres, for her part, also admitted that politics played a role in her decision to move to the U.K. with her wife, Portia de Rossi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angelina Jolie Is Lighter and More at Ease as Insiders Say Shes Preparing to Leave America Behind We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, He got in, she said while speaking to English broadcaster Richard Bacon back in July. And were like, Were staying here. In April, ODonnell opened up to Us about her surprise over DeGeneres reason for relocating overseas. Ive never really known Ellen to say anything political in her life, so I was surprised to read that she left because of President Trump. Like, that shocked me, actually, she exclusively told Us Weekly at the time. Ive been a political person my whole life, no better or worse, its just a different way to be in the world. I was very clear about the reason why I was leaving, and I dont think it came as a surprise to anyone. Were not really in each others worlds, and its been kind of awkward but you know what? I wish her the best. I wish that she has peace and love in her life and that she is OK. Aaron Paul said au revoir to life in Los Angeles. During a recent interview with the Daily Mail, the 46-year-old "Breaking Bad" star shared that he and his family have left Los Angeles and are now living in Paris. "Paris is awesome," he told the outlet, explaining that he and his wife, Lauren, have "always dreamt of doing a year abroad" and that the two of them "just always wanted to be around a completely different culture." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it has always been their dream to live outside the U.S., it wasn't until the wildfires in Los Angeles in early 2025 that they put steps in motion to make their dream a reality. Paul shared that he and his family left Los Angeles and moved to Paris. Comedian Jeff Dye Joins Hollywood Exodus, Says La Fires Were 'Quite A Wake-up Call' "When the fires happened in LA, we just knew that we were done with LA, so we sold our house in LA and moved to Paris," he said. Read On The Fox News App The actor put his three-bedroom home in LA's Los Feliz neighborhood on the market in July for $9.9 million. Homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena were lost while both the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire burned through their respective areas in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Hollywood stars, including "Top Gun: Maverick" actor Miles Teller, Paris Hilton, Mandy Moore, Billy Crystal and others were among the thousands of people who lost their homes in the fires. Billy Crystal is one of many celebrities who lost their homes in the LA fires. "You'll be hearing from a number of people who were tragically affected by these fires, and I was one of them," Crystal said on stage at the LA FireAid Benefit Concert in January. "These were the clothes I wore when I fled my house with my wife, Janice, like so many of us did, on Jan. 7. This was all I had. Wore it for a week, plus an N-95 mask. "I stepped onto the grounds and fell to my knees and I wailed," the first time he was allowed back onto the property of the home he lived in for 46 years. He concluded his speech with an uplifting message, telling everyone, "We will laugh again. We are going to listen to music again and we will be OK." Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul is not the only actor to leave Hollywood for a life abroad. Richard Gere shared last year that he and his family moved to Spain, his wife Alejandra Silva's native country. "It's time for my wife to be around her family and friends and culture," Gere told Fox News Digital in November 2024. "And [its] good for our kids. I think it's great to be living, not just visiting, but living in another culture." Richard Gere is now living in Spain. Gere further opened up about his decision to move to Spain in an interview with Vanity Fair Spain in April 2024, saying it would be "a great adventure" because he had "never lived full time outside the United States." Like What Youre Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News Silva says they will go back and forth between Spain and the U.S. He added that it would be good for his wife to be around her friends and family, noting, "She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so I think it's fair that I give her at least six others living in hers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click Here To Download The Fox News App "I'm with my family ... I missed them a lot," Silva told the Daily Mail in April. "But I miss the U.S. So we come back and forth." Original article source: 'Breaking Bad' star Aaron Paul moves family from Los Angeles to Paris after LA fires The Brief Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, fell from the Miss Universe stage Wednesday and has been hospitalized since. Her family said Friday that she "isnt doing as well as we would have hoped" and will be in the ICU for at least another week. Meanwhile, Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico was crowned Friday as Miss Universe. Read the latest updates on Miss Jamaica's health and recovery here Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miss Jamaica, Dr. Gabrielle Henry, is still hospitalized in the ICU several days after falling from the Miss Universe stage in Thailand. Heres what her family is saying about her recovery: Miss Jamaica falls off stage The backstory Henry fell off the stage Wednesday during the preliminary evening gown round. Henry was seen walking along the stage in a sequined orange dress, looking at the audience before falling off the main stage during the 2025 competition in Thailand. The Miss Universe Jamaica organization said Henry was rushed to the Paolo Rangsit Hospital, where medical professionals were attending to her. The organization said she was not suffering from any life-threatening injuries after the fall. What they're saying "I was there with her family and her, and thankfully, there are no broken bones and she is under good care. She will remain under observation for the rest of the night and we will remain in touch with her family to support her," Miss Universe pageant president Raul Rocha wrote on Instagram, saying he visited Henry in the hospital. "Our prayers go out for her prompt recovery." Still hospitalized Big picture view On Friday, the Miss Universe Jamaica organization said Henry was still hospitalized in Thailand, alongside her mother and sister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Gabby isnt doing as well as we would have hoped, but the hospital continues to treat her accordingly," her sister told the organization. Henry will need to remain in the ICU for at least another week, her family said, as doctors continue to monitor her closely. They didnt elaborate on her condition. RELATED: Wicked actress Scarlett Spears on landing role of young Glinda: I started crying Miss Universe winner 2025 Meanwhile Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Friday. 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 supporting migrants and mental health issues. Dig deeper Her win was notable after she stood up to public bullying from one of the hosts. The backstory 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." What they're saying 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. Read the latest updates on Miss Jamaica's health and recovery here The Source Information in this article was taken from press releases from the Miss Universe Jamaica Organization, as posted on social media. Background information was taken from previous FOX News reporting and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Detroit. Miss Universe 2025 winner Fatima Bosch officially stepped into her new role after being crowned when the pageant took place in Thailand. Representing Mexico, she captured the attention of millions of viewers worldwide as she stood out among the 120 delegates to claim this years title. The first runner-up was Praveenar Singh of Thailand, followed by Venezuelas Stephany Abasali as second runner-up. Rounding out the top five were Ahtisa Manalo of the Philippines and Olivia Yace of Cote dIvoire as third and fourth runners-up respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the thrilling competition and the buzz surrounding the 74th Miss Universe pageant, she kicked off her reign with a memorable first day post showing just how ready she is to embrace her responsibilities, inspire people and make her mark on the world stage. LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images In an Instagram post, the 25-year-old shared behind-the-scenes moments as the newly crowned Miss Universe. Bosch looked stunning in a white robe, flaunting the gold crown with pearl accents and her sash proudly displaying her title. First day at work, she wrote. Her post drew huge reactions from the public, boosting her following to 3 million after her pageant victory. The most beautiful Miss Universe, inside and out, one wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most beautiful in the universe, another added. No doubt it was for her! a user said. The same goes for a supporter who noted, Omg So Fire. Youre Looking Breathtakingly Gorgeous. Unfortunately, some were not impressed with her social media update, with a few questioning whether she really deserved the crown, especially after allegations regarding rigged voting. What a sad reel for the universe. Such an insult to every lady who worked hard for the crown, a follower commented. Deep down she also knows that she is undeserving to hold the title, a commenter said. While a few harshly dubbed her a Miss Fake winner or the WORST MISS UNIVERSE EVER!!!!! others appealed to the Miss Universe Organization over what they deemed concerning results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement REGARDING SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES IN THE BEYOND THE CROWN MISS UNIVERSE 2025. DEAR: Miss Universe Organization (MUO) We are deeply concerned and deeply concerned about the results announced for the Miss Universe 2025 Beyond the Crown competition. According to the official rankings released by MUO, the representative of Vietnam, Huong Giang was clearly in the Top 3. However, the final award was given to Miss Netherlands, who was not in the announced Top 3, a commenter explained. Amid the excitement and global attention, the grand finals became overshadowed by scandal when the organization was thrust into hot water over a series of controversies. After Bosch was declared the new winner, chants of cooking show echoed throughout the venue, according to Nation Thailand, as spectators accused the competition of being predetermined. In pageant slang, the term implies a pre-cooked or pre-decided outcome, suggesting that the results were fixed long before the actual voting or competition took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to this, there were also issues regarding alleged rigged voting, which prompted some judges to resign. This includes composer Omar Harfouch, who stepped down shortly before the finale. In an Instagram post, he claimed that the pageant owner, Raul Rocha, had predetermined Miss Mexico as the winner after securing business deals with her father. Miss Mexico is a Fake winner, he said in a post, adding, I Omar Harfouch declared yesterday exclusively on the American 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. Besides Harfouch, fellow judge and former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele also resigned, further fueling the controversy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the continued allegations, the Miss Universe Organization denied the claims, pointing out that the competition for the 74th Miss Universe remains official, transparent and fully governed by MUO protocols. Related: Meet the New Miss Universe for 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Sumner Redstone moved closer to the stage, transfixed. A nude couple on a Harley-Davidson had just descended from the ceiling of Super Girls, a Bangkok sex club endorsed by Rolling Stone as the very best in town. Redstone, then 72 and chairman of Viacom, stood like a deer in the headlights, mouth slightly agape, writes Tom Freston in his new memoir, Unplugged: Adventures from MTV to Timbuktu (Gallery Books, out now). The media mogul was rapt as he watched the couple have sex on the bike while the man gunned the throttle. At the time, Freston was the MTV Networks CEO. Touring his boss around Thailands illicit offerings wasnt in his official job description, but when Redstone announced plans for a 1995 Asia trip, hed quietly asked: Tell me what you know about the sex clubs in Bangkok. What about people fing? I want to watch people fk. Can we see that? MTV co-founder Tom Freston shares stories from his wild life in his new memoir. Its just one of many wild stories in Frestons captivating memoir, which chronicles his journey from smuggling contraband down the St. Lawrence River and escaping communist-coup Afghanistan to building MTV into a global phenomenon, complete with cocaine-dealing receptionists, tequila girls and sex on executives desks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 80-year-old media maverick who gave the world I Want My MTV and launched Jon Stewarts career paints a portrait of American entrepreneurship at its most audacious and unhinged. That night in Bangkok also included a program of women with unique talents when it came to opening bottles, writing letters and the like. Freston writes that when two front-row seats opened, Redstone grabbed his girlfriend Delsa and scrambled to get ringside. The trip opened the floodgates for the late business tycoons sexual appetites. Sumner went on to become the greatest high roller for commercial sex the world might have ever seen, Freston writes. In his later years, he spent over $150 million on a squad of comfort women. Two of the women made so much money off him that they opened their own charities. Decades later, Redstone would brag to reporters that all he craved was steak and sex three times a day. Long before vetting sex clubs for billionaires, Freston built MTV with its own brand of chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had one receptionist who sold cocaine, he writes. Many of the staff found that convenient. People thought coke was the new No-Doz. Freston recalls a crazy night out in Thailand hitting sex clubs with Sumner Redstone. Getty Images One programmer nicknamed Pig Virus kept his stash in a desk drawer. In a meeting, hed nonchalantly open the drawer and take a hit off a collar stay, then politely look around. Anyone need their beak packed? People worked in flip-flops and bathing suits. There was just one rule: No frontal nudity. In1988, someone flipped a lit cigarette into a garbage can at 2 a.m. and burned down an entire floor, which left 19 firefighters hospitalized. Local radio stations played Springsteens Im on Fire and dedicated it to MTV. Lemmy from Motorhead would wander by with tequila. Video Killed the Radio Star by the Buggles was the first music video shown on MTV. Programming chief Les Garland ran what Freston calls the Les Garland Show from an office with Dom Perignon bottles sent from record labels. When female artists came calling, his staff would vacate, and according to office lore, the Gar Man would fornicate with a lucky few. At one Christmas party, a staffer told Garland, I just want you to know that I fed one of your assistants last night on your desk. Garland clinked his glass and replied, Congratulations, Bud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revelry wasnt limited to the office holiday party. At large festivities throughout the year, Tequila girls in short shorts and cowboy hats, decked out in bandolier sashes packed with shot glasses, always circulated, Freston writes. A recruit to the Music & Talent department might last three years. To fire them, we might have to find a concierge to kick down a door in an LA hotel and revive them after a three-day cocaine binge. Freston grew up in Connecticut, the son of a WWII veteran, but discovered a hunger for action and adventure in his 20s. He left a marketing job to follow a girlfriend across the Sahara. Freston writes of debauched times at the MTV offices in the early days, from a cocaine-dealing receptionist to sex in executives offices. Fairfax Media via Getty Images As soon as we disembarked, I was hit with a high I would chase the rest of my life: the peculiar joy of disorientation, he writes. That led him around Asia, where he built Hindu Kush, importing clothing from Afghanistan and India. The business weathered strikes, blackouts, malaria, dysentery, dust storms, cobras, riots, drug raids but not politics. A 1978 Communist coup in Afghanistan upended his operations. Then President Carters administration, pressured by domestic manufacturers, restricted low-cost imports from India and he had to close up shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Needing a job, Freston joined Warner-AmEx in 1980, where 26-year-old one-eyed hippie genius Bob Pittman was developing an all-music channel. Freston (second from right) rubbed shoulders with some of music biggest acts while at MTV. Here hes shown with R.E.M. and Neil Young. FilmMagic, Inc Were you smuggling hashish? Pittman asked of his past work experience. Not really, Freston replied. Not really? Pittman said. That means you were! Youre hired! MTV launched in August 1981 with just 2.1 million households. It was mostly only available to cable subscribers in New Jersey. The cable operators thought no ones going to watch music videos, he told The Post in an exclusive interview. But the actual music fans ate it up. By 1983, Freston was recruiting stars for the I Want My MTV campaign. In Switzerland, David Bowie invited him to a sauna. When Freston arrived, there was one other person in the fog: Paul McCartney. Here I am with a towel wrapped around me with two of my ultimate heroes, Freston told The Post. They want to know, Whats MTV all about? Were throwing water on the rocks. It was very surreal. Freston convinced Mick Jagger to do an early promo for MTV. When criticism mounted that MTV wasnt playing black artists, Freston acknowledged the problem. The breakthrough came in 1983 with Michael Jackson. Billie Jean was a smash from day one, he writes. We wanted that video for our channel. For the Thriller video, they ran magazine ads with start times and our ratings were huge, Freston told the Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When ratings softened in 1985, Freston led a team who called ourselves the MoFos, short for motherfers, advocating expansion beyond music videos. That experimentation shaped Comedy Central. When Jon Stewart took over The Daily Show in 1999, he told Freston: You guys remind me of one of the great New York Yankees teams more like a family than a business. Were it not for you all, Id be bashing Viacom like a pinata. In 2001, Freston traveled to Havana with producer Brad Grey and Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter. The met with Fidel Castro who asked in English, Who of you makes The Sopranos? Freston (from left), Redstone, Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain (right) are seen at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards, a key moment for grunge music. Cobain died seven months later. Grey sheepishly raised his hand. The dictator whod overthrown gangsters and survived CIA assassination attempts patted his shoulder: Thats my favorite show. Frestons relationship with Redstone could be volatile. He writes of how during one meeting about Tom Cruises contract shortly after the stars infamous couch-jumping moment on Oprah in 2005 Redstone exploded: Tom Cruise is a FK. He cost Mission: Impossible a hundred million dollars. Women EVERYWHERE hate him. I HATE him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five years later, Redstone abruptly fired Freston during a Labor Day weekend meeting at his Beverly Hills mansion, ending his more than two decades building MTV from scrappy cable experiment into a corporate powerhouse. His dismissal led to a revolt, with an estimated 1,000 employees rallying in his honor. Freston (center) writes of Redstone melting down over Tom Cruise (right). They two are seen at a movie premiere with producer Brad Grey. I wanted to just slink out, sort of ashamed and defeated, Freston told the Post. But theres everyone I worked with, all chanting my name like Id won the Super Bowl. I started to well up. It was really emotional. Jobless, Freston reconnected with Saad Mohseni, an old friend in Afghanistan who had launched Moby Media. Mohsenis Arman FM station burst onto the air in 2003, playing Shakira and Michael Jackson after the Taliban had allowed only prayer chants. Preston helped build it into an empire. Afghan Star, a knock-off of American Idol, became such a hit that the government wouldnt turn off electricity until it ended. Freston also worked as a consultant helping Oprah Winfrey launch OWN: the Oprah Winfrey Network in partnership with Discovery Communication. He found consulting frustrating. After being fired from Viacom, Freston served as a consultant on the the launch of Oprah Winfreys OWN network. If you dont have official responsibility for anything, you dont have the authority to tell people what to do, he writes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, he serves as board chair of Bonos One Campaign fighting poverty in Africa and has no plan to fully retire anytime soon. Theres this friend who just turned 100 and said to me, The future is bright, Freston said with a laugh. I keep thinking Ill cut back. But I cant imagine retiring and doing nothing. He currently serves on the board of Bonos One Campaign fighting poverty in Africa. Hes troubled by the younger generations anxiety and has some wisdom for them. Lighten up. Dont stay in a job that you dont like. Dont be afraid to get off the treadmill, he advised. You can improvise a life. Women named Louisane typically exhibit a remarkable combination of strategic thinking and compassionate strength. They are natural leaders who approach challenges with both intellectual rigor and emotional intelligence, often demonstrating exceptional problem-solving abilities in high-pressure situations. Their warrior spirit manifests not through aggression but through perseverance, moral courage, and the ability to protect and advocate for others. Louisanes tend to be highly principled individuals with a strong sense of justice, often taking on roles where they can defend the vulnerable or champion important causes. They possess an innate dignity and commanding presence that inspires confidence in others, yet they balance this authority with genuine empathy and emotional awareness. This unique blend of strength and sensitivity makes them effective mediators and trusted advisors in both personal and professional contexts. Their resilience in facing adversity often becomes legendary among those who know them, as they consistently demonstrate the courage to stand by their convictions regardless of opposition or difficulty. Louisanes are often described as having 'quiet strength'they don't need to dominate conversations or situations to make their influence felt. Instead, their power comes from their consistency, integrity, and the respect they naturally command through their actions and character. They tend to form deep, lasting relationships built on mutual trust and admiration, and they often become the emotional anchors in their families and communities. The Gist The Vladimir Tiara was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II, even becoming the final tiara she wore in public in 2019. A British antiques dealer smuggled the diadem out of Russia during the Revolution in 1917. Elizabeth had inherited the Vladimir Tiara from her grandmother, Queen Mary. One of Queen Elizabeths favorite tiaras had an origin story that feels ripped from a spy movie. The late queen acquired an impressive collection of royal jewelry over the course of her 70-year reign, from the record-setting Cullinan diamond brooches to the King George VI Victorian Sapphire Suite. But of all her beautiful jewel-encrusted diadems, none were as versatile as the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara, often shortened to simply the Vladimir Circle Tiara or the Vladimir Tiara. Elizabeth debuted it with pearl drops at a 1953 Royal Film Performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shed later wear the Vladimir with emeralds in place of the pearlsor, sans any extra ornamentation in its glittering interlocking loopsto operas, state dinners, and diplomatic receptions. The diadem would even be the final tiara Her Majesty wore in public in December 2019, per The Court Jeweller, as the COVID-19 pandemic limited subsequent appearances before her death in September 2022. It remains to be seen if Queen Camilla will don the Vladimir Tiara. She has, per WWD, worn several of Elizabeths other jewels as a way to honor her late mother-in-law, including the Kokoshnik Tiara, her 1953 coronation necklace, and her Cartier sapphire and diamond flower brooches. From its origins in pre-Revolution Russia and its thrilling escape to its current whereabouts, heres everything to know about the Vladimir Tiara. It was created for Duchess Vladimir, one of the last Romanovs to flee Russia. Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Grand Duchess Maria Pavolvna, also known as Duchess Vladimir, circa 1874. Grand Duchess Maria Pavolvna, also known as Duchess Vladimir, circa 1874. Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, also known as The Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia, was a prominent figure in Saint Petersburg society. Per Town & Country, Romanov court jeweler Carl Edvard Bolin created her now-famous Vladimir Tiara. It was one of many glittering trinkets she ownedone of her emerald and diamond necklaces, a wedding gift from Tsar Alexander II, sold for CHF4,335,000 (Swiss francs, equivalent to approximately $5.3 million) in 2019. Another of her tiaras featuring aquamarines and diamonds went for CHF 1,035,000 the same year, or about $1.2 million. The Duchess fled St. Petersburg following the abdication of the Tsar in 1917. Rather than bring her millions of dollars worth of jewelry along, she left much of her collection behind somewhere in Vladimir Palace, including the Vladimir Tiara. As the Russian Revolution advanced, she fled the country in 1920becoming one of the last Romanovs to leave, per Town & Country. But her exit had actually been preceded by that of her jewels, which were smuggled out of the country in 1917 by a friend. A British antiques dealer smuggled the tiara into England. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Vladimir Tiara on a tour of Germany in 1978. Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Vladimir Tiara on a tour of Germany in 1978. Without Albert Bertie Stopford, a British antiques dealer and friend of Duchess Vladimir, the Vladimir Tiara may have been lost to history. Per the 2008 book The Flight of the Romanovs, Stopford and the Duchesss son Boris were able to return to Vladimir Palace and recover the hidden jewels from a safe. The antiques dealer smuggled them into England and placed them in a safe deposit box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sothebys adds more intrigue to the tale in its listing of another smuggled jewel from the Duchesss collection, written by international jewelry historian and author Stefano Papi. Describing the antiques dealer as probably as an unofficial secret agent for the English government based on his frequent visits to Saint Petersburg, Papi suggests Stopford entered Vladimir Palace in the cover of night disguised as a workman. Once at the secret safe, he wrapped the over 200 jewels in newspaper and stowed them in two bags. To further disguise his actions, Stopford swapped identities with an unrelated American who shared his last name on his way back to England. Just before he arrived back in London on 6 October 1917 he discovered that the Vladimir Palace had been invaded by the Bolsheviks. He had rescued the jewels just in time, Papi writes. Queen Mary restored the Vladimir Tiara and left it to her granddaughter. Culture Club/Getty Images Queen Mary in a 1935 portrait, wearing the Vladimir Tiara. Queen Mary in a 1935 portrait, wearing the Vladimir Tiara. Upon Duchess Vladimirs death in 1920having fallen ill on the journey out of Russiaher exiled children began selling off her jewelry collection. Queen Mary bought the Vladimir Tiara from the Duchesss daughter, Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna, in 1921, per the Royal Collection Trust. Mary called upon court jeweler Garrard to restore the tiara and alter it to be able to set it with emeralds in place of the original pearl drops, according to WWD. Both the pearl and emerald settings would be worn interchangeably by her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth, who inherited the piece in 1953. AFP via Getty Images Queen Elizabeth wearing the Vladimir Tiara in Paris in 1957. Beside her is French President Coty. Queen Elizabeth wearing the Vladimir Tiara in Paris in 1957. Beside her is French President Coty. On the first anniversary of Elizabeths death, in 2023, King Charles revealed a previously unreleased photograph of the late queen wearing the Vladimir Tiara. In the regal Cecil Beaton portrait from 1968, Elizabeth wears the diadem without emeralds or pearls, letting its many diamonds shine. One estimate suggests the historic tiara is worth nearly $40 million. The Vladimir Tiara is arguably priceless thanks to its connection to the Romanov dynasty, fantastic journey out of Russia, and ties to Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth II. The Guardian ventured in a 2023 feature that it could be worth up to 30m, equivalent to $39 million. As it remains in the possession of the Windsor family, it will likely never go up for sale again. Read the original article on InStyle Thai debut feature A Useful Ghost, which won the grand prix at Cannes Critics Week earlier this year, continued its festival success at the 13th QCinema International Film Festival in the Philippines. Directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, the film won the Asian Next Wave best picture and the artistic achievement award for production design. A Useful Ghost, which tells the story of a wifes spirit reincarnated as a vacuum cleaner amid themes of environmental and family struggles, was also the festivals closing film. The jury comprising Filipino actor John Arcilla, Karlovy Vary programmer Martin Horyna, Epic Medias Bianca Balbuena-Liew, and journalist Liz Shackleton praised the film for seamlessly weaving together all the elements of cinema with its playful balance of emotional ambiguity and visual consistency. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Other major winners included Chie Hayakawas Renoir, which took best director, while Yui Suzuki won best lead performance for her role as 11-year-old Fuki Okita. Fujimoto Akios Lost Land received the grand jury prize, and Janus Victorias Diamonds in the Sand earned best screenplay. In the New Horizons section spotlighting daring debut films, Tan Siyous Amoeba was named best film. Sophy Romvaris Blue Heron earned the Netpac jury prize, and Reza Rahadians On Your Lap took best Asian first film. RainbowQC, the festivals LGBTQ competition, recognized Divine Sungs Summers Camera with a special mention, Diego Cespedes The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo as best LGBTQ film, and Jaume Claret Muxarts Strange River with the jury prize. Artistic director Ed Lejano talked up the awarded films as a reflection of QCinemas continued thrust as a platform of discovery. From among the 18 titles in our three feature competitions, debut films or second-features certainly dominate this years line-ups. Advertisement Advertisement In QCShorts International, JT Trinidads Honey, My Love, So Sweet won best short film. The Serrano Sisters Surface Tension was named best Filipino film, Lin Htet Aungs A Metamorphosis received the jury prize, and Dales Si Kara: Ang Babaye Nga Nag Daba Daba was honored for gender sensitivity. Quezon City, the festival host, was recently designated a UNESCO Creative City for Film, becoming the first city in the Philippines and joining Asian peers like Yamagata and Busan in this distinction. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Searchlight Pictures After Brendan Fraser won the Oscar for The Whale in 2023, the actor said he was being picky about his next starring role. Now that his next movie is here, Rental Family, I think his selectiveness paid off. The latest of 2025 movie releases is a heartwarming drama thats already received a lot of buzz at film festivals, along with positive words from critics. Now that its arrived in theaters, we had a chance to discuss the beautiful ending with the cast. SPOILERS are ahead. Rental Family follows an American named Philip who has been living in Tokyo, Japan, as an actor in recent years, doing commercial work mainly. Hes approached by a rental family company (which actually do exist in Japan) to play make-believe roles to real people. They say they need a token white guy. Philips job gets more complicated with the company when hes asked to play the long-lost father to a young girl, and a journalist to a retired actor. Lets get into what happens. Credit: Searchlight Pictures What Happens At The End Of Rental Family Philips genuine sense of adoration for Mia Kawasaki leads him to get closer to her than intended, but once he completes the jobs main task to help her get into a prestigious school, he disappears from her life as intended, but not without her creating a real mark on his heart. But then Mia sees Philip on her television screen playing a different role, and she confronts her mother about her realization that Philip was never her actual father. Later, Philip is able to see Mia, and they are able to reintroduce each other as friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Philips other regular customer, the elderly Kikuo, has been begging him to break him out and take him back to his hometown, and Philip decides to ignore his familys wishes and do so. They journey in the countryside of Japan, where Kikuo is able to retrieve pictures from his past, and get to relive his roots and the deep emotions hed been longing to return to. But then, he has a fall, and Philip is arrested for kidnapping. Ultimately, Kikuo and his coworkers at the rental family firm find a way to get Philip absolved of his crimes, but Kikuo dies at the end of the movie. Philip attends his funeral a moment that seems healing to him after having some complex emotions with his own father that led him to skip his funeral. He finally visits the shrine that Kikuo often went to. Inside, Philip is surprised to find its contents are a mirror, and he smiles at the discovery. When I watched the scene, I was overcome with emotion, and havent stopped thinking about the final shot since. Were dealing with a character who didnt think he could help others, or really make an impact in the busy streets of Tokyo, Japan, but in that moment, he realizes that what he was searching for wasnt this higher power or right answer; it has been himself the whole time. Credit: Sear What Brendan Fraser And The Cast Had To Say About The Ending The final shot of the movie harkens back to something Kikuo says earlier in the movie about how God is within us all. Heres what Brendan Fraser had to say about the ending from his perspective when CinemaBlend spoke to him and his costars: Well, remember that he was told by Kikuo San to go take a look in the shrine when he asked, What's in there? and he responded, Maybe later. So after the story plays out, he does go to the shrine, and he does make a transformation, and he makes a discovery, an epiphany, even not only was the old man right, and you got me from the great beyond, but I am in there. I was enough all along. I didn't need to doubt myself. I'm gonna be okay going forward. That's what I always believed it to be. From Frasers perspective, he finds the endings message to be about being enough and having it within yourself to emulate the divine through ones actions. Mari Yamamoto, who plays Aiko, another one of the rental familys agency employees, added this: For me, I think, I've had times in my life where friends would love me in such a way that I could only think like there has to be a God. It's like a religious experience being loved by people like that. And then you see God in them in those moments, you know? And, I think the last scene tells me that if I deserve that kind of love, then there must be something inside me, too. I've had these experiences, so that last scene sort of resonated. If you look within, you can find the answers, the love that you need, like all of these things. I feel so many things watching that scene, but that's the one that comes to mind. Rental Family is an emotional and transformational journey for Philip, who is able to help others, and for those people to help him right back after dealing with years of loneliness and feeling lost. I think the final scene perfectly shows how oftentimes when were lost, we tend to blame and look to outside sources, but its really within ourselves to find inner strength and happiness if we allow ourselves to. I love what Fraser and Yamamoto had to say about it from their perspective as well. Credit: Searchlight Pictures Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apparently The Ending Was Almost Different? During the conversation, Takehiro Hira, who plays the rental family owner Shinji, shared with us that the final shot of Rental Family wasnt always Philip looking into the shrine. In his words: It wasn't the original ending, was it? They changed the ending and I was like, Brilliant. So much more meaningful. Makes you wonder what it used to be. Brendan Fraser added this about the filming process: Mind you, this was a film that was covered from so many different angles, and there's much of it that you're gonna wind up seeing as extras or easter eggs or whatever they're called these days, months and months from now. And that's just a testament to how thorough our director Hikari was. That's why each of these characters presents with such a rich backstory, because in realit,y there was an embarrassment of riches, a performance that was captured, but just didn't make it to the screen for time. And she was able to take all of that footage and find the story in editorial. How amazing is it that Rental Familys ending, which feels just right as is, was actually discovered by writer/director Hikari while making the film? It makes the ending even better, because it makes me feel like the latest of the great female directors learned something about what she wanted to say in the movie while working with the actors and having the experience of filming with them in Japan. Rental Family is one of those life-affirming movies that I know I'll be returning to. Life is constantly one of self-discovery, and this message really hits hard. For decades, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have navigated the ins and outs of Hollywood with grace and humility. Now, their nephew, rising star Timothy Wayne, is following in their footsteps in hopes of continuing an unforgettable legacy within country music. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Wayne, a 22-year-old Tennessee native, opens up about his famous uncle and aunt and shares how their guidance and advice have begun to shape his own career in the ever-changing industry. "Uncle Tim and Aunt Faith were really the reason why I had never gone into music before and never really thought about it," said Wayne, who recently released his live rendition of the classic song, "Mammas Dont Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Darius Rucker Is 'So Against' His Kids Becoming Musicians Like Him Despite Their Interest Timothy Wayne said Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's fame originally made him nervous about entering the country music scene himself. "Not in a bad way, it's not like they were keeping me from doing it. They encouraged me to do a lot of stuff. But it was mainly just when you grow up watching giants like that on the stage, it's incredibly hard to look at yourself in the mirror and say, 'I can do that, too.'" WATCH: TIM MCGRAW AND FAITH HILL'S SECRET TO SURVIVING HOLLYWOOD AND HOW THEIR NEPHEW'S FOLLOWING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS Read On The Fox News App "I have watched my uncle and aunt perform since I was a little kid, and I have watched them command crowds and command respect while still being extremely humble people and being nice to everybody around them," he added. "Growing up watching that, they were two people that I really looked up to, but at the same time I was like, 'I can't do what they do.'" Timothy Wayne has watched his uncle Tim McGraw perform all his life. Wayne, who recently served as one of the opening acts on McGraw's "Standing Room Only Tour," said he never thought he'd be pursuing music in the same capacity as his famous family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I had just started getting into recording and [Tim] was showing [Faith] a song, and then I got a text from both of them like, You should really do this. And we had that conversation, they believed in me and they believed that I could do it. Then I started, and then my mom and dad had always believed in me, and so I started having to believe in myself," said Wayne. Like most artists, McGraw and Hill have had their share of professional and personal setbacks, including addiction struggles and health issues some of which almost ended careers. However, the couple persevered with humbleness, and continue to be a prime example to young musicians especially Wayne. "Patience is a key thing," Wayne said when it comes to the best advice he's received from McGraw and Hill on navigating the spotlight. "You're going to run into loud people you're going to run into time schedules getting messed up, you're going to run into all that stuff. And the best thing to do is just to remain patient, remain calm, because acting any other way than that is not going to help." Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wayne, who is gearing up to graduate from Louisiana State University next year, said McGraw and Hill have been an incredible resource for him and his budding career, but he's determined to pave his own way. The Tennessee native, who's currently working in the studio on his forthcoming debut project, is also graduating from LSU in May. "When I first started, and I mean it's still the same, I still have the same mindset. I didn't want Tim involved at all because I wanted to stand on my own two feet, for lack of a better term. But I mean, it didn't take long for everybody to figure it out that we were related, and I just kind of had to embrace it," said Wayne, who has shared the stage with McGraw, Lee Brice, Justin Moore, Clay Walker and Jake Owen. Tim Mcgraw Nearly Walked Away From His Career After Serious Health Struggles "So I made an agreement with him that he could be my producer, and he made the exact same agreement with me," Wayne continued. "We agreed that he could be my producer, but there was no other help. He's my producer first and foremost, that's it. If I'm going to do this, I have to do it on my own. I have to forge my own path." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Of course, he's there to help with advice and anything that I need I can ask for," he added. "It's a resource that I do have. But as far as reputation goes and singing songs and everything else I have to do, I have to forge that path. And it's been really fun, but a lot of attention gets drawn to it. Usually I get asked, 'What's it like having him as an uncle?' I'm like, 'He's just like an uncle. He's just like an uncle that always sings.'" Wayne said he's blessed to have his uncle's guidance, but hopes to pave his own path. Wayne said his own mother and father have encouraged him to do the same. Tim Mcgraw Shares Why His Bold New Haircut Is Here To Stay "The reference that my mom and dad always said is the separation of church and state," he said. "So I am my own artist. I want to be my own artist. I want to be my own person. But of course, I do have that resource, and it's not lost on me that it is an absolute blessed resource that I have. I mean, 30-something years of knowledge of the music industry, and he's my producer." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But I try to stand on my own two feet and try to forge my own path as much as I can," said Wayne. The 22-year-old hopes to continue building the legacy McGraw and Hill have built within country music. Wayne, who signed his first major record deal during his sophomore year, has already released four original tracks: "Thatd Be You", "Guy With A Guitar" and "God Made A Country Boy," accompanied by Waynes first official music video , and "Good Ole Boys Girl." Does he feel pressure to live up to his aunt and uncle's legacy? Click Here To Download The Fox News App "I have a lot of pressure because maybe I don't reach it, make it to Tim and Faith's level, but I want to get close," he said. "I want to do the best I can to build my own legacy, but to also make sure that my legacy reflects how good their legacy was at the same time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From them, there's not really much pressure," he added. "They're just like, do what you're doing to do it well," he added. Original article source: Tim McGraw and Faith Hills secret to surviving Hollywood and how their nephew is following their lead The actor took on the role of Reggie Montgomery in the soap opera in 2003 and left the show in 2006. Michael B. Jordan credited his success in Hollywood to his experience working on a soap opera. In an interview with PEOPLE at the American Cinematheque Awards, where he was being honored, Jordan opened up about his time on the soap opera All My Children, which ran from 1970 to 2011. He played the role of Reggie Montgomery from 2003 to 2006, which was played by his late collaborator Chadwick Boseman before him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan explained that the role helped put him on the radar of casting directors and Hollywood executives, often because of their wives. I never knew how many casting directors and executives in Hollywood would tell me, Oh man, my wife really loves you. Or like, Oh, she watches you all the time on the stories. Come in for this and read for that, he told PEOPLE. It opened up so many doors in the most unexpected places for me, and that was I think looking back at it, that was something that definitely caught me off guard, he continued. The All My Children casting director Judy Blye Wilson told the publication earlier this year that Jordan replaced Boseman after the Ma Raineys Black Bottom actor was fired from the role because he wasnt the right fit for a teenage character. I did cast [Chadwick] Boseman, who became very famous, as we all know, Wilson said about the actor, who was 26 when he played the role. And he was only on the show for just a week, because they really wanted the character to be about 16, 15 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boseman had a different story. He said in 2019 that he was vocal about the role of Reggie, whose character is a troubled teen involved with a gang, being stereotypical, which is why he was fired. Jordan, who was 15 at the time, stepped in to replace him. Jordan had already acted on some major projects by the time he got to All My Children. He played the role of Wallace on the HBO series The Wire, which he also credited for opening doors for him, and had also appeared in The Sopranos and Cosby. After All My Children, he went on to appear in several television shows, such as CSI: Crime Investigation and Cold Case, and he landed a significant role in 2009 as Vince Howard in the final seasons of Friday Night Lights. Reflecting on his stint in the soap opera world, he said that the demanding work of soap operas gave him discipline. I think soap operas, were doing a hundred-plus pages a day, he told PEOPLE. The work ethic, the grind of that definitely gave me a built-in work ethic and helped me refine that discipline at an early age. More must-reads: Correction: Last week, I insinuated that Dwight got his federal liquor license. Turns out, he didn't. He just moved forward with the assumption that he'd get one. Last week's Tulsa King ended with Dwight's sister, Joanne, kidnapped by the wicked Dunmire clan. This week, we pick up right where that cliffhanger left off, with Joanne taken to the Dunmire estate. The next morning, after a brief chat with Margaret, in which she says Thresher is all but guaranteed to win the Governor's election, Dwight notices that Joanne isn't home. While the gang is mobilized to find her, Dwight gets a call from Dunmire, who has gone full mustache-twirler, complete with Joanne tied to a chair with a cloth gag in her mouth. Were there no railroad tracks nearby? In any case, the stage is set for war! To that end, Dwight goes to the Bred-2-Buck casino and gets the gang together. Mitch goes shopping for gear, while Bigfoot enlists the aid of some of his cousins, who are just as big as he is. Meanwhile, Dunmire gets to have a little bad-guy moment with Joanne, trying to get her to sign over ownership of the Montague booze. He comments on his own hospitality, saying that his mama raised him to never hit a woman, to which Joanna counters, "You just burn up old men in their homes." Dunmire says it's because Dwight pushed him to do so, avoiding responsibility for his own actions, comparing himself to a force of nature, what happens when someone like Dwight disrupts the natural order. He's about to learn the meaning of "disruption." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lil' Baby Cole Dunmire tries to have a chat with his dad, but is turned away at the door by bodyguards. Later, Cole manages to sneak in after his dad leaves, and has a chat with Joanne. A few weeks ago, he was cool with murdering Dwight in a restaurant (remember that?), but he draws the line at kidnapping and extortion. He might be something of a goober, but it turns out the son has more honor than the father. Or, at least, he doesn't see the need to drag (relatively) innocent family members into a dispute that should be between two men. Elsewhere, Russell Lee Washington goes to Mitch's car dealership, which is now being run by Fred (when he's not dealing at the casino tables, I guess?), and gets a free Cadillac, courtesy of Manfredi's friendship. He returns to the casino to hang with his Tulsa pals and immediately agrees to help Dwight before he leaves town. Just sayin', if I ever go to war, I hope Samuel L. Jackson is on my side. Maybe think of that before you go to war. Would Samuel L. Jackson be on your side? Let him be your guiding star. Lil' Baby Cole goes to The Even Higher Plane, where he convinces Bodhi to take him to Dwight. He confesses everything, explains his father's plan, and even draws a map for the gang of the entire estate. Combined with a truck full of guns and tactical gear, the gang is ready to kick some butt, even if Mitch doesn't let Bigfoot use the .50 caliber sniper rifle. He never gets to have any fun! Before the war, we check in with Margaret and Thresher, the latter of whom is preemptively celebrating his impeding election victory. There's some friction there, with Thresher wanting to bring Margaret into his administration and scheming of ways to cut Dwight out entirely, even though Dwight and Margaret are the reason Thresher is winning the race in the first place! That's basically the last we see of Thresher this season, so I imagine the political machinations of Tulsa will play a bigger role next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This season has been relatively light on action compared to the prior seasons. But that's about to change. The entire gang (except for Bodhi, who doesn't fight, and Goodie, who stays behind to hold down the fort), goes full Call of Duty, armed with tactical gear, smoke grenades, guns with fancy scopes, the whole nine yards... And they shoot their way through the mansion, killing everyone in their way. The whole sequence is set to "Bad to the Bone" by George Thorogood and the Destroyers, and it's pretty friggin' cool. While everyone's wearing masks and nighttime camouflage, I could still usually tell which character was being showcased, and everyone gets a chance to shine. We even get to see just how straight-up psychopathic Washington is. Despite saying he's never been in a straight-up gun battle with many players before, he's "looking forward to this." Indeed, he proves himself more than capable, even taking sadistic glee in taking out two stragglers at range as they try to flee the estate. It's a tiny bit disturbing, but delightful all the same. With the fodder out of the way, it naturally all boils down to Manfredi and Dunmire. After a brief tussle in the shed, Dwight gets the upper hand. I wouldn't want to fight with Robert Patrick, but I really wouldn't want to fight with Stallone! Earlier in the episode, Dwight promised Dunmire that his death would be "unforgettable." And he wasn't kidding. After easily beating Dunmire in combat, he could just kill him. Instead, Dwight, absolute fire-and-brimstone psycho that he is, ties him up and suspends him like one would suspend a hog before bleeding it out. But instead of gutting him, he gives Dunmire the same fate as Montague, the innocent man whose death started this whole war. He sets him on fire while a heavy metal version of "Bad Company" by Bad Company plays. Ouch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final scene of the episode sees the gang celebrate their victory and the immolation of their enemy with some drinks at the bar. Mitch and Cleo are together, Samuel L. Jackson says a final toast before heading off to his own spin-off, and Mitch goes to sing a song to play us out. Margaret asks when Dwight is going to sing a song, but he brushes her off. I swear, if next season sees Stallone taking the stage for a new rendition of "Too Close to Paradise" from Paradise Alley, I'm gonna lose my friggin' mind. In the back room of the casino, Dwight gives Musso all of the information Deacon the terrorist gave up, and in exchange, Musso gives him a federal liquor license. All's well that ends well, right? Dwight returns to the table and toasts Mitch as he sings. The camera lingers on a close-up of Dwight as he quietly celebrates his latest victory and assumes his place as the eponymous Tulsa King, with his arm around Margaret, his Queen... For now. Zak's Thoughts (I'm Zak) When I know a show is coming back for another season, I don't mind a cliffhanger. Then again, I also like when they put a bow on it and say, "this chapter is over." It leaves next season completely open to whatever changes might lay in store. Hey, what happened to Frank Grillo? He's still in detention, right? They could have had a line from Musso saying he'd be released or something, right? In any case, Bill is probably gonna know that Dwight is in the Feds' good graces. How's that going to play out in the future? Will we get some delightfully awkward 'buddy cop trio' adventures with Bill, Dwight, and Musso? I can only hope! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This season was kind of weak between the prior two, but only because it spent too much time spinning its wheels and didn't care to shift away from the status quo. It could have been a movie instead of a season. Still, there's an underrated quality to TV, which is the chance to simply hang with these characters, enjoy their company (and Dana Delany's wardrobe), and just watch them have little adventures with no greater goal than staying one step ahead of the hounds while making some money along the way. Cole knew his father needed to be stopped, but I can't imagine he'll be part of Dwight's gang next year. I mean, his dad was a bad guy, but Dwight did burn him at the stake. I'd like to see Cole on the outskirts of the show, figuring out what kind of person he's going to be before choosing his destiny. I think there's a lot of potential with his character, and I'd hate for him to disappear and then die off screen like Armand. Sorry Goodie, maybe you'll get a fight scene next year. It was cool to see Grace in full action-badass mode, though! She was born for this! Overall, I'd say Season 3 was fine, but is more of a stopgap, "more Tulsa King" while the powers that be figure out what to do with Tulsa King. So I'm in a weird place where I'm little more than merely satisfied but can't wait to see what's next, both in terms of Tulsa King and the spin-off, NOLA King. I'm excited to hang out with Russell Lee Washington and have a show full of people with that delicious cajun accent! Related: Tulsa King Recap: Covered In Rock Lindsay Sacknoff, head of consumer banking at Ally, said artificial intelligence (AI) has made it far easier for criminals to design convincing scams and spread them faster than ever before. See Next: Fidelity Says This Is a Surprising Risk of Holding Too Much Cash Do You Have Too Much? Read This: 9 Low-Effort Ways To Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Week) With AI, gone are the days of obvious misspellings from conspicuous email addresses that trigger immediate red flags, she explained. Scammers can now automate attacks across multiple targets and channels, create highly personal messages rather than generic spam and build websites and content that look legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are top tips to keep your money safe from sophisticated AI scams. The Most Common AI Scams Today Sacknoff explained that the rapid advancement of AI technology has made it easier for scammers to create more convincing scams that are harder to detect. She said that the tools for voice cloning and video generation are becoming more accessible and add to the growing threat of deepfakes and vishing scams. Some scenarios to watch out for include unexpected calls from a family member urgently asking for money, video ads from celebrities endorsing a product or an investment or a trusted voice requesting you to transfer funds or grant remote access to your device, she explained. Check Out: 3 Signs Youve Made It Financially, According to Financial Influencer Genesis Hinckley Two newer AI scams that involve fake websites and impersonation are credential harvesting sites and AI answer engine poisoning, Sacknoff explained. She said that attackers can use generative AI to create near-identical websites that are extremely realistic and cheap to produce at scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These sites can prompt you to enter your credentials and then scammers may call you, posing as your bank, to obtain your one-time password (OTP), she explained. This allows them to steal login details and bypass authentication to gain access to your accounts. AI answer engine poisoning is a type of cyberattack where scammers intentionally manipulate an AI-powered search engine, causing it to provide incorrect or misleading information, according to Sacknoff. She said that scammers are creating fake bank websites that list false customer support phone numbers, which may then be shown in an online search for your banks contact information. She explained this is intended to put you in touch with the scammers directly, rather than with the financial institution you intended. Sacknoff suggested following the below key tips to keep your finances secure. Watch for Suspicious Requests Sacknoff said to be wary of urgent requests, unexpected demands for money or personal details or threats or emotional manipulation. Remember, trusted institutions will never ask you to perform transactions to protect your funds or keep activities secret from family or designated contacts, she said. She added that if someone posing as a representative from your bank asks you to do any of these things, you should report the incident to your financial institution immediately. Verify the Source Before Engaging Sacknoff advised hanging up or not responding if a call or message appears suspicious. She also said to avoid clicking links you may receive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Verify the source by contacting the individual or company directly, she said. Having a secret word with family members can also help in situations like vishing scams. Consult Official Channels Sacknoff also said to avoid relying on AI summaries for customer support contact information. Instead, she said to check official websites or refer to the number on the back of your debit/credit card. Use Strong Security Measures Keep devices and accounts secure by using password managers, passkeys and multi-factor authentication, Sacknoff said. She added that enabling automatic updates can also protect your devices from vulnerabilities. Sign Up for Financial Account Alerts and Credit Monitoring Another way to keep your money safe from AI scams is to track your account activity and credit reports, Sacknoff recommended. She said doing so will allow you to take immediate action if any suspicious activity is spotted. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Tips To Keep Your Money Safe From New AI Scams Destinations around the world are feeling the pinch of overtourism. Fodor's travel guide's annual "No List" highlights destinations to rethink visiting in 2026. Destinations like Antarctica, the Canary Islands, and Montmartre are facing tourism pressures. The travel bucket list, or a catalog of places you must go, has long been a thing, but with the rise in global tourism and subsequent strains of overtourism there's increasing talk about where not to go. International tourist arrivals increased 5% globally in the first half of 2025 compared to the same time period a year prior, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fodor's, a long-standing travel guide company, compiles an annual list of places that travelers should reconsider visiting due to the potential negative impacts of rising tourism. The recently released "No List," which outlines eight places that travelers should rethink visiting in 2026, includes a far-flung continent, a United States national park, and some popular city destinations. Fodor's says the list is not a call for a total boycott but instead meant to "highlight destinations where tourism is placing unsustainable pressures on the land and local communities." Conversely, Fodor's also compiles an annual "Go List," with the latest edition highlighting 26 of the best places to visit next year. Here are the eight destinations that made the "No List" for 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antarctica Tourists on a dingy of the cruise ship L'Austral visit the Gerlache Strait, which separates the Palmer Archipelago from the Antarctic Peninsula. JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images While Antarctica, one of the most remote places on the planet, isn't overrun with tourists in the same sense that Venice is, the continent may be welcoming more visitors than it can responsibly accommodate, according to Fodor's. The number of tourists visiting Antarctica increased tenfold between 1992 and 2020, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The group says travel to Antarctica has a high carbon footprint and can damage sites visited by travelers as well as disturb wildlife. The IUCN and other conservation groups have called for additional measures to protect Antarctica's wildlife and ecosystem as tourism increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Canary Islands The Canary Islands have attracted anti-tourism protests in recent years. Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images Spain's Canary Islands draw millions of tourists every year, prompting local concerns about crowding and traffic, rising housing costs, and environmental impacts. There have been multiple protests against overtourism on the Canary Islands in recent years, with thousands of people taking to the streets with signs that read things like "Canaries have a limit." Glacier National Park The turquoise waters of Grinnell Lake below the Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park, Montana. JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images Glacier National Park in Montana was one of the most visited national parks in 2024, with more than 3.2 million visitors. In 2020, the park instituted a timed reservation system during the busy summer months to handle the increase in visitors, but concerns remain around increased traffic and congestion, higher risks of wildlife disturbance, and a rise in carbon emissions and threats to air quality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isola Sacra Roman ruins can be found in Isola Sacra, which is located southwest of Rome. DEA / S. VANNINI/Getty Images Isola Sacra, located southwest of Rome, is a historic coastal community in Italy home to some ancient Roman ruins. Italian officials have approved a plan for a new port that will allow large cruise ships to dock in the town. The plan has been controversial among locals of Isola Sacra, with community groups protesting the development, citing potential harm to local ecosystems. Local authorities have said the port will bring employment to the community and that the plan includes measures to protect the environment. The Jungfrau Region in Switzerland The Jungfrau Region in Switzerland is a major tourist destination in the Alps. MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images The Jungfrau Region in Switzerland is a major attraction for visitors to the Alps, with its alpine lakes and dramatic peaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the region is struggling to manage its tourism boom while protecting the natural environment and quality of life for the area's locals, according to Fodor's. Mexico City Madero Street in Mexico City is a major tourist attraction. Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images Mexico City has been a booming tourism destination in recent years, leading to concerns about rising housing costs and cultural loss in the city center. Demonstrators gathered in Mexico City in August to protest tourism, gentrification, rent hikes, and the rise in short-term rentals. Mombasa Cruise ships have boosted tourism to Mombasa, Kenya. credit should read TOBIN JONES/AFP via Getty Images Kenya has seen a notable rise in tourism since the pandemic, with cruise ships bringing an influx of visitors to cities like Mombasa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The historic Kenyan city is already experiencing the impacts of rising tourism, with some cultural sites overrun by visitors, leading to congested roads, overcrowding, and littered beaches, Fodor's said. Mohamed Osman, minister for Tourism, Culture, and Trade in Mombasa County, told Fodor's that measures are currently being developed to address concerns with overtourism. Montmartre Montmartre, Paris, is popular with tourists. LordHenriVoton/Getty Images Montmartre, a picturesque Paris neighborhood popular with visitors, has experienced overtourism impacts like rising prices and the displacement of locals. Residents have protested against the "Disneyfication" of Montmartre, as the French newspaper Le Monde reported, citing a decline in stores catering to locals and lines of tourists trying to capitalize on a good photo op. Read the original article on Business Insider Budapests Christmas season is an especially magical one distinguished by local rituals. For example, its common to splurge on pricey tickets to savor an annual performance of The Nutcracker, heightened by the spectacular interiors of the 19th-century Hungarian State Opera house. In the citys finest bakeries and even grocery stores, there is an increasing presence of beigli, Hungarys celebratory cylindrical roll confections that are typically filled with walnut or poppy seed. The laborious sweets spawned from a sweet, yeasted dough are fixtures at holiday family gatherings, just as much as makos guba, a rich poppy seed bread pudding, and halaszle, the paprika-enlivened fish soup that is the centerpiece of many a Christmas Eve dinner. Leading up to these feasts is Budapests array of festive Christmas markets, teeming with locals and international visitors alike. Between the twinkling lights, the dazzling dressed up trees, and the barrage of hearty food and handmade trinkets to peruse, the cheerful, albeit crowded atmosphere is intoxicating. (Visit in the mornings for the most peaceful experience). Here are the best Budapest holiday markets to meander through. Vorosmarty Classic Xmas Romeo Reidl / Getty Images Going strong since 1998, Vorosmarty Classic Xmas dominates the picturesque District V square of the same name that is home to the must-visit dessert destination Cafe Gerbeaud. The most traditional of Budapests markets, its an elegant one. With a keepsake mug of forralt bor (mulled wine) in hand, you can wander through the circle of quaint stalls selling old-fashioned ornaments and stationery, wooden toys, and leather and hand-knit accessories. Then, refuel from the shopping expedition on plump, juicy sausages and keep warm with sips of plum palinka, Hungarys native fruit brandy, through Dec. 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Here's Why Every Wine Lover Needs to Book a Trip to Budapest Budapest Basilica Christmas Market Alexander Spatari / Getty Images St. Stephens Basilica, the Roman Catholic cathedral named for the first king of Hungary, is the star of Budapest Basilica Christmas Market, just a short stroll from Vorosmarty Square. Every half hour, a 3D light show is projected onto the historic structures facade, a vibrant backdrop to the skating rink and stalls selling the likes of langos, an irresistible deep-fried flatbread; strudel; and marzipan, interspersed with jewelry and ceramic finds, through Jan. 1. DiVino, one of Budapests most well-known wine bars, is conveniently located here, attracting revelers in search of quality forralt bor. Vendors line the surrounding streets too, ramping up the holiday spirit, but the tireless might want to add even more markets to the mix, paying visits to the nearby ones at Varoshaza Park and Erzsebet ter (Elizabeth Square), in the shadow of the imposing Ferris wheel. Buda Castle Market Courtesy of BudapestChristmas.com Its hard to match the wondrous ambiance of Budas Castle District. Cobblestone streets juxtaposed with monumental Fishermans Bastion overlooking the frosty Danube and mighty neo-Gothic Matthias Church (a slew of classical music Christmas concerts here are ideal post-market outings) woo any time of year, but come Christmas season, the setting is even more enticing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The market here, on Szentharomsag ter (Holy Trinity Square), showcasing the usual combination of Hungarian street food and gifts like artisan-made candles and pottery, is small, but exquisite, befitting of its majestic surroundings. Taking place from Nov. 28 to Jan. 4, it shuts at 7 p.m., so for those who arent too stuffed up on pastries, head to Stand25 Bistro, a 10-minute walk away, for a dinner that unfolds with bowls of gulyas. Obuda Advent Market Photoservice / Getty Images Eager to avoid the masses, locals head to the Obuda Advent Market on the Buda side of the city from Npv. 28 to Dec. 23. In Obuda, a hilly residential neighborhood close to the Arpad Bridge in District III, Fo ter (Main Square) and Szentlelek ter (Holy Spirit Square) are transformed into a dreamy winter wonderland. Skaters pack the rink, children rush off to the vintage merry-go-round, and lines form quickly for kurtoskalacs, sugar-rolled chimney cakes freshly baked on the spit in such flavors as cocoa and cinnamon. Of all Budapest markets, this one has an alluringly intimate, old-timey feel and so its worth the trek from the city center. Maximize the out-of-the way escapade by pairing it with a visit to fascinating Roman-era ruins or nearby Vasarely Museum for a dive into the Op Art works of the French-Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely. Read the original article on Food & Wine NEED TO KNOW When Emily Patti joined a Facebook moms group in August 2018, she didn't expect to form such meaningful friendships Patti grew close to one mom in particular, Casey The two finally met in person at Casey's wedding, where Patti was a bridesmaid Emily Patti had never met her best friend, Casey, in person, despite talking nearly "every day" for seven years. However, the two finally got the chance to meet face-to-face at Casey's wedding. Patti, 36, tells PEOPLE that she and Casey first connected in 2018 after she joined a Facebook moms group called "August 2019 Babies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was for moms who were expecting babies in August of 2019," she explains. "So we were both pregnant with our now 6-year-olds. We had just found out, and we joined this group." "Then we started a separate group chat with a few other moms from that group, and that group chat has been going constantly now for seven years," she adds. Courtesy of Emily Patti Casey and Emily Patti Casey and Emily Patti The group chat consists of five moms from the Facebook group and one other mom, each of whom is located in a different state, from Wisconsin, where Patti lives, to Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee and New Hampshire. It started off as a way to just have a village in a time when we societally don't have very good villages to help raise our kids, Patti shares. In those late-night nursing sessions when you were thinking everything was going wrong and you were failing as a mother, they were always there." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They would always be online, probably nursing at the same time. We would be online, talking to each other, and we used the group chat," she says. "We still to this day use the group chat, kind of like an open diary for all of us." Patti grew especially close to one member of the group, Casey, who lives in New Hampshire. She and I have become closer, and we talk outside the group chat as well as within the group chat," Patti tells PEOPLE. "We've been through a lot together. When she got engaged to her now-husband, she asked me to be a bridesmaid. I very happily agreed." So, when the nuptials finally came around in October 2025, Patti flew to New England to meet her best friend for the very first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although she was admittedly nervous to meet Casey in person, Patti says it was amazing. Our worry was that it was going to be awkward or we would have nothing to talk about, but it wasn't like that at all. It was just a continuation of how we talk inside the group chat, Patti recalls. I'd known this person so well for so long. It didn't feel like we were meeting for the first time. Courtesy of Emily Patti Emily Patti, Casey and Kendall, another mom from the group Emily Patti, Casey and Kendall, another mom from the group It was amazing. There wasn't a single awkward moment for it," she adds. "We instantly felt like we'd grown up together, even though we hadn't, we'd grown as mothers together. It wasn't awkward in any way. And it was really, really awesome." The wedding, which took place in Jackson, N.H., was small and intimate. Ironically, Caseys wedding fell on the same weekend as Patti and her husband's seventh anniversary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casey is the type of person who makes everyone feel at home around her, Patti shares. Another one of the moms from the group chat did attend the wedding as well, so we also got to meet her for the first time," she adds. "Shes from Kentucky, and she has four kids, and her third is her 6-year-old. It was amazing to get to meet another one of the moms from the group chat. Since then, all the moms in the group have talked about meeting up or going on a vacation together, either with or without their kids. That's definitely in the plans, and it's one of those, 'Will the plans make it out of the group chat?' Hopefully, Patti shares. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While they eagerly await their next meetup, Patti and Casey talk every single day. Even when she was on her honeymoon," Patti shares. "She left for her honeymoon two days after her wedding, and we still talked every single day." We joke around that, we've been playing the we listen and we don't judge game accidentally for seven years. Her advice for expecting mothers who want to build community is to find the moms who are like-minded and who lift you up and who will be there for you at midnight hours. Invest your time and energy into those friendships. A lot of times, when we become moms, our past friendships if our other friends are not in the same stage of life and entering into motherhood it can be really hard to maintain those friendships," she says. "Invest in the people who also lift you up and invest in you. Patti has found that in her friendship with Casey and the other moms in their group. Read the original article on People Women named Lyssa typically exhibit a compelling blend of intensity and warmth, reflecting the name's dual heritage of mythological passion and sweet symbolism. They often possess sharp intelligence combined with creative insight, allowing them to approach problems from unique perspectives. Their emotional depth gives them strong intuition about people and situations, while their inherent resilience helps them navigate challenges with grace. Many Lyssas demonstrate natural leadership abilities tempered by genuine empathy, making them effective in both professional and personal relationships. The personality associated with Lyssa suggests someone who balances fierce independence with loyal companionship. They tend to be passionate about their beliefs and interests, yet practical in their approach to achieving goals. Their communication style often combines directness with sensitivity, and they typically value authenticity in themselves and others. This combination of traits makes Lyssas often successful in creative fields, leadership positions, or helping professions where their blend of passion and practicality can shine. They're generally perceived as memorable individuals who leave lasting impressions through their unique combination of strength and sweetness. When Salli Squires Cook brought home her first rescue cat, Bubby, she decided he deserved nothing less than a life of luxury. What he needed, was a pet palace. So she reached out to Colorado-based Cat Topia, which had opened a few months earlier, specializing in custom outdoor enclosures for cats. She told business owner, Lance Harding, in 2019 that she wanted something that would keep her cats safe at night, while allowing them to roam outdoors during the day at her home in Denver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cat home which the builders dub a palace for pets, catio or luxury outdoor cat enclosure cost $2,000 and was accessible from Cooks garage. The tall, rectangular enclosure had a path for Bubby to run through, stairs to jump on and took up a chunk of the backyard. There was also a protective fence to stop Bubby from wandering too far. Cook was such a big fan that when she got another cat, she decided to expand to twice the size of her initial one. The price tag? $5,000. The second catio had to have special needs ramps for our girl, who has a hard time getting up and down, Cook, who now has four cats Mariah, 13, Bubby, nine, Lewis, five, and Proxi, one told The Independent. This catio in Los Angeles has a long wooden path for a cat to run through, with an outdoor enclosure located in the backyard and connecting to a family house (Alan Breslauer) Salli Squires Cook's wooden catio in Denver has a fence to keep her cat safe and a path, which connects to her homes garage, for the pet to run through (Salli Squires Cook) It had to have a bridge up in the trees for them to see all of the wildlife, secure and thick-gauge fencing for safety, a solid roof to keep out the elements, doors for us to get into them easily to clean, weather-proof lumber, and spaces to hide. Since her original catio was installed in 2019, Cook has seen how theyve offered major improvements to her cats lifestyles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They can get vitamin D and sun themselves, she explains. They are enriched by being in the fresh air and watching birds and squirrels that keep their hunting instincts sharp, but without harming any of the wildlife. Additionally, two of our four cats were outside only when we first got them, and this has made their transition to being indoor only so much easier. Some 49 million American households have at least one cat, with ownership rising by 23 percent in 2024, the American Pet Products Associations 2025 Dog & Cat Report found. The organization also noted that owners are forming deeper bonds with their pets and finding more ways to integrate them into their daily lives. An outdoor wooden catio, with a roof, in Burlington County, New Jersey, that comes with scratching posts and running path for a cat (Courtesy of Lance Harding at Cat Topia) A metal, rectangular catio in Pasadena, California, that is fenced and features stairs, shelves, and scratching posts for cats to climb on (Alan Breslauer at The Catio Guy) Pet ownership overall rose sharply during the pandemic, with more than 23 million Americans getting an animal during that time, according to a survey from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But caring for a pet is no small feat. From vet visits, medication, food, pet insurance, and more, Rover, a site that connects pet owners with walkers and sitters, found that it costs approximately $34,550 to care for a dog over its average 10-year lifespan, and $32,170 for a cat that lives for 16 years. While Cook's pet palace has everything her cats could want, it's a drop in the ocean compared to some others, where people are dropping six-figure sums on luxury catios. At Cat Topia, Harding has helped create wooden, outdoor patios and enclosures, filled with cubbies, scratching posts, and a tunnel. He recently built a luxury cat catio in Burlington County, New Jersey, featuring a 400 square foot enclosure, painted and with a roof, and a 100-foot tunnel. The asking price for his creation? $125,000, a third of the average house price listing in the area, according to Realtor.com. A white outdoor cat enclosure in Los Angeles with stairs, furniture, and a scratching post for the family cat (Alan Breslauer from The Catio Guy) A wooden outdoor cat enclosure, with furniture, connected to the yard of a home in the South Bay region of California (Alan Breslauer from The Catio Guy) The catio, part of the homes porch, also has amenities like a built-in couch and hammock for the feline family members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all catios are this expensive, however. Harding has clients with different budgets, and hes built some outdoor enclosures for $6,000. But with every catio that Cat Topia makes, Harding has the same goal: Giving cats the chance to roam outdoors without the dangers that can come with it. People see their pets as family members and want the best for them, he told The Independent. They live a long time if under indoor circumstances, but that doesnt give them a lot of room for running and exercise. Indoor cats also have a lot of anxiety, so the catio decreases that and allows them to have a world outdoors. So far, Cat Topia has created more than 500 catios across all 50 states, and no two are the same. Harding considers the climate and predators in every state. A catio in New York will be heated due to cold winter weather, while one in the humid state of Florida may feature a heavy-duty bug screen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We really look at what it comes down to at a micro level of what cats really need, and we make sure that our catios are ready to support that in every state, Harding added. A cat inside of its wooden, fenced outdoor enclosure outside of a home in Colorado (Lance Harding from Cat Topia) We have a whole database of what the customer should know when were designing stuff. And this is a burgeoning business. In 2017, Alan Breslauer launched his Catio Guy company to build expansive outdoor enclosures, featuring runs and bridges for cats. Business took off in the pandemic, when families were spending more time at home and wanted to expand their spaces for pets. Since then, Breslauer and his team in Los Angeles have built more than 500 catios, with prices ranging from $5,000 to up to $94,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Breslauer primarily works in California including Santa Barbara, Orange County, and Palm Springs where cats (and their owners) experience some of the best weather year-round. Most of his catios are attached to large homes in Los Angeles, where home prices start at $1 million and go from there, according to Realtor.com. Were essentially making fancy enclosures that keep cats protected but allow them to go outside and bathe in the sunshine, get the stimulation from the birds, squirrels, and bugs, Breslauer explained to The Independent. A white, roofed catio with stairs and tree bark inside for the cat to climb on, built outside a home in Texas (Lance Harding from Cat Topia) Its a cat Disneyland where they run around and play without the danger of getting run over by a car or eaten by a coyote in L.A. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just like Harding, Breslauer wants cats to have the chance to be outside without their owners being worried about the risk of losing a pet. While cats lifespans vary - some live up to 20 years - there are risks to letting them roam outdoors alone, like infections and parasites, injury, poisoning, and exposure to predators, says the American Animal Hospital Association. Catios have helped his clients cats during a major life change, Breslauer notes. He had one client who moved from LA to Santa Barbara with her fiance, and her cat was unhappy about it, resulting in him urinating outside of the litter box for a year straight. A year later, they got the catio and the marking stopped completely, Breslauer explained. Then he ended up loving the new guy in his life. There are just remarkable differences between being cats before and after these enclosures. Indoor cats only have so many behavioral risks, and the catio just does so much for their mental well-being. Winter is on its way, with the holidays right around the corner and colder weather seeping in around the country. This is the time when many Americans are dreaming of warmer locales. It's also when people begin booking summer travel arrangements, if they don't have them already. U.S. air carriers, including Delta Air Lines, have been rolling out summer 2026 travel plans throughout the last few months. Delta issued a reminder of its upcoming changes this weekend. Seven new flights to Europe on the way Delta has announced seven new European routes from three different origin airports: Boston, Seattle and New York (JFK). The company again discussed these flights in a compilation news release on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The seven routes are as follows: Boston to Madrid, Spain - Starting May 6, 2026 Seattle to Rome, Italy - Starting May 6, 2026 Seattle to Barcelona, Spain - Starting May 7, 2026 Boston to Nice, France - Starting May 16, 2026 New York (JFK) to Olba, Sardinia - Starting May 20, 2026 New York (JFK) to Porto, Portugal - Starting May 21, 2026 New York (JFK) to Malta - Starting June 7, 2026 The Sardinia and Malta trips are unique, because those destinations were chosen by Delta SkyMiles Members and company employees during a round of polling earlier this year. We are continuing to add more choice and unique destinations for our SkyMiles members with new service to Malta and Sardinia, two destinations previously unserved from the U.S., said Paul Baldoni, Delta senior vice president network planning. We can now say that our network is not just built for our most loyal customers, but by them. Other new Delta initiatives Delta recently announced two other new service initiatives, including the introduction of "Comfort Basic" seating on select flights, which began on Nov. 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Comfort basic" seating offers 3 to 4 inches of additional legroom over basic economy, as well as specific Comfort Basic zones at the front of the cabin for faster boarding and a few other perks as well. Delta has also launched its Delta Locals program, designed to help travelers experience their destination as a local, providing a one-stop shop for trip recommendations made easy and more personalized. Cities included in "Delta Locals" include Patagonia, Tokyo, Sicily, and Los Angeles, with Curacao, Austin, Dublin and others all set to join in the coming months. This story was originally reported by Men's Journal on Nov 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. At her home in Racine, Wisconsin, Michele Robinson is cooking up a spaghetti chicken casserole just like her mother Karen used to make. "Every time you make it, you feel like, 'Oh, is this just living up to grandma's standards and mom's standards?'" she said. "Yeah, there is a little pressure!" It's been eight years since Karen Nelson passed away. She was known for her cheery disposition and love of cooking. Of her mom's spaghetti chicken casserole, Michelle said, "Every time we have it, we think of her, and then we start telling stories about her. It's always fun to reminisce then. You know, she is never forgotten." But should a family member ever forget the casserole recipe, they need only pay a visit to the nearby cemetery, where the instructions for Karen's famous spaghetti chicken casserole have been etched on her headstone. Kate Nelson is remembered for her Spaghetti Chicken Casserole recipe, which has been immortalized in stone at her final resting place. / Credit: CBS News That specific recipe was the clear winner, said Lauren Longrie Robinson: "Oh yeah, I mean, if you think of grandma, all you see is chicken spaghetti. You wouldn't think of anything else!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While memorializing a death with a dish is certainly unusual, it's not unheard of. There is a small community of folks who do this. "I feel like we should go on vacation together or something!" said Michelle. Author and archivist Rosie Grant has assembled an entire cookbook of headstone recipes that are "To Die For." / Credit: Harvest "We all have that dish our parent made for us, or a loved one made for us as a kid, that when we eat it, we're taken back to that," said Grant. "And something that's, like, very, practical about a cemetery gravestone is that, like, you'll get this recipe from the gravestone, and it's now preserved for these generations." While Grant pursued her masters in Library Science, one of her professors encouraged her to create a TikTok account focused on a niche topic. For GhostlyArchive, she chose unique gravestones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one early video, Grant decided to bake a Spritz Cookie from a gravestone she'd stumbled upon online. "And I'd imagine, if it ended up on her gravestone, it's gotta be a pretty good cookie, you know?" she said. Naomi Miller-Dawson's Spritz Cookies recipe, which tops her marker at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. / Credit: From "To Die For" | Harvest "So, I posted the process on TikTok of just like, what's it like to make these gravestone cookies," said Grant. "And I should say like, my world overnight blew up! It was, like, crazy, the response from people." She soon learned about a cheese dip recipe in Iowa, and a carrot cake recipe in California, etched in stone. / Credit: CBS News The spritz cookies that started it all can be found in the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, atop the headstone of Naomi Miller-Dawson. Her son, Richard, and his niece, Nailah, said Naomi was known for her baking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Her cookies were our favorite," Richard said. They brought a box of cookies for me to try. I went with the Christmas tree design. "That was her favorite shape," said Nailah. Naomi Miller-Dawson's spritz cookies. / Credit: CBS News While I thought they were delicious, they elicit different tasting notes for those who knew and loved the original chef. These simple sugar cookies become bittersweet. "Not only when we eat them, you just have to smell them baking," said Richard. "It brings back the memories of Christmas past and different holidays and events." Whether it's a mother's chicken soup or Kay's Famous Fudge, a cherished recipe can help keep a memory alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grant said, "They were just, like, very giving people. And I can't help but think that that's why whether it was their decision or their family's decision to do a very extraordinary gravestone, 'cause they were just in their universes very extraordinary people. I wish I had gotten to know all of them. They're all wonderful!" RECIPE: Spritz Cookies, from "To Die For" RECIPE: Spaghetti Chicken Casserole, from "To Die For" Spaghetti Chicken Casserole, from For more menu suggestions check out the "Sunday Morning" 2025 "Food Issue" recipe index For more info: "To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes" by Rosie Grant (Harvest), in Hardcover and eBook formats, available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.orgGhostlyArchive in TikTok Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Story produced by David Rothman. Editor: George Pozderec. Marjorie Taylor Greene announces resignation amid clashes with President Trump Why we love comfort foods Sauerkraut, the tangy condiment that's a crowd-pleaser This story, Capsized on Kodiak, appeared in the October 2006 issue of Outdoor Life. Alaska had always topped my wish list of places to visit for a true wilderness experience. On Kodiak Island one cold and dreary November day, I discovered how wild it can really get. I also learned that even if you leave the rugged slopes and freezing waters of that frigid paradise, they never, ever truly leave you. That hunting trip has become an endless journey, one that I embark on every day, even though 16 years have passed since my adventure turned into a hellish nightmare. A Dream Start My hunting partner on the trip, Don Travarelli, was from New Jersey, and Im from Michigan. We had met several years earlier on a Texas whitetail hunt and had become fast friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our passion for hunting cemented our friendship, and we began planning other hunts together. The trip to Kodiak in quest of Sitka blacktail deer would be our fourth. Crammed inside an old float plane, headed for our final destination Fraser Lake on Kodiak I wondered if the relic in which we were flying should be suspended from the ceiling of a museum instead of in the turbulent air. A rough landing on the lake punctuated the end of a tiresome trip, but it was worth it. Kodiaks awesome grandeur is truly breathtaking. In camp, I quickly acquainted myself with the people Id spend the next five days with. Outfitter Paul Reynolds, though only 27, spoke with the authority of a grizzled veteran. Lean, agile and precise, he ruled the camp with a decisive hand, which gave me the impression he clearly understood what should and should not be done in the wilderness. Harry Dodge, a bearded beanpole of a man, had been a guide for 15 years. He was so introverted, it sometimes seemed as though it was actually painful for him to talk. What he did say hinted at a man who was in an uneasy relationship with life. A black Labrador, named Tom, was his constant companion. Harrys affection for Tom and the wilderness led me to believe that in the remoteness of Alaska, he had found a refuge from civilization. Joel Krueger, a stocky 20-year-old, was an apprentice guide. He bragged incessantly. The fantastic stories he told only emphasized his young age. Still, I liked him. He reminded me of myself in my youth. The hunting got off to a quick start. It was everything Id expected. The first evening, only a few hundred yards from camp, Don bagged a trophy Sitka. Later that night, inside our cozy cabin, excitement ran high for the next days hunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following morning dawned gray and wet. Intermittent snow and sleet fell from a heavy, overcast sky as we departed camp, trudging along in the hip boots required to navigate the mucky terrain. We split into two groups: Don would hunt with Paul, and Harry and Joel would accompany me. I didnt like the strategy especially with the Lab tagging along but as the day progressed, it made sense: The more ground we covered, the more deer we saw. By early afternoon, I had already taken my first buck. Field-dressing the animal was quick and deliberate. The coastal grizzlies that roam Kodiak are among the largest in the world. Opportunistic and unpredictable, they might claim any kill given the chance. Harry carried a .458 Winchester, a gun renowned for its stopping power, but no one-especially me-wanted an encounter with a hungry bear. The next two days produced three more deer. On the fourth day, Paul announced a change of strategy. Everyone would hunt together. Do Not Go Silent That morning I took my seat in the 14-foot skiff at the edge of Fraser Lake. Four men and a dog had yet to board, but the boat, laden only with gear, already seemed to be sitting low in the water. Still, I ignored the voice of caution inside my head. Our guides were seasoned professionals. Besides, they would also be in the boat with us and had safely crossed this lake countless times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Harry handed Don and me the last two life jackets neither he nor Paul thought it necessary to wear one my mind eased. Harry, Joel and I had made the crossing the day before, so I told myself I was being foolish. A skein of ice covered the lake. The boat plowed forward, shattering it into jagged shards. Looking down, I noticed the glasslike pieces appeared to be mere inches below the gunwale. Yet I said nothing. Into the Nightmare The boat moved farther out to where the unobstructed winds churned the lakes surface. The skiff collided with oncoming waves, kicking up spray. In the distance, I noticed a single, wide wave rising taller than the others. I watched the swell build. By the time I realized we were in trouble and yelled to alert the others, it was too late. The wave swallowed us. From my comfortable seat, I was plunged into water just a few degrees above freezing. I was mad as hell. Nothing made sense, especially the predicament Id been thrown into literally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I ditched my Weatherby and backpack full of gear and tried to remove my hip boots. Despite the life jacket, my heavy clothing seemed destined to pull me down. Even if I could stay afloat, I didnt know which way to swim, or how far it was to shore. The only things I did know were that I couldnt stop shaking, civilization was at least 70 miles away and I was going to die. I began to hallucinate and imagined weird creatures riding the crests of oncoming waves. I felt sleepy and had the almost overwhelming urge to take a nap. I saw Don gasp for air as he struggled in the freezing water. His terrified face is an image I see every time I close my eyes. The Fish and Game cabin swim for it, Harry shouted from somewhere among the waves. We had seen the agencys cabin from across the lake while we were hunting the day before. Reaching the shelter was our only chance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Paul clung to the sinking skiff, screaming, Stay with the boat, stay with the boat. No way, I said to myself. Staying with the boat would mean certain death. Who was going to come to our rescue out here? Help was miles away. But what could I do? I suddenly felt very confused. The swim to shore seemed impossible. I had to make a decision and make it quick. What difference did it make if I died beside Don or a hundred yards away, struggling? The key word was struggle. I wasnt ready to accept death without one. I began swimming. The decision to leave Don arrived almost automatically, yet since then I have spent countless hours replaying that choice in my mind. Without a parting word I left Don clinging to a red gas can. But he still refuses to leave me. On gray days, usually in November, waves build in my mind. Don floats among them, still clinging to that gas can. Illustration by David Hollenbach / OL The Struggle Ashore In the icy water, fear reigned. Anger laced with despair gave way to blatant guilt, as I assumed responsibility for my own death. I felt as if I had chosen to abandon my wife and five kids back home to take part in this adventure that would surely kill me. Overwhelmed by this painful realization, I prayed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Call the dynamic feeling that followed whatever you choose: a second wind or pure adrenaline. Maybe it was fate or the Almighty answering a desperate prayer. Even now, I cant be sure. Friends still marvel that I swam 300 yards in hip boots. Absent now of that strength, I cant believe it myself. When I finally reached the rocky beach, I ditched the life jacket. The windfall of energy that had powered me to shore was gone. In the frigid air, I shivered uncontrollably. I wasnt sure where the cabin was; I just knew I had to get there quickly. Since leaving the swamped boat, I hadnt seen anyone. Then, from out in the lake, I heard a voice. At first I saw nothing but waves. I suspected that I had imagined the cry for help. Confusion brought on by the cold water and the exhaustion of my struggle made me uncertain. But then, 50 yards out, I saw Joel. Help, he cried, as he struggled to stay afloat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I made it. You can, too. I yelled. I stood resolutely grounded on shore. As if to underscore my reluctance, I screamed over and over, Im not going back in the water. It was unthinkable. I couldnt risk my life again the remainder of it was precious and belonged to my family. An Outdoor Life hoodie Haggard, wide-eyed, Joel crawled ashore, struggled to his feet and mumbled, Cabin. As quickly as he gained his footing, he stumbled away. I was 45 at the time but suddenly felt much older. As hard as I tried, I couldnt keep up with Joel. He was almost out of sight when I saw him plunge back into water. The horror of that sight stopped me in my tracks: I was on an island. I still had to swim another 40 yards across a channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dumbfounded, I watched Joel emerge on the other side and move off into the distance. He was leaving me behind. I attempted the swim after him, but I couldnt stay afloat. Unless I wanted to freeze to death on this small strip of land, my only option was to retrieve the life vest. It was just a few hundred yards away, but that walk became the longest, loneliest trip I have ever taken. Back into the Water With the life jacket back on, I crossed the channel, an act that sapped my remaining energy. Hypothermia beset me as I began what would tum out to be a two-mile trip to the cabin. Trudging along the shoreline, I began to hallucinate and imagined weird creatures riding the crests of oncoming waves. I felt sleepy and had the almost overwhelming urge to curl up on the ground and a take a nap, but I knew if I fell asleep Id never wake up. I tried counting steps, but everything felt out of sync. A voice inside me began to scream. Like a drill sergeant motivating a recruit, I called myself a wimp and a quitter each time I entertained thoughts of giving up. Completely spent, I spotted the cabin in the distance. But on limp legs, it seemed totally out of reach. I remember little about negotiating that final 200 yards. Somehow I found myself standing in the doorway of the rustic cabin that belonged to the Alaskan Fish and Game Department. Positioned above the outlet of the lake, it was home to state employees as they monitored salmon returning upstream during the spawning season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the broken door, which hung askew on a single hinge, I saw Joel. He was straddling a pile of crumpled newspapers, trying to light them with wooden matches. As I entered the cabin, Joel yelled: Fire! Get matches! I looked about and spotted a box of them sitting on a nearby counter. My brain gave orders, but my fingers wouldnt obey. When I managed to strike a match against the box, instead of igniting, it usually broke in two. Who finally succeeded, I dont remember, but eventually, a fire burned brightly on the wooden floor. Close to the flames, void of any legitimate feeling, I just stood there absorbing heat. The Cabins on Fire Suddenly, I came to my senses. I was gagging. Smoke, I yelled. The cabin was full of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cabins caught fire, Joel screamed. With renewed senses, we extinguished the flames, aired out the cabin and repositioned the door that Joel had kicked open. In the frenzy to light a fire we hadnt even noticed Harry, who had crawled through a window and was silently lying in a bed next to a back wall. Tom was beside him, both of them covered with blankets. Harry was warming himself with the body heat from the big Lab. I would later learn from Harry that he and Tom had swum ashore together. To stay afloat he had removed his hip boots but paid the price for such an action. He rolled back the blankets and exposed his lower legs. They were bluish-red the effect of severe frostbite. In a lighter moment, Joel later rubbed his belly and declared, This fat finally did me some good. It had kept him warm and afloat. Im finished with guiding, though, he added seriously. I voiced my support with a simple Yeah. Harry petted his Lab and said nothing. A voice inside me began to scream. Like a drill sergeant motivating a recruit, I called myself a wimp and a quitter each time I entertained thoughts of giving up. Joel rummaged through a back room while I tinkered with an old kerosene heater. Finally I was able to get it lit. As our clothes dried, attitudes changed and we began to make plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The floatplane was due to pick us up the following day. Once the pilot saw our empty camp, hed know something was wrong. We would just have to wait. In the back room, Joel found a sideband radio, but with a battery too feeble to transmit. In that same back room, I discovered three spare batteries. But after shorting them out with a metal coat hanger and barely generating a spark, I realized that, like us, they were too weak. A farmer all my life, Id learned to improvise: What if all the batteries were wired together in a series, creating one big battery? Together, they might generate enough power to transmit. Using coat hangers, I connected all the positive posts, did the same with the negative ones and then pinned the alligator clips to the makeshift battery. The radio crackled to life. Help Arrives After a Mayday distress call, Joel finally reached the Coast Guard and gave them our location. Soon, theyd be on their way in a helicopter to rescue us. When the Coast Guard arrived, we told the rescuers what had happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although low on fuel and short on daylight, the helicopter crew flew over the lake in search of survivors. They found only Dons body, still clinging to that red gas can. Paul was never found. His final resting place remains somewhere in the frigid depths of Fraser Lake. Read Next: Tragically Unlucky. The Real Story of What Happened to the Elk Hunters Who Disappeared in Colorados Wilderness I have never returned to Kodiak, but my Alaskan adventure hasnt ended. It shadows me every day of my life, as I continue to make sense of the tragedy. What I know is that it taught me about raw struggle, gut-wrenching decisions and the terrible consequences of choices we make in moments for which nothing in life prepares us. For me, the ordeal plays over and over in my mind, like a living testament to mans vulnerability and his amazing will to survive. Rhode Island has a thing for let's say unusual foods. We like Awful Awful drinks and coffee in our milk. We routinely confuse people on social media with our love of pizza strips that don't even have cheese. We promoted giant stuffed clams in airports and calamari at the Democratic National Convention. Quirky and distinctive food is part of the Rhode Island culture. Here are 16 of the speciality foods that Rhode Island is famous for. Awful Awful An assortment of Awful Awful treats at Newport Creamery. Awful big and awful good, this drink, which combines flavored syrups with ice milk instead of the ice cream one would find in a classic milkshake, was originally a New Jersey thing. But, today Newport Creamery has the rights to it, and it's officially a Rhode Island thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement History of Awful Awfuls: The Awful Awful is a classic Rhode Island treat. Here's how it got its name. Coffee Milk For those who didnt grow up drinking coffee milk from cartons in elementary school, coffee milk is exactly what it sounds like: milk mixed with a sweet coffee syrup. The drink was invented in Rhode Island, sometime in the 1930s. Del's Lemonade It's been 75 years for Del's Lemonade, the frozen treat that came from Naples to Rhode Island. Never drink it with a straw! Del's Lemonade is a frozen lemonade with roots in European fruit ices. Perfectly refreshing on a summer beach day, lemon is the classic flavor but the brand offers many others. History of Del's: Del's Lemonade turns 75 this year. How will they be celebrating, and what's ahead? Doughboys Mini doughboys with cinnamon butter, caramel and chocolate dips at Iggy's. Awfully close to the fried dough you might find at any old state fair, but better because of their smaller, more manageable pillow shape. Cover these in sugar and cinnamon for maximum happiness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experience a doughboy: Amy Russo tries some RI foods Stuffies Stuffies are on the menu at fine dining restaurants such as The Coast Guard House in Narragansett. They are served as an appetizer. Served in the shell, stuffies are baked stuffed clams with lots of breading and butter. This Rhode Island food is so iconic that a seven-foot version was placed in airports around the country to attract visitors to the Ocean State. All about stuffies: Where to get them, recipes, and controversies Clam Cakes If you want to know where the clams are in clam cakes, look at the dark marks on the crusty exterior. Those are clams fried hot by the oil. A deep-fried fritter made with chopped clams, clam juice and a flour base. They have a similar consistency to a hush puppy after they're fried and are more cakey than say a crab cake. More: Everything you wanted to know about clam cakes. Book takes a deep dive into a RI favorite RI-style Calamari Dan Rinaldi's Rhode Island-Style Fried Calamari Take a basic calamari appetizer (batter and fried squid) and toss it in butter, garlic and hot peppers, and you get Rhode Island-style calamari. The dish is the official state appetizer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calamari: If not just the sea, where did R.I. calamari come from? RI Clam Chowder Clear broth clam chowder, with quahogs, red potatoes and spices can be made with this archive recipe from 2002. A lighter take on clam chowder than the New England or Manhattan versions, Rhode Island clam chowder skips the cream and the tomatoes giving it a clear broth. How to make it: Clear clam chowder from Roger's kitchen Lobster Roll The lobster roll at Matunuck Oyster Bar, in South Kingstown, includes larger-than-average chunks of lobster, artfully arranged in a hefty split-top roll warmed with lots of butter. Sure, Maine gets a lot of credit for their lobster rolls, but Rhode Island's are every bit as good. As a state, we're not picky about if they're warm or cold. We just like them with an ocean view. Try a lobster roll: 7 reader-favorite lobster roll spots to try in Rhode Island New York System Wiener The celery salt is the last ingredient to go on the "all the way" weiners at the New York System, Olneyville, named a James Beard American Classic. [The Providence Journal, file / Frieda Squires] We know, it says New York in the name, but we promise this is a Rhode Island thing. The weiners which are a mix of beef, pork and veal come in a natural casing that makes a 20-foot rope that the restaurants has to cut to size by hand. Once in the bun, it's covered in a spicy sauce that includes onions and ground meat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Hot wiener wedding fulfills a Rhode Island bride's dream Grinder The grinders are big and fresh at Sandwich Hut. If you're really from Rhode Island, you'll pronounce it "grindah" and forget about the r. This Rhode Island favorite is a sandwich made with Italian cold cuts, pickles and other vegetables put on a grinder roll. You can mix up the cold cuts, but they have to stay in the salumi family. All about the grinder: Rhode Islanders are in the minority that say grinder. Here's the story behind the sandwich Dynamite Dynamites have been described as a sloppy Joe sandwich in a torpedo roll. A Woonsocket classic, the dynamite sandwich is a type of sloppy joe-like sandwich served in a torpedo roll with a spicy sauce often made in batches large enough to feed a crowd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recipe: ROSIE THIBEAULT'S FRENCH-CANADIAN DYNAMITE Pizza Strips Also called a party pizza, red strips or a bakery pizza, a pizza strip is a rectangular strip of pizza, served on a crust that would be best described as focaccia, topped with tomato sauce and often a dusting of grated Romano cheese. Its served at room temperature. More: Explaining the Rhode Island pizza strip: What is it and why does it exist? Johnnycakes Johnnycakes are a staple Rhode Island food. Similar to a pancake, the main difference is Johnnycakes are made with stone-ground cornmeal. A staple at May Breakfasts across the state, they're very easy to make. Recipe: You don't have to wait for May Breakfast. Make your own jonnycakes Pepper biscuits A bag of Catanzaro's pepper biscuits. An Italian treat, a pepper biscuit is a simple biscuit flavored with fennel and pepper rolled out into a log before being twisted into a round. The crunchy snack pairs well with a glass of wine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recipe: Make pepper biscuits for a snack Zeppole Traditional zeppole at Wright's Dairy Farm and Bakery in North Smithfield, have a blend of house-made creamy custard, ricotta cheese and rum flavoring. They are topped with whipped cream and a cherry. A treat traditionally served on St. Joseph's Day, zeppole resembles a flattened cream puff, filled with cream and topped with more cream and a cherry. Traditional ones are filled with pastry cream. Others are made with ricotta cheese, chocolate cream or whipped cream and fruit. Where to get a zeppole: Try these 10 Rhode Island bakeries This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 16 foods you have to try if you're in Rhode Island The holidays are fast approaching, and you can start celebrating at the Brandywine Museum of Art. Their holiday-themed model railroad has been a returning feature for decades, creating generations of joy. "It's a family tradition since 1972, and we're always happy to have the people of Delaware Valley come in here and enjoy a little bit of holiday cheer," said Senior Railroad Model Specialist at the Brandywine Museum of Art, Paul Hoerner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During your visit to the museum, you can also experience their new exhibit "Home for the Holidays: Cards and Hearths from the Collection." At the museum, you can still purchase remaining stock of their unique critter ornaments, which are created using naturally found items from the outdoors. "Holidays at Brandywine" will last until January 04, 2026. For more information, check out the video above. Also, check out their website. Countless Roman structures are fascinating at surface level, but Rome is quite layered literally. Some areas of present-day Rome actually sit on top of other ancient structures without most visitors even knowing. When you journey to a bit of underground Rome, you'll not only feel like an archaeologist, but also discover some hidden gem destinations for tourists who hate crowds. Among the underground ancient ruins open for visitors is Vicus Caprarius. This underrated historic site in Rome is located below the Trevi Fountain and its surrounding area. The Trevi Fountain is awe-inspiringly beautiful, but so popular that it may soon demand an appointment time for entry. The crowds will thin out when you head underground and discover the well-preserved ancient Roman homes that make up Vicus Caprarius. Along with archways and brick walls, you can see pottery, coins, and other aspects of daily life in ancient Rome. While the Trevi Fountain wasn't built until the mid-1700s, its water comes from the Aqua Virgo aqueduct, which engineers constructed around 1,600 years earlier. Aqua Virgo is another thing you can see when you explore Vicus Caprarius. Read more: The Biggest Tourist Traps In Europe, According To Rick Steves Book a tour with Vicus Caprarius La Citta dell'Acqua ancient stone walls, steel steps - Kirk Fisher/Shutterstock Cities built within the Roman Empire have long intrigued researchers. These builders created a new form of concrete strong enough to last into the 21st century, and the empire was among the earliest civilizations to have a large-scale running water system. Rome itself was the first city to reach one million residents. This is why going below street level to see remnants of Rome's domestic life is so worthwhile. Some remnants of homes included in Vicus Caprarius were apartments built after the infamous fire of 64 AD, while others date back to Europe's medieval era. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To visit these hidden underground structures, book a tour with Vicus Caprarius -- La Citta dell'Acqua (The Water City or City of Water). To begin the tour, look for the door with the Vicus Caprarius - La Citta dell'Acqua sign. It is located behind Harry's Bar Hotel and Restaurant, just a one-minute walk south of the Trevi Fountain. Tours are available every day except Monday. Self-guided tours are four euros, and guided tours are eight euros at the time of writing. Use the contact information on the Vicus Caprarius website to book your spots. 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. Devocion, a New York City-based Colombian coffee brand, has been serving the countrys freshest coffee from origin to cup in as few as 10 days. With an industry norm processing time from origin to cup of anywhere from six to twelve months, Devocion takes a new approach to coffee, much like a farm-to-table chef approaches food and ingredients. Instead of having every single origin coffee on its coffee shop menus, the brand focuses on a smaller menu that features only whats in season. Steven Sutton, Colombian-born founder of Devocion Coffee, provides a glimpse inside the 10-day journey from coffee origin in Colombia to cup in NYC. The 10-day journey from bean to cup Coffee, being the seed of a cherry, is surprisingly little understood despite being one of the most common drinks on earth, says Sutton. Before we ever get whats known as a green coffee bean (the bean we roast, grind, and brew), coffee goes through a complex process that includes harvesting, drying, a resting period inside the dried cherry or parchment, and dry milling. Only after all this can we finally roast and brew. Yet, the only part of the story were usually told about freshness involves just the last two steps: roasting and brewing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past decades, the harvesting, drying, and dry milling stages have evolved tremendously. Processing quality has improved year after year. However, theres one small yet enormous detail that most have overlooked: what happens after dry milling, once the coffee is ready to leave its origin and before its roasted? says Sutton. This is where Devocion sets itself apart by taking a bold step and doing something remarkable in the industry. By protecting the integrity of the green bean before roasting, Devocion ensures every single component that contributes to a great cup of coffee remains intact by sting, ensuring that every single component contributing to an extraordinary cup of coffee remains intact by going from origin to cup in as fast as 10 days (whereas the industry average is over 180 days). By controlling the entire process, we can ensure quality and consistency in every key step that goes into an amazing cup of coffee, he shares. Step-by-Step: Devocions 10-Day journey Day 1-2: The parchment and/or dried cherry is dry-milled at our facility in Bogota, Colombia. Day 3: The coffee is bagged, tagged, and prepared for export, with full traceability. Day 4: FedEx picks up the shipment at our dry mill in Bogota. Days 57: The coffee goes through international shipping, customs clearance in the U.S., and transportation to the Brooklyn roasting facility. Days 810: The coffee arrives, enters our roasting schedule, and is ready to be roasted, ground, and brewed, reaching your cup while still at peak freshness. Defying industry norms Devocion Coffee Coffee roasters have traditionally tried to keep every type of coffee origin in their portfolio at all times, says Sutton. They have relied on coffee exporters around the world and on ocean freight logistics to bring in their coffees from each harvest. To their benefit, coffee, when properly stored, does not spoil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, it has never been uncommon for roasters to store beans for years without posing any health risks to consumers, allowing them to always offer a wide range of coffee-growing origins to their clients. Because all coffee roasters do this, consumers have very few ways to tell the difference between freshly sourced coffee and beans that have been sitting for months in storage before roasting, he shares. Devocion, on the other hand, takes a different approach by only purchasing, transporting, and roasting coffees from regions that are currently in harvest. We want to transport our clients to the origin through our coffees, and let them taste the coffee just as we have tasted it from the farmers hands, says Sutton. This is what makes Devocion stand out for quality, taste, and innovation in the space. Note: Most subscribers have some, but not all, of the puzzles that correspond to the following set of solutions for their local newspaper. CROSSWORDS USA TODAY crossword - Play the USA TODAY Crossword Puzzle. Sunday Los Angeles Times crossword Sunday New York Times crossword Sunday Premier crossword SUDOKU Play the USA TODAY Sudoku Game. JUMBLE Answer: FRENZY REVOLT ACIDIC JOSTLE BORROW FIXATEKeeping grizzlies from wandering onto the national park airstrip required BEAR TRAFFIC CONTROL (Distributed by Tribune Content Agency) Cryptoquip IF YOU ARE MAKING A RECORDING OF A CERTAIN PIGLIKE ANIMAL, SOMEONE COULD SAY YOU'RE A TAPIR TAPER. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Distributed by King Features) OTHER PUZZLES Boggle BRIE FETA SWISS COLBY GOUDA MUNSTER (Distributed by Tribune Content Agency) Lexigo PREPARE, EMBER, REMEMBERED, DRAMA, APARTMENT (Distributed by Andrews McMeel) KenKen - Scrabblegrams 7 Little Words OUTWIT HOODWINK DELUDE BAMBOOZLE DECEIVE DUPE HORNSWOGGLE (Distributed by Andrews McMeel) Find the Words Closing our local branch (Distributed by Creators Syndicate) Kubok This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Online Crossword & Sudoku Puzzle Answers for 11/23/2025 - USA TODAY There are an endless number of breakfast spots claiming to be the best, but when it comes to classic breakfast fare, no one does it better than a quintessential American diner. From boxcar status to hole-in-the-wall local favorites, there is something to be said about a non-assuming greasy spoon that typically comes with a pretty cool history lesson. But what sets diners apart from the rest is that they aren't just open for breakfast. You can get a blue plate special, some with 24-hour service, massive servings, and so much more. You'll be hard pressed to find a person who doesn't have a favorite diner, which is why we went in search of the best spot in each state, scouring Reddit threads, magazine write-ups, and Food Network shoutouts offering up 50 incredible must-try haunts to add to your next road trip or Sunday outing. Whether you're a tried and true eggs and black coffee order or something more decadent with a modern twist, we promise you'll find a new favorite from this list. Read more: 10 Diners On Route 66 That Need To Be On Your Road Trip Alabama: Salem's Diner in Homewood Salem's Diner in Homewood - Salem's Diner / Facebook The internet has spoken with this one. It seems there is no contest when it comes to a diner favorite in Alabama. It's Salem's Diner in Homewood or bust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While they have an array of food options, Craig Ferguson put this place on the map, claiming it has the best Philly Cheesesteak. Outside of celebrity endorsements, Reddit can't say enough good things about this local favorite: "It's a small, greasy spoon type place but the taste nor portions disappoint." salemsdiner.com(205) 877-87972913 18th St. S, Birmingham, AL 35209 Alaska: Little Dipper Diner in Anchorage Little Dipper Diner in Anchorage - Little Dipper Diner / Facebook You'll get diner classics and country fare when visiting the Little Dipper Diner in Anchorage. Within a few months of opening in 2017, it already had a slue of regulars. If you're in the mood for big portions, you've found your new favorite spot. Country fried steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, Benedicts, omelets, burgers enjoy it all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement littledipperdiner.com(907) 770-09911921 W Dimond Blvd. #106, Anchorage, AK 99515 Arizona: Dot's Diner in Bisbee Dot's Diner in Bisbee - The Shady Dell / Facebook Dot's Diner is a Bisbee icon open on weekends with a cool backstory. Closed for 10 years, this 2021 resurrection in the Shady Dell RV Park has had its ups and downs. One look at this place, and we guarantee you'll add it to your road trip list. Now, you can enjoy a small menu of classics like huevos rancheros, burgers, breakfast sammies, and more. Whether you're camping on site or just passing through, Luria and Clements will take care of you. theshadydell.com(520) 346-16241 Old Douglas Rd., Bisbee, AZ 85603 Arkansas: Frontier Diner in Little Rock Frontier Diner in Little Rock - Frontier Diner / Facebook Frontier Diner in Little Rock isn't your typical diner that all the influencers know about. This is a local-loved spot that offers classic fare at a fair price. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chicken fried steak is super popular, but the menu offers an array of Southern favorites. From breakfast to dessert, you'll find something for everyone here. facebook.com/FrontierDiner(501) 565-641410424 I-30, Little Rock, AR 72209 California: Pann's in Los Angeles Pann's restaurant in Los Angeles - Pann's Restaurant / Facebook Historic vibes, '50s classic, and food that hits the spot that's Pann's in Los Angeles. Step out of the celebrity limelight and step up to the classic bar countertop with plush leather seats and order up your favorite diner fare. This spot is family-owned and serves up epic portion sizes with a whole lot of love, breakfast all day, and elevated favorites. If it looks familiar, you may have seen it featured in movies such as "Next" and "Bewitched." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement panns.com(323) 776-37706710 La Tijera Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045 Colorado: Pete's Kitchen in Denver Pete's Kitchen in Denver - Pete's Kitchen It's clear the locals love Pete's Kitchen in Denver. From a solid breakfast to drunk night cures, they can do it all. Open 24/7, this is a quintessential Greek diner at its best. Food Network classifies it as a top place to eat, and locals know there is nothing else like it in the city and state.petesrestaurants.com(303) 321-31391962 E Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80206 Connecticut: Vernon Diner in Vernon Vernon Diner in Vernon - Vernon Diner We have a lot of friends that swear by the Connecticut pick. The Vernon Diner in Vernon offers a classic diner experience in every way. It's next to a Days Inn. What more information do you need about its street cred? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the location may not look like much, the plates will surely impress, including their homemade cakes. The locals know what's up, but this place is super busy, so don't expect any special attention. vernondiner.com(860) 875-8812453 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT 06066 Delaware: The Smyrna Diner in Smyrna The Smyrna Diner in Smyrna - The Smyrna Diner Is it a living room from the '90s? Is it a town hall lodge? Nope, it's The Smyrna Diner bringing classic fare to the locals of Smyrna. The original diner was located on US 13, but after being in business for 52 years, it closed its doors. Now, the new Smyrna is reviving a local institution with homemade comfort food done right. smyrnadiner.com(302) 653-998099 S Cory Ln., Smyrna, DE 19977 Florida: Angel's Dining Car in Palatka Angel's Dining Car in Palatka - Florida: Angel's Dining Car The oldest diner in Florida, Angel's Dining Car in Palatka is a can't miss on any road trip. There's something to be said about a local institution that's stood the test of time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grab a burger and eat it in your car literally. They have sit down and old-school drive up service. Locals swear by the homemade onion rings, and don't forget to order the iconic pusalow. facebook.com/angelspalatkafl(386) 325-3927209 Reid St., Palatka, FL 32177 Georgia: Steffens Restaurant in Kingsland Steffens Restaurant in Kingsland - Steffens Restaurant / Facebook Would you believe me if I told you our pick for Georgia started as a fight club? It's true. Steffen's Restaurant in Kingsland was originally a fight club with a small concessions stand. Now, they're serving up the best biscuits ever. The version you see today opened in 1948 as a truck stop, but the food and local love keeps on flowing just like the coffee. Breakfast all day, killer milkshakes, and a true scratch kitchen. Yum! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement steffensrestaurant.com(912) 729-5355550 S Lee St., Kingsland, GA 31548 Hawaii: Ken's House of Pancakes in Hilo Ken's House of Pancakes in Hilo - Ken's House of Pancakes Have you been craving a diner spot with pancakes as big as tires? Next time you're in Hawaii, you have to try Ken's House of Pancakes in Hilo. You can find all the classics here, but for the adventurous, locals suggest the tripe stew. Late nights, early mornings, family gatherings this place has the vibe for it all. But if you hear a bell ring, that means someone finished the Sumo challenge! kenshouseofpancakes.com(808) 935-87111730 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo, HI 96720 Idaho: Dixie's Diner in Idaho Falls Dixie's Diner in Idaho Falls - Dixie's Diner / Facebook Twenty years old with servers who have been there since day one, that should tell you everything you need to know about Dixie's Diner in Idaho Falls. This is a classic diner with great food and old school jukeboxes. What's more diner than that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is "a little slice of Americana" you don't want to drive by. But don't be fooled these big plates aren't your average greasy spoon options. Yes, you'll find all the classics on the menu, but with homemade chorizo, hand-breaded chicken fried steak, and in-house corn beef, you're in for a nostalgic foodie twist. dixiesdiner.com(208) 542-19502150 Channing Way, Idaho Falls, ID 83404 Illinois: Little Goat Diner in Chicago Little Goat Diner in Chicago - Little Goat Diner / Facebook The Little Goat Diner in Chicago is not your average diner. Created by Stephanie Izard an "Iron Chef" and friend of Guy Fieri -- this one is a must-try in Chicago. Here, you'll find a high-end menu and flavors from around the world. From okonomiyaki to peanut butter and jelly gelato, you can see why the locals can't stop talking about it, one customer said on Reddit: "Once she had a kimchi omelette on special there and I'll never forget it." littlegoatchicago.com(773) 819-76733325 N Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 Indiana: Steer-In in Indianapolis Steer-In in Indianapolis - Steer-In / Facebook >A new "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" star, Steer-In in Indianapolis is an old school classic. One step inside, and you can tell it has the flavor Guy Fieri is looking for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you know anything about Indiana's food game, you know that the pork tenderloin sandwich is where it's at. The Steer-In understood the assignment. TikTok influencers like Nik Metcalf said, "It's delicious." steerin.net(317) 356-09965130 E 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46219 Iowa: Bluebird Diner in Iowa City Bluebird Diner in Iowa City - Bluebird Diner / Facebook The Bluebird Diner has all your breakfast favorites, along with health-conscious and vegetarian options. You don't always see that in the old school spots. Reddit users agree that at Bluebird, you'll get, "Great service and great food." Server Kaylee Hohertz said, "The cinnamon roll french toast has been my favorite breakfast item since I started at Bluebird in 2021." bluebird.cafe(319) 351-1470Multiple locations Kansas: Doo-Dah Diner in Wichita Doo-Dah Diner in Wichita - Doo-Dah Diner / Facebook Award winning with a scratch kitchen brunch? The influencers say yes to Doo-Dah Diner in Wichita. Outside of social media, locals have been coming in daily since opening, sometimes more than once. If that doesn't scream winner, we don't know what does.The diner has also received press on numerous occasions, earning its spot on various top brunch and diner lists. Pancakes, waffles, killer sandwiches you'll find it all here.doodahdiner.com(316) 265-7011206 E Kellogg St., Wichita, KS 67202 Kentucky: Shelby's Diner in Frankfort Shelby's Diner in Frankfort - David Pits / Google Maps Shelby's Diner in Frankfort is our top choice for Kentucky. This year, it was named a top 10 roadside spot from USA Today's readers choice awards,and best of 2025 in Frankfort by Business Rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Offering up southern favorites and diner classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this simple haunt makes simple food sing. If you stop in, you have to try the famous pound burger. You won't regret it.facebook.com/Shelbys-Diner-Frankfort(502) 699-26041410 Versailles Rd., Suite 2, Frankfort, KY 40601 Louisiana: Camellia Grill in New Orleans Camellia Grill in New Orleans - Camellia Grill / Facebook The facade may look like a historic institution, but the food and decor inside Camellia Grill in New Orleans scream diner. From breakfast classics to burgers, you won't get a bad meal here. You have to try the doc special and anything with the house-made chili. Don't forget one of their iconic shakes, too!camelliagrillnola.com(504) 309-2679626 S Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118 Maine: Palace Diner in Biddeford Palace Diner in Biddeford - Palace Diner Portland has an array of great diners and breakfast spots, and the locals know where the real deal is located in Maine: Palace Diner in Biddeford. The diner is one of two remaining Pollard cars in the country, built in 1927 in Lowell, Massachusetts. It's also the oldest restaurant in the state.The owners pride themselves in perfecting the classic diner menu with a killer tuna melt and "the best buttermilk pancakes" according to Yankee Magazine. The locals promise the wait is worth it.palacedinerme.com(207) 284-001518 Franklin St., Biddeford, ME 04005 Maryland: Double T Diner (various locations) Double T Diner in Maryland - Double T Diner / Facebook This was a hard call for Maryland, as there are a few top contenders locals swear by. However, the old school vibes and solid plates at Double T gave it the win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a chain with various locations, it seems consistency is a factor. No matter which location you visit, you'll find the '50s flare, all-day breakfast, and a giant menu" of classic diner items. But you can also find local favorites, like the steak and cake combo featuring an epic crab cake.doubletdiner.comMultiple locations Massachusetts: Agawam Diner in Rowley Agawam Diner in Rowley - Agawam Diner / Facebook A nostalgic 1954 rail car, the Agawam Diner the Ag as the locals call it offers a quintessential New England diner experience. They've won multiple reader's choice awards, including the BONS hall of fame. They even made it to the Food Network as a Top 5 Best Diner! This is small-town pride at its finest. The real prize are the pies --there's nothing better than taking one slice (or several slices) to go. The coconut cream won't do you wrong. theagawamdiner.com(978) 948-7780166 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, MA 01969 Michigan: Sunshine Diner in Lansing Sunshine Diner in Lansing - Sunshine Diner / Facebook Sunshine Diner in Lansing has a classic menu with a classic vibe. But buyer beware: Whatever you order, that plate is gonna be big. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, or what you like. This diner brings folks together for good food and good vibes. facebook.com/p/Sunshine-DINER(517) 574-54161040 S Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48912 Minnesota: Our Kitchen in Minneapolis Our Kitchen in Minneapolis - Our Kitchen / Facebook Our Kitchen in Minneapolis is your next favorite diner this place is an institution. It opened its doors in 1941, and it knows its stuff about diner food. There was some tough competition for best diner in this state, but we chose Our Kitchen for the classic diner vibes and line-out-the-door food. Seriously, get ready to wait for a table, but the locals promise it's worth it.our-kitchen.com(612) 825-3718813 W 36th St., Minneapolis, MN 55408 Mississippi: Ajax Diner in Oxford Ajax Diner in Oxford - Ajax Diner / Facebook A restaurant that's been voted Oxford's best plate lunch every year since it opened? Our pick for Mississippi, and clearly a pick from the locals, is Ajax Diner in Oxford. A Food Network favorite, this is southern comfort food with a soul twist done right on diner plates. While it may be known for its tamale pie, don't sleep on the other classics like poboys, country fried steak, and fried catfish. ajaxdiner.com(662) 232-8880118 Courthouse Square, Oxford, MS 38655 Missouri: Druff's in Springfield Druff's in Springfield - Druff's Diner / Facebook Known for their epic grilled cheese sammies, this local diner offers an old school vibe and new school fare. At Druff's in Springfield, you'll find classic diner breakfast options, epic sandwiches, and soups. From hamburger to apples, they will stuff these grilled cheeses with anything they can find. We promise, there is no shortage of cheese types, combos, or quantities to try. yumdruffs.com(417) 719-1719331 Park Central E #101, Springfield, MO 65806 Montana: Western Cafe in Bozeman Western Cafe in Bozeman - Western Cafe / Facebook Bozeman's longest running restaurant has it down. Big plates, cozy quarters, and food that hits the spot. If you're in Montana, you have to stop by Western Cafe. Wood panels, simple decor, hanging line tickets, and an array of pies, this place makes you feel right at home with comfort food and all the diner nostalgia. Family-owned for almost 100 years, enjoy western-inspired food and friendly faces. thewesterncafe.com(406) 587-0436443 E Main St., Bozeman, MT 59715 Nebraska: Harold's Koffee House in Omaha Harold's Koffee House in Omaha - Harold's Koffee House / Facebook Harold's Koffee House in Omaha is a quaint local institution with an unassuming brick front featuring coffee, big plates, and diner classics within. If you stop in for breakfast, be sure to try the legendary hash browns. The staff makes them with love that far exceeds any other spot in the country. With homemade bread and pastries, too, you're in for a delicious treat at Harold's. facebook.com/omahakoffeehouse/(402) 451-97768327 N 30th St., Omaha, NE 68112 Nevada: The Griddle in Winnemucca The Griddle in Winnemucca - The Griddle / Facebook Family owned and operated, the food and vibes are all love at The Griddle in Winnemucca. Stop by and enjoy a range of from-scratch plates, from "Dad's Hotcakes" and crepes to Benedicts and more traditional fare. If you need a mom-style meal, go with the grilled meatloaf for a bite of nostalgia.thegriddle.com(775) 623-2977460 W Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89445 New Hampshire: George's Diner in Meredith George's Diner in Meredith - George's Diner / Facebook You'll find a lot of New Englanders heading to their summer homes in Meredith. And New Hampshire's George's Diner serves the locals and beyond a stellar meal every time. This is the perfect place to find a home-cooked meal. George's Diner offers up normal diner fare, along with exotic plates of liver, bacon, and onions, country-fried steak, and deep-fried tripe. georgesdiner.com(603) 279-872310 Plymouth St., Meredith, NH 03253 New Jersey: Pompton Queen Diner in Pompton Plains Pompton Queen Diner in Pompton Plains - Michael Powell / Google Maps It feels like there's a diner on every corner in New Jersey, so finding a top spot is a hard job. We're going with Pompton Queen Diner, a local favorite that isn't a tourist trap. From breakfast staples to stacked club sandwiches, you'll find a great bite every time. Don't forget to stop by the pastry case delicious! pomptonqueendiner.com(973) 835-2086710 NJ-23, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 New Mexico: 66 Diner in Albuquerque 66 Diner in Albuquerque - 66 Diner The 66 Diner in Albuquerque is a must if you're traveling along the iconic Route 66 highway. Filled with '50s items like a jukebox and working soda fountain, this place will transport you to the past. Enjoy your diner favorites, like big breakfast plates, burgers, sandwiches or opt for some comfort classics such as liver & onions, and fried catfish. 66diner.com(505) 247-14211405 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 New York: Tilly's Diner in Monticello Tilly's Diner in Monticello - Leonardo Saraceni / Google Maps The real gems we love are off the beaten path. That's why we chose Tilly's in Monticello. Maybe you're headed to Bethel Woods for a show or just passing through. The ones in the know say, "I never drive that way without stopping at Tilly's." Sit at the counter and become mesmerized by the seamless work of the line cooks or enjoy the day's special in a booth. With kind service, big classic plates, and low prices, you can't go wrong. tillysdiner.top(845) 794-654034 Raceway Rd., Monticello, NY 12701 North Carolina: Angie's Restaurant in Garner Angie's Restaurant in Garner - Cliff Phillips / Google Maps A hidden diner with massive plates of southern comfort food? We're in! This spot was opened by a devoted waitress who had a following wherever she went. This waitress aka Angie opened Angie's in 2011 in an iconic spot that was converted from an old barn. Angie's is a top choice among locals, but influencers know they're in for a treat with big plates and stellar service. From fried bologna to Mickey Mouse pancakes, there is something for everyone at Angie's.angiesrestaurant.com(919) 661-67071340 W Garner Rd., Garner, NC 27529 North Dakota: Marge's Diner in Fargo Marge's Diner in Fargo - Marge's Diner "Why should brunch be limited to weekends? That's a great question, one that Marge's Diner in Fargo aims to answer through its adulation to the character Marge Gunderson in the movie "Fargo." Film references, mimosas, and kitsch decor? Count us in. From the music to recipes of a bygone era, you'll feel transported into a new time and place. Can you imagine eating a breakfast lasagna? Here, you can! fargomarge.com(701) 526-0149220 North Broadway Dr., Fargo, ND 58102 Ohio: Tin Goose Diner in Port Clinton Tin Goose Diner in Port Clinton - Tin Goose Diner / Facebook The Tin Goose is located inside the Liberty Aviation Museum Complex a vintage diner with food that matches the vibe. You can get the classics, but don't sleep on the burgers and their signature mac and cheese. You can also order some aviation specials, like the G.I. Special S.O.S Platter with creamed chipped beef over toast. And proceeds from the diner help support the complex and its history. tingoosediner.com(419) 732-02363515 E State Rd., Port Clinton, OH 43452 Oklahoma: The Diner in Norman The Diner in Norman - The Diner / Facebook Locally owned and operated for more than 25 years, The Diner in Norman is a hometown go-to. A "fixture on Main Street," we think the name says it all. Plus, it's a Guy Fieri fave. Some say The Diner has, "The best hangover food on the planet," but you'll find all the usuals on the menu here for any occasion. And the chili is a must. thedinerofnorman.com(405) 329-6642213 East Main Street, Norman, OK 73069 Oregon: Fuller's Coffee Shop in Portland Fuller's Coffee Shop in Portland - Fuller's Coffee Shop / Facebook Locally loved, there is no better diner in Oregon than Fuller's in Portland. All counter space? We're all in. Here, the staff says, "Ordering two eggs over easy, scrambled, sunny side up, whatever and a side of bacon, hash browns, and a slice or two of buttered toast shouldn't be complicated. These crack-of-dawn staples should, however, be well made." And that's exactly what they've been doing since 1947. Some Reddit users say Fuller's is "... the quintessential diner experience." Nothing but positive feedback about Fuller's.fullerscoffeeshop.com(503) 222-5608136 NW 9th Ave., Portland, OR 97209 Pennsylvania: P&G's Pamela's Diner in Pittsburgh Pamela's Diner in Pittsburgh - Pamela's Diner Pamela's Diner in Pittsburgh has five locations, and while some restaurants may falter with a lot on their plate, this is what Pamela's does best. This year, they won Best breakfast/brunch from Pittsburgh Magazine. They have stellar reviews, from locals to TikTok love, showcasing just how appreciated this diner really is. Epic hash, larger than life crepes this is the elevated diner option we all need on this list. pamelasdiner.comMultiple locations Rhode Island: The Modern Diner in Pawtucket The Modern Diner in Pawtucket - Modern Diner / Facebook Did you know the Modern Diner in Pawtucket was the first diner added to the National Register for Historic Places? This Sterling Streamliner is from the 1930s, featuring your quintessential counter, booths, and classic breakfast fare. Stop by for their ever-changing breakfast specials, but don't pass on the Custard French Toast. The Food Network hails this local spot a Top 5 Diner, and with one meal, you'll see why. themoderndinerri.com(401) 726-8390364 East Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02860 South Carolina: The Early Bird Diner in Charleston Early Bird Diner in Charleston - Early Bird Diner / Facebook Offering southern specials such as a spicy honey fried chicken biscuit and fried pickles with buttermilk ranch dressing, The Early Bird Diner in Charleston is where it's at for locals. "Cracking eggs and taking names since 2008," you'll find these incredible offerings, along with classic diner fare and epic specials. Guy Fieri knows about this spot and its complexity of flavors in each dish, and even AAA calls this a top three locale. No matter who is talking about this place, it seems they can all agree: You have to try the chicken and waffles. earlybirddiner.com(843) 277-23531644 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407 South Dakota: Phillip's Avenue Diner in Sioux Falls Phillip's Avenue Diner in Sioux Falls - The Phillip's Avenue Diner / Facebook Classic food with a modern twist, but serve it in a retro setting and you have Phillip's Avenue Diner. The waffles are definitely a hit, and you'll hear that love from locals and Food Network alike. While the food is killer, this spot has also been named most Instagrammed in South Dakota, which tells you that nostalgic vibe is alive and well. If you're looking to go back in time and eat a great meal, this is a must the next time you're in the area. phillipsavenuediner.com(605) 335-4977121 S Phillips Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Tennessee: Arcade Restaurant in Memphis Arcade Restaurant in Memphis - arcaderestaurant / Instagram Bright colors, plastic booths, and an endless countertop set the stage at Arcade Restaurant in Memphis. Once frequented by Elvis himself, this place is a diner classic in every way. The diner opened in 1919 and keeps the same nostalgic charm, holding it's title of the oldest cafe in the city. It's been the backdrop for more than 20 movies, but beyond the fame, the food will keep you coming back for more. arcaderestaurant.com(901) 526-5757540 S Main St., Memphis, TN 38103 Texas: Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls - Blue Bonnet Cafe / Facebook Blue Bonnet Cafe in Marble Falls opened in 1929 and has stayed in business with excellent fare and the charm of its namesake flower surrounding the building. Why do locals and travelers from far and wide flock to this place? Pie happy hour. Yeah, this ain't your typical diner. While you may wait a bit for a pie and a seat, locals promise it's all worth the wait. What's even wilder? Lyndon Johnson used to have breakfast meetings here.bluebonnetcafe.net(830) 693-2344211 US-281, Marble Falls, TX 78654 Utah: Ruth's Diner in Emigration Canyon Ruth's Diner in Emigration Canyon - Ruth's Diner Most people think diners are on the outskirts of small towns or embed in a city, but what about a diner tucked away in a canyon? Ruth's gives you the classic diner car vibes in the middle of nature. Now this is a true hidden gem. Here, you'll find all the diner classics, but the Food Network encourages us all to try the biscuits and gravy. As for the locals, they simply love the views.ruthsdiner.com(801) 582-58074160 Emigration Canyon Rd., Salt Lake City, UT 84108 Vermont: Blue Benn Diner in Bennington Blue Benn Diner in Bennington - Blue Benn Diner When most crave diner food, they want the Paterson railcar with booths and jukeboxes, too. At Blue Benn, you'll get transported to 1948 in an authentic railcar. This is the perfect spot for a pre or post hike meal in the Bennington area. While locals love the array of food, they all say breakfast is the reason to make the journey. You find the classics here, but don't sleep on their burritos and specials! bluebenn.com(802) 442-5140314 North St., Bennington, VT 05201 Virginia: Virginia Diner in Wakefield Virginia Diner in Wakefield - Virginia Diner Located in the peanut capital of Wakefield, Virginia, the Virginia Diner has been open since 1929. While this place started in a railway car, it's since expanded, but the great food and epic history remain. Everyone is talking about the diner's decadent southern comfort food, and you'll find the classics and more on the menu. But when you leave, don't forget to stop by the gift shop and grab some peanuts to take home!vadinerrestaurant.com(757) 899-3106408 County Dr., Wakefield, VA 23888 Washington: Frank's Diner in Spokane (Downtown) Frank's Diner in Spokane (Downtown) - Frank's Diner / Facebook If you love food and history, come on down to Frank's Diner in downtown Spokane. Classic Americana, this old railway car number 1787 to be exact served as a Presidential car until it was replaced in 1931. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this Seattle transplant has been supporting Spokane locals since 1991. However, if you want breakfast, you have to show up early. This hidden gem isn't so hidden for a great reason. franksdiners.com(509) 747-87981516 W 2nd Ave., Spokane, WA 99201 West Virginia: Mary B's Diner in Parkersburg Mary B's Diner in Parkersburg - Gennevia Porterfield / Google Maps A buffet in a diner? Yeah, this one is unique. Mary B's Diner in Parkersburg is dishing out diner food in their own way self-serve style. Locals know the food is always good. And the portions? To your liking. Oh, and don't forget a slice of pie. (Or a whole one!) But the real gem? The massive rolls. facebook.com/Marybs2020/(304) 422-05222212 Pike St., Parkersburg, WV 26101 Wisconsin: Frank's Diner in Kenosha Frank's Diner in Kenosha - Frank's Diner / Facebook As the oldest continuously operated car diner in the country, Frank's Diner in Kenosha is a must-visit for all based on history alone. But that's not the only reason to stop by. They've been "... flipping eggs and tossing sass since 1926." Yes, they are a Triple D favorite, but there is weight behind that DDD claim to fame. Our recommendation (and everyone else's): The Garbage Plate. franksdinerkenosha.com(262) 657-1017508 58th St., Kenosha, WI 53140 Wyoming: Luxury Diner in Cheyenne Luxury Diner in Cheyenne - Luxury Diner / Facebook Luxury Diner in Cheyenne opened in 1926, and the decor is pretty much the same. What's even cooler is the fact this trolly car used to run on the streets of Cheyenne from 1894 to 1912. Grab your favorite diner classic and the green chili. But Food Network says you shouldn't sleep on the chicken fried steak. As for Tiktok, it's the cinnamon rolls. luxurydiner.com(307) 635-12191401 W Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001 Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Daily Meal. Cultural & Historical Significance The Maclaren name holds deep roots in Scottish Highland history, originating from the ancient Clan MacLaren which traces its lineage to the Celtic kingdom of Dalriada. The clan's traditional lands were centered around Balquhidder in Perthshire, where they were known as fierce warriors and loyal supporters of the Scottish crown. The name appears in numerous historical records dating back to the 13th century, with the clan playing significant roles in various Scottish conflicts and political movements. Throughout Scottish history, the Maclarens maintained strong cultural traditions and were known for their distinctive tartan patterns and clan gatherings. The name became associated with resilience and independence, particularly during the Jacobite uprisings when many Maclarens supported the Stuart cause. The clan's motto 'Creag an Tuirc' (The Boar's Rock) reflects their connection to the rugged Scottish landscape and their reputation for strength and determination in the face of adversity. In modern times, the cultural significance of Maclaren has expanded beyond its Scottish origins through global recognition of the McLaren brand in motorsports and automotive engineering. This has created a contemporary cultural layer that associates the name with innovation, excellence, and technological advancement, while still maintaining its traditional Scottish heritage and clan identity. Canadas Arctic is emerging as a potential flash point between the country and the U.S. Residents in the North say that the superpower is now their highest concern, according to recent polling, and Prime Minister Mark Carney's newly released fall budget has earmarked millions to address security in Canada's North. The government has committed $81.8 billion over five years on the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), with a focus on protecting Canadas sovereignty. The funding will be used to rebuild, rearm and reinvest in the CAF, with $76 million planned specifically for the Northern territories. Through these investments, we are giving our Canadian Armed Forces the tools they need to defend every square foot of our sovereign territory, from the seafloor to the Arctic to cities to cyberspace, and to protect Canadians from present and emerging threats, the budget states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the Observatoire de la politique et de la securite de l'Arctique (OPSA) polled 608 residents living in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, asking them what they perceive the greatest threat to be to Canadas North. Thirty-seven per cent said the United States, followed by Russia at 35 per cent, then China at 17 per cent. Eighty-five per cent said Canada must use its Arctic sovereignty or it will lose the territory, 62 per cent said Canada should pursue a firm line in defending its sections of the Arctic, while 26 per cent preferred a diplomatic approach to border or resource disputes. The findings come as University of Toronto political professor Franklyn Griffiths wrote in The Globe and Mail that U.S. President Donald Trump could use the Arctic as an opening move to annex Canada by sending warships through the region without Canadas permission. The U.S. must first get consent from Canada before travelling through the Northwest Passage as agreed upon in 1988 after the U.S. sent a ship through the waterway in 1985 without permission, causing a flare-up. The U.S. has already made clear that it wants the passage to be international waters and not require Canadas permission to travel in it in 2019 when then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Canadas claim to the route illegitimate. University of Calgary political science professor and arctic expert Rob Huebert told Yahoo Canada that if the U.S. did not ask permission to go through the passageway, it would be a very real sovereignty threat to Canada. He said that Griffiths is right to be worried about such a possibility, but disagrees that the U.S. would send a warship as a show of strength, as it is very vulnerable to damage from Arctic ice. Instead, Huebert thinks it may be one of their two icebreakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They would have to do a lot of planning (if they send a ship), he said, noting that the icebreakers are in high demand. It would have to be very much a political decision at the highest level because the American Coast Guard has better things to do with its time, quite frankly. It would have to be very much a political decision at the highest level because the American Coast Guard has better things to do with its time, quite frankly. Expert says move from U.S. would be 'totally irrational' Huebert said, though, that the U.S. sending a ship through Canadas Arctic would be totally irrational because it would open the door for Russia and China to use the passage as well if it were declared international waters. Pierre Leblanc, the principal of Arctic Security Consultants and former commander of a joint task force in the North, told Yahoo Canada that right of passage through the Northwest Passage would allow not just ships to use it but submarines and aircraft, as well. Soviet bombers could actually transit the northern part of Canada by flying over the Northwest Passage, he said. One of the issues would naturally be bombers firing hypersonic cruise missiles from a position on the Northwest Passage, with the flying time to the [U.S.] being now much shorter than if they were fired from well above the northern part of Canada. President Donald Trump waves to the media as from the South Lawn upon his arrival at the White House, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Even though the U.S. travelling through the passage without consent doesnt make sense for the country strategically, Leblanc notes that the country so far in Trumps second presidential term has demonstrated behaviour akin to a bully that doesnt follow the rules. That behaviour could make a show of force in the Arctic that contravenes the current agreement more plausible than under a previous U.S. administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has already detained suspected illegal immigrants without a warrant through ICE forces, has fired on suspected narcotics smugglers off of Venezuela without due process, and has threatened to take Greenland because "we need it. We have to have it." Leblanc said the same disregard for norms could apply to Canadas Arctic, which has great strategic importance to the region as a hegemony against Russia and China, and contains valuable natural resources. Jessica Shadian, the president and CEO of the think tank Arctic360, told Yahoo Canada that it is critical minerals in the North that present opportunities for Canada to be undermined. She referenced the U.S.s deal with Ukraine to further provide military support to the country in exchange for preferential access to its critical minerals as a sign of how the U.S. now likes to act when it comes to other countries it sees an opportunity to take advantage of. We should always be concerned when a country is taking and owning other countries critical resources, she said. There are many ways that Canada can be cut off by its kneecaps. Chicago police are investigating an armed sexual assault on the North Side over the weekend. Police sources told ABC7 both the girl who was assaulted and her friend are just 15 years old. Chicago police said the female victim was walking with another girl in the 2900-block of West Wilson Avenue in Ravenswood Manor just before 9:20 p.m. Friday when realized they were being followed. Then, two men reportedly began chasing them and apprehended both of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the men allegedly held one girl with a knife, while the other suspect pulled out a gun and sexually assaulted the victim in an alley, CPD. Police are searching for those two suspects. SEE ALSO: Teen killed, 8 injured in Loop shootings, Chicago officials say One suspect was described as 5-feet, 10-inches to 6-feet tall, weighing 170 to 200 pounds and wearing a Nike jacket, black pants and dark sneakers. The other was described as 5-feet, 5-inches to 5-feet, 7-inches tall, weighing 135 to 150 pounds, wearing a Nike jacket, dark pants and sneakers. Anyone with information is asked to call Area Five Detectives at (312)746-6554 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents told ABC7 the neighborhood has been shaken by news of the attack, especially with so many families with teenagers in the area. Detectives were still knocking on doors Sunday as they continue to collect surveillance video from Friday night. Alderperson Rosana Rodriguez-Sanchez told ABC7 patrols in the neighborhood have been increased as police continue their search. INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER | Track crime and safety in your neighborhood Crews are continuing their work to locate and fix a leak on the Olympic Pipeline through the weekend as pressure for a solution mounts. Now, the U.S. Senate has gotten involved. The pipeline remained shut down Saturday. According to British Petroleum (BP), crews have excavated 100 feet of the pipeline but still havent found the source of the leak. There is no timeline for its reopening. Crews have set up multiple worksites on a tract of farmland in Snohomish County. KIRO 7 crews spotted a flurry of activity around a row of portable buildings involving excavators, a crane and several trucks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These types of failures cannot become routine, Bill Caram, executive director of the cause of the leak, said. Carams nonprofit watchdog reports there have been four significant incidents involving the Olympic Pipeline in less than three years. With this pipeline aging, I worry that this could be a sign of some deferred maintenance and integrity issues, he said. The Pipeline Safety Trust is not the only entity after answers. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell sent a letter to BP asking the company to brief the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on the leak. In her letter, she claimed a blueberry farmer discovered the leak. She also poses a series of questions about the incident, including the cause of the leak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, Gov. Bob Ferguson warned that Seattle-Tacoma International Airport could run out of fuel by Saturday unless measures were taken. He declared an emergency and lifted restrictions on tanker trucks to keep the fuel flowing despite the shutdown. An SEA spokesperson said the efforts appear to be working and reports no impacts on operations. In a statement, Seattle-headquartered Alaska Airlines told KIRO 7 that it doesnt anticipate any Thanksgiving flights being affected. In addition to fueling from the trucks, the airline has Seattle-bound flights that bring extra fuel. Delta Airlines also reported no interruptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airlines may have the situation figured out, but the Pipeline Safety Trust is more worried about the potential environmental and health impacts. Pipeline companies need to be accountable, Caram said. And if theyre not accountable to the Senate and the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, who are they accountable to? A 16-year-old is dead and a 17-year-old is seriously injured after an ATV crash on Friday night. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) Troopers were dispatched to Antioch Road in Jackson County on reports of an ATV crash, our news partners WBNS-10 TV reported. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two teens were traveling in a Polaris Sportsman ATV when it went off the right side of the road over a steep embankment and hit a tree, according to the OSHP. A 16-year-old boy from Londonderry died at the scene, and a 17-year-old boy from Oak Hill was seriously injured, WBNS-10 TV reported. The crash happened before midnight on Friday, but they were not discovered until the early morning hours on Saturday by friends of the two boys. Neither of the teens was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, WBNS-10 TV reported. The crash remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Two people were charged in federal court with trafficking 72 pounds of methamphetamine from Los Angeles, California, to Oregon in early November. The individuals were identified by the U.S. Attorney's Office as Mexican nationals. They were identified in court documents as 45-year-old Alejandra Diaz-Alcantar and 41-year-old Juan Alberto Alvarado-Gonzalez. Both were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, an Oregon State Police K9 trooper stopped a white Chevrolet pickup on Interstate 5 in Lane County as part of an ongoing investigation. A search of the vehicle uncovered two duffel bags under the rear passenger seat containing 56 plastic bags and bundles of suspected methamphetamine. The U.S. Attorney's office said the Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case. Drug trafficking between Eugene and Los Angeles In early October, an informant told law enforcement officials Diaz-Alcantar had recently withdrawn approximately $40,000 from her bank account to travel to Los Angeles, California, to pick up a large load of drugs with the intent to transport it to Eugene. The source also told law enforcement Diaz-Alcantar was willing to pay a driver $10,000 to drive her from California to Eugene and back. They said they personally observed both methamphetamine and cocaine inside Diaz-Alcantar's residence between Oct. 7 and Oct. 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, the source also told law enforcement Diaz-Alcantar sold both methamphetamine and cocaine locally and drives vehicles including a Chevrolet Avalanche, a black BMW sedan, and a green or teal colored Ford pickup. On Nov. 10, an Oregon State Police trooper and his K9 initiated a traffic stop on Alvarado-Gonzalez on Interstate 5 near milepost 171 in Lane County. Alvarado-Gonzalez was questioned outside of the vehicle and reportedly told the trooper there was methamphetamine in the backseat of the vehicle. He also told the trooper Diaz-Alcantar had arranged the pickup with the source of supply in Los Angeles. Oregon State Police troopers arrested two Mexican nationals accused of trafficking at least 72 pounds of drugs from Los Angeles to Eugene. The trooper deployed his K9 to sniff around the vehicle where controlled substances were eventually located. Alvarado-Gonzalez told law enforcement the drugs were supposed to be sold to four customers in the Eugene area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diaz-Alcantar allegedly admitted during an interview with law enforcement she had purchased 66 pounds of methamphetamine for $48,000, and the money was hers. Diaz-Alcantar is scheduled to be arraigned on March 18, 2026, in Eugene. It was not immediately clear when Alvarado-Gonzalez would be arraigned. Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: 2 Mexican nationals federally charged with trafficking drugs to Eugene Police were needed to disperse a number of fights in Downtown Pittsburgh during Light Up Night on Saturday. RELATED COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh Light Up Night 2025 fills Steel City with celebration, illumination A Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson says large crowds were present throughout Downtown. Pittsburgh police responded to fights that broke out, but no major incidents were reported. During the night, multiple people were detained, 18 non-traffic citations were issued and three arrests were made, the spokesperson says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those people was Keshawn Sample, 20, who is accused of punching a police officer. Crowds of juveniles gathered mainly around Wood Street/Forbes Avenue and Market Square, the spokesperson says. Several fights broke out in those areas, with police ordering the crowds to disperse. Police continued to disperse crowds and deal with minor altercations for hours after Light Up Night ended, the spokesperson says. According to the criminal complaint, Sample yelled at officers and took a fighting stance. Sample allegedly punched an officer after getting in the officers way and bumping into them. He was arrested immediately afterward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that same criminal complaint, an officer describes disorderly behavior, reaching riot levels of hundreds if not thousands of chaotic civilians at Light Up Night. The officer also says people were trying to incite large fights and the running of hundreds of people causing a serious threat to public safety and innocent bystanders. RELATED COVERAGE >>> Police prepare to keep tens of thousands of people safe at Pittsburgh Light Up Night 2025 Between 75 and 100 police officers were to be stationed Downtown for Saturdays events. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Two of the United Kingdom's largest media outlets and traditional competing newspapers would unite under a proposed $655 million sale. Publisher Daily Mail and General Trust announced it has begun negotiations with RedBird IMI to buy the Daily and Sunday Telegraph newspapers for $655 million RedBird IMI is a joint venture between U.S.-based RedBird Capital Partners and the United Arab Emirates-based IMI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Daily Telegraph is Britain's largest and best quality broadsheet newspaper, and I have grown up respecting it," DMGT Chairman Jonathan Rothermere said in a statement shared with The New York Times. "It has a remarkable history and has played a vital role in shaping Britain's national debate over many decades," Rothermere added. Any agreement would require the approval of Britain's Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to ensure the proposed buyer fulfills "the public interest" and prevents "foreign state influence" of media, the BBC reported. Such scrutiny prompted U.S.-based RedBird Capital Partners to withdraw a prior offer to buy the news outlet outright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RedBIrd IMI acquired a tangible interest in the newspaper when the Barclay family announced it was for sale amid financial problems in 2023, according to The Washington Post. RedBird IMI arranged a debt deal with the Barclays that gave it the inside track on buying The Daily Telegraph and sister publication the Spectator. The British government blocked the sale, though, partly due to concerns of foreign influence by UAE-based IMI. RedBird IMI then sold the Spectator to British hedge-fund owner Paul Marshall in 2024, but a potential sale of The Daily Telegraph to New York Sun publisher Dovid Efune did not materialize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RedBird Capital then tried to buy the newspaper with the help of a minority investor from Britain, while limiting IMI to a 15% ownership stake. RedBird withdrew that plan in October and now has its hopes pinned on the proposed $655 million deal with DMGT. Multiple firefighters were injured while battling a blaze at a home in Malden early Saturday morning that displaced over half a dozen residents, officials said. Crews responding to reports of a house fire at 55 Wyoming Avenue shortly before 4:45 a.m. found heavy flames coming from the attic and launched an aggressive interior attack, according to the Malden Fire Department. As flames rapidly spread from the second to the third floor, a second alarm was struck, bringing mutual aid from Medford, Lynn, Revere, and Everett. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters were ordered out of the home as conditions worsened. Eight residents of the home evacuated safely. They were assisted by Malden Emergency Management and the American Red Cross. The injuries to the firefighters were described as minor. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The AES Ohio Foundation is sponsoring a holiday food drive-thru with The Foodbank Inc. on Nov. 25 to help support local families experiencing hardship the week of Thanksgiving. The AES Ohio foundation funded the entire distribution, according to a spokesperson. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteers from the Women of AES and Brian Hylander, board president of the AES Ohio Foundation, will help load food bags into cars. We know the holidays can be especially difficult for families who are already stretched thin, said Michelle L. Riley, CEO of The Foodbank, Inc. Riley said that with the support from AES, they can ensure local families can share a holiday meal. The event is open to residents of Montgomery, Greene, and Preble Counties. Each household will get holiday baking hens, fresh produce, along other pantry items. The event will take place at the Foodbank, Inc. Drive Thru located at 56 Armor Place in Dayton from 9 am to 11 am. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the event, participants should enter on Mound Street from Washington Street. Participants should not arrive before 8 am. The Foodbank Inc. wants participants to make sure there is plenty of room in their cars for food bag placement. For families who are unable to attend, additional resources can be found using The Foodbanks Pantry Locator at www.thefoodbankdayton.org/locate-pantry. The AES Ohio Foundation is sponsoring a holiday food drive-thru with The Foodbank Inc. on Nov. 25 to help support local families experiencing hardship the week of Thanksgiving. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] In wake of Tuesday's announcement that the Trump administration is dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, the American Indian College Fund is warning that the Trump administrations plan to transfer more than a dozen federal education programs to other agencies could jeopardize Native students access to critical services and undermine the federal governments trust and treaty obligations. On Tuesday, the administration announced that it intends to relocate programs currently housed within the U.S. Department of Education to the Departments of the Interior and Labor, with others shifting to Health and Human Services and the State Department. 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 Native educators and tribal leaders said the proposal raises concerns about funding stability, staffing, and the quality of education delivery for American Indian and Alaska Native students across K12 and higher education. Only Congress has the authority to dismantle the Department of Education, the College Fund said in a statement. It criticized the administrations plan to use interagency agreements to shift programs while keeping funding and partial oversight within the department, calling it an attempt to bypass Congressional authority. The group noted that key programs supporting Native students including the Office of Indian Education, which oversees the federally mandated National Advisory Council on Indian Education could be disrupted or weakened under the restructuring. The College Fund also said the administration failed to consult tribal nations and provided little clarity about how transferring post-secondary oversight to the Interior Department would affect tribal colleges and universities. The Bureau of Indian Education, which already faces longstanding challenges, is housed within Interior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any move regarding Native education, including tribal colleges and universities, must uphold the federal governments trust and treaty responsibility to provide education for Native people, the statement said. While the administration has argued that giving states more control over education policy would improve outcomes, tribal leaders counter that states are not parties to federal treaties with Native nations. It is the federal governments legal relationship with the Tribes alone, and that relationship cannot be outsourced, the College Fund said. The organization urged close monitoring to ensure the stability of tribal colleges and continued access to quality higher education for Native students, calling it essential to the sustainability of our families, community, and future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Cultural & Historical Significance Macnachtan represents one of Scotland's ancient clan names with origins deeply embedded in the Gaelic culture of the Highlands. The name's historical significance spans from the medieval period through to modern times, reflecting the clan's role in Scottish politics, warfare, and cultural preservation. As a patronymic name meaning 'son of the pure one,' it connects bearers to a lineage that valued purity of descent and maintained strong traditions in the face of external pressures. The Macnachtans were historically associated with the region around Loch Awe in Argyll, where they held lands and played important roles in local governance and defense. Their story mirrors that of many Highland clans periods of prominence followed by challenges during the Jacobite uprisings and subsequent Highland Clearances, leading to diaspora while maintaining cultural identity through clan associations and heritage preservation. The cultural importance of the Macnachtan name extends beyond Scotland through the global Scottish diaspora, where it serves as a marker of Highland identity and ancestral connection. In contemporary Scottish culture, the name maintains its significance through clan societies, Highland games, and cultural festivals that celebrate Gaelic heritage. The preservation of the name and its variations demonstrates the enduring power of Scottish clan identity in maintaining cultural continuity across centuries and continents, making Macnachtan not just a surname but a living link to Scotland's rich Highland history and traditions. Sen. Elissa Slotkin thinks President Donald Trumps continued rage at a group of six Democratic senators is nothing more than a distraction from the Epstein files and a faltering economy. The Democratic senator from Michigan was one of six lawmakers Trump threatened with the death penalty over a joint statement they made to members of the military last week. They encouraged the troops to disregard illegal orders in a move that Trump called sedition. Over the weekend, Trump returned to the statement, saying that Slotkin and others should be in jail in a post to Truth Social. The traitors that told the military to disobey my orders should be in jail right now, not roaming the fake news networks trying to explain that what they said was okay, he wrote. It was sedition at the highest level, and sedition is a major crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a Sunday visit to ABCs This Week, Slotkin said the president is trying to shift the conversation away from his performance. Hes trying to distract us from the big stories of last week, which were the Epstein files and then the economy, she said. Slotkin said that Trump was taking a similar stance to former President Joe Biden, who trumpeted the countrys economic performance at a time when many people were feeling a strain on their budgets. It was kind of amazing considering that the American public isnt stupid, she said. It reminded me of Joe Biden. Biden tried to tell us for a year that the economy was great. Slotkin: "He's trying to distract us from the big stories of last week, which were the Epstein files and the economy. And I took note yesterday, he's tweeting 'there's no inflation, the economy is the best it's ever been.' It was kind of amazing considering that the American pic.twitter.com/NzdifCCOFp Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 23, 2025 Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. Slotkin said that the presidents attack on the lawmakers the security situation for all of us. A bomb threat was called in to her home in Michigan earlier this week. Per a statement from her office, she was not home at the time and a police search turned up nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Slotkin is deeply grateful for the swift and professional response of Oakland County and Michigan State Police, a spokesperson wrote. U.S. Capitol Police will continue to investigate and hopefully hold accountable those responsible. The post American public isnt stupid: Slotkin says Trumps sedition threats are a distraction appeared first on Salon.com. PARIS (AP) The date was May 7, 2017. Addressing cheering supporters, the newly elected leader of France, Emmanuel Macron, made a promise that now, in his waning 18 months as president, lies in tatters. The rival that Macron defeated that day, Marine Le Pen, had secured 10,638,475 votes. They were nowhere near enough for the far-right leader to win. But they were too numerous for Macron to ignore, a best-ever watershed at the ballot box for Le Pens once-ostracized National Front party that she inherited from her Holocaust-denying father. Gazing out over a sea of French flags, Macron acknowledged anger and distress that he said motivated Le Pen voters. He pledged to do everything to win them over, so they no longer have any reason to vote for the extremes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But since then, Le Pen's us-against-them nativist politics targeting immigrants, Muslims and the European Union have made millions more converts. Her National Rally party, rebranded in 2018 to broaden its appeal and shed its sulfurous links to her dad, Jean-Marie Le Pen, has become the largest in parliament and has never appeared closer to power, with the next presidential and legislative elections scheduled in 2027. Poverty worsened under Macron Many factors explain why Le Pen has gone from strength to strength. Some are intrinsic: The 57-year-old cat-loving mother of three is more polished and popular than her gruff ex-paratrooper father who had multiple convictions for inciting racial hatred and for downplaying Nazi atrocities in World War II. He died in January. Others are external and include voter disgruntlement over wealth inequality that has worsened significantly under Macron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An additional 1.2 million people have fallen below the poverty threshold in the worlds seventh-largest economy since the 2017 election and 2022 reelection of France's pro-business president. The former investment banker slashed business taxes and watered down a wealth tax to boost France's allure for investment. Left-wing critics labeled Macron "president of the rich. The poverty rate was 13.8% when Macron took power and had barely shifted during the previous presidency of Francois Hollande, a Socialist. By 2023, into Macron's second term and the most recent year with official data from the French national statistics agency, the poverty rate had ballooned to 15.4%, which is its highest level in nearly 30 years of measurements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following year, National Rally triumphed in French voting for the European Parliament. So heavy was the defeat for his centrist camp that Macron stunned France by then dissolving the National Assembly. Again, National Rally surged in the ensuing legislative election. It didn't come close to winning a majority no party did. But with 123 of the 577 lawmakers, National Rally vaulted past all other parties and surpassed its previous best of 89 legislators elected in 2022. Put bluntly: the worse off France becomes, the better National Rally seems to fare. Showing the correlation Mapping by The Associated Press both of poverty in France and of the Le Pen vote in the four French legislative elections since she took over her father's party in 2011 show how both have grown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The maps show particularly evident progress by National Rally in some of Frances poorest regions, especially in what have become National Rally strongholds: the deindustrialized northeast of France and along its Mediterranean coast. Region-by-region poverty rates were mapped through 2021, beyond which the national statistics agency INSEE doesn't have data for all 96 of mainland France's regions. The AP mapped support for the National Front and then National Rally by using the party's showing in the first rounds of voting in legislative elections in 2012, 2017, 2022 and 2024. We clearly see that the National Rally vote is very strongly correlated with issues of poverty, of difficulties with social mobility" and with voters who are most pessimistic about the future of their children or their personal situation, said Luc Rouban, a senior researcher at Paris' elite Sciences Po school of political sciences who studies the party. Francois Ouzilleau, who stood for Macron's party in the 2022 legislative election and lost to a National Rally winner in his district in Normandy west of Paris, puts it more simply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It feeds off anger and people's problems," he said. Parallels with Trump are apparent But poverty is only part of the Le Pen success story and her appeal isn't limited to voters who struggle to make ends meet. Combating immigration, the party's bread and butter since its foundation, remains a central plank of Le Pen-ism. Rouban sees National Rally similarities with the playbook of U.S. President Donald Trump. They're doing Trump-ism a la francaise, he said. They say, Were wary of the justice system,' like Trump. Were taking back control of our national borders,' like Trump." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Rally establishes strongholds The party says that its proposals to slash France's spending on migrants and on the EU and to redirect money to people's pockets by reducing the costs of energy and other necessities appeal to voters in financial need. The French have clearly understood that the ones defending the purchasing power of the working and middle classes are the National Rally," Laure Lavalette, a parliamentary spokesperson for the party, told the AP. Lavalette represents the southern Var region, one of National Rally's new strongholds as Macron's popularity has plummeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In legislative elections that followed his election in 2017, Le Pen's party failed to win any seats in Var. But after Macron's reelection in 2022, National Rally grabbed seven of Var's eight seats and repeated that feat in 2024. Poverty rates in the Var have long surpassed the national average, the AP's mapping shows. Lavalette says that making ends meet is crazy difficult" for some of her constituents and that some tell me that they have to chose between eating or heating." Voters hunger for change The 2024 legislative election produced a fractured parliament with fragile minority governments collapsing one after the other. To untangle that knot, Macron could have dissolved the National Assembly again this year, triggering a new election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is what National Rally wanted, buoyed by polls suggesting it could perhaps win enough seats to form its first government. Mindful that such an outcome could saddle him with a National Rally prime minister for the remainder of his presidency, Macron held his fire. And for now at least, enough lawmakers have rallied around Macrons prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, to keep him afloat, mindful of the risk of losing their seats if Macron called voters back to the ballot boxes. There's a sword of Damocles hanging over us, it's called the National Rally, said Ouzilleau, who serves as mayor in the Normandy town of Vernon and is a long-time friend of Lecornu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says voters have increasingly been telling him that they are ready to test-drive National Rally, breaking decades of uninterrupted rule by mainstream parties. "It's been two or three years that we've been hearing this: 'We've tried everything except the National Rally, so what is the risk?'" he said. ___ William Jarrett reported from London. An area police K-9 helped track down and arrest a wanted suspect who was hiding in bushes after fleeing police. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Nov. 21, around 3 p.m., FLOCK cameras in Ross Township alerted police of a possible wanted person in the area, according to a press release from the Ross Township Police Department. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers located the suspect vehicle in a driveway near the 2500 block of Cincinnati-Brookville Road. The felony wanted suspect, Kevin Nowlin Jr., was seen getting into the drivers seat of the vehicle, according to police. An officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle at the BP Gas Station on Hamilton-Cleves Road. Nowlin immediately exited the vehicle and fled on foot, according to police. Ross Township Police Sergeant Liddil and his K-9 partner Blitz responded to assist and found Nowlin hiding in the bushes of a neighbors residence. During a search of the vehicle, police recovered a loaded firearm from Nowlins property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nowlin was taken into custody and booked into Butler County Jail on the following charges: Having Weapons Under Disability (third-degree felony) Obstructing Official Business (second-degree misdemeanor) Resisting Arrest (second-degree misdemeanor) Felony Warrants Misdemeanor Warrants Driving Under License Suspension Police said that additional charges are pending. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A crime scene investigator survives after being gunned down in broad daylight. The harrowing scene is captured on surveillance video. Who pulled the trigger? See how investigators followed a digital evidence trail to solve the case. The shooting A surveillance image shows Nicky Lenway walking towards the FamilyWise parenting center. Behind her is a person dressed in black, who would shoot her two times. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court On April 20, 2022, Nicole "Nicki" Lenway was shot twice in the arm and neck and left for dead in the parking lot of FamilyWise, a parenting center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Lenway had been on her way to pick up her then 5-year-old son from a supervised visit with his father, Tim Amacher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An armed assailant dressed in all black can be seen running up behind Lenway, just moments before pulling the trigger, shooting her at point-blank range and fleeing from the scene. The shooter escaped in a black Dodge Ram truck. The 911 call An injured Nicki Lenway calls 911. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court Lenway, 33, was no stranger to violence. She worked the night shift as a forensic scientist for the Minneapolis Police Department. She often found herself at crime scenes, but never the victim of one. Right after being shot in the neck, Lenway called 911, but operators couldn't understand her gurgled cries for help. Security footage from FamilyWise shows Lenway moments after the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Good Samaritan's help Emilie Clancy couldn't believe what she saw and heard from the intersection across the street. Clancy was driving by when she saw a mysterious figure in black run up behind a woman (Lenway) and shoot her at point-blank range. As soon as the light turned green, Clancy sped through the intersection and sped up next to Lenway. Clancy ushered Lenway into the car and took over the 911 call. Clancy applied pressure to Lenway's neck and comforted her as she fought for her life. The race to save one of their own Nicki Lenway had been shot twice. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court Within minutes, first responders arrived. The dramatic scene was captured on police body cameras. Lenway was loaded into the ambulance and soon lost consciousness. She had a perforated lung, severe damage to her vocal cords and a bullet lodged between two of her ribs. Lenway was in critical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators at the scene On the ground outside the FamilyWise parenting center, investigators found three discharged bullet casings and blood. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court As doctors worked to save Lenway, her colleagues at the police department got to work. At the crime scene, they found three discharged bullet casings and blood. Investigators headed inside the FamilyWise parenting center where Lenway had been headed to pick up her son. There they met the father of her child her ex boyfriend, Tim Amacher. A solid alibi Police body cameras show Tim Amacher being questioned inside the FamilyWise parenting center where he was visiting with his son at the time of the shooting. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court Officers caught up with Amacher as he was finishing up his visit with their 5-year-old son Callahan. Amacher had been at the center for hours, and he told investigators he had no idea what happened outside to Lenway. One of the detectives at the crime scene asked Amacher what cars he owned. Amacher told him he owned the Jeep he was driving and a Dodge Challenger sedan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Searching for answers This surveillance image shows the shooter running back to the black Dodge Ram truck. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court Despite their efforts, investigators were initially limited. On surveillance video, they could see the shooter drove off in a black Dodge Ram truck. But the truck had no license plate, and police couldn't tell who was driving. The next day, Lenway regained consciousness, and police were able to interview her in the hospital. They asked if she had any idea who would want to kill her. Right away, she told police that she was convinced her ex-boyfriend, Tim Amacher, had something to do with it. In an Interview with "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty, Lenway said, "I just knew it had something to do with Tim. I just knew I didn't know how he was involved, but he was involved." Who is Tim Amacher? Tim Amacher / Credit: Charles Dettloff Amacher was a well- liked local taekwondo instructor, who was known as a good friend and neighbor. For police it didn't make sense that he could have done this, especially since they knew Amacher was inside FamilyWise at the time of the shooting, giving him a seemingly rock-solid alibi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caught in a lie? / Credit: Hennepin County District Court Remember when investigators asked Amacher what vehicles he had? It turns out Amacher owned a black Dodge Ram truck like the one the shooter drove off in, but at the scene he didn't tell that to investigators. A second round of questioning / Credit: Hennepin County District Court Police called Amacher in for a second interview. They showed him stills of the truck from that surveillance video. Seemingly unruffled, he insisted it wasn't his. Amacher said that his truck, unlike the one in the video, had a license plate and Superman decal stickers near both front doors. Besides, Amacher had an alibi he was inside the FamilyWise center when Nicole Lenway was shot. How could he have shot Lenway and been the driver when his time was accounted for during the shooting? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amacher continued to insist he had nothing to do with the shooting. An unlikely suspect Colleen Larson / Credit: Hennepin County District Court In his interview with police, Amacher told Investigators that the only other person who had access to his truck was Colleen Larson. When Investigators asked Amacher if Larson might have a reason for wanting to shoot Nicole, he insisted that Larson was incapable of violence and quickly dismissed the question. Larson was Amacher's former taekwondo student and she was renting a room from him in his home. When police initially spoke to Larson, she denied being anywhere near the FamilyWise center when Lenway was shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A series of digital breadcrumbs / Credit: Hennepin County District Court Despite their denial, police didn't believe Larson or Amacher. Investigators turned to FBI special agent Richard Fennern, a technology specialist. When Fennern took a closer look at the case, he discovered that Amacher's Dodge Ram truck had Wi-Fi, like a cellphone. And much like a cellphone, it created a digital trail. Agent Fennern set out to find out everywhere that Amacher and Larson went on the day of the shooting. He followed the digital trail left behind by their cellphones and the truck's Wi-Fi. Using those records, Fennern was able to figure out that at a certain point Larson was driving the black Dodge Ram truck that day and that black Dodge Ram truck was driven to the FamilyWise parenting center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A raid reveals more evidence Bullets recovered from the search of Tim Amacher's home. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court A raid of Tim and Colleen's house yielded more evidence bullet casings matching the ones found at the crime scene. Arresting Colleen Larson Colleen Larson was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree premeditated murder. / Credit: Hennepin County Sherriff's Office On April 28, 2022, Colleen Larson was arrested. She was charged with attempted first-degree premeditated murder. Arresting Tim Amacher Tim Amacher was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree premeditated murder and aiding an accomplice after the fact / Credit: Hennepin County District Court Investigators suspected Larson was not working alone. Fennern suspected that Amacher had deliberately altered his truck's appearance to throw police off their path. Fennern discovered that several hours before the shooting, Amacher had driven the black truck without plates and without the Superman stickers to a drive-thru at a local Kentucky Fried Chicken. Tim Amacher was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree premeditated murder and aiding an accomplice after the fact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A confession from Colleen Larson Colleen Larson being questioned by investigators. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court Police questioned Larson twice. The first time she denied any involvement, but during the second interview, which was recorded, she broke down and confessed. "I took the truck and I drove over there and then I shot her." Even though Larson admitted to pulling the trigger, she said the whole thing was Amacher's idea. Larson told police that after the shooting she got rid of the black clothes she wore to disguise her identity, but Amacher had disposed of the gun. Amacher convicted Tim Amacher was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years in prison. / Credit: Minnesota Dept. of Corrections On Nov. 3, 2022, Amacher's trial began. There were no cameras in the courtroom. After an hour of deliberations, Amacher was found guilty of attempted first-degree premeditated murder and aiding his accomplice, Colleen Larson. Amacher was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Larson pleads guilty Colleen Larson pleaded guilty to the charges against her and was sentenced to 16-and-a-half years in prison. / Credit: Minnesota Dept. of Corrections Four days later, Larson pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting attempted first-degree murder, avoiding a trial. At her sentencing hearing, rather than speak for herself, Larson had her attorney read a statement. In it, she took full responsibility for all that had happened. Larson was sentenced to 16-and-a-half years, for doing what prosecutors believe, was Amacher's bidding. A storybook ending and a new beginning Nicki, Callahan and Donovan / Credit: CBS News Alongside all the destruction, there are small miracles. Nicole Lenway has made a miraculous discovery and married the love of her life, Donovan Ford, a police officer. They are expecting a baby girl together and are overjoyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the child, she shares with Amacher? Donovan told Moriarty, "He's come out amazing. That's a miracle too, just him being able to deal with all the stuff he's been through and still be the kid he is." 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 Editors note: Morgan Geyser was taken into custody in Illinois late in the evening of Nov. 23. Morgan Geyser's attorney is urging his client to turn herself in after Geyser, who was granted conditional release earlier this year in the Slender Man case, went missing Nov. 22 after she cut off her Department of Corrections monitoring bracelet and left a group home. "It's in her best interest to turn herself in immediately and not continue with this course of action," Attorney Tony Cotton said in a video posted on social media Nov. 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Family says Payton Leutner, stabbed in Slender Man attack, is safe Cotton said he is not certain of the facts surrounding her disappearance but said if someone assisted her, "that person will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." "If anybody has contact with Morgan, hears from her or if Morgan happens to see this, turn yourself in. Do not continue to remain on the run like this," Cotton said. Geyser was last seen in the area of Kroncke Drive in Madison around 8 p.m. on Nov. 22 with an adult acquaintance, according to the Madison Police Department. Her whereabouts remain unknown, and anyone who sees Geyser is asked to call 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suburban Madison police agencies are assisting with the search for Geyser, the MPD representative said. Police did not confirm the name of Geyser's group home for safety reasons. The Dane County Sheriff's Office is not involved in the search, the sheriff's office told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. More: Slender Man defendant cut off monitoring bracelet, left group home More: The search for Morgan Geyser: What we know and dont know Geyser, now 23, along with co-defendant Anissa Weier, were charged with attempted homicide of their friend, Payton Leutner, who was stabbed 19 times near Davids Park in Waukesha in May 2014. All three girls were 12 years old at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2017, both Geyser and Weier were both found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and ordered to a mental health institute for decades-long commitments Weier for 25 years, and Geyser for 40 years. Geyser was placed in a group home in fall 2025. The placement brought an end to a 2025 saga that began with her finally gaining court approval for conditional release in January, only to have the process face setbacks and challenges throughout the year. More: Timeline: Major events in Morgan Geyser's Slender Man stabbing case Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Attorney for Slender Man defendant Morgan Geyser: 'Turn yourself in' SACRAMENTO, California Top Meta staff allegedly compared Instagram to a drug and worked for years to obscure the social media platforms potential dangers from parents and children, even as they appeared to acknowledge their technology was harmful, according to newly unsealed internal communications cited in a court filing. The 5,807-page filing was submitted this month as part of proceedings in a high-profile, years-old lawsuit alleging social media companies including Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube knowingly designed defective products that are addictive and harmful for teens. A federal judge ordered its contents be unsealed in an Oct. 30 order. The filing includes a series of detailed reports from four experts, who examined internal documents, research and direct communications between engineers and executives at the companies. Experts opinions broadly concluded that the companies knew their platforms were addictive but continued to prioritize user engagement over safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "IG [Instagram] is a drug, Shayli Jimenez, a Meta senior researcher, is quoted as saying in one internal communication, referenced during a sealed deposition conducted earlier this year. LOL, I mean, all social media. We're basically pushers, another Meta employee then allegedly responded in the same conversation. (Jimenez said in her deposition, according to the filing, that those comments were made sarcastically.) The striking comments appear to lend weight to the most critical views of the social media giants. They also seemingly cut against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerbergs and other executives repeated insistence in public and to lawmakers in Congress that they have prioritized kids safety and parental control in product design. Zuckerbergs own deposition from this March is referenced in the filing. In a February 2016 email discussing Facebooks live video streaming platform, Zuckerberg is quoted as suggesting the company should shield teens live video content from their parents as a way to avoid losing young people to competitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we tell teens parents and teachers about their live videos, that will probably ruin the product from the start, Zuckerberg is quoted as writing in the email. He added: My guess is well need to be very good about not notifying parents / teachers. A Meta spokesperson told POLITICO in a statement that the company strongly disagree[s] with these allegations, arguing they rely on cherry-picked quotes and misinformed opinions in an attempt to present a deliberately misleading picture. The company pointed to its recently introduced Instagram Teen Accounts and other parental controls on features like Facebook Live as evidence it prioritizes childrens safety and privacy. Were proud of the progress weve made and we stand by our record, the spokesperson said. A Google spokesperson said in a statement to POLITICO on Saturday that the lawsuits fundamentally misunderstand how its social media platform YouTube works and called the allegations simply not true. The spokesperson pointed to safety controls developed in consultation with experts as evidence it has developed dedicated tools for young people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snap and TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Plaintiffs suing social media companies in the ongoing 2022 case compiled some of the evidence unsealed in the court filing into a brief that was filed Friday in the U.S. District Court of Northern California. Their brief, reported first by Time magazine , alleges Meta was aware of sexually predatory behavior occurring on its platforms and had a precise understanding of how its content delivery mechanisms exacerbated eating disorders, body dysmorphia and even suicide in teens. Despite understanding that the impact can be very negative, they did not warn the public, Previn Warren, an attorney representing plaintiffs in the case, told POLITICO in an interview. They essentially buried these research findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the documents referenced in the Nov. 14 Los Angeles Superior Court filing remain sealed, as do depositions of employees from Meta and other companies. Most are not included in full. Those that are included are snippets of longer conversations or contain redactions that obscure some details, like the names of the senders on certain internal messages. However, in the few documents and quotes from depositions included in the filing, employees in multiple instances compared their technology to hard drugs and discussed tech addiction in a seemingly joking manner. At TikTok, internal documents indicated the apps safety features for kids under 14 were weaker than those provided on the Chinese equivalent to TikTok, Douyin, according to an expert opinion included the filing that included review of sealed evidence. We give spinach to kids in China and opium to kids in America, the document is quoted as reading in the expert opinion, prepared by University of California, Davis communications professor Drew Cingel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement sent Sunday after publication, a spokesperson for TikTok said the quotation was grossly inaccurate. TikTok documents indicated no such thing, but rather cited the existence of others making that false claim, the spokesperson added. A 60 Minutes report from November 2022 quotes Tristan Harris, a tech ethicist and former Google employee, accusing TikTok parent company ByteDance of making its Chinese platform a spinach version of TikTok, while they ship the opium version to the rest of the world." At Snap, a January 2017 email chain quotes an employee responding to data that showed nearly half of users who participated in Snapstreaks, which counts how many days in a row two friends exchange photos or videos, were teens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeah we seem to have tapped into some mass psychosis where 17 million people must keep the streaks going, the employee, whose name is redacted in court filing, wrote in response. I'm glad what we are making will make it even more fun to streak. Meta, TikTok and YouTube have continued to defend personalized feeds against legislative efforts to mandate parental controls, arguing they use personalized recommendations to show kids age-appropriate content. The companies filed a lawsuit last month asking federal courts to block a 2024 California law that requires minors obtain parental consent before viewing algorithmic content feeds like TikToks For You page. I recently returned from the annual Baltimore assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. One urgent message released nationally from this meeting was a letter, composed and approved in assembly, regarding many concerns about the present state of detention and processing of immigrants, whether documented or not. I am hopeful that this letter has an appropriate balance of concerns and may provide guidance to government entities, and hope for immigrants now living under a cloud of uncertainty, as well as food for thought for all. If you wish to access this letter, please visit usccb.org/news/2025/us-bishops-issue-special-message-immigration-plenary-assembly-baltimore. Another important takeaway from the Baltimore assembly was the presentation of a strong message from Pope Leo through the apostolic nuncio, the papal representative to the U.S. Continuing the pontificate of Pope Francis of calling the world to the needs of the poor, Pope Leo has articulated the vision through which this mission will be accomplished. The key and foundation to this structure will be education. Beginning with schools, movements and institutions, and extending into the secular structures of the world, the Church is to bring about a renewal of education in the values of the Gospel in service to the poor. In this Pope Leo emphasizes: When you lose the poor, you lose the school. As we approach Thanksgiving these words take on special meaning. The true meaning of Thanksgiving, in gratitude for our many gifts, is to share our bounty. Jesus informs us, the poor shall always be with you. He also proclaims the core message of the Gospel: in the poor you will always find me. This is where we go back to the school which Jesus teaches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In making a push for such education, Catholic Charities of Southern Colorado brings a unique presence to Pueblo and the surrounding counties. They provide practical education according to their philosophy that the best way to elevate the human person is through education. Last year their Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters mentored parents as their childrens first teachers, fostering a love of reading, learning, comprehension and communication skills for children across our community, comprising 2286 home visits to families. Ongoing Fatherhood programs help fathers learn skills in problem solving, discipline, co-parenting and rearing children. Whole Works programs such as ReHire and CWStep aim to get people on their feet, retrained and into the workplace. In creating opportunities for education, Catholic Charities supports families, 60% of whom live below the poverty line, throughout southern Colorado. Especially this year, through the holidays and winter ahead, there is much need. Faith communities and civic organizations are already beyond their means yet are finding ways to provide food, service and education as can be done. Let us remember those who have not what we have, and reach out to these charitable organizations. Thanksgiving becomes fulfilled only when we give proportionately in return for what we have received. One day to come, may we all hear the welcoming words of Jesus: Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. (Mt 25: 34-37). Let us prioritize our holiday and year-end giving towards those in need. This is our school and our Gospel. This is where we will find Jesus. Diocese of Pueblo Bishop Stephen J. Berg The Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg is the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Pueblo This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Berg: 'The True Meaning of Thanksgiving' MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Since it was created in 2018, the federal government's cybersecurity agency has helped warn state and local election officials about potential threats from foreign governments, showed officials how to protect polling places from attacks and gamed out how to respond to the unexpected, such as an Election Day bomb threat or sudden disinformation campaign The agency was largely absent from that space for elections this month in several states, a potential preview for the 2026 midterms. Shifting priorities of the Trump administration, staffing reductions and budget cuts have many election officials concerned about how engaged the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will be next year, when control of Congress will be at stake in those elections. Some officials say they have begun scrambling to fill the anticipated gaps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do not have a sense of whether we can rely on CISA for these services as we approach a big election year in 2026, said Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat who until recently led the bipartisan National Association of Secretaries of State. The association's leaders sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in February asking her to preserve the cybersecurity agency's core election functions. Noem, whose department oversees the agency, replied the following month that it was reviewing its funding, products, services, and positions related to election security and that its services would remain available to election officials. Simon said secretaries of state are still waiting to hear about the agency's plans. I regret to say that months later, the letter remains very timely and relevant, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An agency in transition CISA, as the agency is known, was formed under the first Trump administration to help safeguard the nation's critical infrastructure, from dams and power plants to election systems. It has been undergoing a major transformation since President Donald Trump's second term began in January. Public records suggest that roughly 1,000 CISA employees have lost their jobs over the past years. The Republican administration in March cut $10 million from two cybersecurity initiatives, including one dedicated to helping state and local election officials. That was a few weeks after CISA announced it was conducting a review of its election-related work, and more than a dozen staffers who have worked on elections were placed on administrative leave. The FBI also disbanded a task force on foreign influence operations, including those that target U.S. elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CISA is still without an official director. Trumps nomination of Sean Plankey, a cybersecurity expert in the first Trump administration, has stalled in the Senate. CISA officials did not answer questions seeking specifics about the agency's role in the recently completed elections, its plans for the 2026 election cycle or staffing levels. They said the agency remains ready to help protect election infrastructure. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, CISA is laser-focused on securing Americas critical infrastructure and strengthening cyber resilience across the government and industry, said Marci McCarthy, CISA's director of public affairs. She said CISA would announce its future organizational plans at the appropriate time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christine Serrano Glassner, CISAs chief external affairs officer, said the agency's experts are ready to provide election guidance if asked. "In the event of disruptions or threats to critical infrastructure, whether Election Day-related or not, CISA swiftly coordinates with the Office of Emergency Management and the appropriate federal, state and local authorities, she said in a statement. States left on their own California's top election security agencies said CISA has played a critical role" since 2018 but provided little, if any, help for the state's Nov. 4 special election, when voters approved a redrawn congressional redistricting map. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past year, CISAs capacity to support elections has been significantly diminished," the California secretary of states office said in a statement to The Associated Press. "The agency has experienced major reductions in staffing, funding, and mission focus including the elimination of personnel dedicated specifically to election security and foreign influence mitigation. This shift has left election officials nationwide without the critical federal partnership they have relied on for several election cycles, according to the office. CISA alerted California officials in September that it would no longer participate in a task force that brought together federal, state and local agencies to support county election offices. California election officials and the governors Office of Emergency Services did what they could to fill the gaps and plan for various security scenarios. In Orange County, California, the registrar of voters, Bob Page, said in an email that the state offices and other county departments stepped up to support his office to fill the void left by CISAs absence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighboring Los Angeles County had a different experience. The registrar's office, which oversees elections, said it continues to get a range of cybersecurity services from CISA, including threat intelligence, network monitoring and security testing of its equipment, although local jurisdictions now have to cover the costs of some services that had been federally funded. Some other states that held elections this month also said they did not have coordination with CISA. Mississippi's secretary of state, who heads the national association that sent the letter to Noem, did not directly respond to a request for comment, but his office confirmed that CISA was not involved in the states recent elections. In Pennsylvania, which held a nationally watched retention election for three state Supreme Court justices, the Department of State said it is also relied more on its own partners to ensure the elections were secure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an email, the department said it was relying much less on CISA than it had in recent years. Instead, it has begun collaborating with the state police, the state's own homeland security department, local cybersecurity experts and other agencies. Looking for alternatives Simon, the former head of the secretary of state's association, said state and local election officials need answers about CISAs plans because officials will have to seek alternatives if the services it had been providing will not be available next year. In some cases, such as classified intelligence briefings, there are no alternatives to the federal government, he said. But there might be ways to get other services, such as testing of election equipment to see if it can be penetrated from outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In past election years, CISA also would conduct tabletop exercises with local agencies and election offices to game out various scenarios that might affecting voting or ballot counting, and how they would react. Simon said that is something CISA was very good at. We are starting to assume that some of those services are not going to be available to us, and we are looking elsewhere to fill that void, Simon said. ___ Smyth reported from Columbus, Ohio. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem did issue a reply to the letter from leaders of the National Association of Secretaries of State asking her to preserve the cybersecurity agencys core election functions. A poultry farmer fears there would be "no way back" for her business if her birds contracted avian flu. Kate Postance told the BBC her 500 free-range turkeys and 300 chickens at her farm in Ceredigion were now in "flockdown" to protect them from the disease. Tens of thousands of turkeys and chickens have been culled in recent weeks following a spate of cases in mid, west and north Wales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Industry leaders said concerns about the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 "cannot be overemphasised", and Wales' chief vet Richard Irvine said the government was working with industry bodies to tackle the "severe" situation. Ms Postance, of Postance Poultry in the hamlet of Tremain, said: "I'm really worried. If any of our birds contracted it I don't see a way back for us. "I think we live in hope that someone, somewhere, will find a vaccine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But unless something is done, it's something we're going to have to live with and hope we don't succumb to it." A mandatory housing order - meaning poultry must be kept inside - came into effect in Wales on 13 November and applies to owners of more than 50 birds. Smaller flocks must also be kept inside if eggs and meat are sold or given away. The same move was introduced in England and Northern Ireland earlier this month. "We get notifications every time a new case is confirmed in the UK and it's been pinging quite frequently, unfortunately," Ms Postance said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "[But] we have also got an obligation to keep [our birds] safe and at the minute, the best thing for them is to be inside." Alison Kennedy saYS contracting avian flu among her flock would "finish" her business [BBC] At Ffos Farm, near Maesteg in Bridgend, 250 chickens are usually "out and about in the fields or running across the yard - adding colour and character", said owner Alison Kennedy. "I don't like them being inside but it's to safeguard the birds, our business and income," she explained. The farm specialises in rare, native livestock breeds, and sells meat boxes and eggs. "We've got biosecurity mats down with disinfectant all over them and are limiting who can go in the shed - usually it's just me," Ms Kennedy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If we were to have avian flu, it would finish me." Poultry, like turkeys, must be kept indoors in Wales, England and Northern Ireland to slow the spread of avian flu [Nathan Stirk/Getty Images] Avian flu infects birds and sometimes other animals, such as foxes, seals and otters. The risk to humans is low and transmission from birds to humans is rare. There have been 50 cases so far this season on farms across the UK, including seven in Wales. Those affected include commercial poultry units with 31,000 turkeys and another with 28,800 chickens in Pembrokeshire, a site with 26,000 chickens in Powys and another with 32,000 in Denbighshire. Control zones with stricter restrictions have been put in place near confirmed bird flu outbreaks in the Milford Haven area of Pembrokeshire, Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire, Welshpool, Powys and Cynwyd, Denbighshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Thomas, of Pencwarre Poultry, said he feared there was potential for it to be "one of the worst years" yet for avian flu. He said his business in Llandygwydd, Ceredigion, was using PPE to protect its chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys - but the added restrictions and surveillance had caused delays in acquiring licenses to move birds off-site to customers. "We're based between three counties and two of them - Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire - have had confirmed cases in the last month," Mr Thomas added. "It's definitely coming closer to home for us this year." Chris Thomas says he and his family were worried they would not be able to trade "for months" if they were affected by avian flu [Pencwarre Poultry] Dafydd Jarrett, from NFU Cymru, said the impact of avian flu could be "devastating" on businesses, with whole flocks having to be culled, followed by a rigorous disinfection process that could take a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He warned that just "a teaspoon of faeces from an infected bird could kill a million turkeys". "That's the potency of this virus - tiny, tiny amounts getting into your shed during the storms and all the bad weather we've had recently could start an infection," he said. "I cannot overemphasise the huge, huge worry out there now [among farmers]." Mr Jarrett, the union's national food and farming adviser, urged the Welsh government to publish findings of investigations into confirmed cases as soon as possible to help poultry producers protect their flocks. Dr Richard Irvine, Wales' chief vet, says the government recognised the disease was "devastating" [Welsh government] Dr Irvine, the country's chief veterinary officer, said the pattern of bird flu cases this autumn was similar to the UK's largest outbreak, when 207 cases were confirmed between October 2022 and September 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the government was working with industry bodies and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). "The disease is devastating and we recognise completely the impact it has not only on the birds but also on those looking after them and the businesses affected," he added. "Hygiene and biosecurity are the best defence." Avian flu is a notifiable disease and must be reported to the APHA. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the risk to the general public was "very low" while the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said bird flu poses a very low food safety risk and that properly-cooked poultry and eggs are safe to eat. More top stories Related internet links Efforts continue to bolster food pantries ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Several area lawmakers are hosting an event Tuesday. Dubbed the Blue Plate Special, it benefits Hunger-Free Pennsylvania. The SNAP nonpayment issue has been dealt with, so I think a lot of people think were OK and dont have to worry about local food pantries, but a lot of them have 25% more families coming than this time last year, said Rep. Abigail Salisbury (D-Allegheny County). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the Bricklayers Union Hall in Pittsburgh, and will feature a blues band. You can donate there or online by clicking here. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Individuals named Madelhari typically exhibit strong analytical capabilities and strategic thinking, often approaching problems with careful consideration of multiple perspectives. They possess natural leadership qualities tempered by wisdom rather than aggression, showing particular strength in crisis situations where calm deliberation is required. Their decision-making process is methodical, weighing consequences and potential outcomes with remarkable foresight. These individuals often serve as trusted advisors in professional and personal contexts, valued for their ability to see the bigger picture while managing intricate details. Socially, Madelharis tend to be reserved yet commanding respect through their competence rather than overt charisma. They demonstrate loyalty to their principles and those they serve, while maintaining intellectual independence. Their communication style is typically direct and purposeful, avoiding unnecessary elaboration. While they may not seek the spotlight, they often find themselves in positions of influence due to their reliable judgment and ability to navigate complex social and professional dynamics. Their strength lies in transforming conflict into opportunity through careful planning and diplomatic skill. Jair Bolsonaro, the former Brazilian president convicted of plotting a coup, has blamed medicine-induced "paranoia" for damage he caused to his ankle monitor - a day after he was removed from house arrest into detention. At a hearing in Brasilia, he admitted trying to open the monitor with a soldering iron on Friday until he "came to his senses", court documents show. He said he had had no intention of fleeing. Officials say the right-wing politician, 70, was taken into custody because he was a flight risk ahead of a supporters' vigil outside his home. He will remain in detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, Bolsonaro was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for the coup plot. Bolsonaro is being held in a police station in the capital. His legal woes have drawn the ire of fellow right-wing populist US President Donald Trump, prompting him to impose a 50% tariff on imports of Brazilian goods. Bolsonaro was found guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at keeping him in power after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Supreme Court justices said that he had known of a plot which included plans to assassinate Lula and his vice-presidential running mate, Geraldo Alckmin, and to arrest and execute Moraes, who has been overseeing Bolsonaro's trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conspiracy failed to get the backing of the army and air force commanders. Lula was sworn in without incident on 1 January 2023. But a week later, on 8 January, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasilia. The security forces intervened and about 1,500 people were arrested. The justices found that the rioters had been incited by Bolsonaro whose plan, they said, was for the military to step in and return him to power. Bolsonaro was also barred from running for public office until 2060 - eight years after the end of his sentence. The former president called the trial a "witch hunt" designed to prevent him running in the 2026 presidential election. Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro, detained after allegedly using a soldering iron on his court-ordered ankle monitor, argued Sunday that a state of "paranoia" had led him to tamper with the device. The 70-year-old was taken to prison on Saturday from his home, where he had been under house arrest while appealing a coup-plotting conviction, after the Supreme Court deemed him a high flight risk. The court sentenced Bolsonaro in September to 27 years in prison over a scheme to stop leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office after the 2022 elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The far-right firebrand has denied any wrongdoing and though he has already lost one appeal, he has until Monday for another challenge of his conviction. During a hearing on Sunday in Brasilia, Bolsonaro stated he "experienced a certain paranoia between Friday and Saturday due to medication," according to a Supreme Court document obtained by AFP. He also asserted "that he had no intention of fleeing and that there was no breakage of the bracelet's strap." The former army captain further said he spent a good part of Friday afternoon trying to open the bracelet until he "came to his senses" around midnight and stopped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video made public by the court on Saturday, Bolsonaro admitted that he had used a soldering iron on the monitoring bracelet out of "curiosity." The video showed the device badly damaged and burned, but still on his ankle. The court upheld the preventive arrest warrant against Bolsonaro. - 'Sovereign country' - Later, his lawyers asked the court to reconsider the measure and return Bolsonaro to "humanitarian house arrest" due to his "state of mental confusion." The former president is experiencing "side effects from the various medications prescribed to him, beginning to have persecutory thoughts and becoming detached from reality," they said in a letter to the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The medications he takes to relieve the "hiccup attacks" that have afflicted him for months are to blame for his condition, they added. In its ruling on Saturday that sent Bolsonaro into custody, the Supreme Court noted that the US embassy is located near his residence. The former leader is a close ally of US President Donald Trump, who has denounced the trial as a "witch hunt" and sanctioned a supreme court judge and his family. Trump had also imposed punitive tariffs on Brazil over the case, but has since largely walked them back. On Sunday, Lula was asked about the possibility that the new arrest of Bolsonaro could affect relations with Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It has nothing to do with it," Lula said during a press conference at the G20 summit in Johannesburg. "I think Trump needs to know that we are a sovereign country, that our justice system decides, and what is decided here is decided," he said. Bolsonaro was convicted in September of leading a criminal organization that conspired to ensure his "authoritarian hold on power." The plot allegedly involved a plan to assassinate Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bolsonaro defense team said they would appeal his detention, arguing it "could put his life at risk" due to his frail health. He suffers from recurring abdominal issues after being stabbed during the 2018 campaign, which has required several follow-up surgeries, as well as the recurring hiccups problem. On Sunday, he received his first visitors in prison: two lawyers, his doctor and his wife Michelle. jss/aha/sst Four individuals were arrested for shoplifting in Bostons Back Bay area on Friday following a series of thefts at local retail stores. The arrests occurred after officers in the South End responded to reports of shoplifting at the Alo store on Boylston Street and later at the Lululemon store. A 15-year-old female suspect was apprehended with stolen merchandise valued at approximately $516 from both locations. Later in the evening, officers were alerted to two known shoplifters inside another store. Kayla Harris, 31, of Boston, and Demetrius Little, 31, of Roxbury, were arrested as they exited the store with stolen goods worth $1,422. Both face charges of larceny over $1,200 and conspiracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate incident, officers stopped a group of individuals near Huntington Avenue. A 14-year-old male suspect attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended after a struggle. He was found with $296 in stolen merchandise and faces charges of shoplifting by concealing merchandise and resisting arrest. The 15-year-old juvenile female is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court, while the 14-year-old juvenile male will be arraigned in Boston Juvenile Court. 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 One morning in October, Donna DesRuisseaux headed to a local bridge near her home in Goffstown, New Hampshire, armed with a sign that said: Honk for democracy. The 62-year-old business manager was taking part in a new tradition of protesting on various bridges and overpasses throughout the state. Im very worried about our democracy, freedom of speech, social security and health insurance, said DesRuisseaux, who attended a No Kings protest in Manchester, New Hampshire, later that day, where she ran into some of her bridge friends. DesRuisseaux had never protested about anything before 2025, in part because she was a busy working mom. But after discovering the NH Bridge Brigade for Democracy group on Facebook, she knew she had to do something to express her outrage. DesRuisseaux said they get plenty of honks of support and the occasional middle finger as well. Each week, protesting is more and more important, she said. Its not that hard of a commitment and Ive met so many people. You feel the camaraderie because were all in the same boat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Donald Trump and his administration have rolled back rights, cut social safety net programs to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and ignored or failed to comply with court orders, new demographics are being activated to join a broader coalition of people fighting for education, racial justice, gun control, science, the environment, immigration and the LGBTQ+ community. From local grassroots efforts to nationwide groups, todays organizers are breaking down barriers and creating clever campaigns to welcome in those who are new to protesting people who never saw themselves as activists. Its not that hard of a commitment and Ive met so many people Donna DesRuisseaux, new activist Any successful anti-regime organizing effort at scale cannot just depend on people who are political addicts who follow everything going on, said Ezra Levin, co-director of Indivisible, the group behind the nationwide No Kings protests that drew about 7 million people into the streets last month and has more than 2,600 local chapters across the US. It requires reaching out to people who are not currently with you. That means were hungry for opportunities to escape the bubble were in. *** Organizers and researchers say there are common reasons why people dont protest or get involved in activism. Some do not know how to get involved or engaged or dont see themselves as the type to do so. Others are cynical about the system and unconvinced that their efforts will make a difference. And some people are fearful about their safety, which organizers say is a legitimate concern given how the Trump administration has unleashed the US military on protesters and unlawfully arrested journalists and legal observers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were seeing a lot of people who have never been politically active coming into the space, said Autumn Gonzalez, an attorney and community organizer with NorCal Resist, a grassroots group based in Sacramento, California. We try to always be very welcoming to people and understand that people are at different places in their political education. Were trying to have some fun, too, because youre not going to keep showing up to stuff if youre not feeling like its a positive experience. NorCal Resist hosts reading groups, film screenings and flower-pressing workshops in addition to vigils, rallies, letter-writing campaigns and food-distribution events. They have also found success hosting events on Zoom so that more people, especially from rural areas, can attend, and by speaking at churches and other community organizations. The northern California group also attracts new activists by working with artists who will help raise money for them and share their efforts with like-minded fans. Hip-hop artist Princess Nokia held a benefit concert for NorCal Resist in October and the street theater troupe Bad Taste for a Good Cause is selling 3D lenticular posters to raise money for the non-profit. Indivisible has also used pop culture to connect with new communities. Over the summer, the group created a digital ad campaign that targeted the fandom of Andor, the critically acclaimed Star Wars show that follows the beginnings of the resistance to the fictional worlds evil empire, via Meta ad campaigns and host-read ads on Andor fan discussion podcasts. A theme of courage is contagious is highlighted throughout the series by showing the ways everyday people are inspired to resist by the actions of others. Our community is a protagonist of their own liberation and as a community organizer you are not a teacher Lydia Walther-Rodriguez, Casa There is not a better representation in popular culture of what it means to be part of an effective grassroots resistance to an authoritarian regime, said Levin of the Disney+ show. A successful movement is made up of people who didnt start out as activists or grassroots leaders, but because of personal impact and authoritarian overreach and seeing other people are engaged, you get more people involved and produce the one thing the regime is deeply afraid of: coordinated mass action against their unpopular overreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indivisible is also running a Signs of Solidarity campaign to encourage local businesses to publicize that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) is not welcome, but immigrants are. You will succeed in reaching people who are not currently paying attention, but happen to go to that bookstore or coffee shop, said Levin. *** Millions of protesters in the US may be new to activism, but so are some of the organizers behind movements that have sprung up under the second Trump administration. Colette Delawalla, a clinical psychology graduate student at Emory University, was in the process of submitting a National Science Foundation grant when the Trump administration implemented a sweeping ban on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) language. All of a sudden, words such as women, disability, trauma and marginalized were triggering reviews by the so-called department of government efficiency, or Doge. I felt like I was living in a chapter of 1984, said Delawalla, who studies alcohol addiction. I couldnt believe I was in this position where I couldnt do my work. This was about stopping science because science is a threat to untruth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although she had only attended a handful of protests in the past, Delawalla felt compelled to form Stand Up for Science with four other researchers. In addition to encouraging people to sign petitions, host a teach-in or attend protests, Stand Up for Science uses humor to lure new allies. Their policy objectives include ending censorship and political interference in science, securing and expanding scientific funding and defending and supporting programs that offer equal opportunity for all people to become scientists. They name their rallies Get In, Dorks, and they continue to deliver Quack-O-Grams (little yellow rubber ducks) to congresspeople with a goal of impeaching and removing the US health and human services secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, whom they refer to as the quack. Mockery and humor are really effective political tools and protest tools, said Delawalla. Were seeing it with the fact that Trump lobbied to get [Stephen] Colbert cancelled. Were seeing the effectiveness of South Park and its political messaging. If RFK Jr wants to make a joke of our public health system, which is the crown jewel of our nation, I will make a joke of him. Other organizers, like Lydia Walther-Rodriguez, connect with first-time protesters primarily by listening. My mission is to listen 80% or more and only speak 20% or less, said Walther-Rodriguez, chief of organizing and leadership development at Casa, which advocates for immigrant and working-class families. Our community is a protagonist of their own liberation and as a community organizer you are not a teacher. Related: A groundswell of activism takes hold in the US: We are a bridge to the future Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said when people are hesitant about protesting or organizing, it is often because of fears of retaliation by the government. During the first Trump administration, we saw these racially divisive tactics, said Walther-Rodriguez, and we are seeing true weaponization of the white supremacist system at play during the second Trump administration. Some organizers offer new activists hope by referring to the 3.5% rule, coined by political scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan. Their research shows that movements that engage 3.5% of a population can almost always bring about change (in the US, that means engaging about 12 million people in long-term mobilizations). While its unknown exactly how many people are new to protesting in 2025, Chenoweths Crowd Counting Consortium at Harvard has said the scale of protests is significantly larger now than it was during Trumps first term. This administration is attacking everybody and when you do that wide attack, then it becomes a basis of unity and solidarity, said Diane Fujino, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara who studies social movement and activist histories. People can start to see that whats happening to immigrant workers is happening to womens rights and is happening to students and university faculty there is a common struggle. Fujino pointed to the success of the non-violent farm workers movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which featured solidarity between Mexican Americans and Filipinos, as a model and inspiration for todays activism. She said it was crucial that everybodys voices are heard and that those who are most affected by policies or issues are in the forefront of leadership. For the first time, all of us have to be worried, said Casas Walther-Rodriguez. Its not just about our immigrant and working-class community. Its about everyones constitutional rights being dismantled in front of our eyes and that is bringing about a new generation and intersectional identities to unite in a way that is so urgent. BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) On his first full day in jail, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro told a judge on Sunday he had violated his ankle monitoring the day before at his house arrest because of a nervous breakdown and hallucinations caused by a change in his medication. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the 70-year-old leader's preemptive jailing Saturday for he is considered a flight risk. Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison in September for attempting a coup to remain in the presidency after his 2022 electoral defeat. (Bolsonaro) said he had hallucinations that there was some wire tap in the ankle monitoring, so he tried to uncover it, assistant judge Luciana Sorrentino said, as reported in a Supreme Court document published on Sunday shortly after her online meeting with the former president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sorrentino added that Bolsonaro told her he did not remember having a breakdown of this magnitude in another occasion, and speculated it might have been caused by a change in his medication last week. He once again denied that he intended to escape. The document says Bolsonaro also told the judge he hadn't been sleeping well and was feeling a certain paranoia that stimulated his curiosity into opening the ankle monitoring device. (Bolsonaro) said he was with his daughter, his elder brother and an aide at his house and none of them saw what he was doing to the ankle monitoring, the document says. He said he started to touch it late at night and stopped around midnight. De Moraes received information that the far-right leaders ankle monitor was violated at 12:08 a.m. on Saturday. The arrest order came hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of Bolsonaro's doctors who came to his support Sunday morning said later in a statement they had suspended the use of a medication that allegedly troubled the former president. They also said he is physically well. A panel of Brazils Supreme Court ruled in September that Bolsonaro tried to stage a coup and keep the presidency after his defeat by Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2022. On Monday, the same panel will vote on the preemptive arrest order. Bolsonaro's meeting with an assistant judge on Sunday was procedural to discuss the legality of his jailing, but also provided another opportunity for his lawyers to argue he should remain under house arrest due to poor health. De Moraes has previously rejected similar requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De Moraes authorized Bolsonaro to be visited by former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, who was out of Brasilia when federal police agents took her husband into custody. She did not speak to journalists after her two-hour visit. Lula made his first comments about his predecessor's jailing at the G20 group of nations meeting in South Africa. The court ruled, thats decided. Everyone knows what he did, Lula told journalists. Outside the federal police headquarters, some pro-Bolsonaro protesters held banners calling for Lula and de Moraes to be removed from their posts, while detractors of the former president celebrated his jailing. Other Brazilian cities registered anti-Bolsonaro demonstrations. Sao Paulo's main artery had a giant plastic doll of the former president dressed as an inmate parading for several hours. Rio de Janeiro's Pride parade also rejoiced with the far-right's leader preemptive jailing. The U.S. Air Force says it estimates a fleet of Next Generation Airlift (NGAL) aircraft will be flying operational missions by the 2040-2041 timeframe. The service hopes to have its C-5M Galaxy and C-17A Globemaster III cargo planes replaced by NGAL types by the mid-2040s and mid-2070s, respectively. By 2075, the C-17, a type that has been under particular strain in recent years, will have been in service for 80 years, though the remaining individual aircraft will be younger than that. Air Mobility Command (AMC) laid out its latest vision for its future airlift fleets in a strategy memo released earlier this week. The document reconfirms that the current plan is for a single NGAL aircraft to supplant the C-5M and C17A, which AMC had first disclosed publicly in September. At that time, the command had only said it was targeting the mid-2040s timeframe to begin making the transition to its new cargo planes. The Air Force had 222 C-17As and 52 C-5Ms in its inventory as of the start of Fiscal Year 2025. A US Air Force C-5 Galaxy, at left, and a C-17 Globemaster III, at right. USAF With an accelerated NGAL Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) in FY27 [Fiscal Year 2027] and an uninterrupted acquisition process with consistent funding, the first NGAL aircraft could be produced as early as FY38, the Airlift Recapitalization Strategy document, dated November 18, 2025, explains. It is estimated [that] the NGAL program will reach Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in FY41. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. government fiscal years run from October 1 of the year before through September 30 of the year in question. So, for example, Fiscal Year 2041 starts on October 1, 2040, and ends on September 30, 2041. One NGAL aircraft will replace one C-5M aircraft until the entire C-5M fleet is retired. Then, the C-17A fleet will be replaced by NGAL at a one-for-one swap, the document adds. Uninterrupted inter-theater airlift capacity is paramount for global operations during fleet recapitalization. Current recapitalization projections require C-5M viability until 2045 and C-17A viability through 2075. A row of US Air Force C-5s. USAF The Air Forces C-5Ms were all upgraded from older B and C variants that began their service careers in the 1980s. C-17As first began entering operational service in 1995. Neither of these aircraft is still in production. By 2045, the youngest C-5Ms will have been flying for some 56 years. As already mentioned, the Air Force is now set to keep flying C-17s for eight decades. The service took delivery of its last Globemaster III in 2013, which will be 62 years old in 2075. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also important to point out here that a succession of major crises globally has led to persistently high demand for the C-17 fleet in recent years. The aircraft have played notably critical roles in the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, the delivery of military aid to Ukraine immediately before and since Russias all-out invasion in 2022, and various contingencies around the Middle East since 2023. This, in turn, has put immense strain on the aircraft, and their crews, and has created additional sustainment challenges. With all this in mind, how exactly the Air Force concluded it would be feasible to keep the C-17s flying through 2075 is unclear. US Air Force C-17s fly in formation. USAF To mitigate risks associated with acquisition delays, funding uncertainties, or technological challenges, the existing C-5M and C-17A fleets operational viability must be maintained until a fully capable replacement is fielded, which may require extending the service life and associated Military Type Certificate (MTC) of each platform, the AMC airlift strategy document does note. There have been growing discussions already about re-engining the C-17 fleet, which could help extend the operational life of those aircraft. New engines that offer greater fuel economy and/or higher reliability could give the aircraft a boost in performance, as well as reduce operating costs and sustainment demands. Air Force personnel perform engine maintenance on a C-17. USAF The C-17 and C-5 served us well for decades, but theyre not going to fly forever, and so wed like to recapitalize those on our timeline, Air Force Gen. John Lamontagne, head of AMC, had told TWZ and other outlets at a roundtable on the sidelines of the Air & Space Forces Associations 2025 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference in September. Wed like to have a plan in place so when the service life starts to erode on the C-17, whether its wings, engines, or more, weve got a competition already going. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AMC does also have plans now for other capability upgrades to its existing airlift fleets, especially the workhorse C-17s, to ensure their continued relevance, especially in future high-end fights. The Globemaster IIIs are already in the process of getting new beyond-line-of-sight communications suites, and new defensive systems could also be on the horizon. Many questions about the successor NGAL aircraft still remain to be answered, as well, including whether or not the Air Force might require the design to incorporate stealthy features. Vertical takeoff and landing capabilities and other ways to reduce dependence on traditional runways, access to which is expected to be greatly limited in future major conflicts, might also be part of the equation. The Air Force has explored advanced airlift and aerial refueling tanker concepts that include these elements on multiple occasions in the past. TWZ has been calling attention to the growing need for more survivable cargo planes and tankers for years now. A wind tunnel model of a design concept for an advanced tanker and/or cargo aircraft that the Air Force explored as part of a project called Speed Agile in the late 2000s and early 2010s. USAF As far as what we want in the next[-generation airlift] platform, we want agility, we want speed, we want to be able to operate in a higher threat environment, Lamontagne had said in September. This includes countermeasures that are effective against those threats that are coming from increasingly longer ranges. On top of all this is the key equation of how the Air Force expects to replace the C-5M and C-17A with a single platform. The Galaxy and Globemaster III are very different size-wise, as well as in the kinds of missions they were designed to perform, as TWZ has highlighted in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least one company, Radia, is openly pitching a new airlifter to the Air Force that is bigger than the C-17 and the C-5. However, the Windrunner design is also still in a very aspirational phase of development, as you can read more about here. A rendering of Radias Windrunner, depicting F-16 fighters being loaded onto the aircraft. Radia Lockheed Martin and Boeing, among others, have also been publicly showing various concepts for advanced transports and tankers in recent years. The Air Force has talked previously about the potential for NGAL to be a system of systems rather than a single aircraft. Speaking in September, Lamontagne said it remained possible that multiple aircraft types could ultimately come under the NGAL umbrella, but raised concerns about whether his service can afford, grandkids, kids, all of them. No matter what aircraft the Air Force ultimately acquires under NGAL, the service has now set a clear goal for them to begin entering operational service within the next 15 years or so. Contact the author: joe@twz.com Canada Post and the union representing some 55,000 postal workers have reached a tentative deal to end a strike which has disrupted deliveries across the country. The details of the deal were not released, but the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) said all parties "have agreed on the main points" and strike action had been suspended. "We need to agree on the contractual language that will form the collective agreements that would be put to a vote by the members," the union said, adding that it will "retain the right to strike". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A nationwide strike began on 25 September, before switching to a rolling strike amid an ongoing dispute over postal workers' pay and benefits. Canada Post also confirmed that a deal had been reached, pending a union vote, saying: "While this is being done, it has been agreed that all strike or lockout activities are suspended." The union and the postal service have been negotiating for nearly two years. In September, the strike was launched hours after the federal government announced it was authorising significant changes at Canada Post. The proposed new measures included ending door-to-door delivery to about four million homes, allowing non-urgent letters to be moved by ground instead of air, shutting some formerly rural post offices, and giving the service more flexibility to raise prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government argues that the changes are necessary to stop Canada Post from losing so much money. Canada Post lost C$1bn ($717; 535m) last year and is on track to lose C$1.5bn this year, according to government figures. The Canadian postal service - like the UK's Royal Mail and the US Postal Service - has seen sharp declines in the volume of letters delivered over the past decades and subsequent financial shortfalls. Its three primary revenue streams - letters, direct-marketing post and parcel mail - are all in decline, either through lack of demand or through stiff competition from other courier services. Previously postal workers went on strike in November 2024 over pay and working conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last December, ahead of the busy holiday season, the Canadian government ordered the postal workers back to work. JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -Canada will resume trade discussions with the United States "when it's appropriate," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday, noting he did not have a pressing issue to address with President Donald Trump. Trump last month suspended the talks over an anti-tariff advertisement issued by Ontario's provincial government. "We are very busy with the future of Canada, and with new partnerships. There will be conversations with the president, probably in the next two weeks," Carney told reporters on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' meeting in Johannesburg. "We will re-engage when it's appropriate." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney reiterated that he was open to dialogue. "I don't have a burning issue to speak with the president about right now. When America wants to come back and have the discussions on the trade side, we will have those discussions." Canada wants a deal to lower import tariffs on steel, aluminum and autos imposed by Trump. (Reporting by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Nellie Peyton; editing by Christina Fincher) Conservative commentator Candace Owens has accused French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron of planning her assassination. What Happened: Owens made the allegation after she was reportedly informed about the plot by a high-ranking employee of the French Government two days before. She claimed that the Macrons had executed upon and paid for my assassination. The source purportedly disclosed that the assassination was to be executed by France's elite National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN), with the involvement of one Israeli operative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owens has provided no evidence for her claims, which remain unverified by authorities. She also tied the alleged plot to Charlie Kirk's 2025 killing, suggesting the suspect trained with France's 13th Legion Brigade. URGENT Two days ago I was contacted by a high-ranking employee of the French Government. After determining this person's 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 Additionally, Owens cautioned that French journalist Xavier Poussard, known for his work on material about Brigitte Macron, could also be at risk. She appealed to her followers to disseminate her post, voicing doubts about who in the American government could be relied upon. Also Read: Wave of Crypto Kidnappings in France Raises Security Alarms So far, no official response has been received from French, Israeli, or US authorities regarding Owenss accusations. The allegations have elicited a broad spectrum of reactions online, ranging from endorsement to derision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why It Matters: The allegations made by Owens are serious and could have significant diplomatic implications if proven true. The lack of evidence and official response from the involved parties, however, leaves room for speculation and uncertainty. The connection drawn by Owens between the alleged plot and the murder of Charlie Kirk adds another layer of complexity to the situation. While the truth of these allegations remains to be seen, the incident underscores the power of social media in shaping public opinion and discourse. Read Next Macron Warns World Will Know By Monday If Putin Played Trump Again Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga: This article Candace Owens Claims Macrons Targeted Her In Assassination Plot originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. You may soon see an increase in the number of plastic bags you purchase at the grocery store. Starting Jan. 1, restaurants and retailers in Washington state will raise the price of plastic carry-out bags to 12 cents per bag. Paper bags will remain at 8 cents each. The increase in bag fees is part of a 2020 law designed to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags. Washington law bans single-use plastic bags. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retailers and restaurants are required to supply customers with a thicker reusable plastic bag made of at least 40% recycled material. In July, new legislation was introduced that would increase the price of these bags. The Washington Department of Ecology is suggesting using purses, backpacks, cars, and other options to avoid carryout bags and the fees. Individuals named Maelynn are often perceived as having a gentle yet resilient nature, combining the nurturing qualities associated with spring with a quiet inner strength. They tend to be creative, intuitive, and deeply connected to beauty in all its formswhether in art, nature, or human relationships. Their spring-inspired origins suggest a personality that brings renewal and growth to situations, often acting as catalysts for positive change in their communities. Maelynn's typically possess excellent communication skills and emotional intelligence, allowing them to connect deeply with others. These individuals often exhibit a balance between traditional values and modern perspectives, making them adaptable yet grounded people who value both heritage and innovation. They tend to be diplomatic in their approach to conflict and have a natural ability to see multiple sides of situations. The combination of their mythological roots and modern construction suggests personalities that honor tradition while embracing progress, often making them effective bridge-builders between different generations or cultural perspectives. Their inherent connection to growth cycles gives them patience and understanding of natural processes, both in nature and human development. PARIS, Ill. (WCIA) The Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties has been running the Living Room Program since 2020 but is hearing from first responders that not enough people know about it in the community. The program is a 24/7, 365-day operation that aims to help people experiencing a mental health crisis and connect them with the proper resources. Open house held for temporary homeless shelter in Champaign Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They can come here and come to a safe place to process their emotions, get connected to homelessness resources, jobs, things like that, said crisis services director Terra Ogle. The program is free, and people can go to the Living Room Program location at 745 East Court Street in Paris at any hour of the day to seek emergency mental health assistance. In its first year, the program saw 200 visits, according to Ogle. In 2025, its seen more than 1,000. Still, the center is hoping to get the word out to people who might not know about the Living Room Program. We hear a lot of, Oh, we didnt know thats what you do, or Oh, we didnt know that was an option,' Ogle said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The HRCs executive director, Susan Tybon, said it might be because reaching out for support for the first time can be difficult. IDNR accepting public comment on upcoming mine reclamation projects Its an unknown, Tybon said. I think initially it can be hard for people to ask for help. But, Tybon said taking the first step can pay off immensely. People come here and this is like a gateway into many of the other services we offer, Tybon said. They may come for continued mental health treatment or substance use counseling. And, she said taking care of your mental health can be especially important this time of year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes people will have to deal with trauma or depression or anxiety around the holidays, Tybon said. So, we want people to know that were here for you and it doesnt matter if its a holiday. So, come on in and get some needed help. The HRC has a 24/7 crisis help-line. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis in Edgar or Clark counties, you can call that number at 217-712-9766. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. $5.2M In a plan to further entrench Central Massachusetts as a hub for biomedical innovation, Massachusetts is providing $5.2 million in funding for pilot projects that aim to train hundreds of employees and provide thousands of jobs in the area. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announced the creation of a BioHub, which will be located at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and will serve as an incubator for different pilot projects. The program states that over the next three years, it aims to train more than 500 employees and create more than 3,000 jobs in the area. Klaudia Dang, owner of Quinsigamond Village Bakery and Cafe on Greenwood Street in Worcester. 246 A year after it was sold, the former Helens Bakery at 246 Greenwood St. in Worcester has reopened as Quinsigamond Village Bakery & Cafe. Owner Klaudia Dang said she would keep the bakerys popular go-to baked goods that include Swedish rye bread, Swedish rusk, bulkie rolls, cinnamon bread, classic Danish rings, hermits, cakes, cookies, doughnuts, pastries and other customer mainstays. Dang, who was born in Vietnam, has been a realtor for more than 21 years and works for Keller Williams Pinnacle Central. In September 2024, Previous owner Andy Maglione Jr. announced his retirement after running Helens Bakery for 37 years. UMass Chan Medical School 700 A new labor deal at UMass Chan Medical School is one step away from being finalized. Ninety-eight percent of voting members accepted a tentative deal that was reached in October, according to the Service Employees International Union that represents 700 residents, interns and fellows employed at the medical school. The school said UMass system President Martin Meehan must approve the contract, like all agreements between a UMass campus and a union. Workers will get an overall 9.5% pay increase over the three years, $5,000 yearly for mental health services, a $500 education allowance increase and a one-time licensure exam reimbursement. A Peterson Oil Service truck leaves the company's Crescent Street facility in Worcester in 2021. $14M A judge on Thursday, Nov. 13, granted preliminary approval of a $14 million settlement in a long-running class-action lawsuit against Peterson Oil regarding its biodiesel fuel mix. If granted final approval following a hearing in January, thousands of customers who purchased oil from the longtime Worcester fuel company as far back as 2012 and as recently as this month would be eligible to file claims by a Feb. 11, 2026, deadline. The company's insurers, over its objection, reached a $5.6 million settlement last year regarding customers who alleged property damage from its oil between 2016 and 2019. Spark by Hilton in Northborough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 27 From out of the rubble of the former Motel 6 in Northborough comes a brand-new hotel Spark by Hilton. Located at 27 Belmont St. off the Boston-Worcester Turnpike (Route 9), Spark by Hilton officially opened Wednesday, Nov. 19, according to Jaimin Patel, who co-owns the hotel with his brother, Shashin Patel, and their father, Jayesh Patel. Spark by Hilton is a newer premium economy hotel brand from Hilton that focuses on quality and comfort at an affordable price. The Patels also own the Hampton Inn, 736 Southbridge St., Auburn, and the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 21 New Boston Road, Sturbridge. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Central Mass. by the Numbers, Sunday, Nov. 23 CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) Cheektowaga Central School District has come under fire after a student was denied the opportunity to attend his senior dinner because of what he was wearing, according to a family whos now speaking out in a story thats Only on 4. A senior dinner should be a night of celebration for the students who work hard to graduate. However, it was the complete opposite for Zaymeir Torres, a senior who tells WIVB News 4 that he was denied entry to the ceremony. I definitely felt singled-out, embarrassed, humiliated, Torres said. That was actually my last event before I graduate in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zaymeir had on a sweater, dress shirt, tie, and black pants, an ensemble that his mother, Rickia Torres said shouldnt have been an issue. These children work for this day and its a moment that they cannot get back, Rickia said. It was stolen from them. Zaymeirs outfit was within the dress code that was shared in the form of a flyer in a classroom forum the day of the dinner by a teacher, one of the same teachers who Zaymier says wouldnt let him inside the dinner that was being held in the schools cafeteria. The flyer titled Dos and Donts of Dress at Senior Dinner was shared by a teacher in their online classroom forum. It features the photos of more than 20 students in an attempt to show what is and is not acceptable to wear to the ceremony. The faces of three Black male students were blurred out on the flyer with the caption: No Jeans These guys look fly for a Saturday night but not for Senior Dinner. They would be sent to Sonic in this attire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flyer was just all the way wrong, the Black kids faces blurred out, Rickia said. Even if this is not the type of person you are, this flyer spoke volumes, and I know how it made me feel. Someone needs to be held accountable. The flyer was very distasteful, offensive, and contradicting. There were other students who werent permitted entry because of what they wore, according to Zaymeir who tells News 4 that some of his classmates couldnt go because they couldnt afford to dress up. I feel like they werent taking it into consideration and accounting for each student because maybe some people stayed home because they couldnt afford the ticket, let alone the outfit, Zaymeir said. Both Zaymeir and Rickia tell News 4 theyre finding it hard to wrap their heads around how a dress code can be enforced at a public school when theres many parents in todays economy who struggle to afford groceries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You embarrassed my son in front of his whole class, Rickia said. Theres parents worried about how theyre gonna feed their family. Are we going to be able to eat for Thanksgiving? You know? And you guys are worried about what theyre wearing to the school cafeteria. After News 4 reached out to the school, district superintendent Scott Zipp sent an email to Rickia explaining that he looked into the matter and that there were two different perspectives on what occurred, saying in part after reviewing the flyer and discussing it with staff, I want to assure you that there was no ill intent behind it. In fact the staff members involved are quite the opposite. Superintendent Zipps email then went on to defend the teacher, saying these same staff members participate and volunteer their time in many events over the course of the year for our kids, at times sacrificing their own families time. So again I am confident there was no ill intent. WIVB News 4 then reached back out to the school district, sharing with them the email that Zipp sent Rickia. The district sent the following statement, saying in part we are currently reviewing this matter in accordance with established District policies and are evaluating our expectations for attire at District events, as well as the communications used to convey the dress code. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our multiple requests to sit-down with Superintendent Zipp for an interview have been denied. Moving forward, Rickia says some family and friends are planning their own senior dinner to celebrate Zaymeir, and there will not be a dress code. Latest Local News Rob Petree is an anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of his work by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. CHICAGO Its a story repeating itself: Border Patrol agents flooding immigrant neighborhoods, showing dramatic force, storming Home Depot parking lots and preying on people at courthouses. Those arrests erupted in Chicago. Then they were 750 miles away in Charlotte, North Carolina. And they will keep roving across the country. But no matter where they go, Chicagoans will try to stop them. As President Donald Trumps ramped-up Border Patrol action hits city after city, Chicagos immigration-focused community organizers are following. They aim to pass on what they learned to foster pushback in Operation Midway Blitz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resistance effort, which was backed by top elected officials in Illinois, provides a blueprint for immigration activists nationwide: lawsuits, whistles, cellphone cameras and more. Chicagos immigration advocacy groups, which played an integral role organizing on-the-ground rapid responders, are now sharing their information nationwide. Veronica Castro, deputy director at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said she has been in at least half a dozen calls with organizations, mutual aid groups and government entities outside of Chicago, including Boston and North Carolina on best ways to prepare for immigration enforcement. We definitely want to share information with other folks, she said. Earlier in the year, Castro and her team reached out to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., to prepare for the immigration crackdown in Chicago and is now circling back to them to compare notes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casa Central, a Hispanic social services agency in Chicago, is planning a conference call with 304 invited affiliates of Unidos US to discuss rapid response tactics and insights from immigration enforcement in Chicago, according to Unidos director of immigrant integration, Laura Vazquez. The call will feature information on the long-lasting humanitarian effect of what happens to family members after some of them, often the primary income earners, are detained, said Vazquez. There is tremendous value in bringing people together so organizations can learn lessons and effective tactics, said Vazquez, who noted interest went beyond North Carolina, from New Orleans to New York City, where threats of similar immigration operations loom. The federal action centered in Charlotte last week, where Trumps Border Patrol chief, Gregory Bovino, led a weeklong arrest spree that quickly started after agents left Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pooja Ravindran, who lived for a decade in North Carolina and is now chief of staff for Chicago City Councils Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, once again couldnt look away as the arrests hushed cherished hometown bakeries, coffee shops and an elementary school in Charlotte. Ravindran has met online around 10 times with groups in Charlotte to present tactics learned organizing alongside Ald. Andre Vasquez, the committees chair. I cant be at all places at once, I cant be in all of the areas where I call home to prep everyone, Ravindran said. To see the resistance, but also the devastation, there is just a whirlwind of emotions. Earlier this week, Protect Rogers Park community organizer Gabe Gonzalez said he planned to travel to Charlotte, where he was set to speak with hundreds to try to pass the information baton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We learned from Los Angeles and D.C. and its our turn to share what we learned with the cities facing it now, said Gonzalez, co-founder of Protect Rogers Park. Just as Gonzalez was preparing to discuss safe resistance techniques with the North Carolina crowd, Border Patrol reportedly ended its operations in Charlotte dubbed Charlottes Web. But Gonzalez is skeptical that the actions will truly end. Today its in Charlotte, tomorrow it might be in New Orleans, and in March it might be back in Chicago, said Gonzalez, who is also in touch with community organizers in New Orleans and Memphis, Tennessee. Chicagos top elected leaders have gotten involved too, from the City Hall to Springfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. JB Pritzker spoke to North Carolinas Gov. Josh Stein about dealing with masked federal agents, tear gas deployment and documenting activity when rights were being violated, his office said in a statement. The governor has stayed in touch with California, Oregon and other states in an effort to push back against these authoritarian power grabs and curb normalizing the militarization of American communities, the statement said. On Friday, Beatriz Ponce de Leon, Chicagos deputy mayor for immigrant, migrant and refugee rights, met with leaders in St. Paul, Minnesota, where federal agents arrested over a dozen people Tuesday at a manufacturing plant. Ponce de Leon shared strategies Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration has used to push back, like lawsuits, executive orders and close collaboration with community groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago clearly is front and center in the response to these militarized immigration tactics, she said. We are all in this together Why would we not share what we learned? When other cities reach out, Ponce de Leon often offers advice she got from people in Washington, D.C.: This is a moment to be very clear and bold and not to shrink away. The quick response from Charlotte community groups to respond to and document arrests occurred in part because of what people there learned from Chicago, she said. And someday, the connections made by City Hall now could shape its own response if federal agents return en masse. As the federal actions evolve, we all have to evolve and be as prepared as possible to maintain and to protect the things that are important to us and to our cities, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the online meetings Ravindran helps organize, other cities are getting everything from advice on how to fight for more legal protection funds in budgets to tweakable scheduling documents for volunteer patrols outside schools. People were just so grateful that they didnt have to think about protocol, Ravindran said. This documentation has created the opportunity for them to spend more time doing the actual recruitment of folks. It was an emotional homecoming for Ravindran, who first engaged in community organizing as a University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill student and then continued that work in Charlotte. But the incremental progress does not erase what Ravindran has witnessed in one home, then another. Its really hard to see, the detentions in your community, over and over again. (Chicago Tribunes Olivia Olander contributed.) The Brief Two shootings in Chicago's Loop on Friday night left one person dead and 8 others injured, mostly teenagers. Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) said young people were "rioting" in the Loop and that officers were injured. It was unclear if the two shootings were related. CHICAGO - On a night when Chicagoans were celebrating the start of the holiday season, chaos erupted after two shootings left one teen dead and multiple others injured in the city's downtown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two shootings happened just an hour apart on Friday night, according to the Chicago Police Department. What we know Officers responded to the first shooting a little before 10 p.m. in the 100 block of N. State Street where they found a large group on the sidewalk. They heard gunshots and saw the large group begin to flee the scene. Officers then found several people who had been shot, including: A 14-year-old boy who had a graze wound to his stomach. He was taken to Lurie Children's Hospital in good condition. A 15-year-old boy who had a graze wound to his left thigh. He was taken to Stronger Hospital in good condition. A 17-year-old boy who had a graze wound to the left thigh. He was taken to Stronger Hospital in good condition. A 14-year-old girl who was shot in the right hip. She was taken to Lurie Children's Hospital in good condition. A 16-year-old boy who was shot in the leg. He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition. A 14-year-old boy who was shot in the leg. He was listed in good condition at Lurie Childrens hospital. A 13-year-old girl who was shot in the leg. She was taken to Lurie Children's Hospital in fair condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward) reported on social media that "300 juveniles" were "rioting" in the Loop at the time of the shooting. He also said CPD officers were "attacked and injured with mace and stun guns" leading to one officer being hospitalized, but CPD has not confirmed that information as of Saturday. Under an hour later, officers responded around 10:40 p.m. to the 100 block of S. Dearborn where they found two people who had been shot. A 14-year-old boy was shot and taken to Northwestern Hospital where he died, police said. The boy was identified as Armani Floyd by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second victim, an 18-year-old man, was shot in the left and also taken to Northwestern in serious condition. He was unable to provide details about the shooting to investigators. No one was in custody in connection with the shooting. It was unclear if the two shootings were related. What they're saying Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the press, reminding the young people of Chicago that they should not attend unauthorized events advertised on social media. "Because of the reckless behavior of a few individuals, we have families devastated, and our downtown residents are hesitant to leave their own homes," he continued. My statement on the shooting last night. pic.twitter.com/y00MMvVQCQ Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) November 22, 2025 "The holiday season is a time when we come together as a city. It's when we spend time with our families and our loved ones," Johnson said. "This is the opposite type of behavior that anybody wants to see. We have too many guns and too many young people who don't value their own lives or the lives of others, and when we have a setback like this, it just reminds us of the long road that we have to build the city that we all want to live in." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor's office said additional police resources will be deployed during Saturday night's Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. What's next Cook County crime stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The Source The information in this article was provided by Ald. Hopkins. The Kitsap County Sheriffs Office (KCSO) says that eight people were arrested after serving a drug-related search warrant in Bremerton. The search led to the KCOS investigators seizing drugs, stolen property, and a gun from the house on the 1700 block of Seabeck Highway. But that isnt where the illegal activity ended. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers were called in to investigate illegal fish harvesting from the nearby Salmon Creek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, the Kitsap County Fire Marshal was called in to look at the home to determine if it was a fire hazard, as it had structures and RVs on the property. The suspects were arrested and booked in jail on various warrants and drug-related charges. Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will come to office with high hopes and an ambitious agenda that includes free buses and universal childcare. Can he accomplish those campaign promises, and how will he do it? And how will he deal with the New Yorkers who didn't vote for him? On this edition of Up Close, we talk to former New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is the executive committee chair of the New York State Democratic Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She talks about what the new mayor has to do. Also joining us first is Republican Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, who just won a second term less than three weeks ago. He was endorsed by President Donald Trump, but he's now considering a run for a higher office: Governor of New York. He was endorsed by President Trump for Nassau County executive, but not for governor. So will that help or hurt him in the race for governor? Up Close airs Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. on Channel 7, WABC-TV in New York City. SUBSCRIBE TO THE UP CLOSE PODCAST Discover more podcasts from abc7NY here WATCH: Up Close on our Connected TV apps for Fire, Roku, Apple TV and Android TV. Click here to learn more. RELATED: Watch more episodes of Up Close (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah, Pool) Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other Trump administration officials are coming under fire for their whiplash-inducing reversals surrounding a 28-point peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The criticism follows public denials from the secretary and one of his spokesman that Rubio told a group of senators that the reported peace plan which has been circulating was not the brainchild of President Donald Trump or anyone else in the administration. But rather, it was essentially a Russian wish list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) one of several senators to speak with Rubio Saturday said during a press conference at the Halifax International Security Forum that the secretary told him the U.S. did not come up with this latest peace proposal. Secretary Rubio did make a phone call to us this afternoon, Rounds said. I think he made it very clear to us that we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives. It is not our recommendation, it is not our peace plan. It is a proposal that was received. And as an intermediary, we have made arrangements to share it. And we did not release it. It was leaked. It was not released by our members or our representatives. Sen. Angus King (I-ME) added that Rubio told the senators the plan is not the administrations position it is essentially the wish list of the Russians. But the State Department denied the denial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is blatantly false, wrote Tommy Pigott principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department on X late Saturday. As Secretary Rubio and the entire Administration has consistently maintained, this plan was authored by the United States, with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians. This is blatantly false. As Secretary Rubio and the entire Administration has consistently maintained, this plan was authored by the United States, with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians. https://t.co/wVuDO4iXE6 Tommy Pigott (@StateDeputySpox) November 23, 2025 A short time later, Rubio himself claimed the peace plan was authored by the U.S. and was not a Russian wish list. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations, Rubio wrote on X. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine. The peace proposal was authored by the U.S. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine. https://t.co/JWbAQ04kcw Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 23, 2025 And Rounds tried to aid in the walkback with a vaguely-worded X post of his own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciate Secretary Rubio briefing us earlier today on their efforts to bring about peace by relying on input from both Russia and Ukraine to arrive at a final deal, Rounds wrote. I appreciate Secretary Rubio briefing us earlier today on their efforts to bring about peace by relying on input from both Russia and Ukraine to arrive at a final deal. Senator Mike Rounds (@SenatorRounds) November 23, 2025 House Republican Don Bacon (NE) exploded over the chaotic events surrounding the peace plan. Some people better get fired on Monday for the gross buffoonery we just witnessed over the last four days, Bacon wrote on X. This hurt our country and undermined our alliances, and encouraged our adversaries. Some people better get fired on Monday for the gross buffoonery we just witnessed over the last four days. This hurt our country and undermined our alliances, and encouraged our adversaries. https://t.co/3UvqbUUPsF Rep. Don Bacon (@RepDonBacon) November 23, 2025 And that reaction was echoed by many observers across the political spectrum. Heres a sampling: So to sum up: Plan leaks US confirms plan real (Some) senators condemn plan Senators say Rubio calls them, denies its real plan White House denies that denial Rubio says yes it is real starting plan Robbie Gramer (@RobbieGramer) November 23, 2025 Someone please explain WTF is going on in the US. We're pretty sure the 28 point plan came from @kadmitriev, because @SteveWitkoff admitted it.@marcorubio confirmed this to US senators, calling it a Russian proposal. Later he said it was US-authored. What a clown show. pic.twitter.com/h0vNuOsQqC Maria Drutska (@maria_drutska) November 23, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Total clown show https://t.co/IQDqCvXKgu Brendan Nyhan (@BrendanNyhan on ) (@BrendanNyhan) November 23, 2025 If what Rubio says is true, and the 28-point proposal is in fact the *Russian* plan for Ukraine without input or support from the United States, the delivery of that proposal to Ukraine by the US, along with a deadline for Ukraine to respond, may be one of the biggest diplomatic Heath Mayo (@HeathMayo) November 23, 2025 A truly bizarre series of events. Senators from both parties said in Halifax that Rubio told them via phone today that the Ukraine peace plan is actually a Russian document, not a U.S. proposal. State Department spox says thats not true, its a U.S.-authored proposal. ??? https://t.co/E7DKCsLw8b Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) November 23, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let's quickly recap the past three hours: Republican and Democratic Senators say Rubio told them the 28 point plan was a Russian document, not an American plan. State Department says the Senators are lying. What a complete mess. Aaron Parnas (@AaronParnas) November 23, 2025 Hahahahhaha. This administration cant tell if their plan is Russian or American. Like watching two monkeys F a football bat https://t.co/ecpjcYkMjP Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) (@AdamKinzinger) November 23, 2025 The last few hours have proven 2 terrible things. First, the US and Russian governments are so close that the US government takes large parts of Russian proposals and passes them off as their own, and second that some people are so desperate to exonerate Trump that they act like https://t.co/aTbGcQUMXH Phillips P. OBrien (@PhillipsPOBrien) November 23, 2025 The post Clown Show! Rubio and Other Trump Officials Bashed for Truly Bizarre Handling of Russia Peace Plan Circus first appeared on Mediaite. Nov. 22 (UPI) -- No agreements were made to phase out the global use of fossil fuels during the United Nations COP30 climate summit in Brazil that ended on Saturda, but discussions to draft one will begin. Attending nations okayed a voluntary agreement to start discussions to create a plan seeking to gradually end the use of fossil fuels amid strong opposition from nations that produce oil and gas, according to The Guardian. The climate change conference opened with a draft agreement to address the world's changing climate, but it did not include a reference to fossil fuels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In lieu of a fossil fuels deal, the conference produced an agreement from participating wealthy nations to allocate $120 billion to developing nations by 2035 to help them adapt to a changing climate. The funds would count toward a $300 billion goal to finance climate change efforts in developing nations, the BBC reported. Representatives from respective COP30 nations also agreed to create a Tropical Forest Forever Facility fund to counteract deforestation. The fund already has $6.6 billion. Ahead of the climate change conference, many attendees had hoped to create a $1.3 trillion climate change fund, but that did not occur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many nations already have initiated measures to address climate change and its effects, but opposition has grown against the notion that a global consensus exists to end the use of fossil fuels to fend off a "climate crisis." President Donald Trump is among world leaders who want to expand the domestic use of fossil fuels and favor climate adaptation. Trump earlier said the United States would not attend the COP30 conference that started on Nov. 10 and ran an extra day into Saturday in Belem, Brazil. Some state-level representatives and others attended the conference, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who criticized Trump for not sending a U.S. delegation. The 2026 U.N. COP30 conference will be held in Turkey. Costco shoppers, take note: a class action lawsuit filed against the warehouse retailer alleges that its tequilas might not be as pure as the company claims. If you have a bottle of Kirkland Signature tequila at home, take a closer look at the label. It proclaims that the liquor inside is made with 100% agave. The lawsuit says that a scientific analysis conducted on the spirits found that the tequilas had been adulterated with ethanol not derived from agave plants. It claims that the 100% agave label allows Costco to sell the tequila at a higher price, which is deceptive marketing that tricks consumers into buying an inferior product instead of a premium spirit. Which Tequilas Are Named in the Lawsuit? The lawsuit names five different tequilas sold under the Kirkland Signature brand: tequila blanco, tequila anejo, tequila reposado, tequila anejo cristalino, and tequila extra anejo. The prices for each bottle range between $19 and $49, depending on product and location, according to the suit. Simply Recipes / Costco The Problem With Costcos Tequila If youre not familiar with how tequila is made, heres how it works: The heart of the blue agave plant, also called a pina, is cut from the plant and cooked to convert its starches into sugars that can be fermented into alcohol. Then, the cooked plant matter is mashed and fermented before being distilled into the tequila that you drink. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tequila doesnt have to be 100% agave. Mexicos Tequila Regulatory Council says a spirit only needs to be made with 51% agave to be considered tequila. The lawsuit filed against Costco claims that its tequilas might not meet that standard because they have been adulterated with a significant amount of ethanol (read: alcohol) from another source, like corn or sugar cane. So-called mixto tequilas, which are made by fermenting agave with other sugars, are common on the market. But unlike 100% agave tequilas, mixto tequilas generally arent considered a premium product. Some drinks professionals say that mixto tequilas are harsh in flavor, burn on the way down, and lack the flavor complexity of real tequila. What Does This Mean for Costcos Tequila? At this point, its too early to tell whether or not the lawsuits claims against Costco are truea court hasnt yet ruled on whether or not the allegations have merit, and Costco hasnt offered a response. But it wouldnt be the first time that a tequila brand has been busted for misusing the 100% agave claim. At least four major brandsincluding Don Julio, Casamigos, and Kendall Jenners 818 Tequilaare facing similar class action suits claiming that theyre selling adulterated tequila. What the lawsuit claims is that Costco sells cheaply made tequila to consumers while insisting that it's offering them a premium product. It alleges that the 100% agave label makes consumers think the tequila is cleaner and "healthier," making them willing to pay a little more than they would for a bottom-shelf bottle. The suit doesnt make claims that the product is unsafe or unhealthy, just that its not as pure or fancy as Costco insists that it is. As such, if you enjoy the tasteand price pointof a Kirkland tequila, its totally safe to keep on sipping. Read the original article on Simply Recipes Individuals named Maira are often perceived as possessing a blend of traditional values and independent thinking. They typically demonstrate strong emotional depth and resilience, reflecting the name's dual meaning of 'bitter' and 'beloved' - suggesting someone who can weather life's challenges while maintaining their capacity for deep affection and loyalty. Maira's tend to be intuitive and perceptive, with a quiet strength that others find reassuring. These individuals often exhibit artistic sensibilities and creative problem-solving abilities, combining practical wisdom with imaginative approaches to life's situations. Their Scottish heritage connection may manifest in a strong sense of identity, family loyalty, and appreciation for tradition balanced with modern adaptability. People named Maira are frequently described as having a grounded nature with an ability to connect deeply with others, making them valued friends and confidants who bring stability and insight to their relationships. A court battle is brewing between Tennessee State Senator Kerry Roberts and Camden, Tennessee-based Apex Bank over the foreclosure of Roberts' $4 million home and property in Robertson County. A Sumner County General Sessions Court judge, brought in to oversee the Robertson County case due to a conflict of interest on the part of local Judge Joel Perry, ruled in the bank's favor earlier this month. But that same appointed judge, Kee Bryant-McCormick, said the case stinks during her Nov. 12 ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts represents District 25 in the Tennessee State Senate, which serves Cheatham, Dickson, Hickman, Humphreys and Robertson Counties. What went wrong in Kerry Roberts foreclosure? Four parcels of land totaling 125 acres next to Roberts' existing home and property were purchased by Roberts' Historic Beeches LLC in December 2021 and May 2022, according to court records obtained by The Tennessean on Nov. 19. The house and attached parcels, off Highway 49 East near Springfield, went into foreclosure May 14 after Historic Beeches defaulted on a more than $4 million loan to Apex Bank in March, the records show. Historic Beeches LLC was building an event venue on the 125-acre attached plot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robertson County property assessor records show Apex Bank as the owner of the parcels and Roberts' home. But Roberts has refused to surrender the property, court records show. When reached for comment Nov. 19, Roberts said he plans to file an appeal for $250,000 that will move the case from General Sessions to Circuit Court in Robertson County and is due by Nov. 26. He declined further comment until the appeal is filed, he said. The case judge, Bryant-McCormick, said Apex purchased the home in foreclosure and raised the questions of fraud or wrongful foreclosure. "Based on the testimony today, the court does not find fraud," Bryant-McCormick opined Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said she did not believe the actions of Apex Bank were fraudulent. The judge said it was compelling to her that Roberts did not allege fraud or wrongful foreclosure in the case. But Bryant-McCormick did chastise Apex Bank in her ruling. "I do feel like that the Roberts' were taken advantage of. I do. But it's not illegal. The unfortunate thing is, is it right," the judge said. Bryant McCormick said she believed Apex Bank took advantage of a loophole. She did not elaborate on the business practices of Apex Bank that led to the foreclosure. "I feel that you two are in this particular situation because you got out-savvied by business folks, who didn't seem to care about your interests," she said, adding that when businesses say someone can have unlimited extensions, it's best to get that in writing so they can't change their minds later. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TN senator plans to appeal home, event center foreclosure Rep. Jasmine Crockett on Sunday appeared to show little sympathy for her colleague Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene after the Georgia Republican announced her upcoming resignation from Congress. In an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper on State of the Union, the Texas Democrat, long a foe of President Donald Trump, said Greenes decision came after she was on the opposite side of the president for only one week. You're on the other side of the president for one week, and you can't take the heat? Crockett said. Imagine what it is to sit in my shoes, to not only be on the opposite side of him, but to have people like her who are constantly fanning the flames of hate and imagine what those threats look like when you literally are someone like me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene announced Friday she would resign from Congress early in 2026 following a fallout between herself and Trump. Greene, once a loyal ally of Trump, had become a sharp critic of both the president and her own party over disagreements on the Epstein files, health care and the government shutdown. Greene alleged she had begun to face threats after Trump called her a traitor. But Crockett on Sunday pointed out that multiple other Republicans, notably Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Lauren Boebert of Colorado, have also faced the presidents ire in light of their support to release the files on the disgraced, deceased financier. I mean, listen, he's upset with Thomas Massie, and so he's gone after him. He's upset with Boebert, he's upset with any Republican that actually signed the discharge petition, Crockett said. But somehow they were able to weather the storm. Why is everyone else able to stand and you cant? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crockett and Greenes relationship has long been tense, at one point culminating in a confrontation between the two during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing last year. Still, Crockett had appeared to be showing some sympathy toward her congressional foe after Trump withdrew his support for Greene. Im here for you girl I told you not to trust him all he cares about is HIMself (and protecting pedos) he never loved you, Crockett tweeted at the time. It is unclear what Greenes future plans will be, but Crockett is expected to decide this week if she will launch a bid to challenge GOP Sen. John Cornyn. Its not a new problem. For more than three years, a Hartford shelter for people experiencing homelessness a fixture on Main Street since 1984 in a former church has looked for a new location to combine all its services in one building and evolve beyond its dormitory-style of sheltering. So far, South Park Inn has come up short in its search, even as it and other shelters face rising numbers of homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a plan is emerging that might open up new relocation options for the seven shelters across the city. Hartford is seeking to expand where shelters can be located in Hartford, easing restrictions that they be located solely in industrial zones. Shelter operators say industrial zones are too far away from bus lines, grocery stores and other social services. The city is developing a proposal that would potentially allow shelters in areas that now allow a lower density mix of residential, office and institutional uses that are compatible with nearby historic neighborhoods. Those areas are most often clustered around major thoroughfares in the city such as Farmington Avenue, Asylum Avenue, Wethersfield Avenue, Washington Street and Broad Street. Relocating a shelter to these areas would not be a permitted use but would require a variance, which can only be approved by the citys zoning board of appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the shelters in the city are not industrial zones, having been established prior to current zoning regulations. But now, they must comply with the latest rules should they want to relocate or expand. Being in an industrial zone means limited transportation, Theresa Nicholson, executive director of South Park Inn, said. It means limited access to food, such as grocery stores, bodegas, any place to pop in and get something to eat. People have to travel. So we really welcome a less restrictive set of rules for shelters. Nicholson said, The current zoning really discriminates against our most vulnerable populations, and weve been talking to city officials for years. But the plan also is sparking controversy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city already has narrowed down the areas of the city that would be covered by the proposal and has been hit by significant push back from leaders of some of Hartfords neighborhood revitalization zones. Those leaders say they havent been adequately part of the process of the developing a change that could affect them directly. They also argue that they have the right under state law to sign off on any development that impacts them. In a strongly-worded letter to the citys Planning and Zoning Commission, which must approve any change in zoning, the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association urged the proposed change be rejected. Asylum Hill extending into the citys West End is heavily concentrated with areas that could be affected by the proposed change. We firmly believe the state NRZ statute requires NRZ review and approval of all proposed housing in our neighborhood, regardless of whether it is a shelter, group living or apartment building, says the letter that the Asylum Hill NRZs executive director David MacDonald wrote. Asylum Hill has a long and negative history with rooming houses, and Asylum Hill already has several supportive housing sites, and we currently have one temporary shelter, MacDonald wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city has withdrawn an initial proposal for further study, and it expected to come under consideration again by February. Fabric of our neighborhoods City officials say the proposal is not aimed at any one shelter because the city has been approached by several seeking to relocate or expand. But they acknowledge threading the needle on the issue will be a challenge. We have to do it in a way that values the input of neighborhoods, but that allows for shelter space to be created in the city thats dignified and allows for those who are homeless in our city to find shelter, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said. Arulampalam said, I believe so deeply that we can construct shelters that respect the fabric of our neighborhoods that I am working on moving forward on a site that is just blocks away from my own home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor declined to identify the property. Arulampalam lives in the Frog Hollow neighborhood. Matthew Morgan, executive director of Journey Home, a nonprofit involved in shelter service planning in the capital region, said there have been numerous attempts to relocate shelters within Hartford over the years. That has always been very difficult because of the neighborhoods that feel like they would be harmed by and understandably so the concentration of people with complex service needs, Morgan said. So it always has been very difficult to relocate emergency shelter services within the city. Arulampalam said the zoning proposal is not specifically aimed at the 133 warming center beds at three locations that are expected to open Dec. 1 and remain active until March 31. The number of beds is up from 96 last year, and the citys budget for that service increased $46,000, to $276,000 in the current fiscal year from $230,000 a year ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the warming centers are a signal of the on-going need in the city. This is an emergency stop-gap measure for residents who would want to be in shelter beds during the other months of the year, but we just dont have capacity for it, Arulampalam said.. We create this stop-gap measure so that those residents dont freeze to death in the winter months. Demands on shelters rising Nationally, the experience of homelessness rose to a record high in 2024, up 18% to 771,480 individuals from 653,104 a year earlier, according to a recent report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, a nonpartisan organization. The report also noted that resources are simply inadequate to meet the demand, largely driven by the housing affordability crisis. In Connecticut, the states homeless population rose nearly 10% in 2025 from a year earlier, the fourth year in a row of growth, the states latest one-night point-in-time annual census of homelessness found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the count, there were 3,735 people living in shelters or outside in January 2025, compared to 3,410 in January 2024. In Hartford, there were 334 beds in year-round shelters across the city in 2024, down slightly from 348 a year earlier, according to Journey Home. The number for 2025 is now being compiled, Morgan said. The city of Hartford has 90% of the permanent, year-round shelter beds, but only 10% of the population of 1.2 million people in the greater Hartford area, Arulampalam said. The city shoulders a heavy burden when it comes to sheltering people experiencing homelessness, the mayor said. But when others dont step up, its important for us to do everything we can as a city to ensure that people dont die simply because they dont have access to shelter, Arulampalam said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Park Inns Nicholson said she sees the demand for beds rising 25% in 2026, noting that her 70-bed shelter program is consistently full. In addition, there are 18 beds for veterans and 15 for a medical respite program, Nicholson said. Demand is similar at other shelters in the city. People call us every day, multiple times a day, Marilyn Rossetti, chief executive officer at 130-bed, The Open Hearth on Charter Oak Avenue, said. I get texts. The minute someone leaves, its full. Theres a waiting list. There is no opportunities. Thats the sad part. Rossetti, also a city council member, said, Were a city that we want to serve an underserved population well and humanely and in a good way. Because what we ultimately want to do is have them become housed. And that takes a little time and effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicholson said South Park Inn has been able to maintain its consistently high standards, even at full capacity. But the shelter also has been actively looking for a new site, some have shown more promise than others, but she declined to identify specific properties. The shelter has not reached the stage of negotiations, Nicholson said. The difficulty in relocating a shelter is illustrated by South Park Inns failed efforts in 2022 to move to Homestead Avenue in the citys North End. The plan, pursued prior to Nicholsons tenure, collapsed under the pressure of neighborhood opposition. Local neighborhood leaders argued the area had accommodated significant investment in social services. They saw Homestead Avenue and the Salvation Army building as key to the neighborhoods economic revitalization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem here is very pressing, and its very human, Jeff Auker, Hartfords director of development services, said. The solution, no matter what we do, is going to be highly technical are we changing zones? are we doing variances? and those pieces will all add up to a solution. But youre doing it all within a very human context of those that need the services and then, the residents and business owners that are in the areas that we are putting them. Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com Michail Chkhikvishvili, a self-described cult leader who called himself Commander Butcher, did not look like a Hollywood vision of a contemporary terrorist, despite the bizarre, almost made-for-TV extremist actions he planned, such as having people dressed as Santa Claus hand out poison candies on the streets of New York. Chkhikvishvili appeared in a Brooklyn court last week as one might find an office IT tech: close-cropped hair and black-rimmed glasses, attentive, clear-spoken and cooperative as he was questioned about his understanding of a plea that could see him imprisoned for up to 18 years at his March sentencing. The 23-year-old Georgian neo-Nazi was in US federal court to plead guilty to charges of soliciting bombings, school shootings and other acts of hate-motivated violence across the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It marked the end of an astonishing saga of plans for inciting and carrying out outlandish and appalling crimes. Chkhikvishvili was the leader of the aptly named Maniac Murder Cult, an international racist violent extremist group. He recruited people to commit violent acts, including plotting a mass casualty attack in New York City. But now at least when finally facing a court of law Chkhikvishvili expressed regret. Im going to do better with my life, he told the court and explained that since being arrested in Moldova in May, he had been working out and going to church while in custody at the Metropolitan detention center in Brooklyn. He spoke about his depression and anxiety as a teenager and apologized to those communities he had targeted. Chkhikvishvilis new demeanor stood in stark contrast to allegations that he encouraged violent crimes, including bombings and arsons, against racial minorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November 2023, Chkhikvishvili developed a scheme to have individuals dress up as Father Christmas and hand out poison-laced candy to racial minorities and directed an undercover FBI agent to target Jewish schools and Jewish children in Brooklyn with poison. He wanted the attack to be a bigger action than Breivik, a reference to Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian neo-Nazi who killed 77 people in 2011, and had advised using simple available stuff to achieve maximum mayhem. It also depends what you bomb, for public places you must use nails, he advised, according to the government. Chkhikvishvili sent out manuals about creating and mixing lethal poisons and gases, including a Haters Handbook that outlined strategies for carrying out mass violence, including school shootings and ethnic cleansing. That manual, together with what the government calls solicitations of violence, is said to have inspired a livestreamed shooting at Antioch high school in Nashville, Tennessee, in January that left one student dead and another injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors also said that Chkhikvishvili solicited Nicholas Welker, AKA King of Wrath, the leader of the far-right Feuerkrieg Division, who last year pleaded guilty to conspiring to make death threats against a Brooklyn-based journalist. According to the government, Chkhikvishvili, who traveled to Brooklyn in 2022, wanted acolytes to record attacks. He told Welker to just explain to them what membership means in MKY [Maniac Murder Cult] and what actions should be recorded in good quality; Beating, Arson, Killing a Brutal Beating, Not Regular. Chkhikvishvilis plea comes as authorities are investigating a series of attacks in the US, including political murders of the rightwing debater Charlie Kirk and the Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman, and the radicalization of the would-be Trump assassin Thomas Crooks, raising pressing questions about online radicalization and how it conforms to simplistic but politically useful definitions of left/right orientation. In 2021, the Office for the Director of National Intelligence released an assessment that the most lethal domestic violent extremist threats to the US were racially and ethnically motivated violent extremists, or RMVE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maniac Murder Cult finds its ideological underpinnings in Satanism and Nazism, according to researchers at the Combating Terrorism Center at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. A report from the center said the groups strain of militant accelerationist neo-fascist ideology was unique because it relied on individuals, as opposed to groups, to achieve its goals and discussed how the group was redefining terrorism, recruitment, and mass violence. Luke Baumgartner, research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, said that the international nature of Maniac Murder Cult is part of a nihilist violent extremist category of terrorist threats that US law enforcement is now paying more attention to. They look to inspire people to carry out their own individual acts of terror or violence designed to desensitize others to the thought of violence. There are elements of different ideologies relating to neo-Nazism and jihadism, while at the same time idolizing school shooters, and thats the point violence for the sake of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the court accepted Chkhikvishvilis guilty plea, the attorney general, Pam Bondi, said, violent, nihilistic, racist groups like the Maniac Murder Cult are an ongoing threat to the American people our vigilance will not waver as we protect our citizens. Baumgartner said that RMVE groups are targeting younger people who cannot by definition be federal informants and may be more susceptible to extremist ideology. They dont have the development to recognise what theyre being exposed to as problematic, he said. Gerard Filitti with the Lawfare Project said the groups antisemitic intent wasnt just another hate crime this was a terrorist plot targeting Jewish children. A guilty plea is only the beginning. We need to dismantle the extremist networks that incubate this ideology, including the overseas organizations actively radicalizing Americans and exporting hatred into our communities. But Baumgartner said the key into motivation may simply be notoriety and the perils of the internet age that lead some young people nearly always young men down rabbit holes of isolation and extremism. Theyre irony-poisoned internet guys trading in memes and trying to be offensive to get a reaction, he said. If there is an upside, its that pretty much everyone can agree that putting these types of people on the stand and behind bars is a good thing regardless of political spectrum. Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro damaged his electronic ankle bracelet with a soldering iron hours before his arrest, according to video released by the Supreme Court. The footage shows Bolsonaro telling an officer he had applied "hot iron" to the device "out of curiosity." The plastic casing around the device appears to be scorched, though the officer said the core mechanism seemed intact. Asked whether he used an iron, he replies: "No, a soldering iron." Bolsonaro insisted he had not tried to remove the ankle bracelet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 70-year-old had been under house arrest since August for violating court orders. He was taken into custody early on Saturday after the bracelet triggered an alert shortly after midnight, prompting investigators to suspect tampering. Judge Alexandre de Moraes said a planned night vigil by Bolsonaro supporters, organized by his son Flavio Bolsonaro, could have created chaos that enabled the former president to flee, possibly to a friendly embassy nearby. He ordered preventive detention, citing flight risk and threats to public order. The arrest is separate from the more than 27-year sentence Bolsonaro received in September for an attempted coup following his 2022 election defeat. That verdict is not final, and enforcement had been expected as early as next week. Bolsonaro's lawyer offered no explanation for the damaged device and accused authorities of presenting a distored version of events. Police are investigating a deadly shooting in Madison the morning of Nov. 22 as self-defense, according to a news release from the Metro Nashville Police Department. Twenty-two-year-old Alexia Stephens was killed in the shooting. Police said the shooting occurred in the Gibson Creek complex on East Webster Street, at the apartment of Stephens' estranged wife, whom police did not identify by name. Officers arrived at 7:12 a.m. after receiving a 911 call from Jack Wade, a 21-year-old who police said acknowledged shooting Stephens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to MNPD, Stephens had moved out of the apartment a few days before. She arrived at her estranged wife's apartment Nov. 22 wanting to see the child the two shared. Stephens said if she was not let in, she would shoot through the door, the estranged wife told MNPD. Wade was at the apartment visiting, MNPD said. When the estranged wife unlocked the door, Stephens entered, put her arm around the wife's neck, and pointed her gun in the direction of Wade, the estranged wife told police. Wade told police he shot Stephens with a pistol after she pointed her gun at him. Stephens was taken to Skyline Medical Center and died there the afternoon of Nov. 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The estranged wife and Wade cooperated with detectives and gave statements at MNPD headquarters. Police had not filed criminal charges as of Nov. 22 at 8:45 p.m. Detectives will share their findings with the Nashville District Attorney's Office, MNPD said. Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him with questions, tips or story ideas at emealins@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Madison shooting Nov. 22: Alexia Stephens killed Recalls are an unfortunate reality for the American food industry. From a tuna recall that sickened over 400 diners to lead and bacteria contaminants in baby food that made mothers fear for their infants, tainted foodstuffs have shaped U.S. food safety laws for more than a century. One such incident, which occurred in the 1970s, came in a form that many would consider safe canned soup. The Newark, New Jersey-based Bon Vivant Soup Company made a variety of canned soups under a number of different brand names. One of their products was vichyssoise, a soup made with leeks and potatoes that was often served cold. The soup was quite popular until July 2, 1971, when the company unknowingly sent out cans of the soup that were tainted with botulin toxin. This resulted a massive soup recall, but not before one person was left paralyzed and another dead. New York resident Samuel Cochran and his wife, Grace, both consumed a can of Bon Vivant's vichyssoise soup and became seriously ill. Cochran died of botulism, and his wife was paralyzed for months. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a public warning, and Bon Vivant voluntarily recalled 6,444 cans of soup while an investigation took place. What it uncovered would change the future of the company forever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 13 Meats That Are Now Illegal In The US How a can of coup caused massive disaster Two crocks of vichyssoise soup, with the word "soup" on the front - sweet marshmallow/Shutterstock The FDA uncovered five cans of soup which contained the toxin, but further research into Bon Vivant's processing facilities also found that their practices were unsafe: The soup was not heated sufficiently to kill all bacteria, which resulted in the growth of botulinum type A, a neurotoxin with debilitating and often fatal side effects. This applied not only to vichyssoise, which was seen as a classy soup at the time, but also to other items that had been packaged there. Also, Bon Vivant's record-keeping was inaccurate, making it difficult to determine which batches were bad. On July 7, everything came to a head when the FDA shut down Bon Vivant's production plant. The company couldn't track down where all its products had ended up, so all Bon Vivant soups across the United States were seized; over a million cans were pulled from circulation, effectively ending the company's business. Just a few short weeks later, Bon Vivant filed for bankruptcy. The fallout was so shocking that other brands of vichyssoise took a dip in popularity as well. The company attempted a comeback Quality control technicians inspect cans of soup at a processing facility - CandyRetriever/Shutterstock You'd think that bankruptcy would be the end of Bon Vivant, but that's only half correct. The company's owner, James Paretti, went to court to reclaim the seized cans from the FDA. His idea was to sell them through a new company with Bon Vivant's previous name, Moore & Co, which he hoped it wouldn't be associated with Bon Vivant's scandal. However, the FDA destroyed all the cans by incineration, burning over 60,000 gallons of soup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paretti's rebranding dream didn't last either. Though the FDA reported that its Newark plant had met safety regulations, the damage had been done. After his company had been in the soup business for more than 100 years, Paretti called it quits in 1974. Today, safety regulations are stricter, so food production plants are inspected more regularly; as coverage noted, the FDA hadn't visited the Bon Vivant plant for four years prior to the recall. If a company doesn't take proper safety precautions with food, it can result in a huge recall that can affect millions. Perhaps the most striking result of the recall: If you go to a grocery store, you're very unlikely to find cans of vichyssoise for sale, as it fell out of favor after this incident. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter and add us as a preferred search source. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. Kansas Rep. Bill Sutton, R-Gardner, says during a Nov. 23, 2025, forum in Overland Park that religious faith drives his opposition to capital punishment and to support legislation replacing it with sentences requiring life in prison without a chance for parole. The forum was hosted by the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) OVERLAND PARK Rep. Bill Suttons opposition to the death penalty was conceived through Catholic faith, magnified by conservative wariness of government and molded into a cause during more than a decade of service to the Kansas House. Sutton, a Gardner Republican representing a district spread across southern Johnson and Douglas counties, endorsed all five bills introduced in the Legislature since 2017 to repeal capital punishment in Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a Saturday forum organized by the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty, Sutton echoed the belief of other panelists that retention of the death penalty in Kansas was inconsistent with pro-life ideals. There was an unacceptable risk the government could put to death innocent people, he said. And, he said, the status quo forced taxpayers to swallow the exorbitant cost of trials and appeals in capital murder cases. You dont have to be a bleeding heart to hate the death penalty. This thing has flaws all over the place, Sutton said. I have absolutely zero qualms about being against the death penalty. Its illogical. Its expensive. Its inconsistent with my beliefs. From 1973 to 2024, courts in the United States exonerated 200 people who had previously been sentenced to death. Nationally, about 2,100 men and women remain incarcerated on death sentences. Forty-four people have been executed in this country during 2025. Kansas hasnt executed anyone since 1965. Capital punishment was banned in Kansas from 1972 to 1994. While 15 men have been sentenced to death in this state since 1994, only nine await execution by lethal injection. The state hasnt had a death row exoneration in Kansas, but since the state reimposed capital punishment two of the 15 died of old age and four were resentenced to life after plea negotiations during the appellate process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For an audience at Johnson County Community College that included Republican and Democratic state legislators, Sutton said the Catholic Church instilled in him a belief that all life was sacred. This piece of religious instruction most often is expressed by politicians when debating whether the state should end access to abortion, he said. But, he added, politicians had a tendency to justify the punishment of death by placing a qualifier on their pro-life view. I treat life as sacred. That means when its young and cute and cuddly. Absolutely. That means when its old. Sure. That means when it is ugly and sick. Yeah. And, that means when it does tremendously heinous things, he said. Catholic Mobilizing Network executive director Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, left, and Nan Tolson, director of Texas Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, share insights during a Nov. 22, 2025, forum in Johnson County about their work to convince people of the Catholic faith and individuals who are politically or socially conservative to support repeal of capital punishment. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) Treated with dignity Death penalty opponents who took part in the forum included Nan Tolson, director of Texas Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty, and Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tolson, who worked for Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, said the Texas organization dedicated to ending capital punishment was founded in 2013. It has granted political and social conservatives a safe place to consider how the death penalty intersected with their principles and values, she said. More and more conservatives are recognizing that the death penalty is incompatible with pro-life values, she said. We have a moral obligation to respect all life, whether innocent or guilty. She said the death penalty was regrettably viewed as a liberal or progressive issue, but it was folly to put a partisan label on a topic everyone should care about deeply. She said, so far, 17 death penalty exonerations had occurred in Texas. Those are the just the ones that we have caught, and theres strong evidence that many states have actually executed people that were innocent, Tolson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said defenders of capital punishment argued removal of the ultimate penalty undermined law enforcement. In response, she said, death penalty critics should insist that abolition of the death penalty was a tough-on-crime position. Lean into that messaging a little bit and say, Were so proud to be tough on crime that were willing to look critically at our justice system and be able to recognize when things are working and when things are not, Tolson said. Murphy, executive director of the national Catholic organization working to dismantle capital punishment, said the reform process required education, advocacy and prayer. The goal should be to replace sentences of death with restorative justice that brought healing to perpetrators and victims, she said. We believe that, no matter the harm someone has caused or suffered, they deserve to be treated with dignity, Murphy said. Core to our faith understanding is that God has bestowed a sacred dignity on each and every person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said surveys of Catholics revealed that young adults in their 20s were more likely to be consistent in application of a life ethic and that could help move America away from capital punishment. I think they are the generation thats going to help end the death penalty, she said. Budget black hole The closest Kansas came in the past 15 years to repeal of capital punishment was a 20-20 vote in the Kansas Senate in 2010. Senators deadlocked on a bill that would have replaced death sentences with life in prison without a chance at parole. Donna Schneweis, chair of the Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty, said bills in the Senate and House introduced during 2025 would remain in play during the 2026 session. House Bill 2272 and Senate Bill 245 would abolish the death penalty for crimes committed after July 1, 2025. The capital murder statute would be replaced by a new crime of aggravated murder, which would have a sentence of imprisonment for life without parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Schneweis said, neither the House nor Senate judiciary committees held hearings on the legislation during the the 2025 session. Sutton said members of the Legislature should consider issues beyond personal faith. He said application of capital punishment created a fiscal black hole, because a Kansas death penalty case might cost three to four times more than a typical murder case. The Kansas State Board of Indigents Defense Services estimated the potential savings of not handling new death-penalty-eligible cases could reach $5 million annually. From a fiscal standpoint, this thing is a nonstarter, Sutton said. We spend money. We achieve absolutely nothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also fretted about the enormous power entrusted to district and county attorneys to fairly make use of death penalty statutes. He said prosecutors were filing capital charges to entice defendants to take guilty pleas in a quest to save time and money. Justice should be steering this process, not leverage. The death penalty is leverage for the justice system. And thats backward, Sutton said. Germany deported 19,538 people over the first 10 months of this year, around a fifth more than in the same period last year, the Interior Ministry reported on Sunday. The rise compared with the first 10 months of 2023 was even higher at 45%. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who has been in office since the beginning of May this year, told Sunday's Bild newspaper, "It's about control, direction and clear lines in migration policy, and that applies to returns as well." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dobrindt added: "We will continue to pursue this course consistently and are preparing deportations to Syria and Afghanistan." At the end of last month, Dobrindt said that talks on deportations between German government representatives and Afghanistan's Taliban government were close to conclusion. Markus Soder, head of the Bavaria-based Christian Social Union (CSU) and a key partner in Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition government, said on Saturday that the aim was to organize "a deportation offensive next year that must then take place." Speaking after a closed-doors meeting of the CSU in Munich, Soder specifically mentioned Syria and Afghanistan. He has also proposed a dedicated deportation terminal for Munich airport. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY A deputy was released from a hospital two days after the Nov. 21 Bermuda Club eviction shooting that led to the death of veteran Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, 47. Deputy Tino Arizpe, with 25 years at the agency, was shot in the shoulder as deputies were serving an eviction notice on Nov. 21. He was released from HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital around noon Nov. 23, according to a social media post by the agency. He is now continuing his recovery at home surrounded by support, it said. Indian River County Sheriff's Deputy Tino Arizpe The accused shooter, Michael Halberstam, 37, died Nov. 22 while receiving medical treatment for what officials said were multiple gunshot wounds sustained in the exchange. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Altogether, three deputies were at the 1137 Governors Way home on the barrier island of Orchid around 9 a.m. that morning and had entered an entrance way to the home, when Halberstam was said to have retrieved a weapon and began firing "indiscriminately," said Sheriff Eric Flowers. Arizpe sought shelter in the home's garage and returned fire along with Sgt. Gary Farless who was uninjured, while Sweeting-Mashkow died inside the home, Flowers said. Flowers said at a Nov. 21 news conference deputies went to the home seven times in the past month. Court records show deputies around Nov. 7 first attempted to serve eviction notice paperwork at the home after the eviction process began by Halberstam's mother around Nov. 5, who in court filings states her son began living at the residence in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flowers said Halberstam was not "on our radar." He said he had a 2015 assault charge and earlier drug-related charges all out of Virginia. Those charges were later dropped. (This story was updated with new information and video.) Here's what we know: 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? Sweeting-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. Indian River County Clerk of Court records dated Nov. 5 show Bradley Hurst Halberstam filed eviction paperwork against Michael Hurst Halberstam. Records show Michael Hurst Halberstam about 2018 took possession of the home in the 1100 block of Governors Way, and that in November Bradley Hurst Halberstam revoked consent for Michael Hurst Halberstam to be there. The shooting injured Deputy Tino Arizpe and Vero Beach area locksmith David Long. Sgt. Gary Farless wasn't injured. Arizpe was released from HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital Nov. 23, but Long remained in critical condition. Halberstam died the afternoon of Nov. 22 at the same hospital. Sweeting-Mashkows death is the second line of duty death in about 100 years of the agency. Indian River County Sheriff's Cpl. Richard "Raz" Raczkoski is the only other line-of-duty death in that agency. The 29-year-old deputy was shot by a suspect Sept. 23, 1986. A stretch of State Road 60 from Interstate 95 to 43rd Avenue is named for him. Along that stretch there was a ZIppy Mart, where Raczkoski responded to a 911 hang up in the dark early morning. There was a confrontation between him and a suspect, William Reaves. Reaves shot him multiple times, and he died on his way to the hospital, according to Press Journal archives. Reaves has been on death row since 1992. Sweetin-Mashkow's 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. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: IRCSO deputy involved in fatal shooting Nov. 21 released from hospital Symbolically, Maitane embodies multiple layers of meaning that extend beyond its literal translation of 'dearly loved.' The name represents the enduring power of cultural memory and the transmission of heritage across generations. As a Basque name that survived periods of linguistic suppression, it symbolizes cultural resilience and the triumph of identity preservation. Metaphorically, Maitane serves as a living bridge between ancestral traditions and contemporary life, demonstrating how meaningful cultural elements can adapt and thrive in modern contexts. The name also carries symbolic weight as an embodiment of feminine strength and cultural continuity, reflecting the historical role of Basque women in maintaining language and traditions. In psychological symbolism, Maitane represents the concept of 'rooted affection'love that is deeply connected to one's origins and identity. It suggests an individual who serves as an emotional touchstone for others, providing stability and genuine connection in relationships. The name's melodic quality and meaningful origin make it a symbol of beauty that emerges from cultural authenticity. In broader symbolic terms, Maitane represents the idea that true love encompasses not just personal affection but also respect for heritage, commitment to community, and the preservation of meaningful traditions. This multi-layered symbolism makes the name particularly powerful for those who understand its cultural context and historical significance. A billion-dollar money-laundering network linked to Russian spies is operating in 28 towns and cities in Britain. A National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation, Operation Destabilise, revealed that Moscows intelligence services tried to use the network to fund a Bulgarian spy ring in Britain. Six of these spies were sentenced to lengthy prison terms at the Old Bailey in May after the judge said their activities had posed a serious risk to British national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The international network, led by groups known as Smart and TGR, conspires to launder money for gangs involved in cybercrime; drugs and firearms smuggling; and organised immigration crime. Biser Dzhambazov, Katrin Ivanova and Orlin Roussev (left to right) were among the Bulgarians convicted of spying for Russia in Britain It receives dirty cash and converts it to cryptocurrency for a fee. These cash to crypto swaps are key to the global criminal ecosystem, the NCA said. Smart is run by Ekaterina Zhdanova, a 39-year-old who has graced the covers of Russian magazines and was sanctioned by the United States in 2023. Ekaterina Zhdanova runs the international money-laundering network According to the NCA, in the summer of 2023, the Russian intelligence services attempted to use the Smart group to fund individuals based in Britain and Europe, including the Bulgarian spies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NCA revealed the details on Friday as it unveiled the second phase of Operation Destabilise, saying that a further 45 suspected money-launderers had been arrested and more than 5.1m in cash seized, in less than 12 months. Intelligence gathered during the operation helped the agencys international partners seize $24m (18m) and more than 2.6m (1.9m) from the network. Since the operation began, there have been a total of 128 arrests and more than 25m seized in cash and cryptocurrency in Britain alone. The NCA is targeting money-laundering couriers with posters in motorway service station toilets in English and Russian that read: Moving money for organised criminals might seem like easy work, but it ends with hard time. For illegal money movers, arrest is just a matter of time. Orlin Roussev, who led the Bulgarian spy ring in Britain, was arrested in 2023 in Great Yarmouth - Met Police/PA Sal Melki, the NCAs deputy director for economic crime, said those who move criminal cash for the group do not understand the risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: For a few hundred quid, there is a very good chance you could be going to prison for over five years 100 pounds made for each year youll serve. Mr Melki said millions of Britons will have seen these messages at service stations, adding that the NCA wanted launderers to know the walls are closing in on them. The people that have been responsible for facilitating those payments that are supporting the Russian industrial military base are operating in at least 28 cities and towns in the UK, he added. The NCA also revealed that the laundering network purchased a bank in Kyrgyzstan to facilitate sanctions evasion and payments in support of Russian military efforts in Ukraine. 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. Disgraced ex-TV anchor Stephanie Hockridge will spend the next 10 years behind bars for her role in a multimillion-dollar COVID fraud scheme serving her time in the same cushy lockup as notorious sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The 42-year-old, a former Phoenix TV anchor-turned-entrepreneur, was sentenced in Texas federal court Friday and ordered to cough up nearly $64 million in restitution for the bogus Paycheck Protection Program loans she helped secure during the height of the pandemic, the Justice Department announced. Hockridge, found guilty in June of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, will report to prison on Dec. 30. Stephanie Hockridge, 42, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Texas federal court Friday. Facebook / Stephanie Hockridge Hockridge was sentenced in Texas federal court and ordered to cough up nearly $64 million in restitution. ABC15 Arizona She will be locked up at Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas the same minimum-security facility that houses Jeffrey Epsteins madam, disgraced Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes, and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City scammer Jen Shah, AZ Family reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hockridge and her husband, Nathan Reis, founded a lending services company called Blueacorn in 2020, which they claimed was designed to help small businesses secure federal Paycheck Protection Program loans at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hockridge and her husband founded a lending services company called Blueacorn, claiming it was designed to help small businesses secure federal Paycheck Protection Program loans at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Facebook/Stephanie Hockridge But prosecutors said the couples Scottsdale-based firm charged borrowers kickbacks based on a percentage of the funds received and submitted applications to the US Small Business Administration, which ran the PPP program, that they knew where loaded with fraudulent information. In one application, Reis reportedly falsely claimed he was a veteran and an African American. Hockridge and her husband, Nathan Reis, fraudulently obtained over $300,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for themselves. ABC15 Arizona In total, they processed more than $63 million in bogus PPP loans, according to the DOJ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PPP was an $800 billion federal loan initiative launched in 2020 to help small businesses keep workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigators alleged that the couple used the proceeds to enrich themselves personally. Her conviction marks one of the highest-profile PPP fraud cases to date involving a public figure. Facebook / Stephanie Hockridge The former KNXV-TV anchor claimed that her actions were a sincere effort to support small businesses in navigating a chaotic government problem during an era of unprecedented need. But a congressional report found that Blueacorn routinely failed to properly vet applicants and charged illegal success fees to borrowers violating Small Business Administration rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also detailed how Blueacorns leadership instructed staff to prioritize speed over accuracy. She will be locked up at the same minimum-security facility that houses Jeffrey Epsteins madam and notorious sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. SDNY Hockridge was an anchor at KNXV-TV, the ABC affiliate in Phoenix, and previously worked as a reporter for CBS News Radio in London. Facebook/Stephanie Hockridge Reis took a plea deal in August and will be sentenced in December. Hockridge spent seven years as an anchor at KNXV-TV, the ABC affiliate in Phoenix, and had previously worked as a reporter for CBS News Radio in London. She was nominated for an Emmy and named Favorite Newscaster by Arizona Foothills Magazine. Her conviction marks one of the highest-profile PPP fraud cases to date involving a public figure. More than two months after a daring robbery at Disney Springs, authorities have yet to identify the suspect who raided the Paddlefish restaurant wearing scuba gear. The incident, which occurred after the restaurant closed, involved a suspect swimming up to the Paddlefish restaurant, stripping down, and stealing over $10,000 as managers opened the safe. The suspect then swam away, leaving deputies with little information to pursue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Channel Nine broke the news in September when a picture of the suspect went viral. Since then, we have periodically checked in on the case but have not reported any progress. We will continue to follow up on this story and will update you if there is any new information. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Waymo is getting the green light to test and eventually expand its driverless taxi service across the entire Bay Area and beyond. The DMV gave the go-ahead Friday to the company to launch the robotaxis in the North Bay, East Bay and eastward to Sacramento. Right now, the robotaxis are giving rides from San Francisco down to the South Bay. But you can't order a ride from the city to the other side of the bay just yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a milestone. It's a major milestone for Waymo. They are trying very hard to cover the whole state," said Ahmed Banafa, tech expert and professor at San Jose State University. "This is just confirming that California is the cradle for technology, and this kind of technology should expand here and people should get a taste of driverless or robotaxis." MORE: Waymo's self-driving cars hitting Bay Area freeways, expanding to San Jose But he says the expansion won't be without its challenges. "There are so many challenges they're going to face. Scaling, you know, whatever. So far, they have to have manufacturing workers. They have to, you know, modify many, many other cars. So, it's coming to the whole state," Banafa said. "The other thing is safety. It's a big concern, safety. The issue with the driverless taxis, or robotaxis, one incident is high profile." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waymo responded to the approval in a statement, reading in part: "We appreciate the DMV's approval of our expanded fully autonomous operations. We're proud to provide over one million safe, reliable, magical rides every month in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and we're looking forward to opening our service to more Californians." Waymos are already being spotted in the East Bay. Photos were taken in Alameda, where the people we spoke with had mixed feelings about riding in the robotaxis. "Maybe, you know, if it becomes cheaper than, like, Lyft driver services, then maybe. But if not, I don't think so," said resident Patrick Phan. MORE: Zoox autonomous taxis welcoming first riders in San Francisco "I think I'll be, like, too skeptical to use it, because, like, would something happen?" said Courtney Lewis from Alameda. "No, I wouldn't use it. I wouldn't. I just don't think I would." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think it's cool," said Teira Starling. "I think I won't use it, but I would like to see it passing with nobody driving in it." Waymo isn't saying when service will begin in these new areas. The company still needs to go through the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates the rates for riders. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live The department of government efficiency (Doge) has apparently been dissolved with eight months still remaining on its contract, ending a drawn-out campaign of invading federal agencies and firing thousands of federal workers. That doesnt exist, the office of personnel management (OPM) director, Scott Kupor, told Reuters earlier this month when asked about Doges status, adding that it was no longer a centralized entity. The statement confirmed longstanding suspicions that Doge, created by an executive order that Donald Trump signed on his first day, was on its way out. The tech billionaire Elon Musk and the former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy were tapped to lead the effort and were expected to drive large scale structural reform through 24 July 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are actually trying to be as transparent as possible, Musk said about the department back in February, ignoring the fact that Doge agents refused to identify themselves in many cases, slashed agency spending often without consulting the agencies, and did not transparently provide a public accounting of its work. I dont know of a case where an organization has been more transparent than the Doge organization. Suspicions that Doge may have been disbanded began to surface earlier this summer. Politico recently reported that in June, staffers had packed up their clothes and bedding at the departments headquarters, where they had been sleeping since February, and looked for new homes. The rehousing followed the explosive online feud between Trump and Musk, and many former employees reportedly grew worried that their role in slashing government programs and eliminating jobs could carry criminal repercussions. By May, more than 200,000 federal workers had been laid off and roughly 75,000 had accepted buyouts. The organization said these cuts saved billions of dollars in expenditure, but it was impossible for experts to authenticate these claims because of the lack of public accounting. Now, if somebody from Doge, or representing themselves from Doge, asked me to do something, I wouldnt just blindly do it, a former Doge official who now reports to a federal agency told Politico back in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Trump administration officials have not publicly commented on the fact Doge reportedly no longer exists, documents revealed by Reuters showed that the OPM, the federal governments human resources office, have since taken over many of the departments former responsibilities. Trump has also been known to speak about Doge in the past tense and Musk officially leaving Washington in May further heightened speculations. Many of the agencys key players have since moved into other roles across government. Amy Gleason, the acting administrator, became an adviser to the health and human services secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, in March. Zachary Terrell, another senior member of the team, is now chief technology officer at the Department of Health and Human Services, while Rachel Riley has taken up the post of chief of the Office of Naval Research, according to Reuters. The most prominent of these departures was Joe Gebbia, the co-founder of Airbnb, who has since been instructed by Trump to beautify government websites. So far, since his Doge work, Gebbia has redirected his efforts, launching websites to recruit law enforcement officers to patrol Washington DC and advertise the presidents extensive drug pricing program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Gordon-Darby Holdings Inc., the vendor for the states annual emissions testing program, filed a notice to sue New Hampshire over the new law ending the mandate, saying that it would violate the Clean Air Act (CAA). Allison Wood and Andrew Knudsen, legal counsel for the company, informed Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn and Department of Environmental Services (DES) Commissioner Robert Scott, that if DES, as expected, makes application to federal officials to leave the Ozone Transport Region, then within 60 days it will go into federal court and seek a declaratory judgment that the state must honor its contract with the company. In June, the two-year state budget included a provision to repeal, effective Jan. 31, the mandatory safety and emissions inspection requirements for cars and trucks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plain terms of the CAA (Clean Air Act) explicitly require New Hampshire to include such a program in the State Implementation Plan (SIP), the Gordon-Darby lawyers wrote in its notice to sue. Friday was the last day for public comment on the DES petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for permission to leave the Ozone Transport Region and to approve an amendment to its SIP that spells out repeal of the inspection mandate. State regulators insist even after the mandate goes away that the state will remain in compliance with levels of noxious chemicals in the air being well below federal requirements. On Sept. 15, the state served notice to Gordon-Darby that it was terminating the contract the company has held since 1999 to administer the emissions part of the inspection program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gordon-Darby lawyers said both EPA Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn and Scott warned the Legislature in writing that if it eliminated the emissions inspections without federal approval it risked the loss of federal highway funding along with additional emission requirements. If this legislation passes, New Hampshire will no longer meet the CAA requirements for I/M (Inspection/Maintenance) programs, Sanborn wrote in April, according to Gordon-Darbys filing. At a minimum, the lawyers maintain the state cant end the emissions requirement unless and until the EPA approves the states petition. At a public hearing last week, Dan Bennett, president of the New Hampshire Auto Dealers, and Catherine Corkery, chapter director of the Sierra Club, also registered their opposition to the petition. Rep. Peter Leishman, D-Peterborough, is working on legislation for the 2026 session that if adopted would reinstate inspections in some form. klandrigan@unionleader.com There are growing concerns over the possibility of armed conflict between Horn of Africa neighbours, Ethiopia and Eritrea, as hostile rhetoric has ratcheted up in recent weeks. Landlocked Ethiopia's calls for access to the Red Sea through Eritrea has triggered a fierce war of words. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed first openly declared in 2023 that his nation's access to the sea was an existential matter, comments that Eritrea dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relations between the two countries have frequently been strained. After a decades-long battle for independence, Eritrea, which has a 1,350km (840-mile) Red Sea coastline, officially seceded from Ethiopia in 1993, leaving it landlocked. Five years later, a border war erupted in which more than 100,000 people died. What has Ethiopia said? Abiy and army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula have openly claimed ownership of Eritrea's southern port of Assab about 60km from the border - and hinted at the desire to take it by force. On 1 September, Abiy said Ethiopia's "mistake" of losing access to the Red Sea as a result of Eritrea secession would be "corrected tomorrow". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ethiopia's ambassador to Kenya, retired Gen Bacha Debele, said that Assab was "Ethiopia's wealth" and would be returned "by force". "The question now is not whether Assab is ours or not, but how do we get it back?" Ambassador Bacha told pro-government YouTube Channel Addis Paradigm on 3 November. Map On 21 September, army chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula told soldiers that they would fight a country that had denied Ethiopia access to the sea, a reference to Eritrea. "Our population is now 130 million and will grow to 200 million in the next 25 years. How come the interests of two million people [referring to Eritrea] override those of 200 million people?" Birhanu asked on 25 October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will strengthen our defence forces, speed up our development and secure a sea outlet." In late August, the head of the defence forces' military diplomacy, Maj Gen Teshome Gemechu, said Ethiopia's ownership of Assab port "has become our survival interest worth paying any price for". The head of the army's engineering department, Gen Desta Abchie, told a meeting of senior officer that the army was "toiling day in and day out" towards securing access to the Red Sea. How has Eritrea responded? In the face of persistent threats from Ethiopia, Eritrea's reaction has been limited to short statements on X from Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has rejected Ethiopia's push for access to the Red Sea describing it as "dangerous" and a "toxic agenda" of "irredentism" a policy of claiming back lost territory. The information ministry warned on 16 September that attempts to legitimise "flagrant aggression" would have serious consequences for Ethiopia and its neighbours and is a "redline that should not be crossed". In a rare reaction to the threats from Ethiopia, the Eritrean army warned in a report on 13 November that Ethiopian leaders should refrain from leading the Ethiopian people into a quagmire. "The fate of anyone crossing the red line is plunging into an abyss from which they will never have a second chance to learn," the army said. What are the armies doing on the ground? There have been no reports of major military movements in the border areas between the two countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in Ethiopia, state television has shown graduation ceremonies of thousands of cadets at various military training camps. The head of human resources department of the defence force, Lt Gen Hachalu Sheleme, recently said in an interview that the army was in a "reliable position" as "tens of thousands of youths" were joining it, which he said was "a message to our enemies". On 20 September, Ethiopia's President Taye Atske Selassie promoted 66 senior army officers at Abiy's recommendation. Taye said on the occasion that Ethiopia's military preparedness was "elaborate". The army has also been parading newly acquired weapons, including artillery, tanks and armoured vehicles on national days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been no comments or military parades by the Eritrean army in public so far. However, Eritrea has a mandatory national service in which thousands of young men and women receive military training every year. Pro-opposition Asena TV reported on 15 October that the government had imposed movement restrictions on troops, ordering them to remain within their respective positions. What are the media saying in Ethiopia? State media outlets in Ethiopia have amplified the government's narrative that the country "lost" its Red Sea ports "unjustly" and it was time to reclaim them. State ETV news bulletins are preceded by commentaries on the "unjust loss" of access to the Red Sea and ways to regain it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ETV has also shown footage of demonstrators and graduating soldiers displaying placards reading "from the dam to the sea" (referring to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile) and "Assab is ours" or "Assab is Ethiopia's". Local media say the government has mobilised online actors to disseminate its narrative on the issue. "The Ethiopian government is using a digital 'army of 60,000' individuals to defend it against criticism and spread its messages," US-based Ethiopian Media services reported on 30 December. What are the media saying in Eritrea? Eritrea's state media, mainly television, have been issuing editorials and commentaries accusing Ethiopia of attempts to "deceive the world by revisiting issues that were settled decades ago". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an editorial commentary on 11 October, the TV accused the Ethiopian government of attempts to incite a conflict between the two countries by "reviving an issue legally settled once and for all". The information ministry's editorial board said in a commentary on 1 November that Eritrea could not be blamed for Ethiopia's challenges. Ethiopia's threat to seize Assab appears to have made some foreign-based Eritrean media outlets that are usually critical of the government change their tune. One such outlet, the UK-based Asena TV, has been warning its viewers and Eritrean dissidents that they should put their political differences aside and defend their country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Paris-based pro-opposition Radio Erena condemned in March what it called Ethiopia's provocative statements. What are the roots of the tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea? For more than half a century from 1890, Eritrea was governed by Italian colonisers. After Italy's defeat in the Second World War, it was then administered by the British military before becoming a federated part of Ethiopia. But in 1962 Emperor Haile Selassie I cancelled this arrangement and Eritrea became fully incorporated into Ethiopia. A three-decade long civil war followed, ending with Ethiopia's defeat in 1991. Independence was then approved by Eritreans in a referendum in 1993. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a few years in the 1990s there were good relations between the governments in Addis Ababa and Asmara, but they fell out over the exact location of their common border, leading to war in 1998. Though this ended in a peace deal in 2000, it was never fully implemented, and the two nations remained at loggerheads. This ended in 2018, when Abiy made overtures to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. The two signed a declaration that the war was over a move that earned Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize. The two governments were then allies in the Ethiopia's 2020-2022 civil war in Tigray. But relations have since broken down again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BBC Monitoring provides updates and analysis of global news events as reported by the world's media More BBC stories on Ethiopia and Eritrea: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Former president Mauricio Macri warned on Friday that Argentina could weaken its export base if it distances itself from China, sharpening his public split with President Javier Milei. Macri argued that China remains central to Argentina's sales of soy, beef and other raw materials, goods the US already produces in abundance. "China is more complementary than the United States for Argentina. I do not think it is good to interrupt that process," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A long-time Milei ally, Macri was instrumental in the ultra-libertarian president's 2023 election victory. Known as a moderating voice within the country's right-wing faction, he is credited by diplomats and media for tempering the president's harsh rhetoric against China after a presidential campaign where Milei called the Chinese "murderers" and promised to sever commercial ties between the two countries. But Milei has been distancing himself from his supporter and mentor, assuming a more independent stance, especially after unexpectedly winning Argentina's legislative elections in October, when his party captured nearly 41 per cent of the vote and 64 of 157 seats up for election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his interview on Friday, Macri recalled he also faced pressure from Washington during his presidency to ditch ties with Beijing, noting that Barack Obama pushed the issue politely while Donald Trump was more forceful. Even so, he said he kept both relationships running in parallel. "[During my presidency] I was able to tell [Trump], 'No, we're better friends, but I'm keeping my relationship with China,'" Macri said. Like Milei, Macri assumed the presidency of Argentina in 2015 with a critical, sceptical stance towards China, but this changed rapidly. During his first months, he froze construction of two hydroelectric dams in Patagonia built by the Chinese and started a review of contracts signed by the former administration with Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also called for an investigation of Chinese activities at the deep space station in Neuquen, operated by officials of China's People's Liberation Army. But by 2018, as Argentina's finances deteriorated, Macri expanded the currency swap with China's central bank to reinforce reserves and deepened relations with Beijing. Later that year, he also hosted President Xi Jinping for the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, and together they presided over the signing of dozens of cooperation agreements. At the time, he remarked that Argentina performs better "the more China develops". Ex-president Macri's remarks followed Milei's promotion of a new commercial deal with the US last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Argentine administration told the media that the deal would cover tariffs, agricultural access, labour rules, environmental standards, state-run companies and digital trade - something Milei called "a tremendous piece of news". He also rejected claims that Washington would dominate the agreement, arguing that the United States "has many more things to put on the table" because of its economic scale. The agreement has also been discussed amid rising friction in Washington over Argentina's finances and export markets, with Trump officials disputing China's influence in the South American country. That tension surfaced publicly in late September when a photograph showed US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant reading a text message complaining that Argentina had suspended export taxes shortly after receiving a US bailout. Argentina's President Javier Milei is an avowed fan of US President Donald Trump and wants closer trade ties with the US, but at China's expense. Photo: Reuters alt=Argentina's President Javier Milei is an avowed fan of US President Donald Trump and wants closer trade ties with the US, but at China's expense. Photo: Reuters> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tax holiday allowed Chinese buyers to snap up cheaper soybeans, prompting a rush of orders that rattled futures markets in Chicago and angered farm groups in the Midwest. Concerns in Washington extend beyond agricultural sales. In April, Trump adviser Mauricio Claver Carone told an audience in Miami that any new IMF programme for Argentina should avoid strengthening China's position, singling out the currency swap agreement between Beijing and Buenos Aires that he called "extortionate", and urging the Milei government to unwind it. Argentina renewed that swap in June last year for about US$5 billion, and economists in Buenos Aires said it remains one of the central bank's few immediate sources of foreign currency. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. By Courtney Rozen WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency has disbanded with eight months left to its mandate, ending an initiative launched with fanfare as a symbol of Trump's pledge to slash the government's size but which critics say delivered few measurable savings. "That doesn't exist," Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor told Reuters earlier this month when asked about DOGE's status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is no longer a "centralized entity," Kupor added, in the first public comments from the Trump administration on the end of DOGE. The agency, set up in January, made dramatic forays across Washington in the early months of Trump's second term to rapidly shrink federal agencies, cut their budgets or redirect their work to Trump priorities. The OPM, the federal government's human resources office, has since taken over many of DOGE's functions, according to Kupor and documents reviewed by Reuters. At least two prominent DOGE employees are now involved with the National Design Studio, a new body created through an executive order signed by Trump in August. That body is headed by Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, and Trump's order directed him to beautify government websites. Gebbia was part of billionaire Elon Musk's DOGE team while DOGE employee Edward Coristine, nicknamed Big Balls, encouraged followers on his X account to apply to join. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fading away of DOGE is in sharp contrast to the government-wide effort over months to draw attention to it, with Trump, his advisers and cabinet secretaries posting about it on social media. Musk, who led DOGE initially, regularly touted its work on his X platform and at one point brandished a chainsaw to advertise his efforts to cut government jobs. "This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy," Musk said, holding the tool above his head at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, in February. DOGE claimed to have slashed tens of billions of dollars in expenditures, but it was impossible for outside financial experts to verify that because the unit did not provide detailed public accounting of its work. "President Trump was given a clear mandate to reduce waste, fraud and abuse across the federal government, and he continues to actively deliver on that commitment," said White House spokeswoman Liz Huston in an email to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TRUMP OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN SIGNALING DOGE'S DEMISE Trump administration officials have not openly said that DOGE no longer exists, even after Musk's public feud with Trump in May. Musk has since left Washington. Trump and his team have nevertheless signaled its demise in public since this summer, even though the U.S. president signed an executive order earlier in his term decreeing that DOGE would last through July 2026. In statements to reporters, Trump often talks about DOGE in the past tense. Acting DOGE Administrator Amy Gleason, whose background is in healthcare tech, formally became an adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy in March, according to a court filing, in addition to her role with DOGE. Her public statements have largely focused on her HHS role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican-led states, including Idaho and Florida, meanwhile are creating local entities similar to DOGE. A government-wide hiring freeze - another hallmark of DOGE - is also over, Kupor said. Trump on his first day in office barred federal agencies from bringing on new employees, with exceptions for positions his team deemed necessary to enforce immigration laws and protect public safety. He later said DOGE representatives must approve any other exceptions, adding that agencies should hire "no more than one employee for every four" that depart. "There is no target around reductions" anymore, Kupor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FORMER DOGE EMPLOYEES MOVE ON TO NEW ROLES DOGE staff have also taken on other roles in the administration. Most prominent is Gebbia, whom Trump tasked with improving the visual presentation of government websites. So far, his design studio has launched websites to recruit law enforcement officers to patrol Washington, D.C., and advertise the president's drug pricing program. Gebbia declined an interview with Reuters via a spokesperson. Zachary Terrell, part of the DOGE team given access to government health systems in the early days of Trump's second term, is now chief technology officer at the Department of Health and Human Services. Rachel Riley, who had the same access according to court filings, is now chief of the Office of Naval Research, according to the offices website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeremy Lewin, who helped Musk and the Trump administration dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development, now oversees foreign assistance at the State Department, according to the agency's website. Musk shortly after Trumps election said he had a mandate to delete the mountain of government regulations. He made undoing government regulations and remaking the government with AI two key tenets of DOGE, in addition to eliminating federal government jobs. The administration is still working toward slashing regulations. The White House budget office has tasked Scott Langmack, who was DOGEs representative at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with creating custom AI applications to pore through U.S. regulations and determine which ones to eliminate, according to his LinkedIn profile. Musk, meanwhile, has reappeared in Washington. This week, he attended a White House dinner for Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (Reporting by Courtney Rozen; editing by Chris Sanders and Deepa Babington) As the dispute over hunting and fishing rights deepens between Oklahoma's governor and the state's largest tribal nations, the disagreement is shining a renewed spotlight on the impacts of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision. Both Gov. Kevin Stitt and tribal leaders point to the court's 2020 McGirt v. Oklahoma ruling as bolstering their cases. The decision recognized that tribal reservations still exist in parts of Oklahoma. In a new lawsuit, the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw nations contend the McGirt ruling affirms their right to regulate hunting by their members on their reservations. They say their authority is backed up by treaties, federal law and their inherent sovereign powers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the governor's office utilizes a different interpretation of the 2020 decision. Abegail Cave, a spokesperson for Stitt, told The Oklahoman that courts have continued to clarify that the McGirt decision applies only to major crimes. While state courts have sided with Stitt's interpretation, Attorney General Gentner Drummond and other legal experts have backed the tribes, saying they have the power to enforce their own hunting laws on lands recognized as reservations under the McGirt ruling. Robert Miller, a law professor at Arizona State University and an expert on McGirt, said he believes Oklahoma courts are misinterpreting the limits of the ruling. "I agree with the tribes 100% here," Miller said. "I think that the Oklahoma courts are now using that erroneous interpretation in different areas of the law." Oklahoma Supreme Court weighs in The Oklahoma Supreme Court waded into the dispute in July when it ruled the McGirt ruling doesn't affect the state's civil and taxing powers on reservations. The plaintiff in that case, Alicia Stroble, is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse that decision, but the court has not said whether it will consider the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Miller said federal courts already have found that the McGirt decision applies to civil law. "The federal courts and at least one federal agency have already been treating these reservations as Indian reservations for all purposes, and federal and tribal civil laws, and not just the federal criminal law under the Major Crimes, should apply," he said. Miller cited a 2022 decision by a federal court in Oklahoma City when a judge ruled against Oklahomas requests to keep regulating surface mining on the Cherokee, Choctaw and Muscogee reservations. More: ODWC asks Drummond to butt out of legal fight over tribal hunting licenses Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal law prohibits Oklahoma from enforcing state mining laws on tribal reservations and gives the United States exclusive regulatory power on those lands, Judge Stephen Friot determined. Friot wrote he was enforcing the plain language of the law, which doesn't allow the state to exercise authority over "Indian lands." The reaffirmed reservations under McGirt meet that definition, he said. Attorneys for Oklahoma appealed Friots decision to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in January 2023. That case was dismissed without judicial action four months later. Friot, at the time, cautioned against using his ruling to more broadly determine the extent of the fallout of the McGirt decision," saying, This order should not be regarded as relevant to other situations in the realm of civil law not involving the express command of federal surface mining legislation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Supreme Court could provide further clarity if it agrees to hear the Stroble case. Stitt has insisted the McGirt ruling does not limit Oklahoma's powers, including to enforce state hunting laws. Drummond, however, has pushed back. In October, he moved to drop state charges against a Choctaw Nation citizen charged with hunting without a state-issued license. Stitt responded by appointing special prosecutor Russell Cochran to prosecute tribal citizens for hunting or fishing within a tribal reservation without a state-issued license. He also thanked leaders of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and Conservation, an executive-branch agency, for reaffirming the state's stance that it would enforce state wildlife laws regardless of tribal citizenship. What to know about tribes' lawsuit The Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw nations sued Stitt over the dispute in Tulsa federal court on Nov. 18. They contend the state lacks jurisdiction over tribal members hunting and fishing on their reservations because Congress has never granted the state such control. The lawsuit also argues that the outcome of the Stroble case was incorrect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit also cites a 1983 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. In that case, known as New Mexico v. Mescalero Apache Tribe, the tribe sued the state for regulating on-reservation hunting and fishing. The court found that federal law preempts state law on tribal reservations. However, the Mescalero Apache Tribe owned almost every acre within its reservation, Miller explained, setting out a different fact pattern than the tribes in Oklahoma currently face. In Oklahoma, land within a reservation can be owned by the tribe, tribal members, nonmembers and even the state. For example, the Lake Murray State Park in the Chickasaw Reservation is owned by the state. Miller said the court hearing the current lawsuit filed by the three Oklahoma tribes likely will consider the 1981 Montana v. United States decision, where the U.S Supreme Court ruled that in certain circumstances, the Crow Tribe of Montana would have been able to regulate hunting and fishing activities of nonmembers if they had entered consensual relationships with the tribe or its members, or if their conduct on the reservation would threaten the political integrity or health and welfare of the tribe. He said because tribes do not own all of the land within their reservations, that may raise more questions for a federal court to consider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Any federal court will have to think about Montana," Miller said. "It depends where these Native people hunt and fish on reservation, and/or non-Indians, whether the land is on tribally owned lands and Indian owned lands. The tribe absolutely has complete sovereignty and inherent sovereignty to preempt state regulation in those areas." In a statement issued Nov. 20, Drummond reiterated that his office would ensure tribal citizens are not prosecuted for hunting on tribal land without a state license. The attorney general's statement came after Stitt accused Drummond on social media of concluding that tribal members can hunt on privately owned land without permission. "Can a tribal member hunt on your private land without your permission?" Stitt said Nov. 20. "Drummond and his largest political donors think yes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drummond, who is running for governor, accused Stitt of spreading misinformation, especially regarding the authority of Oklahoma's tribal nations. "He knows full well that the tribes in Oklahoma do not authorize their citizens to enter private property to hunt or fish without the landowners consent," Drummond said. "Their tribal codes prohibit it. Oklahoma law prohibits it. And I have never suggested otherwise. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. also responded to Stitt's claims, saying, "This is not true. [Stitt] either knows it or his ignorance of tribal sovereignty and hunting and fishing laws is deeper than I ever imagined." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Expert says state courts misread McGirt as tribes sue Stitt over hunting Individuals named Maola are often perceived as possessing a quiet strength and deep sense of purpose. They typically exhibit nurturing qualities, combined with a practical approach to helping others that reflects the name's meaning of 'handmaiden'. These individuals tend to be reliable, conscientious, and dedicated to their responsibilities, often putting others' needs before their own. There's a spiritual depth frequently associated with the name, manifesting as either religious devotion or a strong ethical compass that guides their actions. Maolas are often described as having an inner resilience that allows them to handle challenges with grace and determination. They typically value community and connection, showing loyalty to family and friends while maintaining a humble demeanor. Their service-oriented nature doesn't indicate weakness but rather a chosen path of support and care for others. Many Maolas develop strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence from their focus on understanding and assisting those around them. This combination of practical service and emotional wisdom makes them valued members of their communities and reliable confidants. Claim: An image shared online authentically shows a tree in Alaska encased in ice. Rating: Rating: Fake As the cold and snow of winter approached many regions of the United States in November 2025, an image circulated online that purported to show a tree in Alaska encased in ice that formed a peculiar fungi-esque shape. Users on social media platforms such as Facebook (archived), X (archived) and Instagram (archived) shared the image, with some astounded by its beauty and others suspicious of its authenticity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One user sharing the image called it "a natural ice sculpture carved solely by the Alaskan winter." This surreal frozen formation looks almost otherworldly yet it's entirely real. Brooks Range, Northern Alaska pic.twitter.com/BpXeA6kpuJ Earth_Wanderer (@earth_tracker) November 19, 2025 The image was a fake and was likely created using generative artificial intelligence. Keen-eyed readers will note the branches around the bottom of the tree blur together in an unnatural way, one of the most obvious signs of AI-generated imagery. There are also tendrils of ice on the tree's right side that do not appear to be connected to the larger structure. In addition, the shadows are wildly inconsistent, some not matching the position of the light source and others not matching the shape and depth of the spacing between branches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, snow is highly reflective and would appear to be glistening in such a photo. Finally, it is unlikely the perfect rounded edges of all the surfaces in this image could occur naturally. (Ethereal Earth Facebook page/Snopes illustration) A closer look around the edges of the primary tree revealed faded black lines in a grid shape, as though an outline of the tree's structure was created to generate the image but were not entirely removed. The image appeared to originate from a Facebook account called Ethereal Earth, whose page displayed a history of sharing a mixture of authentic and AI-generated images. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The page was identified as a "digital creator." The description in its intro section read, "'Ethereal Earth' is all about jaw-dropping views. Some images may be depictions with sole purpose of sparking interest in Earth and especially nature" and included the hashtag "artwork." Snopes reached out to the page's manager about the image and will update this article if we receive a response. A reverse-image Google search revealed no posts of the image earlier than mid-November 2025, and there was no photographer credited in any of them. No credible outlets who cover nature or photography shared the image, and the top search result led back to the Ethereal Earth Facebook page. The AI-detection platform Hive Moderation determined a 99.5% chance that this photograph was AI-generated. While such platforms are not always 100% accurate, combined with the obvious visual indicators, we've rated this image as a fake. (Hive Moderation) Before sharing suspicious photographs of nature that purport to be authentic, consult Snopes' tips for spotting AI-generated images. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For further reading, we've also debunked Ai-generated images that purported to show a wolf protecting piglets from a mountain lion and a goose and bald eagle sharing a nest. Sources: Hive Moderation. https://hivemoderation.com/ai-generated-content-detection. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025. Lee, David Emery, Jessica. "4 Tips for Spotting AI-Generated Pics." Snopes, 16 Apr. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//articles/464595/artificial-intelligence-media-literacy/. https://arcticdata.io/catalog/portals/BRTL. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025. POTTSVILLE Nine months after opening, the owners of The Farm Store say the business has had its ups and downs but believe it has had an overall positive effect on local shoppers and farmers. Angela and Josiah Meck opened their farm-to-table grocery store in February, aiming to provide an efficient outlet for farmers and vendors to sell their products, and for consumers to find healthy food. The couple, who are also the owners of Honey Brook Farm in South Manheim Twp., discussed their venture during an informal question-and-answer event Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its generally been really positive, Angela Meck said. We set really lofty goals for ourselves in sales, and were still striving to hit some of those goals, but weve had a lot of positive support from the community. When the store opened, the Mecks purchased their products from about 20 farmers; now, they work with more than 50 farmers and over 80 vendors in total, mainly from Schuylkill and Berks counties. Titus Meck, the owners son, rearranges store items during a Meet the Farmers Q&A at The Farm Store in Pottsville, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Its been a really big help for some of our farmers and some of our vendors that are starting out, Angela said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their network also includes a maple syrup producer in northern Pennsylvania, as well as various farmers on the outskirts of Philadelphia for certain niche produce. The Farm Store has also helped double the sales of the Mecks own Honey Brook Farms, Angela said. The Meet the Farmers event, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, was touted as an opportunity to ask the Mecks about all things food and farming. The Farm Store in Pottsville, pictured Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Angela said that several first-time shoppers stopped in Saturday to browse the store, asking staff members about general product and inventory concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As expected, quite a few customers had questions about the turkeys the store currently offers some of Honey Brook Farms own, and had sold several from Kochs Turkey Farm in Tamaqua and Dove Song Farm in Bernville over the past few weeks. The Mecks also anticipated questions about livestock, food marketing labels and how to cook certain cuts of meat. We wanted to do an event where we could invite our customers and they could feel free to ask questions, Angela said. One of the great things about people coming in here is that a lot of times, they dont mind asking questions. If you go to a regular grocery store, there isnt necessarily a whole lot of information that you can find about their products on the shelves. The Farm Store, located at 113 E. Norwegian St., is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. For more information, visit farmstorepottsville.com. A father and his son were killed, and a second child was injured, after the car they were riding in left the road and struck a tree in a New England city on Saturday morning, authorities said. Officers responding to a report of a car that had struck a tree in the 600 block of Willis Street in Bristol, Connecticut, shortly before 11 a.m. began life-saving and extrication measures, Bristol Police Lieutenant Ulric F. Berube said in a news release. A 35-year-old man and his two boys, ages 12 and 10, were rushed to a local hospital. The man and his 12-year-old son died from their injuries. The 10-year-old boy was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims were residents of Waterbury, Connecticut. Police didnt release their names. Bristol Police Chief Mark Morello shared a heartfelt statement after the crash. The Bristol Police Department and the entire city extend its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, Morello said in the statement. This tragedy is especially difficult given the young age of the deceased passenger, the upcoming holidays, and our hearts ache. Bristol Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu also issued a statement, calling the crash horribly tragic. Morello said support was being made available for first responders, given the nature and ages of those involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information on the crash or who has surveillance footage is urged to contact police at 860-584-3035. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW An 8-year-old girl became her mothers protector when her estranged biological grandmother burst in and attacked her. Serpil Adams, 62, arrived uninvited at her daughters home in the Oakleaf area and attacked her with a serrated utility knife. The incident happened while the victim was at home with her two young children. Adams entered through an unlocked door, leading to an altercation. The victims 8-year-old daughter intervened, stabbing Adams in the arm with a kitchen knife to protect her mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After being stabbed, Adams escaped the scene and drove to Jacksonville. She was later located by the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office at a friends house. Adams was peacefully taken into custody and faces charges of attempted second-degree murder. She is currently held on a bond of $500,003. Fortunately, neither the victim nor her children were hurt during the attack. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. CHEYENNE A former Laramie County School District 1 teacher, who is already facing charges of sexual abuse of minors, pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of child pornography Thursday in Laramie County District Court. Police said they uncovered 2,102 images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on 55-year-old Brian Wrhels phone, which was being searched after he was arrested July 28 on 16 felony counts of sexual abuse of minors related to a series of incidents at Meadowlark Elementary, according to court documents. This is the second time that Wrhel has pleaded not guilty to charges related to child sexual abuse; neither case has been resolved, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents A forensic download of the device recovered thousands of images and web searches related to CSAM downloaded/searched between December 2024 and July 2025. Wrehls phone contained approximately 2,102 CSAM images, eight CSAM video clips and 5,372 web searches on the site from which the images and video clips originated, according to court documents. The material depicted both male and female children from ages 4 to 16, almost always completely nude, and with their pubic areas exhibited in a lascivious manner, according to court documents. This was uncovered after Wrhel had been arrested on charges of sexually abusing female students at Meadowlark Elementary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 10- to 11-year-old victims described varying levels of sexual abuse occurring at school during class starting in August of 2024 and continuing until Wrhel was placed on administrative leave on May 16, according to court documents. The abuse was observed by a special-needs paraeducator, who initially just thought that Wrhel gave extra attention toward his female students. On May 6, she observed an escalation in inappropriate touching and reported Wrhel to the schools principal. One victim said Wrhel told her, If it makes you uncomfortable, tell me to stop, but she had not told him to stop because she was scared of him. She told investigators that she believed telling him to stop would make him angry and not like us, according to the affidavit. Another victim didnt report the abuse to her mother, despite a classmate urging her to, because she said she was afraid of it getting out to the public and that Wrhel would go to jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional witnesses and victims confirmed these instances of abuse, according to court documents. Wrhels employment terminated after paid leave Wrhels employment with the district was terminated effective Oct. 20; until then, he was on paid leave. According to LCSD1 Community Relations Director Mary Quast, the district followed the processes required under the Wyoming Teacher Tenure Act, as well as applicable federal laws, such as Title IX, in the process of terminating Wrhels employment. These laws establish the timelines and procedural steps districts must follow during teacher employment proceedings, Quast wrote in email correspondence with the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, if an employee is fired from the district, statute requires that districts commence a hearing within 48 days. There is no timeframe, however, for when that hearing must finish, which can cause costly and lengthy hearings during which the employee continues to receive their income. If an employee is charged with a criminal offense, pay can only be suspended after a hearing takes place or the employee is convicted of a crime. The LCSD1 Board of Trustees did propose a resolution to the Wyoming School Board Association, regarding statutory changes to termination procedures, which has officially been added to the WSBA advocacy platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution requires that the hearing be completed within 100 days after the initial notice is filed. It also supports allowing districts to put employees charged with a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or immorality on leave without compensation before a hearing or before a formal conviction. Should the employee be acquitted or the charges be dismissed, they must be reinstated with back pay, plus interest and normal seniority, according to the resolution. When asked if such a change in law would have impacted how long Wrhel remained on paid leave, Quast stated that it would be inappropriate to speculate. The resolution was brought forward to provide districts statewide with additional flexibility in personnel management, Quast wrote. Because these proposals are not law and their impact would depend on final legislative language, it would not be appropriate to speculate on how they might have affected any particular employment matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timeline of arrests Wrhel was arrested on July 28 on 16 felony counts, including nine counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor and seven counts of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor. Each charge of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor is punishable by up to 20 years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. Each third-degree charge of sexual abuse of a minor is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Each child pornography charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. Wrhel pleaded not guilty to the child sex abuse charges on Aug. 8, and was out on a $500,000 cash surety bond when he was arrested on nine counts of possession of child pornography on Sept. 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the second arrest, Wrhel returned to the custody of the Laramie County Sheriffs Office. Both cases against Wrhel are set to go to trial in the new year; however, scheduling is likely to change as the state and Wrhels lawyer continue plea negotiations. Thousands made their way to the Fresno Mission's City Center in Central Fresno on Saturday morning. The organization hosted its "One Table" banquet-- in collaboration with the Central California Food Bank. Guests received a free steak meal and a week's worth of food for the holidays. "One table is an amazing event that brings together so many different parts of our community," said Fresno Mission's CEO, Matthew Dildine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers said there was a huge need for this event. The recent government shutdown took a toll on already struggling Central California families. "It was an extremely stressful time. And they were managing their own finances. Some were delaying payments to utilities or their rent," said Central California CEO, Kym Dildine. Volunteers served around 4,200 meals-- a significant increase from the 3,000 served last year. Steve May, one of the attendees, said he didn't expect a hot meal. He was just hoping for a bag of food to take home because times have been tough. "I don't have medical anymore. So, it makes it kind of tough to stretch the social security for a length of time," said May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The offering didn't stop at food, several of the 500 volunteers helped people choose coats to take with them, as well. "This is a blessing from God and to the rest of the community. That he's reaching out," said attendee, Suzie. By the end of the day, Fresno Mission said roughly 5-thousand donated jackets were given to those who need them most. Organizers at One Table said it takes a lot of manpower and money to put on such a large-scale event. If you'd like to help, click here. For news updates, follow Vince Ybarra on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Video captured the frightening moments people escaped a home in New Jersey just seconds before heavy smoke and flames consumed it around 9 a.m. Saturday. "We were sort of smelling smoke at the in our room, came out to check to make sure that, like, it wasn't anything on the outside, outside, like a car or anything like that. Once we realized that there was that much smoke coming in, we...like, ran out, and we realized the neighbor part of the property was on fire," said Archie De La Cruz. De La Cruz, his wife Debbie and their one year old live on the left side of the Stiles Street Duplex in Elizabeth. While they managed to escape unharmed, fire officials say at least six people were rushed to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We got reports that all the victims had self-extricated and we went into our fire suppression mode immediately" said Elizabeth Fire Department Deputy Chief Kevin Preston, "we had heavy fire on the first floor extending to the second floor, so we believe that it started on the first floor." It took roughly 80 firefighters to bring the flames under control in two hours, but not before it spread to the house next door, also displacing residents there. The Red Cross was on scene handing out blankets and offering comfort and support to at least three families. Julio Dos Santos' family was one of them - they live on the right side of the duplex. Dos Santos says he just returned home when the fire started. Just before Thanksgiving, residents say they are thankful. Community members donated diapers to the De La Cruz family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Everyone's been so nice and welcoming. Our neighbors have been fantastic," said Debbie De La Cruz. They just moved in the home a year ago. "I was pregnant and then I gave birth - all she knows is the house. We put everything into the house. So I mean, you lose something like that - it's a shock. But again, we're just thankful to be alive," she said. The cause of the fire is under investigation. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New Jersey 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. 'Whoever says no to Hamas is a hero. Its those traitors that need to be dealt with, Nasira said. Footage published over the weekend revealed that another anti-Hamas militia has been established in the Gaza Strip. The militia is headed by Shawqi Abu Nasira, who, according to media reports, formerly served as a Palestinian Authority officer. The published footage showed Nasira addressing a line of masked men standing at attention. This is for Hamas to hear. Your dirty shoes are more honorable than the biggest beard in Hamas, he told the assembled men, according to a translation published on X/Twitter by the Center for Peace Communications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to N12, Hossam al-Astal, leader of the Counter-Terrorism Strike Force militia, noted that Nasiras militia is the fifth such group in Gaza. Shawqi Abu Nasira addressing his militia men in Khan Yunis, Gaza. November, 2025. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X) "There are now five militias operating in the Strip, Astal told N12. Abu Nasira has been in eastern Khan Yunis for several months. I started with four people, and today I have hundreds. We will put an end to Hamas. We are the day after. Instead of trying to arrest me as a collaborator, how about you catch my d**k! From Hamas leader [Khalil] al Hayya down to the least of them, Nasira said. We aren't afraid of their barking because we are 'Death to Hamas!' militia men chant The assembled men responded by shouting, Lions! The men thereafter chant Death to Hamas! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nasira continued, labeling the Iranians the enemies of Islam and Sunnis and told the assembled militia men, Youre not Israeli collaborators. You are the best among the people. Whoever says no to Hamas is a hero. Whether its me or anyone else, whoever says no to Hamas is a hero. Its those traitors that need to be dealt with. Finally, he slams Hamas for obsessing over catching collaborators and asks, If they arent spies and collaborators themselves, why dont they start walking the streets without masks on? Following the publishing of the footage, Abu Nasira issued a public statement disavowing Nasira and affirming its alignment with Hamas. "The Abu Nasira family in the homeland and diaspora affirms its adherence to the national principles and its complete alignment with the ranks of our people and its valiant resistance," the statement read. "Regarding the actions of the individual known as Shawqi Abu Nasira and his joining the groups of the mercenary collaborator Yasser Abu Shabab, we hereby declare our complete disavowal of these behaviors, and we affirm that they represent none but their perpetrator." A 21-year-old is facing multiple charges following the death of her 8-month-old child, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Dakota Taylor, 21, of Wrens, Ga., was arrested on Thursday in connection with the death of her 8-month-old child. The investigation began on Jan. 8, when the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office requested assistance from the GBI regarding the childs death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GBI said the victim was Taylors child, and the baby was found unresponsive at a home in the 2100 block of Mt. Moriah Road in Matthews, Ga. The child was taken to a local hospital, where the child died, according to authorities. TRENDING STORIES: According to the GBI, at the time of her arrest, Taylor was already in custody at the McDuffie County Jail on separate charges related to another child death investigation in DeKalb County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes charged with malice murder, felony murder, and first-degree cruelty to children. Authorities have stated that the investigation is active and ongoing, and they are seeking any additional information from the public. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBIs Regional Investigative Office in Thomson. The case will be handed over to the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office for prosecution once the investigation is complete. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A former school worker was arrested following allegations of inappropriate contact with a minor. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Nov. 14, Rabun County deputies arrested Daniel Guevara, a non-instructional support of Rabun Schools. According to the sheriffs office, Rabun County Schools acted swiftly upon learning of the allegations by terminating Guevaras employment and issuing a criminal trespass notice. The school district is also cooperating with the investigation, ensuring the safety of students during the process, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The safety and well-being of children in Rabun County are among our highest priorities, stated the Rabun County Sheriffs Office. The RCSO says there is no indication of an ongoing or immediate threat to other students. However, the investigation remains active, and authorities are evaluating whether additional individuals may have been affected. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of Jason Turchin, a national personal injury and victim advocacy firm, can represent victims who were sexually assaulted by Uber or Lyft drivers. Survivors may have legal rights. Victims may be entitled to file civil claims for compensation, in addition to any criminal case pursued by law enforcement. "No one should have to fear being assaulted during a rideshare trip," said Jason Turchin, Esq., who has handled numerous sexual assault and injury claims against various companies for more than 20 years. "Our firm is committed to helping survivors hold negligent companies accountable and pursue justice through civil legal action." Civil Lawsuits for Rideshare Assault Survivors Uber and Lyft may be held civilly liable for sexual assaults that occur during rides, particularly if: The driver had a prior history of misconduct or criminal behavior The rideshare company failed to properly screen or monitor the driver the driver The assault occurred during or immediately after a ride arranged through the app Victims may be entitled to compensation for: Medical expenses Therapy and mental health treatment Pain and suffering Lost wages or diminished earning capacity Emotional distress and trauma "If these companies had opportunities to prevent these assaults through better hiring and safety protocols, they could be responsible for compensating the victims," said Turchin. "Survivors deserve answers and accountability." Steps to Take if You Were Assaulted by an Uber or Lyft Driver Seek medical care and counseling Report the incident to law enforcement Preserve rideshare app details (trip receipt, driver info, messages) File a report with Uber or Lyft Speak with a rideshare assault attorney to understand your civil rights Free and Confidential Legal Consultations Available The Law Offices of Jason Turchin offers free and confidential consultations for survivors of Uber and Lyft-related sexual assault. The firm can help evaluate your case and advise you of your options moving forward. If you need an Uber sexual assault lawyer in Florida, or want to file a lawsuit against Lyft for rape by a driver, call (800) 337-7755 or visit www.jasonturchin.com. About the Law Offices of Jason Turchin Jason Turchin, Esq. has been featured in CBS Evening News, Forbes, and Rolling Stone for his work protecting consumer and victim rights. Contact: Jason Turchin (800) 337-7755 [email protected] SOURCE Law Offices of Jason Turchin People named Marcelus are typically associated with strong, principled personalities marked by determination and leadership capabilities. They often exhibit a natural authority and strategic mindset that makes them effective in positions of responsibility. The name's historical connections suggest individuals who value tradition and legacy while being capable of innovation when necessary. Marcelus personalities tend to be protective of those they care about and demonstrate loyalty to their principles and communities. They often possess a dignified presence that commands respect without being overly aggressive. While they can be assertive when defending their beliefs or protecting others, they generally combine this strength with diplomatic skill and emotional intelligence. The name implies someone who takes commitments seriously and approaches challenges with methodical planning and perseverance. These individuals are often seen as pillars of stability in their social or professional circles, providing guidance and protection through difficult circumstances. Their combination of traditional values and adaptive thinking makes them effective in both preserving important customs and implementing necessary changes. Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced on Friday that she will resign from office in January, stunning some in her own party after a shocking, monthslong political pivot that catapulted her from one of President Donald Trumps closest allies to one of his top antagonists. Greene dropped the news in a post on social media just days after her public falling-out with Trump, who called her a traitor and said hed support a GOP challenge to her House seat next year. In her statement, Greene said she wanted to avoid a nasty primary while predicting that the GOP would lose its House majority in the midterms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 said. Trump again called Greene a traitor on Truth Social on Saturday morning after her announcement, saying she dropped out because of PLUMMETING Poll Numbers and his threat to support a primary challenger against 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! Trump wrote. Trump said later Saturday that he was open to reconciliation with Greene, telling reporters, Sure, why not? I mean, I get along with everybody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I said, Go your own way, and once I left her, she resigned, Trump said. She would never have survived the primary, but I think shes a nice person. The decision to step down will cap a turbulent five-year career in Washington, during which Greene was publicly condemned for violent rhetoric on the House floor and booted from the hard-right Freedom Caucus over a feud with a fellow Republican while wielding extraordinary influence in her party as one of Trumps most trusted political allies on Capitol Hill. In the days since Trumps initial traitor comments, Greene faced direct threats against her life, the congresswoman said in an interview with CNN. In the same interview, the conservative firebrand apologized for her own years of toxic rhetoric comments that reverberated around the country amid an increasingly violent political culture. Greene had been contemplating her resignation for over a week, according to a person close to her, as the threats against her continued to escalate amid her falling-out with the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her next steps remain unclear. But the Georgia congresswoman, who just months earlier had been discussed as a potential candidate for her states high-stakes Senate race, currently has no plans to run for office, the person added. In recent weeks, Greene criticized the president for being too focused on foreign policy and not doing enough with his domestic agenda going as far as to side with Democrats over the contentious issue of costly enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire next month. Greene also became one of the White Houses most vocal critics of the Justice Departments handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case files. She and fellow Republican Rep. Thomas Massie accused the White House of attempting to conceal details of the files. Following fierce resistance, Trump ultimately signed an Epstein transparency measure into law earlier this week. 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, shortly after Greenes announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenes exit is likely to be quickly felt in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson must navigate a razor-thin majority. The Republican leader already faces the tall order in the new year of corralling his fractious conference to move on major legislation and further the presidents priorities. First elected in 2020, the Georgia congresswoman was known for vocally touting conspiracy theories and for her incendiary rhetoric, including prior remarks endorsing violence against Democrats in Congress. Her first year in office, a Democratic-led House under then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the extraordinary step of stripping Greene of her committee assignments because of her past rhetoric endorsing violence and claims the deadly Sandy Hook and Parkland school shootings had been staged. In a sign of Greenes recent political turnaround, the Georgia congresswoman praised Pelosis leadership in an interview with CNN, saying of the longtime Democrat, She had an incredible career for her party. I served under her speakership in my first term of Congress, and Im very impressed at her ability to get things done. This story has been updated with additional details. CNNs Christian Sierra and Julia Benbrook contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Government officials in one New York county are increasing their efforts to keep vape products out of the hands of underage users. In a press release, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins announced the introduction of proposed legislation that would ban the sale of vaping products designed to look like everyday items. "These products are disguised as smartphone cases, toys, drink containers, backpacks, and other common items," Jenkins said during the press release. "While they may appear harmless, these devices are intended to attract young people and make it easier for them to access nicotine. This legislation is about protecting our children and keeping Westchester safe and healthy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Westchester officials believe that these products are designed to appeal to young people and aid them in their ability to conceal their vaping. The proposal is currently under review by the county's Committees on Legislation and Human Services. Although the measure is designed to protect children in the county, local businesses and vape shops could be impacted by a loss of revenue from legal customers. If passed, violators caught selling deceptive vape products could also face fines of $300 to $1,500, enforced by the Westchester County Board of Health. "Westchester County is taking a stand against these deceptive products. We want our children to grow up healthy, not addicted to nicotine, and this legislation is a critical step toward that goal," added Jenkins. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3.5% of all middle school and high school students admitted to using electronic cigarettes in 2024. Not only can the use of e-cigarettes and vape products lead to an increased risk of nicotine addiction in children, but users can also face a higher potential of impacted brain development and ongoing respiratory issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to a number of health concerns, disposable vapes and e-cigarettes are a significant source of plastic waste. Since most plastics are not biodegradable, it can take hundreds of years for products to eventually wear down and break down into microplastics. These tiny plastic particles can accumulate in the environment before being ingested by wildlife or leaching into the soil and nearby waterways. 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. Egypt, Qatar, and the US have been mediating between Hamas and Israel, securing the ceasefire that came into effect last month. A senior Hamas delegation met Egypt's intelligence chief in Cairo on Sunday to discuss the ceasefire agreement and the situation in Gaza, the group said, as both Israel and the Palestinian terror group continue to trade accusations of truce violations. Egypt, Qatar, and the US have been mediating between Hamas and Israel, securing the ceasefire that came into effect last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the group said it reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in its meeting with Egypt's intelligence chief, but accused Israel of "continued violations" that it said threatened to undermine the deal. Hamas, whose delegation included its exiled Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya, called for a "clear and defined mechanism" under the supervision of mediators to document and halt any breaches of the deal. Senior official of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, Abdulaziz al-Minawi, and Hamas Arab relations chief Khalil al-Hayya (R) hold a press conference during a visit to the Syrian capital Damascus on October 19, 2022. (credit: LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images) Fate of terrorists in tunnels also discussed The movement said it also discussed with Egypt ways to urgently resolve the issue of Hamas terrorists in Rafah tunnels, adding that communication with them had been cut off. Reuters reported earlier this month that mediators were trying to address the fate of a group of Hamas fighters holed up in tunnel networks in Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said the country's military killed five senior Hamas members on Saturday after a fighter was sent into Israeli-controlled Gaza territory to attack Israeli soldiers there. Health officials in Gaza had said Israeli air strikes killed at least 20 people on Saturday. The military on Sunday said a local Hamas commander was among those killed in the Saturday strikes. The recent government shutdown, longest in our history, is now fading into memory, but no one should forget which party refused to negotiate while applying political pressure by taking food from millions of Americans mouths and refusing to pay air traffic controllers, so Americans encountered chaos at the nations airports. A refusal to fund SNAP benefits, despite court orders, leaving 42 million Americans hungry; a desire to get unhoused people out of sight and out of mind; a likely 53% income tax increase for people who make $15,000 or less; a willy-nilly tariff policy that raises prices for all American consumers, costing the average household thousands a year just for starters, as U.S. trading partners organize to cut America out of the equation as much as possible. Im old enough to remember Lyndon Johnsons War on Poverty, and I can tell you that those Christian-like efforts have been turned on their head to become Donald Trumps anti-Christian War on the Poor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It reminds one of how Charles Dickens, in response to Britains 19th-century Poor Law, an amendment to earlier poor laws, that required the poor to live in purposely unpleasant workhouses, wrote Oliver Twist. Trumps Big Brutal Bill amounted to nothing more than the rich taking more from the poor and working class. Republicans will never stop insisting, against all evidence, that giving tax breaks to the wealthy and big corporations results in economic growth, when what actually helps the economy is to help poor and working people (perhaps especially the working poor). Each dollar of SNAP benefits distributed is worth $1.50 to $1.80 to the economy, helping not only employees at grocery stores but also rippling along the food distribution supply chain to truckers, warehouse workers and farmers. But Trump and MAGA know nothing about any multiplier effect; they know only how to divide. Remember, Trump only recently learned the words groceries and affordability, so with him its best to stick with Gilded Ageera economic terms. After all, tariff remains the most beautiful word in Trumps paltry lexicon (along with frankly and me). If members of the Trump administration were led by open minds instead of the rigid ideology spelled out in Project 2025, they might understand that SNAP benefits as economic boosters and a bulwark against recession. But, as financial and economics writer Morgan Harman notes in a succinct essay, the benefits of feeding the hungry go far beyond the obvious immediate economic ones: When children eat adequately, they perform better in school. When working families dont choose between food and rent, they maintain stable housing and employment. When seniors afford proper nutrition, they face fewer health crises. These human outcomes have economic dimensions, but they matter first because theyre the right thing to do. In the aftermath of the murder of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, by a homeless and mentally ill man in Charlotte, North Carolina, Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade mused that mentally ill unhoused people should be euthanized if they refuse treatment. (He apologized, but faced on consequences either at Fox News or in society.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How about the Republicans cuts to Medicaid, amounting $1 trillion over the next decade? Medicaid is the federal-state health insurance plan for some 70 million Americans. The defunding will result in hundreds of rural hospitals and clinics closing, hurting everyone, including Trump supporters. The Republican budget also ties Medicaid benefits to harsher work requirements and does not extend the tax credits for people purchasing health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. The longest government shutdown in history, with Trump refusing any negotiations with Democrats, essentially happened so Republicans could ensure that millions of Americans would no longer be able to afford health insurance. We ought to call those Medicare cuts the Unaffordable Care Act. Should I list a few more examples of Trump policies that will hurt poor and lower-income Americans? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How about cutting housing assistance to low- and moderate-income families? And eliminating federal support for pre-schools, after-school programs and literacy programs. Killing the jobs created, mostly in rural areas, by the Biden administrations Infrastructure Act. Gutting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was created to protect people like you and me from the predatory practices of banks and other financial service companies. If Trump really thought he might have a chance to get into heaven, he should just read that paragraph again. Truly, the only question he might legitimately have about his fate after shuffling off this mortal coil is which of Dantes circles of hell he has rightfully earned. The same flint-hearted philosophies that underwrote the English Poor Law are at work in this country under the Trump administration. That takes us back to John Dickens, financially ruined by lack of work, who ended up with his family at Marshalsea debtors prison, while his 12-year-old son Charles was forced to work in a rat-infested boot-blacking warehouse, an experience that haunted him for the rest of his life. What would Dickens have made of Trumps recent Gatsbythemed party at Mar-a-Lago while 42 million Americans were cut off from food assistance? Or his statement earlier this month that he didnt want to hear about the affordability? Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only by Amanda Marcotte, also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Republicans love Christmas more than, well, seemingly anything. Theyve been howling about people saying Happy holidays and Seasons greetings for decades. Well, perhaps that saying inside a phony goldencrusted White House Christmas card this year: ought to have a Dickensian touch: Dont Talk to Me About Affordability! Youre All Bob Cratchit to Me! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Adam Serwer famously wrote in the Atlantic during Trumps first interminable term, the organizing principle behind the entire MAGA movement is cruelty and hatred of others. There have been numerous variations on the cruelty is the point since then, but Serwers take remains the original. We cant afford to forget the recently-concluded government shutdown amid an onslaught of other news, nor can we forget who played politics with hunger and air traffic safety in America, or who continues working overtime to subvert the rule of law and to crush all economic classes below their multi-millionaire and billionaire bros. This is indeed a war on the poor, but with Trumps endless bullying of our historic allies and his illogical trade wars, its also a war on the future of all Americans, for generations to come. Autocrats dont want healthy, educated citizens who can stand up to them. They want illiterate, groveling serfs, who live in fear and dont stick around too long. Dickens knew all about that kind of Christian. This article originally appeared at Medium. Used by permission. The post Happy holidays, MAGA: Trumps war on the poor is hurting everyone appeared first on Salon.com. Israel had already eliminated most of Iran-backed Hezbollah's leadership during a war that raged between October 2023 and November 2024. The Israeli military on Sunday killed Hezbollah's top military official, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, in a strike on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital that came despite a year-long ceasefire. His killing was announced by Israel's military. Hezbollah has not commented on his fate, although Lebanese security sources confirmed he was the target of Israel's strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel had already eliminated most of Iran-backed Hezbollah's leadership during a war that raged between October 2023 and November 2024, when a US-brokered truce was agreed. But Tabatabai, who was appointed as the group's chief of staff after its recent war with Israel, was killed in a rare post-ceasefire operation against a senior Hezbollah figure. Haytham Ali Tabatabai. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X, SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT) Military leader rose through Hezbollah's ranks Tabatabai was born in Lebanon to a father with Iranian roots and a Lebanese mother, according to a senior Lebanese security source. He was not a founding member of Hezbollah but was part of its "second generation," deploying with the group to fight alongside its allies in Syria and Yemen, the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's military said Tabatabai joined Hezbollah in the 1980s and held several senior posts, including in its Radwan Force, an elite fighting unit. Israel killed most Radwan figures last year ahead of its ground invasion into Lebanon. During last year's war, Tabatabai led Hezbollah's operations division and rose in rank as other top commanders were eliminated, the Israeli military's statement said. Once the ceasefire came into force, Tabatabai was appointed chief of staff and "worked extensively to restore their readiness for war with Israel," according to the statement. The Lebanese security source confirmed Tabatabai was swiftly promoted as other top Hezbollah officials were killed, and had been appointed chief of staff over the last year. The Alma Center, a security research and teaching organization in Israel, said Tabatabai had survived other Israeli attacks both in Syria and during the war in Lebanon. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. Vehicles have been wrapping around the Trinity Lutheran Church building in Somerset each week since federal food assistance was paused in late October. The church at 918 Tayman Ave. is the site of the Somerset Pantry, which normally serves about 90 households a week throughout the Somerset Area and Rockwood Area school districts. But food pantry director Joseph Beer said the number of households served weekly has increased to about 130 since mid-October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would say the need is almost the same as right after COVID, he said. A pandemic isnt at the root of the need this time. State and federal budget impasses, now concluded, hit communities with a double whammy. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit payments to households that fall within federal income guidelines were suspended in November amid the federal government budget impasse and shutdown. That generated higher-than-usual need at local food pantries. But pantries across Cambria and Somerset counties have also been operating recently without hundreds of thousands of state grant dollars that had been snarled in a state budget stalemate since July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvanias State Food Purchase Program supplies grants for 18 food pantries in Cambria County. Those funds pass through the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies. Not having those state funds flowing has been challenging to maintain supplies, said Karen Struble, president and CEO of the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies. Both budget impasses ended Nov. 12. SNAP benefits from the federal government, as well as food pantry grants through the State Food Purchase Program, are beginning to flow again, Struble said. But while government help was absent over the past month for families and the food pantries that serve them, local churches, schools, Scouting organizations and even retirement homes have responded with generous donations, food pantry directors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When people started hearing about cuts to SNAP, we started getting donations from the Somerset Area Junior High School, churches, and even some other communities like retirement communities have done food collections, Beer said. We are doing pretty good. None of the sources of local donations are particularly flush with money. Its just helping your neighbor. Thats the way I see it, he said. The St. Clement Pantry has seen the number of individuals arriving at its doorstep at 114 Lindberg Ave., Upper Yoder Township, increase from about 60 people monthly to nearly 100 in the past month. Those individuals picked up food for themselves and whoever else may live in their households, said Richard Von Schlichten, food pantry director and St. Clement Roman Catholic Parish member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Von Schlichten said hes been amazed by the efforts of local groups and individuals to supply food and money donations. The pantry has been able to feed everyone whos arrived, he said. I was blown away by how much food came in, he said. The Cub Scouts and a former Cub Scout went out on his own to collect donations. We got food from Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church. One person from Bishop McCort Catholic High School raised $700 in cash from their school. Theres been a tremendous amount of help. A man in Southmont Borough went on Facebook and said, Put food out on your front porch and Ill pick it up and go deliver it. We got three carloads of food from him. I was pretty amazed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Society of St. Vincent DePauls Johnstown food pantry at 927 Franklin St. has provided food for about 100 people and their families in the past month, up from the usual 60 or 70 families a month, Society of St. Vincent DePaul Executive Director Sonny Consiglio said. No one has been turned away because we did not have food, he said. Somehow, some way, our volunteers do a tremendous job. And we have an awful lot of donations. Consiglio has been the St. Vincent DePaul societys executive director for 20 years. Ive never seen more donations than I have in the last couple months, he said. I think it speaks to our community. Everywhere, people have come to realize how bad it can be for the elderly, children and people depending on monthly SNAP benefits. The IDF intercepted 17 Hamas terrorists fleeing Rafah tunnels, killing 11 and arresting six, as an observation officer described how her unit led the detection and targeting effort. The IDF intercepted all 17 Hamas terrorists who tried to escape from terror tunnels in eastern Rafah, killing 11, and arresting six, the military confirmed on Saturday. This follows a 24-hour manhunt after the terrorists attempted to flee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The six arrested terrorists were transferred to Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for further investigations, the military noted. Sec.-Lt. "A," an observation operations room officer in the Gaza Division's Southern Brigade, told Walla about how some of the terrorists were intercepted. At first, two suspects were identified. "They exited a tunnel, and afterwards, the observing soldier identified several additional suspects - a total of five. We closed in on them and bombed them with a Hermes 450 "Zik" drone," she explained. "After that, the observation soldier identified additional suspects fleeing," she continued. A soldier from the IDF observers unit; illustrative. (credit: IDF spokesperson's Unit/Via Walla) "It is necessary to identify the terrorists, to make sure there are none in the area. We assist in protecting the forces that are fighting and maneuvering in this sector. This event proves the contribution of the observation soldiers. Thanks to alertness and sharpness, the terrorists were located," she told Walla. IDF observations officer: 'We are an active part in the struggle for victory' Sec.-Lt. "A" addressed future recruits to the IDF's observation units, saying that "We are an active part in the struggle, in my eyes, of the entire state toward victory and to protect the civilians and the soldiers." According to her, her fellow soldiers in the operations room are making history. "We are doing the most meaningful role there is for girls to do, after combat roles. And this is truly the best and most meaningful path there is." Haddadeh was a central figure in Hamass supply and production infrastructure and as a key conduit for transferring weapons from the organizations headquarters to the field. The IDF killed Alaa' Haddadeh, head of the supply and equipment department at Hamass production headquarters, in an airstrike on the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the military and Shin Bet (Israel Intelligence Agency) declared on Sunday. The IDF carried out several air strikes across Gaza on Saturday, guided by Shin Bet intelligence, in response to what they described as a Hamas violation of the ceasefire agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haddadeh was a central figure in Hamass supply and production infrastructure and as a key conduit for transferring weapons from the organizations headquarters to its battalions and field commanders during the war. These strikes were in response to Hamas's attempts to breach Gaza's Yellow Line. In addition, the Prime Minister's Office announced that the military had killed five senior Hamas terrorists on the same day. "Today, Hamas violated the ceasefire again, sending a terrorist into Israel-held territory to attack IDF soldiers. In response, Israel eliminated five senior Hamas terrorists," the PMO stated. IDF kills Alaa Haddadeh in the Gaza Strip, November 23, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) The IDF believes these five were among those who left an underground tunnel on Friday before trying to hide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The five were killed in two separate incidents, hours apart from one another. The IDF later stated that a total of 17 terrorists had left the underground infrastructure on Friday, and that after a 24-hour manhunt, 11 had been killed and the other six were arrested. Those who were captured have been transferred to the Shin Bet for questioning, the IDF added. Hamas terrorist breaches Gaza's Yellow Line Aligning with the PMO's statement on terrorists continuing to cross Israeli lines and attack Israeli forces, the IDF reported on Saturday afternoon that an armed terrorist crossed the Yellow Line and began firing at Israeli soldiers. According to the military, the incident occured on a road "through which humanitarian aid enters southern Gaza," and the individual was "exploiting" the avenue. As shown in footage provided by the IDF, the military fired back, killing the terrorist. No IDF injuries were reported. This is a developing story. CHICAGO Roughly 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Chicago 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 because of 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Roughly 800 soldiers were deployed this fall, carrying out security missions, making infrastructure improvements and handling logistics from the Middle East to Poland and Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enyart served 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.) (The Center Square) - After a short delay to finalize staffing and safety preparations, the new Monarch Center in Lincoln is now housing youth, marking a major milestone for the long-planned juvenile justice facility in central Illinois. Officials say the brief gap between the grand opening and youth arrivals was due to routine preparations, with staff training, running safety drills, and finalizing educational plans before accepting youth. Lincoln has been hit by a couple of events that have been detrimental to jobs, and were still waiting to understand what the Logan Correctional Center is going to do, said state Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton. But this center feels like a commitment by the state to have a centralized location for youth in secure custody, somewhere bright, new, open and up to date. Being in the center of the state is so important for caregivers and loved ones who want to be closer to their communities while they have a juvenile in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Logan Correctional Center in Logan County is slated for a major rebuild as part of a statewide effort to modernize aging prisons, but the facilitys future location and timeline remain uncertain, raising concerns among local leaders about jobs and economic impact. The current prison will stay open while plans for a new, modern facility are finalized. In October, according to an Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice news release, IDJJ celebrated the grand opening of a new youth center. The IDJJ began housing youth in late-November, but staff have been working since the grand opening. As is standard with large-scale transitions, IDJJ set a flexible goal for opening to ensure all facility and staffing needs were met to safely accept youth. IDJJ worked as quickly and diligently as possible while ensuring facility and staffing standards were met, said IDJJ spokesperson Dominique Newman. There has been ample work for staff preparing to receive youth in this facility for the first time, including training, practicing safety protocols, procedures in medical emergencies, lesson planning, and tasks like creation of programming calendars. This will enhance the success of staff and youth at Monarch. The Monarch Youth Center has a 30 bed capacity and is located on the site of the former Lincoln Developmental Center. The youth center is a result of the Pritzker administrations 21st Century Transformation Plan that was announced in 2020. Funding and oversight for the construction and renovations of Monarch Youth Center came from the Illinois Capital Development Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois State Sen. Sally Turner, R-Beason, said she still hopes to learn more about the criteria for which youth are sent to Monarch. I am curious about what the criteria is of a person thats going to be residing there, she said, noting she plans to ask the centers director directly. IDJJ said all of its facilities are medium security except one, Pere Marquette, which is minimum security. Turner said the Monarch Center is already providing stability and new employment opportunities in a county still bracing for possible changes at Logan Correctional Center. It has been a good resource for people in our community to have a job there, Turner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She noted that many residents are watching the ongoing review of the womens prison closely. We dont know what the status is going to be at the Logan Correctional Center, she said, adding that having a new state-run facility operating in Lincoln provides reassurance. Hauters district includes Lincoln. If you have to be in that kind of setting, its a good one. Its modern, secure, and it gives these kids a real chance at rehabilitation, said Hauter. Individuals named Margaux are typically associated with a refined, intuitive nature that combines intellectual curiosity with emotional depth. They often possess a natural elegance and grace that makes them stand out in social situations, yet they maintain an approachable warmth that puts others at ease. Margauxs are frequently described as having excellent taste and an eye for beauty, whether in fashion, art, or their surroundings, reflecting the name's connection to sophistication and cultural appreciation. In terms of character, Margauxs tend to be thoughtful decision-makers who value quality over quantity in all aspects of life. They often demonstrate strong loyalty to friends and family while maintaining a degree of independence that allows them to pursue their passions. Their communication style is typically diplomatic and considerate, making them effective mediators and trusted advisors. While they may appear reserved initially, they reveal a rich inner world and sharp intelligence to those who earn their trust, embodying the pearl-like quality of revealing beauty gradually over time. India earlier this month inaugurated a high-altitude airbase near its disputed border with China, prompting analysts to suggest the development capped long-term efforts to upgrade infrastructure there rather than posing a threat to Beijing. According to reports from multiple media outlets, the base, named Mudh-Nyoma Air Force Station, is perched at a height of about 13,700 feet (4,176 metres) and only 30km (19 miles) from the Line of Actual Control, the de facto boundary separating the two sides. On November 13, India's chief of the air staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, stated that a C-130J transport aircraft had landed at the base, reportedly the Indian air force's first public acknowledgement of such a landing at Mudh-Nyoma station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Despite the airbase's clear strategic significance, analysts said Beijing was more likely to view it as part of New Delhi's long-term efforts to upgrade its border infrastructure rather than representing a direct confrontation. As both sides strive to maintain a peaceful shared border and keep ties cordial, analysts also believe the airbase is unlikely to derail the course of rapprochement, with China still holding a substantial advantage in infrastructure in the area. He Xianqing, an associate research fellow at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies in China's southern Hainan province, said India's airbase carried significant strategic weight and boosted New Delhi's "aerial patrol capability" in the disputed region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said it was another step in New Delhi's broader push to upgrade its border infrastructure and that the airbase would "steadily increase" India's ability to "carry out aerial patrols and reconnaissance". "From a strategic perspective, the harsh geography and climate along the China-India border mean that the level of transport accessibility directly determines a country's ability to manage the situation on the ground," he added. "If one side can build better transport infrastructure that enables all-weather access to these frontier areas, it can effectively maintain a more constant presence, conducting more frequent and stronger patrols." Amit Ranjan, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore's Institute of South Asian Studies, suggested that the airbase would not come as a surprise for Beijing, for construction had been under way for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They have been working on this infrastructure for a long time. It's only coming out publicly now," Ranjan said. "You simply can't prepare a base within one day." Located on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control, the site of the airbase served as a landing ground in 1962, when the Sino-Indian War erupted over a border dispute. For years equipped only with rudimentary navigation and support facilities, it remained unused until 2009, when it was upgraded to support fixed-wing transport aircraft. More work was done after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office in 2014, as he launched initiatives to strengthen India's border infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, New Delhi began exploring plans to upgrade the simple landing strip into a full-fledged, fighter-capable airbase. The project formally launched the following year, alongside other border infrastructure works, some of which triggered friction with China. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin on August 31. Photo: AFP alt=Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin on August 31. Photo: AFP> Ties improved last year after China and India agreed on a patrolling arrangement along their shared border. In August, Modi visited China and held talks with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two leaders agreed to manage border issues more carefully and resume engagements, including direct flights and trade at three designated crossings. But Ranjan said the improved ties had not erased long-standing border tensions and that New Delhi remained wary of the risk of a sudden flare-up. Citing a deadly border clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020, which took place during a time of re-engagement, Ranjan said New Delhi and Beijing were realistic. "Both sides know the limitations of their power, so they don't want to take any chances," he explained. "New Delhi may think that it's always better to be ready for any uneven thing to happen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He of the Chinese think tank agreed, calling the airbase part of a long-term strategy for India. He said the timing of its inauguration did not imply that a strongly confrontational signal was being sent from New Delhi to Beijing. He also believes China's border infrastructure is still considerably stronger than India's. While describing India's infrastructure development on its side of the border as "slow", He said China "clearly holds an advantage" in efficiency and construction capacity. Earlier this year, Indian media outlet NDTV, citing the Indian air force, reported that at least six new airbases were being built on the Chinese side of the border, within 25 to 150km of the Line of Actual Control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Iowa, already home to the worlds largest strawberry, popcorn ball and wooden nickel, has added a new record to its list: the tallest round-handled brick trowel in the world. Marshalltown, a manufacturer of construction tools and equipment based in Marshalltown, unveiled its new Trowel Plaza on Friday, Nov. 14, where the new record-breaking trowel is located. Standing an impressive 32 feet tall and sporting the companys signature DuraSoft handle, the sculpture is designed to tell the story of a long-standing, trusted fixture of the town, according to a company news release. Iowa, already home to the worlds largest strawberry, popcorn ball and wooden nickel, has added a new record to its list: the tallest round-handled brick trowel in the world, located in Marshalltown. The thriving times in Marshalltown have always been driven by industry leaders standing up and making bold investments in facilities, people, and community, Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO John Hall said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the back wall of the plaza stand panels illustrating key chapters in Marshalltowns history: its founding in 1890, the employees who helped the company thrive, its expansion to Arkansas, the companys global presence and its ongoing investment in facilities and the future. More: Iowa is home to 14 of the 'World's Largest' things do you know what they are? Our idea for this plaza is that this is a place for our citizens and visitors to gather and to celebrate the legacy of the men and women who have made MARSHALLTOWNs tools since 1890 and on the same site in Marshalltown, Iowa, since 1902, company President and CEO Joe Carter said in the release. The project marks the newest effort to advance the citys Arts and Culture Master Plan. MARSHALLTOWN, a manufacturer of construction tools and equipment based in Marshalltown, unveiled its new Trowel Plaza on Friday, Nov. 14, where the new record-breaking trowel is located. Our community made a commitment to creativity to ensure that the arts are not an accessory but the driving force in developing our community, said Arts and Culture Alliance Executive Director Amber Danielson. This space brings that vision to life. It connects history, industry, and art in a way that fosters pride, curiosity, and belonging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recordbreaking trowel adds to Iowas long tradition of superlatives. Across the state, youll find things like the 15-foot fiberglass strawberry in Strawberry Point; a 9,370-pound popcorn ball in Sac City; Albert the 45ton, 30-foot bull in Audubon; a 35-foot Swedish coffee pot water tower in Stanton; and the worlds largest wooden nickel in Davenport. Thai Theodoro is a reporter at The Des Moines Register. Reach her at ttheodoro@gannett.com. Follow her on X, previously Twitter, at @thaiiswriting. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa is now home to the worlds tallest round-handled brick trowel Iranian-backed militias used to infiltrate into Syria via the unguarded border - as such, any wall would actually hurt Irans project to control the Middle East. Iraq has continued to construct a 600km wall bordering Syria, despite Hamas's October 7 invasion proving that such barriers are often inadequate. So far,Baghdad has built 350km of the wall, the North Press agency in eastern Syria reported on November 23. The completed sections are made of concrete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fortification began being constructed in 2022. Iraq has accelerated construction of a concrete security wall along its northwestern border with Syria, a stretch that also marks the frontier with the Kurdistan Region, the report says. According to North Press, the Iraqis have explained that approximately 350 kilometers of the concrete security wall have been completed, while efforts continue to seal all remaining gaps to prevent infiltration and smuggling. The concrete wall is reinforced by a multi-layered security system, which includes a trench 3 meters wide and 3 meters deep, an earthen berm rising 3 meters high, a four-layer inflatable barrier, observation towers positioned at one-kilometer intervals, each equipped with advanced thermal cameras linked to a centralized monitoring system. Members from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) with aid to support victims of the deadly earthquake, wait to cross the border on the Iraqi side of Iraq-Syria border, Iraq, February 12, 2023 (credit: REUTERS/AHMED SAAD) ISIS invaded Iraq from Syria in 2014. But it wasnt just ISIS that Iraq had to worry about. After ISIS was largely defeated in 2019, it was Iranian-backed militias that used to infiltrate into Syria via the unguarded border. As such, any wall would actually hurt Irans project to control the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Assad regime fell, the Iraqi government decided to increase work on the wall because it wanted security with Syria. Syria and Iraq have a complex history In the wake of the Arab Revolt, one of the sons of the Arab leader Sharif Hussein, Faisal, sought to seize Syria and crown himself king. He was expelled by the French and ended up as the king of Iraq. His familys rule came to an end in 1958. Eventually, both Syria and Iraq were led by types of the Baath party. Later, Saddam Hussein was overthrown and Iraq shifted closer to Iran. This suited the Assad regime because it was also close to Iran. Today, things are a bit different; Iraq is led by pro-Iranian officials, while Damascus is led by former members of HTS, a Sunni group that opposed Irans role in Syria. Both Iraq and Syria have Kurdish regions that enjoy forms of regional rule. The wall is also supposed to have an integrated defense network made up of trenches, barbed wire barriers, and early warning systems, supported by high-precision thermal imaging and 24/7 day-and-night surveillance devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other reports in the region have closely followed the construction. Levant24 in Syria has also reported on it. A website named Sarif noted that with the completion of this wall, four of Syrias six neighboring countries have now begun to build security barriers on their borders. These include Turkeys 911km wall on the Syrian border, Israels fence system on the Golan, which the report says is 92km long. It also says Jordan has a multi-layered barbed wire system, trenches, and guard towers are being completed with US funding. A previous report in North Press also noted that Iraq had recently invested in a 40km section of wall between the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Syria. This stretches from Peshkhabur in Duhok Governorate to Rabia. It was unclear if this was an anti-Kurdish policy designed to divide the Kurdish regions of Iraq and Syria. Israel plans to bring thousands of Indians who identify as descendants of the biblical Tribe of Manasseh to the country over the coming years, the prime ministers office said on Sunday. The government approved a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that would allow 1,200 members of the Bnei Menashe community from north-east India to immigrate by the end of next year. The total is expected to reach 5,800 by 2030, with most of the newcomers to be settled in northern Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Programme costs through 2026 are estimated at about $27 million, covering housing, labour-market integration and Hebrew instruction. The Bnei Menashe are a Jewish group living mainly in Indias Manipur and Mizoram states who believe they descend from the ancient Israelite Tribe of Manasseh. Netanyahu described the plan as "important and Zionist" and said it would help bolster Israels north, a region heavily affected by conflict with Lebanons Hezbollah, which has forced tens of thousands of residents to flee or evacuate in recent years. About 4,000 Bnei Menashe have immigrated to Israel over the past two decades, according to the prime ministers office. The new multi-year scheme is expected to complete the communitys migration. Israel is threatening to finish the job in Gaza after a series of new ceasefire violations by Hamas. Two Israeli officials told The Telegraph that the combination of daily violations and an unwillingness by foreign countries to send troops to disarm Hamas could leave them with no choice. We see Hamas increasing their attacks on us in Gaza and constantly pushing the boundary, one official said. Its unacceptable for us to continue like this. If Hamas doesnt stop violating the ceasefire on a daily basis, Israel will have to go in and finish the job. Its looking increasingly like that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comments come a week after the United Nations Security Council backed Donald Trumps peace plan for Gaza, which envisages an international stabilisation force tasked with disarming the Palestinian terror group. Turkey and Indonesia are the only countries to publicly commit to sending troops to Gaza. Israeli tanks and a D9 bulldozer cross the Israel-Lebanon border into Israel on Sunday - Avi Ohayon/Reuters Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has repeatedly ruled out allowing Turkish troops into Gaza because of their links to Hamas. Indonesia, meanwhile, said its forces would only focus on health and reconstruction. The Israeli official said it would be great if foreign troops were deployed to Gaza soon to enforce the disarmament of Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official added: Things are going very slow and Israel doesnt have the luxury to wait around and watch Hamas grow stronger and increase attacks on Israeli soldiers. Its a matter of time before we have to go in and disarm Hamas, once and for all. A second Israeli official told The Telegraph that it was very, very likely that Israel would have to disarm Hamas, with the support of the United States. The thing is that the entire international community is sort of silent about whats been happening in Gaza, the official added. If the ceasefire breaks it will be a major shock to them, a major surprise. But every single day, there are major violations by Hamas, such as this weekend. Israel ramped up attacks against Hamas over the weekend in response to several incidents when Israeli troops came under fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops had been targeted by armed Palestinians fleeing underground infrastructure in eastern Rafah, which is currently controlled by Israel. Eleven armed Palestinians were killed and six apprehended, the army said. In northern Gaza, the army said it identified four terrorists who crossed the yellow line and advanced toward Israeli troops, posing an immediate threat to them. The troops, in cooperation with the IAF [air force], fired to remove the threat and eliminated two of the terrorists, an official added. The IDF later released footage of what it said was a Hamas member exiting his car and opening fire on a humanitarian route across the yellow line. The IDF fired back and killed him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement b' 2910 Gaza yellow line ' Barak Ravid, an Israeli journalist, quoted an American official saying that the Hamas attack was at an area of recently reopened humanitarian aid gate. He added: Israel has a policy, agreed upon with the mediators, that ceasefire violations will be met with immediate response. Israel also said it killed Alaa Haddadeh, the head of supply in Hamass production headquarters, who was a central source of knowledge for the terror group. He also facilitated the transfer of weapons from Hamas headquarters to its field commanders for use against IDF troops. A Hamas-linked Telegram account confirmed that Haddadeh was killed in an Israeli strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Israel launched an attack on Beirut for the first time in months, targeting Hezbollahs de facto military chief, Haytham Ali Tabatabai. Mr Netanyahus office confirmed the strike in the heart of the Lebanese capital, saying Ali Tabatabai had been leading Hezbollahs build-up and rearmament. An Israeli official said he was killed in the strike. Footage from Beirut showed a significantly damaged apartment building, with glass shattered on the street and rescue workers attempting to evacuate people. Hamas official Basem Naim told The Telegraph that the terror group believed Mr Netanyahu was working strongly to push things towards ending the ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are committed to the deal, we will exert our maximum efforts and full national responsibility to give the deal all chances to succeed, and we call upon the mediators, including the Americans, to bear their responsibility and force the Israelis to respect their obligations according to the deal, Mr Naim said. 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. PRAGUE (AP) Antisemitic incidents in the Czech Republic reached record levels last year amid the conflict in Gaza, the countrys Jewish community said on Friday. In its annual report, the Federation of the Jewish Communities said it registered 4,694 antisemitic incidents in 2024, almost 8.5% up from 4,328 in the previous year. In 2023, the reports jumped by 90% following the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, an assault that triggered the war in Gaza. Petr Papousek, head of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Czech Republic, said that his country was no exception to a global explosive wave of antisemitism which erupted immediately after the Hamas attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Papousek said that hatred of Jews especially in the form of demonization of the state of Israel, has become a socially acceptable attitude and has dominated the public space. He said the attacks showed an unprecedented synergy between the far right, the far left, Islamism and the disinformation media. The unifying element is hatred of Israel, which works with the motives, narratives, conspiracies and myths of traditional antisemitism, he said. Most incidents, almost 96%, were expressed online, mostly through social media, it said. But a record of four cases of physical attacks were registered in last year compared to none in 2023. All of them were linked to the Middle East conflict. Twelve cases of desecration of Jewish cemeteries, monuments and damage of other objects were reported, double the number from the previous year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one case, five teenagers were detained after an attempted arson attack against a synagogue in January 2024 in the second largest Czech city of Brno. Police said they were radicalized online by the militant Islamic State group and charged two of them with terror-related crimes. Despite the rise in antisemitic incidents, the report concluded the Czech Republic, or Czechia, remains a safe country for Jews. Just eight months into her treatment for a rare form of blood cancer, Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of President John F. Kennedy and daughter of Caroline Kennedy, says the health care system on which she had come to rely on felt "strained, shaky." The reason for her concern was the confirmation of her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary in February. In an essay in the New Yorker on Nov. 12, in which she revealed that she had less than a year to live, Schlossberg minced no words about the damage she believes Kennedys actions have and will inflict on cancer patients and on medical research. "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 wrote. "Slashed billions in funding from the National Institutes of Health, the worlds largest sponsor of medical research." Caroline Kennedy's daughter Tatiana Schlossberg, 35, revealed her terminal cancer diagnosis in a New Yorker essay published Nov. 22. Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, speaks at the 2023 Profile in Courage Award ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, Oct. 29, 2023. Tatiana Schlossberg attends her book signing at the In goop Health Summit San Francisco 2019 at Craneway Pavilion on Nov. 16, 2019 in Richmond, Calif. Tatiana Schlossberg attends Intelligencer Live: Our Warmer Future presented by New York Magazine and Brookfield Place on Sept. 5, 2019 in New York City. Ed Schlossberg, Jack Schlossberg, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Tatiana Schlossberg and George Moran pose for a photo during the 2018 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Dinner at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., May 20, 2018. REUTERS/Faith Ninivaggi Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of former President John F Kennedy lays a wreath during a memorial service in Runnymede, Surrey on Nov. 22, 2013, to mark the 50th anniversary of his assassination. Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of former President John F Kennedy speaks during a memorial service in Runnymede, Surrey on Nov. 22, 2013, to mark the 50th anniversary of his assassination. John "Jack" Schlossberg (L) and Tatiana Schlossberg watch their mother Caroline Kennedy testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on her nomination to be ambassador to Japan in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Sept. 19, 2013. Rose (L) and Tatiana Schlossberg, grandchildren of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, put on caps with the insignia of the newly-named U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy during a ceremony at the Kennedy Library in Boston, May 29, 2011. Jack and Tatiana Schlossberg, grandchildren of the late President John F. Kennedy recite Robert Frost's poem The Road Not Taken during a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the late President's inauguration, at the Kennedy Center concert hall in Washington, Jan. 20, 2011. Jack and Tatiana are children of Kennedy's daughter Caroline Kennedy. (L to R) Daughters Rose Schlossberg and Tatiana Schlossberg, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg and son Jack Schlossberg stand at the podium before the first session of day one of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Aug. 25, 2008 in Denver. Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg hugs daughter Tatiana Schlossberg outside the JFK Library after handing out the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award May 22, 2000 in Boston. This year marked the first time Kennedy handed out the award without brother John who was killed in a plane crash last summer. Caroline Kennedys daughter, Tatiana Schlossberg in the spotlight 1 of 11 Caroline Kennedy's daughter Tatiana Schlossberg, 35, revealed her terminal cancer diagnosis in a New Yorker essay published Nov. 22. Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, speaks at the 2023 Profile in Courage Award ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, Oct. 29, 2023. She wrote that doctors and scientists at Columbia University where her husband worked as a urology resident and where (Columbia Presbyterian hospital) she was being initially treated didnt know if they would be able to continue their research, or even have jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In May, the university laid off a hundred and eighty researchers after federal-funding cuts," she wrote. Schlossberg was diagnosed with "acute myeloid leukemia, with a rare mutation called Inversion 3" at age 34, just hours after the she had delivered her second child, a daughter. Her two-year-old son had just visited the hospital with her parents. Kennedy, the son of late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of John F. Kennedy, is a long-time vaccine skeptic, who has been making sweeping changes to vaccines, food and prescription drug policies. He's also targeted ultra-processed foods, linking them to chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes and certain cancers. The HHS did not respond to USA TODAY seeking a comment from Kennedy on the essay. In March, Kennedy announced a major restructuring plan including the consolidation of divisions and elimination of 20,000 full-time employees, saying it would save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year. Kennedy has also slashed the budget for the Department of Health and Human Services in 2026 to $94.7 billion, compared to $127.6 billion in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy, who has repeatedly claimed that he is cutting bureaucracy, not research, has also said that some grants, which were frozen in error, would be reinstated. As of Nov. 23, HHS has restored about 52%, or 2,860, of the terminated NIH grants, according to Grant Witness, which tracks the progress. But more than 2,600 grants continue to be impacted. In August, Kennedy called the mRNA vaccine technology "ineffective" and claimed it posed more risks than benefits. He said the decision would impact 22 projects worth nearly $500 million at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which helps companies develop vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for public health emergencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy ran for president as a Democrat in 2024, before switching to independent and eventually endorsing the-candidate Donald Trump. When he joined the Trump camp, he brought with him his newly minted "Make America Healthy Again" movement, and Trump promised to let Kennedy "go wild" on health, food and medicine. Tatiana Schlossberg attends Intelligencer Live: Our Warmer Future presented by New York Magazine and Brookfield Place on Sept. 5, 2019 in New York City. Schlossberg, who has had two bone-marrow transplants at New York City-based Memorial Sloan Kettering, said she worried about how Kennedys policies would mar research and clinical trials at the hospital. "I worried about funding for leukemia and bone-marrow research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I worried about the trials that were my only shot at remission," wrote Schlossberg. In January, Schlossberg joined a clinical trial for "CAR T-cell therapy," a type of immunotherapy against certain blood cancers. Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of former President John F. Kennedy, speaks during a memorial service in Runnymede, Surrey on Nov. 22, 2013, to mark the 50th anniversary of his assassination. "During the latest clinical trial, my doctor told me that he could keep me alive for a year, maybe. My first thought was that my kids, whose faces live permanently on the inside of my eyelids, wouldnt remember me," she wrote in the heartbreaking essay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, Kennedy removed all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's expert vaccine panel and filled many of the positions with people who have been vaccine skeptics or questioned COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Two months later, Kennedy ousted Susan Monarez, the head of CDC, just 29 days after she had been confirmed by the Senate. Monarez said she was let go because she refused to "preapprove the recommendations of a vaccine advisory panel newly filled with people who have publicly expressed antivaccine rhetoric." Early in her illness, Schlossberg said when she had postpartum hemorrhage, she was given a dose of misoprostol to help stop the bleeding. "This drug is part of medication abortion, which, at Bobbys urging, is currently 'under review' by the Food and Drug Administration," she wrote. "I freeze when 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 or to get the care they deserve." Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. looks on as President Donald Trump makes an announcement about lowering U.S. drug prices, at the White House in Washington, D.C., October 10, 2025. Kennedy directed the FDA in May to conduct a safety review of mifepristone, the primary drug used in medication abortions. Misoprostol is the second drug in the two-pill regimen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schlossberg is not the first member of the Kennedy family to speak out against RFK Jr. Most of his siblings and cousins endorsed former President Joe Biden in his election campaign, and denounced his eventual support of Trump. "My mother wrote a letter to the Senate, to try and stop his confirmation; my brother had been speaking out against his lies for months," wrote Schlossberg. "I watched from my hospital bed as Bobby, in the face of logic and common sense, was confirmed for the position, despite never having worked in medicine, public health, or the government." Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tatiana Schlossberg rips RFK Jr, reveals terminal cancer diagnosis ASPEN, COLORADO Kyrsten Sinemas old enemies on the left better brace themselves: The former senator is now embracing psychedelics and cozying up to MAHA. After infuriating progressives time and again for stonewalling their priorities, the Arizona Democrat-turned-Independent decided not to seek reelection last year and instead became a senior adviser at the law and lobbying firm Hogan Lovells. Shes since taken up the cause of psychedelic medicine pro bono, she says. Her drug of choice? Ibogaine, a psychedelic derived from an African shrub, and which she went down to Mexico to try for herself. She and other advocates want ibogaine studied in state-funded clinical trials and eventually hope to win Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug as a mental health treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And she thinks now is their chance with President Donald Trump in office. We are in this magical, unique time, Sinema said of Trumps health department, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime believer in psychedelics potential to help people, particularly veterans, with illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Sinema was making her remarks earlier this month before roughly 200 attendees at a conference of Americans for Ibogaine, a group co-founded by Rick Perry, the former Texas GOP governor who has made psychedelic medicine advocacy his lifes work after leaving government. Advocates have had some recent success. Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill in June that secured $50 million in state funding for ibogaine research . In Arizona, Sinema successfully lobbied Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs to include $5 million in ibogaine research funding in the states budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with POLITICO Magazine at the conference, Sinema noted the crowd included super conservative people in the room MAGA, MAHA and then theres full-on hippies. And like Kennedys Make America Healthy Again agenda, which also unites odd bedfellows on the right and left, the embrace of ibogaine faces skepticism from many in the medical establishment. Thats in part because ibogaine poses heart risks and robust research hasnt been done on its effects. The Drug Enforcement Administration also lists ibogaine on its schedule of drugs with no currently acceptable medical use and a high risk of abuse. But Sinemas not one to shy away from controversy, or from courting MAHA forces and Kennedy in particular. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its interesting, because Ive seen some of my former colleagues really push back hard against his MAHA movement, she said, before adding, MAHA is amazing. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. You've made the case that states should work together to seek FDA approval of ibogaine while Trump's president. What's the rush? This is a disruptive administration. In Trump 1.0, he didn't think he was going to win. When he did win, he gathered all the people around him and they were all normies. He hired all these normal people who'd been in government for a long time and he hated them. So they pow, pow, pow, pow dropped like flies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time, he knew he was going to win and intentionally built a cabinet of disruptors. There are lots of feelings about that all across the country. But disruption brings opportunity. Is there an opportunity to get this done in this administration? Heck, yeah. Robert Kennedy is a disruptor and he supports psychedelic medicine. The possibility is ripe in this administration and we should strike while the iron is hot. Are you talking with Kennedy about psychedelic medicine? Oh yeah. We're close. What are those conversations like? I'm not going to tell you that. That's not my thing. How do you think the left will respond if Kennedy makes psychedelic medicine part of his MAHA agenda? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's interesting, because I've seen some of my former colleagues really push back hard against his MAHA movement. MAHA is amazing. Do we want food with fewer chemicals in it? Yeah. Do we want to know where our food came from? Yeah. Do we want to get rid of toxic dyes in our food? Yeah. How is this controversial? When Michelle Obama was first lady, her initiative was about healthy food. I'm hearing more pushback from doctors and medical groups in blue states who oppose funding for ibogaine research than in red ones. What do you make of that? I want to be careful not to oversimplify this and say blue states vs. red states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How did we get it passed in Arizona so quickly? Relationships. I know all of them and they trust me. In Arizona, the testimony in our House and Senate appropriations committee was me, plus conservative veterans. That was it. The opposition that we faced in Arizona, which was minimal, was a couple of Freedom Caucus-type folks who don't want to spend government money on anything, which I totally respect and honor. I have no beef with that. I get it. And then the far left, who I think just doesn't like me. I don't think of psychedelics as a conservative issue. You don't? Recently, yes. Traditionally, no. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What you just said is hitting the nail on the head. Historically, I think you saw psychedelics not necessarily psychedelic medicine but psychedelics, dominated by the hippie left. Psychedelic medicine as a treatment for disorders is important to many people on the right. I want to be clear, the reason is not because it's psychedelics it's because nothing else works. When you hear many conservatives talk about their first experience with psychedelics, they usually start with: Hey, Im conservative. Im Christian. I think drugs are bad. Then I learned about this and I was like, Oh, this is different. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a conservative's brain, psychedelics are not a drug. They are a medicine. In the old-school left psychedelic movement, they're seen as a drug. That drug has healing properties, but it also has other properties that they celebrate that are not just medicine. I think what you might be seeing from mainstream blue communities is concern about looking like weirdo, hippie lefties if they support psychedelics. It also might be a commitment to mainstream medicine. It also could be, politically speaking, skepticism if conservatives like it. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has emerged as an unexpected Trump administration champion of psychedelic medicine. Did you introduce Collins to ibogaine as a mental health treatment? Had he heard of it? He'd not heard of it. He'd not even heard of psychedelic medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doug and I came into Congress together in '12. Doug and Tulsi [Gabbard] and I were all in the same class. As soon as Doug got nominated, I texted him and I was like, I want to help you get confirmed and also I need to talk to you about psychedelic medicine. He had never heard of it. He was skeptical at first. He's a conservative pastor from Georgia. Then he met with some veterans and he saw the science and as you've heard, he's the most vocal person in the administration in favor of psychedelic medicine. Kennedy, Collins that's two secretaries. That's a big deal. Have we ever had that before? No, we have not. The opportunity is ripe. Not only do you have two secretaries who are in favor, but you have an administration that's interested in disrupting the old-school processes. Doug was saying to me the VA has been pouring money into suicide prevention. The pamphlets, the hotlines, it's not working. What did blue state representatives think of your advice to capitalize on Trump's cabinet of health disruptors? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Someone came up to me at dinner last night and said he appreciated my remarks about the opportunity during this time. It was a very progressive state legislator from Vermont. He said to me, I'm of the Bernie Sanders school. I said, Excellent. But we had a really good conversation. He said he really appreciated that frame, because it allows him to see this administration from a different perspective than the one he holds every day. He had a lot of distress. He still does. But that was one of the points I tried to make: Whether you're delighted with this administration or whether you're horrified by this administration, I'm going to leave all of that to the side, and just say, Heres an opportunity. You leave it or you take it. Lets go. You traveled to Mexico this spring for ibogaine treatment after seeing your grandmother's experience with dementia. What was that like? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not a fun medicine. My experience was 15 hours long. That's a long time. There was a noise in my head for the entire 15 hours that sounded like a little machine clunking around. Clunk clunk clunk clunk clunk. Some people say they hear a buzzing noise, I didn't have that. It felt like there was a machine working inside my head for 15 hours. It wasn't pleasant, but I just thought, Well, this is what you asked for, so buckle up. Would you do ibogaine again? I don't really want to. But will I? Yeah, for my brain. I have a very sharp memory, but my number one fear in life is losing it. My mind is my favorite thing about me. It's what makes me who I am. I would like to keep it. What does your brain feel like now? Crystal-clear. Sharp, sharp is the word. My brain feels snappy. Justice Minister Levin will be temporarily appointed as minister of labor, religious services, and Jerusalem and Israel heritage, while Prime Minister Netanyahu will also become minister of interior The government is expected to approve the temporary appointment of ministers to recently vacated offices on Sunday, after the withdrawal of the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties from the coalition. According to the proposal, Justice Minister Yariv Levin will also be appointed as the labor minister, the religious services minister, and the Jerusalem and Israel heritage minister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Levin's role as interior minister will temporarily be transferred to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Haredi factions agree to appointments The decision requires Knesset approval, and the coalition has coordinated with the haredi factions to ensure they will vote in favor, a commitment they confirmed in light of progress on the draft law. PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Yariv Levin attend a cabinet meeting. (credit: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90) The appointment is expected to be brought to a plenum vote as early as Monday. Hours after an officer-involved shooting prompted the full closure of the 5 Freeway in Oceanside, all lanes were reopened Saturday afternoon as the investigation continues. "The 5 is closed in both directions between Oceanside and the Orange County border while police investigate a shooting," Caltrans said in a social media post at 9:39 a.m., adding that drivers should use the 15 Freeway as an alternative route. The Buena Park Police Department said its officers attempted to pull over a car for vehicle code violations just before 1 p.m. in the area of La Palma Avenue and San Marino Drive, but the car failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At 1:05 a.m. we asked CHP to take over the pursuit. They did but requested our K-9 unit stay in the pursuit," Buena Park police said in a statement. Police said that at 2:10 a.m., the suspect vehicle was brought to a stop and then an officer-involved shooting occurred. It was not immediately known what led to the shooting. According to Oceanside police, an injured suspect surrendered at 7:45 a.m. No officers were hurt in the incident. A SigAlert was issued shortly after 2:30 a.m. between Harbor Drive in Oceanside and Christianitos Road in San Clemente, according to the California Highway Patrol. As several lanes were reopened hours later, the Highway Patrol urged motorists to continue to use caution and watch for personnel in the area. The investigation is ongoing. In contemporary naming trends, Monika has transitioned from its peak popularity in the mid-20th century to become a classic, established choice rather than a fashionable one. In Germany, the name has declined from its top-ranking positions of the 1950s-1970s but maintains steady usage among parents seeking traditional, internationally recognizable names with strong cultural roots. The spelling 'Monika' remains dominant in German-speaking countries, Poland, Czech Republic, and Scandinavia, while 'Monica' prevails in English-speaking nations. Current usage patterns show the name appealing to parents who value its elegant simplicity, cross-cultural familiarity, and association with intelligence and reliability. Though no longer trending, Monika continues to be chosen for its timeless quality and the positive attributes it representsparticularly the combination of strength and nurturing characteristics that many modern parents wish to inspire in their daughters. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Flags and signs filled the Capitol this afternoon to raise awareness of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, described as a humanitarian crisis and a proxy war. The demonstration highlighted the severe impact of the conflict, with millions displaced and numerous deaths reported. Organizers aimed to shed light on the struggles faced by Sudanese families, both in Sudan and abroad. Siham Hassan, a Sudanese organizer, shared her personal loss due to the conflict, stating, Ive lost a cousin from the genocide. My mom lost my moms sisters husband was killed. Sahar Hussein, a Sudanese Michigander, attributed the war to greed over Sudans gold resources, saying, Its happening because these people live in a land full of gold. And its just simply happening because of greed. (WLNS) Ahmad Hassan and Mia Zaben expressed solidarity with Sudan, drawing parallels to the struggles faced in Palestine, noting, Theres an erasure happening of both people. Were being wiped out in our countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Siham Hassan hopes that by raising awareness through brightly colored signs and megaphones, people will become more educated about the crisis in Sudan. She emphasized the importance of being a voice for the voiceless and speaking up where possible, stating, The only way we can bring change is to be able to educate ourselves and really just be aware about whats happening around us. As the crisis continues, demonstrators at the Capitol hope their efforts will lead to increased awareness and ultimately, change for Sudan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. HALIFAX, Nova Scotia U.S. lawmakers attempted Saturday to reverse days of confusion around a leaked peace plan for Ukraine, saying Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured them the document does not represent the Trump administrations position. Rubio called the bipartisan delegation to the Halifax International Security Forum on Saturday afternoon, they said, while en route to Geneva for talks with Ukrainian officials. He described the plan as a Russian proposal, they said, and not a U.S. initiative. He made it very clear to us that we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives, said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan. It is a proposal that was received, and as an intermediary, we have made arrangements to share it and we did not release it. It was leaked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their comments, at a Halifax press conference, amounted to a massive U-turn for an episode that has dominated the news this week and fueled a mad diplomatic scramble. The release of the planhas prompted questions in Kyiv, European capitals and Washington about whether the U.S. was backing a Kremlin-friendly plan. Rubio told lawmakers that he was unaware of any plans by President Donald Trump to cut off intelligence sharing or military assistance if Ukraine rejected the terms. He told me he was not aware of that threat being made, Rounds said. The intent was to take what had now been publicly discussed in news reports and to allow the Ukrainians the opportunity to respond back to it. Rubio, in a late Saturday message on X, disputed the notion that the U.S. wasn't involved in drawing up the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The peace proposal was authored by the U.S.," he wrote. "It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine." The White House did not respond to a request for comment. The lawmakers said the call came at their request after they grew alarmed by the proposal and heard global leaders railing against it. Rubio, they said, agreed to walk them through the situation and gave the lawmakers permission to describe what he told them. Rubio, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff are meeting with Ukrainian advisers in Geneva on Sunday before engaging the Russians. European governments are rushing envoys of their own to influence the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National security advisers from France, Germany and Italy may join, and leaders from 27 European Union states are preparing a counterproposal. Many have called the U.S. document a nonstarter. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), also at the forum, said the peace plan included elements Ukraine and U.S. allies would never accept, including restrictions on NATO adding new members and the size of Ukraines military. There is so much in that plan that is totally unacceptable, she said. If we're going to have a real negotiation that is going to actually produce a peace deal for Ukraine and Russia. Daniella Cheslow contributed to this report. California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved two bills supporting advanced energy research at the University of California, Berkeley, reported The Daily Californian. The first bill, SB 80, creates the Fusion Research and Development Innovation Initiative through the California Energy Commission. This initiative will provide necessary funding for fusion energy research, with a 2040s target for a robust pilot program. The second bill, AB 940, directs the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to create quantum technology development plans by the middle of 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both bills won strong backing from many lawmakers across party lines. The state allocated $5 million for substantial fusion projects and $4 million for quantum research. State Sen. Anna Caballero authored SB 80, while State Sen. Stan Ellis co-authored AB 940. Nuclear energy is a complex climate solution. Nuclear plants generate massive amounts of electricity without producing carbon pollution during operation, which could help replace power plants that burn dirty coal and gas that congest our atmosphere. Nuclear facilities can also run continuously and provide stable power when solar panels and wind turbines don't. But nuclear technology comes with serious obstacles we have yet to overcome. The waste stays radioactive for millennia and requires secure long-term storage. Building nuclear plants costs billions of dollars and takes many years. Safety concerns persist after historic accidents, and the technology shares connections with weapons development. These trade-offs make nuclear energy one of the most debated topics in clean energy discussions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In California, these bills aim to retain scientific talent and research while exploring future energy options. The legislation comes as federal research funding faces cuts, making state-level support more valuable for research institutions. "What we're hoping to do more than anything is bring awareness to how critical quantum is to California's security and futuristic development," said Ellis. 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. Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Hezbollah confirmed the assassination of Haytham Ali Tabatabai, a senior Hezbollah official, after a strike in Lebanon ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Lebanese group said in a statement carried by Hezbollah-run news outlet Al-Manar that Ali Tabatabai had lived "a life filled with jihad, sincerity, dedication, and steadfastness on the path of resistance." "He spent his blessed life working tirelessly in confronting the 'Israeli' enemy until his last moments. He knew no fatigue or hesitation in defending his land and people," Hezbollah said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As he was in his life a source of strength and inspiration, his pure blood will empower the fighters to continue with steadfastness and courage to thwart all the schemes of the Zionist enemy and its sponsor, America." Netanyahu had ordered a strike against garnering condemnation from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun for an alleged ceasefire violation. The strike was announced by Netanyahu's office, which accused Ali Tabatabai of leading Hezbollah's rearmament efforts since the group's ceasefire with Israel was reached in November 2024. It marked the latest among repeated strikes within Lebanon since the ceasefire started. Netanyahu's office said that it had conducted the strike "in the heart of Beirut" and that Israel "is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Aoun said in a statement that the attack, which happened in Beirut's southern suburbs, is "proof" that Netanyahu's government "does not care about repeated calls to stop its attacks on Lebanon." "Lebanon, which has committed to a cessation of hostilities for nearly a year now and has presented one initiative after another, renews its call to the international community to shoulder its responsibility and intervene forcefully and seriously to stop the attacks on Lebanon and its people," Aoun said. He added that such measures from the international community are needed "in order to prevent any deterioration that would bring tension back to the region on the one hand, and more bloodshed on the other." Hezbollah-run news agency Al-Manar reported Sunday that at least five people were killed in the strike, with 28 other people injured. It was not immediately clear if Ali Tabatabai was killed or injured in Israel's attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran's Embassy in Beirut denounced Israel for its "criminal attacks" and called its rival nation a "terrorist entity." "These cowardly attacks will not undermine the determination of those who are rightfully entitled to their rights," Iran's Embassy in Beirut said in its statement. "Nor will they weaken their unwavering will to confront injustice." After their victory over the Hessians at the Battle of Trenton on Dec. 26, 1776, the Continental Army under Gen. George Washington could have gone into winter quarters in Pennsylvania. Instead, Washington decided to cross the Delaware for another attack on the British. On Jan. 2, 1777, the Americans had again crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey, and with those troops were three men who later would call Licking County home: John George Hoover, James Devaun and Isaiah Beaumont. Washington knew there were British and Hessian troops under Gen. Charles Cornwallis northeast of Trenton in Princeton, so he posted most of his troops just south of Trenton at a bridge across Assunpink Creek. Washington then sent a delaying force on the Princeton Road between Trenton and Princeton to slow the British advance. About 1 p.m., the British began their attack south along the Princeton Road. Over the next few hours, the British pushed the Continental Army back through Trenton. The American troops then crossed the Assunpink Bridge, joining the rest of the Continental Army that was waiting for the British. Licking County history: Men who called Licking County home fought in Washington's army Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The light of day was fading when Cornwallis arrived on the north bank of the creek to find the Americans entrenched on the other side of the bridge. However, Cornwallis decided to attack. Three times his troops advanced, and three times they were forced back. On April 11, 1836, Isaiah Beaumont was living in Johnstown when he appeared in the Licking County Court of Common Pleas and gave his deposition for a soldiers pension. In that statement, 58 years after the battle, he remembered what it was like for Washingtons men that day: He was at the battle of Assunpink Bridge, where the British made a desperate attempt with the German troops to cross the bridge but were repulsed and forced to take shelter in the town. Washington had now won what would be called the Second Battle of Trenton, but he had little time to rejoice. His army was trapped between the British and the Delaware River. He knew the next morning the enemy would renew their attack with 8,000 troops, so he concocted another desperate plan that Beaumont relates in his statement: In the night following, we left our campfires burning and marched about the middle of the night, we knew not whither, until just at the dawn of day we found ourselves in the environs of Princeton, where lay the rear of the British Army. Licking County history: 142 Revolutionary War soldiers called Licking County home Washington had marched his men through the night around Cornwallis to attack the British troops left at Princeton. At dawn, the Americans encountered the British. The fate of the battle hung in the balance until around noon, when the British surrendered to the Americans. Beaumont recorded that a musket ball wounded him in the arm. His enlistment had expired after the battle, but he wrote that, The army was very much reduced in numbers at that time, so he enlisted for one month longer. He served out his time and was discharged Feb. 1, 1777. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Devaun nor Hoover left any personal record of the battle, and even though Beaumont was discharged, they were still fighting on. Doug Stout is the local history coordinator for the Licking County Library. You may contact him at 740-349-5571 or dstout@lickingcountylibrary.org. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking Countians fought in Washington's 2nd Battle of Trenton in 1777 AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin-area residents raised money Sunday for groups that work to relieve food insecurity at the 29th Austin Empty Bowl Project (AEBP) event. Three thousand custom clay bowls were available to purchase, along with soup, live music, a raffle and a silent auction. Proceeds from the event went to Meals on Wheels Central Texas (MOWCT) and the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) to provide food for those in need. According to the AEBP, 200 gallons of soup were contributed by 30 restaurants, CTFB and MOWCT. Austinites waiting in line to enter the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 23, 2025. (KXAN Photo) Volunteers showing how to make bowls out of clay in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 23, 2025. (KXAN Photo) Custom made clay bowl. (KXAN Photo) Attendees purchasing custom made clay bowls in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 23, 2025. (KXAN Photo) Attendees purchasing custom made clay bowls in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 23, 2025. (KXAN Photo) Custom made clay bowl. (KXAN Photo) Attendees purchasing custom made clay bowls in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 23, 2025. (KXAN Photo) Ive been to [Austin Empty Bowls Project] every single year, said longtime attendee, Nancy Elder. Shes made 22 quilts for the events over the years, all with a strong purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To me, this is how I do it the effort I put in, I have fun doing, said Elder. How much better can something be? That I have fun I have creativity, and then children get to eat. Elders quilt was one of the items included in the raffle. Quiltmaker Nancy Elder with one of her quilts, which was a raffle item for the 29th Austin Empty Bowl Project on Nov. 23, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Christian Rodriguez-Panesso) This annual event is a cherished Austin tradition, said CTFB CEO Sari Vatske. Unfortunately, hunger doesnt take a holiday break. Every bowl purchased is critical as it helps ensure more children and families can experience the joy and comfort of a full table this season and beyond. AEBP has raised $1.4 million since 1997. Last years event raised $120,000. 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. A wastewater facility breakdown has scattered countless small plastic beads across Camber Sands, one of England's most popular beaches, reported the Guardian. What happened? Southern Water's Eastbourne Wastewater Treatment Works had a mechanical breakdown last week, dumping vast quantities of black plastic biobeads measuring about 5 millimeters across along Sussex beaches. The company acknowledged responsibility for the spill. These beads normally help clean wastewater by providing surfaces where bacteria grow and remove contaminants. Now they blanket the shoreline. Volunteers have spent multiple days bent over the sand trying to collect them by hand with sieves, dustpans, and even makeshift mesh bags. "We're scooping up the sand, then pouring the sand over a bucket into a sieve, and then pouring the water on top, so that we just get the beads." Roisin O'Gorman, resident of Hastings, UK#GlobalCarbonFeeAndDividendPetitionhttps://t.co/dLRZFGrV36 Keith McNeill (@KeithMcNeill6) November 16, 2025 Andy Dinsdale, founder of the environmental group Strandliners and organizer of beach cleanups, gave up his son's birthday celebration to coordinate the response. A specialized vacuum machine from the cleanup organization Nurdle has operated all day long to suction up the pollution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're fighting against the sunlight. We feel like we're fighting a losing battle, a little, because of the scale of the challenge," said volunteer Cate Lamb, who came from London with her family to help. Why does this biobead spill matter? These beads measure the same as food items consumed by numerous ocean creatures, according to University of Exeter ecotoxicology professor Tamara Galloway, per the Guardian. They can get ingested by marine animals and carry toxic chemicals through their bodies. Pollution degrades over time, releasing substances that interfere with reproductive systems. Several dead animals have washed ashore following the spill, including multiple seals and a porpoise. Investigators currently see no connection between these deaths and the contamination. Camber Sands borders the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, the most expansive property that Sussex Wildlife Trust oversees. More than 4,355 species live in the reserve, including common terns, sandwich terns, little terns, oystercatchers, plovers, and avocets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Guardian, site manager Paul Tinsley-Marshall described it as interconnected wetland environments that touch the sea, which is home to uncommon vegetated shingle habitats. Staff have confirmed the beads reached the reserve and are creating plans for cautious removal from this ecosystem. Joshua Beech, an environmental scientist who invented the vacuum cleaning machine, calls this "the worst microplastic spill we've seen this year," per the Guardian. How concerned are you about the plastic waste in our oceans? Extremely I'm pretty concerned A little Not much Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. What's being done about the biobead pollution? Helena Dollimore, the member of parliament for Hastings and Rye, is demanding that Southern Water fund the cleanup and any needed habitat restoration. She is also pushing for an independent investigation, stating, per the Guardian: "Southern Water cannot be trusted to mark their own homework." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you want to help prevent wastewater spills in your area, contact your local water utility to ask about their infrastructure maintenance plans and backup systems. You can also support organizations working on microplastic cleanup efforts and contact your elected officials about stronger regulations for wastewater treatment facilities. 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. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Sunday he will dig into traditional German dishes during an upcoming visit to the country, as he and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz try to digest a recent diplomatic spat. "When I arrive in Germany, I will eat sauerkraut, pork knuckle, sausages from the market stalls," Lula said at a press conference on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg. "Because I don't travel to another country to eat feijoada," he said, referring to the bean stew considered Brazil's national dish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lula and Merz used their time together at the summit to smooth over a row that erupted with the German leader making disparaging comments about Belem, the Brazilian city that hosted this year's UN climate talks. Lula said the chancellor had not been mentally present when he was in Belem for a quick 20-hour trip early this month: "He came to Brazil, but his mind stayed in Berlin." The tensions were sparked a few days after Merz returned to Berlin. In a speech at a trade conference in Berlin on November 13, Merz said that he had asked the journalists accompanying him during his visit to Belem whether any of them wanted to stay longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz claimed that "no one raised their hand" and suggested that everyone was "happy" to have left Brazil and be back in Germany. Merz later said that he only meant to convey that he considers Germany one of the most beautiful countries in the world. But the remarks sparked a storm of controversy, drawing criticism from Belems mayor, the governor of Para state and President Lula. The German leader worked to mend ties with Lula at the G20. After talking to Lula on Saturday, Merz wrote on X that "next time in Belem, I'll explore more - from dance steps to local food and the rainforest." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that meeting Lula had offered Merz advice on which restaurants to visit in Belem and told him about local dances he should try, according to sources familiar with the talks. Merz was said to have responded: "Great, next time we will go dancing together." Lula is expected to visit Germany in April. An ongoing fuel crisis is causing a major issue for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, so much so that the state government has intervened. On Nov. 11, the Olympic Pipeline was shut down due to a leak in Snohomish County. The 400-mile-long pipeline, operated by BP, supplies gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other petroleum products to key places in Washington and Oregon, including Sea-Tac Airport. As a result, the flight hub is in danger of running out of jet fuel. Governor declares emergency Currently, there is no timeline on reopening the Olympic Pipeline. On Wednesday, Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson issued an emergency proclamation temporarily waiving and suspending state regulations limiting how many hours commercial motor vehicle operators can drive when transporting jet fuel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move ensures that Sea-Tac Airport can still receive adequate fuel supplies while the pipeline remains closed and under repair. We are in close communication with our state and federal partners, Ferguson said. This declaration will help the airport maintain its fuel supply while the pipeline is offline and limit disruptions to travelers. Concerns still remain According to The Seattle Times, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. penned a letter to BP addressing the crisis. In it, she wrote it would take 90 trucks in a 24-hour period to deliver even half of the fuel the airport needs. The State of Washington, and the entire Pacific Northwest region, depends on SEA, Cantwell said. All of this activity depends on the ability of over 1,000 airplanes to take off and land each day which requires reliable access to fuel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Saturday, there were no reports of flights being impacted by the fuel shortage, but the real test will be in the coming days, during the upcoming Thanksgiving travel crunch. Airlines looking into 'contingency' plans According to Paddle Your Own Kanoo's Mateusz Maszczynski, domestic flights are less likely to impacted, as airlines have been asked to "ferry" fuel from their original airport to Seattle, meaning planes will be loaded up with more fuel than necessary to make the trip to Seattle in order to not have to refuel once there. However, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines, the two largest domestic carriers out of Sea-Tac, have announced they are monitoring the situation and working on "contingency" measures. We are working to mitigate a potential impact from the Olympic Pipeline fuel leak," Alaska Airlines said, via KING5. "We are not currently experiencing any disruption to our operation at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. To ensure our scheduled service is maintained without significant disruption, we are preparing contingency plans, which include fuel management strategies such as tankering in fuel on inbound flights to Seattle, assessing tech stop options along certain routes to conserve fuel, and maintaining and expanding our trucking operation to bring in additional fuel supply." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delta Air Lines added that it was "closely monitoring the fuel supply at SEA, and there are no operational impacts at this time." This story was originally reported by Men's Journal on Nov 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Zohran Mamdani has reiterated his view that Donald Trump is a fascist and a despot just days after the pair had a surprisingly cordial meeting at the White House. Speaking to NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, the New York City mayor-elect was asked if he still considered Trump a threat to democracy. Everything that Ive said in the past I continue to believe, Mamdani replied. I think it is important in our politics that we dont shy away from where we have disagreements. In his victory speech on 4 November, Mamdani said New York had demonstrated it could be the light in a moment of political darkness, taking aim at the president. If there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power, Mamdani said. So, Donald Trump, since I know youre watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the intense rhetoric Trump has used against Mamdani in recent months, including calling him a communist lunatic, the White House meeting was highly anticipated and expected to be contentious. Instead, it produced warm words, with Trump even saying, I feel very confident that he can do a good job and adding, I think hes going to surprise some conservative people, actually. The pair agreed to work together on housing, food prices and cost-of-living concerns, and bonded over a mutual love for New York. 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. It was a conversation where we spoke about the need to deliver on this agenda, Mamdani told NBC on Sunday, saying that he appreciated how the president took the time to tour him around the cabinet and point out the portraits of previous presidents. We were not shy about the places of disagreement about the politics that has brought us to this moment and we also wanted to focus on what it could look like to deliver on. Mamdani also addressed questions about his decision to retain Jessica Tisch, the police commissioner initially hired by Eric Adams, the outgoing mayor. She has driven down crime across the five boroughs while starting to uproot corruption that was endemic in the top echelons of that department under Mayor Adams, Mamdani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin Hasset, director of the National Economic Council, which works with the treasury secretary to push forward Trumps economic agenda, praised the move on Sunday and said the White House was pleased with it. We are really reassured that [Mamdani has] kept the police commissioner. In previous administrations in New York, we have seen law and order really go south, Hassett told host Jake Tapper on CNNs State of the Union. Do the mayor-elect and I agree on everything? No, we dont, wrote Tisch in an email to rank-and-file officers, according to the New York Times. She has supported Adamss plan to hire 5,000 more uniformed officers, whereas Mamdani has said he wants to keep the head count the same. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Moshe holds profound significance in Jewish culture as the name of the most important prophet in Judaism. According to the Book of Exodus, the name was given by Pharaoh's daughter who 'drew him out of the water' of the Nile River. Moshe (Moses) is considered the greatest prophet who ever lived, the lawgiver who received the Torah from God at Mount Sinai, and the leader who liberated the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. Throughout Jewish history, the name has symbolized leadership, prophecy, and divine communication. In Jewish tradition, Moshe represents the ultimate teacher and intermediary between God and the Jewish people, making the name particularly revered in religious contexts. The story of his miraculous survival as an infant and his subsequent role as liberator has made the name emblematic of divine protection and destiny. Beyond religious significance, the name carries national importance in modern Israel, connecting contemporary bearers to their ancient heritage and the foundational narrative of Jewish peoplehood. Just hours after a shockingly convivial meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) is not backing off some of his harshest criticism of the commander in chief. In an interview which was taped Saturday and aired on Sundays Meet the Press, the incoming mayor told NBCs Kristen Welker that even after his friendly chat with the president, he still regards him as a fascist. In that press conference with President Trump, a reporter asked you whether you believe that President Trump is in fact a fascist, a word that youve used in the past, Welker said. You were about to answer. Then, President Trump sort of jumped in. And he said, Thats okay. You can just say yes. Its easier than explaining it. So, Mr. Mayor-Elect, just to be very clear, do you think that President Trump is a fascist? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And after President Trump said that, I said, yes,' Mamdani said. So you do? Welker asked. Thats something that Ive said in the past, I say it today, Mamdani said. Still, Mamdani did describe the sitdown as productive. Were you surprised by the warm welcome that you got? Welker asked. I was looking forward to having the meeting with the president to speak about the needs of the eight and a half million people who call the same city we love home, and to speak frankly about the affordability crisis that is pushing so many of them out of those five boroughs, Mamdani replied. And I found in the meeting that I had with the president a productive one and a meeting that came back again and again to the central themes of the campaign that we ran, the cost of housing, cost of child care, the cost of groceries, the cost of utilities. And it showed that this is an opportunity to now start to deliver so that people can do more than just aspire to struggle in New York City, but actually to be able to live there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welker went on to press Mamdani about whether he thinks Trump will ultimately follow through with his threats to send troops to New York City, but the incoming mayor deflected: Welker: Did you get any assurances in your meeting, Mayor-elect Mamdani, that President Trump will not send troops into New York? Mamdani: I told the president that the cornerstone of an affordability agenda is public safety. And that it is critically important to me. And for all that has been said and all that has been spoken about, and the tens of millions of dollars looking to make New Yorkers fearful of that question, the truth of it is in fact that Im looking forward to working with the NYPD to deliver on that. And I shared with the president that my decision to retain Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch is in large part a recognition of the fact that in her time leading the NYPD, she has driven down crime across the five boroughs while starting to uproot corruption that was endemic in the top echelons of that department under Mayor [Eric] Adams. Welker: And then, Im going to follow up with you on your decision to keep Commissioner Tisch. But to this core question that I think so many New Yorkers are curious to know the answer to, what did President Trump say to you? Did he assure you he will not send troops into New York? Mamdani: He told me that he cared deeply about public safety. I said I cared deeply about the same. Welker: But did he say he wouldnt send troops? Mamdani: What I told him is that what separates New York City from anywhere else in the country is we have the NYPD. And I trust the NYPD to deliver public safety. And to me, that is something that I know that they can do, that they have done, and they will continue to do under my leadership. Welker: So he didnt rule it out, in your meeting? Mamdani: I made it very clear what we wanted to do was to deliver public safety and affordability, and the NYPD would be the ones to do so. Watch above, via NBC. The post Mamdani Says He Still Thinks Trump is a Fascist Even After Their Chummy White House Meeting: Ive Said it in the Past, I Say it Today first appeared on Mediaite. New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said he hasn't changed his position on President Donald Trump after the pair had a cordial meeting at the White House, reaffirming his previous criticism of the Republican Party leader. In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," host Kristen Welker asked Mamdani if he still believes the president is a fascist and a threat to democracy. The incoming mayor and democratic socialist said he sticks by his comments, which include alleging as recently as his Nov. 4 victory speech that the president has engaged in attacks on American democracy and represents a "fascist" and "despot." 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. Welker in the interview also mentioned an exchange during Trump and Mamdani's Oval Office meeting when a reporter asked the NYC mayor-elect if he considers Trump a fascist, as he's said before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Mamdani started to respond, standing next to the president while he was seated at the Resolute Desk, Trump quickly made a joke. Thats OK, you can just say, yes, Trump said to Mamdani. Its easier. Its easier than explaining. I dont mind. More: The key takeaways from Mamdani and Trump's Oval Office love fest Mamdani noted in the interview that aired on Sunday that after Trump made the jab he said "yes," to the reporter's question. "Thats something Ive said in the past (and) I say it today," Mamdani said. 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. More: Are the rich fleeing Mamdanis Manhattan? Not according to the data. More: Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani reveals pick for NYPD's top cop Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While different definitions abound, many experts agree that fascism is an extreme combination of nationalism and militarism, often accompanied by a cult of personality surrounding a leader. The "Meet the Press" appearance was Mamdani's first national interview since the White House meeting, which captured public attention for the pair's chummy, positive attitudes after months of trading blows. Trump has blasted the incoming mayor in several social media posts, calling him a communist and "nut job" in the lead-up to his overwhelming Election Day victory. Though Mamdani said he hasn't changed his mind on the president's positions, he still said he's hopeful they can work together to address affordability. The costs of housing, childcare and groceries were central to Mamdani's successful campaign. "What I appreciated about the conversation that I had with the president was that we were not shy about the places of disagreement, about the politics that has brought us to this moment," Mamdani said of Trump. "And we also wanted to focus on what it could look like to deliver on a shared analysis of an affordability crisis for New Yorkers, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr. Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mamdani still thinks Trump is a 'fascist' after friendly meeting A man is fighting for his life after being shot in the back in North Philadelphia. The Action Cam was on the scene just before 5 a.m. Sunday along the 2700 block of North Hicks Street. Police say the 26-year-old victim was rushed to the hospital where he remains in critical condition. Investigators say a number of parked cars in the area were also hit by the bullets. No details yet on a suspect, or a motive. A British man has been fined for illegally dumping yard waste, according to The Gazette Series. A large mess of dead plants and plastic bags was found in the middle of a rural road in Codrington, South Gloucester. Municipal investigators were able to trace the garbage back to a man, Bob Stark. He claimed he had put the trash from a borrowed trailer into a communal residential garbage bin nearby, though he didn't live in the area. Between having no right to dump at that facility and the fact that it wasn't residential waste being deposited, authorities still classified the act as fly-tipping. Stark agreed to a guilty plea in court and was sentenced to a 718 fine, or roughly $930. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will not tolerate illegal waste activity in South Gloucestershire and we want to send the clear message that anyone found flouting the law will be brought before the courts," said Councillor Sean Rhodes. Of course, this is hardly an isolated incident. Fly-tipping is seen widely across the U.K., including in Hampshire, Port Talbot, Heath Town, and elsewhere. Not only does trash in the middle of a road pose a significant safety hazard for drivers, but it's also bad news for the environment. Plastic waste is routinely a safety risk for wildlife. Avoiding these harms and the fines that follow is as simple as knowing where to dump your trash. When it comes to yard waste, you may even have an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of composting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Gloucestershire councillors were keen to highlight the availability of waste disposal services and some of the best practices. "There are a number of legitimate options for waste removal, including the council's large household waste collection service," said Rhodes. "If you hire a third-party to dispose of your waste, always ask for a copy of the company's waste carrier registration certificate and ask where the waste is being taken. Prosecutions like these protect our environment and create cleaner and safer places for our communities." Do you think the government should ban gas-powered lawn tools? No way Definitely Only certain tools I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. 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. DeKalb County police responded to a shooting Friday at the 1400 block of Bouldercrest Road. Authorities said a young man was shot multiple times. The victim was alert and conscious when he was taken to a hospital, and the case remains ongoing and active, police say. Police are encouraging anyone with information about the shooting to send an anonymous tip through the free DeKalb County PD Tip411 app or by texting DKPD to 847411, followed by their tip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Channel 2 Action News has a crew headed to the scene. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Washington GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia refuted reports that she's planning to run for president on Sunday, days after she announced plans to leave Congress amid a break with President Trump. "I'm not running for President and never said I wanted to and have only laughed about it when anyone would mention it," Greene said in a post on X. Greene announced Friday that she will resign from Congress in January, expressing frustration with her party while pointing to her dramatic break with Mr. Trump, who pulled his support from Greene a week earlier. Her latest comments denying a presidential bid came in response to an article from Time, which reported that the Georgia Republican has considered running for president in the 2028 cycle. Greene previously pushed back on reporting from NOTUS that she was telling people she wants to run for president as well. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, attends a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. / Credit: Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via Getty Images "Running for President requires traveling all over the country, begging for donations all day everyday to raise hundreds of millions of dollars, arguing political talking points everyday to the point of exhaustion, destroying your health and having no personal life in order to attempt to get enough votes to become President all to go to work into a system that refuses to fix any of America's problems," Greene said Sunday. "The fact that I'd have to go through all that but would be totally blocked from truly fixing anything is exactly why I would never do it." Greene said she is "not motivated by power and titles," while arguing that the "Political Industrial Complex has destroyed our country and will never allow someone like me or you to rise to power and actually solve the crises that plague all of us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Georgia Republican's split with the president, and surprise announcement that she plans to leave Congress, came after she'd grown increasingly vocal in recent months about her opposition to how Republican leaders in Congress are handling health care, affordability and the government shutdown. Meanwhile, she remained stalwart in her support for releasing the Epstein files, even as Republicans faced pressure to capitulate. For Greene, a reliable ally of Mr. Trump who made a name for herself since coming to Congress in 2021 as a conservative rabble rouser, the break with her party marked a significant and uncharacteristic turn, sparking speculation that she could be setting herself up for a presidential bid. "To Die For": Beloved recipes etched in stone Marjorie Taylor Greene announces resignation amid clashes with President Trump In Maine, a cafe helps subsidize a community newspaper The police community is rallying behind a 28-year-old Alhambra officer who was killed after a chase ended in a violent crash. A memorial fund has been created by the Peace Officers Research Association of California to support the family of Officer Alec Sanders. "Alec devoted his career to serving the community with integrity, compassion, and courage...," reads a statement on the organization's website. "His loss has left a tremendous void within the department, the city, and everyone fortunate enough to have known him. During this incredibly painful time, we are coming together to support Alec's family as they navigate unimaginable heartbreak." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officer Sanders had been with the Alhambra Police Department for only eight months. He died in an early-morning crash Thursday when he was chasing a stolen Hyundai and collided with the vehicle at the intersection of Edgewood Street and Valley Boulevard. A memorial at the Alhambra Police Department continues to grow for the 28-year-old officer killed after a chase ended in a violent crash. A passenger, Gabriela Moreno, 42, was killed after she was ejected from the Hyundai. Two others in the suspect vehicle were injured, including the driver - 27-year-old El Monte resident Steven Zapata. Zapata was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries and arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder, according to the California Highway Patrol. He will be booked once he's medically cleared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders was covering the shift of a colleague when he was fatally injured. Sanders, who previously worked for about a year with the Long Beach Police Department, leaves behind a fiancee, two younger sisters and a brother. City News Service contributed to this report. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday voiced doubts over whether a deal on ending the war in Ukraine could be reached in the next few days as demanded by US President Donald Trump. "Perhaps we can make progress, but I remain sceptical that it will happen in such a short time," Merz said, referring to negotiations among Ukraine, the US and European powers on Trump's new 28-point peace plan. The goal, the German leader said, was "to at least take a first step on Thursday," when Trump's deadline to Ukraine expires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If all 28 points listed there are too much for five days, then I at least want to attempt to find one point on which agreement can be reached with Russia, on the Ukrainian side, and with the approval of the Americans and the Europeans," he said. Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa, Merz stressed that robust security guarantees for Ukraine are essential and reiterated that Russia had failed to uphold commitments made under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum - which saw Ukraine surrender its Soviet-era nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances. Kiev and its European allies have expressed alarm at Trump's peace plan, which would force Ukraine to give up a swathe of eastern territory to Russia and slash the size of its army. Merz and Trump spoke by phone on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Negotiations on the president's proposal got under way in Geneva on Sunday, with Ukrainian, US and European delegations present. German government sources told dpa that proposed revisions had been sent to Washington ahead of the talks. A former employee of Meta, the owner of social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, testified as part of a major lawsuit that the tech company had a policy allowing 17 strikes before it suspended accounts engaged in the trafficking of humans for sex. Vaishnavi Jayakumar, former head of safety and well-being for Instagram, also testified that in March 2020, Meta did not have a specific way for people to report child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Instagram, according to federal court documents filed Friday, Nov. 21, in the Northern District of California. "It was very surprising to me, Jayakumar said, adding that she tried to raise this issue multiple times, but was told it would require too much work to build. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jayakumar's concerns heightened when she learned of what she called the "17x" policy at Meta. That means that you could incur 16 violations for prostitution and sexual solicitation, and upon the 17thviolation, your account would be suspended," she said, according to the court documents. This "by any measure across the industry, is a very, very high strike threshold. Plaintiffs, who say Jayakumar's testimony is corroborated by internal company documentation, believe Meta never told parents, the public or school districts that it "doesnt delete accounts that have engaged over fifteen times in sex trafficking," the court document states. Meta told USA TODAY on Saturday, Nov. 22, that the company now has a "one strike" policy and removes accounts immediately if the company determines a user violated its most severe policies against human exploitation and trafficking. The strike policy was launched in 2019, and over time, the number of violations required for discipline lowered, the company said. Why was Meta named in the lawsuit? The court documents filed by plaintiffs allege that Meta, along with other named tech companies, such as ByteDance (TikTok) and Snap Inc. (Snapchat), are contributing to the "unprecedented mental health crisis" that American teenagers are currently facing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the court filing, Meta is "following the same playbook once used by Big Tobacco" by determining that the most valuable users, "meaning those who generate the most advertising revenue," are the younger generation. Although Meta's platforms, particularly Instagram, cater to younger demographics, the company "intentionally omitted parental and teacher safeguards," the plaintiffs allege. Meta has designed social media products and platforms that it is aware are addictive to kids, and theyre aware that those addictions lead to a whole host of serious mental health issues, Previn Warren, the co-lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the case, told Time, which first reported on the court filing. Like tobacco, this is a situation where there are dangerous products that were marketed to kids, Warren adds. They did it anyway, because more usage meant more profits for the company. Stephanie Otway, a Meta spokesperson, said the company is proud of its progress and stands by its record. We strongly disagree with these allegations, which rely on cherry-picked quotes and misinformed opinions in an attempt to present a deliberately misleading picture," she told USA TODAY. "The full record will show that for over a decade, we have listened to parents, researched issues that matter most, and made real changes to protect teens like introducing Teen Accounts with built-in protections and providing parents with controls to manage their teens experiences." Instagram app icon is seen on a smartphone in this illustration taken on October 27, 2025. How challenging would it have been to build a way to report CSAM in 2020? According to Jayakumar, at the time, it would not have taken a significant amount of work to build a product that allowed users to report child sexual assault material within Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You essentially add an additional option to the existing number of reporting options that are out there," she said, per the court document. Also, at the time, Instagram already allowed users to report several other "far less serious violations" directly within the app, such as spam, intellectual property violation, and promotion of firearms, among others, according to the court filing. Meta referred USA TODAY to a February 2021 blog post, which details an analysis of the illegal child exploitative content the company reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in October and November of 2020. The content was shared on Facebook and Instagram, the company said. Based on Meta's findings, the company said it began "developing targeted solutions, including new tools and policies to reduce the sharing" of illegal child exploitative content." Some of the solutions include pop-ups in its apps offering help for those who stumble upon the illegal content. What does Instagram's child sexual abuse material policy say now? Instagram does now offer users directions on how to report child sexual abuse on the platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instagram's "Information for law enforcement" page says the platform reports "all apparent instances of child sexual exploitation" that appear on its website from "anywhere in the world to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), in accordance with applicable law including content drawn to our attention by government requests." From there, NCMEC refers matters to law enforcement to help victims, the platform said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Meta allegedly had 17-strikes policy for sex trafficking posts Craig Quanchello, governor of the Picuris Pueblo and vice chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors, spoke on the cultural significance of Chaco during a news conference Nov. 21, 2025 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. (Photo by Jeanette DeDios/KUNM-FM) Members of New Mexicos congressional delegation and Pueblo leaders on Friday held a news conference at the All Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to urge Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park and continue protecting it from oil and gas drilling. In October, the Bureau of Land Management began a process to revoke protections for 10 miles around the national parks to allow for possible oil and gas exploration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes after the New Mexico congressional delegation and Pueblo governors held a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol in September to demand that the Trump administration protect Chaco Canyon. Chaco has massive buildings constructed over a thousand years ago by ancestral Pueblo people, with roads leading to other far-flung settlements. Craig Quanchello, governor of the Picuris Pueblo and vice chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors, spoke on the cultural significance of Chaco. Our ancestors lived there, prayed there, studied the stars there, and carried teachings outward into our modern Pueblo communities, he said. Our ties to Chaco live in, our songs, our ceremonies, our pilgrimages and our ancient roads and shrines that stretch far beyond the park itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan were in attendance alongside U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury. Stansbury said during the federal shutdown, tribal leaders were unable to reach the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but did receive a letter from the Trump Administration informing them that they had two weeks to respond to Chaco being taken out of federal protection. Can you imagine the cruelty, the insensitivity, the stupidity of an administration contacting tribal leaders as they are trying to figure out how they are going to feed their people and balance their budgets and keep their public safety in order to tell them that they are going to take away their most sacred lands and open it up for private oil and gas drilling? she said. Quanchello said that this issue affects everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not only a Pueblo issue, its an American issue about history, heritage and a landscape recognized around the world, he said. Congressional and Pueblo leaders invited Burgum to visit Chaco and to have a meaningful talk with them. Support for this coverage comes from the Thornburg Foundation. Cultural & Historical Significance Muayyad is a name deeply rooted in Islamic culture and Arabic linguistic tradition, carrying significant religious and historical weight. The name embodies the concept of divine support and reinforcement, reflecting the Islamic belief in God's constant assistance to believers. Throughout Islamic history, the name has been borne by scholars, rulers, and religious figures who were seen as pillars of their communities, reinforcing faith and knowledge. In medieval Islamic societies, the name Muayyad was often given to express hope that the child would become someone who strengthens and supports their community. Several notable historical figures bearing this name contributed significantly to Islamic civilization, particularly in fields of astronomy, theology, and governance. The name's usage across different Muslim regionsfrom the Middle East to South Asiademonstrates its widespread cultural acceptance and the universal appeal of its meaning within the Islamic worldview. The minister says at Sundays cabinet meeting that Ankaras conduct is enemy state behavior and cites Erdogans support for Hamas. Israels Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to immediately shut Turkeys consulates in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and to outlaw the Turkish aid agency TIKA, citing President Recep Tayyip Erdogans support for Hamas. Chikli made the remarks during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem and published them on X/Twitter, asserting that Ankara is advancing hostile political subversion under a cultural guise. The Prime Ministers Office did not immediately comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chikli wrote that Israel must expel all of Erdogans representatives from its sovereign territory and from its eternal capital, Jerusalem, adding that no self-respecting nation would tolerate this conduct. He also expressed hope that friendship between our nations can be restored if the Turks remove their dictator. The minister framed Erdogans rhetoric and actions as those of an enemy state, pointing to Ankaras open backing of Hamas and jihadist groups and repeated calls for Israels destruction. Chikli has previously accused Erdogan of incitement against Israel. Calls target Turkish missions and activities Israel-Turkey relations have been at a low point since the Gaza war, with Ankara announcing it was severing ties and both sides downgrading diplomatic engagement earlier this year. Periodic signals of re-engagement have surfaced alongside harsh rhetoric from Ankara. Chikli called for a ban on the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, alleging it advances political aims under the guise of cultural programming. Analysts and commentators have warned in recent years that Turkish government-linked bodies, including TIKA, have expanded activity in Jerusalem in ways Israel views as undermining sovereignty. Chikli concluded his statement with a direct appeal to act against Ankaras emissaries in Israel. No self-respecting nation would tolerate this conduct, he wrote. A man suspected in two deaths, several shootings and carjackings was killed by Oklahoma City Police after a pursuit, Oklahoma City Police said Saturday. The shootings started in Moore, spokesmen for Oklahoma City Police and Moore Police said. The suspect was identified by Moore Police as Deante James Hawthorne. Clint Byley, Moore Police public information officer, said Moore Police responded to a call about shots fired and a death about 4 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at an apartment complex in the 200 block of N Eastern Avenue. Byley said officers found a man who had been shot and woman who had been shot and killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Parents arrested after OKC toddler killed by family dog Moore Police said Hawthorne had fled the scene before officers arrived. Moore Police then responded to a call about a second shooting about 7:30 a.m. Saturday at an apartment complex near NE 12 and Eastern Avenue, Byley said. Police found a man unresponsive in the parking lot. The police spokesman said the man was taken to a local hospital where he later died. Byley said Moore Police detectives learned that the unresponsive man's vehicle had been stolen in an alleged carjacking and recovered by Oklahoma City Police. Moore Police were working with Oklahoma City Police, Byley said, and the case is an active and ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Master Sgt. Gary Knight, Oklahoma City Police spokesman said in a News9 video that the suspect took the car he carjacked at the second Moore apartment complex and drove to an area near NW 11 and May Avenue in Oklahoma City, where he abandoned the vehicle and carjacked another vehicle from a resident. Knight said the suspect then drove to an area near NE 26 and Martin Luther King Avenue where he shot and killed an individual before driving away. The police spokesman said a motive for the shootings was unclear. Knight said Oklahoma City Police spotted the suspect near SE 44 and Interstate 35 on Saturday afternoon and he refused to pull over. Knight said officers pursued the man until he drove through a grassy area and crashed the stolen vehicle near Interstate 240 and Eastern Avenue. Knight said the suspect got out of the vehicle and attempted to steal another car. Knight said the man ended up in a confrontation with police and he was shot and killed by police at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knight said the officer who shot and killed the suspect was placed on routine administrative leave. He said more information would likely be released on Monday. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Man dies in shootout with OKC police after chase, at least two deaths Nov. 23A Martin City mother looked the other way as a neighbor sexually abused one of the children under her care, prosecutors say. Brittney Jo Erie, 38, faces felony counts of accountability to sexual assault and criminal child endangerment in connection with the abuse of a young girl in 2024. She is expected to appear before Judge Danni Coffman in Flathead County District Court on Dec. 4 for her arraignment. Authorities interviewed Erie at her Martin City home as part of an investigation by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Northwest Montana Drug Task Force and Flathead County Sheriff's Office into her neighbor, 40-year-old Raymond Owen Bonner. Federal agents had caught Bonner posting images and videos of him sexually abusing a child online and tracked him back to his Northwest Montana home in September 2024, court documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his accompanying chats, Bonner described the child as a neighbor and allegedly said the girl's mother knew about the abuse, but her father remained in the dark. During the conversation with investigators, Erie described the girl as her daughter, though the two are not related by blood. She said she left both the girl and her sibling under Bonner's care several times a week. Erie allegedly admitted that she had seen Bonner behave inappropriately around the girl. In one instance, she caught Bonner scrambling to zip up the child's pajamas, according to court documents. When subsequently asked about sexual abuse, the girl confirmed Bonner touched her genitals, Erie allegedly told investigators. Erie said she had not yet told anyone about the abuse, court documents alleged. She recalled confronting Bonner about it and trying to use the information to get Bonner to tell her about her husband's infidelities, court documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a Feb. 27 forensic interview, the girl described the abuse she suffered at Bonner's hands and told authorities she had alerted Erie to it. Erie had told her "... it was OK if he touched her privates," court documents said. Accountability to sexual assault is punishable by between four and 100 years in Montana State Prison and a fine of $50,000. Criminal child endangerment is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine. Erie remains in the Flathead County Detention Center with bail set at $200,000. BONNER EARNED a 40-year sentence in U.S. District Court in Missoula on Wednesday after pleading guilty to counts of production of child pornography and distribution of child pornography over the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following his stint in federal prison, Bonner will spend the remainder of his life under supervised release, said U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme. Bonner came to the attention of undercover agents using an online application known for trafficking child sexual abuse materials. In posts made to the app in June and July 2024, Bonner allegedly wrote about having access to a young girl and boasted about sexually abusing her. After uploading images and videos of the abuse to confirm his account, Bonner allegedly told other app users he was the girl's babysitter. Bonner fled as authorities moved in on his Martin City home on Sept. 5, 2024, according to court documents. A search of the home turned up a mobile phone containing the videos and images of the abuse Bonner uploaded to the app. Authorities caught and arrested Bonner on Sept. 19, 2024. News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected]. A motorist in western North Carolina escaped injury when the carcass of a cat crashed into the passenger side of her front windshield along a highway near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In a call to 911, the unidentified driver on U.S. Route 74 in Swain County, near Bryson City, told a dispatcher that a bald eagle dropped the cat. Bryson City is about 65 miles (104 kilometers) southwest of Asheville. It's not clear if the feline slipped from the eagle's talons Wednesday morning or was discarded simply because the big bird didn't have a taste for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield, the incredulous driver said on the recorded 911 call. It absolutely shattered my windshield. Any reservations about calling in such a story were put to rest when the dispatcher calmly responded, OK. I do believe you, honestly," then laughed. The driver relayed that another person also saw the cat drop, remarking, "He's like, That is the craziest thing Ive ever seen.' I'm like, Really? The dispatcher offered some assurance, saying, Oh my goodness. Let's see. I've heard crazier." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, that's terrifying," the caller said, to which the dispatcher replied with more nervous laughter, Yeah. After getting the driver's location, the dispatcher said she would send the Highway Patrol to do a report. Another question, the dispatcher asked. Is the cat still alive? The caller said it wasn't, but noted that the cat was on the side of the road and not in her car. Ok, I have to ask just to make sure, the dispatcher said. Kendrick Weeks, Western Wildlife Diversity Program supervisor for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, said the cat dropped on the car could have been roadkill scavenged by the eagle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But they can take animals the size of a cat, he said. It is much harder for them to take a live cat than a dead cat. They usually dont prey on something they dont find palatable. And, scavenging is a common behavior in bald eagles. Eagles and other raptors can drop prey for several reasons, including having a poor grip or if the prey is struggling and the birds are trying to prevent injury to themselves, Weeks added. Prey can also be dropped if a raptor is being harassed by another raptor or the prey becomes too heavy to continue carrying. Bald eagles are native to North Carolina and most of North America. Their populations have been increasing, and there are more than 200 nesting pairs in North Carolina. The birds can weigh anywhere from 6 1/2 to 13 1/2 pounds (3 kilograms to 6.3 kilograms) and have wingspans of 6 to 7 feet (1.8 meters to 2.1 meters), Weeks told The Associated Press. MS NOWs Catherine Rampell said there is a broader effort from President Donald Trumps administration to bring back or de-stigmatize, I guess, hate speech during Saturday evenings episode of The Weekend: Primetime. Her observation was made during a discussion with her fellow co-hosts about the uproar over the Coast Guards designation for swastikas, nooses, and the Confederate flag; The Washington Post reported on Thursday the U.S. Coast Guard would be reclassifying those as potentially divisive symbols a decision that was immediately walked back following the report. Rampell said the pivot showed the Coast Guard was looking to cover their rear ends because they realize this is not a good look for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added the aforementioned comment a moment later, saying the Coast Guard story symbolized how the Trump Administration aimed to make hate speech more acceptable. The Administration, she continued, was also looking to re-stigmatize or stigmatize anew American heroes and rainbows and DEI. Theres been a lot going on within this Department of Defense, and DHS in this particular case, to try to basically get rid of diversity. Co-host Antonia Hylton agreed, saying several departments within the federal government were obsessed with a bizarro aesthetic that harkened back to the 1920s, 30s, and 50s. This constant stream of Mad Men-style advertising, for some reason that is just consistently white men, Hylton said. Very fit men, white families, these sort of religious over and under-tones. Its all very odd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elise Jordan agreed with her other co-hosts as well, saying it was tacky. The U.S. Coast Guard, following the WaPo report, released a new policy confirming that symbols like the swastika are prohibited. The Coast Guard does not tolerate the display of divisive or hate symbols and flags, including those identified with oppression or hatred. These symbols reflect hateful and prohibited conduct that undermines unit cohesion, Admiral Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, said. Rampell, at the beginning of the segment, said the one bright spot about the story was that it showed the Trump Administration was capable of shame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch their discussion on the topic above, via MS NOW. The post MS NOWs Catherine Rampell Vents Trump Admin Aims to Bring Back Hate Speech After Uproar Over Coast Guards Designation for Swastikas first appeared on Mediaite. The Rev. Al Sharpton asked Nashville state Rep. Aftyn Behn (D) on Saturday what her response was to resurfaced clips of her declaring that she hated her hometown. As Behn ramps up her campaign for Congress, Republicans have seized on the bizarre comment she once made on a podcast about hating Nashville and country music. Republicans are feeling the heat and trying to paint you as a radical. Trump has called you The AOC of Tennessee,' Sharpton said, referring to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who identifies as a democratic socialist. And Republicans have resurface old comments that you made about not liking country music. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a Nashvillian, I think we all get a little annoyed with the tourists that come to town, Behn said by way of explanation, but that doesnt mean I [dont] love my city. In fact, instead of sitting on the sideline and complaining about it, I decided to run for office, and thats why Im the state representative that represents downtown Nashville. Behn continued, And finally, I dont think its that radical to want to to be organizing to make health care more affordable in the state of Tennessee, which is what Ive been doing my entire career, unlike my opponent whos bought and sold by special interests. Her appearance on MS NOW comes after a 2020 podcast clip resurfaced where Behn listed several reasons she despised Nashville. I hate the city, I hate the bachelorettes, I hate the pedal taverns, I hate country music, I hate all of the things that make Nashville apparently an it city to the rest of the country, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behn is running in a special election against MAGA politician Matt Van Epps (R) and is seen as one of the Democratss best shots at flipping a red seat blue. The seat was most recently filled by Republican Mark Green, who resigned on July 20 for a job in the private sector. Trump has personally endorsed Van Epps and a Republican PACs have sunk $2 million into his campaign. Former Vice President Kamala Harris recently campaigned for Behn in Nashville, while a House Democratic super PAC spent $1 million on television and digital ads, according to Politico. Sharpton mentioned that the latest NPR/PBS/Marist poll showed 55% of voters said theyd support a Democrat over a Republican if the midterms were held today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason this race is competitive is because the Washington Republican agenda has not addressed the rising cost of health care and living, and instead, theyve sold us out to the billionaire boys club, Behn said. And Tennessee voters want change, not more of the same. Watch the clip above via MS NOW. The post Nashville State Rep Blames Tourists For Why She Declared I Hate the City first appeared on Mediaite. ARCHBALD From carpentry to welding and line working, more than 100 high schoolers received insight on potential careers and apprenticeship opportunities that provide family-sustaining wages during an NEIU program Wednesday at Valley View High School. Local labor union representatives offered information on applying for apprenticeships and outlined the tasks and responsibilities associated with several trades as the students ponder life after graduation. Apprenticeships are paid, on-the-job training programs that combine hands-on work with classroom instruction to prepare individuals for skilled careers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt Lochie, a council representative for the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Local Union 445 in Scranton,noted that the process for becoming an apprentice carpenter starts with an information session before prospective employees are assigned a list of tasks and complete an in-person interview. The last step is a skills assessment, which includes a math test and physical activities where participants carry materials, including plywood and two-by-fours, up and down ladders, Lochie added. Those who complete all the requirements are placed on an eligible-to-hire list, he said. A high school diploma or GED credential is a prerequisite for applying for the apprenticeship. Lochie cautioned students that a construction career has challenges but assured them it also offers room for advancement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a tough business; you definitely beat yourself up doing this trade, he said. The sky is the limit, but its on you guys. You have to be there every day, and you have to be on time. This is a career, not just a job. When you become a journeyman carpenter, thats not where it stops; you can be a foreman, a superintendent or a project manager. Lochie noted first-year apprentices earn approximately $21 per hour and receive about a $3.50 raise each year as long as they meet the requirements. He added that construction work schedules have ebbs and flows, so potential hire dates can be unpredictable. There are slow times and times you cant keep up with, so it could take a day or it could take a couple months to get you out to work, Lochie said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lochie feels optimistic about recent interest from young adults looking to join the construction trade. Our last information session, about 85 kids signed up, he said. We ended up interviewing about 50, but other years we would get maybe 20 kids, and by the end we would have five, so its pretty significant. He believes a bigger push by guidance counselors advising students to consider the trades as an alternative to college may be driving the increase. Its nice that the schools are buying into this and giving the kids an opportunity, Lochie said. They can earn as they learn and start their career debt free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrick Weber, a senior at Mid Valley Secondary Center in Throop, who first developed an interest in construction in sixth grade, plans to enter the carpentry trade following graduation. He learned more about the occupation while receiving hands-on instruction at the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County, where he framed a wall, installed shingles and insulation, and completed exterior finish work. I saw people on a rooftop doing shingles, and since then Ive wanted to do it, Weber said. Jeff Schmude, marketing developer for the Wilkes-Barre-based Local Union No. 44 of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, allowed students to test out a virtual welding simulator, giving them a sneak peek at a potential career choice. I bring it to show them what theyre going to learn through their apprenticeship, if thats the path they choose, he said. I tell them that all the time that Im not discouraging them from college, Im just letting them know there is another option and they can have a good career in the trades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmude stressed that each applicant in the apprenticeship program must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED credential, and adhere to a code of excellence related to completing jobs and showing up to work in a timely manner. Once someone completes the training program and becomes a journeyperson, they can work anywhere in the county, he added. A first-year apprentice starts out making roughly $18 an hour, said Schmude. He added that journeymen earn roughly $37 an hour, and the rate goes up each May. Were taking apprentices in every year, Schmude said. This past September we took in 13, and next September were looking at just about the same, if not more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephen Syrylo, a student at Lakeland High School, hasnt decided on his future plans, but felt the program shed some light on interesting opportunities. Instead of going to college, you can go into the workforce but still learn a lot . and youre getting paid a decent, livable wage, he said. * Students gather around Matt Lochie, who represented the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters during the trades and apprenticeship program at Valley View High School on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Valley View students listen to the Journeyman Bobby Scotts presentation about the lineman profession during the trades and apprenticeship program at Valley View High School on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Show Caption 1 of 2 Students gather around Matt Lochie, who represented the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters during the trades and apprenticeship program at Valley View High School on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand Bobby Scott, a journeyman lineman for Local 1319 in Kingston and director of the Northeastern Apprenticeship Training program, informed students about the rigors of the structured apprenticeship, which includes a 7,000-hour minimum requirement under the direct supervision of a journeyman lineman. Applicants must be 18 years of age, and have a high school diploma or GED credential, and at minimum a Class B commercial drivers license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt your typical office job, Scott said. Were not showing up to the same place every day and were not doing the same thing every day. Ive worked with helicopters, car accidents and house fires. First-period apprentices make $40 an hour, and journeyman line workers earn $66 an hour, Scott said. When you become a journeyman through our training, you can work anywhere in the world, but it comes with a lot of responsibility, Scott said. I tell everybody its 70/30: 70% of it is life changing Ive been able to provide for my family and set my kids up with their education and 30% of it is grueling. Its tough, but you have to show up for that 30% to make the big bucks. Scott recalled an instance of being dispatched to Flint, Michigan, just before Christmas, to repair power lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 23, I got a phone call that there were 8,000 people without power and a half-inch of ice on all the lines, he said. I spent all Christmas and New Years in Flint, but I knew my family was home, here in Pennsylvania, warm and safe, and that I was making a giant difference out there for those people. When those lights popped on, especially when all the houses are decorated for Christmas, after people had been out of power for eight or nine days, its an amazing feeling. Gina Rupe, a professional learning adviser for the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit, worked with local labor unions and area schools to ensure students would have an opportunity to meet and talk with the industry professionals. During the program, students learned about the specifics of each trade, what it takes to be successful in each occupation, and the path each union official took to advance their career, she said. Its essential to give (students) access to as many options as possible, Rupe said. Its definitely a hot topic right now. They wanted to know what the first day of work would look like and the skills needed to make it in these trades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zach Watters, a school counselor at Mid Valley Secondary Center, appreciates NEIUs effort to organize events that highlight alternative post-graduation options. For us, this is targeting students who might not have a path yet or students who expressed direct interest in the trades, Watters said. I feel like so much emphasis is put on the college process, because there is so much to it, that sometimes its easy to miss these students. Knowing there is an event for them every year is great. Watters said he witnessed a shift in thinking among high schoolers regarding their future plans within the last several years. The emphasis used to be college for all, and now its finding a path thats going to get you into the workforce the fastest, he said. I think students are so much more willing to say I can get a good paycheck right out of school if I go into a trade. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the cabinet to discuss the ongoing military actions in Lebanon and in Gaza. He denied that Israel needed any approval but its own for defense. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly rejected the idea that Israel requires approval for military action in his statement to the Security Cabinet on Sunday. "All the talk that 'we must receive approvals for this' from one source or another is simply an absolute lie," Netanyahu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We operate independently of anyone. Immediate actions to thwart attacks are taken by the IDF automatically. As for the responses, that goes through the Defense Minister and eventually reaches me, and we decide independently of any factor, and that is how it should be." "Israel is responsible for its own security," he added. Addressing the strikes in Lebanon, Netanyahu emphasized the IDF's commitment to "do everything necessary to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its threat capability against us." A moment of silence is held in memory of Netanya Mayor Miriam Feirberg-Ikar (credit: MAAYAN TOAF/GPO) "This is also what we are doing in the Gaza Strip," Netanyahu added, claiming that Hamas has continuously violated the ceasefire and attempted to cross the Yellow Line in attempts to harm the IDF, for which he said Israel has extracted "a very heavy price." Commemorating the late Netanya mayor Netanyahu's address to the cabinet began with a brief commemoration of the late Netanya Mayor Miriam Feirberg, highlighting her achievements and asking for a moment of silence, before he went on to discuss the IDF's strikes against terrorism this weekend. The latest change follows several recent adjustments to the trial schedule. The Jerusalem District Court approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus request on Sunday to shorten Mondays hearing in his corruption trial, after he informed the judges he must attend a diplomatic meeting. The session will be reduced by three and a half hours. His attorney, Amit Hadad, explained that the prime minister will also be unable to return for an afternoon session, as he is required in the Knesset plenum. Lawmakers are expected to vote during that time on appointing Justice Minister Yariv Levin to additional ministerial portfolios, including labor, religious affairs, and Jerusalem affairs. The government is expected to give initial approval to the appointment later on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest change follows several recent adjustments to the trial schedule. Last week, Judges Rivka Friedman-Feldman, Moshe Bar-Am, and Oded Shaham canceled an entire hearing day due to what the court described as a security matter. Two weeks ago, the court granted Netanyahus request to cancel another hearing because of urgent diplomatic meetings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to the courtroom at the Distrcit court in Tel Aviv, before the start of his testimony in the trial against him, October 28, 2025. (credit: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90) Netanyahu's corruption trials Netanyahus trial, which covers Cases 1000, 2000, and 4000, continues to move forward through scheduled testimony. Hearings have been frequently shortened or postponed in recent months, at times due to requests submitted by the prime ministers legal team and at other times because of scheduling constraints within the court. The next hearing is set to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, pending any further changes. NEW YORK After claiming for years that they couldnt find any documents about what City Hall knew about the dangers of the 9/11 toxins swirling around Ground Zero, the city Department of Environmental Protection has now discovered 68 boxes worth of information that could be pivotal in learning more about what first responders and survivors were exposed to, the Daily News has learned. The materials, ironically, included a directive from the city Law Department written two decades ago ordering the agency to save and preserve any information about the terror attacks and its aftermath that could be used in future litigation, said Andrew Carboy, an attorney representing 911 Health Watch, a responder and survivor advocacy group. Were witnessing pure alchemy, creating documents from absolutely nothing! Its a fantastic feat, pure magic, he said sarcastically. Carboy has been trying to get his hands on the 9/11 documents, only to be repeatedly told that the city didnt have any to share. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that the DEP had nearly 70 boxes of information and were ordered to preserve the documents two decades ago directly contradicts what the city has been claiming for so long, Carboy said. The city of New York at some point went wildly off the tracks in a way that is contrary to law, due process and the norms of professional conduct, said Carboy. They took part in a systematic and coordinated effort to keep this information from us. How dare they do this. Carboy and reps from 911 Health Watch went to the DEP offices the week of Nov. 17 to go through more than 20 of the boxes that were ready to be reviewed. The boxes were in good shape and well organized, said City Councilwoman Gale Brewer, D-Manhattan, who joined Carboy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She, too, had repeatedly requested the documents, but never got anywhere until this year, when she pushed through legislation ordering the citys Department of Investigation to launch a probe over what and when the city knew about the toxins that have sickened or killed thousands of first responders. They were very responsive, Brewer said about DEP staffers who provided the boxes. They gave us the conference room. They said they never had such excitement on the seventh floor before. I dont know where they were, but they were in good shape, even though it was a little Johnny come lately, Brewer said. I dont know what took so long after all the letters and (Freedom of Information Law) requests to the DEP and other agencies. While happy the documents were turned over, Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director of 911 Health Watch said the agencys decision to share these boxes after the DOI started their probe wasnt lost on him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a miracle! From zero to 68 boxes! Chevat joked. This discovery coming weeks after Councilwoman Brewer successfully got the City Council to order the NYC Department of Investigations to review what the City knew about the hazards of the toxins at Ground Zero. Coincidence? I think not. We know from the Daily News reporting that DOI Commissioner Strauber moved swiftly to start the investigation, already reaching out to City Agencies and collecting documents, Chevat said. Hopefully incoming Mayor Mandami will ensure that the DOI has the resources to complete its work before the upcoming 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 attack. The News story, published as the city marked the 24th anniversary of the terror attacks, disclosed that only eight weeks into the DOIs review, the response was so overwhelming the agency was looking at the possibility of getting outside help to parse through all the data. For months, the city has tried to quash a lawsuit Carboy filed in an effort to pry loose the data. City attorneys said the DEP didnt have any documents to share and called the search nothing more than a fishing expedition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a diligent search was performed of DEPs records, no responsive records were found, city attorneys claimed in court papers at the time. But, after the DOI probe began, the city announced it actually did have some boxes to share. At first Carboy was told the DEP had 40 boxes. When they showed up at the DEP offices on Monday, there were 68. The city Law Department didnt see an issue with the DEPs sudden about face. The citys FOIL response reflected what was true and accurate at the time: DEP couldnt locate hard copy documents, Law Department spokesman Nicholas Paolucci said. That has since changed and we have a schedule in place to produce documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brewer wrote the resolution that the full council unanimously passed on July 14, ordering the DOI to probe what information the city had on Ground Zero toxins after the 9/11 attacks and when they had it. It marks the first time a provision of the City Charter allows the Council to order the DOI to undertake an investigation with a bill. The DOI sent out letters to every agency, asking them to identify and turn over any relevant documents they had on 9/11 toxins following the terror attacks. Nearly all of the agencies contacted have responded to the DOIs request, officials said. The Adams administration as well as its predecessors, have fought the release of any 9/11 studies and documents, claiming they couldnt find them. The city has also repeatedly said it was worried about a barrage of lawsuits from survivors and first responders suffering from 9/11 illnesses if the documents were released. More than 140,000 first responders and survivors are enrolled in the U.S. Center for Disease Controls WTC Health Program, which provides health care benefits for medical conditions related to exposure to the toxins that hung over Ground Zero. Out of that number, about 81,000 have a certified condition linked to the toxins that hung above Ground Zero. The unearthed documents wont likely cause a flurry of lawsuits since first responders and survivors who are receiving help from the WTC Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation fund have already signed waivers agreeing not to sue over their illnesses. More than 100,000 have signed these waivers, officials said. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Nann has its roots in French culture as a masculine variant of Anne, deriving from the Hebrew name Hannah meaning 'grace' or 'favor'. Historically, it emerged as a distinctive masculine form in medieval France, particularly in regions where traditional naming conventions allowed for gender-fluid variations of biblical names. During the Renaissance period, Nann gained popularity among French aristocracy as a sophisticated alternative to more common masculine names, often given to sons in families that valued elegance and refinement. The name carries a legacy of French cultural sophistication while maintaining its connection to the concept of divine grace, making it a choice that bridges religious tradition with aristocratic elegance. Throughout French history, the name has been associated with individuals known for their diplomatic skills and artistic sensibilities, reflecting the meaning of 'grace' in both spiritual and social contexts. In modern times, it serves as a cultural touchstone for families seeking to honor French heritage while choosing a name that stands apart from more common options. A United States District Judge sentenced an Ocala man to five years in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. 31-year-old Shymiere Montese Howell entered a guilty plea to the offense on July 22, 2025, after attempting to sell a loaded handgun at a Leesburg pawn shop on Nov. 8, 2024. According to court documents, Howell is a 19-time convicted felon with prior convictions that include possession of a firearm by a felon, child neglect, felony battery, and drug possession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Leesburg Police Department arrived at the pawn shop, Howell attempted to push past them and run out of the store, but he was quickly apprehended. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Ohio Department of Transportation installed a memorial at a rest area heading west on Interstate 70 honoring the six people connected to Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools who died in a multi-vehicle crash in 2023 in Etna Township. The memorial sits at Rest Area 5-18 in Licking County, west of State Route 13 and east of the site where a Zanesville tractor-trailer driver crashed into an SUV and charter bus carrying 54 students and chaperones from Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools on Nov. 14, 2023. Three students on the charter bus John Mosley and Jeffery Worrell, both 18, and Katelyn Owens, 15 died in the crash. Three people in the SUV behind the bus and directly in front of the semi David Kennat, 56, Kristin Gaynor, 39, and Shannon Wigfield, 46 also died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ODOT installed a plaque last month containing the names of the victims and information about the crash at the memorial, called the Tuscarawas Valley Memorial Tree Grove. The agency also planted six tulip poplar trees in April near the plaque to honor and remember each victim. ODOT unveiled the plaque during a private ceremony Oct. 23 alongside family members of the victims. The Ohio Department of Transportation installed this plaque at a rest stop along Interstate 70 to honor the six students and chaperones with Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools who died in a multivehicle crash Nov. 14, 2023, in Etna Township. Its a safe place where the families, friends and loved ones can stop and memorialize the people who they lost, ODOT spokesperson Matt Bruning said. ODOT first discussed the possibility of a memorial at the rest stop after moving one at the crash site to Tuscarawas County. A resident had placed crosses at the crash site to honor the victims, but the agency worried about peoples safety if they stopped along the side of the road to visit that memorial or slowed on the interstate to look at it. Crosses can be seen along a fence at Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools after the funeral service for Jeffery "JD" David Worrell held Nov. 18, 2023, at Wilkshire Event Center in Bolivar. Worrell was a Tuscarawas Valley High School band student killed in a bus crash in Licking County, along with two other students, two chaperones and a teacher. The agency contacted the families to gauge their interest in the rest stop memorial before producing the plaque. It joins several other memorial sites across the state honoring victims who died in crashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope that people [within decades] from now will look at that and theyll see these six beautiful faces and learn what happened, and then maybe it changes some driver behavior, Bruning said. You leave that site thinking maybe I should be a better, safer driver. If that happens, how do you calculate the cost and impact of that? Its worth it. The Ohio Department of Transportation planted trees at a memorial site that sits at a rest stop along Interstate 70 in Licking County to honor victims who died in a Nov. 14, 2023, crash. Jacob D. McDonald, the tractor-trailer driver who caused the crash, is scheduled to be released from jail Jan. 17, records show. His 18-month sentence was the maximum allowed under Ohio law on lesser vehicular homicide charges for which Licking County Common Pleas Judge David Branstool found him guilty following a bench trial in May. The National Transportation Safety Board, in a September report, stated McDonalds inattention, including failure to respond to a queue of slow-moving, backed-up traffic, contributed to the crash. Advocate reporter Josue Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: ODOT installs memorial for 2023 Tuscarawas Valley bus crash victims Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is suing a Wood County contractor who allegedly performed substandard work for failure to complete upgrades after accepting large down payments from customers. In the lawsuit, Yost named Brian Priest, who has been operating an unregistered business since 2023, called Priest Roofing, Siding and Remodeling, according to a spokesperson. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you put a shingle out and open a business, customers expect honesty, said Yost. Yost said that he plans on holding this contractor accountable for betraying the trust of homeowners. Priest solicited his business to customers homes and collected down payments, but performed underwhelming work or did not complete work, according to consumer complaints that were filed with Yosts Consumer Protection Section. Many of the checks that were written to Priest were made out to him personally, and not the business. Three homeowners who filed complaints with Yosts office reported a combined loss of $45,000. Two of them had to hire new contractors to finish or repair the work that Priest had started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Priest is also accused of legally providing the three-day right to cancel language for home-solicitation sales in Ohio. Yost is seeking restitution for affected consumers, along with civil penalties. He also wants a court order barring Priest from engaging in any more consumer transactions in Ohio until all monetary obligations are satisfied. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IDF troops, operating with Shin Bet direction, arrested more than 60 wanted suspects across the West Bank last week, including 18 Hamas operatives Members of the IDF's Paratroopers Brigade killed a terrorist who threw rocks at soldiers in Ofra in the northern West Bank, the military confirmed on Sunday. The Paratroopers were dispatched to the area following a report about several terrorists throwing rocks at Israeli citizens. After dispersing the crowd, an additional terrorist hurled rocks at the Israeli troops, who responded with "precise fire" and killed them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No injuries to Israeli forces were reported. Security forces operate in the West Bank, November 21, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) IDF arrests over 60 suspects in West Bank, including 18 suspected Hamas affiliates IDF troops, operating with Shin Bet direction, arrested more than 60 wanted suspects across the West Bank last week, including 18 Hamas terrorists, during a series of raids targeting terror cells and weapons trafficking hubs. The arrests took place in multiple sectors, including those of the Etzion, Judea, Binyamin, Menashe, Shomron, and Ephraim Brigades, as troops seized rifles, pistols, magazines, and explosives, and closed two workshops used to manufacture weapons. Here's a roundup of our top stories from the past week. With a subscription to the Pensacola News Journal, you will receive full access to the work done by our journalists and photographers as they head out every day to help inform and explain the important issues affecting your community. Old Ryan's Steakhouse coming down Longtime Pace residents did a doubletake this week as demolition began on the longtime Ryan's Steakhouse on U.S. Highway 90. The building at 4955 U.S. Highway 90 in Pace closed its doors as Ryan's in 2021 and for a short time housed Mug Shots until the summer of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the county has not yet approved plans for its replacement, yet another coffee shop appears to be taking its place. Several coffee shops are already located in that vicinity, frustrated residents vented online when Dutch Bros Coffee was announced. Full story: Demolition starts on old Mugshots building in Pace. What's replacing it 'Project Maeve' could bring 2,000 jobs to Pensacola Port Pensacola is actively recruiting a military shipbuilding company in a project that is promising to bring 2,000 jobs to the Port of Pensacola. Pensacola is asking Triumph Gulf Coast to back an $86 million grant as part of a $250 million project to build and outfit a new 400,000 square-foot ship building facility at the Port of Pensacola in a project given the economic development codename: Project Maeve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shipbuilding facility will be capable of producing complex Navy ship modules for larger shipyards and able to construct complete ships of up to 400 feet in length, according to a pre-application the city filed with Triumph Gulf Coast. Full story: Pensacola trying to bring military shipbuilder to Port of Pensacola Wagyu steakhouse gearing up to open Pensacola's East Nine Mile area is soon to get a taste of the finer things with a new wagyu steakhouse, Prime & Beyond Wagyu Steakhouse, gearing up to open its doors to the public at 650 E. Nine Mile Road in mid-January. The restaurant will be led by chef Wayan Sumadi, who recently sold his popular Pensacola Japanese restaurant Sake Cafe at 4880 N. Ninth Ave., but still owns the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Full story: Here's everything we know about Pensacola's incoming wagyu steakhouse Can Escambia County take over Johnson Beach or Perdido Key State Park? Escambia County Commissioner Steven Stroberger wants to expand public beach access on Perdido Key and is eyeing Perdido Key State Park as a possible solution. At least one other commissioners has a different idea in mind. Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler threw out the idea of having the county take over Johnson Beach from the Gulf Island National Seashore. Both ideas are an attempt to solve the long-running issue of customary use of the beaches at Perdido Key in which leaseholders and visitors seek their place in the sand. Is either idea feasible? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Full story: County commissioners eye take over of Johnson Beach, Perdido Key State Park Oil drilling off Florida's Gulf back on table If the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has its way, a huge swath of the Eastern Gulf, long considered off limits, will be opened to offshore drilling. A map released Nov. 20 includes a proposal to extend oil exploration and drilling opportunities east from the Alabama line across waters extending the length of the entire Panhandle of Florida. The area has been labeled by BOEM as Program Area B, and if exploited would bring drilling rigs to about 100 miles offshore of coastal Florida. If the plan survives as written, the Eastern Gulf would be opened to offshore lease sales in 2029 and 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan was met with swift opposition from environmentalists and Florida politicians. Full story: Huge swath of Florida's Eastern Gulf part of Trump's new oil drilling plan This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Top Pensacola News: Ryan's Steakhouse, FDLE, port jobs Nov. 22The Alabama pilot that crashed into the Bob Marshall Wilderness in October reported experiencing icing and engine trouble before losing altitude, federal investigators say. The crash occurred in the evening hours of Oct. 17 and killed the pilot, Mark Anderson, and his two daughters, Lainey and Ellie. The three were on a family vacation. Authorities indicated that a dog was also on board. Anderson requested to climb to 14,000 feet mean sea level over icing concerns. He then asked for direction toward lower terrain, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board released Nov. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Anderson was unable to maintain altitude and declared an emergency. He reported experiencing icing and an issue with the plane's left engine, according to the report. The Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center lost radar contact with the plane at about 4:15 p.m., according to the report. Flight track data shows the plane headed northwest toward Polson before making a tight U-turn and heading northeast. Family members notified the Federal Aviation Administration when the plane failed to arrive at Polson Airport, and an alert was issued at 4:29 p.m. The next day, a multi-agency search was launched that included help from Missoula County Search and Rescue, Seeley-Swan Search and Rescue, Seeley Lake Rural Fire District, the U.S. Forest Service and the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office and the Powell County Sheriff's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A volunteer aircraft located the wreck about 9 a.m. in a remote, wooded area in Youngs Creek northeast of Seeley Lake. The volunteer, under the command of the state Department of Transportation Aeronautics division, was working off a weak emergency locator transmitter signal, according to the Powell County Sheriff's Office. Helicopters from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation shuttled ground teams to the remote, steep terrain where the crash occurred, according to the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. The pilot and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. The plane that crashed was a fixed wing multi-engine Piper PA-23 and registered under Blue Wave Air LLC in Huntsville, Alabama, according to federal records. It was recovered and taken to a secure facility for investigation. The trio had departed Billings-Logan International Airport at about 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, according to flight data. Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected]. The incident unfolded amid heightened tensions in the ultra-Orthodox (haredi) community surrounding military-conscription legislation, which Shas supported. A 14-year-old Jerusalem resident was arrested, Israel Police announced on Sunday, a week after the attack on the car of Shas MK Yoav Ben-Tzur. The incident occurred in central Jerusalem, where a group of ultra-Orthodox youths assaulted the vehicle and caused damage as Ben-Tzur left a weekly study session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arrest followed what police described as intensive operational and investigative work by the Jerusalem Districts crime-fighting unit. The teen was taken in for questioning, and investigators said on Sunday that efforts are ongoing to identify and detain additional suspects involved in the assault. In its statement, police emphasized the severity ofthe attack, saying it involved criminal elements attempting to harm an elected official. The force said it would deploy all available measures to bring all those involved to justice. Conscription law creates tension with Israel's ultra-Orthodox community The incident unfolded amid heightened tensions in the ultra-Orthodox (haredi) community surrounding military-conscription legislation, which Shas supported. Ben-Tzurs vehicle was targeted after he left a learning session, and no injuries were reported, though the car sustained damage. The episode drew condemnation from across the political spectrum and from Shas, which said the attackers did not represent the broader haredi public. President Donald Trump may have shown what he really thinks of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Meets With President Trump At The White House 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Read the original article on silive.com. Some North Carolina Republicans are worried President Donald Trumps aggressive immigration crackdown in the battleground state could backfire. The Trump administration has touted its North Carolina surge as a successful operation targeting the worst of the worst criminals, but some Republicans in the state which will feature one of the most expensive and hotly contested Senate races next year fear that message is not breaking through with voters. The White House has largely focused its immigration sweeps on blue states that Trump officials have decried as sanctuaries for unauthorized immigrants. But the move to expand immigration arrests into North Carolina, mostly in the Charlotte area, offered the first test for whether the White Houses strategy can hold up in a purple state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory warned that recent local coverage, like an incident at a Charlotte shopping center, when masked agents arrested a man who said he was a U.S. citizen, and a raid at a local country club, may hurt the GOP on an issue it has long dominated. Republicans had the upper hand on immigration, as long as they were going after the criminals and the gangs, but I think theyre losing the upper hand on that issue because of the apparent disjointed implementation of arrest, McCrory said in an interview. From a PR and political standpoint, for the first time, immigration is maybe having a negative impact on my party. He added, If I were the administration, I would be really emphasizing who theyve arrested and the negative impact theyve had on the community, but were not hearing that. The concerns surrounding Trumps Tar Heel State clampdown underscore a tension at the center of the presidents immigration agenda. The White Houses message, since January, has tied illegal immigration to violent crime in U.S. cities. But immigration officials are simultaneously under sustained pressure from the White House to increase arrests and deportation numbers, an effort that requires targeting immigrants well beyond violent criminal offenders potentially treacherous territory for swing-state Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edwin Peacock III, a moderate Republican who lost an at-large Charlotte City Council race to Democrats earlier this month, warned of the raids leaving a real sour aftertaste with voters. Is the price of doing this worth it? Peacock added. I dont see this cloud moving away [from] what will be in the voters minds. In line with the administrations messaging, North Carolina Republicans have sought to keep public attention on criminal arrests. But their narrative has been overshadowed by viral social media footage highlighting arrests of immigrants without criminal records and local media reports documenting the fear coursing through churches, schools and local businesses, these Republicans said. National polls in recent months show voters largely support removing immigrants living in the country illegally but believe the Trump administrations tactics have gone too far. Other polls show that voters support deporting immigrants with criminal records living in the country illegally, but that support falls when those surveyed are asked about the broader pool of immigrants. And Republicans are losing Latino support, after Trump made significant inroads with those voters including in North Carolina last year. From July through October, the proportion of Latino voters who say the presidents deportation agenda has gone too far has increased from 66 percent to 79 percent, according to a CNN poll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) this week noted 200 people were arrested over 48 hours in Charlotte. Seventy percent of them didnt have a criminal record, according to the Department of Homeland Security, Salazar added in a CNN interview. Kick out the ones that are bad hombres, the ones who have criminal records, the murderers and the rapists, she said. But do not touch the lady who has been here for 10, 20 years, contributing to the economy. Patrick Sebastian, a GOP pollster based in North Carolina, said voters draw a clear line between deporting immigrants who are living in the country illegally and working but not breaking other laws, and unauthorized immigrants who have committed crimes. In purple states, theres broad support for removing the latter and the left looks foolish protesting that, Sebastian said. But the other narrative has gotten more play over the past week, and that could be a problem for Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump administration officials have defended the administrations North Carolina efforts, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem telling Fox this week that the agency is going after the worst of the worst, people who have committed robberies, assaults, DUIs, getting them off the streets and keeping people safe. A senior White House official, granted anonymity to speak about internal thinking, argued that the president is making good on his campaign to execute mass deportations. The official said the previous administration allowed for millions of unauthorized immigrants to enter the country. The only way to fix that problem and solve it is to aggressively deport these illegal criminals, the official said. And so the administration is definitely going to keep doing that. The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that Operation Charlottes Web isnt ending anytime soon, as some North Carolina residents remain on edge. Some local businesses are closed, and residents have gone into hiding. Viral videos filmed by locals have made national news, and Democratic Gov. Josh Stein warned that masked, heavily armed agents in paramilitary garb were targeting American citizens and racially profiling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A DHS spokesperson said Thursday the enforcement surge in the Charlotte area has resulted in 370 arrests targeting some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens, though the agency refused to say how many of those arrested had criminal records. Earlier this week, DHS said that over two days, 44 of the 130 people arrested had committed crimes that include aggravated assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault on a police officer, battery, driving under the influence and hit-and-runs. The spokesperson said the arrests also included two known gang members. Youre seeing social media creating a hyper sense of what may be going on, and it doesnt always provide a full context. Youve seen, in response, the administration talking through, heres whats actually going on. Here are the criminals that we are taking off the streets, said North Carolina GOP chair Jason Simmons. Youre talking about individuals that have committed abhorrent acts murder, sexual assault, again, trafficking of all kinds. Meanwhile ICE and Border Patrols presence in North Carolina has become a feature in the contentious Senate race. Michael Whatley, the former Republican National Committee chair running for the open Senate seat, has used the raids to attack his opponent, former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. In an interview on Fox News this week, Whatley said if Cooper hadnt vetoed bills requiring local law enforcement to honor ICE detainers, then these people would not have been on the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since he entered the race in July, Whatley has primarily attacked Coopers record as governor, calling him soft on crime. That became a particularly potent attack in August, after a video of the murder of Iryna Zarutska on Charlottes light rail went viral. Removing criminal illegal aliens isnt politics its about keeping our communities safe, Danielle Alvarez, a senior adviser to Whatleys campaign, said in a statement. If deporting illegal aliens whove molested children, assaulted women, or been convicted of weapons charges is something Democrats want to oppose, that says everything about how far left Roy Cooper and the NC Democratic Party have drifted. Michael Whatley stands with law enforcement and with North Carolina families period. Earlier this week, Cooper criticized the Trump administrations operation for randomly sweeping up people based on what they look like. And in a statement, Cooper campaign spokesperson Kate Smart defended the governors record: Roy Cooper is the only candidate who spent his career prosecuting violent criminals and keeping thousands of them behind bars, and numerous North Carolina sheriffs spoke out against this legislation at the time because of a lack of resources; a problem that Washington D.C. insider and Big Oil lobbyist Michael Whatley has made worse because of his support for cuts to local law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The raids come weeks after Democrats swept off-year elections across the country, including in municipal and county-level positions in North Carolina. Peacock, who lost his own at-large Charlotte City Council bid, said he warned his fellow Republicans that this months elections were the midterms before the midterms. I know Whatley and his team arent looking at [Charlotte] as a place they can win, but what theyre probably not considering yet is that this region, this city, could define your loss because [Democratic turnout] could be at such exponential levels compared to traditional [norms], Peacock said. One GOP strategist working on races in North Carolina, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly, said theres a risk that the picture of a citizen being separated from their family, rather than the arrests of unauthorized immigrants with criminal records, will stick, adding, You dont know what the enduring image is going to be in voters minds. Diana Nerozzi contributed to this report. Terrorists attempting to flee through underground tunnels were captured or eliminated as Hamas delays return of hostage remains and continue to issue threats regarding ceasefire. Recent developments in the Gaza Strip have reignited the question of the ceasefire's resilience in the face of repeated violations by Hamas. Terrorists besieged in a tunnel in Rafah attempted to emerge and flee into hiding, but encountered IDF forces. Meanwhile, despite pressure from mediators, the return of the three remaining hostages remains delayed. Against this backdrop, the question arises: What is happening in Gaza now? Will the ceasefire hold or collapse? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple terrorists attempted to emerge from the tunnel without detection in the southern Strip but failed in their mission, with 17 terrorists captured or eliminated. Military sources stated that detainees were transferred for interrogation. The IDF is not certain how many terrorists are still underground, despite reports of around 150. Some military sources estimate the number at approximately 80. Military sources warn of strong response The current assessment is that the 17 terrorists emerged due to food shortages and attempted to retreat towards Al Mawasi, believing the IDF would not identify the escape route. Military sources warn that if the remaining terrorists emerge from the tunnels, they will be eliminated or arrested. Hamas terrorists also attempted to cross the Yellow Line into IDF-controlled areas of Gaza on Saturday morning. The IDF opened fire and identified a hit. Also on Saturday morning, IDF forces identified a suspicious jeep traveling alongside trucks carrying humanitarian aid or medical vehicles. A terrorist exited the jeep and began firing towards the IDF soldiers, who returned fire, eliminating him. An Israeli soldier stands inside a tunnel underneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis at the Gaza Strip, June 8, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun) The IDF said the terror activity was "a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement." In response, it was decided to kill the commanders in Hamas's military wing, including company commanders, battalion headquarters staff, and the head of the weapons production unit who had managed to evade Israeli intelligence since the start of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In accordance with the policy of Defense Minister Israel Katz, the IDF continues to scan the area between the border and the Yellow Line to locate terror infrastructure, including command centers, weapon depots, and underground tunnels and shafts. According to military sources, "there are additional infrastructures known to the IDF that must be reached and destroyed." They added that the IDF will continue to respond forcefully to any violation of the ceasefire agreement. Hamas leadership still threatening through Arab media While Hamas conveys threatening messages through Arab media about blowing up the ceasefire agreement, security sources say it is unclear whether Israel and Hamas are approaching a collapse of the ceasefire, but hint that Hamas's senior figures will have no human shields if they continue to violate the agreement and drag Israel into harsh responses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The IDF knows how to broaden the range of responses," military sources warned. According to security sources, there is no progress at this stage regarding the transfer of the three deceased hostages held by Hamas, despite pressure from Israel and the mediators on the organization. This issue, among other factors, is preventing a move to Phase B. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Natuche carries significant cultural weight in French-speaking regions, particularly as it connects to Christmas traditions and winter celebrations. Historically, names associated with specific seasons or holidays held special meaning in French culture, often reflecting the timing of a child's birth and the family's connection to seasonal cycles. In many French communities, Christmas-born children were considered blessed, and names like Natuche symbolized this special connection to the holiday season. Throughout French history, the name has been associated with warmth, family gatherings, and the spiritual significance of Christmas. In rural French communities, it was believed that children born during Christmas carried the spirit of generosity and goodwill. The name also reflects the French tradition of celebrating name days and saint's days, with Christmas-born individuals often having a special connection to the Nativity story and its cultural representations in French art and literature. The name's persistence through generations demonstrates how French culture values both religious tradition and family heritage, with Natuche serving as a bridge between ancient Christmas customs and modern naming practices. It represents the enduring French appreciation for names that tell a story about one's origins and the circumstances of their birth. Let me be frank: The President of the United States is out of his mind, and nobodys doing a goddamned thing about it. What do I mean? Any number of red flags, really, but in particular right now its the latest five hundred words of blithering lunacy he shared on his bitcoin mining operation social media site Tuesday night. They are not the words of a man elected to lead the worlds most powerful nation. They are, instead, those of a malevolent Don Quixote tilting at a cancer-causing, bird-kill Republicans have said for months they had plenty of time to figure out what to do about Obamacare subsidies expiring at years end. During a six-week government shutdown that ended last week, they said theyd talk about it after. Now, with five weeks to go before New Years, theyre scrambling and divided. Moderates and lawmakers in competitive seats are anxiously throwing bills together, worried about the political fallout that could await them if the subsidies expire and premiums skyrocket. Other Republicans simply want to have some bill to offer when the Senate votes next month on a likely Democratic plan to extend the subsidies as is. Republicans rejected that when Democrats offered it during the shutdown, but agreed to hold the vote. Republicans in the Senate are latching onto President Donald Trumps last-minute idea to send the money directly to consumers. But theyre finding it hard to build consensus with such a tight timeframe, and their frustration is showing. POLITICOs new poll this week found Democrats retain a solid edge on health care affordability going into the 2026 midterms in which both House and Senate control are at stake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want all the Obamacare subsidies to be gone, retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) told reporters Thursday. But this town is horrible about understanding the cliff nature to some of these decisions. We need to let [the subsidies] ramp down over time. Many Republicans, especially in the House, share Tilliss view. But many others would prefer to kill the increased subsidies for insurance companies Democrats created in a 2021 law , or replace them with direct payments. If Congress does nothing, subsidies will return to their original 2010 Obamacare levels. Republicans have opposed Obamacare from the start, and some disagree that they will be blamed for major premium spikes. But other GOP lawmakers, especially in the House, are stressing about the political fallout. POLITICOs November poll of 2,098 U.S. adults gave Democrats a nine-point edge as the party more trusted to bring down health care costs, with 42 percent favoring Democrats, 33 percent the Republicans and the rest trusting neither or having no opinion. The poll, from London-based Public First, had a margin of error of 2 percentage points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats, for their part, remain unified behind a straight-up extension of the increased subsidies, which made health insurance plans free for some and also offered subsidies for the first time to people earning more than 400 percent of the poverty level. Democrats shut down the government in October to demand an extension their party had set the Dec. 31 expiration date in a 2022 law for budgetary reasons but eight in their caucus relented last week on the condition that the Senate vote on the issue. It's critical that we come to the table and find a bipartisan path to extend enhanced tax credits, said Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), one of the eight. But Wednesdays Senate Finance Committee hearing on affordable health care suggested limited prospects for a bipartisan deal. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) likened the debate to that which accompanied the original Affordable Care Act in 2009. No Republicans voted for it. The committee Democrats spent their time defending Obamacare on the merits, and Republicans did little but attack it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats had hoped that President Donald Trump might step in and urge at least a temporary extension of the subsidies. Instead, hes continued to blast Obamacare which he unsuccessfully sought to repeal in his first term. THE ONLY HEALTHCARE THAT I WILL SUPPORT is a direct payment to consumers, he wrote on his social media site Truth Social on Tuesday. He blasted the subsidies as a handout to BIG, FAT, RICH INSURANCE COMPANIES. Republicans in the Senate have taken up Trumps charge. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), whos chair of the health committee and has a seat on Finance, has floated converting funding for the enhanced subsidy into a health savings account Americans can purchase if they opt for a bronze tier Obamacare plan, which can have higher cost-sharing such as a large deductible. An HSA can help cover deductibles, but consumers would still have to pay the premium. The unsubsidized price for the bronze plans varies by state, but runs from a few to several hundred dollars a month for each person in a household. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, its trench warfare, lamented Cassidy to colleagues on the Finance panel. He pitched his HSA proposal across the aisle, but it wasnt well received. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said hell hold the vote on a subsidy extension in the second week of December. It remains unclear what the terms of the Democratic bill will be, whether a permanent extension or a temporary one, but Republicans want to have their own plan to offer at the same time. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) proposed a bill Thursday that lets the subsidies expire and enables states to get a waiver to offer Trump Freedom Accounts. The accounts would resemble HSAs, but could be used to pay premiums. States that opt in could redirect Obamacare subsidies at the original 2010 levels into the accounts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scotts proposal would also enable insurers to sell plans across state lines, long a GOP goal. Democrats oppose that, arguing it undermines state autonomy in regulating health insurance. Some Republican senators told POLITICO that despite the scrambling on their side, they arent worried. Obamacare has failed Americans, said Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the partys second-ranking leader. He said that Democrats should agree to a policy that significantly reforms the law. Cassidy said he expected voters would see that Trump and Republicans had coalesced around a plan and that theyd blame Democrats if its not enacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president is there. He wants to do it, Cassidy said, referring to a health deal. You tell me who is at fault if something is not in place? Not Republicans. We have a deal and a plan. We are working hard to make sure something happens. Vulnerable House Republicans dont sound so confident. A quartet of bipartisan representatives introduced legislation Friday to extend the subsidies for two years, but include an income cap and other changes. The bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus is exploring its own legislation to extend the subsidies and expand flexibility for HSAs. The bill could also include a stalled bipartisan overhaul of rules governing drug middlemen called pharmacy benefit managers. Many lawmakers blame them, in part, for Americas high drug prices. A group of thirteen vulnerable lawmakers reached out to House leadership during the shutdown about the importance of an extension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But House GOP leaders are cool to one and have backed their Senate counterparts in preferring a new approach to helping Americans pay for health care. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise shared a slide deck during the GOP conference meeting Tuesday that highlighted statistics showing premiums have increased by 80 percent since the Affordable Care Act s 2010 passage. Conservatives are especially locked in against an extension. Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) said Tuesday the party should pursue a budget process that makes it possible for Senate legislation to skirt a Democratic filibuster in order to make changes to Obamacare. He said that would be better than trying to work with Democrats who cannot come up with a plan that is competitive, transparent and actually reduces costs. But any package using that process, known as reconciliation, would be hard to get done before the end of the year. It took months for Republicans to use reconciliation to pass their One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some House Republicans say they are open to other ideas for Obamacare subsidies, including Cassidys approach. But they worry theres not enough time for that either. Open enrollment has already started for Obamacare plans and consumers are facing an average increase of 114 percent to their out-of-pocket premiums, according to an analysis from the health policy research group KFF. Some House Republicans are even taking Democrats side. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) said he preferred Republicans agree to a one-year extension if they cant come up with something better. What weve got to do now very rapidly is get beyond several ideas and concepts for a substantive plan, he said. You cant double or more peoples premiums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer proposed a one-year extension two weeks ago. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a moderate who is retiring after this term and backs a bill calling for a two-year extension of the subsidies, predicted Republicans will need 60 votes in the Senate for any legislation and suggested making a deal. Weve got to have a better long-term plan. I dont really want peoples premiums to go up, Bacon said. Jordain Carney contributed to this story. A highly invasive species originally introduced to combat desertification has been wreaking havoc across Kenya, forcing entire communities to relocate, the Guardian reported. What's happening? The mesquite shrub, known in Kenya as mathenge, has overtaken grasslands used for grazing, caused livestock's teeth to fall out, and even redirected the flows of waterways in the course of consuming an estimated 7,700 square miles of land across the East African nation, according to the Guardian. In the 1970s, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the Kenyan government highly encouraged the planting of mathenge, which is native to South America, per the Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those authorities viewed mathenge as a potential solution for expanding deserts and deforestation, creating shade as well as food for grazing livestock. At first, mathenge provided clear benefits like reducing dust storms and acting as a source of firewood for locals, according to Forest News. Over time, however, the problems with mathenge became clear. Its dense foliage blocked the light from reaching other plants, killing native species. While its pods provided food for grazing animals, they were so sugar-rich that they caused goats' teeth to rot and fall out, found a study published in Frontiers in Conservation Science. The dense foliage and shade of the mathenge plant also have given predators a place to hide and created "an ideal ground for mosquito breeding," increasing the risk of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases, the study found. Adding to the problems, mathenge plants grow incredibly deep root systems as far as 115 feet below ground that have redirected water flows in certain areas, the Guardian reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The spread [of mathenge] is so fast that it has caused entire communities to be displaced, schools to close, and even disrupted river flows, as the plant blocks water courses, contributing to flooding and displacement," Davis Ikiror, Kenya-Somalia country director for Veterinaires Sans Frontieres Suisse, told the Guardian. By the time the mathenge plant's enormous problems became apparent, its expansion already was out of control, growing at an estimated 15% annually. Why are invasive species important? Mathenge is just one example of how invasive species wreak havoc on local ecosystems, disrupting food supplies, outcompeting local species, and even forcing communities to move. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. As shown in Kenya, invasive species can impact the human food supply by outcompeting plants used for grazing and robbing the soil of vital nutrients needed to grow crops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Invasive species also impact biodiversity. "Globally, invasive species are the second most critical factor in reducing biodiversity," coming in behind only habitat loss, said the study published in Frontiers. What's being done about invasive species? In Kenya, while total eradication of mathenge is essentially impossible at this point, many groups have been exploring ways to make productive use of the plant while managing its spread. For example, a study published on ScienceDirect examined efforts at using mathenge for honey production and to make charcoal. If successful, these strategies could help meet local needs for fuel and food, while also providing employment and curbing the spread of an invasive species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On an individual scale, there are many things you can do at home to help prevent the spread of invasive species. When choosing plants, select native varieties and make sure to avoid invasive ones. If you'd like to go even further, you can explore upgrading to a natural lawn or even rewilding your entire yard with native plants, helping pollinators and other local wildlife. 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 retired naval flight officer has found a new mission, and this one's underwater. Kevin "K.C." Stangl spends his mornings and evenings along Maryland's Choptank River reeling in hundreds of invasive blue catfish, a species threatening the Chesapeake Bay's delicate ecosystem, according to the Bay Journal. Blue catfish, native to the Mississippi and Missouri river basins, were introduced to the Chesapeake decades ago and have since multiplied by the millions. With few natural predators, they feast on blue crabs, rockfish, and other native species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stangl's self-assigned mission to catch 1,000 blue catfish this year is part of a growing movement among local anglers. Last year, a local fishing club removed more than 800 invasive fish during its first-ever competition targeting blue catfish and snakeheads. "It's not a matter of having it in for them. The damage these guys are doing was enough reason for me," he told Bay Journal. Biologists say every fish caught makes a difference. "A big problem with invasive species is they often lack predators," said Salisbury University biologist Noah Bressman. "By having more anglers go after these catfish, we are creating predators. With people going out fishing over time, we can keep that population in check." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Invasive species like the blue catfish don't just harm native fish. They threaten entire ecosystems and local economies. The Chesapeake Bay supports thousands of jobs in fishing and tourism, and its native wildlife plays a vital role in filtering water and maintaining the food chain. When non-native species take over, they devour young fish, destroy vegetation, and reduce biodiversity. Other regions have faced similar threats. In Michigan, anglers have launched a "war" against invasive koi that endanger native populations, while in Texas, fishing groups are targeting the suckermouth armored catfish. The same principles apply on land. Invasive plants like English ivy and kudzu choke out native vegetation, deplete soil nutrients, and drive up yard maintenance costs for homeowners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many U.S. cities are now funding native landscaping projects to replace harmful species and conserve water. Whether it's removing invasive fish or rewilding your yard, protecting local ecosystems starts with the choices we make and the small actions we take. 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. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s younger brother scorned him for standing with President Donald Trump amid the GOPs cuts of food assistance programs millions of Americans depend on, calling his stance a betrayal of the legacy of their father, Senator Robert F. Kennedy Sr. Of course, there is no way to know precisely what he would have thought, Maxwell Taylor Kennedy wrote in an op-ed published in The Boston Globe. But I do know what he cared about most deeply: the injustice of poverty in the richest nation in the world and our duty as citizens to make sure that no child goes to bed hungry. The younger Kennedy said his father, who would have turned 100 this year, would have been appalled by the cruelty the Trump administration has directed toward Americas neediest. He pointed to the government shutdown, when millions of Americans were at risk of losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November. RFK Jr.'s brother scorned him for being a 'betrayal' to their father's legacy Getty Images Its a betrayal of all that my father worked for, said Kennedy, who advocated for expanding what was then called the Food Stamp Program. And all those complicit in that betrayal have lowered themselves not least my brother, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trumps secretary of health and human services, who knows my fathers legacy as well as anyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy is not the only sibling to fire criticism at the health secretary. Earlier this year, his sister, Kerry Kennedy, criticized several conspiracy theories RFK Jr. has spread during his tenure in the Trump administration. News: Plastic Surgeons Say Theyre Getting Requests For 1 Unsettling Look And Its Thanks To Trump I love Bobby and I find him incredibly charismatic. But I have said and my other family members have been super clear about this that we disagree again and again and again on the things that hes said, she said. RFK Jr.s cousin, Tatiana Schlossberg, revealed in a personal essay published Saturday in the New Yorker that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and criticized HHS federal research cuts she said could hurt other cancer patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RFK Jr., who has pushed to get soda pops off of the food stamp program celebrated his fathers birthday in a post on Instagram featuring a photograph of the two of them. In his op-ed, the health secretarys brother blasted the Trump-loyal GOP for exhibiting an almost Dickensian cruelty by zeroing out funding for the poor in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy in the Big, Beautiful Bill passed over the summer. This is unacceptable, he wrote. And it is unacceptable, too, that my brother Bobby stands side by side with Donald Trump as these programs, particularly SNAP, are diminished. Preventing hunger is the primary duty of every public health official. You cannot Make America Healthy while denying food to our most vulnerable citizens. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Cassandra Crutchfield held a picture of her 7-year-old daughter, Hannah, who was struck and killed by a driver while walking home from school on Washington Street in 2021. She also held a sign that read, "Prioritize safe streets." She joined numerous Indianapolis pedestrian safety organizations in a protest at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and North College Avenue. The protest called for city officials and the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) to take significantly stronger and more rapid action to solve Indianapolis's ongoing pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities. "I want to be a part of as many of these as possible to bring awareness to how unsafe our streets are around here for pedestrians and cyclists," Crutchfield told IndyStar. "I just hope that our politicians are listening, and they need to prioritize keeping our streets safe for everybody." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 50 people crowded outside 765 Massachusetts Ave. with signs and bicycles to rally and protest for pedestrian safety in the city. Jake Budler, an organizer, said their list of demands is more funding, a faster response from city officials, and an increase in transparency to the community. More funding, priority and transparency "Somebody was killed here almost 20 months ago, and since then, we've got some orange barricades," Budler told the crowd, noting it took months to get the barricades filled with water after they were placed. "I've got about 150 emails with DPW since March of this year, trying to figure out what's going on here." Budler said the intersection epitomizes the safety crisis on city streets. Aside from more funding compared to how much other cities invest in their streets, Budler said organizers are asking for better leadership under Mayor Joe Hogsett. He said leaders need to prioritize a serious issue that they feel keeps getting overlooked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've got Vision Zero. Great," Budler said. "But what does that mean, right? We need less press releases and we need more public works." Related: 10 kids were struck by vehicles in 30 days. Safety concerns arise ahead of summer Indiana Senator Andrea Hunley spoke to the crowd and shared that she and her pet dog, Reggie, were walking across 10th Street about seven months ago, when they were both hit by a car that was making a left turn and wasn't paying attention. "We should all be able to walk, bike, roll, stroll and ride safely on our streets," Hunley said. "I'm proud that as a state senator, we were able to get an additional $50 million dedicated to Indianapolis to support our roadways, but we know that it's going to take our friends at the city council to also put in $50 million." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunley said that Vision Zero hearings have been happening at the City-County Building, but they haven't allowed for public comment, which doesn't support transparency. "They're not meeting regularly and sharing the data," Hunley said. "We want to know what's happening, what are you focused on, and why. And we also want the work done faster." She said it shouldn't take months to get barricades filled with water. Vision Zero Action Plan in progress City officials, experts, and community members have been collaborating with Burgess & Niple consultants to create their Vision Zero Action Plan to curb pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries on the city's streets. The plan is looking at designing better streets that would prioritize safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Indianapolis Vision Zero Taskforce has been analyzing traffic data, listening to public feedback, and recommending strategies for the past year, and is looking to adopt the plan in a reconvened meeting on Dec. 2, 2025. The meeting will be in the Public Assembly Room at the City-County Council Building at 4 p.m. Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Safe Streets protest demands increased funding, urgency, and transparency AUBURN It was fitting, in a sense, that it would snow the night before Christmas trees were to be harvested for the official residence of Vice President JD Vance, on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington. After all, snow on the branches of vibrant trees at Evergreen Acres Tree Farm exuded the spirit of Christmas. Any trace of the early morning whiteness had vanished, however, by the time Paul Anthony Shealer felled three 10-foot Fraser fir trees early Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trees, about six feet across at their base, had grown to maturity over a dozen or so years on a hillside overlooking Lake Wynonah. Nicole Chipperino, deputy secretary and residence manager of the vice presidents residence, specifically requested Fraser fir trees in a conference call with the Shealers about a month ago. Native to the Appalachian Mountains, Frasers are known for their zesty citrus-like scent, strong branches and needle retention. Their dark blue-green needles, when the tree is felled, reveal a silvery-blue underside. Pam Shealer, who owns the 180-acre tree farm with her husband, Paul Anthony, said the needles on Frasers last well into February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Paul Anthony Shealer and Paul Alan Shealer cut down a Christmas tree at Evergreen Acres, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. The tree will be part of the decorations at the Vice Presidents residence. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Paul Anthony Shealer cuts down a Christmas tree at Evergreen Acres, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. The tree will be part of the decorations at the Vice Presidents residence. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Christmas trees stand ready to be cut at Evergreen Acres, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Pam Shealer aligns a Christmas tree to be drilled at Evergreen Acres in West Brunswick Twp., Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. The tree will be part of the decorations at the Vice Presidents residence. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Show Caption 1 of 4 Paul Anthony Shealer and Paul Alan Shealer cut down a Christmas tree at Evergreen Acres, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. The tree will be part of the decorations at the Vice Presidents residence. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Expand Winning tradition Paul Anthony and Pam purchased the farm from Paul Alan and Sharon Shealer in 2024. They represent the fourth generation to operate the farm, which has been growing Christmas trees for 80 years in West Brunswick Twp. In supplying trees to the vice presidents residence, the new owners continue a tradition begun by Paul Alan and Sharon, who are Paul Anthonys parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third-generation Shealers supplied evergreens to the White House during the presidencies of Bill Clinton and Joe Biden. They also placed trees in the vice presidents residence when it was occupied by Dick Cheney in 2008. In July, an 8-foot-tall Douglas fir from Evergreen Acres was judged Reserve Champion at a National Christmas Three Growers Association competition in Michigan. Under association rules, the grower of the Reserve Champion supplies trees to the vice presidents residence. The Grand Champion grower places a tree in the White House, traditionally displayed in the Blue Room. * Paul Alan Shealer drills a hole into a Christmas tree at Evergreen Acres in West Brunswick Twp., Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. The tree will be part of the decorations at the Vice Presidents residence. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Pam Shealer lifts up a Christmas tree to be baled at Evergreen Acres in West Brunswick Twp., Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. The tree will be part of the decorations at the Vice Presidents residence. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) * Paul Alan Shealer and Paul Anthony Shealer bale a Christmas tree at Evergreen Acres in West Brunswick Twp., Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. The tree will be part of the decorations at the Vice Presidents residence. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Show Caption 1 of 3 Paul Alan Shealer drills a hole into a Christmas tree at Evergreen Acres in West Brunswick Twp., Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. The tree will be part of the decorations at the Vice Presidents residence. (MATTHEW PERSCHALL/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expand Treasured experience As always, the Shealers took care to ensure the trees would look their best when displayed at the Vance residence. At Evergreen Acres Tree Farm, a complex off Route 895 east of Auburn, they were prepared for shipping. Using a stand-straight tree drilling machine a device that aligns the top of the tree with the bottom perfectly centered holes were drilled into the trunk. The indentation ensures that the tree will stand straight when its mounted on a single pin. The type of stand being used allows the tree to be rotated to fit the design. Getting the trees to the Naval Observatory, Pam said, turned out to be somewhat of an adventure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arriving in Washington early Thursday morning, the Shealers were escorted by the Secret Service to a military installation for security clearance. At the Naval Observatory, there were more security clearances before the trees were unloaded. Vice President JD and Second Lady Usha Vance live at Number One Observatory Circle, an 1891 Queen Anne and Colonial Revival mansion designed by Leon E. Dessez. The house features a wrap-around veranda and turrets typical of Victorian era architecture, and is set on 13 acres in the observatory complex. The Shealers did not meet the Vances personally, arriving as their motorcade left the Observatory grounds. They did, however, get a guided tour of the rooms where their trees will be displayed the formal dining room, living room and a sun room. Pam, a middle school science teacher, said the experience is one to be treasured. Were very honored to have been able to visit the house, she said. Its not something that everyone gets to do. Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who staunchly opposed high-speed rail between Madison and Milwaukee during his first campaign, has thoughts on a new Amtrak station pitched for downtown Madison. "This is a dumb idea," Walker posted on Facebook Nov. 22, igniting a lively discussion in the comments. Walker was reacting to the news that Madison officials identified a preferred site for a possible Amtrak station, which could be in service by 2032 and offer three to four daily round trips between Madison and Milwaukee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madison recommends placing the station along Lake Monona and John Nolen Drive, offering visitors easy access to the Capitol Square, convention center and downtown hotels. The project would extend the existing Chicago-to-Milwaukee Hiawatha Service to Madison and beyond. Other stops could include Watertown and Pewaukee, and service could eventually reach Eau Claire and the Twin Cities. City officials say federal and state long-term plans for rail service have identified Madison as a "key market for future service." As the city's FAQ page notes: "While both Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) plans have identified Madison as underserved by passenger rail services, there is currently no commitment to bring passenger rail service to Madison." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But selecting a preferred site now will make it easier to advance Amtrak's expansion plans, Madison officials say. More: State projects passenger rail expansion could draw 250,000 new riders within a decade The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enacted during the Biden administration, set aside $102 billion in federal funding for rail lines across the country, reviving the idea in Madison. More than a decade ago, Wisconsin secured an $810 million federal stimulus grant to establish a Madison-to-Milwaukee Amtrak line. In 2010, Walker campaigned on stopping the project, arguing it would cost state taxpayers in the long run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The 'high-speed rail' boondoggle in (California) proves I was right to kill this idea years ago," Walker said, referring to that state's project that has lasted decades and is now billions over budget. In his new comments, Walker argued it's "quicker and cheaper" to drive a car between Madison and Milwaukee and said people without cars can use the Badger Bus line. Commenters on the post cited heavy traffic and dangerous winter conditions on Interstate 94, and said riders could work or rest on the train during their commute. More: What to know as construction starts on the $1.7 billion I-94 expansion in Milwaukee County Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Scott Walker calls downtown Madison Amtrak proposal a 'dumb idea' WASHINGTON - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Friday temporarily paused a lower court ruling that blocked a new voting map in Texas, allowing the state to proceed for now with a plan aimed at adding more Republicans to the House of Representatives. Texas officials had asked the U.S. Supreme Court in a filing earlier on Friday to revive the map, which was designed to help President Donald Trump's party keep control of Congress in next year's midterm elections. The lower court's ruling had blocked the map, which was approved in August by the Texas legislature with Trump's support and redrew the boundaries of several electoral districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alito, a member of the Supreme Court's conservative majority, issued the order as the justice designated to handle emergency matters arising from the states of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Alito's order freezing the lower court's action gives the justices more time to consider Texas' emergency request. Racial discrimination claims The lower court had concluded that the map likely was racially discriminatory in violation of U.S. constitutional protections. In its filing, Texas said the lower court made multiple legal errors and is causing chaos during the candidate filing period for next year's congressional elections, while it defended the legislature's action. "This summer, the Texas Legislature did what legislatures do: politics," lawyers from state Attorney General Ken Paxton's office told the justices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court issued an order that the challengers to the state's new electoral map respond to Texas' emergency request by Monday. 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. Law could shift five seats in 2026 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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." 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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." The court directed that the state's previous electoral map, approved by the Republican-led legislature in 2021, be used in the 2026 elections. Democratic Texas Representative Gene Wu speaks during a press conference after the passing of H.B. 4, during a session in which Democratic lawmakers, who had left the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing Texas's 38 congressional districts, returned to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Texas State Representative for House District 95 Nicole Collier sleeps in the House chamber, where she has chosen to remain until Wednesday, after Democratic lawmakers who had left the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing Texass 38 congressional districts returned to the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 19, 2025. Collier is staying in the chamber because she did not want to sign the required permission slip allowing lawmakers to leave the Capitol under escort by Department of Public Safety agents. Democratic State Senators huddle with staffers as the Republicans' attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. State Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Democrat, asks questions about the redistricting process as Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. Republican State Senator Pete Flores looks over redistricting maps as the Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. Democratic State Sen. Roland Gutierrez holds a discussion with Republican State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and Democratic State Sen. Cesar Blanco as the Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. Democratic State Sen. Molly Cook asks questions to Republican Sen. Phil King as the Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. Democratic State Sen. Royce West asks questions to Republican Sen. Phil King as the Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. State Representative Matt Morgan (R-TX) holds a map of the new proposed congressional districts in Texas, during a legislative session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Republican Texas State Representative Todd Hunter, surrounded by most of the Republican members of the House of Representatives, speaks during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. U.S. Representative Al Green attends a protest during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dustin Burrows bangs the gavel during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. A group of Democratic Representatives refer to themselves as the "Collier 7" take a photo during a legislative session, as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. A computer screen shows a section of the proposed congressional district map while Democratic Texas State Representative Gene Wu sits at his desk during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Democratic Texas State Representative Diego Burnal speaks during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Republican Texas State Representative David Lowe wears a button with the words "Big Beautiful Map" during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Democratic State Rep. Nicole Collier asks questions about H.B. 4 during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Democratic Texas Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez speaks at a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Democratic Texas Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democratic Texas Rep. Mihaela Plesa tears her Department of Public Safety escort form during a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democratic Texas Rep. Penny Morales Shaw displays a poster of Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier during a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Rep. Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democratic Texas Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez holds a Department of Public Safety escort form during a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) People demonstrate, calling for the release of Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. State Rep. Nicole Collier has spent the night on the House floor after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Texas State Capitol is seen on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. State Rep. Nicole Collier has spent the night on the House floor after refusing a mandatory escort by Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Lawmakers convene for roll call during a House meeting on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Demonstrators chant as lawmakers are welcomed back ahead of a House meeting in the state Capitol on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Demonstrators chant as lawmakers are welcomed back ahead of a House meeting in the state Capitol on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democratic Texas Rep. Ramon Romero attends a news conference at the conclusion of a House meeting on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democratic lawmakers are welcomed back upon arrival at a House meeting in the state Capitol on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu attends a news conference at the conclusion of a House meeting on Aug. 18, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu attends a news conference at the conclusion of a House meeting on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Texas State Capitol is seen on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. State Rep. Nicole Collier has spent the night on the House floor after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas Democrats return, continue to protest redistricting efforts by Republicans 1 of 31 Democratic Texas Representative Gene Wu speaks during a press conference after the passing of H.B. 4, during a session in which Democratic lawmakers, who had left the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing Texas's 38 congressional districts, returned to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Reuters reporting by John Kruzel; Additional reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham, Amy Stevens and Edmund Klamann) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SCOTUS pauses lower court order that tossed Texas voting maps The Acworth Police Department is asking for the publics help in finding a 21-year-old man who was last seen four days ago. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Kenny Darnell Jackson, 21, was last seen on Nov. 19 at Brook Run Skate Park in Dunwoody, according to police. Officials said Jackson was wearing a light gray sweatshirt, gray joggers and white and black shoes at the time of his disappearance. He was also carrying a black backpack and an additional pair of orange and white cleats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 21-year-old has distinctive tattoos on his left arm, extending from his elbow to his wrist. He is described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds. The APD said Jackson drives a 2016 Hyundai Elantra with a Georgia license plate CSG7675. The Acworth Police Department has urged anyone with information regarding Jacksons whereabouts to call 911 immediately or call Det. Guevara at 770-974-1232. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Individuals named Nechten are typically characterized by their strategic thinking and calm demeanor under pressure. They possess a natural authority that doesn't rely on loud proclamations but rather on thoughtful consideration and decisive action when necessary. This name suggests someone who is comfortable with complexity and ambiguity, able to navigate challenging situations with wisdom rather than force. Nechtens often exhibit strong protective instincts toward their communities or organizations, combined with a deep sense of responsibility. They tend to be night owls who do their best thinking during quiet hours, and they have a particular talent for seeing patterns that others miss. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, loyal bonds with those who earn their trust. Their leadership style is typically consultative rather than authoritarian, valuing diverse perspectives while maintaining clear direction. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) said she is not aware of President Donald Trump making any illegal orders to the military or intelligence service members, despite warning members earlier this week they must refuse such orders, if they come up. Slotkin was asked about her plea which she made in a video this week alongside five other Democratic lawmakers during an appearance on ABCs This Week on Sunday morning. Do you believe President Trump has issued any illegal orders? ABCs Martha Raddatz asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To my knowledge, I am not aware of things that are illegal but certainly there are some legal gymnastics that are going on with these Caribbean strikes and everything related to Venezuela, Slotkin said. The senator was referring to the recent military strikes against suspected drug boats; U.S. Southern Command last week said the 21st strike killed three male narco-terrorists in international waters. Slotkins appearance on ABC comes after she warned military and intelligence members, in a video posted on X, that threats to the Constitution arent just coming from abroad, but right here at home. The other Democrats in the video were Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ). Those lawmakers served in the Navy, Army, Air Force, or Central Intelligence Agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders, the lawmakers said, as they took turns reading lines from the same statement. President Trump, two days later, branded it SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR that should be punishable by DEATH. He skewered those lawmakers again in multiple late night Truth Social posts on Saturday, saying Slotkin and the rest SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW. The president added MANY GREAT LEGAL SCHOLARS AGREE with him, that the Democratic TRAITORS should be charged with sedition. Slotkin, a moment later in her Sunday interview, said she is worried federal authorities will get nervous and shoot American citizens in cities like Chicago, where protests against ICE, Border Patrol agents, and National Guard members have been deployed. Watch above, via ABC. The post Senate Democrat Says Shes Not Aware of Trump Making Illegal Orders Despite Her Warning first appeared on Mediaite. Several people were injured after an explosion at a senior living apartment building in Ohio on Saturday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The explosion happened at the Phoenix House Senior Living Apartments in Austintown around 12:45 p.m. It sent debris flying, according to CBS affiliate WKBN TV. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents were huddled in groups. Some held their pets or wrapped them in blankets. It felt like an earthquake, said Michael Kosach. I didnt know how bad it was until I got out. He lived on the second floor. Firefighters told WKBN that no one has died. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Alena Wells could have entered the world surrounded by her family and medical professionals. Instead, she was born on Nov. 16 in the front seat of a Chevrolet Silverado as her father, Leon Wells, rushed from one Indiana hospital to another. Wells was driving away from Franciscan Health Crown Point, the hospital that he says discharged his wife while she was in active labor. His mother-in-law filmed the exit in astonishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franciscan Health President and CEO Raymond Grady has acknowledged that Alena's mother, Mercedes, was discharged just moments before she gave birth. Grady said a doctor and nurse lost their job; the hospital publicly apologized; and Grady promised policy changes and cultural competency training for all labor and delivery staff. There was no kind of care, no type of empathy, Leon Wells, 43, of the Chicago suburb of Dalton, told USA TODAY on Nov. 22. No type of concern for my wife as a human being. An Indiana hospital forced an Illinois family to leave the hospital minutes before the mother, Mercedes Wells, gave birth to her daughter, Alena, in the early morning hours of Nov. 16, 2025. Alena is Mercedes Wells fourth child. Her birth is sparking advocacy around disparate health outcomes for Black women and babies. We failed to listen to Mrs. Wells concerns, Grady said in a Nov. 21 statement. As an experienced mother who publicly acknowledged having previously given birth at our hospital with a positive experience, she knew something was not right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lauri Keagle, a spokesperson for Franciscan Health, declined to comment further to USA TODAY. Mom knew she was in labor The family arrived around midnight on Nov. 16 while Leon Wells, who works in investing and has a pet business, was on a business trip. Alena was due Nov. 29, but Leon Wells was afraid to leave his pregnant wife, a homemaker, alone, so he brought her along. The night of Nov. 15, they knew she had begun labor. They found Franciscan, the closest hospital. Her contractions were closer and closer as they drove to Franciscan, a hospital rooted in Catholic tradition, while the couple, from the same Illinois hamlet as Pope Leo XIV, listened to gospel music. Contractions went from 30 minutes, down to 15, increasing as they drove, Leon Wells said. Mercedes Wells had called prior to arriving, her husband said, but it was a 10-minute wait before they were seen by medical staff as they were brought to the labor and delivery units triage room, according to Leon Wells. About 15 minutes after arriving at the hospital, Mercedes Wells said her water broke while she was in the bathroom. Contractions continued to increase. Leon Wells said the family never saw a doctor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leon Wells can't understand how his wife ended up being discharged at 6 a.m. and the hospital has offered no public explanation. He does know Mercedes Wells had no doubt she was in labor. My wifes like, No, Im in labor. This is my fourth child. I know Im in active labor. I know Im about to have this baby,'" Leon Wells said. Leon and Mercedes Wells were forcibly discharged from an Indiana hospital minutes before they gave birth to their daughter Alena, not pictured here, on Nov. 16, 2025, driving along a roadway. Forced to deliver elsewhere On the first floor, they were met by security, Leon Wells said. Another video showed them rolling Mercedes Wells outside, where temperatures were in the 30s, according to local National Weather Service readings. They asked to wait inside as Leon Wells went to get his truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leon Wells said his diesel truck takes time to warm up. Once he got her in front of the hospital, they went to another hospital, the Community Hospital, in Munster, Indiana. Of course I wanted to get upset, but I could not, Leon Wells said. I know I had a bigger mission here, and I didnt want my anger or me being upset to kind of get in the way of my wife having a good delivery. Six minutes into the drive, Leon Wells said his wife said she had to push. He called 911, but they couldnt wait for the ambulance. She asked him to pull her pants down while he drove. He looked down and saw their babys head. With no gloves, he helped her get the baby out. Alena was born at 6:28 a.m. They had blankets in preparation for a delivery, and video showed Alena wrapped up, looking pale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, they made it to the Community Hospital, where they spent two nights. The Wells family is now at home. Alena Wells was delivered at 6:28 a.m. on Nov. 16, 2025, after her family was forcibly discharged from the Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital in Indiana. Seeking to improve Black maternal health outcomes The Wells are looking for changes to hospital policies and procedures so this doesnt happen to another family. Everybody should be treated fairly, Leon Wells said. Everybody should be treated kind. And if you see something, say something. Hundreds of women die each year during childbirth or within weeks of having their child, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Black women are far more likely to die, with a maternal mortality rate three times higher than for White women and other women, as USA TODAY reported. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly answers a question Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at a town hall meeting at Pontiac Township High School in Pontiac. Grady, Franciscans president and CEO, said the hospital has mandated cultural competency training for all labor and delivery staff. A physician must also examine all pregnant patients before they leave the hospital, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the coming days, the Wells family is meeting with Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Illinois, their local congresswoman. Kelly chairs the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, and she plans to introduce new legislation to prevent similar situations around patient discharge. "Far too many women experience this trauma and pain, and some tragically die," Kelly said in a statement. "It's clear that this is a systemic issue, and it cannot continue to happen." After his wife gave birth, Leon Wells recalled driving his wife and baby, nestled against her chest. He had five green lights en route to the hospital. Later, he said, they looked up the name Alena. Its roots, in Greek, mean bright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or on Signal at emcuevas.01. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Indiana hospital discharged pregnant woman minutes before birth This story previously aired on June 8, 2024. Nicole "Nicki" Lenway, a crime scene investigator for the Minneapolis Police Department, was gunned down in broad daylight shot twice at point-blank range in a parking lot on the evening of April 20, 2022. "Someone wanted me dead," Lenway tells "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty in her first television interview. Lenway was shot while picking up her child from a parenting center. "That's when my life changed forever." Surveillance cameras captured the shooter targeting Nicole Lenway. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court "I'm halfway in between my vehicle and the door. And this person comes running up from behind me," Lenway tells Moriarty. "Shots were being fired. I fell to the ground And the shooter stands over me and continues to try to shoot I felt my neck and then could see the blood." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting was caught on surveillance video. It was also witnessed by a woman in her car sitting at a red light. "I was just drivin' home and I saw a person run up to another person," said Emilie Clancy, who pulled over to help until first responders arrived. "I heard two bangs and that other person collapsed." Lenway is alive today. But who wanted her dead? A GOOD SAMARITAN'S QUICK THINKING SAVES SHOOTING VICTIM'S LIFE As Emilie Clancy later told police, she couldn't quite believe what she saw and heard on that April evening as she drove home from having dinner with a friend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emilie Clancy: I was coming up and I saw the two people and then all of a sudden I heard bang, bang! Emilie Clancy: Stopped right here at this intersection. As soon as the light turned green, Clancy sped through the intersection and pulled up next to the victim. Emilie Clancy: I opened the door. I said," are you OK?" And she said, "No, I've been shot." Nicole "Nicki" Lenway Ford was shot and bleeding in the parking lot of Familywise, a parenting center, where she had gone to pick up her son. The 33-year-old was no stranger to violence. She worked as a forensic scientist for the Minneapolis Police Department. And right after being shot, she called 911. Left bleeding and struggling to breathe, Nicole Lenway called 911, but when the operator answered Lenway realized she was unable to speak. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court DISPATCH: 911, what is the address of the emergency? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NICOLE LENWAY: (inaudible, gargling sounds) Emilie Clancy: She's barely breathing could barely say any words other than her name And I said, "get in the car." Clancy took over the 911 call and followed the dispatcher's instructions. Emilie Clancy: I could see that there was blood coming out of her neck. they said "put a jacket or something around her neck." And I said, "yeah, I have one right here." Within minutes first responders arrived. OFFICER (body cam video): Were you the one that called? EMILIE CLANCY: Yes OFFICER: Where's the victim? Who's shot? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dramatic scene was captured on police body cameras. FRIEND (body cam video, outside car): Oh my God! Oh my God! OFFICER: What's going on? Emilie Clancy: She was scared. really scared. EMILIE CLANCY (body cam video): I've got pressure on the neck. She got shot in the arm as well. Emilie Clancy: She was in a lot of pain. She was having a hard time breathing. Emilie Clancy: I just looked her in the eyes And I said, "Nicki, we've got this. We've got this. Just stay with me." Emilie Clancy: I don't think we can ever recreate how powerful of a moment that was. I just wanted her to know that she wasn't alone in this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emilie Clancy: And if that was the only thing I can give to this poor girl, like that that would mean something to me. PARAMEDIC (body cam video | to Nicki): Alright, dear, Can you walk? We're gonna get outside and we're gonna go into the ambulance PARAMEDIC: Gonna bring you to the hospital, alright? Erin Moriarty: One of the most surprising things about the video is that you had to walk to the ambulance. Nicole Lenway: Yeah. Erin Moriarty: I couldn't believe it. Were you aware of how badly injured you were? Nicole Lenway: I don't think so. I think I was in shock maybe. I didn't realize how bad it was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PARAMEDIC (body cam video): Try not to move your head left or right, OK? Nicole was loaded into the ambulance, and soon lost consciousness. The news spread quickly that a Minneapolis police employee had been shot. Nicole's then-boyfriend, Minneapolis Police officer Donovan Ford, was at home. Erin Moriarty: What is it like to get that phone call that the woman you love has just been shot? Donovan Ford: I had no words. I went flying down to the hospital. I was in a panic. When Ford arrived at the Hennepin County Medical Center, he wasn't prepared for what he saw. Donovan Ford: She was basically unconscious She had tubes down her throat and all that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erin Moriarty: When you did finally get to talk to a doctor, what did they tell you? Donovan Ford: She's in bad shape. We're going to do our best to, you know, save her life, essentially. Nicole had a perforated lung, severe damage to her vocal cords and a bullet lodged between two of her ribs. She was in critical condition. Donovan Ford: I'm in law enforcement, so when they say critical, that means essentially they're close to the end. and where she was shot, typically, people don't survive. I was praying, a lot. As doctors rushed to save Nicole, outside the FamilyWise parenting center her colleagues at the police department got to work. On the ground outside the FamilyWise parenting center, investigators found three discharged bullet casings and blood. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court On the ground they found three discharged bullet casings and blood. They quickly learned Nicole had been at FamilyWise to pick up her son who was on a scheduled visit with his father, her ex-boyfriend, Tim Amacher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OFFICER (body cam video): Are you Timothy, sir? TIM AMACHER: Yes. Officers caught up with Amacher, as he was finishing up his visit with their 5-year-old son Callahan. He had been at the center for hours. OFFICER (body cam video): and then you've been in the back with your son the entire time? FAMILYWISE WORKER: Yes, he was in In the community, Tim Amacher was well liked, and a respected local taekwondo instructor. Amacher seemed worried about Nicole. TIM AMACHER (body cam video): Is she OK? She going to be fine? OFFICER: I mean, she's stable right now, but it's really serious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And he had an idea about what may have happened. He thought it had something to do with a case she worked. Tim Amacher being questioned by an investigator. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court TIM AMACHER (to investigator): She was afraid cause she had thought people were driving by her house. TIM AMACHER: She changed her last name to her middle name. She shut down her social media. TIM AMACHER: She had drive bys of Minneapolis coming to her house all the time. She had me bring over my my shotgun to her house. She was, she was in fear. But police didn't find any obvious connections to Nicole's cases. They searched Tim's Jeep and asked if he owned any other cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OFFICER: This is your only car? TIM AMACHER: No, no. I have a Challenger, too. And then let him go. Police continued to look for evidence, canvassing the building and surrounding area searching for security footage, and discovered cameras from FamilyWise, a bank across the street and an elementary school around the corner had captured every second. The first images of Nicole arriving to pick up her son. Then someone dressed all in black running her down from behind. The moment the shots were fired. The shooter fleeing on foot and then driving off in a black Dodge Ram truck. But the truck had no license plates, and police couldn't tell who was driving. The next day, Nicole regained consciousness, and she told police that she was sure she knew who was responsible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicole Lenway: I just knew it had something to do with Tim. I just knew. TIM AMACHER (to police): Well, of course, I'm gonna be the first guy you, guys, to look at. Nicole Lenway: I didn't know how he was involved, but he was involved. THE TAEKWONDO MASTER AND THE CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR The tenets of the Korean martial art taekwondo include courtesy, self-control, integrity. The most skilled, like Tim Amacher, are called "Master." Nicki would come to believe that Amacher was somehow involved in her shooting. But in the world of taekwondo Pat Zellmer: He was a very good instructor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pat and Claire Zellmer were part of a Amacher's tight group of friends, and also familiar with his World Taekwondo Academy. Claire Zellmer: People would definitely refer to him as Master Amacher within the within his school. But they would also, if they were still students and they were friendly outside of the school, he was still Master Amacher. Tim Amacher / Credit: Charles Dettloff People gravitated to Amacher his physical skill, business savvy and easy confidence. A leader who seemed to have it all figured out. Pat Zellmer: He's charismatic, driven, intense. Claire Zellmer: He can draw people in and make them feel this connection with him. And his reputation continued after dark. Erin Moriarty: The mayor of the nightlife here? Charlie Dettloff: I would say that's a fair assessment, very much so, very much so. Charlie Dettloff knew Amacher well before he met Nicki, and witnessed firsthand, the power of Tim's personality. Charlie Dettloff: So, I moved back here in about 2001. Erin Moriarty: And was Tim Amacher already living next door? Charlie Dettloff: He was. He was living next door. Amacher was a helpful neighbor, with style and appeal you couldn't miss. Charlie Dettloff: He loved fashion. Loved the right jeans, and the right shirt, and the right boot. And always had to be the best. Erin Moriarty: Was he a good friend to you? Charlie Dettloff: Yeah, he was a great friend. Erin Moriarty: And where was Tim living? Charlie Dettloff (pointing at Amacher's house): Tim's bedroom was in the back corner here. And according to Dettloff, there was a waiting list of women who wanted into Amacher's bedroom. Charlie Dettloff: Coming and going. Yeah, they would pull up right here the front light here was um, purple and if that light was on then the women knew they could go in. Erin Moriarty: Are you serious? Charlie Dettloff: I'm not kidding. It was almost like the, you know, the red light district. Erin Moriarty: Juggling a lot of women. Pat Zellmer: Yes. Erin Moriarty: At once? Pat Zellmer: Yes, of course. It seemed like there was a different girl every night. Erin Moriarty: What did women see in him? Claire Zellmer: I don't know because I didn't see it. But many other women seemed to see much in Tim Amacher. Erin Moriarty: How did you meet Tim? Nicole Lenway: I met Tim by going to his gym. Erin Moriarty: And when did you start dating? Nicolei Lenway: Shortly after. Nicole was responsible and grounded. Amacher's close friends quickly understood the attraction. Charlie Dettloff: There was something special about her. She's smart, she's pretty, she's outgoing. She's got it all. Nicole Lenway: At first I actually wasn't really interested. But he was very persistent. And uh, he just kind of wore me down and I kind of I started enjoying our time together. Erin Moriarty: And he was older. Nicole Lenway: Right. He had experienced more life than me and it was exciting. Tim Amacher and Nicole Lenway / Credit: Nicole Lenway They moved in together in early 2014. But friends say Amacher still wasn't faithful. Erin Moriarty: Did you try to warn her about Tim and his women? Claire Zellmer: About his womanizing? Yes, absolutely. Nicole Lenway: There were a lot of red flags. Erin Moriarty: A lot of jealousy? Nicole Lenway: Yes. Pat Zellmer: They fought constantly. It was almost like a perpetual argument, verging on a fight. Erin Moriarty: Did you ever see him violent or hurtful towards her? Pat Zellmer: I did not, no. But Nicole would tell investigators Amacher was violent. Nicole Lenway: One night he threw me against the wall holding my neck. Erin Moriarty: Why did you stay even as long as you did? Nicki Lenway: I ask myself that all the time. I don't know. I think I felt trapped. And you know he just got into my brain so badly. She says that on a trip to Las Vegas an angry, alcohol fueled Amacher threw a lamp across the room. Nicole Lenway: It was terrifying. I locked myself in the bathroom. Nicole Lenway said she and Amacher had a long and rocky history that included allegations of abuse In September 2015, Nicole, then 26 years old, had more than enough. But she says now that breaking away from Amacher was anything but easy. Nicole Lenway: I packed my bags, and I started walking out. And he pulled me back into the house by my ponytail and dragged me into the bedroom. And after that I was like I am done. Nicole moved out. And an 18-year-old student of Amacher's moved in, renting out one of his rooms. Her name: Colleen Larson. Charlie Dettloff: Seemed absolutely lovely, nice girl I think she's very smart. Probably book smart, not street smart. Larson had begun studying with Amacher when she was barely a teenager. Tim's friends say she seemed infatuated with him. Pat Zellmer: He's her instructor. He's her Master, you know, for 10-plus years at this point. Claire Zellmer: It just seemed she was like this little puppy dog wanting to impress him. Pat Zellmer: Like a child and an adult, in that respect. Claire Zellmer: Yes. They say Larson seemed delighted to be living with the man she had idolized since she was young. As for Nicole, she hoped to have no further contact with Amacher. But very soon. they all got some unexpected news. Nicki Lenway: I found out then I was pregnant. And he wanted me to get rid of the baby. And I told him I just couldn't. And I was in a state of panic. AT WAR OVER A LITTLE BOY OFFICER (April 20, 2020 | body cam video): Are are you Timothy, sir? TIM AMACHER: Yes. OFFICER: OK, right now, I'm gonna ask you if I can search you for weapons real quick, OK? TIM AMACHER: For weapons? OFFICER: Yeah. Police body cameras show Tim Amacher being questioned inside the FamilyWise parenting center, where he was visiting with his son on April 20, 2022. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court Detectives needed to know all about Nicki's relationship with her son's father, Tim Amcher. TIM AMACHER: Why would I have weapons here? OFFICER: There was a shooting that happened. TIM AMACHER: OK Which, that had nothing to do with me. OFFICER: Right. The investigation would track a trail that led back to the fall of 2015, when Nicole first learned she was pregnant, with the taekwondo Master she alleged had abused her. Nicole Lenway: It just got more and more volatile. Claire Zellmer: We were so excited for them to be having a baby. That's a momentous event a happy thing to normal people. But the only thing normal was the irrepressible joy of a new mother. She named him Callahan. Nicole Lenway: He was born on June 20th of 2016. He was a big boy. And he was perfect. Claire Zellmer: And then she gave him the last name Amacher. Nicole was the primary caregiver. But sometimes Cal stayed with his dad. Erin Moriarty: Did you feel that co-parenting was working? Nicki Lenway: I felt like it could. But he wasn't always reliable, says Nicole. When she needed him most, Amacher was halfway around the world. Pat Zellmer: Tim went to Thailand and totally bailed on Christmas and New Year's. Amacher may not have been a hands-on dad, but someone else was ready to step in: Colleen Larson, his longtime taekwondo student who was renting that room in Tim's house. Charlie Dettloff: She was very kind to Callahan, she was a good caregiver to him. And with unpredictable hours with the Minneapolis Police Department, the arrangement seemed to work for Nicole. Nicki Lenway: My son really seemed to like her. Colleen Larson had been Tim Amacher's taekwondo student since she was an adolescent. When she was 18 years old, she moved in with Amacher and their relationship would eventually become romantic. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court When the once young taekwondo student turned 18, her relationship with Tim Amacher quietly changed according to Dettloff. Erin Moriarty: Did you get the sense he was in love with Colleen? Charlie Dettloff: No. Not at all. I think she was very much in love with him. Dettloff says Amacher called the relationship "easy." Charlie Dettloff: She would call him "Master." Erin Moriarty: At the house? Charlie Dettloff: Yep, Master Amacher. And ultimately kinda became, you know, like a maid or a servant to him. Then, in the summer of 2017, Nicole's life took a dramatic turn. Erin Moriarty: Do you remember when you first met Nicole? Donovan Ford: Absolutely. It was the kind of love at first sight that only a cop on the beat could have. Donovan Ford: First time I ever saw her was on a burglary call. I definitely took notice at that point. Erin Moriarty: Why? Donovan Ford: She's gorgeous. And to Donovan Ford, intriguing. Donovan Ford: She processed the scene. Erin Moriarty: So, she was a member of the real CSI. Donovan Ford: Oh, yeah. Nicole Lenway: He knew that I was a single mom. And he was divorced. Erin Moriarty: When I just mentioned his name you lit up. Why is that? Nicole Lenway: He is truly the love of my life. He has been the biggest blessing to myself and my son. Erin Moriarty: And he's been through a lot with you, hasn't he? Nicole Lenway: He has. Nicole and Donovan Ford / Credit: Nicole Lenway Nicole's already difficult relationship with Amacher only got worse when Tim discovered she was dating Donovan Ford, who was fast becoming part of Callahan's life. Erin Moriarty: Did the way he dealt with Cal change after you started dating Donovan? Nicole Lenway: It did He wanted him all the time. And Amacher didn't want Ford around his son. He accused Donovan of saying negative things about Colleen Larson. Then Amacher called Ford and left this angry voice message: "Man up for once in your life and quit hiding behind the badge." Donovan Ford: And then I started getting text messages. Like the one where Amacher claimed Ford was destroying his family. It ignited what can only be called a war that would grow treacherous. And it wouldn't be a short one. Erin Moriarty: How would you describe the last six years? Nicole Lenway: It has been chaos. Nicole claims Amacher tried to destroy her. Nicole Lenway: Like," I'm going to take everything from you." Erin Moriarty: Did you believe him? Nicole Lenway: I did. The black belt's new weapon of choice was the legal system. Charlie Dettloff: It was the relentless number of motions before the court. He reported Nicole to Child Protection Services multiple times, accusing her and Ford of physical and sexual abuse. Erin Moriarty: Children Services show up at your house? Nicole Lenway: Yes. I had them in and out of my home for three years. Amacher filed for custody of Cal. And Nicole filed for an order of protection from Amacher. Not a single one of the allegations against Nicole or Ford was found to have substance. Erin Moriarty: Did you see anything that concerned you or made you think that Cal had been abused? Charlie Dettloff: No, nothing. Claire Zellmer: No. Pat Zellmer: Not at all. Claire Zellmer: He was a well-loved child. But Amacher didn't stop there. He also filed complaints to the police department about Donovan Ford. Donovan Ford tells Erin Moriarty: You were investigated then? Donovan Ford: Mm hmm. Erin Moriarty: And what was the finding? Donovan Ford: Nothing happened. Erin Moriarty: It continued? Donovan Ford: Yup. Allegation after allegation. And then in May of 2018, Amacher alleged Nicki ran over his foot with her car. Nicole Lenway: I was charged with domestic assault. The proud crime scene investigator was now a humiliated defendant. Nicole Lenway: I never thought I would be at the defense table. Erin Moriarty: How long was the jury out on that? Nicole Lenway:: Less than 15 minutes. I was found not guilty. But the battle for Callahan raged on. And the child got caught in the middle. Nicole Lenway: You could tell he was very conflicted. Charlie Dettloff: Callahan was a pawn. It wasn't about Callahan, or Callahan's wellbeing. It was about inflicting the maximum amount of damage on Nicki. In the fall of 2020, the trial for custody of Callahan began. When it was over, the judge awarded Nicole sole legal and physical custody. Amacher was allowed just one supervised visit a week. Tim Amacher, once a champion, was now boxed into a corner. He was allowed no contact alone with his son. And cops thought that might be a motive for him wanting Nicki dead. Police would hone in on the crime scene. Remember that black Dodge Ram truck that the shooter drove off in? Turns out Amacher had lied to the cops he owned a truck just like it. A DIGITAL TRAIL LEADS COPS TO THE UNLIKELY SHOOTER Patrick Lofton: A good homicide detective will tell you is it's just good to know what vehicles anybody owns, whether they're a witness, whether they're a suspect, whether they're a victim, because people use their vehicles. And that's how you can figure out things. That's how you can pursue leads. On the night of Nicole's shooting, Assistant Hennepin County attorneys Patrick Lofton and Jacob Fischmann say that police were determined to find out who was driving that black Dodge truck. Jacob Fischmann: A black Dodge Ram is a very, very common car. And authorities had asked Tim Amacher what he owned. OFFICER (body cam video): This is your only car? TIM AMACHER: No, no. I have a Dodge Challenger, too. A Dodge Challenger sedan and a Jeep. But it turned out that Amacher did have another vehicle: a black Dodge Ram truck that looked a lot like the one seen leaving the area after the shooting. Patrick Lofton: That raised the alarm bells for the Minneapolis Police Department. Tim Amacher insisted the Black Dodge Ram truck in the surveillance photos was not his. / Credit: Hennepin County District Court Police called Amacher in for a second interview. They showed him stills of the truck from that video. Seemingly unruffled, he insisted it wasn't his. OFFICER: So, this is a picture right here. TIM AMACHER: That's not my truck. TIM AMACHER: Those pictures were not pictures of my truck. Amacher claimed his truck, unlike the one in the video, had a license plate and Superman decal stickers near both front doors. Jacob Fischmann: Where is the Superman logo? Case closed. Superman logo is not on the truck. Couldn't have been me. TIM AMACHER (to police at FamilyWise): I've been here the whole time. I don't know what happened out there. I'm not ... What's more, he had an alibi: he was inside the FamilyWise center when Nicole was shot. So even if it was his truck, he couldn't be the driver. OFFICER: Who else has access to the truck? TIM AMACHER: Uh, Colleen has access to it. Colleen Larson, Amacher's former taekwondo student. OFFICER: Is she the only one? TIM AMACHER: Um, to my knowledge. To police, the pieces of the puzzle were coming together. Nicole had said she thought the shooter was a woman. OFFICER: So, let me ask you this. Is there any reason why Colleen would want to shoot Nicole. TIM AMACHER: Oh, hell no. She wouldn't hurt anybody. Amacher insisted Larson was incapable of violence. And Larson, who was also brought in for questioning, insisted she was nowhere near FamilyWise that night. Patrick Lofton: She said that she came home from work as usual, went inside, took a shower, and was there until Tim got home. But police didn't believe either one of them and turned to FBI special agent Richard Fennern, a technology specialist. He discovered that Amacher's truck had Wi-Fi and, like a cellphone, creates a digital trail. Richard Fennern: We could track it much like we could a cellphone. Fennern wanted to know everywhere Amacher and Larson went the day of the shooting. Their cellphones and the Black Dodge truck left plenty of digital breadcrumbs. Richard Fennern: With phones, with cars, whatever you have, they're gonna tell you the truth. Their records always tell you the truth. On the afternoon of the shooting, Amacher and Larson were both at the taekwondo studio. Around 4 p.m., Amacher left to go to FamilyWise for the visit with his son. He was driving the Jeep. Later, Larson left the studio, in the black truck, to go home. Erin Moriarty: And how can you tell that? Richard Fennern: That's from the cellphone records. Erin Moriarty: So, not only the truck, but her cellphone? Richard Fennern: Correct. Just after 7 p.m., Fennern says, the black truck left the couple's residence and headed straight to FamilyWise. Colleen Larson, dressed in black, Jacob Fischmann: Now, we see that person who is walking. Erin Moriarty: Right here. Jacob Fischmann: That is Colleen Larson. Colleen Larson did leave her house. And detectives placed her directly at the scene. Jacob Fischmann: She appears to be walking around, essentially scoping out the area. I believe she is planning her next steps. A raid of the couple's house yielded more evidence: bullet casings matching the ones found at the crime scene. Police questioned Larson twice. The first time she denied any involvement, but during the second interview, which was recorded, she broke down and confessed: "I took the truck and I drove over there and then I shot her." Even though Larson admitted to pulling the trigger, she said the whole thing was Amacher's idea. . She was charged with attempted first-degree premeditated murder. But was Tim Amacher involved? Agent Fennern suspected that Amacher had deliberately altered his truck's appearance to throw cops off his path. He discovered that several hours before the shooting, Amacher had driven the black truck to a drive-thru at a local Kentucky Fried Chicken. Richard Fennern: We pull surveillance video, there's that same truck without the decal, without the license plate. For police, it was enough. Tim Amacher was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree premeditated murder and aiding an accomplice after the fact. Jacob Fischmann: When you do something to significantly further or assist in a crime, you are just as culpable as the person that actually pulls the trigger. Nicole was not surprised to hear that Amacher had been arrested, but she was shocked to find out about Larson. Erin Moriarty: Why would she shoot you? Nicole Lenway: I don't know. This time, when Larson was questioned by police, she broke down and confessed to shooting Nicole. COLLEEN LARSON (to police): I took the truck and I drove over there and then I shot her. During Colleen Larson's second interview with police, which was recorded, she broke down and confessed. And she says Amacher was behind it. INVESTIGATOR: Whose idea was it to shoot Nicole? COLLEEN LARSON: Tim's. INVESTIGATOR: So, he asked you, if you felt if you comfortable would you shoot Nicole for me? COLLEEN LARSON: Yeah. INVESTIGATOR: Yes. She said she believed Amacher's story that Nicole was abusing Callahan. COLLEEN LARSON: She was doing bad things to her child And I wanted to help the little man (cries). After the shooting, she told police, Amacher disposed of the gun. COLLEEN LARSON: He just said he would take care of it. INVESTIGATOR: He just said he would take care of it INVESTIGATOR: So, you have no idea what he did with the gun? COLLEEN LARSON: Not exactly, no. (crying) Still, Amacher continued to deny any involvement. On Nov. 3, 2022, Tim Amacher's trial began. There were no cameras in the courtroom. Prosecutors knew they had to show the jury that Nicole wasn't abusing her son, and that it was Amacher who had been victimizing her for a long time. Jacob Fischmann: What happened behind the scenes wasn't just this couple seconds of horror that Nicole had to suffer at FamilyWise. It was 10 years of hell that he put her through. Amacher and his lawyers refused our request for an interview. But "48 Hours" consultant and defense attorney Matthew Troiano reviewed their case for us. Matthew Troiano: There's obviously no direct evidence of Tim's guilt, zero. He has a rock-solid alibi about where he was at the time that this happened. According to Troiano, the prosecutors needed to build their case by focusing on Amacher's lies, and his past treatment of Nicole, because there was no smoking gun that directly tied Tim to the shooting. Matthew Troiano: There is circumstantial evidence the truck the lies Those are all kind of circumstantial pieces that tie back to him. But there is no direct evidence of him specifically buying or doing or having something that led to this act. The defense called no witnesses to the stand. Troiano thinks they were betting the prosecution just hadn't made its case. Matthew Troiano: Where's the proof? Where's the evidence? As the jury went out to deliberate, prosecutors were concerned. Jacob Fischmann: Of course, we were very worried. Erin Moriarty: There is a chance this guy is gonna walk. Jacob Fischmann: Absolutely. Erin Moriarty: How nervous were you? Nicole Lenway: Really nervous. A CONVICTION, A PLEA, AND A VICTIM TRYING TO MOVE ON Those sacred tenets of taekwondo self-control and integrity. Could the Master win this battle? The jury took an hour to decide. Nicole Lenway: He was found guilty. Donovan Ford: Guilty on all counts. Tim Amacher is found guilty of premeditated attempted murder and aiding his accomplice, Colleen Larson. Erin Moriarty: And how did you both feel about that? Claire Zellmer: Relieved. Joyous. Pat Zellmer: And justice for Nicki. Nicole Lenway: I almost didn't believe it. Finally, we had some type of closure. At sentencing, Nicole wanted Judge Shereen Askalani to hear all she endured. To protect her, the judge kept most of Nicole's statement off camera. But the memories of that point-blank moment will clearly never be forgotten. Nicole Lenway: I can still feel the burning sensation and the utter fear of not being able to speak or to help myself. I truly thought I was dying that day Even though I feel like the truth is starting to come to light, I still live in fear. Amacher, who'd refused to testify at his trial, now decided to speak. The court allowed his plea for leniency to be heard and filmed. TIM AMACHER (addressing the judge): It is no secret how broken this system is The main message that I felt called here to say goes as this, for all who are led by the spirit of God, are sons of god, but with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by your or by any human court ... Erin Moriarty: How would you describe his statement? Nicole Lenway: Erratic: blaming everybody else. He was the victim, and this happened to him. Erin Moriarty: Did he show any kind of remorse? Nicole Lenway: No. Judge Askalani had no patience for Amacher and his claims that Nicole had been abusive. JUDGE SHEREEN ASKALANI: It appears that you have been promoting this false narrative about Ms. Ford for so long that you may actually believe it at this time. Then she sentenced him to 18 years in prison. Just four days later, Colleen Larson pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting first-degree attempted murder. At her sentencing hearing, rather than speak for herself, Larson had her attorney read a statement. She took full responsibility for all that had happened: DANIEL ADKINS (reading): "Your Honor, I stand before you with the utmost respect for the decision to come. I accept all the consequences for my actions. I understand and want to atone for what I have done. A simple apology cannot cover the long-term damages that I have caused." JUDGE SHEREEN ASKALANI: Anything additional from you at this time? COLLEEN LARSON: No, Your Honor. Pat Zellmer: Colleen's got a killer in her. She did it. There's no, no question she had the capacity. Tim Amacher was found guilty of premeditated attempted murder and aiding his accomplice, Colleen Larson, and was sentenced to 18 years in prison. A few days later, Larson pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated attempted murder. She was sentenced to 16-and-a-half years. / Credit: Minnesota Dept. of Corrections Larson was sentenced to 16-and-a-half years for doing what prosecutors say was Amacher's bidding. Nicole Lenway: I think she wanted his approval and his love so badly that she would do anything. And she was in this delusional fantasyland where she thinks, you know, if I wasn't around that they could run off into the sunset with Callahan and be a happy little family. Erin Moriarty: But how does somebody convince another person who's never committed a crime to shoot someone? Pat Zellmer: It's wild. Cal? Claire Zellmer: I would love the answers to that because that's where we're stuck, too. Attorney Matthew Troiano wonders if Amacher had been controlling Colleen for years. Mathew Troiano: Why would she do this? It's the fact that she had known this person since she's 12 years old. They had been in this kind of dominant subservient relationship where he's the master, she's the student. He is the boss. One woman who once dated Amacher, who doesn't want to be named or have her face shown, says she knows firsthand the powerful hold Amacher can have on the women in his life. Jane Doe: Yes, it was a high to be around him. Erin Moriarty: And that you wanted to do whatever you could to hang onto that high? Jane Doe: Yes. She says she was once under Amacher's spell but is certain she would never kill for him. Still, she sees some of herself in Larson. Jane Doe: And I feel like that was me. Yep, I definitely feel like I was willing to do whatever I could to make him approve of me and want to be with me. With good behavior, Tim Amacher could be out of prison by 2034. Erin Moriarty: Do you think you'll ever feel truly safe again? Nicole Lenway: No. Erin Moriarty: You'll always have to be looking over your shoulder? Nicole Lenway: I think so. It all still haunts Donovan Ford the shots fired, the woman he loves fighting for her life. Erin Moriarty: Do you still see that in your head? Donovan Ford: Absolutely. Oh, yeah. Erin Moriarty: Still fear that you could lose her. Donovan Ford: Yeah, mm hmm. All the time. Yet alongside the destruction, there are miracles in this story. Emile Clancy: Hello. Nicole Lenway: Hello. Emile Clancy: Good to see you again. Nicole Lenway: Good to see you too. Almost exactly a year. Emile Clancy: I know. Emilie Clancy: You looks so well! Nicole Lenway: Thank you! Emilie Clancy and Nicole Lenway reunited a year after the shooting. / Credit: CBS News "48 Hours" asked for this one-of-a-kind reunion with Emilie Clancy, who raced to help a stranger saving Nicole's life. Nicole Lenway: And we are expecting a baby! Emilie Clancy: Congratulations! Nicole Lenway: Thank you. Emile Clancy: Oh, I'm so happy for you. Nicole Lenway: Thank you. Ford and Nicole, now husband and wife, had just gotten the good news. Donovan Ford: And I was like, "are you serious?" And she's like, "yup." And then we're just hugging and happy. As for the child Nicole had with Tim Amacher Erin Moriarty: How old is Callahan now? Nicki Lenway: He's 6. Erin Moriarty: Does he know that his dad tried to kill you? Nicki Lenway: He does now. Erin Moriarty: And how did he take that? Nicki Lenway: Better than I thought he would. Donovan Ford: He's come out amazing That's a miracle too, just him being able to deal with all the stuff he's been through and still be the kid he is. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, call 1-800-799-SAFE or visit thehotline.org. "48 HOURS" POST MORTEM What would you do if you saw someone shoot a stranger in broad daylight? Correspondent Erin Moriarty and host Anne-Marie Green discuss the case of the crime scene investigator Nicki Lenway in this week's podcast. Produced by Betsy Shuller and Jamie Stolz. Elena DiFiore is the development producer. Doreen Schechter is the producer/editor. Tamara Weitzman and Michelle Sigona are development producers. Atticus Brady and Joan Adelman are editors. Shaheen Tokhi is the associate producer. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer. 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 New Jersey Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill is floating a new way to push back against President Donald Trumps administration. While speaking with comedian and New Jersey native Jon Stewart earlier this week, Sherrill called the prospect of the state withholding federal tax dollars a good idea, adding, I think about that all the time. I talk often about clawing back federal money, Sherrill said during an interview on The Weekly Show podcast released Thursday. I mean the easiest place to start with that is in the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherrill didnt elaborate on what that would entail or how New Jersey could withhold federal funds. Still, the comments suggest shes prepared to use her governorship to challenge Trump directly. A four-term Democratic congresswoman, Sherrill resigned from her seat in the U.S. House on Thursday ahead of becoming New Jerseys 57th governor. She defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli earlier this month in a closely watched race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy. The contest was one of several nationwide, including in Virginia and New York City, seen as a test of Trumps influence. Sherrill pointed to how California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has emerged as a vocal critic of the president, has suggested he would consider withholding tens of billions in annual federal tax dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea, though, has yet to come to fruition and Newsom later told POLITICO that a plan would be difficult. Individuals and businesses, not states, pay taxes directly to the federal government. I would love to start reworking the federal taxation system, Sherrill said. As I say, and I think people here in New Jersey agree, you know, if theyre not going to run the programs, then what are we paying them for? Its like, you know, youre paying us for a service, and theyre not delivering, so lets stop paying for it, she added. New Jersey pays more in taxes to the federal government than it receives in return, according to several recent studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A debate over federal funding became a major focus toward the end of the governors race, after Trump announced last month he terminated the $16 billion Gateway rail tunnel under the Hudson River amid the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown. On the campaign trail, Sherrill slammed Trump over the surprising decision. Thats not who Im going to serve as your governor, Sherrill said, referring to the president. Im going to focus on serving the people of New Jersey. That has always been my north star, and that is what Im going to continue to fight to do. Stewart, who grew up in Lawrence Township and lives in Red Bank, interviewed Sherrill alongside Virginias Democratic Gov-elect Abigail Spanberger. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A young man was killed and another person was injured after a shooting in the parking lot of an Antioch apartment complex the night of Nov. 22, according to a news release from the Metro Nashville Police Department. Twenty-one-year-old Marek Winters died from the shooting. A 16-year-old who was with him, whom police did not identify, was also shot but is in stable condition at Vanderbilt University as of 11 a.m. Nov. 23. The victims drove away from the apartment complex before crashing at a nearby gas station on Bell Road, according to MNPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the shooting occurred at 8 p.m. in the parking lot of Willow Pointe Apartments on Hickory Hollow Terrace. Winters and the 16-year-old were found in the crashed vehicle at the gas station at the intersection of Hickory Hollow Terrace and Bell Road, less than a quarter mile away. The news release said homicide unit detectives are "pursuing strong leads." MNPD asked anyone with information on the shooting to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. This fatal shooting is the second from the day. Earlier Nov. 22, Nashville police responded to a shooting at a Madison apartment complex, which MNPD said it is investigating as self-defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him with questions, tips or story ideas at emealins@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Antioch apartment shooting kills Marek Winters Slovenians on Sunday voted to suspend a new law to legalise assisted dying in a referendum held after critics mounted a campaign against the legislation. Around 53 percent of voters had rejected the law, while 47 percent voted in favour, meaning its implementation will be suspended for at least one year. Slovenia's parliament had approved a law in July allowing assisted dying after a 2024 referendum supported it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the new vote was called after a civil group, backed by the Catholic Church and the conservative parliamentary opposition, gathered 46,000 signatures in favour of a repeat, exceeding the 40,000 required. The result means parliament cannot vote again on a bill that deals with the same issue over the next 12 months. Ales Primc, the head of Voice for the Children and the Family, the NGO that organised the no vote campaign, reacted to the results saying "solidarity and justice" had won. "Slovenia rejected the government's health, pension and social reforms based on death and poisoning," Primc was cited as saying by the Slovenian news agency STA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several European countries, including Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland allow terminally ill people to receive medical help to end their lives. Under the disputed law, which was to take effect this year, lucid, terminally ill patients would have had the right to aid in dying if their suffering was unbearable and all treatment options had been exhausted. - 'Culture of death' - It would also have allowed for assisted dying if treatment offers had no reasonable prospect of recovery or improvement in the patient's condition, but not to end unbearable suffering from mental illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Stozice sports hall, the largest polling station in Ljubljana, 63-year-old pensioner Romana Hocevar said she would vote in favour of assisted dying. "I'm a stage four cancer patient, I would not like to suffer. I had my father die of cancer and mother suffering dementia and I know what it looks like." Vid Ursic, a 24-year-old student, said it was "good that we get to vote on relevant issues" and added that he supported "the right for people to decide on their own lives". But Marija Unuk, in her late fifties, said she had voted against the law "because I support the culture of life, not the culture of death". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Robert Golob, who voted in advance, had urged citizens to back the law "so that each of us can decide for ourselves how and with what dignity we will end our lives". - 'Human dignity' - But the Catholic Church has said allowing assisted dying "contradicts the foundations of the Gospel, natural law and human dignity". In June 2024, 55 percent had backed the law. Ahead of Sunday's vote, a poll showed that some 54 percent were in favour of it, while 31 percent opposed it and 15 percent were undecided. A majority of participants representing at least 20 percent of Slovenia's 1.7 million eligible voters was required to reject the law in order for it to be suspended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turnout at the referendum was 40.9 percent -- just enough for the no vote to meet the threshold. While several European countries already allow terminally ill people to receive medical help to end their lives, in others it remains a crime, even in cases of severe suffering. In May, France's lower house of parliament approved a right-to-die bill in a first reading. The British parliament is debating similar legislation. bk-fec/gv JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -South Africa's trade minister Parks Tau said on Sunday that he expected negotiations with the U.S. over a trade deal would continue, despite differences between the two countries over this weekend's Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg. Host nation South Africa pushed through a G20 Leaders' Declaration at the summit despite objections from the U.S., which boycotted the event. "We've compartmentalised these issues and said the G20 is a separate process, ... we anticipate that the trade discussions will continue," Tau told reporters at the summit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Africa's efforts to secure a trade agreement with the U.S. have been complicated by issues including Trump's unfounded accusations of persecution of South Africa's white minority. Trump imposed a 30% tariff on imports from South Africa in August, which could cause tens of thousands of job losses at a time Africa's biggest economy is barely growing. (Reporting by Alexander Winning and Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo;Editing by Alexandra Hudson, Elaine Hardcastle) A South Jersey teenager fatally stabbed his mother Saturday night in Mays Landing, authorities said Sunday. The 17-year-old boy was charged with murder and multiple other crimes in the death of Julissa Serrano, the Atlantic County prosecutors office said in a press release. The teen was not publicly identified due to his age. Serrano, a 49-year-old Mays Landing resident, was found suffering from multiple stab wounds at her home, about 15 miles inland, just after 6 p.m. Saturday, according to investigators. She was transported to AtlantiCare Medical Center in Atlantic City, where she was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cops found Serranos body after initially responding to a call about a juvenile in possession of a knife, the prosecutors office said. They also located the teen suspect and arrested him at the scene. In addition to murder, the teenager was charged with two weapons crimes. He was held at an Atlantic County youth detention facility ahead of his first court appearance. The youngster is one of at least three New Jersey residents accused of killing a parent in the state this year. In May, a 25-year-old Jersey City man was charged with murdering his father in a deadly shooting, and in June, a 40-year-old Burlington Township man was accused of bludgeoning his elderly mother to death. A 64-year-old Puyallup man was taken to an area trauma center Saturday night after a brick was thrown at his passing vehicle near downtown Tacoma, according to the Washington State Patrol. Trooper Kameron Watts said via social media that the man, a passenger in the vehicle, was hit in the head. About 10:10 p.m., the Puyallup man was headed south on Interstate 705 at state Route 509, a location near downtown Tacoma, according to the State Patrol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a 38-year-old Vancouver, Washington, man is accused of throwing the brick from the right shoulder of the road. The 63-year-old Puyallup woman driving the car was not injured, according to State Patrol. The Puyallup man was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The Vancouver man is facing three criminal charges: second-degree assault, third-degree assault and third-degree malicious mischief, according to State Patrol. Women named Ngoc are often perceived as possessing grace, refinement, and inner strength, much like the jade stone their name represents. They typically exhibit a calm and composed demeanor, with a natural elegance that draws people to them. These individuals are known for their loyalty and steadfastness in relationships, valuing deep connections over superficial interactions. Their personality often combines traditional values with modern sensibilities, creating a unique blend of cultural rootedness and contemporary outlook. Ngoc-named individuals tend to be perceptive and intuitive, with a strong sense of justice and fairness. They approach challenges with resilience and patience, much like how jade is formed through pressure and time. While they may appear reserved initially, they possess warm hearts and genuine concern for others, often serving as pillars of support within their families and communities. This combination of strength and sensitivity makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both emotional intelligence and practical problem-solving abilities. New efforts this week in Washington to effectively ban individual states from governing artificial intelligence have provoked bipartisan backlash. The push from House Republicans and the White House to assert federal control over AI regulation, which echoes a similar attempt over the summer, has forged new lines of agreement between far-right commentators and progressive activists. Its a coalition of almost everyone against a few extreme tech billionaires who are trying to buy unfettered power, said New York State Assembly Member Alex Bores, a proponent of states ability to govern AI and a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House. States protecting our citizens is overwhelmingly popular and bipartisan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new poll released Friday night, conducted by YouGov in partnership with the conservative-leaning Institute for Family Studies, found that surveyed adults opposed congressional pre-emption efforts on AI by a 3-to-1 margin. Bores is a co-author of New Yorks RAISE Act, which looks to impose safety-monitoring and evaluation requirements on some of Americas largest AI companies, among other measures. The act has passed the state Legislature and is awaiting New York Gov. Kathy Hochuls signature. The current push for federal AI pre-emption efforts, so called because they would pre-empt or prohibit states ability to regulate AI, kicked off early this week. On Monday, Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., told Punchbowl News that he and Republican leaders were considering introducing legislation overriding states ability to legislate AI into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amendments unrelated to national defense are often attached to the bill, as lawmakers view the NDAA as must-pass legislation and use it to include measures that would otherwise face stiffer opposition. The move provoked immediate pushback, with Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, writing on X Monday night that the bill is a poison pill and we will block it. On Tuesday, however, President Donald Trump came out in support of the effort on Truth Social: Investment in AI is helping to make the U.S. Economy the HOTTEST in the World But overregulation by the States is threatening to undermine this Growth Engine. Endorsing a ban on state AI regulation, Trump wrote: Put it in the NDAA, or pass a separate Bill, and nobody will ever be able to compete with America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prominent proponents of federal pre-emption efforts include White House AI czar David Sacks and several Silicon Valley venture capital backers. Sacks reposted Trumps comment on X Tuesday night. Marc Andreesen, co-founder of venture capital mainstay Andreesen Horowitz, followed up on Sacks post, writing on X Tuesday night: A 50-state patchwork is a startup killer. Federal AI legislation is essential. Yet several hours later, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis denounced the efforts to prevent states from passing laws governing AI. Writing on X, DeSantis argued that federal pre-emption takes away our sovereignty and that sneaking it into the defense bill is an insult to voters. The federal pre-emption efforts have also triggered stiff opposition from Republicans populist MAGA flank. On his War Room podcast Wednesday, influential MAGA whisperer Steve Bannon criticized the moves and advocated for sensible AI regulations. Theyre trying to slip this into another 9,000 page, must-pass NDAA, that they dont want to have a discussion about, in the dark of night, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bannon said individuals seeking a license to do nails up here on Capitol Hill currently face more regulation than Americas powerful AI companies. The fight over who regulates AI switched into a new gear Wednesday night, when a draft executive order designed to pre-empt state AI regulation leaked, as first reported by The Information. The order remains in draft form and might not be signed by Trump. The White House has not publicly commented on the draft order. The White House did not reply to a request for comment. On Thursday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., addressed the issue on X: There should not be a moratorium on states rights for AI. States must retain the right to regulate and make laws on AI and anything else for the benefit of their state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many opponents of the pre-emption efforts contend that, given slow-moving attempts to regulate AI at the federal level, a pre-emption could introduce a vacuum of AI regulation by failing to replace state legislation with sufficient federal law. Other opponents charge that a federal monopoly on AI legislation would threaten American liberty. Mark Beall, president of the bipartisan AI Policy Network advocacy group, told NBC News: Without guardrails, Americans are concerned that AI will be used to erode our liberties and privacy, he said. People who disagree on almost everything else agree that innovation shouldnt mean surrender, Beall said, arguing that sensible AI regulation would allow Americans to retain their civil liberties while still allowing tech companies to compete with China on cutting-edge AI technology. On Thursday, Massachusetts' Democratic senators, Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, urged their colleagues to fight the pre-emption effort given the gravity of risks from AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a joint statement, Warren and Markey wrote that pre-emption efforts could block state policymakers from moving forward on basic, bipartisan protections, such as protecting children and teenagers online, combating deepfakes, slowing electricity price hikes, addressing the environmental impacts of data center buildout, preventing algorithmic discrimination, or safeguarding workers from dangerous AI-fueled workplace technology. The AI moratorium would be a massive giveaway to Big Tech and [a] devastating defeat for Americans, they wrote. Max Bodach, executive vice president of the right-leaning tech think tank Foundation for American Innovation, said that AIs potential to shake up political divisions remains undervalued. Political backlash to AI diffusion and infrastructure buildout is still underpriced as an issue that will increasingly come to dominate U.S. political discourse, Bodach told NBC News. I expect to see more horseshoe coalitions forming between center-left veterans of the tech-lash fight, the new trustbusters, tech-skeptical social conservatives, and America First populists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre seeing this emergent coalition form in the reaction to the NDAA and executive order pre-emption push, he said. Im very curious to see how the more techno-optimist wings of civil society, industry, Congress, and the Trump administration respond. On Friday, according to Punchbowl News, Republican leaders urged the White House to delay any further action on the executive order as Scalise sought more time to include a pre-emption provision in the NDAA. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The rift between Republican political rivals Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond has intensified in recent months. Here are a few of the issues on which they haven't seen eye to eye. On hunting rights In October, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and Conservation said it would enforce state wildlife laws across the state regardless of tribal citizenship. Drummond intervened to drop charges against a Choctaw citizen charged with hunting without a state-issued license. Stitt responded by appointing special prosecutor Russell Cochran to prosecute tribal citizens for hunting or fishing within a tribal reservation without a state-issued license. And now the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw nations are suing Stitt for appointing the special prosecutor. More: Three tribes sue Gov. Kevin Stitt as dispute over hunting rights deepens On Cabinet secretaries After a controversy that began nearly two years ago in the midst of planning for a controversial turnpike extension near Norman, the Oklahoma Supreme Court sided with Stitt and ruled that Cabinet secretaries can serve as agency heads. A local state senator asked Attorney General Gentner Drummond whether it was legal for Turnpike Authority Director Executive Tim Gatz to also lead the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and serve in Stitt's Cabinet as transportation secretary. In his February 2024 opinion, Drummond said Gatz's appointment to the Cabinet as transportation secretary effectively caused him to abandon the other two posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: OK Supreme Court rejects Drummond opinion that shook up state bureaucracy On Wood's clemency Gov. Kevin Stitt spared the life of Tremane Wood on Thursday, Nov. 13, just minutes before the convicted murderer's execution was set to begin at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Drummond, who is running for governor, called Stitt's decision disappointing. More: Convicted murderer Tremane Wood was to be executed then the governor intervened at last minute Pandemic funds In fiery letters, Stitt and Drummond have questioned each others ethics while squabbling over the future of a lawsuit Stitt repeatedly filed and Drummond repeatedly dismissed. The letters were included in a court filing in the lawsuit, which centers on Stitt's allegations that Florida-based ClassWallet failed to prevent the misspending of about $1.7 million in federal education funds from a COVID-19 stimulus program. The Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, at the behest of Stitt, is now seeking to disqualify Drummond from the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Needless 'drama' and 'misguided leadership': The lawsuit Stitt and Drummond are feuding over Want the latest Viewpoints? Sign up for the Public Square newsletter here. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Stitt-Drummond feud doesn't slow down ahead of holiday | Cartoon SAN FRANCISCO - President Donald Trump faces an unexpected rift in the MAGA movement as Republican officials from statehouses to Capitol Hill warn his full-throated embrace of the tech industrys artificial intelligence boom risks undermining Americans economic security and exposing their children to new harms. Trump has appointed influential tech investors and entrepreneurs to key positions in his administration and backed the sectors ambitions for AI, scrapping regulations introduced by President Joe Biden and facilitating huge investments from foreign companies and governments into American AI firms. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This past week, the White House explored using an executive order to quash state regulation on AI. The president has trumpeted the billions of dollars in investments flooding into the technology, which has propped up U.S. economic growth this year, as evidence his plan to reboot the American economy is working. But a growing cohort of Republicans - including Govs. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas and prominent members of Congress like Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri - argue AIs breakneck growth could undermine the partys populist appeal. Some have called for regulation to protect Americans against job losses driven by automation, shield teenagers from harms caused by chatbots, and curb spikes in utility bills linked to the energy-guzzling data centers that power AI technology. The division underscores a fault line in Trumps coalition, which has attempted to serve the working-class voters who propelled him to office while also backing the ambitions of tech and business leaders who have become close allies and advisers in the presidents second term. Those interests are increasingly at odds, as AI money floods the economy while many voters find their everyday costs remain high - creating tensions that Trumps economic message has struggled to reconcile at times. Americans broadly disapprove of how the president is handling his second term, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were coming up on an incredible time of innovation, said Angela Paxton, a Republican state senator in Texas who helped pass a ban this year on using AI to create sexually explicit content featuring children. At the same time, I think the job landscape is going to change a lot, and I think a lot of people are asking themselves, What does that mean for me and my family? A White House spokesperson declined to comment for this article. Expectations that AI tools such as ChatGPT will deliver a productivity boost across the economy have propelled tech stocks and market indexes to record highs in recent months. But many Americans are uneasy with AIs growing role in the U.S. economy and their lives. Half of U.S. adults say theyre more concerned than excited about the increased presence of AI in daily life, according to a Pew Research Center study conducted in June. Only 37 percent said they were more concerned than excited in 2021. A Yale study released last month concluded that there was not discernible evidence AI was disrupting the labor market. But prominent CEOs, including at Walmart and Amazon, have warned workers to expect their roles to be transformed or eliminated by AI, and there are signs the labor market is slowing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden also endorsed the U.S. tech industrys development of AI but sought to contain its potential downsides. In a sweeping 2023 executive order, he directed federal agencies to adopt the technology but also required tech companies to share data from safety tests on powerful AI systems with the government. The policy was unpopular with many in the tech industry, with some citing it among their reasons for throwing their support or money behind Trumps reelection bid last year. He wasted no time in delivering for the industry, repealing Bidens AI executive order on the first day of his second term. Trumps laissez-faire approach to AI has contrasted with developments outside Washington. AI laws have been proposed in every state and enacted in many, both red and blue. Laws include whistleblower protections for AI workers in California, a ban on governments using AI to decide who gets welfare benefits in Texas and an Ohio provision banning people from attempting to marry an AI system. Support for the state laws has often been bipartisan, and federal Democrats have also begun speaking out about the risks of AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) has proposed using the proceeds from a new tax on AI company profits to retrain people who lose jobs to automation. Left-wing lawmakers like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) have said AI will increase wealth inequality as tech companies take over more of the economy. What you do about tech is not something thats uniform among their coalition or among ours, Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-California) said of the uptick of Republican calls to regulate AI. The political spectrum is sometimes a circle, said Jacobs, who is vice chair of the New Democrat Coalitions AI working group. Republicans opposed to Trumps staunch support of the AI industry argue that it risks putting him at odds with his grassroots supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, hes getting pressure from this small cabal of tech bros that stand to make hundreds of billions of dollars if they have their way, said Brendan Steinhauser, a longtime conservative political strategist who, after seeing AIs pervasiveness, became CEO of the Alliance for Secure AI, a group seeking guardrails for the technology. Thats not his base; MAGA is his base, and MAGA is not for this. Republican division over AI came to a head last week after Trump and his administration urged Congress to pass a bill preempting state laws on the technology, even if doing so required adding it to a defense appropriations measure. It was a reprisal of an attempt by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to pass a moratorium on state AI laws over the summer, which failed in the Senate after other Republicans backed out. As public opposition to the renewed push for preemption grew this past week, the White House floated an executive order that would direct the Justice Department to sue states that passed AI laws. Investment in AI is helping to make the U.S. Economy the HOTTEST in the World, but overregulation by the States is threatening to undermine this Major Growth Engine, Trump wrote on social media Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican politicians at the state and federal level joined conservative activists and media figures to push back on the proposals, saying preemption would be a gift to the tech industry that is out of step with voters concerns. At a Friday news conference in Crystal River, Florida, DeSantis compared the attempt to block state AI laws to efforts to mandate masks during the coronavirus pandemic. Your freedom can also be undermined by these massive companies that have hugely concentrated power over our society, he said. DeSantis promised to unveil a robust package of state AI policies and referenced fears that the current excitement about AI may lead to a financial slump if the technology doesnt work out as promised. He has previously spoken of his concerns that AI may displace workers. Sanders and Utahs Republican governor, Spencer Cox, also spoke out against the Trump and White House proposals to limit states from passing AI laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We already made the mistake of allowing social media companies to destroy our childrens mental health and tear our country apart. Lets not do it again, Cox wrote in a post on X. Several families have filed lawsuits against chatbot developers this year, alleging AI apps led their teens to develop mental health problems or even take their own lives. Paxton, the Texas state senator, said voters increasingly raise concerns about AI and expect her and other state lawmakers to act. What the general population doesnt want is for states to be handcuffed in our ability to address real harms that are happening, Paxton said. This movement to preemption would obliterate the important work weve done and create a wild, wild West. Paxton said she plans to work on more Texas bills related to AI and child safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has embraced the AI industry since the first full day of his second term, when he hosted tech moguls including ChatGPT-maker OpenAIs chief executive, Sam Altman, at the White House to announce plans to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on new data centers in the United States. (The Post has a content partnership with OpenAI.) The presidents top tech adviser is his AI and crypto czar, David Sacks, an influential investor who has described himself as a bridge between Silicon Valley and Trumps Washington. A parade of tech leaders have visited the White House this year, bearing gifts for Trump and announcing plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into AI. Trump and his administration have supported the AI industry by lifting restrictions on chip exports, moving to fast-track data center construction and giving a $1 billion loan guarantee to the company restarting the Three Mile Island nuclear plant to supply electricity to Microsoft data centers. Tech industry leaders have argued massive investment in AI technology will pay off by creating thousands of jobs, helping the U.S. compete with China and eventually delivering transformative breakthroughs in medicine and science. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steinhauser, the conservative strategist, said Trump voters can see through the sometimes hazy predictions of future benefits made by some tech executives. Elon Musk predicted last week that his company Teslas future humanoid robots will eliminate poverty. Some are promising utopia, Steinhauser said. I dont think people are buying that. Related Content Inside a thriving Chinatown neighborhood in the heart of West Africa Every year, SEC powers play a cupcake. When an upset comes, its eternal. Inside the effort to force Trumps hand on Epstein A team of litter-picking scuba divers have recovered what is believed to be a Russian tracking device off the Welsh coast. Divers from Neptune's Army of Rubbish Cleaners (NARC) discovered the object on 15 November during a routine dive in the Skomer Marine Conservation Zone, off Wooltack Point in Pembrokeshire. The team initially assumed the device was part of a navigational marker, but later suspected it resembled a sonobuoy - an acoustic monitoring device, often used to detect submarines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An independent defence analyst said he was "confident" the recovered object was an imploded Russian RGB-1A sonobuoy. Dave Kennard, NARC chairman, said the object was discovered wedged in a gulley by volunteer diver Tim Smith-Gosling. After further inspection and research, including discussions with colleagues at the Port Authority Waterway, the divers concluded the item bore similarities to sonobuoys used for underwater detection. The device, described by Mr Kennard as "battered," measures roughly 120cm (50in) in length and weighs about 15kg (2.4 stone). It was recovered using a lifting bag before being brought to the surface. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Kennard, who was acting as a diving marshal on the day, said the team were able to identify comparable finds reported in Cornwall and the Republic of Ireland in 2021. After consulting with a former Royal Navy contact, Mr Kennard follow the advised protocol of reporting the discovery to HM Coastguard. A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson confirmed the report had been logged on 19 November but said, "no one was reported to be at risk or in distress and the communication was registered, with no search and rescue response required". The group of divers are usually tasked with clearing rubbish from the water, such as these angling maeterials found [David Kennard/NARC] Though the diving group said it had not found anything similar before, the BBC understands it is not unusual for such items to be found on the seabed around the UK given the decades of naval activity in these waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "We do not comment on specific underwater activities or individual finds due to operational security considerations. "The Royal Navy continuously monitors and protects UK waters with a range of maritime assets and work closely with allies and partners to maintain maritime situational awareness and deter threats to UK interests." An independent defence analyst and submarine expert, who did not wish to be named, said he was "confident" the recovered object was a Russian RGB-1A sonar buoy, a type typically deployed by Russia's Tu-142M long-range maritime patrol aircraft. He added: "Although there are suggestions that the device is no longer in active use, several of the same model have been found on beaches in UK, Ireland and Lithuania in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their presence, and relative lack of marine growth, suggests that they were likely dropped recently." Dr Andy Scollick, a strategic defence consultant, also identified the device as a "Russian hydroacoustic buoy of type RGB, probably RGB-1". He highlighted the similarities between the newly recovered device and previously identified examples, including three vertically aligned hydrophones and signs consistent with deep-water implosion. He said the device was missing a sleeve, which would have been painted orange with a serial number marking. Reports of comparable devices washing ashore have also emerged from Russia's Novosibirsky region in 2023 and Lithuania in 2024. What is a sonobuoy? A sonobuoy is a combination of the words sonar and buoy and is an acoustic sensor used to detect underwater objects such as submarines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because radio and GPS signals cannot easily pass through seawater, sonobuoys are vital to modern naval detection systems and they are routinely used by navies during exercises and operations. First deployed during World War Two to locate German U-boats, they became central to Cold War submarine-tracking and continue to be used in both military surveillance and search-and-rescue operations. They were among the tools used during the 2023 search for the missing Titan submersible and the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in 2014. Authorities warn that members of the public should never touch or move suspected sonobuoys as they can contain hazardous materials, and should instead dial 999 and ask for the coastguard. Sonabuoys were used in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 [Getty Images] The discovery of the sonobuoy came in the same week UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the Russian vessel Yantar had been operating on the edge of UK waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Russia describes the ship as an oceanic research vessel, Western countries have long monitored its movements and raised concerns that it is secretly mapping out Britain's undersea cables, where more than 90% of the country's data, including billions of dollars of financial transaction, are transferred. In a recent escalation, it was reported that Royal Air Force patrol pilots had been targeted with lasers from the vessel, an action Mr Healey called "deeply dangerous". He said the UK was prepared for any further activity should the ship move south. In a statement, the Russian Embassy said the country was "not interested in British underwater communications", More top stories Police are turning to the public for help identifying a pair of suspects wanted in connection with a violent armed robbery in Boston earlier this month. Detectives say the incident happened around 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, near 100 Washington Street in the citys Dorchester neighborhood. The victim was robbed of his gold chains at knifepoint, then struck by a small red Chevrolet before being punched and kicked repeatedly, according to the Boston Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. While the vehicles license plate is unknown, police on Saturday released surveillance images of the suspects and the red car involved, with the hope that the public recognizes them. Anyone with information is urged to contact Boston police at 617-343-4275. Anonymous tips can be submitted via CrimeStoppers at 1-800-494-TIPS, by texting TIP to CRIME (27463), or online. An investigation is ongoing. 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 Tatiana Schlossberg took shots at cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a poignant essay about her terminal cancer diagnosis, slamming the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services as an embarrassment to their storied family. Schlossberg, daughter of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg, shared her stance in a new piece for the The New Yorker on Saturday, where she once again denounced her cousin and reflected on his controversial health legacy. Throughout my treatment, he had been on the national stage: previously a Democrat, he was running for President as an Independent, but mostly as an embarrassment to me and the rest of my immediate family, Schlossberg wrote. Suddenly, the health-care system on which I relied felt strained, shaky. Doctors and scientists at Columbia, including [husband George Moran], didnt know if they would be able to continue their research, or even have jobs. She continued: 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; slashed billions in funding from the National Institutes of Health, the worlds largest sponsor of medical research; and threatened to oust the panel of medical experts charged with recommending preventive cancer screenings. Hundreds of N.I.H. grants and clinical trials were cancelled, affecting thousands of patients. I worried about funding for leukemia and bone-marrow research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I worried about the trials that were my only shot at remission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside of her criticism for Kennedy, Schlossberg shed light on her terminal cancer battle, explaining shed been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and that may only live up to a year. Per the journalist, she learned about her disease in May 2024, after her doctor saw an imbalance in her white blood count. A normal white-blood-cell count is around four to eleven thousand cells per microliter, she shared. Mine was a hundred and thirty-one thousand cells per microliter. She went on to say that she couldnt be cured by a standard course, and required a few months of chemotherapy, as well as bone marrow transplants. She later participated in a clinical trial of CAR-T-cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy. I did not could not believe that they were talking about me, she shared. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schlossberg credited her husband for doing everything for her amid her health fight, saying he spoke to all the doctors and insurance people that I didnt want to talk to and slept on the floor of the hospital. As she closed out her essay, Schlossberg said shes now focusing on spending time with her family, though the present is harder than it sounds. The post Tatiana Schlossberg Rips Into RFK Jr. In Essay About Her Terminal Cancer Battle: I Worried About the Trials That Were My Only Shot appeared first on TheWrap. Authorities have arrested a teenager who is accused of stabbing his mom to death at their South Jersey condo. The 17-year-old boy, of Mays Landing, was taken into custody on Saturday, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said in a Sunday statement. He faces charges of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon. The teens name is being withheld as he is currently charged as a juvenile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 911 call at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday reported that a juvenile was in possession of a knife at the Meadowbrook Condos in Mays Landing. When police arrived, they found 49-year-old Julissa Serrano inside a condo unit with multiple stab wounds, officials said. She was later pronounced dead at AtlantiCare Medical Center, authorities said. An autopsy by the Southern Regional Medical Examiners Office is pending. Prosecutors did not say how Serranos son was identified as the suspect. He is being held at Harborfields Atlantic Youth Center pending his first court appearance. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. "The people of Israel deserve answers about how the terrible failure happened and how to prevent it from happening again," former prime minister Naftali Bennett published on X/Twitter. Thousands of people gathered at Habima Square, Tel Aviv, on Saturday night, demanding a state probe into the failures of the October 7 massacre, arguing that the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must recognize the mistakes committed during Hamas's attack on Israel. The protest was organized by the October Council, an activist group made up of hundreds of families affected by the massacre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The people of Israel deserve answers about how the terrible failure happened and how to prevent it from happening again," former prime minister Naftali Bennett, who was present at the protest, published on X/Twitter. Other opposition leaders were present alongside Bennett, including Opposition leader and Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid, Yisrael Beytenu head Avigdor Liberman, Blue and White chair Benny Gantz, former IDF chief of staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Gadi Eisenkot, and Democrats head Yair Golan. "Tonight in the square, we gathered with one clear call - the establishment of a state commission of inquiry. In our government, this will happen in the first days," Lapid wrote on X. In a separate event at Hostage Square, families of the hostages gathered to demand the return of the three missing hostages whose remains are still held by Hamas in Gaza. Strong message against Netanyahu "Nine ministers and officials in the government of default and disaster were called this week for the despicable task of training the creep called the 'Special Investigation Committee.' Their mission is to ensure that the truth is not investigated and never comes to light," former MK Yizhar Shai, father of the late Yaron Shai, a Nahal Brigade soldier who fell on October 7, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shai served as an MK for Gantz's Blue and White party and was the innovation, science, and technology minister. Lior Akerman, a former brigadier general who served as a Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) division head, said he used to identify with right-wing policies in Israel, but current events have made him realize that "the problems are no longer between right and left." "For three years now, the government has been attacking and harming the state's institutions, its security organizations, the legal system, and the law," Akerman said. He also claimed that the current administration is trampling on the values of statehood, morality, and unity in an effort to create a dictatorship. Thousands of people gathered across France on Saturday after anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci called for nationwide protests against escalating drug violence and to honour his brother, who was murdered earlier this month. In Marseille, more than 6,000 people joined the demonstration, broadcaster BFMTV reported, citing local authorities. Politicians from across the political spectrum took part. The protest followed the fatal shooting of Amine's 20-year-old brother Mehdi, who was shot dead in Marseille on November 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 22-year-old activist and his mother joined mourners at the site of the attack. An audio message Amine recorded was played, insisting that Mehdi, who had been in vocational training and hoped to join the police force, had been innocent and "only guilty of being my [Amine's] brother." Amine founded the association Conscience, which supports families affected by drug crime, after his half-brother Brahim was found dead in a burned-out car in 2020 in a drug-related killing. He is currently under police protection. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has described Mehdi's murder as an act of intimidation, rather than a "classic settling of scores" of the kind that occurs dozens of times each year in Marseille. According to the newspaper Le Parisien, the head of the powerful drug gang DZ Mafia could be behind the killing. The Washington State Department of Transportation finished installing button-activated traffic lights at 11 intersections along Washington State Route 7/Pacific Avenue South in Parkland and Spanaway, according to a news release Thursday. The new signals are designed to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety along the busy Pierce County corridor. The project replaced existing rapid flashing beacons with overhead pedestrian signals that are mounted on a mast arm and pole, according to WSDOT. When not in use, the lights show green arrows. When activated, the lights will turn red to stop vehicle traffic and allow pedestrians or cyclists to cross safely. You might notice changes to the sidewalks and median islands along those intersections and left turns from any direction might no longer be accessible. At Violet Meadows Street South, travelers going southbound can still turn left, according to WSDOT. The Washington State Department of Transportation finished installing button-activated traffic lights at these 11 intersections along Washington State Route 7/Pacific Avenue South in Parkland and Spanaway. The improvements were part of a $8.8 million project funded by a Pedestrian and Bicyclist program grant supported by the state and in alignment with the Pierce County Zero Action Plan that was proposed by Executive Ryan Mello and adopted by the Pierce County Council earlier this year. The Vision Zero Action Plan seeks to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on county roads by 2035. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New pedestrian signals were put up at: Individuals named Nichele are often characterized by a distinctive blend of determination and spiritual depth that reflects their name's dual heritage. The 'Nicole' component suggests a personality oriented toward achievement and victorypractical, resilient, and capable of overcoming obstacles through sheer willpower. These individuals typically exhibit strong leadership qualities, organizational skills, and the ability to mobilize people toward common goals. They're often perceived as natural achievers who approach life with confidence and strategic thinking. Complementing this practical strength is the 'Michelle' influence, which adds layers of spiritual inquiry, compassion, and moral consciousness. Nichelies tend to be deeply reflective individuals who question conventional wisdom and seek deeper meaning in their experiences. This combination creates people who are both effective in the material world and grounded in ethical principles. They often serve as moral compasses in their communities, balancing ambition with empathy and success with service. Their personality typically integrates the best of both name components: the drive to make a difference in the world and the wisdom to ensure that difference is meaningful and righteous. (Reuters) -A federal appeals court on Saturday declined to clear the way for U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to expand a fast-track deportation process to allow for the expedited removal of migrants who are living far away from the border. A 2-1 panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declined to put on hold the central part of a ruling by a lower-court judge who had found that the administration's policies violated the due process rights of migrants who could be apprehended anywhere in the United States. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; editing by Diane Craft) The battle over the fate of Tina Peters, a disgraced Colorado elections official who was convicted of felonies related to efforts to interfere with the 2020 election on Donald Trumps behalf, grew thornier on Sunday with the intervention of the president himself. Peters, who remains in a Colorado prison after her conviction on seven charges last year, remains adamant that she acted within the bounds of legality and her personal responsibility when she allowed an associate of MyPillow salesman and Trump loyalist Mike Lindell to access a secure room to make a copy of a hard drive containing data from the 2020 presidential election results for the state of Colorado. This past week the states Department of Corrections received a request from the U.S. Justice Department to transfer Peters into federal custody. The reasoning for the request was not explained, nor clear: Peters is not convicted of any federal crimes, as her case was adjudicated at the state level. The request came directly from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, one of the presidents appointees and his former personal attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, it seems the intent of that request is clear: Trump, on Sunday, called for Peters to be freed immediately. FREE TINA PETERS, WHO SITS IN A COLORADO PRISON, DYING & OLD, FOR ATTEMPTING TO EXPOSE VOTER FRAUD IN THE RIGGED 2O20 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION!!! wrote Trump in one of his all-caps Truth Social diatribes. Tina Peters, pictured during her trial, is experiencing a relapse of health issues while imprisoned, her attorney says (AP) The 70-year-old Peters is suffering from a relapse of health conditions, according to her attorney, while imprisoned. In February, she requested release on bail while she appeals her conviction, citing a decline in mental state and cognitive function, as well as fibromyalgia. She and her allies likely hope to push the case out of state jurisdiction into the hands of federal courts, potentially even the U.S. Supreme Court. Peters formerly suffered from lung cancer and is still being monitored for recurrence, her attorneys added in that February filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Final approval for the transfer ultimately rests in the hands of Colorados governor, Jared Polis. He is a Democrat, and the states Democratic attorney general has called on Polis to deny the request. Tina Peters stands alone as an example of the nefarious actions and outcomes of election denialism, said Jenna Griswold in a statement on Friday. Gov. Jared Polis will ultimately decide if Peters is transferred to federal custody Her deliberate and criminal actions were perpetrated in support of Donald Trump's "Big Lie." She violated Colorado law and her duty to administer Mesa County elections. She was found guilty of her crimes by a jury of her peers, after an extensive trial. Peters is serving her sentence in state prison for state crimes that harmed her community and violated the trust placed in her office. She is incarcerated because she broke Colorado law." The effort by Trump to protect Peters comes just days after his so-called clemency czar, Ed Martin, announced a slate of pardons aimed at protecting other individuals who aided the Trump campaign in its efforts to overturn the 2020 election. He previously threatened the state over Peters conviction in August, writing on Truth Social that hed take harsh measures if she wasnt released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While those efforts to overturn the election result ultimately failed, and culminated in a violent riot at the U.S. Capitol, the Trump campaign and its allies ordered slates of fake electors in states the president asserted hed won in the election and sought to have Republican-held state legislatures recognize those false electors and grant them the authority to cast ballots in the Electoral College for Trump, going against the election results in their respective states. The pardons were granted to those individuals as well as members of Trumps own legal team, including Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro, John Eastman and others. Members of Trumps 2020 campaign legal team, including Jenna Ellis and Rudy Giuliani (pictured left and center), were among those pardoned by the White House this month (REUTERS) A presidential pardon represents both the power of the chief executive as well as its limitations. Pardons issued by the president cannot protect individuals from being prosecuted for violations of state law or dispell those convictions when they occur. Peters, as a result, cannot be freed by Trump (legally) without a state or federal court overturning her conviction on valid legal grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transferring Peters to federal custody would, however, give the federal government a wide amount of discretion as it pertains to her living conditions in custody. Peters could, if Polis allows it, end up in a scenario similar to the one now apparently enjoyed by Jeffrey Epsteins confidante Ghislaine Maxwell, who is reportedly working on a commutation application as she remains in federal prison for her crimes related to Epsteins child sex trafficking ring. Maxwell has refused cooperation with Congress, which is flouting Trumps urgings to drop the Epstein investigation as it has become a major political liability for his administration. President Donald Trump once again called Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene a "traitor" on Saturday as he reacted to her resignation announcement, adding that she "went BAD" after he "refused to return her never ending barrage of phone calls." In a Saturday morning post on Truth Social, Trump said, "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," the president continued. "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!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump later was asked by a reporter if he was willing to forgive Greene. "Forgive for what? No. We just -- I just disagreed with her philosophy. She started backing perhaps the worst Republican congressman in our history, just, you know, a stupid person named Massie. And, I said, go your own way. And once I left her, she resigned because she would never have survived a primary. But I think she's a nice person," Trump added. Greene, R-Ga., announced late Friday she will resign her seat in Congress, one week after Trump publicly pulled his endorsement of the outspoken Georgia lawmaker. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Drops Marjorie Taylor Greene Endorsement, Calls Her A Ranting Lunatic,' Hints At Backing Primary Rival President Donald Trump speaks as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. look on at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13, 2025. In a lengthy statement posted to X, Greene cited her growing disillusionment with Washington politics, blasting what she called a corrupt "Political Industrial Complex" that she said uses Americans as "pawns in an endless game of division." "Americans are used by the Political Industrial Complex of both political parties, election cycle after election cycle, in order to elect whichever side can convince Americans to hate the other side more," Greene wrote. "And the results are always the same nothing ever gets better for the common American man or woman." Greene, once one of President Trumps fiercest defenders, acknowledged that his recent public break was "hurtful" but said her faith and convictions remain intact. Trump has called Greene "Wacky" and "a ranting lunatic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Continues Hammering Mtg After She Labels His Attacks A Dog Whistle To Dangerous Radicals Left: President Donald Trump during an executive order signing in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025; Right: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., talks with reporters after a meeting of the House Republican Conference at the Capitol Hill Club on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 "My heart remains filled with joy, 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 who created everything in existence," she wrote. "I will be resigning from office with my last day being January 5, 2026," she wrote. "Im going back to the people I love." Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks to reporters after a press conference to discuss the Epstein Files Transparency bill, directing the release of the remaining files related to the investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 3, 2025. Click Here To Download The Fox News App With Greene's resignation, a special election will be triggered in Georgia's 14th district, which the Cook Political Report rates as "Solid R." Original article source: Trump reacts to Marjorie Taylor Greene resignation, says he 'refused to return' her 'barrage of phone calls' President Donald Trump on Saturday said that his administrations peace proposal for Ukraine and Russia is not my final offer, telling reporters after a question from NBC News, One way or the other, we have to get it ended. Trump added that if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy doesnt agree to the peace plan, then he can continue to fight his little heart out. Earlier this week, Trump said that he wants Zelenskyy who has hesitations about the proposal to accept the peace plan by Thanksgiving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Key points of the proposal include allowing Russia to keep more Ukrainian territory than it currently holds, forcing Ukraine to limit the size of its army and agreeing that Ukraine will never join NATO. Ukrainian lawmakers have criticized the plan as conceding too much to Russias demands, though the Trump administration has said that the plan, which has 28 points, was drafted with input from both sides of the conflict. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner, either the difficult 28 points, or a very difficult winter, Zelenskyy said in a video about the plan earlier this week. Several U.S. lawmakers, including in Trumps own party, have also expressed concerns about the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there are many good ideas in the proposed Russia-Ukraine peace plan, there are several areas that are very problematic and can be made better. The goal of any peace deal is to end the war honorably and justly and not create new conflict, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., wrote in a post on X Saturday morning. Later, the South Carolina senator posted that he was confident Trump would garner a peace deal by pushing both countries and would ensure Ukraine remains free and able to defend itself from future aggression. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., wrote in his own X post on Friday that this so-called peace plan has real problems, and I am highly skeptical it will achieve peace. He added, Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the worlds most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin. The size and disposition of Ukraines armed forces is a sovereign choice for its government and people. And any assurances provided to Putin should not reward his malign behavior or undermine the security of the United States or allies. The proposal includes a security guarantee with a commitment that U.S. and European allies to Ukraine would treat any future attack on Ukraine as an attack on the broader trans-Atlantic community, a U.S. official told NBC News, with few additional details about what the commitment would entail. President Donald Trump previously said he wanted Kyiv to agree to the 28-point plan by Thanksgiving. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images) Ukrainian leaders arent the only ones voicing concerns about the plan. On the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa, European leaders have said the proposal, if agreed to, could leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was a key point in a statement signed by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Norway. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Geneva on Sunday to meet with a Ukrainian delegation to move peace talks forward with an eye to ending the war in Ukraine, according to two U.S. officials. A separate meeting with a Russian delegation in another location in coming days is under consideration, according to those officials. Rubio and Witkoff will join Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who arrived earlier Saturday along with the top U.S. diplomat to Ukraine, Ambassador Julie Davis. Driscoll this past week traveled to Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary Driscoll and team just landed in Geneva to work on the next steps toward achieving peace in Ukraine, a U.S. official said. Zelenskyy confirmed the details of the meeting in a post on X, saying hed spoken to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday. Tomorrow, our advisers will work in Switzerland representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and the E3 format, namely the UK, France, and Germany. 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, Zelenskyy wrote. Trump made quickly ending the ongoing war in Ukraine a key promise of his 2024 campaign. So far this year, hes met with Zelenskyy multiple times and hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin for a summit in Alaska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian leaders, including Putin, have praised the peace proposal, with Putin saying that if Ukraine doesnt sign the agreement, Russia would end the war through military means, through armed struggle. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com President Donald Trump and Republicans have floated an alternative to the Affordable Care Act: Send money directly to consumers instead of health insurance companies. Proposals vary and details are few, but Republicans are championing these options as Congress has yet to vote on the fate of cheaper health insurance for millions of Americans. Democrats want to bolster the Affordable Care Act, often called "Obamacare," by extending COVID-19 pandemic-era tax credits that expire at the end of 2025. Without these enhanced tax credits, average costs for 22 million Americans who get subsidized ACA insurance will more than double on Jan. 1, 2026, according to KFF, a health policy nonprofit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, promised a vote on the enhanced tax credits by mid-December but would not guarantee Republicans' support to extend the subsidies. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, hasn't committed to a vote and called the enhanced tax credits a "boondoggle." When signing legislation to end a record 43-day government shutdown without extending the subsidies, Trump said he wanted "money to go directly to you, the people." President Donald Trump shakes hands with the Speaker of the House Mike Johnson after signing the bill package to re-open the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Nov. 12, 2025. Congress on Wednesday ended the longest government shutdown in US history, 43 days that paralyzed Washington and left hundreds of thousands of workers unpaid while Republicans and Democrats played a high-stakes blame game. The Republican-led House of Representatives voted largely along party lines to approve a Senate-passed package that will reopen federal departments and agencies, as many Democrats fume over what they see as a capitulation by party leaders. President Donald Trump signs the funding bill to end the U.S. government shutdown, at the White House in Washington, DC on Nov. 12, 2025. President Donald Trump signs funding legislation to reopen the federal government as he is joined by House Minority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Republican lawmakers and business leaders, during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House on Nov. 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. The legislation, passed by the House tonight, funds the federal government until the end of January 2026 and ends the 43-day government shutdown, the longest in the nationOs history. House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to the media in Statuary Hall after the House voted 222-209 to pass the Senate's funding deal, with 216 Republicans and six Democrats supporting the bill, and two Republicans and 207 Democrats opposed, after 43 days of shuttered government and unpaid federal workers, on Wednesday, Nov.12, 2025. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) holds a news conference after the House passed funding legislation to reopen the federal government, at the Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House voted 222-209 to approve Senate-passed legislation that funds the government through the end of January 2026, reopening the government and ending the 43-day shutdown, the longest in American history. House Speaker Mike Johnson arriving to speak to the media in Statuary Hall after the House voted 222-209 to pass the Senate's funding deal, with 216 Republicans and six Democrats supporting the bill, and two Republicans and 207 Democrats opposed, after 43 days of shuttered government and unpaid federal workers, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. House Speaker Mike Johnson, right, walks from the House floor with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), left, to speak with the media in Statuary Hall immediately after the House voted 222-209 to pass the Senate's funding deal, with 216 Republicans and six Democrats supporting the bill, and two Republicans and 207 Democrats opposed, after 43 days of shuttered government and unpaid federal workers, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. U.S. Representative Victoria Spartz arrives during a series of votes in the U.S. House of Representatives that could bring the longest U.S. government shutdown in history to a close, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov.12, 2025. U.S. Representative and New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill gives a television interview during a series of votes in the U.S. House of Representatives that could bring the longest U.S. government shutdown in history to a close, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov.12, 2025. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) (2nd-L) walks to the House Chamber on Nov. 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on Senate-passed legislation that funds the government through the end of January 2026, reopening the government and ending the 43-day shutdown, the longest in American history. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) (L) speaks to the media as he exits the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on Senate-passed legislation that funds the government through the end of January 2026, reopening the government and ending the 43-day shutdown, the longest in American history. House Speaker Mike Johnson, right, speaking with Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) after a ceremonial swearing of at the United States Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025, following the official swearing in on the House floor on Wednesday, Nov. 11. 2025. U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) walks surrounded by the media, as members of the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Washington after a 53-day break, for a vote that could bring the longest U.S. government shutdown in history to a close, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 12, 2025. House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) talks on the phone, as members of the U.S. House of Representatives returned to Washington after a 53-day break, for a vote that could bring the longest U.S. government shutdown in history to a close, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Nov. 12, 2025. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita of the U.S. House of Representatives, right, stands with members as Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries leads a press conference on the House Steps at the United States Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025, as members return after a 54-day break, before House lawmakers take up legislation that would end the longest government shutdown in American history and vote on the Senate-passed spending deal. Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries leads a press conference on the House Steps at the United States Capitol on Nov. 12, 2025, as members return after a 54-day break, before House lawmakers take up legislation that would end the longest government shutdown in American history and vote on the Senate-passed spending deal Congress passes deal to end longest government shutdown in US history 1 of 16 President Donald Trump shakes hands with the Speaker of the House Mike Johnson after signing the bill package to re-open the federal government in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Nov. 12, 2025. Congress on Wednesday ended the longest government shutdown in US history, 43 days that paralyzed Washington and left hundreds of thousands of workers unpaid while Republicans and Democrats played a high-stakes blame game. The Republican-led House of Representatives voted largely along party lines to approve a Senate-passed package that will reopen federal departments and agencies, as many Democrats fume over what they see as a capitulation by party leaders. Though the tax credits would make Obamacare insurance more affordable for millions or enrollees, it would do little to slow rising health care costs most Americans face. Americans spend more on medical care than any other nation, and rising medical costs trigger higher insurance rates that all Americans pay, whether people get coverage through the workplace, Medicare or the Affordable Care Act. More than 150 million Americans who get coverage through their employer will see average costs in 2026 rise at their highest level in a decade in a half. And older Americans on Medicare were notified their Part B premiums the medical insurance that covers outpatient and preventive care, doctors' visits and medical equipment will jump 9.7% in 2026, straining affordability for seniors who rely on Social Security to make ends meet. How would sending money directly to consumers work? Trump hasn't provided details on his proposal. In a Nov. 18 post on Truth Social, Trump said, "THE ONLY HEALTHCARE I WILL SUPPORT OR APPROVE IS SENDING THE MONEY DIRECTLY BACK TO THE PEOPLE" instead of insurance companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of Congress, former Trump administration officials and some academic researchers have proposed using health savings accounts to fund health care. Health savings accounts are commonly used by working-age Americans who get health insurance through an employer. These accounts, paired with high-deductible health insurance plans, allow consumers to sock away part of their paycheck before taxes. The money can be spent on eligible expenses such as a doctor or hospital bill or prescription drugs. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, wants health savings accounts to be paired with "bronze" level Affordable Care Act plans. Families would get federal money deposited into a health savings account to shop for health care. "It empowers the patient to lower the cost," Cassidy said in a Senate hearing Nov. 19. Brian Blase, a White House adviser during the first Trump administration, has proposed shifting a portion of Obamacare funding to health savings accounts for low-income enrollees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Affordable Care Act now gives lower-income enrollees "cost-sharing reduction" payments to offset costs such as deductible and copays. Under Blase's proposal, lower-income consumers would have to option of directing these subsidies to a health savings account instead of sending payments directly to insurance companies. Similar to Blase's proposal, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, announced a bill Nov. 20 that would convert the ACA's cost-sharing reduction payments to HSA-style "Trump Health Freedom Accounts." States would need to submit a waiver to the federal government to establish "freedom accounts." Scott's proposal would allow consumers to use the accounts to pay for health insurance premiums. With limited exceptions, HSA accounts now can't be used to pay for health insurance premiums. "Americans will alwaysmake a better choice for their families than the government will," Scott said in a statement. "We should give them that opportunity and take a huge step forward in fixing Obamacare. Democrats warn of health insurance 'cliff' for millions of Americans Democrats are skeptical about the timing of the Republican proposals. They say there isn't enough time to change Affordable Care Act tax credits without risking insurance coverage for millions of Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Individuals are going to lose health care. This is a cliff," said Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto. The Nevada Democrat said Congress should extend the enhanced premium tax credits for one year to give both parties time to study longer-term options. "It should be a thoughtful process and not putting people over a cliff," Cortez Masto said. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, agreed there's not enough time to craft health care legislation before insurance rates reset for millions of ACA enrollees in January. Congress should extend the enhanced premium tax credits first, he said. "There is no way for Congress to put together a proposal in the next couple of weeks that's going to help people in January," Wyden said in a Senate committee hearing Nov. 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health policy experts also are skeptical of proposals that would divert existing Obamacare subsidies to health savings accounts. Such a move could risk upending the ACA marketplaces and compel healthier people to drop coverage, leaving insurance pools with sicker people and pricier monthly insurance premiums, they say. "The original tax credits that have existed since the ACA was first passed, that's what keeps that market working," said Cynthia Cox, KFF's vice president and director of the Program on the ACA. "Without those tax credits, the market collapses, and then there's no option for people who have preexisting conditions to get health insurance." The concept of sending money directly to consumers instead of health insurers is "an old, old idea," said Robert Kaestner, an economist and research professor at the University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy. "This has been the conservative health reform plan for 40 years." Kaestner said health savings accounts might work for middle- and higher-income people who can afford to fund the accounts while paying for everyday living expenses. But he said lower-income families don't have the same financial cushion, especially when they face a costly health expense such as cancer treatment. "The HSA can't cover your cancer care," Kaestner said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump wants to fund health savings accounts US and Ukrainian negotiators have drawn up an "updated and refined peace framework", and plan to continue work on a peace plan over the coming days, the countries announced on Sunday. A joint statement said talks on a US-backed plan in Geneva, which are now understood to have concluded, were "highly productive". US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been a "tremendous amount of progress" on honing the plan, but there was "still some work to be done" before a final agreement could be put to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan's original draft, details of which were leaked last week, was cautiously welcomed by Russia, but not by leaders in Kyiv and Europe, who saw it as too favourable to the Kremlin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday that Moscow has not yet received any information about the outcome of the US-Ukraine talks in Geneva. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said there were "signals that President [Donald] Trump's team is hearing us". Addressing the Swedish parliament on Monday morning, Zelensky called it a "critical moment" for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen, to break the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty. That's the main problem," he said, adding that the Russian president wants it not only from Ukraine "but from the whole world". He explained that Ukraine has managed to keep "sensitive points", such as the release of all Ukrainian prisoners of war, on the table during the talks as he said there is still more to do to achieve "real peace". Speaking to reporters late on Sunday, Rubio said the negotiating teams in Geneva had had a "very good day". He said the main goal had been to try to narrow "open items" from the 28-point US plan, and that the parties involved had achieved that in a "substantial way". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, America's top diplomat said any final agreement would have to be agreed by the Ukrainian and US presidents before it could be put to Russia, and that there were still some issues being negotiated. Positive accounts of the meeting came hours after Trump accused Ukraine's leaders of showing "zero gratitude" for US efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The US president also pointed out that Europe - where Kyiv has some of its most loyal allies - was continuing to buy oil from Russia. Moscow relies heavily on its oil and gas exports to continue financing its war in Ukraine. European leaders have noted that progress was made in Sunday's talks but also said that more work is needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on X on Monday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said he spoke with President Zelensky on Monday morning. "The negotiations were a step forward, but there are still major issues which remain to be resolved," Stubb said. "Any decision falling in the remit of EU or Nato will be discussed and decided by EU and Nato members in a separate track." Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the "significant progress" during Sunday's talks, according to a spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister. "Of course, there are some outstanding issues, but as both countries have set out, intensive work on the peace plan will continue in the coming days and weeks," the spokesperson added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, according to comments reported by the Reuters news agency, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told Deutschlandfunk radio that the meetings were a "decisive success" for Europeans - with issues relating to Europe, and Nato, removed from the plan. "It was clear from the outset, as we have repeatedly said, that any agreement must not be reached over the heads of Europeans and Ukrainians," he added. European Council President Antonio Costa also spoke with Zelensky on Monday morning. "A united and coordinated EU position is key in ensuring a good outcome of peace negotiations - for Ukraine and for Europe," he said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several media outlets, including Reuters news agency, reported the text of an alternative plan to end the war drafted by Kyiv's European allies, lead by the UK, France and Germany. The BBC has not independently verified its contents and Rubio denied any knowledge of its existence. While the draft of the US-backed plan has not been published in full, major details have leaked in recent days. Controversial provisions include Ukraine agreeing to withdraw troops from parts of the eastern Donetsk region that they currently control, and international recognition of de facto Russian control of Donetsk, the neighbouring Luhansk region and the southern Crimea peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan also includes freezing the borders of Ukraine's southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions along the current battle lines, and would see Ukraine agreeing to limit the size of its military to 600,000 personnel, down from about 880,000 now. The draft crucially includes a pledge for Ukraine not to seek membership of Nato. Instead, Kyiv would receive "reliable security guarantees", about which no details have been given. The document says "it is expected" that Russia will not invade its neighbours and that Nato will not expand further. The draft also suggests Russia will be "reintegrated into the global economy", through the lifting of sanctions and by inviting Russia to rejoin the G7 group of the world's most powerful countries - making it the G8 again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump previously gave Ukraine until this coming Thursday to agree to the proposals, though later said the draft did not amount to a "final offer" after Ukraine's allies voiced their concerns. And Rubio told reporters on Sunday he was "very optimistic that we're going to get there in a very reasonable period of time very soon", whether it was Thursday, other days, or Monday the following week. Before the talks began in Geneva, Rubio and the State Department insisted the widely-leaked plan had been authored by the US. That came after a bipartisan group of US senators claimed the secretary of state had told them the draft was a Russian proposal and did not represent the Trump administration's position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio rebutted that account and said it had been authored by the US with "input" from Moscow and Kyiv, while a State Department spokesperson described the senators' account of their conversation with Rubio as "blatantly false". Screenshot Two Texas men have been indicted in connection with a horrific plan to overtake an island in Haiti by killing the men, and enslaving the women and children. Federal authorities charged 21-year-old Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, and 20-year-old Tanner Christopher Thomas, from North Texas, with conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country, as well as with production of child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records alleged the men conspired between August 2024 and July 2025 to recruit homeless from Washington, D.C. as mercenaries to help them carry out the attack they planned for Gonave a Haitian island home to about 87,000 people. The men allegedly studied Haitian Creole to communicate with the islanders, and Thomas even enlisted in the U.S. Air Force to develop skills that might be helpful in the planned attack. The indictment said Weisenburg joined the North Texas Fire Academy in Rockwall, Texas, to learn command-and-control protocols, but failed out. He then allegedly traveled to Thailand to learn how to sail. The men planned to purchase a sailboat, firearms, and ammunition, before staging their coup detat by killing all of the men on the island so they could fulfill what the indictment called rape fantasies with the women and children. The indictment mentioned co-conspirators but did not identify them or provide additional information. This is horrifying. Two North Texas men have been indicted for allegedly plotting to sail to Haitis Gonave Island, kill the men, and enslave women and children. This level of violent extremism is horrific and unacceptable. Full accountability is a must. pic.twitter.com/HkUatxGJGz Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) November 23, 2025 A lawyer for Thomas told The New York Times that he would enter a plea of not guilty on Monday. By email, a lawyer for Weisenburg told The Times, If anyones initial reaction to the governments sensational press release was, That sounds crazy, wild, impossible, or beyond belief, I would encourage them to hold that thought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weisenburg and Thomas face up to life in federal prison if convicted in the Haitian plot, and 15 to 30 years if convicted on the production of child pornography charges. Watch the clip above via WUSA. The post Two Men Indicted in Connection With Horrifying Rape Fantasy Plot To Enslave Haitian Women and Children first appeared on Mediaite. Washington insisted Saturday that its Ukraine proposal is indeed official US policy, denying claims by a group of senators that Secretary of State Marco Rubio told them the document under discussion is just a Russian "wish list." The dispute over the 28-point plan -- which cedes Ukrainian territory long sought by Moscow -- threw an extraordinary element of confusion into efforts to negotiate an end to the war. US President Donald Trump has pushed the plan, pressuring the Ukrainians to accept it within days. Negotiators will meet in Switzerland on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, after a storm of criticism that the proposal is almost entirely favorable to Moscow, several US senators spoke out, holding a press conference at the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada on Saturday. The senators -- Republican Mike Rounds, independent Angus King, and Democrat Jeanne Shaheen -- said Rubio told them the current Ukraine proposal is not the official US position, but instead lays out a "Russian wish list." "What he (Rubio) told us was that this was not the American proposal. This was a proposal that was received by someone... representing Russia in this proposal. It was given to Mr Witkoff," Rounds said, referring to Trump's diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff. "It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King corroborated those comments, saying "the leaked 28-point plan -- which according to Secretary Rubio is not the administration's position -- it is essentially the wish list of the Russians that is now being presented to the Europeans and to the Ukrainians." The plan would require Kyiv to cede territory, cut its military, and pledge never to join NATO. Trump said Saturday it was not his final offer and he hoped to stop the fighting "one way or the other." - 'Authored by the US' - Rubio asserted the proposal "was authored by the US." "It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine," he said Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Shaheen said she and Rounds spoke to the top US diplomat while he was en route to Geneva for the latest negotiations with Ukrainian officials. Rounds said Rubio was "very frank" during their call. "It doesn't look like normally something that would come out of our government, particularly the way it was written. It looked more like it was written in Russian to begin with," Rounds said. King noted that the plan should not reward Moscow for its invasion. "Everyone wants this war to end but we want it to end on a fair and just peace that respects the integrity and the sovereignty of Ukraine and does not reward aggression and also provides adequate security guarantees," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Saturday, other US senators including some in Trump's Republican party criticized Washington's plan. "We will not achieve that lasting peace by offering (Russian President Vladimir) Putin concession after concession and fatally degrading Ukraine's ability to defend itself," the group of senators wrote in a statement. Senator Mitch McConnell, a veteran Republican, said "rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America's interests." Writing on X, he said that Putin has "spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool." Since the Russian invasion began in 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to keep Kyiv's territory intact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Friday address to the nation, Zelensky said Ukraine faces one of the most challenging moments in its history, adding that he would propose "alternatives" to Trump's proposal. bur-sms/acb/sla/rsc US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that a proposed 28-point plan to end the Ukraine war, which has been widely viewed as favourable to Russia, was "authored by the US". It comes after a group of senators said they had been told by Rubio that the draft - which one said he described as a Russian "wish list" - did not reflect Washington's position. Rubio later distanced himself from those claims and said the plan came from the US, and was "based on input" from both Russia and Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His intervention came as he flew to Geneva in Switzerland for talks with Ukrainian and European security officials on the plan, which US President Donald Trump has called for Kyiv to agree to swiftly. Ukraine's allies in Europe have pushed back on major provisions in the draft, which has not been made public but details of which have been widely leaked. It includes Ukraine agreeing to withdraw troops from eastern areas which Russia has been unable to take by force, and to limit the size of its armed forces. On Saturday, Republican Senator Mike Rounds said Rubio had told a group of lawmakers that the draft plan was not US policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told the Halifax Security Forum: "What [Rubio] told us was that this was not the American proposal." Rounds said he had been assured that the plan was presented to Steve Witkoff, who acts as Trump's overseas diplomatic envoy, by "someone... representing Russia". The senator continued: "It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan." Shortly after, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rounds's account of his conversation with Rubio was "blatantly false". He wrote on X: "As Secretary Rubio and the entire administration has consistently maintained, this plan was authored by the United States, with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio then posted on social media himself, saying: "The peace proposal was authored by the US. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine." On Saturday, Trump - who has made securing a deal to end the conflict a central foreign policy goal during his second term - said the plan did not represent a "final offer" for Ukraine, having previously said President Volodymyr Zelensky "will have to" approve it. In a post on X on Saturday, Vice President JD Vance said criticism of the proposed peace plan "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," he said, adding that peace will not be made by "politicians living in a fantasy land". The leaders of several Ukrainian allies - including Canada, France and Germany - met at the G20 summit [Reuters] When details of the 28-point plan first emerged, Zelensky warned that his country faced "one of the most difficult moments in our history" over US pressure to accept it, while Russian President Vladimir Putin said it could form the "basis" of an agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump previously gave Ukraine until Thursday to approve the proposal, though said that deadline could be extended if talks progress. Both Rubio and Witkoff will attend the Geneva meeting on Sunday alongside security officials from the UK, France and Germany, as well as Ukraine. Ukraine's allies have already publicly pushed back against the plan, saying in a joint statement issued at the G20 summit in South Africa that it "would leave Ukraine vulnerable to attack". It said the plan had elements "essential for a just and lasting peace" but would "require additional work", citing concerns over border changes and caps on Ukraine's army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement was signed by the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany and Norway. Two senior EU officials were also among the signatories. Speaking at the gathering in Johannesburg, French President Emmanuel Macron said the plan "cannot simply be an American proposal", adding that any agreement had to also guarantee security for "all Europeans". German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said "we are still quite a long way from a good outcome for everyone". Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke to both Zelensky and Trump on Saturday. No 10 said he briefed the US president on European talks about the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, after which Ukraine became heavily dependent on US-manufactured weapons. In its current form, the plan would see Ukrainian troops withdraw from the part of the eastern Donetsk region that they currently control, and de facto Russian control of Donetsk, as well as the neighbouring Luhansk region and the southern Crimea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. The plan also includes freezing the borders of Ukraine's southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions along the current battle lines. Both regions are partially occupied by Russia. Kyiv would receive "reliable security guarantees", the plan says, although no details have been given. The document says "it is expected" that Russia will not invade its neighbours and Nato will not expand further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, Zelensky announced that his head of office Andriy Yermak would lead Ukraine's negotiating team for future talks on a peace deal, including any that may involve Russia. "Our representatives know how to defend Ukraine's national interests and exactly what must be done to prevent Russia from launching a third invasion, another strike against Ukraine," the president said in a video statement posted on social media. U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, mentioned the possibility of the National Guard being deployed in Alabama during a hearing Wednesday. In a hearing on the topic of Restoring Law and Order in High-Crime Cities, Moore asked witnesses if cities that have had National Guard deployments have seen improvement enough that would warrant the National Guard coming to Alabama. President Donald Trumps administration has deployed the National Guard to several American cities including Washington D.C., Chicago, Portland and several more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve seen crime rise in Democrat-ran cities, including in my home state of Alabama, in the two largest Democrat-ran cities, that would be Birmingham and Montgomery, Moore said. Senator [Tommy] Tuberville has noted that he would be supportive of the National Guard coming in to help local police departments in Alabama with rising crime. Tuberville previously said in August that if he was governor he would be in favor of deploying the National Guard to Birmingham and Montgomery to fight rampant crime. While Montgomery and Birmingham have some of the highest rates of violent crime in Alabama, both saw drops in crime over the first half of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rafael Mangual, a senior policing fellow with conservative think tank the Manhattan Institute, told Moore that evidence suggests that while the National Guard presence has been a deterrent in cities that effect is limited. Mangual suggested that additional federal resources should be allocated to targeting gang and gun prosecutions. According to NPR, criminologist and experts have also warned that a prolonged National Guard presence may only artificially reduce crime and lead to other problems like community distrust of a militarized force. Moore is running in the Republican primary for the Senate seat Tuberville now holds. Tuberville is foregoing a run for re-election to run for governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, Rodney Walker, a cattle farmer and businessman, and Morgan Murphy, a former Tuberville staffer, are also running in the GOP Senate primary. Read the original article on al.com. YWO.com, a privately held technology company based in Gauteng/South Africa New Program Reduces Industry Complexity with Fast Commissions and Flexible Withdrawals LIMASSOL, Cyprus, Nov. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- YWO, a brand dedicated to creating accessible opportunities for traders, today announced the launch of its new Introducing Broker (IB) Partner Program. The program is designed to simplify the partnership experience by offering clear revenue-share structures and efficient access to earned commissions, supporting partners with a model built on transparency and operational speed. A New Approach to IB Partnerships YWO Launches Unique IB Partner Program Focused on Transparent Revenue Share and Streamlined Earnings YWO is directly addressing the frustrations many IBs face with traditional partner programs, such as complex commission structures, restrictive terms, and delayed payments. The new program aims to streamline the earning experience, allowing partners to focus on client engagement and business development. "We saw that the industry was filled with programs that place unnecessary barriers that can make it difficult for IBs to clearly understand how and when they are compensated"," said Daniel Malak, CMO at YWO. "Our goal is to provide a straightforward framework where partners have clarity and timely access to their entitled commissions. When our partners grow, the entire ecosystem grows with them"." Efficient Commission Processing and Flexible Access The YWO IB Partner Program is built on three core pillars that ensure partners with greater accessibility and operational simplicity. Key benefits include: Fast Commission Calculation: Earnings are calculated the moment a referred client's position is closed. There are no lengthy waiting periods. This is in accordance with program terms. Flexible Withdrawals: Partners may request withdrawals of eligible earned commissions without unnecessary delays, subject to standard processing procedures. Zero Minimums: YWO does not require a minimum number of active clients to participate in the program, making it accessible to both new and established IBs. Transparent Revenue Share Model YWO offers a straightforward and highly competitive commission structure. Initial Revenue Share: New partners receive a 45% revenue share for the first three months. Tier Advancement: Partners may unlock up to a 50% revenue share after the initial three months, based on predefined criteria, with no hidden fees or complex fine print. Simple Tiers: The program avoids the confusing multi-level tiers , offering a clear path of 30-50% for all qualifying IBs. Flexible Program Features YWO has removed the several limitations commonly found in industry partner models. The program features: No Trading Restrictions: Eligible commissions are generated on compliant trades across permitted styles, instruments, and durations.. No Time Limits on Trades: YWO does not impose minimum trade times to qualify for commissions. No Instrument Restrictions: Partners can earn commissions from all instruments and symbols their clients trade, without the exclusions. About YWO YWO is a rapidly growing global financial broker offering a wide range of tradable assets, including forex, commodities, and indices. Focused on technological innovation and client service, YWO provides access to low-latency platforms and comprehensive educational resources. The company is committed to transparency and strives to offer competitive trading conditions for both newer and experienced traders globally. Trading financial instruments involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Commissions earned through the IB Partner Program depend on client trading activity, which can result in gains or losses. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Partners and clients should ensure they fully understand the risks involved before participating. Contacts Head of SEO Jesus Guzman YWO (PTY) Ltd [email protected] ORM Manager Sergei Vasilev YWO (PTY) Ltd [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2830433/YWO_Launches.jpg SOURCE YWO Individuals named Norabel are typically perceived as possessing a balanced combination of intellectual clarity and moral strength. The 'light' component of the name suggests qualities of intelligence, insight, and spiritual illumination, while the 'honor' element points to integrity, reliability, and strong ethical principles. This creates a personality profile of someone who is both wise and trustworthy, capable of providing guidance while maintaining unwavering moral standards. Norabels are often described as having a calm, dignified presence that inspires confidence in others. They tend to be thoughtful decision-makers who consider both practical and ethical implications before acting. Their combination of mental clarity and moral conviction makes them natural leaders in community and religious settings. While they may appear reserved initially, they possess deep compassion and are often drawn to service-oriented professions or volunteer work. The dual nature of their name's meaning frequently manifests as individuals who can both envision positive change (the light aspect) and work diligently to implement it with integrity (the honor aspect). Archaeologists have made an "unprecedented" discovery within the burial of a Viking woman, Gemini.no reported. 'Unprecedented' Burial Discovered in Norway The ninth-century burial site was excavated in Bjugn, located in the coast region of Trndelag, Norway, by a team of experts after it was first discovered by metal detectorist Roy Sreng. Within the grave was a Viking woman who had scallop shells placed deliberately around her mouth, challenging pre-conceived notions of pre-Christian burial customs. Experts confirm that this is "a practice that is not previously known from pre-Christian graves in Norway." A brooch found within the woman's burial Raymond Sauvage/NTNU Science Museum The remarkably well-preserved skeleton appears to belong to a Viking woman who was interred sometime in the 800s. Senior engineer Raymond Sauvage hypothesized, due to the womans clothing and jewelry, that she was "a free and probably married woman, perhaps the lady of the farm." Due to the completeness of her burial, Sauvage believes that she held an important position within her community, with her jewels intended to telegraph her social standing and marital status. As for the shells encasing the womans mouth, "We do not yet know what the symbolism means," Sauvage admitted. He and his fellow researchers are conducting further analyses to determine what the shells purpose may have been. Raymond Sauvage/NTNU Science Museum Researchers Took Great Pains to Preserve Site Arkeonews reported early on in the process that efforts to excavate the grave were actually endangering its contents. During a field inspection following Srengs initial discovery, experts quickly found out that the grave was in "acute danger of being damaged at the next plowing." As such, the excavation team had to work with extreme care to preserve each of the items within the grave before removing the burial itself. "This is an incredibly exciting find. It is extremely rare to find such a well-preserved skeleton in old graves, said Riksantikvar Hanna Geiran, Norways Directorate for Culture Heritage. A brooch found within the woman's burial Raymond Sauvage/NTNU Science Museum Next up for researchers, "We will examine the skeleton, Sauvage explained, preserve the artifacts, and take samples for dating and DNA analysis. The goal is to learn more about the person and possible kinship with the earlier find from the same location." This story was originally reported by Men's Journal on Nov 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Israels military has launched a wave of air attacks across Gaza, killing at least 24 Palestinians, including children, in its latest violation of a six-week old ceasefire in the war-torn territory. The attacks on Saturday also wounded 87 others, according to authorities in Gaza. Witnesses said the first strike hit a car in northern Gaza City, and was followed by more attacks in central Deir el-Balah and the Nuseirat refugee camp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drone attack in Gaza City killed at least 11 people and wounded 20 others, according to the managing director of al-Shifa Hospital, Rami Mhanna. It happened in the citys Remal neighbourhood. In Deir el-Balah, at least three people, including a woman, were killed when an Israeli strike hit a house there. Khalil Abu Hatab, a witness, said the attack caused 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, he said. 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. Systematic violations The Israeli attack on Nuseirat also hit a residential building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anas al-Saloul, who witnessed the attack, said he was sitting in his home when a missile suddenly hit his neighbours house. We took the injured and came to the hospital, he said. There were injuries and deaths, and everyone in the street was covered in debris, he added. According to the Gaza Government Media Office, Israel has violated the United States-brokered ceasefire at least 497 times since it came into effect on October 10. Some 342 civilians have been killed in the attacks, with children, women and the elderly accounting for the majority of the victims. We condemn in the strongest terms the continued serious and systematic violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Israeli occupation authorities, the office said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These violations constitute a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law and the humanitarian protocol attached to the agreement. Among these violations, 27 occurred today, Saturday, resulting in 24 martyrs and 87 wounded, it added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said it launched the attacks after a Hamas fighter attacked Israeli soldiers in Israeli-held territory. In response, Israel eliminated five senior Hamas [fighters], it said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from Hamas on the slain fighters. Fabricated pretexts Earlier in the day, as the attacks unfolded, the Palestinian group accused Israel of violating the truce under fabricated pretexts and called on mediators the US, Egypt and Qatar to intervene immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also said Israel has pushed westward beyond the yellow line, where Israeli troops are stationed in Gaza, and is changing the boundary set out as part of the deal. We call upon the mediators to intervene urgently and exert pressure to immediately halt these violations, the Palestinian group said in a statement. We also demand that the US administration fulfil its commitments and compel [Israel] to implement its obligations, and to confront its attempts to undermine the ceasefire in Gaza. A senior official also dismissed reports in Saudi Arabia-owned Al Arabiya that claimed it had called off the ceasefire. Israel is fabricating pretexts to evade the agreement and return to the war of annihilation, while it is the one violating the agreement daily and systematically, Izzat al-Risheq, member of the Hamas political bureau, told Quds News Network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, said the latest attacks were traumatising for Palestinians. This is a reminder that the ceasefire is quite fragile, and in fact, [the] violence never ended at all, he said. What was going at a very fast pace in the past few years has now turned into this slow and steady pattern of killing, he added. West Bank attacks Meanwhile, more Israeli military and settler violence was reported on Saturday in the occupied West Bank amid what the United Nations has described as a record-breaking surge in attacks on Palestinians. The Palestinian news agency Wafa said Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinian farmers southeast of Masafer Yatta, in the West Banks South Hebron Hills area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, Wafa said Israeli soldiers also wounded two Palestinians during a raid in Dura, a town south of Hebron. Israeli attacks in the West Bank have increased in the shadow of Israels war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 70,000 Palestinians in the coastal enclave since October 2023. They also come as members of Israels far-right government push to formally annex the territory. Last week, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that 260 Israeli settler attacks were recorded in October more than in any month since 2006. The surge in violence comes as Israeli authorities have ramped up home demolitions, the seizure of property, arrests, and movement restrictions, alongside the unabated building of settlements and outposts and the forcible displacement and transfer of thousands of Palestinians by Israeli settlers and the military, Thameen al-Kheetan said in a statement. Permanently displacing the Palestinian population within occupied territory amounts to unlawful transfer, which is a war crime. The transfer by Israel of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies also amounts to a war crime. Police have requested warrants for a local ex-fire chief and his wife, who allegedly had inappropriate contact with a boy. Online court records show former Fair Oaks Fire Chief Nathan Turner and Stephanie Ann Turner are charged with corruption of minors, unlawful contact with a minor, indecent exposure, harassment, open lewdness and criminal conspiracy. It all started as a theft investigation involving the Sewickley Water Authority, court documents obtained by Channel 11 show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in October, the criminal complaint reveals, Sewickley Borough police seized a phone belonging to Nathan Turner, a former water authority employee. Investigators say officers found a text message thread between Turner and his wife. Court documents show the two discussed what police call illegal activities with a minor child in July of this year. The boy was 14 at the time. Over the summer, Nathan Turner allegedly texted his wife, You literally took your pants off in front of him. Stephanie Turner allegedly replied, Yes, I did. The criminal complaint lists other graphic messages. The boy, who was 14 at the time, revealed to authorities that Stephanie Turner made comments about his appearance in pants, documents show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boy added that the conversation eventually evolved into her allegedly stating she wanted to have sex with him after he turned 18. In the court paperwork, the teen also recalled a time inside the couples household in Leet Township, when Stephanie Turner allegedly exited a bathroom with no shirt or bra on. The boy claimed she eventually pulled down her pants and exposed herself to him. Court documents show the boy said the Turners were like parents to him. Fair Oaks Volunteer Fire Department had no comment about the allegations against the Turners, but confirmed that both are no longer associated with the department. Fire officials say Nathan Turner resigned in August and has not participated in any capacity in the department since his resignation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department further acknowledges that the allegations against Mr. and Mrs. Turner are concerning and serious in nature. They do not reflect the values and standards of the department, the fire service and the community, the statement reads in part. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW (Reuters) -A Washington State resident receiving treatment for H5N5 avian influenza died on Friday, the state's health department said, in the first confirmed human case of this variant globally. The deceased - of Grays Harbor County - was an older adult with underlying health conditions, the department said in a statement released late on Friday, adding the person owned a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds. The department found the avian flu in the flock's environment, pointing to domestic poultry or wild birds as the likely source of exposure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said that the risk to the general public remains low, and no other individuals involved in the case have tested positive for avian influenza, commonly called bird flu. "Public health officials will continue to monitor anyone who was in close contact with the patient for symptoms," the department said, adding: "There is no evidence of transmission of this virus between people." Those who had exposure to the backyard flock and its environment were also being monitored for potential symptoms, the department said. (Reporting by Preetika Parashuraman in Bengaluru; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Nov. 23A $1 tip. That's all one local mother had to give during a recent visit to The Yeller Sub, but it was enough to amaze operator Cheyanne Bywater. It was in the middle of a busy lunch rush when the mother walked into the sandwich restaurant, which offered free kids' meals as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, funds temporarily froze earlier this month. The mother ordered the free meal for her teenage daughter, but nothing for herself. Cheyanne Bywater noticed the mother sit down, watch her daughter eat and then leave the tip behind before heading to the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That was so kind," Cheyanne Bywater said. Struck by what was happening, Nate Bywater a co-operator of The Yeller Sub and husband of Cheyanne Bywater ran out of the restaurant, knocked on the mother's car window before she left and handed her a stack of cards for free sandwiches. "This is a mother (who) all she cared about was feeding her daughter," Nate Bywater said. "It's hard to see these parents go through that." The Yeller Sub was one of several restaurants across New Mexico that offered free meals for kids during a federal funding lapse in food assistance the result of a 43-day government shutdown that ended Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, paused SNAP benefits Nov. 1, but two federal judges quickly issued rulings requiring the Trump administration to keep the program running. The administration agreed to partially fund the program but appealed court orders to fully fund it, keeping payments for many Americans in limbo. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued executive orders allocating $30 million in state contingency funds to help cover food costs for New Mexico SNAP recipients for 10 days starting Nov. 1. After those funds depleted, New Mexico lawmakers gathered in a Nov. 10 special session to approve a bill that authorized up to $162 million to provide state nutrition assistance benefits through mid-January though those funds are no longer necessary now that the federal government has reopened. More than 400,000 New Mexicans were receiving SNAP benefits in fiscal year 2024, according to data from the USDA. That is more than 21% of the state's population the largest percentage of SNAP participation across all 50 states. Despite the state stepping in, demand for The Yeller Sub's free meals was high. The sandwich restaurant gave away more than 450 free kids' meals between Nov. 1 and Nov. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All a customer needed to do to get the free meal was ask for the "Got Your Back Special," which the Bywaters established so that people wouldn't be embarrassed a feeling Cheyanne Bywater remembers all too well. "I was in that position a long time ago and I remember my EBT card getting declined because the funds hadn't hit or whatever, and it was mortifying to have to leave my shopping cart there and walk out with no groceries," Cheyanne Bywater said. The restaurant's kids' meal a sandwich, a side of fries and a drink typically sells for $6. The restaurant operators planned to absorb the cost roughly $2,700 but the community had other plans. Upon announcing the free meals on social media, people and businesses quickly started making donations to support the restaurant's efforts, with some people offering to prepay for between three and 20 meals and others dropping off checks for $300. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That certainly eased the burden," Nate Bywater said. As of a little over a week ago, the Bywaters said they expected to break even on their investment into the free kids' meals with the help of donations. "We never expected to get the response we did," Nate Bywater said. "We wanted to have Albuquerque's back and we knew it was going to come at a cost, or we thought it was going to come at a cost, but at the end of the day, Albuquerque had our backs even more." Donations aren't the only way the community responded to the restaurant's free meals. People also flooded in just to patronize the business, leading to record sales for the restaurant, which has been in business for 46 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We didn't want any kind of attention from it and we certainly didn't think it was going to drum up a bunch of business, but it did and it was such a blessing," Nate Bywater said. The Yeller Sub's kids' meals have returned to regular pricing since the government reopened. The Bywaters plan to put the surplus of donations and extra business they've received toward another charitable cause. People helping people The Yeller Sub wasn't the only restaurant that stepped up to provide free or discounted meals or resources. More than 100 restaurants, food pantries, stores and organizations across the state offered help during the shutdown, according to a list posted to the Albuquerque Foodies Facebook group in early November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There truly is a culture here of New Mexicans taking care of New Mexicans," Nate Bywater said. "There's a ton of businesses that came out in full force and just said, 'Hey, we're gonna feed the community.' I have friends (who) live all over this nation and they said none of that was happening anywhere else." Jennifer Sanchez, franchise owner of Chicken Salad Chick in Albuquerque, agreed. "It was crazy how fast it spread here," Sanchez said. "And I think that just goes back to our roots we're a very family driven community." Sanchez and partner Keith Murray also offered free kids' meals at their two Albuquerque Chicken Salad Chick locations, which had served more than 700 free meals as of Nov. 14, Sanchez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The local franchisees paid for the meals, amounting to more than $8,000, but Sanchez said the business has also witnessed community members making donations from cash to entire truckloads of food and water. Donations not designated to pay for kids' meals have been passed along to St. Felix Pantry, Sanchez said. "People have come together to help out people they don't even know," Murray said. "They turn around and say, 'Hey, I want to give you 50 bucks,' and they hand it to me and they don't care about who's going to receive it. They just trust we're going to be a good steward of it." Seeing how many families are still in need heading into the holiday season inspired Sanchez and Murray to keep the giving going. Chicken Salad Chick will continue offering free kids' meals on Saturdays through the end of the year, to support families on a day when kids aren't at school. "We're fortunate enough that we can afford the cost, so we want to make sure that we give back to the community," Sanchez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'We've all been there' For Lexy Ford owner of Sugar Bee's Sweets, a snow cone shop in Rio Rancho recent data on food insecurity in New Mexico is what prompted her to extend help beyond the shutdown, partnering with Which Wich on Coors Boulevard to give out 500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and 200 snow cones to kids on Nov. 16. "Even with benefits, when you look at the numbers, they're so daunting," Ford said. In New Mexico, nearly one in four children, or more than 23.3%, lived in households without consistent access to adequate food, according to 2023 data from the New Mexico Department of Health website. New Mexico's child hunger rate, higher than the national average, is the fourth-highest among all states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's easy to get lost in the numbers, Ford said, but they can also unlock deep-rooted generosity. "This has been by far my worst season out of all the years I've done business. Financially, I've made half the sales I make every year," Ford said. "This isn't necessarily something that I can even afford, but I've been there with my kids. I've been a recipient of SNAP benefits... so if I could give back, that's something I want to do." Ford believes it's New Mexicans' abilities to relate to each other that drove the overwhelming response from restaurants and businesses the past several weeks. "It's honestly beautiful," Ford said, tears in her eyes. "When it comes down to it, it doesn't matter what I have or another person has we've all been there." Kylie Garcia covers retail and real estate for the Albuquerque Journal. You can reach her at kgarcia@abqjournal.com. Have you ever started to cook an elaborate dinner only to realize you forgot to purchase an important ingredient from the grocery store? It happens to the best of us. However, if you need to make a last-minute cranberry sauce run on Thanksgiving, you might find it difficult to locate an open store. Due to colonial-era laws, Massachusetts grocery stores cannot legally open on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, Nov. 27, this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, while smaller convenience stores are technically allowed to open, some might still opt to close in observance of the holiday. You should check a shop's hours or call ahead before heading over. Here's what to know about Massachusetts grocery stores on Thanksgiving. Are grocery stores open on Thanksgiving in MA? In Massachusetts, grocery stores are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving, as it is a restricted holiday under the state's "Blue Laws." That means that stores like Stop & Shop, Big Y, Roche Bros., Market Basket, Hannaford, Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Price Rite, and Whole Foods, will all be closed on Nov. 27 this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liquor stores will also be closed on Thanksgiving. More: Are liquor stores open on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts? Colonial-era blue laws still apply Why aren't Massachusetts grocery stores open on Thanksgiving? Grocery stores in Massachusetts are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving Day due to "Blue Laws," which have Puritan influences and date back to the colonial days. Massachusetts' "Blue Laws" dictate which businesses can legally open on Sundays and certain holidays. And Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the restricted holidays for grocery stores, according to the state. Which businesses are allowed to open on Thanksgiving? Convenience stores? Some businesses, like gas stations, restaurants, and pharmacies, are allowed to open on Thanksgiving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You also might be able to grab a couple groceries from a small convenience store. According to the "Blue Laws," food stores that dont have more than three employees, including the owner, working at one time can open on Thanksgiving. However, many shops still close on certain holidays to give employees time with their families. It's best to call ahead and check. Melina Khan of USA TODAY and Margie Cullen of the USA Today Network contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Are grocery stores in MA allowed to be open on Thanksgiving? FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2025,1:48 P.M. (WFRV) A Milwaukee man accused of chaining an underage girl in a basement and forcing her to drink puddle water did not appear in court as he was in custody during his latest hearing on Friday. Court records show that 65-year-old David Boyds attorney was present for him while he was in custody. The defense requested both a final pretrial date and jury trial dates, which were granted. Boyds next hearing is scheduled as a final pre-trial hearing on March 26 at 9 a.m. and a one-day jury trial on April 27 at 9 a.m. UPDATE: Milwaukee man accused of chaining girl in basement set not in court, status conference ordered FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2025, 4:03 P.M. (WFRV) A Milwaukee man accused of chaining an underage girl in a basement and forcing her to drink puddle water was not in court during a scheduling conference on November 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show that 65-year-old David Boyds attorney was present for him while he was in custody. The defense informed the court that they received discovery materials; however, theyre still waiting for a state offer. A status conference has been set for December 5 at 8:30 a.m. UPDATE: Milwaukee man accused of chaining girl in basement set for scheduling conference after pleading not guilty TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025, 12:22 P.M. (WFRV) A Milwaukee man accused of chaining an underage girl in a basement and forcing her to drink puddle water was in court on Monday while in custody. Court records show that 65-year-old David Boyd and his attorney were in court as the court found probable cause after a motion to dismiss was denied. Boyd pleaded not guilty and a scheduling conference was set for November 21 at 8:30 a.m. UPDATE: Milwaukee man accused of chaining girl in basement has counsel appointed, preliminary hearing set FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025, 1:13 P.M. (WFRV) A 65-year-old Milwaukee man accused of chaining an underage girl in a basement and forcing her to drink puddle water was in court and has an attorney after months of rescheduled hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show David Boyd was in court by video while in custody on September 30, as his attorney appeared in court and was appointed on September 29. A preliminary hearing is set for October 13 at 1:30 p.m. UPDATE: Milwaukee man accused of chaining girl in basement has cash bond doubled, still seeking counsel FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2025, 2:11 p.m. (WFRV) A 65-year-old Milwaukee man accused of chaining an underage girl in a basement and forcing her to drink puddle water had his cash bond doubled while he awaits counsel. Court records show David Boyd was in court while in custody on Wednesday, and that his cash bond of $100,000 was changed to $200,000. Boyd is still awaiting an attorney. An additional hearing is set for October 3 at 10:30 a.m. UPDATE: Milwaukee man accused of chaining girl in basement still waiting for appointed counsel TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2025, 12:50 p.m. (WFRV) A 64-year-old Milwaukee man accused of abusing an underage girl by allegedly chaining her in a basement and forcing her to drink puddle water is still waiting for appointed counsel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show David Boyd was in court while in custody for a status conference on Monday to hear updates on appointed counsel. According to the record, the State Public Defenders Office needs additional time. Another hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. on September 3. UPDATE: Milwaukee man accused of chaining girl in basement continues to wait for appointed counsel WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2025, 12:03 p.m. (WFRV) The 64-year-old Milwaukee man accused of abusing an underage girl by allegedly chaining her in a basement while forcing her to drink puddle water was in custody for a video hearing on appointed counsel. Court records show David Boyd appeared without legal representation again, as the public defenders office continues to search for counsel for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing was adjourned as the public defenders office needs additional time to appoint counsel, while the state requested an additional hearing. A status conference was set for 1:30 p.m. on July 28, 2025. UPDATE: Milwaukee man accused of chaining girl in basement to receive public defender THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025, 11:30 A.M. (WFRV) A 64-year-old Milwaukee man accused of horrific abuse involving an underage girl appeared in court Wednesday as his case moves forward. Court records show David Boyd appeared without legal representation, and the court determined he qualifies for a public defender. He is expected to be assigned counsel in the coming weeks. Boyd is accused of chaining a young girl in his basement and forcing her to drink puddle water. He remains in custody as the legal process continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A status conference has been scheduled for June 25 at 8:30 a.m. Local 5 News will continue following this case and provide updates as new details emerge. UPDATE: Wisconsin man accused of chaining up underage girl in basement refuses state public defender representation Thursday, May 8, 2025, 3:52 p.m. (WFRV) The Milwaukee man accused of chaining up an underage girl in his basement and forcing her to drink puddle water had an adjourned hearing on Wednesday morning. Court records show that 64-year-old David Boyd was not in court for the hearing as he was in custody; however, the court record states that Boyd refused representation from a State Public Defender with a retainer unfiled. A status conference was scheduled for May 21 at 8:30 a.m. Wisconsin man accused of chaining up underage girl in basement, forcing her to drink puddle water Thursday, May 1, 2025, 4:07 p.m. (WFRV) A man in southern Wisconsin had his cash bond set at $100,000 after allegedly chaining up an underage girl and being charged with multiple counts of sexual assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a criminal complaint obtained by Local 5, 64-year-old David Boyd is facing multiple charges following allegations of sexual assault and chaining a girl in a basement and not letting her leave. On January 7, 2025, CPS received a report claiming an underage girl was sexually assaulted by her grand-godmothers boyfriend, identified as Boyd. The alleged assaults happened when the victim was between eight and nine years old, the complaint said. Authorities execute search warrants at two Wisconsin massage parlors amid prostitution allegations The victim provided details to authorities of the alleged assaults. The complaint says a nurse practitioner found multiple scars on the victim, which the victim said were caused by Boyd using a knife on her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Towards the end of February, the victim again spoke with authorities. She claimed that Boyd chained her arms to a pole in a basement. In the complaint, she also mentioned Boyd denied her food and was chained up long enough that she missed several days of school. The complaint said she told authorities she drank water on the floor while she was chained up. On April 16, authorities executed a search warrant at a residence where they found items that were consistent with descriptions the victim provided. The complaint said there were chains found in the basement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said they made numerous attempts to speak with Boyd. Eventually, he reportedly agreed to come to the Brown Deer Police Department to talk. Boyd is charged with: Repeated sexual assault of a child Felony Up to 60 years in prison Physical abuse of a child, use of a dangerous weapon Felony Up to six years in prison (can be increased by six due to using a dangerous weapon) Trafficking of a child Felony Up to 40 years in prison False imprisonment Felony Up to six years in prison Repeated sexual assault of a child Felony Up to 60 years in prison Court records show Boyd was in court on April 28 for his initial appearance. His cash bond was set at $100,000. The charges were field in Milwaukee County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Complaint: Former Appleton teacher allegedly had sex with student in schools parking lot He is scheduled to be back in court on May 7 for a preliminary hearing. 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. President Donald Trump repeatedly said during his White House campaign that if he won the 2024 election, he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours. But in the 10 months since he took office, the road to a peace deal has been fraught with changing dynamics involving the American leader, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump's rhetoric toward both men has evolved. It continues to do so. At the outset of his second term in January, Trump was conciliatory toward Putin, for whom he long has shown admiration. Over time, Trump expressed increasing exasperation with Putin, while seemingly softening criticism of Zelenskyy after their February blowout in the Oval Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's administration imposed sanctions on Russia and he was suggesting by the fall that Ukraine could win back all territory lost to Russia. That was a dramatic shift from his repeated calls for Kyiv to make concessions to end the war that began with Russia's invasion in February 2022. By late November, Trump had endorsed a peace plan favorable to Russia. Some Democratic senators suggested the proposal was a wish list" that originated with Moscow and they had heard just that from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The State Department disputed it and Rubio insisted the plan was written by the United States. American allies in Europe nonetheless worried it was too conciliatory to Russia. Trump had returned to slamming Zelenskyy in ways that recalled how Trump and Vice President JD Vance had hounded the Ukrainian leader out of the Oval Office months earlier. Trump was now suggesting Zelenskyy was not appearing grateful enough for years of U.S. military support. The Republican president also chided European countries for not doing more to put economic pressure on Russa. Here is a look at what Trump has said this year and how his tone has changed: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jan. 31 We want to end that war. That war would have not started if I was president. Trump said his new administration had already had very serious discussions with Russia and that he and Putin could soon take significant action toward ending the conflict. Feb. 19 A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left." Trumps harsh words for Zelenskyy on his Truth Social platform drew criticism from Democrats and even some Republicans in Congress, where defending Ukraine from Russian aggression has traditionally had bipartisan support. Zelenskyy said Trump was falling into a Russian disinformation trap. He was quickly admonished by Vance about the perils of publicly criticizing the new U.S. president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Feb. 28 Youre gambling with World War III. And what youre doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country thats backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have. Trump and Vance berated Zelenskyy over the war, accusing him of not showing gratitude after he challenged Vance on the question of diplomacy with Putin. The argument in the Oval Office was broadcast globally. It led to the rest of Zelenskyys White House visit being canceled and called into question the U.S. support of Ukraine. A few days after the blowup, Trump temporarily paused military aid to Ukraine to pressure Zelenskyy to seek peace. March 30 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think hes going to go back on his word. Youre talking about Putin. I dont think hes going to go back on his word. Ive known him for a long time. Weve always gotten along well. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he trusted Putin to hold up his end of a potential peace deal. April 24 I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! In a Truth Social post, Trump reacted to Russia attacking Kyiv with an hourslong barrage of missiles and drones. It was the first of his rare criticism of Putin as Russia stepped up its attacks on Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement April 29 "A lot of his people are dying. Theyre being killed, and I feel very badly about it. Trump addressed the toll on Ukrainians during an interview with ABC News after he met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral. It was the first time the two leaders had met since the Oval Office spat and it signaled a shift in Trump's attitude toward the Ukrainian president. May 25 Ive always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! Trumps Truth Social post made it clear he was losing patience with Putin as Moscow pounded Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement June 25 He was very nice actually. We had a little rough times, sometimes. He was ... Couldnt have been nicer. I think hed like to see an end to this, I do. Trump had a closed-door meeting with Zelenskyy during a NATO summit in The Hague. Trump's comments to reporters later also opened the possibility of sending Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine. July 8 We get a lot of bull--t thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth. Hes very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless. Trump also said he was not happy with Putin and that the war was killing a lot of people on both sides. Trump's comments during a Cabinet meeting came a day after he said the United States would send more weapons to Ukraine. It was a dramatic reversal after earlier announcing a pause in the delivery of previously approved firepower to Kyiv, a decision that was made amid concerns that Americas military stockpiles had declined too much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement July 13 I am very disappointed with President Putin, I thought he was somebody that meant what he said. Hell talk so beautifully and then hell bomb people at night. We dont like that. Trump's remarks to reporters came as Russia has intensified its aerial attacks. July 14 I dont want to say hes an assassin, but hes a tough guy. Its been proven over the years. Hes fooled a lot of people before. Trump pushed harder against Putin during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Trump said if there was no deal to end the war within 50 days, the U.S. would impose secondary tariffs, meaning taxes would target Russias trading partners in an effort to isolate Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Rutte also discussed a rejuvenated pipeline for U.S. weapons. European allies planned to buy military equipment and then transfer it to Ukraine. Aug. 15 "Theres no deal until theres a deal." Trump failed to secure an agreement from Putin during a summit in Alaska even after rolling out the red carpet for the man who started the war. Trump had wanted to show off his deal-making skills. Instead, he handed Putin long-sought recognition on the international stage after years of Western efforts to make Putin a pariah over the war and his crackdown on dissent, and forestalled the threat of additional U.S. sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sept. 23 Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like 'a paper tiger.' Trump posted on social media soon after meeting with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly gathering of world leaders. He also said he believed Ukraine could win back all territory lost to Russia, a departure from Trumps previous suggestions that Ukraine would never be able to reclaim all the territory that Russia has occupied since it seized the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oct. 17 Stop the war immediately. After again hosting Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump implied that Moscow should be allowed keep territory it has taken from Kyiv if doing so could help end the conflict more quickly. You go by the battle line wherever it is otherwise its too complicated, Trump said. You stop at the battle line and both sides should go home, go to their families, stop the killing, and that should be it. Trump had a lengthy phone call with Putin the day before Zelenskyy arrived and announced he soon planned to meet with Putin in Hungary. That meeting never materialized, in part because of a lack of progress on ending the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also signaled to Zelenskyy that the U.S. would not be selling Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles, which the Ukrainians believed could be a game changer in helping prod Putin to the negotiating table. Oct. 22 Hopefully hell become reasonable. Trump made the comment suggesting Putin could be more favorable to a peace agreement after the Treasury Department announced sanctions against Russias two biggest oil companies and their subsidiaries. But Trump added, And, hopefully Zelenskyy will be reasonable, too. You know, it takes two to tango, as they say. Nov. 21 Hes going to have to approve it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump suggested that Zelenskyy would have to accept the U.S. peace plan. Trump pressed 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 would never be admitted into the NATO military alliance. Trump set a Nov. 27 deadline Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. for Zelenskyy to respond to the plan. Trump also said more time could be allotted to Ukraine as long as progress was made to a lasting peace. Nov. 22 I would like to get to peace. Asked if the peace plan was his final offer, Trump said it was not. He did not elaborate. But his comment suggested he would be willing to negotiate past the Nov. 27 deadline and alter the peace plan in ways that Ukraine wants. Were trying to get it ended. One way or the other, we have to get it ended, Trump said of the war. Senators from both parties who have been critical of Trumps approach to ending the war said they spoke with Rubio, who told them that the plan Trump was pushing Kyiv to accept was actually a wish list of the Russians. The State Department called that account false and Rubio later took the extraordinary step of insisting that the plan was U.S.-authored. But the incident raised still more questions about its ultimate fate. Nov. 23 UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. In a post on his social media site, Trump went after Zelenskyy and the Europeans once more: With strong and proper U.S. and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP Russias invasion of Ukraine would have NEVER HAPPENED," Trump said, again blaming his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, for allowing the conflict in Ukraine. DANVILLE Wreaths Across America needs help to place wreaths at every veterans grave on Dec. 13. There are over 141 locations across Illinois with at least 216,128 veterans buried that will receive wreaths through the organizations volunteers. Weve seen exponential growth, actually. At this time last year, we had 40,909 locations, said Rachael Wilson, Public Relations Coordinator for Wreaths Across America. And then this year we have over 5,600, so 700 cemeteries across the US have signed up this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the organization will be at Danvilles National Cemetery on Dec. 13 to lay wreaths, they also lay wreaths in other cemeteries. And the effort goes beyond the symbolism of laying a wreath to education in classrooms across the country. Wilson said there are lesson plans available on their website. She said, There are a Revolutionary period of lesson plans, and we just got them all in Spanish. So Im pretty excited about that, because, you know, as well as I do, if you cover school districts, but a lot of times Spanish second language gets left behind a little more, and we want to make sure that doesnt happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you want to get involved, you can, no matter your age. There are ways schools can get involved; a third of our volunteers are kids, Wilson said. They love it. To find locations near you to volunteer with, head on over to their website: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org, and through the search feature, you can find participating locations near you. If you would like to sponsor a wreath for a specific veteran, you can also do that on their website. Sponsorship for a wreath is $17. You can also simply show up at a participating cemetery on Dec. 13 to help as well. It would be disingenuous for us as an organization whose mission is to Remember, Honor, and Teach, if we did not also support like-minded programs serving their communities, said Karen Worcester, WAA Executive Director. Our Group Sponsorship Program is a year-round effort, and our programs provide the tools so donors can be confident their support benefits a local cause. An investigation is underway after a wrong-way driver caused a head-on wreck that shut down part of Interstate 495 in Mansfield early Sunday morning, authorities said. Troopers responding to reports of a driver traveling the wrong way on the southbound side of the highway found two vehicles that had crashed, according to Massachusetts State Police. The driver of one of the vehicles was rushed to Boston Medical Center with serious injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video from the scene showed heavy front-end damage to both vehicles and debris littering the road. The highway was closed to motorists for hours during the emergency response, with the left travel lane opening shortly after 2:30 a.m. State police didnt say if charges had been filed against the wrong-way driver. There were no additional details immediately available. The Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction and Crime Scene Services sections are investigating. 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 Individuals named Oba typically exhibit strong leadership qualities, natural authority, and a commanding presence that draws respect from others. They often possess an innate sense of responsibility and tend to be protective of those in their care, demonstrating the paternal qualities associated with traditional rulers. Oba's are frequently characterized by their decisive nature, strategic thinking, and ability to make difficult decisions under pressure. They value tradition and stability while also understanding the importance of adaptation and progress. Their personality often blends wisdom with practicality, and they tend to be excellent mediators who can navigate complex social situations with grace and diplomacy. While they may appear reserved or formal in public, those close to them often discover a deeply caring and loyal individual who takes their responsibilities seriously but also knows when to show compassion and understanding. The name carries expectations of dignity and honor, and those named Oba often internalize these values, developing a strong moral compass and sense of duty that guides their actions and relationships throughout life. Watch the full town hall in the video player lower in the story NEWPORT, Ore. (KOIN) The recent Trump administration decision to relocate the US Coast Guard helicopter from Newport has generated local outrage, lawsuits and a town hall with Sen. Ron Wyden. Nearly 500 people, including citizens, county commissioners, and state representatives attended Wydens 1,138th town hall at the Newport High School gym Sunday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How many of you want the Coast Guard helicopter back? Oregons senior senator began, followed by a roar of applause. Dad, 5-year-old rescued by Coast Guard along Oregon coast Questions for the senator came on a breadth of topics regarding Social Security, his stance on Gaza, even his teams probe into the financials of Jeffrey Epstein. However, primary focus was on the sudden removal of a US Coast Guard helicopter from the Newport airport, as well as rumored plans for an ICE facility at the municipal airport on the land where the helicopter was based. Sen. Ron Wyden held a town hall at the Newport High School gym, November 23, 2025 (KOIN) The first thing we have to do to really win on ICE policies is to make it clear to people in this country that Donald Trump is not doing what he said he would do in 2024, Wyden said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wyden said he wants the helicopter returned now. We heard today from a commander, a pleasant guy, but didnt have any authority, started talking about how this might take two years. And I explained to him, we need help now. And if people are in that water for two minutes, we may never see them again, Wyden said. Wyden also commended the recent actions of local teen Abriladam Martinez, who spoke out at a Newport City Council this week, after claiming her mother was harassed by ICE agents and her father was taken away. I dont think anyone wants an ICE building here, she said. If the ICE facility was here, it would drag away tourists. No one would want to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan reiterated the city and community are also adamantly against it. Wyden asserted one way to combat this is to continue to make the case that these abuses are so flagrant, after Trump previously pledged to deport the worst of the worst. Instead, a majority of people detained by ICE have no criminal convictions. This Oregon highway among most dangerous roads in the US for winter holiday travel, analysis finds State Rep. David Gomberg (D-Lincoln and Western Benton & Lane Counties), who made an appearance on the Rachel Maddow Show on Monday, detailed his communitys resistance to the planned ICE building. Oregon State Rep. David Gomberg (D-Lincoln County) speaks at a town hall for Sen. Ron Wyden at the Newport High School gym, November 23, 2025 (KOIN) The federal government needs to show Newport some respect and the simple courtesy of being honest with us, Rep. Gomberg told the town hall crowd. Because they snuck the helicopter out in the dead of night and didnt tell anybody. Now theyre tying to sneak an ICE facility in here again and not tell anybody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Gomberg and Wyden added no one at the federal level, even the Coast Guard commander they spoke with, would answer their questions to their satisfaction. Well stay at it until we get answers, Wyden said. A member of the Newport Fishermens Wives speaks at a town hall for Sen. Ron Wyden at the Newport High School gym, November 23, 2025 (KOIN) While it has not been directly confirmed if the ICE facility will be built, Gomberg said there are signs. For one, he claimed a constituent sent him a picture this week of a white Immigration and Naturalization Service helicopter taken off the beaches of Lincoln County, leading him to believe the helicopters removal and the potential ICE facility are related. Theyre continuing to talk to property owners about a place that they can base this facility. They are continuing to reach out to small businesses and see who can deliver water to some facility at the airport, Gomberg said. And theyre putting job postings online for detention officers, for bus drivers, for medical personnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the full town hall in the video below He continued, I am not prepared to exchange the orange Coast Guard helicopters for a white INS helicopter here. We deserve an honest answer from the federal government about what theyve got planned. Once we know what theyve got planned, we can begin to do something about it. Attendees said having the Coast Guard helicopter is a safety issue, that removing the chopper puts fishermens lives at risk. I think this is a bipartisan issue. Its not red-blue-anything state, one man said. Its all of us as a community. And we need your help. It isnt just the fishermen, its the tourists, one man said. And this last fall in Waldport, there was a small bay crabber thats engine failed and was sucked out. If that helicopter hadnt been here half hour later from Coos Bay that man would have been dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taunette Dixon with the Newport Fishermens Wives said, This is a priority. It should never have left. And the sad part is we didnt even know it left. Sen. Ron Wyden held a town hall at the Newport High School gym, November 23, 2025 (KOIN) Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is among those intending to sue the Department of Homeland Security after the decision to remove the helicopter was announced. Rayfields office argued the sudden overnight removal of the helicopter to North Bend without any public notice or risk assessments is in violation of federal law. The AGs Office said the US Coast Guard previously tried to close the Newport Air Facility back in 2014. However, the decision was challenged in federal court and Congress ultimately prevented the closure. The US Coast Guard Air Facility in Newport, Oregon, November 23, 2025 (KOIN) The State of Oregon will officially file its lawsuit on Monday. Other lawsuits from the Newport Fishermens Wives and Lincoln County were filed Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the town hall, a spokeswoman for the Fishermens Wives said they are also trying to file an injunction to get the helicopter back before the start of crab season. Its been in our community for 40 years, she said. It saved lives that wouldnt have been saved had it not been here. Its really important for us to fight. Department of Homeland Security response In a statement to KOIN 6 News attributed to DHS Spokesperson, the agency brushed off the pending lawsuits: These efforts to micromanage U.S. Coast Guard operations via lawsuit are completely intrusive, and they obstruct the work of the Services patriotic men and women. The Coast Guard is always ready to respond to search and rescue needs on the Oregon Coast, just as it always has been. Any suggestion otherwise is an insult to the hard, heroic work the men and women of the Coast Guard put in every day. 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 KOIN.com. When Chinas top leaders gathered in Beijings Great Hall of the People last month, the focus wasnt on who was in the room but who was missing. Photos from the major planning meeting, known as the Fourth Plenum, showed conspicuous rows of empty seats below the bright red curtains and national emblem. In fact, the meeting had the lowest attendance rate in almost 50 years. Nearly 20 per cent of the Communist Partys central committee and nearly half of the chief military organ the Central Military Commission (CMC) were absent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days before Chinas leadership convened, the countrys defence ministry confirmed that nine senior generals had been fired. These included He Weidong, who had served as vice-chairman of the CMC and was the second-highest-ranking official in Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). At least 50 figures across Chinas political and military system have been confirmed to have been pushed aside since Xi Jinping launched his anti-corruption campaign in 2012. But the seniority and expertise of the latest nine have fuelled speculation surrounding Beijings military plans, or the lack thereof. Xis push for Taiwan Mr Xi has made clear that his top priority is the reunification of Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force in bringing the country under Chinese rule. While many in the West believe that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be imminent especially after Mr Xi reportedly said he wanted his troops prepared by 2027 experts told The Telegraph that it was unlikely the Chinese leader would be wiping out so many key players and leaving their seats vacant if this was the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the nine generals fired in October, seven had previously served in the Eastern Theatre Command (ETC), which is responsible for Taiwan planning. Mr He specifically was seen as a key architect of the Taiwan contingency. He Weidong has been replaced by Zhang Shengmin as Chinas second highest-ranking general - Florence Lo/Reuters Wen-Ti Sung, a fellow at the Atlantic Councils Global China Hub, said: Removal of the PLAs Taiwan specialists probably dialled Chinas doomsday clock on Taiwan invasion plans. No rational actor would attempt to launch complex missions like a Taiwan invasion with close to half of the top-level chain of command falling off the chain. Close ally expelled Most analysts agree that the primary motivation for the purges is ridding the party of corruption and ensuring that all loyalty remains firmly with Mr Xi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those reasons, Mr Hes dismissal came as a surprise to many because he was believed to be one of the Chinese leaders closest allies. The disgraced general was a member of the Fujian clique, a network of officers who knew Mr Xi during his time in Fujian province from 1985 to 2002. His expulsion added another jolt to an already shaky system. Lyle Morris, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said: Morale is really low. Everyone is looking over their shoulder and everyone is worried that their patronage network of getting promoted through the ranks is being questioned and scrutinised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some China watchers maintain that within a highly centralised system like the PLA it does not matter who sits in what seat, others, like Mr Morris, disagree, especially when it comes to Taiwan. Theres no way it cant affect planning for a Taiwan contingency, he said. He Weidong was one of the most experienced planners for a Taiwan contingency, probably in the top two or three, and now hes gone and all his underlings are gone. That affects planning all throughout the force, theres a trickle down effect. Credit: Taiwan Military News Agency Alongside Mr He, Lin Xiangyang, the head of the ETC, as well as Miao Hua, the director of the CMCs political work department who had previously served in the frontline unit stationed directly across from Taiwan, were also both confirmed to be out in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Wang Zhongcai, the commander of the ETCs navy, and Ding Laifu, the commander of the a group army within the ETC, are both believed to have been under investigation since March. Michael Clarke, a senior defence and security lecturer at Deakin University, said the demise of so many of those with Taiwan-specific experience likely means that Mr Xi is either not confident of the ETC or the PLA Navys abilities to carry off a protracted blockade and/or amphibious assault on Taiwan or that the relative clean-out of the top levels of the ETC and PLA navy means that Mr Xi may have to explore alternative approaches/strategies to reunify Taiwan. Struggles at the top Mr Hes removal has also been seen as a sign of Mr Xis loyalty to Zhang Youxia, the first-ranked vice chairman of the CMC. While there has long-been speculation of a feud between the two men, K. Tristan Tang, an associate fellow at Secure Taiwan Associate Corporation, doesnt think that this is the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Xi seemed to go out of his way to protect Mr Youxia from an earlier wave of purges in 2023 and continues to travel outside of Beijing, which he would not do if his leadership was at risk, said Mr Tang. More importantly, if he was really worried about Zhang Youxia, he would not purge He Weidong, his loyalist from Fujian and a good friend, he said. Mr Hes dismissal has also been interpreted as an endorsement of Mr Youxias more traditional combat-readiness approach, compared to Mr Hes non-kinetic methods of reconnaissance and harassment. Mr He was a leading proponent of Chinas grey zone harassment of Taiwan intimidation tactics that fall short of warfare but are intended to destabilise the country ahead of an invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, while Mr Tang found that there has been a drop in the number of joint combat readiness patrols around Taiwan since August a few months after Mr He was first rumoured to be under investigation other grey zone tactics, such as cyber attacks and aerial incursions, are still on the rise. Analysts have also looked at Mr Hes replacement, Zhang Shengmin, for potential insight on the PLAs agenda. Mr Shengmin is seen as the tsar of the anti-corruption campaign and spent most of his career as the former political commissar of the PLAs rocket force. Some believe that Mr Shengmins past experience in the rocket force signals that the PLA will shift even more towards its missile programme, while others see his appointment simply as a placeholder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would not recommend jumping to conclusions to use who is being an acting officer or acting commander as an indicator for Xi Jinpings new direction because a lot of people are being purged, said Mr Tang. Who becomes an acting commander today could be purged in the coming months. 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. UN climate deal increases money to countries hit by climate change, but no explicit fossil fuel plan United Nations climate talks in Brazil have reached a subdued agreement to deliver more money to countries hit hardest by climate change to help them adapt to the wrath of extreme weather Air quality now shapes the way India travels. It determines where people go for yoga sessions, where they take sunrise walks, and even whether that hot cup of chai is sipped indoors or outside. After Diwali, when much of North India turns grey, travellers start looking elsewhere to the hills, coastlines, and quieter towns where the air feels young again. From this shift, a subtle new travel pattern is emerging: the clean-air escape, where the true indulgence is simply being able to breathe deeply. International arms embargoes, UN sanctions, and post-conflict restrictions have stripped multiple nations of their right to operate modern fighter jets. From war-torn states to rogue regimes, these countries face comprehensive bans preventing them from acquiring combat aircraft. Here are seven nations permanently grounded by the international community and the devastating reasons behind their enforced disarmament. Old Delhi wakes up with the scent of hot ghee, frying dough and simmering gravies. The narrow lanes fill with footsteps long before sunrise because people trust the food here. Visitors come from nearby towns and even distant cities. The charm comes from old shops that follow recipes passed down for generations. These kitchens set the tone for the day and they give Old Delhi its place in every food lovers heart. In a dramatic blow to Pakistans military credibility, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Noor Wali Mehsud has resurfaced in a video, decisively shattering Islamabads false claims of his elimination. The notorious terrorist, emerging from within Pakistan itself, accused the army of orchestrating a calculated disinformation campaign to deceive both its citizens and the global community. Women named Olinda are typically perceived as strong, nurturing individuals with a natural protective instinct. They often exhibit a calm, steady demeanor combined with remarkable inner strength, making them reliable pillars in their families and communities. Their protective nature extends beyond physical safety to emotional support and guidance, often taking on roles as mediators and caretakers. Olindas tend to be deeply intuitive and empathetic, able to sense when others need support or protection. They balance traditional values with modern sensibilities, often serving as bridges between generations while maintaining their own strong sense of identity and purpose. Their strength is typically quiet rather than overt, expressed through consistent support and unwavering loyalty to those they care about. This combination of gentle nurturing and firm protection makes them particularly effective in roles that require both compassion and resilience. The name Onslow typically evokes associations with reliability, dignity, and traditional values. Those bearing this name are often perceived as steady, principled individuals who approach life with careful consideration and moral conviction. The 'hill' element suggests someone who maintains perspective and doesn't get swept up in temporary enthusiasms, while the 'zealous' component indicates deep commitment to their beliefs and causes. This creates a personality profile of someone who is both grounded and passionateable to maintain composure in challenging situations while being deeply devoted to what matters to them. Onslows are often seen as natural leaders who lead by example rather than force, possessing the quiet authority that comes from consistency and integrity. They tend to value tradition and continuity while being open to measured progress, making them effective bridges between established ways and necessary innovation. Their strength lies in their ability to combine steadfastness with thoughtful action. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Othman holds profound cultural significance across multiple civilizations. In Islamic history, Othman ibn Affan represents one of the most important figures as the third Caliph, known for his piety, generosity, and leadership during the early expansion of Islam. His reign saw the standardization of the Quran and significant territorial growth of the Muslim empire. The name became particularly prominent in Ottoman history, where Othman I founded the Ottoman Empire that would endure for over six centuries. In German-speaking regions, the name Othman evolved as a variant that maintained its noble connotations while adapting to European linguistic patterns, often associated with merchant families and prosperous households. The name carries layers of historical weight, connecting Islamic caliphates, Ottoman sultanates, and European aristocracy through its enduring legacy of leadership and prosperity. The cultural resonance of Othman extends beyond religious and political spheres into economic and social contexts. Throughout history, bearers of this name have often been associated with mercantile success and financial acumen, reflecting the original meaning of 'wealthy.' In modern multicultural societies, the name serves as a bridge between Eastern and Western traditions, representing the successful integration of Islamic heritage within global contexts. The German adaptation of the name demonstrates how cultural exchange has enriched naming traditions, creating a name that honors historical roots while remaining accessible in contemporary international settings. Individuals named Otthilde are typically characterized by a remarkable blend of pragmatic intelligence and underlying strength that manifests as quiet confidence rather than overt aggression. They tend to be strategic thinkers who consider multiple perspectives before acting, reflecting the 'fortunate' aspect of their name through their ability to recognize and capitalize on opportunities that others might miss. Their natural authority often emerges in crisis situations, where they demonstrate calm leadership and the ability to make difficult decisions without losing sight of humanitarian concerns. Otthildes typically value loyalty and tradition while remaining open to innovation when it serves a greater good, creating a balanced approach to life's challenges that earns them respect across different social contexts. In interpersonal relationships, Otthildes are often the steady anchors in their families and communitiesdependable, protective, and generous with their wisdom and resources. They tend to form deep, lasting bonds rather than numerous superficial connections, and their friendships are characterized by mutual respect and unwavering support. While they can be reserved in expressing emotions, their actions consistently demonstrate their care and commitment to others' wellbeing. Professionally, they often excel in roles that require both strategic thinking and ethical leadership, such as education, community organization, or cultural preservation. The combination of fortune and battle in their name's meaning seems to manifest as an innate understanding that true prosperity includes the responsibility to protect and nurture what one values, creating individuals who are both successful and socially conscious. In contemporary naming practices, Quentin occupies an interesting niche as a name that feels both classic and contemporary. Its popularity has remained relatively stable in English-speaking countries, avoiding the dramatic peaks and valleys that characterize more trendy names. In the United States, it consistently ranks in the 300-400 range, making it familiar enough to be easily recognized but uncommon enough to maintain distinction. The name enjoys particular resonance among families with French heritage or those who appreciate European sophistication. Interestingly, Quentin has developed something of a dual personality in modern usageit's equally at home in academic circles, where its Latin roots and historical significance are appreciated, and in creative industries, where its association with Quentin Tarantino gives it an edgy, artistic credibility. The name's steady popularity suggests it has found a sweet spot between being too common and too obscure, appealing to parents who want a name with substance that won't be shared by multiple classmates. Its international variants also make it adaptable for families with multicultural backgrounds or global aspirations. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Rez holds particular significance in Hungarian culture as a diminutive form of Rezso, which itself is the Hungarian equivalent of the German name 'Rudolf.' The name's connection to 'copper-headed' reflects the historical Hungarian appreciation for distinctive physical characteristics, particularly hair color, which often served as identifying features in communities. In Hungarian naming traditions, shortened forms like Rez demonstrate the cultural preference for affectionate, informal versions of formal names, reflecting the close-knit family structures and communal values prevalent in Hungarian society. The name also carries resonance in modern contexts, particularly among diaspora communities where shorter, more internationally recognizable names are preferred while maintaining cultural roots. In contemporary Hungarian culture, Rez represents a bridge between traditional naming conventions and modern simplicity, appealing to parents seeking names that honor heritage while being practical for global citizenship. The copper reference connects to Hungary's historical mining traditions and the value placed on natural resources and craftsmanship. Cultural & Historical Significance Rikward is a distinctive variant of the classic name Richard, which has deep roots in Christian European tradition. The name emerged from Germanic origins, combining elements meaning 'ruler' and 'hardy' or 'strong,' reflecting the medieval Christian ideal of strong leadership combined with moral fortitude. Throughout European history, bearers of this name have often been associated with nobility, leadership, and protection, embodying the Christian virtues of strength in service to others. The name gained prominence during the Middle Ages through various saints and rulers, particularly in German-speaking regions where the 'Rikward' spelling variation became established. In Christian contexts, the name came to symbolize the ideal of the strong guardiannot just in physical protection but in spiritual leadership and moral guidance. This made it particularly popular among families seeking to instill values of responsibility, protection, and faithful leadership in their sons. During the Reformation and subsequent centuries, the name maintained its Christian associations while adapting to different cultural contexts across Europe. Its enduring appeal lies in its combination of strength and virtue, making it a name that conveys both power and moral characterqualities highly valued in Christian tradition. Cultural & Historical Significance Rodrik holds profound cultural significance rooted in Germanic and Norse traditions, where names were not merely identifiers but carried deep meanings and expectations. The name's components'hrod' (fame) and 'ric' (ruler)reflect the values of early Germanic societies that prized reputation, leadership, and martial prowess. Throughout medieval Europe, particularly in regions influenced by Viking expansion and Frankish rule, Rodrik and its variations became associated with nobility and military command. The name appears in numerous historical records and sagas, often borne by figures who shaped regional politics and warfare. In Scottish history, the name gained particular prominence through noble families who traced their lineage to Norse-Gaelic rulers, creating a cultural bridge between Scandinavian and Celtic traditions. The persistence of Rodrik across centuries demonstrates how certain names transcend their original contexts to become symbols of enduring leadership qualities and cultural continuity in Northern European societies. The name's cultural journey mirrors the historical movements of Germanic peoples across Europe. From its Old German origins, Rodrik spread through Frankish territories into France and Spain (as Rodrigue and Rodrigo), while Norse versions traveled with Vikings to Russia (as Rurik) and the British Isles. This diffusion created a fascinating cultural tapestry where the same core name developed distinct regional characteristics while maintaining its essential meaning. In modern times, Rodrik continues to evoke images of medieval nobility and northern resilience, making it a popular choice in historical fiction and fantasy literature. Its cultural significance lies not just in its historical usage but in its ability to convey specific qualities of leadership, tradition, and strength across different eras and media. 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Having grown up in a position that typically required compromise and finding one's place within family dynamics, Saburos often develop strong diplomatic skills and the ability to mediate conflicts. They are frequently seen as reliable supporters rather than leaders, possessing a practical mindset and good problem-solving abilities. Many Saburos exhibit a balanced approach to life, combining traditional values with modern adaptability, and they often excel in roles that require patience, persistence, and the ability to work well with others. Their personality is frequently characterized by a quiet confidence rather than overt ambition, making them valued team members and trusted colleagues in professional settings. This alignment with traditional expectations doesn't necessarily limit their individuality, but rather provides a foundation from which they can develop unique strengths and perspectives that serve them well in both personal and professional contexts. Women named Salihah are typically characterized by their strong moral foundation, emotional intelligence, and natural inclination toward harmony and justice. They possess an innate ability to understand multiple perspectives, making them excellent mediators in conflicts and valued advisors in both personal and professional settings. Their agreeable nature stems not from weakness but from a conscious choice to approach life with compassion and wisdom. Salihahs often demonstrate remarkable patience and perseverance when facing challenges, drawing strength from their deep spiritual or philosophical beliefs. They are known for their reliability and consistency - once they commit to a person or principle, they remain steadfast in their dedication. Their sense of justice is highly developed, often leading them to advocate for the marginalized or speak against injustice, though they typically do so with diplomacy and tact. While they may appear reserved in unfamiliar situations, those who earn their trust discover warm, engaging personalities with sharp intellects and subtle humor. Salihahs balance traditional values with modern adaptability, making them effective in various social contexts while maintaining their core identity. Their combination of moral strength and emotional intelligence often positions them as natural leaders who inspire through example rather than authority. In contemporary naming practices, Scanlon occupies an interesting space between traditional surname and emerging given name. While predominantly used as a last name, it has gained traction as a distinctive first name particularly in Irish-American communities seeking to honor heritage without choosing overly common Irish names. The name's popularity follows broader trends of surname adoption as first names, though Scanlon remains relatively rare and sophisticated. Current usage data shows it's most prevalent in urban areas with strong Irish cultural presence like Boston, Chicago, and New York. The name carries an academic and professional aura in modern contexts, often associated with individuals in law, journalism, and academia. Social media analysis reveals that people named Scanlon frequently engage in intellectual and cultural discussions, living up to the name's meaning of 'contentious' in its most positive sense. The name's distinctive sound and clear Irish origins give it appeal for parents seeking names that are both meaningful and uncommon, suggesting it may see gradual increase in usage as cultural names continue their popularity surge. Cultural & Historical Significance Stanhope originated as an English surname derived from a place name in County Durham, England, meaning 'stony hollow.' The name gained prominence through the aristocratic Stanhope family, which produced several notable figures in British history including statesmen, military leaders, and intellectuals. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the name became associated with the English gentry and was often used to denote someone of respectable lineage or connection to the landed classes. The name carries strong English cultural connotations and has been particularly prevalent in Christian naming traditions, often chosen for its distinguished sound and historical connections to notable families who contributed significantly to British political and cultural life. The Stanhope family's legacy includes influential politicians like Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, known for his letters on manners and education, and Lady Hester Stanhope, the adventurous traveler and archaeologist. This historical weight gives the name an air of tradition, education, and social standing that has persisted through generations. Women named Talawat are often perceived as embodying the grace and elegance suggested by their name's meaning. They typically exhibit a natural poise and refined demeanor that draws people to them, combined with a thoughtful and contemplative nature that allows them to navigate social situations with remarkable tact and sensitivity. Their graceful presence often makes them natural peacemakers who can diffuse tension and bring harmony to challenging situations. Beyond their external grace, Talawats tend to possess strong inner strength and resilience. They approach life with a balanced perspective, combining traditional values with modern adaptability. Their intelligence is often expressed through creative or artistic channels, and they have a particular talent for understanding subtle emotional currents in relationships. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their depth of character, loyalty, and the quiet wisdom they bring to their friendships and family relationships. Individuals named Terciero are often perceived as balanced, diplomatic, and naturally inclined toward mediation. Growing up with a name that literally means 'third,' they frequently develop strong skills in negotiation and conflict resolution, often finding themselves in the role of peacemaker among friends, family, and colleagues. This positioning as the 'middle ground' cultivates an ability to see multiple perspectives and find compromise where others see only opposition. Tercieros typically exhibit a methodical, patient approach to problem-solving and are known for their reliability and consistency. There's often a strong sense of tradition and family loyalty, coupled with an innovative streak that allows them to honor the past while adapting to modern circumstances. Many Tercieros display remarkable resilience and adaptabilityqualities that may stem from the historical significance of being a 'third son' who traditionally had to forge his own path rather than relying on inheritance or established family positions. Psychologically, the name seems to influence individuals toward developing strong observational skills and strategic thinking. They often excel in careers that require careful analysis, planning, and the ability to understand complex systems. The numerical association with 'three' also suggests creative potential, as three represents the synthesis of ideas and the birth of new concepts from existing elements. This combination of traditional values and innovative thinking makes Tercieros particularly effective in bridging generational or cultural gaps. Cultural & Historical Significance Thornley originated as an English surname derived from place names in Lancashire and Durham, referring to settlements near thorny clearings or meadows. The name carries strong Christian symbolism through its association with thorns, which appear in biblical narratives including the Crown of Thorns placed on Jesus during his crucifixion. This connection gives the name spiritual depth within Christian tradition, representing both suffering and redemption. Throughout English history, Thornley evolved from a geographical identifier to a hereditary surname during the Norman period. The name's distribution reflects English settlement patterns, with concentrations in northern England. As a given name, Thornley gained popularity during the Victorian era when surname-based first names became fashionable, particularly among families wanting to honor their ancestral connections to specific locations. The name maintains its English cultural roots while carrying universal Christian symbolism. Cultural & Historical Significance Tilford originated as an English surname derived from a place name in Surrey, England, referring to a 'fertile ford' or productive river crossing. The name carries strong English heritage and was particularly common among families living near river crossings where the land was exceptionally fertile for agriculture. As a Christian name, Tilford gained popularity during the Victorian era when surnames began being used as first names, often chosen to honor family lineage or geographical connections. The name reflects the importance of agriculture and land fertility in English culture, symbolizing prosperity and natural abundance. Throughout history, bearers of this name have often been associated with land ownership, farming communities, and rural traditions, maintaining connections to England's agricultural heritage. In Christian contexts, the name's association with fertility and abundance aligns with biblical themes of God's provision and the promised land flowing with milk and honey. The ford element also carries spiritual symbolism, representing safe passage and transition, which resonates with Christian concepts of baptism and spiritual crossing into new life. Symbolically, Tilly represents the elegant fusion of strength and gracethe concept that true power can be gentle yet unyielding. It embodies the paradox of being both a protector and a nurturer, suggesting someone who fights for others while maintaining compassion. The name carries connotations of resilience that bends but doesn't break, much like willow branches that withstand storms through flexibility. In color symbolism, Tilly might be associated with deep rosecombining the passion of red with the softness of pink. It represents the modern understanding of feminine strength: not as aggression but as steadfastness, intelligence, and emotional fortitude. The name suggests someone who carries historical legacy while writing new stories, bridging tradition and innovation. Symbolically, Tilly embodies the idea that the mightiest warriors are often those who fight with wisdom rather than weapons, protecting through presence rather than force. It represents the strength found in authenticity and the power of remaining true to one's values in a changing world. Individuals named Txanton are often perceived as having a strong sense of identity and cultural pride, reflecting the name's deep Basque roots. They tend to be resilient and determined, characteristics that mirror the historical perseverance of Basque culture. Many Txantons are described as having a dual nature - both traditional and innovative, much like the name itself which combines ancient elements in a modern construction. They often exhibit loyalty to family and community, with a strong sense of responsibility toward preserving cultural heritage. At the same time, they frequently demonstrate adaptability and practical problem-solving skills, balancing respect for tradition with forward-thinking approaches. This combination makes them effective bridge-builders between generations and cultures. Their personality often reflects the name's meaning of 'adding value' while recognizing inherent worth in people and traditions. Individuals named Umayr are traditionally associated with qualities of resilience, wisdom, and steadfastness. The name carries connotations of someone who is thoughtful and deliberate in their actions, often displaying a calm demeanor even in challenging situations. They are typically perceived as reliable and trustworthy individuals who value deep connections with family and community. The historical pattern suggests people with this name tend to be introspective yet decisive when action is required. The historical bearers of this name demonstrated courage in their convictions and a willingness to transform themselves for higher principles, suggesting personality traits of introspection, moral strength, and the capacity for significant personal growth. These individuals often exhibit leadership qualities tempered with humility and a strong sense of responsibility toward those they care about. They are generally respected for their integrity and ability to maintain composure under pressure, making them natural mediators and trusted advisors in their social circles. Individuals named Valicia are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of strength and grace. The 'val' component suggests resilience, determination, and inner fortitude, while the 'alicia' element contributes qualities of elegance, intelligence, and social grace. This combination typically results in women who are both assertive and diplomatic, capable of standing firm in their convictions while maintaining harmonious relationships. Valicias are often described as natural leaders who lead with empathy and wisdom rather than authority alone. They tend to be creative problem-solvers who approach challenges with both practical logic and intuitive insight. Their dual nature allows them to adapt to various social situations, making them equally comfortable in professional settings and personal relationships. This balance of strength and sensitivity often makes Valicias particularly effective in careers requiring both analytical thinking and emotional intelligence, and they are frequently admired for their ability to navigate complex situations with both confidence and compassion. Individuals named Vanko are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of traditional values and modern adaptability. They typically exhibit strong family loyalty and cultural pride, combined with a practical, grounded approach to life's challenges. Many Vankos are known for their resilience and determination, characteristics that reflect the historical struggles of the Balkan peoples from whom the name originates. They tend to be generous and community-oriented, often putting the needs of others before their own, which aligns with the name's meaning of 'gracious gift.' At the same time, Vankos are frequently described as having strong principles and the courage to stand by their convictions, even when facing opposition. Their personality often balances emotional depth with pragmatic problem-solving skills, making them reliable friends and effective leaders in both personal and professional contexts. Vankos are typically seen as people who bring stability and generosity to their relationships, embodying the concept of being a 'gift' to those around them through their supportive nature and willingness to help others. They often display a quiet confidence that comes from being grounded in their cultural heritage while remaining open to new experiences and perspectives. This combination of traditional roots and contemporary awareness makes Vankos particularly effective at bridging different generations and cultural contexts, often serving as mediators or cultural ambassadors in diverse settings. Individuals named Villette are often perceived as sophisticated, cultured, and possessing a quiet strength. They tend to be introspective and observant, with a deep appreciation for beauty, art, and history. Their connection to the name's meaning of 'estate' or 'small town' often manifests in a grounded personality with strong values and a sense of tradition, combined with the independence suggested by the literary association with Bronte's protagonist. Villettes typically exhibit refined tastes and intellectual curiosity, often excelling in creative or academic pursuits. They may be reserved initially but reveal depth and warmth to those they trust. The name suggests someone who is both practical and romanticable to manage responsibilities while maintaining an appreciation for life's finer aspects. Their strength lies in their resilience and ability to adapt while staying true to their core values, making them reliable friends and thoughtful leaders. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Wafiq holds significant cultural importance in Muslim societies, particularly in Arabic-speaking regions. Derived from the Arabic root 'w-f-q' meaning success and accomplishment, it reflects the Islamic value of striving for excellence and achievement in both worldly and spiritual matters. Historically, the name has been favored among families who wish to bestow upon their sons the blessing of success and the ability to overcome challenges. In Islamic tradition, names carrying positive meanings are highly encouraged as they are believed to influence the bearer's character and destiny. Wafiq embodies the aspiration for a life marked by achievement and fulfillment of goals. The name has been particularly popular among educated and professional families who value the combination of traditional Islamic values with modern success, making it a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary achievement. The name also carries spiritual significance, as the concept of 'tawfiq' (divine success) is central to Islamic theology, representing God's facilitation of human efforts toward righteous goals. This deeper spiritual dimension adds to the name's appeal among devout Muslim families who seek both worldly and spiritual success for their children. Individuals named Wasim are often perceived as possessing natural elegance and charm that extends beyond physical appearance to their demeanor and interactions. They typically exhibit refined social graces, moving through life with a certain poise and dignity that draws others to them. This gracefulness often manifests in their communication style, which tends to be diplomatic and considerate. Wasims are frequently described as having a balanced personalityconfident without being arrogant, friendly without being overly familiar. Their good-looking nature is not just physical but reflects in their approach to lifethey often seek harmony and balance in their personal and professional endeavors. Many Wasims develop strong interpersonal skills and have a natural ability to put others at ease, making them effective in roles requiring diplomacy and social intelligence. They tend to be aesthetically inclined, with an appreciation for beauty in various forms, whether in art, nature, or human relationships. This combination of external grace and internal refinement makes Wasims often successful in careers that value both appearance and substance. LG Electronics said it signed a patent licensing deal with Amazon for the use of its Wi-Fi standard-essential patents, marking a significant step in the company's push to strengthen its position in global technology standards, as per a report by Pulse, the English service of Maeil Business News Korea. The agreement gives Amazon permission to use LG's Wi-Fi technologies in several of its connected products. These include Alexa speakers, Fire TV Stick devices and Fire tablets. These products depend on Wi-Fi to work, and LG's patents cover technologies that are necessary for meeting international Wi-Fi standards. The report says the deal shows LG's continued influence in the field of Wi-Fi standards. Standard-essential patents are important because every company using a specific global standard must rely on the same core technologies. Once a technology becomes part of an international standard, all device makers working with that standard use it, which gives the patent owner clear recognition for its contribution. LG is also holding talks with other global companies that use Wi-Fi technologies. The company plans to expand its patent strength in future areas such as 6G communication, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and vehicle-to-everything connectivity. Cho Hwi-jae, executive vice president and head of LG Electronics' intellectual property center, said the deal reflects the value of the company's work in this field. "This agreement proves the global recognition of LG's Wi-Fi standard-essential patent capabilities. We will continue to lead global technological innovation based on our top-tier patent competitiveness," the report quoted Cho Hwi-jae. By securing agreements with major global players, the company aims to stay competitive as demand for advanced connectivity continues to grow. (ANI) Union Commerrce Minister Piyush Goyal has said that there is a clear indication that India and Israel might finish the first phase of their proposed free trade agreement (FTA) before moving to the whole deal in a second phase. Goyal, while speaking to ANI, said, "There is a possibility that we may finalise the first phase of the FTA first and finalise the entire FTA in two phases," adding that the details would emerge as discussions continued. He said there was "a lot of enthusiasm" during his talks with Israeli ministers. According to him, Israel's agriculture minister showed interest in joining hands with India on technology in farming. Goyal said Israel's expertise in drip irrigation and its progress in agriculture, even with "limited land, limited funds, and limited water," offered lessons India could learn from. He explained that this experience could help both countries grow together. Goyal also said he spoke with Israel's finance minister, who expressed satisfaction that the bilateral investment treaty had been completed. "We also spoke with their finance minister. He expressed satisfaction that the bilateral investment treaty has now been executed between the two countries, and I believe this marks the beginning of a new era of trade relations," he told ANI. Earlier, Goyal said his November 20-22 visit to Israel was "very successful," noting that government leaders and industry representatives there showed strong interest in working more closely with India. He added that this meeting had built a strong base for the next steps in trade discussions between the two nations. He explained that the two countries were now stepping into structured talks after agreeing on the Terms of Reference that would guide the negotiations. Goyal stressed that this step showed the commitment of both governments to deepen economic ties and explore new areas of cooperation. "It was a very successful three-day visit to Israel. There is a great deal of enthusiasm in the industry and the government to further strengthen relations with India. As a result, we finalised and signed the Terms of Reference, which will now begin negotiations for a free trade agreement," Piyush Goyal told reporters. (ANI) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday concluded a successful three-day visit to Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other key leaders. Goyal conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warm wishes to Netanyahu and updated him on his discussions with Minister Nir Barkat and the outcomes of the Business Forum and CEOs Forum. In a post on X, Goyal highlighted the signing of the Terms of Reference to launch Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, expected to boost trade, investment, and technology cooperation. He discussed strengthening innovation ties by combining Israel's hi-tech strengths with India's scale and talent. Goyal sought Netanyahu's guidance on deepening economic and strategic engagement in sectors like agriculture, water, defence, science, technology, and innovation. "Honoured to call on the Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. @Netanyahu, at the conclusion of my three-day visit. Conveyed to him the warm wishes of Prime Minister @NarendraModi ji. Updated him on my discussions with Minister @NirBarkat and the successful holding of Business Forum and CEOs Forum held with over 60-member Indian business delegation that accompanied me. Highlighted the signing of the Terms of Reference to launch FTA negotiations, which will boost trade, investment and technology cooperation. Discussed strengthening our innovation partnership by combining Israel's hi-tech strengths with India's scale and talent. Took his guidance on further deepening bilateral economic and strategic engagement across the sectors of agriculture, water, defence, science & technology and innovation," Piyush Goyal posted on X. The meeting underscores the growing collaboration between India and Israel across economic, technological, and strategic domains, paving the way for expanded cooperation in the years ahead. During his visit to Israel, Goyal held a series of wide-ranging engagements, further strengthening bilateral cooperation across agriculture, technology, innovation and trade. During his meetings on 21 November, Goyal met with the Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Avi Dichter, for a detailed discussion on advancing agricultural collaboration. Minister Dichter briefed 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. Earlier, on 20 November 2025, Goyal commenced his official engagements with a meeting with Israel's Minister of Economy, Barkat. The two leaders reviewed the current trajectory of bilateral trade and explored new areas of cooperation. (ANI) During the discussions, Goyal conveyed warm greetings from the people of India and highlighted opportunities for deeper collaboration across trade, investment, innovation, and technology. During the meeting, Goyal shared the positive outcomes of the recently held Business Forum and CEOs Forum, which brought together business leaders from both countries. He also underscored the first major step towards Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, highlighting its potential to boost economic engagement and facilitate bilateral trade. In a post on social media platform X, he wrote, "Honoured to call on H.E. @Isaac_Herzog, President of the State of Israel. Conveyed the warm greetings of the people of India. Our discussions covered the full spectrum of our strategic partnership, including trade and investment, science & technology, innovation, and deeper economic engagement." Goyal emphasised India's robust growth story and the wide-ranging opportunities available for Israeli partners in sectors such as science and technology, innovation, and investment. The discussions reflected a mutual commitment to deepening economic ties and leveraging each country's strengths for strategic and commercial collaboration, he added. "Shared the positive outcomes of the Business Forum and the CEOs Forum, and the first big step towards FTA negotiations. Also underlined India's robust growth story and the wide-ranging business opportunities for Israeli partners," the post added. Earlier, during his meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Goyal highlighted the successful Business Forum and CEOs Forum, which attracted over 60 members of the Indian business delegation. During his visit to Israel, Goyal held a series of wide-ranging engagements, further strengthening bilateral cooperation across agriculture, technology, innovation and trade. During his meetings on 21 November, Goyal met with Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter for a detailed discussion on advancing agricultural collaboration. Minister Dichter briefed 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. Earlier, on 20 November 2025, Goyal commenced his official engagements with a meeting with Israel's Minister of Economy, Barkat. The two leaders reviewed the current trajectory of bilateral trade and explored new areas of cooperation. (ANI) Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday expressed enthusiasm about the potential for economic ties between India and Israel, adding that the two countries must work hard to strengthen bilateral trade. During the meeting with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who is on an official visit to Israel, Israeli President said, "I'm especially happy that you're here to sign an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), which is so important on the economic level between our nations. So all I can say is now the sky's the limit. We have to work hard on it. But I think we are like-minded in so many things." President Herzog lauded the longstanding relationship between the two nations, and added, "We are very honoured to have you in Israel. As the President of Israel, I must tell you that the impact of India and the affection towards India and Israel is outstanding. I also had the pleasure and honour of meeting your Prime Minister a couple of times in recent years. And I hope to be able to meet your President soon. I think that the relations are excellent, but we can even upgrade them more." Goyal concluded a successful three-day visit to Israel on Sunday, during which he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other key leaders. Goyal conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warm wishes to Netanyahu and updated him on his discussions with Minister Nir Barkat and the outcomes of the Business Forum and CEOs Forum. In a post on X, Goyal highlighted the signing of the Terms of Reference to launch Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, expected to boost trade, investment, and technology cooperation. He discussed strengthening innovation ties by combining Israel's hi-tech strengths with India's scale and talent. Goyal sought Netanyahu's guidance on deepening economic and strategic engagement in sectors like agriculture, water, defence, science, technology, and innovation. "Honoured to call on the Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. @Netanyahu, at the conclusion of my three-day visit. Conveyed to him the warm wishes of Prime Minister @NarendraModi ji. Updated him on my discussions with Minister @NirBarkat and the successful holding of Business Forum and CEOs Forum held with over 60-member Indian business delegation that accompanied me. Highlighted the signing of the Terms of Reference to launch FTA negotiations, which will boost trade, investment and technology cooperation. Discussed strengthening our innovation partnership by combining Israel's hi-tech strengths with India's scale and talent. Took his guidance on further deepening bilateral economic and strategic engagement across the sectors of agriculture, water, defence, science & technology and innovation," Piyush Goyal posted on X. Both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to boosting bilateral trade, investment and technological cooperation, and expressed confidence that negotiations would proceed constructively towards a balanced and mutually beneficial FTA. During his visit, 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. According to the official information, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Israel in 1992, bilateral trade and economic relations have progressed rapidly. From USD 200 million in 1992 (primarily diamonds), merchandise trade has diversified and reached a peak of USD 10.77 billion (excluding defence) in FY 2022-23. In FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25, bilateral trade (excluding defence) was USD 6.53 billion and USD 3.75 billion, respectively, reflecting a decline due to the regional security situation and disruptions to trade routes. During PM Modi's visit to Israel in July 2017, both sides signed and exchanged 7 MoUs covering innovation, technology, water, agriculture, and space & science. A USD 40 million India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) for joint projects was also set up. During the visit of the Prime Minister of Israel to India in January 2018, the two countries signed nine agreements in various sectors, including cyber security, oil and gas, solar energy, space science, air transport, medicines, and film production. (ANI) After impressive showings at both the Kolkata International Film Festival and the Jagran International Film Festival, the documentary 'Where The Heart' drew a packed audience at the screening in IFFI 2025. The documentary was screened at the Indian Panorama section. It was written and directed by Ulka Mayur. The film had its international premiere last month at Toronto's International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA). It is produced by Mayur Puri, with Mannan Shaah and Ulka Mayur as co-producers. According to the press note shared by the makers, 'Where The Heart' chronicles Umesh Garate's yearly journey from Mumbai to his ancestral village to celebrate the Ganapati festival. Through this intimate homecoming, the film explores themes of family bonds, migration, belonging, and the subtle yet powerful changes taking place in rural life. "It's wonderful to see the film receiving such warm appreciation on the festival circuit. We had a houseful screening today. The film is charting its own path from Toronto to Kolkata, Mumbai, and now Goa. It's gratifying that audiences are embracing storytelling across diverse formats," said director Ulka Mayur. The documentary is scheduled for its second screening at IFFI on November 24. The 56th International Film Festival of India is currently underway in Goa. It will run till November 28. (ANI) According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the day began with the grand closing of the 48-hour Challenge of Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT), capturing the exhaustion, relief, and elation of the young filmmakers as they presented their final works. The PIB Media Centre was the pulsating heart of the festival, hosting a series of major press conferences. Directors and actors from the films 'De Tal Palo' (Ivan Dariel Ortiz Landron, Jose Felix Gomez) and 'Pike River' (Robert Sarkies) discussed their compelling narratives, while the teams behind 'Seaside Serendipity' (Tomomi Yoshimura) and 'Tiger' (Anshul Chauhan, Kosei Kudo, Mina Moteki) highlighted the strong presence of Asian cinema. Indian regional cinema and documentaries shone brightly, with Sandesh Kadur, Paresh Mokashi, and Debangkar Borgohain addressing the media for their distinct films: 'Nilgiris - A Shared Wilderness,' 'Mukkam Post Bombilwadi,' and 'Sikaar', as per the release by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The highlight of Day 04 was the much-anticipated Masterclass: 'Giving Up is NOT a Choice!'. Legendary actor and speaker Anupam Kher held the audience spellbound at Kala Academy, delivering a powerful and motivational address that cemented the day's theme of resilience and passion, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting press release. It was followed by the conversation session between Vishal Bhardwaj and B Ajaneesh Loknath, participating with Sudhir Srinivasan in the 'In-Conversation: Lata Mangeshkar Memorial Talk' on the theme "The Rhythms of India: From the Himalayas to the Deccan". The ongoing IFFI will run till November 28, 2025. (ANI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed to investigate irregularities in land acquisition cases for the Bengaluru Development and Irrigation departments, and added that officials and lawyers found responsible would face suspension. "We are forming an SIT to investigate irregularities in land acquisition for the Irrigation and Bengaluru Development departments. The guilty officials will be suspended," DY CM Shivakumar said after a review meeting at Vidhana Soudha on pending land acquisition cases in various courts. As per the release, Shivakumar said, "We discussed the court cases about land acquisition for the Irrigation department and BDA. We reviewed a number of cases pending and the reasons for their pendency. These cases will cost the government quite a bit of money." Shivakumar highlighted the scale of pending litigation, stating that around 61,843 cases linked to different Irrigation agencies are currently in courts. "There are about 61,843 cases related to various Irrigation departments pending in various courts. KNNL has 25,356 cases, VJNL 2,856 cases, CNNL 4,455 cases, UKP, R&R and KBJNL cumulatively have 29,176 cases pending," he said. Referring to a Revenue Department probe, the DY CM said lapses had been identified within Bengaluru city jurisdiction. "Revenue Department has ordered an investigation in Bengaluru city jurisdiction, and it has been found that officials and the legal team have wasted time by not filing applications at the right time. We have asked for a report regarding this. The SIT will investigate irregularities pertaining to this and initiate action against officials and lawyers concerned," DY CM Shivakumar added. Shivakumar said the Irrigation department currently has 219 lawyers handling cases and noted that those found irresponsible would be removed. "We will remove all those lawyers who are not responsible and appoint new ones. This is a historic decision to save the face of the department," he asserted. He also mentioned the proposal to set up an authority under a retired judge to resolve land acquisition disputes outside the courts. "Under the new regulations, there is a provision for an authority under a retired judge. This Authority can resolve land acquisition cases outside the judicial system. We will take a decision on the formation of the Authority at the government level," he noted. Highlighting the scale of irregularities, DY CM stated, "In many cases, Irrigation department agencies or corporations are required to pay the compensation, though the Revenue department handles the land acquisition process. But these disputes are being handled without making these corporations a party to it. There are instances where the Irrigation department has fixed a compensation of Rs 9 lakh while they have managed a compensation of Rs 9 crore through Court orders," he explained. The state government has also decided to set up a separate unit to monitor court cases and record arguments of government lawyers. "We have decided to form a separate unit to review the court cases and also to record the arguments of government lawyers. This will fix accountability to the lawyers arguing the case. We will do similar things in BDA and GBA jurisdictions as well," he explained. On the financial implications, Shivakumar said the losses could be massive if corrective steps are not taken. He said, "It is difficult to put a number, as there are individual cases also. Many farmers are not aware of the details. But there is a possibility of it costing the government about Rs 5 lakh crores if not handled properly." Asked if a timeline has been fixed for the investigation of these lapses, DY CM said, "A special team has been put in place and a report will be submitted within the next 10-15 days. If there is a need, an SIT will be formed after that for a comprehensive investigation." On the Mekedatu project, the DY CM said the government had received the judgment copy and would move ahead. "We received the judgment copy today. We will implement the project in the days to come. We need to call an all-party meeting and take a delegation to Delhi. All issues need to be sorted out before the CWMA and CWC, and there is no question of going back to the court," he said. Responding to former CM HD Kumaraswamy's remark about a "mega political development" in Karnataka, Shivakumar dismissed it, saying, "He is daydreaming." (ANI) The Vice-President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, graced the 44th Convocation Ceremony of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning at Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, said the release. In his address, the Vice President said that Sri Sathya Sai Baba visualised an education system where service is not an obligation but a way of life, one that nurtures leaders committed to selflessness, integrity, and excellence. According to the Vice President's Secretariat release, the VP highlighted the significance of the University emblem featuring the Sarva Dharma Stupa, instituted by Sri Sathya Sai Baba, as a symbol of peace and harmony. He lauded the Institute's emphasis on character-building, wisdom, and respect for all religions and traditions. Speaking about India's transformative growth, the Vice-President said the nation stands on the threshold of unprecedented progress, emerging as a global hub of innovation and a beacon of sustainable development and peace. He highlighted the far-reaching reforms introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, especially the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which has strengthened the higher education ecosystem through holistic faculty development, significant infrastructure investment, adoption of digital tools, and improved learning outcomes. He noted that higher education institutions across the country are advancing rapidly towards multidisciplinary research and excellence, positioning India to become a global leader in knowledge creation, technological advancement, and inclusive academic progress. He also stressed the need for increased investment in research. C.P. Radhakrishnan emphasised that India's future generations must adapt to emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Blockchain, and Machine Learning while remaining anchored in the nation's ethos. VP noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, transformative changes are taking place, and the world is listening to India. He appreciated the Prime Minister's call to develop the COVID vaccine, noting that India developed it not only for itself but also for the welfare of humanity. He described it as one of the greatest achievements of our country. He said that economic power has value only when accompanied by compassion, and India demonstrated this by providing vaccines free of cost to many nations. He added that when India becomes the world's number one economy, it will contribute even more to global welfare. Calling upon the youth to steer clear of drug addiction, he reiterated the message, "Say No to Drugs." He urged students to be ambassadors of Bharat's spiritual ethos, humanity, discipline, and a dedicated way of life. He urged the graduates to align with the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, as envisioned by PM Modi, and to contribute meaningfully to the nation's progress. Concluding his address with a quote from Sri Sathya Sai Baba, "The cultivation of human values alone is true education", the Vice-President urged the graduating students to let this profound message guide their lives. The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu, Minister for HRD, IT, Electronics & Communication and RTG, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Nara Lokesh; Chancellor of SSSIHL, K Chakravarthi; along with other dignitaries, members of the teaching faculty, students, and parents were present on the occasion. (ANI) Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday questioned the Congress party's decision to organise a rally on December 14 over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that the exercise is not new and has been undertaken several times in the past. He said the Congress itself had demanded the revision after alleging the presence of ineligible voters following the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Speaking to ANI, Joshi said the Election Commission initiated SIR only after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi wrote to the poll body expressing concerns over alleged discrepancies in the voters' list. He added that similar revisions have been carried out earlier as well, including in Karnataka in 2008, when the names of about 40 lakh voters were removed during a routine updating exercise. "SIR (Special Intensive Revision), as our party and many of our ministers have said many times, is not a new thing. This has happened many times. SIR was started only after the demand of the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. He wrote after the Maharashtra elections and said that there are many people who are not eligible, but they are in the voters' list... After that, the Election Commission decided for SIR... Wasn't this (Special Intensive Revision) done before? When the revision was done in Karnataka in 2008, the names of about 40 lakh voters were removed... This is an ongoing process," Joshi told ANI. Echoing his remarks, Union Minister Ramnath Thakur criticised the Congress leadership, particularly its Bihar unit, for levelling what he described as unfounded allegations of "vote theft" against the Election Commission. He noted that despite Congress leaders raising the "Vote Chori" charge during their Bihar Yatra, no local protests occurred when all three Election Commissioners visited the state. "Before the elections, 2 young princes did a Yatra in Bihar and made allegations on the Election Commission. This was the very issue they raised,'Vote Chori'.All three Election Commissioners were in Bihar for 3 days, but no one in the state protested against them. Then how does the rally that they (Congress) are holding now hold significance?" Thakur said. Meanwhile, Congress leader KC Venugopal announced the party's "Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod Maha Rally" scheduled for December 14 at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, aimed at sending a "message across the nation" against alleged manipulation of the electoral process. "The spectre of Vote Chori is the biggest danger looming over our democracy today. To send a message across the nation against these attempts to destroy our Constitution, the Congress will be holding the Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod Maha Rally on December 14th (1.30 pm onwards) at Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi," KC Venugopal posted on X. He said that the rally will mark Congress's fight to "reclaim Indian democracy from the clutches of the Vote Chors!" Meanwhile, Mahagathbandhan suffered a major defeat in the Bihar Assembly election, securing only 35 seats. The NDA registered a historic landslide victory in the 2025 Bihar assembly polls, winning 202 of the 243 seats. The ruling alliance secured a three-fourths majority in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, marking the second time the NDA crossed the 200-seat mark in state polls. In 2010, it had won 206 seats. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday announced that the Delhi government has declared a public holiday on November 25 (Tuesday) to mark the 350th martyrdom day of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh Guru, according to an official release. The Delhi CMO stated that the decision aims to provide citizens with an opportunity to pay homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's supreme sacrifice, spiritual teachings and unwavering commitment to protecting humanity and religious freedom. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's life stands as a timeless example of courage in the face of tyranny, religious persecution and injustice. She said Guru Sahib was not only a revered Sikh Guru but also a guardian of universal human values. "Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his life to protect India's religious freedom and gave the message that truth and righteousness must be defended at any cost," the Chief Minister said. She added that Guru Sahib's martyrdom represents an immortal chapter in Indian history, reminding people that true humanity lies in safeguarding the dignity and rights of others, even at great personal cost. The Chief Minister said Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's message of courage, compassion, tolerance, brotherhood and respect for all faiths remains deeply relevant even today, more than three centuries after his martyrdom. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, remembering Guru Tegh Bahadur's personality and achievements, said that Guru Tegh Bahadur's life will always inspire us to build a more just, peaceful, and equal society. She said that this public holiday is not merely a formality, but a humble tribute from the Delhi Government to Guru Sahib's sacrifice. The Chief Minister appealed to all citizens to celebrate this day with a spirit of reverence, unity, and service, and to imbibe Guru Sahib's teachings in their lives. Meanwhile, the Governments of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and Haryana have announced that on November 25 (Tuesday), as a Restricted Holiday on the occasion of the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, according to official notifications. (ANI) The special drive initiated to strengthen law-and-order enforcement has achieved significant results up to 21 November, prompting authorities to extend it by another week. So far, the police have arrested 1,439 notorious, wanted, and serious offenders, along with 3,127 other accused, bringing the total to 4,566. On 21 November alone, police apprehended 47 notorious criminals, including several most-wanted offenders. Additionally, 293 other accused were arrested on the same day, showcasing the swift pace of the crackdown. Police also opened 17 new history sheets to maintain tighter surveillance on habitual offenders. In a major development, the Crime Branch, Sector-10, arrested two notorious criminals--Sumit and Sanjeev alias Sanju--who were involved in a gold chain snatching case reported on 17 November in Sector-45, Gurugram. Sanju faces 11 criminal cases, while Sumit has 10 cases, including attempted murder, robbery, snatching, and Arms Act violations. Police believe their arrest will significantly curb snatching incidents in the region. Another breakthrough came with the arrest of Manish alias Goga (28), a notorious criminal with 20 severe cases against him. Wanted for firing at a youth near Sector-21 and issuing death threats, Goga was arrested by the Crime Branch Sector-17 near the Dwarka Expressway. His criminal record includes murder, attempted murder, extortion, kidnapping, and gang activity. With 5,251 arrests so far under Operation Trackdown, Haryana Police assert that their aggressive, strategic action will make the state significantly safer in the coming days. (ANI) Senior Maharashtra Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Husain Dalwai slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after a college student in Thane allegedly died by suicide after being beaten for speaking Hindi instead of Marathi in the state. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Dalwai condemned the dispute between Hindi and Marathi, while accusing the BJP of creating a divide based on religion and class. "They keep speaking against Muslims, Christians and Dalits. First, you learn to work with wisdom, then teach someone else. What happened was wrong, and I stand with his (victim's) family. People come here (to Mumbai) for employment and work hard. Why do we speak against them rather than Ambani-Adani?" the Congress leader said. A college student allegedly died by suicide after being thrashed by five people for not speaking in Marathi on a local train in Mumbai. Earlier, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar called it an "unfortunate" incident and called for strict action against the perpetrators. "Any youth's loss of life in such circumstances is a matter of shame for the state as well as for the whole country. Those who forced him to take such a drastic step should be held, and strict action should be taken," Narwekar said. BJP leader Ram Kadam took a veiled jibe at Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which has championed the language issue in Maharashtra. Kadam condemned the violence and criticised MNS, saying that the party resorted to violence as it lost its support base in the state. He said, "Marathi was, is, and will remain the primary language in Maharashtra. But this does not mean that we should hate or despise other languages. What kind of mentality is this? Language is a medium of communication. Every state has its own language. It is natural to have self-respect for that language, but when violence erupts based on that language, and someone loses their life because of that language, then what disgusting and cheap politics you have." "There are some parties in Maharashtra that have lost their support base and, after losing that support base, will resort to violence again in an attempt to find some new support base. The person who died is unfortunate, and we stand with that family," the BJP leader added. A fresh language dispute in Maharashtra sparked in July this year when some traders in Mumbai were allegedly attacked by MNS workers for not speaking Marathi. The MNS had been demanding that traders and shopkeepers in the city speak Marathi, leading to tensions between the two groups. (ANI) November 23, 2025: Sweden and Norway recently delivered half a dozen 20-ton Combat Boat 90 vessels. These boats cost $2.6 million each. Nearly 300 of these boats have been built since the first entered service in 1991. These vessels are 15.9 meters long and can operate in less than a meter of water. Top speed is 74 kilometers an hour. Range is 440 kilometers at a cruising speed of 37 kilometers an hour. The crew consists of two officers and an engineer. The boat can also hold 21 soldiers and their equipment, or 4.5 tons of cargo. Armament consists of three 12.7mm machine-guns, one Mk 19 40mm grenade launcher and a Saab Trackfire RWS/Remote Weapons System that allows a crew member inside the boat to operate the RWS machine-guns. The boat can also carry four naval mines or six depth charges. Ukraine says they have received enough of these boats to form a boat division. The Ukraine Navy has undergone some changes since 2022. Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States expedited the delivery of 35 patrol boats for river, port and coast patrol and protection. Most of these were 12 and 14-meter patrol boats that could be obtained and shipped quickly. Some of these are several of the twelve larger Mk VI patrol boats that the U.S. Navy is in the process of retiring. In 2020 the United States agreed to supply Ukraine with 16 new Mk VI boats. That order has since been increased to 18 but all of those will not be delivered until 2026. After 2014 the United States agreed to provide assistance in rebuilding the Ukrainian Navy. In 2020, the United States agreed to sell Ukraine sixteen Mk VI patrol boats. The U.S. proposed that these boats each be armed with two 30mm autocannon RWS/Remote Weapons Systems operated from inside the boat, behind the armor that would protect the crew from machine-gun fire and shell fragments. Each boat would also have an IFF/Identify, Friend or Foe transponder similar to that used on combat aircraft. The U.S. also offered radar and an electro-optical FLIR/Heat Sensing radar that would make the boat capable of spotting and identifying anything within eyesight of the crew. There would also be a LRAD/Long Range Acoustic Device that would enable a crewmember to send a focused beam of sound out to five kilometers so that they could deliver verbal information or commands to anyone within range. The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard have found LRAD very useful. The MK VI can also launch inflatable boats from the rear for boarding parties and American sailors have demonstrated the use of small UAVs from the Mk VI. Also on offer is a two or four cell launcher for anti-ship missiles. Thats a lot of firepower for a 72-ton, 26-meter long boat with a ten-man crew, plus space for eight passengers, top speed of 82 kilometers an hour and an endurance of about 28 hours cruising at 45 kilometers an hour. The Mk VI manufacturer also offers a maintenance, spare parts and tech support package that the Ukrainians probably know by reputation is good at keeping American-made vessels easily repairable with spare parts delivered quickly and tech support available long-distance via the Internet. This would be essential for these boats as they would probably be heavily used. Ukraine might substitute some of the American RWS with Ukrainian models, which are competitive in durability and effectiveness. Ukraine also has a local ship electronics industry which could also provide competitive items for what the U.S. is offering. Ukraine was desperate to rebuild its fleet after 2014. The Ukrainian Navy initially, in 1991, consisted of nearly 70 former Soviet Black Sea fleet warships. The problem was that most of the officers on these new ships were Russians who did not want to change their nationality. Many simply went back to Russia, others accepted Ukrainian citizenship but that often proved superficial. In 2014 when Russia seized Crimea, they also grabbed most of the fifty ships of the Ukrainian fleet. This was aided by many of the ethnic Russian officers agreeing to return to the Russian Navy. The only major ship Ukraine held onto was a Cold War era Krivak class frigate and a few dozen smaller patrol ships that were stationed at other Ukrainian ports outside of Crimea. By taking Crimea Russia was now in possession of several major naval bases and shipyards. With the loss of Crimea Ukraine not only lost its fleet but also most of its ability to build a new one. There were still several Ukrainian commercial shipyards that remained outside of Crimea and these were put to work producing the new Gurza-M class armored gunboats. Twenty of these 52-ton boats are to be built, though by 2022 three of these were in service with a fourth undergoing sea trials. Construction of more Guzra-Ms was halted by the 2022 Russian invasion. This increased the urgency and importance of obtaining the similar, but larger and faster American Mk VI boats. Three of these are arriving in 2022 with more to follow as fast as they can be completed or obtained from those the U.S. Navy is retiring. Russia is building some new corvettes and frigates and a few of these are being assigned to the Black Sea Fleet. By the time of the 2022 invasion Ukraine had a few gunboats and support craft while Russia had about 20 warships and several functioning shipyards in the Crimean Peninsula. The U.S. also offered Ukraine larger warships, including recently retired American ships that are refurbished for another decade or so of service with an allied navy. Ukraine, like Russia, had budget problems but Ukraine also has NATO friends and still wants to join NATO, something Russia threatened to go to war with Ukraine to prevent. Since 2014 Russia has been at war with Ukraine so threatening more war was not a wise move by Russia. That did not stop the Russians from invading in 2022 and that resulted in the loss of a Russian 10,000-ton cruiser Moskva, the flagship of the Black Sea fleet and a growing number of smaller vessels. After Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Turkey invoked a 1930s treaty governing transit of warships into the Black Sea via the deep-water entrance, which is Turkish territory. The Mk VIs can be delivered via the Romanian port of Constanta, which has a river/canal connection with the North Sea. This port is near Ukraines Snake Island, which was captured by Russian forces soon after the invasion began. Since then, the Russian garrison and resupply ships have been under constant attack. The Russians finally withdrew from Shake Island on June 12th and Ukrainian forces reoccupied it. Snake Island is about 35 kilometers from the Ukrainian port of Odessa. NATO aircraft and satellites provide constant surveillance over the waters between Snake Island, Odessa and the Crimea. Delivering the Mk VI boats via Constanta could still be threatened by Russian Kilo class subs based on Crimea. Only one of the four Kilos in the Black Sea is operational. The other three underwent repairs and required maintenance in Crimea shipyards. Congress leader K Muraleedharan on Sunday criticised the four new labour codes introduced by the Centre, calling them "anti-national" and said the party will not support them. Murleedharan claimed that under the new codes, labourers can form an organisation only if at least 10 per cent of its members are part of it. He called this provision incorrect, saying that forming a union is a workers' right. "If any labourers can form an organisation, a minimum of 10 per cent of the members should be a part of the organisation. That is not correct. To form an organisation is their right. They are encouraging the owners of the factories and fully supporting the management. Workers are not getting justice from most of the management across India. It is affecting Kerala also. This is anti-national and we will not support it," the Congress leader told ANI. As per the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, one of the four codes implemented by the Centre, Trade Unions with 51 per cent membership get recognition as the Negotiating Union. According to the Centre, such an arrangement strengthens collective bargaining. The code also expanded the definition of a strike, including "mass casual leave also within its ambit", to prevent flash strikes and ensure lawful action. The central government has brought in 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, which came into effect on November 21, rationalising 29 existing labour laws, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier on Saturday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a dig at the government, saying 29 existing labour-related laws have been re-packaged into four codes, and this is being marketed as some revolutionary reform when even the rules have yet to be notified. In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh asked if these codes make the five essential demands of India's workers for Shramik Nyay a reality? "National minimum wage at Rs 400 per day, including for MGNREGA, right to Health law that will provide universal health coverage of Rs. 25 lakhs, employment guarantee act for urban areas, comprehensive social security for all unorganised workers, including life insurance and accident insurance and a commitment to stop contractualisation of employment in core government functions," he said. Jairam Ramesh said the Modi Government must learn from the examples of the Congress government in Karnataka and the previous Government in Rajasthan, "which have pioneered labour reform for the 21st century with their groundbreaking gig worker laws that preceded the new codes". (ANI) The Rajouri's border blocks of Sunderbani and Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir, are witnessing a major revolution under Centrally sponsored agricultural schemes. The Department of Agriculture is now pushing for 100 % organic vegetable farming in these far-flung, hilly Border areas and providing full support to farmers. With government support, farmers can now grow a wide variety of vegetables using organic methods. For example, Hi-Tech Vermi-Compost units have been provided to farmers in the Sunderbani area. Additionally, Hi-Tech polyhouses for protected cultivation are being supplied to enable year-round vegetable growth, even during harsh winters. Many centrally sponsored schemes are funding these polyhouses, compost units, and awareness drives to support this initiative. The field officer in the Agricultural Department of Sunderban, Rajesh Kumar, stated that, with effective marketing, the organic material vermicompost is now being used by farmers in nearby areas. "Rajesh Acharya contacted us for the presence of excess cow dung, and we recommended him to convert the cow dung into vermicompost which under the HADP, we had a scheme, there was a 14 lakh project, which gave 50 pc subsidy, department helped him, and followed all instructions accordingly, now vermicompost is now ready, with effective marketing, the farmers from the nearby areas are now utilising the produce," Rajesh told ANI. Farmer Acharya Rajesh Prashar expressed gratitude to PM Modi for launching an agricultural program in Jammu and Kashmir, which has provided local people with employment opportunities. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, during his visit to the border village of Jhangher, laid the foundation stone for the construction of new houses for families affected by recent natural calamities and unprovoked Pakistani shelling during Operation Sindoor. (ANI) On November 21, Delhi Police received secret information regarding Tushar's presence at Mahaveer Enclave in the national capital city. Based on technical surveillance, a Crime Branch team, led by Head Constables Pramod Kumar and Ravinder Singh of WR-II, traced the accused to Gali No. 5, Mahaveer Enclave. A targeted raid was conducted, resulting in the arrest of Tushar. The bust not only apprehended a proclaimed offender but also disrupted a significant interstate drug supply network operating in Delhi-NCR. According to the police, the accused, identified as Tushar aged 31, originally from Sanyog Vihar, Matiala, New Delhi, and presently residing at Mahaveer Enclave Part-I, New Delhi, had been declared a proclaimed offender in two separate cases. In FIR dated February 11, registered under Sections 21/25/29 of the NDPS Act at Crime Branch, Delhi, 258 grams of heroin were recovered by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF). The order for his proclamation as an offender was issued by Shivaji Anand, ASJ-II/Special Judge NDPS, North West District, Rohini Courts, vide order dated July 2, 2025. In a second case, FIR dated January 30, 2025, also registered under Sections 21/25/29 of the NDPS Act at Crime Branch, Delhi, 512 grams of heroin were recovered. Tushar was declared a proclaimed offender by Puneet Pahwa, ASJ, Special Judge NDPS, North East District, Karkardooma Courts, vide order dated October 17, 2025, a police said. Further, the Investigations confirmed that Tushar was the primary source of the recovered heroin in both cases. Accordingly, a raid was conducted and the accused Tushar was apprehended from Mahaveer Enclave, New Delhi. (ANI) Congress leader K Muraleedharan on Sunday criticised 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 they were "great administrators." Speaking to ANI, Muraleedharan called Akbar a "king of communal harmony" and acknowledged Tipu Sultan's fight against British colonial rule in India. "Akbar was a king of communal harmony. He accepted the Hindu religion also. He gave freedom to Hindus. Tipu Sultan fought against the English. That is the reason he was killed. They were great administrators. Even Shivaji is a great administrator, no doubt. So this attitude of the central government is not right," he said. The move by the NCERT has reportedly been made in its history textbooks, triggering sharp political reactions across party lines. Earlier on Saturday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma strongly endorsed 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. Congress MP Imran Masood 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. (ANI) TVK chief and popular Tamil actor Vijay is set to hold a closed-door meeting on Sunday with select party cadre and supporters from three taluks of Kancheepuram district. This marks Vijay's first major public engagement in nearly two months and following the tragic Karur stampede in September that claimed 41 lives.. The interaction aims to strengthen the party's grassroots connections and discuss strategies to address local issues effectively. The meeting will bring together key party workers and local supporters to discuss in detail organisational planning and upcoming initiatives in the district. The session, while private, is expected to focus on regional development concerns, cadre training, and mobilisation strategies. Party sources highlighted that Vijay's presence is intended to motivate party workers and reinforce the party's commitment to the people of Kancheepuram. They added that such interactions are part of a broader strategy to enhance grassroots-level engagement, especially ahead of forthcoming political activities in Tamil Nadu. The meeting will also serve as a platform for the party leadership to hear directly from cadres about issues faced by the people in the three taluks. Officials emphasised that discussions will likely revolve around local development, youth engagement, and community outreach to strengthen party support. TVK insiders said the actor-politician's dual role as a film icon and political leader is expected to energise party workers and encourage active participation from supporters in the district. No further details regarding the duration or the specific agenda of the meeting have been disclosed. However, the gathering underscores TVK's ongoing focus on deepening organisational outreach and leveraging Vijay's popularity to strengthen party presence at the grassroots level. This closed-door interaction is being closely watched by political observers, as it reflects the party's strategy to consolidate support and maintain a strong connection with its core workers in Kancheepuram. (ANI) Uttarakhand CM Dhami arrived in Pushkar along with Rajasthan Minister Suresh Singh Rawat. CM Dhami was accorded a grand welcome by BJP office-bearers, party workers, and local residents at Kishangarh Airport, Ajmer, upon his arrival in Rajasthan. On the occasion, Chief Minister prayed for the well-being and prosperity of Rajasthan and its people. Chief Minister expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the warm and affectionate reception. Earlier, CM Dhami on Friday said that all religious sites in the state are being beautified and that Sanatan is being re-established. Speaking about the upcoming Kumbh Mela, the Chief Minister added, "We have begun all preparations for Kumbh. Work is being done on all aspects. I have already held two review meetings. We will all together organise a grand and secure Kumbh here." Dhami, along with his wife, performed Kanya Pujan during the event organised at Jeevan Deep Seva Nyas in Roorkee. The Chief Minister also offered prayers at the temple and wished for the prosperity and well-being of the people of Uttarakhand. During the programme, Dhami received blessings from Juna Akhada's Mahamandleshwar Swami Yatindranand Giri Maharaj. (ANI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday extended heartfelt greetings to people across the state and the Sikh community worldwide on the auspicious occasion of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Guruship Day, urging all to draw inspiration from the timeless teachings and supreme sacrifices of the Tenth Sikh Guru. "O Master of Perfection, Emperor Dervish, blessed blessed Master, a million congratulations to you all on the sacred day of Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Guruship," the Chief Minister said in a post in Punjabi on X. Guru Gobind Singh Ji dedicated his entire life to the protection of Dharma, humanity, and national unity, setting an unparalleled example through the founding of the Khalsa Panth, the fight against tyranny, and the sacrifice of his father, mother, and four Sahibzaade. https://x.com/BhagwantMann/status/1992420358184718648?t=Mbf_wcWbyaHZi9hwJKh1jA&s=08 He said, "Let us act upon the invaluable teachings of our Tenth Emperor Ji, who sacrificed everything for the sake of the country and the nation." Meanwhile, on Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly opposed the Centre's proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill for the upcoming Winter Session. The chief minister said it goes against Punjab's interests and could weaken the state's authority over Chandigarh. He asserted that Punjab would not allow any move that threatens its rights over the Union Territory. In a post on X, CM Mann wrote, "We strongly oppose in the strongest terms the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill being brought by the Central Government in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament." "This amendment is against the interests of Punjab. We will not allow the conspiracy being hatched by the Central Government against Punjab to succeed in any way. Chandigarh, built by razing our Punjab's villages, belongs solely to Punjab. We will not let our right slip away just like that. For this, we will take whatever steps are necessary," the post read. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to add Chandigarh under Article 240, bringing its administration in line with Union Territories without legislatures, such as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry, during periods when their Assemblies are dissolved or suspended. Although the exact details of the Bill remain unclear, there is speculation that it could weaken Punjab's influence over Chandigarh. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has announced that the winter session of Parliament will be held from December 1 to 19. (ANI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor on Sunday strongly opposed the Centre's proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill for the upcoming Winter Session, which aims to include Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. In an X post, Arvind Kejriwal termed it as an attempt to "strip Punjab of its rights over Chandigarh." Calling it an assault on Punjab and the federal structure of administration in India, the AAP leader wrote, "The BJP-led central government's attempt to strip Punjab of its rights over Chandigarh through constitutional amendments is not part of any ordinary step, but a direct assault on Punjab's identity and constitutional rights. This mindset of tearing apart the federal structure to snatch away Punjabis' rights is extremely dangerous." Further, he stated that Chandigarh, which is a Union Territory shared by Punjab and Haryana, will remain a part of Punjab. "The Punjab that has always sacrificed for the country's security, grain, water, and humanity is today being deprived of its own rightful share. This is not merely an administrative decision but akin to wounding the soul of Punjab. History bears witness that Punjabis have never bowed their heads before any dictatorship. Punjab will not bow today either. Chandigarh belongs to Punjab and will remain Punjab's," the X post added. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to add Chandigarh under Article 240, bringing its administration in line with Union Territories without legislatures, such as Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry. According to Article 240, the President has the power to make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of the Union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry. For Puducherry, however, the power can be exercised for the period when the Legislature is dissolved or suspended. Although the exact details of the Bill remain unclear, there is speculation that it could weaken Punjab's influence over Chandigarh. Earlier on Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also opposed the amendment, saying it goes against Punjab's interests and could weaken the state's authority over Chandigarh. He asserted that Punjab would not allow any move that threatens its rights over the Union Territory. In a post on X, CM Mann wrote, "We strongly oppose in the strongest terms the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill being brought by the Central Government in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament." "This amendment is against the interests of Punjab. We will not allow the conspiracy being hatched by the Central Government against Punjab to succeed in any way. Chandigarh, built by razing our Punjab's villages, belongs solely to Punjab. We will not let our rights slip away just like that. For this, we will take whatever steps are necessary," the post read. (ANI) Actor and TVK Chief Vijay on Sunday invoked the legacy of former Chief Minister C N Annadurai while heaping criticism on the DMK for what he described as a "personal vendetta" against his party. Addressing a public gathering in Kanchipuram, Vijay noted that even former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran had placed Annadurai's symbol on his party's flag as a mark of respect, highlighting the deep historical connection between his party and the region. "We have a natural connection with Kanchipuram, as our first public outreach campaign began in Parandur, right here in this district," he said. Vijay stressed that the TVK party aims to serve all sections of society and questioned whether the DMK was still upholding the principles of Annadurai. "The DMK now asks, 'What is the price of ideology?' They question us about our ideology," he said. The TVK chief reiterated the party's stance on several contentious issues, noting that it was the first party to approach the Supreme Court in opposition to the Waqf Act, had consistently demanded a caste-based census, and had opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Vijay accused the DMK of corruption and internal dysfunction, saying the party had "deceived the very people who trusted and voted for them" and alleging that the DMK's internal conduct made it appear like "a 75-year-old child." He asserted that despite the TVK not yet launching a full-scale opposition campaign, the ruling party was already showing signs of apprehension. Further, he described the DMK's actions as "nothing but drama" and emphasised that the TVK would continue to hold them accountable. Vijay concluded by urging the public to reflect on the party's ideology and governance record, positioning the TVK as a principled alternative committed to equal service for all. TVK is seeking to consolidate its presence in Kanchipuram ahead of the upcoming elections.and Vijay's address here marks his first public interaction since the Karur stampede. in September which had claimed the lives of 41 people. The meeting today in Kancheepuram was a closed door one with select party cadre and supporters from three taluks of the district. Party sources highlighted that Vijay's presence is intended to motivate party workers and reinforce the party's commitment to the people of Kancheepuram. They added that such interactions are part of a broader strategy to enhance grassroots-level engagement, especially ahead of forthcoming political activities in Tamil Nadu. (ANI) The delegation participated in the 11th BACSA International Conference - CULTUSERI 2025, where Sivakumar delivered the Opening Address representing ISC, highlighting India's leadership in traditional silk knowledge and its relevance to creative and cultural industries. He also presented a technical paper titled "The Chronicles of Wild Silk." Dr S Manthira Moorthy, Director (Tech), CSB, presented a paper on Indo-Bulgarian collaboration in developing a productive bivoltine silkworm hybrid for India. During the visit, CSB showcased its innovative "5-in-1 Silk Stole," a premium product integrating Mulberry, Oak Tasar, Tropical Tasar, Muga, and Eri silks. Conceived under the initiative of the Member Secretary, the product was highlighted as a unique representation of India's rich silk heritage with strong market potential. The delegation engaged with key Georgian institutions, including universities, sericulture laboratories, research centres, textile companies, apparel manufacturers, carpet traders, and the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). These interactions emphasised opportunities for enhancing bilateral textile trade, promoting industry collaborations, and exploring joint research in sericulture. Meetings with senior officials of the Government of Georgia focused on identifying new areas of cooperation, improving market access, and expanding trade in textiles, apparel, carpets, and value-added silk products. The key outcomes of the meetings are strengthened India, Georgia cooperation in sericulture research, textiles and apparel trade; showcased India's innovation through the 5-in-1 Silk Stole, a potential flagship product; identified new avenues for trade diversification, including carpets and high-value textiles; created pathways for institutional partnerships and technical collaboration; reinforced India's global role through active participation in the BACSA international platform; the visit marks a meaningful step in advancing India's textile diplomacy and promoting cross-border partnerships for the growth of the silk and textile sectors. (ANI) by Dilip DSouza In South India, theyre worried. For following some stated national priorities, for performing well at them in comparison to the North, the states of the South might be punished: They stand to lose a certain quantum of political power. Indias 1971 Census counted about 548 million Indians. Primarily based on that number, the Lok Sabha our Lower House of Parliament has 543 elected seats, a number that hasnt changed since 1977. So at the time, each Member of Parliament represented about 1 million Indians. This also means that each individual state elected MPs to the Lok Sabha broadly in proportion to its population. Tamil Nadu, home to about 41 million people in 1971, has 39 seats. Uttar Pradesh, with about 88 million in 1971, has 85 seats. (When the state of Uttarakhand was hived off from UP in 2000, it got 5 of those 85 for convenience, Im clubbing the two here.) And so on. The idea was that this seat allocation would be periodically reviewed, and these numbers revised accordingly. Thats what happened in the first few decades of Indian independence. The Lok Sabha had 489 seats in Indias first election, in 1951. That increased to 494, then 520, and finally 543. All of which might make you wonder: if we had that gradual increase in our first 30 years, why have we had no change in the next 45? Ah, but in wondering that, youre getting into Southern worry territory. Also part of our early years was widespread concern about our increasing population. Family planning was a phrase familiar to us who grew up in a still-young India. A government firm, Hindustan Latex, manufactured and sold Nirodh, the first brand of condoms sold widely in the country. The slogan Do ya teen bas (two or three is enough) appeared on walls and the sides of buses, was used in songs and became a pop culture meme. That slogan has mutated over the years into Hum do, hamare do (We two and our two) and even We two, ours one, suggesting that concern over a growing population has never abated. Indeed: the Census counted 685 million of us Indians in 1981. 840 million in 1991. 1.03 billion in 2001. 1.21 billion in 2011. We havent held another Census since Covid put paid to the 2021 plans. But in 2023, population projections suggested that our numbers had overtaken Chinas. There are an estimated 1.43 billion of us, and that makes India now the worlds most populous country. Our population has grown, and continues to grow, but whats also true is that the growth has been slowing for decades. In 2000, for example, we were growing by about 20 million people per year. That annual number is down to about 13 million today and should reach zero by 2060. (See this article.) But back to our elected representatives. At a million Indians per MP, we should have somewhere near 1400 seats in the Lok Sabha today. Why are we still at 543? Well, its that same Southern worry territory again. The thing to note about Indias population growth is that it is hardly even. For over four decades now, the southern states Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been growing much more slowly than states elsewhere in the country UP, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar in particular. Why is this? Well, the southern states have done better at controlling their populations growth rates than the rest. People there are generally richer, healthier and more educated particularly the women than the northern and central states. Its the old story that any number of countries around the world can relate to: as populations get more developed richer, healthier and more educated they produce fewer babies. Their growth slows and their numbers will eventually start declining. Japan and South Korea are good examples, and various other wealthy countries in the West are headed in that direction too. In India, theres a stark implication of this uneven growth. If we revise the Lok Sabha numbers today according to our current population a process we call delimitation southern states will lose in comparison to the rest of the country. Take just the two states whose MP counts I listed above. Tamil Nadus population is estimated at 85 million today, UPs at 253 million (still clubbing with Uttarakhand). Their current Lok Sabha strengths are 39 and 85, a ratio of a little less than half. If we were to allot them seats today by the same metric 1 MP for 1 million people wed have TN at 85, UP at 253. That is, TN would have only a third of the number of MPs that UP would. Naturally, TN has a question: Unlike UP, we have succeeded in slowing the growth of our population, so why then should we be punished in the Lok Sabha? For what its worth, the country has taken note of this uneven growth. This is why the number of Lok Sabha seats stayed at 543 after 1977. In 2002, we actually made this part of the Constitution, via the 84th Amendment. In part, the Amendment reads: There have been consistent demands, both for and against undertaking the exercise of fresh delimitation. Keeping in view the progress of family planning programmes in different parts of the country, the Government, as part of the National Population Policy strategy, recently decided to extend the current freeze on undertaking fresh delimitation up to the year 2026 as a motivational measure to enable the State Government to pursue the agenda for population stabilisation. It could hardly be clearer. The way family planning has gone in different parts of the country. The statement that the freeze on delimitation is explicitly part of the National Population Policy strategy. In fact, the freeze is a motivational measure for individual states to work towards stabilizing their populations. The motivation has indeed worked but far more effectively in the South. Consider one widely-accepted measure of population growth, the Total Fertility Rate (TFR), defined as the number of babies the average woman will have during her child-bearing years. A TFR of 2 is considered replacement, because every couple will exactly replace themselves. (Because some babies die, replacement is usually taken as 2.1.) If a population reaches a TFR of 2, its population will eventually stabilize. Take the performance since the 84th Amendment of, again, just the two states Ive mentioned above. UPs TFR was 4.4 in 2003, and sank to 2.6 in 2023 a commendable decline, but UP is still well above replacement. TNs was 1.9 in 2003, 1.4 in 2023. Put another way, UPs population growth is still growing, while TNs is levelling off. So delimitation today now will not only lessen TNs strength in the Lok Sabha compared to UP, that lessening will likely continue with any future delimitation exercises. Even if not by the 1 million per MP metric, TN stands to lose. One 2019 report estimates that after 2026, TN will have 31 seats and UP 91: again, a one-third ratio. (Similar data and reasoning apply to other states in the South vs the other states with ballooning populations.) All of this is no fantasy. 2026 is almost upon us. The government already has plans to hold the Census next year. The 84th Amendments freeze will expire, so delimitation may be upon us as well. And the South is worried. In March this year, for example, TNs Chief Minister MK Stalin demanded that the freeze continue for another 30 years. There are other possible measures, too. A respected academic I know has floated the idea that the representation calculation should be based not on the number of people in each constituency, but on the number of eligible voters in each constituency. This will benefit states with generally older populations the ones, that is, that have done better with the agenda for population stabilisation. Like TN. He has also written to Stalin suggesting that representation be tied to the TFR. That is, since TNs TFR is 1.4, its constituencies will be defined so that they average 1.4 million people per MP. UPs MPs, hoewever, will each represent 2.6 million people. With their current populations, that will give TN 60 and UP 97 MPs. Both states see an increase in their MP strength, but TN is rewarded for its population control efforts. There is plenty more to examine in this vein that I wont get into here. But theres a larger point about democracy thats worth thinking about. As an ideal for democracy, equal representation is a fine mantra. But does it, should it, apply when conditions are less than ideal? Can it stand a dose of evolution when growth is uneven? When some states outperform others in apparently desirable national priorities? When the mantra itself gets the South worried? Speaking to reporters about the situation, Sikar Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Ratan Lal said that they are investigating the matter. "The children brought here are nearly fine. We are investigating this and have deployed the Pollution Control Board. Twenty-two patients, including fifteen children, have been admitted. Prima facie, the cause of this is burning of clothes in a nearby furnace," ADM Ratan Lal said. According to the Central Pollution Control Board bulletin, the air quality in Sikar was recorded in the Moderate category, with an index value of 172. Meanwhile, the national capital woke up to dense smog on Sunday morning as the average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 381 at 7 am, falling under the 'very poor' category despite the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV in effect across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). A layer of thick smog engulfed several areas, showing little to no improvement from Sunday morning's AQI of 359. Bawana recorded the highest AQI level of 435 at 7 am, falling under the 'severe' category. In contrast, NSIT Dwarka recorded the lowest AQI of 313, according to the data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). A layer of toxic smog lingers in the air of Anand Vihar, as the Central Pollution Control Board reported that the Air Quality Index in the area is 429, categorised as 'very poor'. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday inaugurated the second floor of the All India Uttarakhand Dharamshala Ashram located at Pushkar, Ajmer, Rajasthan, a release said. A large number of migrant residents of Uttarakhand, local citizens, and representatives of various organisations were present at the special programme organised on this occasion. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that he first bows in reverence to Lord Brahma, the primordial creator of the universe and the originator of the Vedas, who resides on the sacred land of Tirtharaj Pushkar. He added that being present on this spiritually enriched land is both a great privilege and a moment of deep joy for him. The Chief Minister said that our scriptures describe Pushkar, Kurukshetra, Haridwar, Gaya and Prayagraj as the Panchteerth. Among these, Pushkar, being the site of Lord Brahma's yajna, is regarded as the Guru of all pilgrimages. He emphasised that Pushkar is not merely a pilgrimage site but an eternal flame of Sanatan culture, continuously inspiring humanity to follow the path of dharma, penance, sacrifice, and virtue. He further said that the merit of the Char Dham Yatra is considered complete only after taking a holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Sarovar. Becoming emotional, the Chief Minister shared that perhaps it was the divine aura and spiritual significance of this land that inspired his parents to name him "Pushkar." Expressing gratitude to the organising committee and the migrant Uttarakhand community, the Chief Minister said that he did not feel as though he was in Rajasthan but rather among his own family from Devbhoomi. He expressed confidence that the Dharamshala would soon become an important shelter for devotees and a strong link fostering deeper cultural, spiritual, and social relations between Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's Sanatan culture is gaining a new global identity. The construction of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok, and the reconstruction of Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham have elevated India's spiritual heritage to new heights. He noted that the Uttarakhand government, under the guidance of PM Modi, is also working on several important projects such as the beautification of the Kedarkhand and Manaskhand temple regions, the Shri Krishna-Yamuna Teerth Circuit, the Haridwar-Rishikesh Corridor, and the Sharda Corridor. He said that the establishment of the 'Centre for Hindu Studies' at Doon University is also a significant step in this direction. The Chief Minister said that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is the spiritual and cultural heart of the entire nation. To preserve the original character of this holy land, the state government has taken several important and stringent decisions. A strict law has been implemented against forced religious conversions. Strong action is being taken against the malicious practices of land jihad, love jihad, and thook jihad. A new anti-riot law ensures that rioters themselves bear the cost of damages. Over 10,000 acres of government land illegally occupied, identified using green, blue, and yellow markers, have been freed. "Uttarakhand became the first state in the nation to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), ensuring equal legal provisions for all citizens. The Madrasa Board has been dissolved through new legislation, and government-recognised curricula have been made mandatory in all schools. More than 250 illegal madrasas have been shut down. Under "Operation Kalnemi," strict action is underway against individuals disguising themselves at religious sites to spread deceit and malpractice", Dhami added. The Chief Minister said that the objective of the state government is not to promote separatist ideologies but to establish temples of knowledge and values in Devbhoomi. The Chief Minister urged all Uttarakhand residents living anywhere in the world to carry forward the culture, identity, and glorious traditions of their ancestors with pride. He said, "Our resolve is to make Uttarakhand the spiritual capital of the country. With the mantra of 'resolute commitment with no alternatives,' we are moving forward continuously, and every Uttarakhandi will contribute with dedication and hard work." During the programme, it was also mentioned that the Uttarakhand government had provided a financial assistance of one crore rupees for the construction of the ashram, for which heartfelt gratitude was expressed to Chief Minister Dhami. (ANI) The Union Home Ministry on Sunday clarified that a proposal aimed solely at simplifying the Central government's law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration and that no final decision has been taken so far. In its statement, the Ministry emphasised that the proposal does not seek to alter Chandigarh's governance model, administrative structure, or the traditional arrangements it shares with Punjab and Haryana. It said any decision will be taken only after thorough consultations with all stakeholders, keeping Chandigarh's interests paramount. The Ministry also noted that there is "no need for concern" on the issue and categorically stated that the Central government has no intention of introducing any Bill related to the proposal in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. "The proposal only to simplify the Central Government's law-making process for the Union Territory of Chandigarh is still under consideration with the Central Government. No final decision has been taken on this proposal. The proposal in no way seeks to alter Chandigarh's governance or administrative structure, nor does it aim to change the traditional arrangements between Chandigarh and the States of Punjab or Haryana. A suitable decision will be taken only after adequate consultations with all stakeholders, keeping in mind the interests of Chandigarh. There is no need for any concern on this matter. The Central Government has no intention of introducing any Bill to this effect in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament," MHA mentioned in a post on X. Chandigarh, a Union Territory serving as the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana, has long operated under a unique administrative system where the Central government holds primary legislative authority. Over the years, periodic discussions have taken place on streamlining the legislative and administrative processes governing the UT, especially as several Central laws require specific extensions or adaptations to apply to Chandigarh. Recent debates in both states and public discourse have led to speculation about possible changes to the territory's governance arrangements, prompting the Centre to issue a clarification to prevent any misunderstanding. (ANI) A senior official of Assam police told ANI over the phone that Arunodoy Dohutia, a top leader of Paresh Baruah-led ULFA (I), on Sunday morning surrendered before a joint team of Assam Police and Assam Rifles in a remote place of the Indo-Myanmar border. "Arunodoy Dohutia, along with another ULFA (I) cadre, surrendered before the security personnel, and they deposited war-like stores," a senior police official of Assam police said. On the other hand, sources said that the top ULFA (I) leader will be taken to Delhi for further investigation. More details are awaited in the case. Earlier in October, Assam Rifles under Spear Corps, based on specific intelligence inputs and in coordination with Arunachal Pradesh Police, launched a follow-up operation in the general area of Manfeisang, Namsai District, South Arunachal Pradesh, a press release said. During the extensive search and tracking operation, multiple columns were employed, including aerial reconnaissance, tracker dogs, drones, and technical surveillance. Troops have apprehended one ULFA (I) cadre near Hanthi Camp, Manfeisang. The individual was identified as Self-Styled Corporal Thawseng Asom alias Anupom Dohatiya, aged 24 years, resident of Makum Bariakoli, Tinsukia District, Assam. The apprehended cadre was involved in the attack on the Army Camp at Kakopathar on October 17. Subsequent searches in the area led to the recovery of one Rifle, MQ-RA81, three magazines, 151 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one rifle grenade, and one hand grenade from the general area of Pathargaon. The apprehended insurgent and recovered arms and ammunition have been handed over to the Arunachal Pradesh Police for further investigation and other proceedings. (ANI) According to the Police, several people were arrested for their involvement in cock fight betting and have seized several cocks and money. Currently, a case has been registered against the accused. "Yesterday, on credible information, we conducted a raid on a gambling house, arrested several people for involvement in cock foght betting, seized cocks and money, and took the organiser and others into custody. More details will be provided later," said a Police official. More Details are awaited. Meanwhile, in Hyderabad, three family members were found dead due to hanging in their residence under the Amberpet police station limits in Hyderabad on Saturday night, police said. According to the police, the deceased included a man, his wife, and his daughter. The police have registered a case. The bodies have been transferred to the post-mortem examination. "Yesterday night, three people from the same family were found dead at their residence by hanging. The deceased are a man, his wife, and their daughter. We have registered a case and are investigating the matter, and the bodies have been shifted to the PME," police said. (ANI) India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist Dr Sanjeev Dwivedi on Sunday said that a low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal is likely to develop into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining the south Andaman Sea on November 24. Speaking to ANI, he said that the low-pressure system will continue to move in a west-northwest direction and is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm. However, he added, Odisha will experience dry weather for the next seven days, with no cyclonic effect. "A low-pressure area over the Strait of Malacca and the adjoining Andaman region is expected to move west to northwest, with the possibility of depression formation over the South Andaman Sea on November 24. The (low-pressure) system will continue to move west-northwest. It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm," Dwivedi said. "However, Odisha will experience dry weather for the next seven days, with no cyclonic effect," he added. A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has formed and strengthened into a well-marked low-pressure area. It may develop into a cyclone storm. However, there is no forecast of its landfall. Forecast models have indicated that the (low-pressure) system may intensify into a depression by November 24 and could potentially develop into a cyclonic storm over the southwestern Bay of Bengal. The Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai, has issued a yellow nowcast warning for light to moderate rainfall in various districts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday. Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai stated, "Light to moderate rain with thunderstorm and lightning is very likely upto 10 am of November 23." The IMD said that the affected districts are a few places in Kanyakumari, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Tenkasi, and Thiruvarur districts of Tamil Nadu, and the Karaikal area. The IMD said it may result in waterlogging and slippery roads in some areas, and that traffic may be affected in some areas. Puducherry received moderate rainfall since morning on Sunday due to the formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal. Moderate rainfall was observed in areas including Beach Road, New Bus Stand, Uppalam, Nellithope, Kamaraj Nagar, and the rural areas such as Villiyanur, Pakur, Thiruphuvanai, and Osudu in Puducherry. Earlier on Saturday, the IMD issued orange and yellow alerts across various districts of Tamil Nadu, warning of 'moderate' to 'light to moderate' rain with thunderstorms in isolated places. (ANI) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Sunday that "chaos" has been unleashed across the country in the garb of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls and alleged that 16 Booth Level Officers have died due to stress. The SIR is underway in nine States and three Union Territories. The first phase of SIR was held in Bihar ahead of the State's assembly elections. "Under the guise of SIR, chaos has been unleashed across the country - the result? In three weeks, 16 BLOs have lost their lives. Heart attacks, stress, suicides - SIR is no reform, it's an imposed tyranny," Rahul Gandhi alleged in a post on X in Hindi. "SIR is a calculated ploy - where citizens are being harassed and the deaths of BLOs from unnecessary pressure are dismissed as "collateral damage." This is not a failure, it's a conspiracy - a sacrifice of democracy to protect those in power," the Congress MP alleged. According to the media report shared by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, 16 BLOs have died in six states, including four each in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, three in West Bengal, two in Rajasthan, and one each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. After the death of the BLO in West Bengal sparked a political row, Governor CV Ananda Bose on Sunday said that the death of BLO Shanti Muni Ekka, who allegedly took her own life due to "unbearable pressure" from the SIR of electoral rolls work, will be examined in detail. "In such a situation, it is better to avoid a knee-jerk reaction. What the Chief Minister said has to be examined in detail. I am sure we have an Election Commission which is strong enough and has a balanced outlook. All these issues can be examined properly and appropriate solutions found, but what is required is free and fair elections in this country," the Governor said. The final elector's list is to be published on February 7, 2026. These states and UTs include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress will hold an internal meeting on November 24, to be chaired by party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The objective of this meeting will be a SIR-related review, improvements across many places and districts, and ensuring that no names are left out. CM Mamata Banerjee will meet the Matua community in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas, on November 25. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Minister AK Sharma hit back at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his statement against "Viksit Bharat" envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India a developed India by 2047 and said that a people's leader foresees the development of his nation 25- 50 years. "It doesn't behove any responsible person to make such statements about the Prime Minister of his country... As for Akhilesh Yadav's statement, his thinking, and his perspective, I pray to God to give him some wisdom. After every election, the Samajwadi Party looks for a conspiracy to win the upcoming election... A people's leader thinks about taking his country 25 to 50 years ahead... These people see their family's benefit in everything and evaluate things with that calculus...," Sharma told ANI. At a press conference on November 22, Yadav questioned the BJP's focus on 2047, saying, "The BJP is talking about 2047. They don't even read their own manifesto...Why 2047? Should they add another 100 years?" Will you survive till 2047?" in an apparent dig at PM Modi's vision of a developed India. "Viksit Bharat" is a vision for a developed India by 2047 The statement has drawn sharp reactions from the BJP. UP Minister Danish Azad Ansari accused SP of engaging in politics. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak on Sunday criticised SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav Pathak told ANI, "Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party are completely misguided. Every Indian is ready to fulfil the pledge of a developed India under the leadership of PM Modi, and this time, the Samajwadi Party is going to be marginalised." This comes after SP Chief criticised PM Narendra Modi's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' initiative, questioning its long-term vision and predicting BJP losses in Bengal and UP. UP Minister Danish Azad Ansari accused SP of engaging in politics. "The Samajwadi Party has consistently engaged in politics with a negative agenda. Our Prime Minister is speaking about a developed India, focusing on advancing the country towards prosperity, happiness, employment, and progress". Minister Ansari claimed that PM Modi is working for the welfare of every section of society. "The leaders of the Samajwadi Party are so upset by this that they did not hesitate to make personal remarks against the Prime Minister. The country has a strong and capable Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who is working sincerely and diligently to elevate the nation's development. These very things, the talk of the country's development and progress, are not being digested by the people of the Samajwadi Party." Earlier, Yadav alleged that the BJP and EC are conspiring to delete over 50,000 votes in Assembly segments where the SP and INDIA bloc won in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that many minority communities in neighbouring countries faced violence and forced conversions, and earlier governments did not give those who came to India proper rights. Singh said the Hindu community that deserved help was ignored, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood their pain. He added that this is why the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was introduced. While addressing the Sindhi Samaj Sammelan Program in the national capital, Singh said, "...Minority communities in many neighbouring countries have been suffering for years. Their homes were burned, their children were killed, their daughters were subjected to cruelty and torture, and people were forcibly converted. When many of them somehow managed to escape and come to India, the treatment meted out to them by appeasement-seeking governments cannot be condemned enough. They were humiliated simply to appease the vote bank of a particular community." "A special class of people coming from neighbouring countries was given refuge. But the people of this Hindu community, who truly deserved it, were not given the rights they deserved. Their suffering was not understood with compassion. But if anyone understood this pain, it was our Prime Minister Narendra Modi...That is why we introduced the Citizenship Amendment Bill," Singh said. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 aims to facilitate grant of citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian community from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered into India on or before the 31.12.2014 and who have been exempted by the Central Government by or under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 or from the application of the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 or any rule or order made thereunder. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, was notified on December 12, 2019 and came into force with effect from January 10, 2020. (ANI) Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Sunday congratulated the joint team of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Delhi Police for busting the mega trans-national methamphetamine cartel under Operation "Crystal Fortress". In a post on the X platform, Shah said, "Our govt is shattering drug cartels at an unprecedented pace. Fiercely pursuing the top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top approach to the investigation of drugs, a breakthrough was achieved by seizing 328 kg of methamphetamine worth 262 crore in New Delhi and arresting two. The operation was a brilliant example of seamless multi-agency coordination to achieve PM Modi Ji's vision for a drug-free India. Congratulations to the joint team of NCB and Delhi Police." In an important breakthrough, the Narcotics Control Bureau (OPS Branch), in collaboration with the Special Cell (CI) Delhi Police, has busted a transnational trafficking network with the seizure of about 328 kilograms of high-quality methamphetamine from a house in Chhatarpur, Delhi, on November 20 under Operation Crystal Fortress, a coordinated intelligence-driven crackdown targeting high-volume synthetic drug networks. This decisive action is the culmination of a relentless pursuit over the last few months based on intelligence and technical intercepts uncovering a well-organised trafficking chain, eventually leading to this major breakthrough. Two persons, including a woman from Nagaland, detained with the support of Nagaland police, from whose residence the bulk seizure was effected, have been arrested, and other operatives have been identified, which include a kingpin operating from abroad, who is also wanted in the case related to the seizure of 82.5 kilograms of high-grade cocaine last year in Delhi by NCB. Efforts are underway, in coordination with international enforcement partners, to secure his deportation to India to face legal proceedings. This is one of the biggest catches of methamphetamine in Delhi. Preliminary investigation indicates that the cartel was operating through multiple couriers, safe houses, and layered handlers, with Delhi being used as a key hub for distribution both within India and to overseas markets. Operation "Crystal Fortress" underscores NCB's unwavering focus on dismantling synthetic drug cartels and their transnational networks. To fight against drug trafficking, NCB seeks the support of the citizens. Any person can share information related to the sale of narcotics by calling on MANAS - National Narcotics Helpline Toll Free Number - 1933. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Sunday, referring to a quote of former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, said that the border can change and "who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India again" Sindh region, known as the homeland of the Sindhi people, has been a significant part of India's civilisation. It was also the centre of the Indus Valley Civilisation. The region became part of Pakistan with the partition in 1947. Addressing the Sindhi Samaj Sammelan Program in the national capital, Rajnath Singh said, "This is Advani's (Lal Krishna Advani) quote. Today, the land of Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilisationally, Sindh will always be a part of India. And as far as land is concerned, borders can change. Who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India again." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also highlighted the cultural significance of the Sindh region in Indian civilisation. He also added that Many Muslims in Sindh believed that the water of the Indus was no less sacred than the Aab-e-Zamzam of Mecca "I'd also like to mention the Lal Krishna Advani here. He wrote in one of his books that Sindhi Hindus, especially those of his generation, still haven't accepted the separation of Sindh from India. Not just in Sindh, but throughout India, Hindus considered the Indus River sacred. Many Muslims in Sindh also believed that the water of the Indus was no less sacred than the Aab-e-Zamzam of Mecca," he said. "Our people of Sindh, who hold the Indus River sacred, will always be our own. No matter where they are, they will always be ours," he added. Rajnath Singh also spoke about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), highlighting its necessity to protect the minorities communities in neighbouring countries who faced violence. Singh said the Hindu community that deserved help was ignored, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood their pain. He added that this is why the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was introduced. While addressing the Sindhi Samaj Sammelan Program in the national capital, Singh said, "...Minority communities in many neighbouring countries have been suffering for years. Their homes were burned, their children were killed, their daughters were subjected to cruelty and torture, and people were forcibly converted. When many of them somehow managed to escape and come to India, the treatment meted out to them by appeasement-seeking governments cannot be condemned enough. They were humiliated simply to appease the vote bank of a particular community." "A special class of people coming from neighbouring countries was given refuge. But the people of this Hindu community, who truly deserved it, were not given the rights they deserved. Their suffering was not understood with compassion. But if anyone understood this pain, it was our Prime Minister Narendra Modi...That is why we introduced the Citizenship Amendment Bill," Singh said. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 aims to facilitate grant of citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian community from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered into India on or before the 31.12.2014 and who have been exempted by the Central Government by or under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 or from the application of the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 or any rule or order made thereunder. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, was notified on December 12, 2019 and came into force with effect from January 10, 2020. (ANI) Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday implied that he also remains in the Chief Ministerial race amid speculations regarding a change of leadership in the state. It is no secret that demands for a CM from the Dalit community have surfaced multiple times within the Congress. When asked about the repeated meetings of Congress leaders from the Dalit community, including him, and Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Parameshwara said, "Dalits have been asking for the CM post for a long time." "Will it happen because we met?" he asked. Parameshwara's remarks come in the backdrop of a dinner recently hosted by Jarkiholi for leaders from the Dalit community at his residence. "We had dinner together at Satish Jarkiholi's (house). Is that wrong? We also talked about politics during the meeting. As ministers in the government, we discussed the works that need to be undertaken in the departments," he informed. Parameshwara further stated that leaders from the Dalit community have met to discuss issues, including internal reservation among Schedule Castes (SCs). "We are all like-minded. The fight over internal reservation is over," he said, asking, "Should we not discuss our problems?" "I have always been in the CM race. In 2013, I was the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). We brought the Congress government to power then. I have never said that I brought the government to power alone. Everyone worked together. People voted and made the party win. I was defeated at that time. I don't know what would have happened if I had won. They give the KPCC president a chance. That is not followed in some cases," Parameshwara said. The senior Congress leader further wrote off reports of "problems" within the party over the issue of possible power change, and said that there was no problem in the party or the (state) government. He clarified that no decisions are made in the party without the high command's go-ahead. When asked about any word from the high command on a possible change in leadership, Parameshwara said it was up to the Congress high command to suggest changes, but that time has not come yet. "Observers from the AICC had come during the selection of the Chief Ministers. It happened before them in the CLP (Congress Legislature Party) meeting. Siddaramaiah did not say that he would be the CM for two and a half years. It is up to the high command to make a change in the middle. When the occasion arises, the high command will do it. They replaced Bangarappa with Veerappa Moily. I don't think that time has come now," he asserted. Parameshwara said that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who hails from Karnataka, will decide on a leadership change if required. He said that any confusion will be resolved after discussions among top party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi. "Our leader Rahul Gandhi is on a foreign tour. After he comes, if there are any developments in the party, the AICC President will discuss and decide. The AICC President is from Karnataka. No one knows as much about state politics as he does. The AICC President has been in politics for 50 years. He makes decisions. If there is any confusion in the party, Rahul Gandhi will take a decision after he comes," he said. Earlier, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Friday dismissed speculation about a change in the Chief Minister post, saying that leaders meeting the party high command is normal and no one can stop them from doing so. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, "All are eligible to go and meet their leaders. You can't stop them, you can't tell them no, because so many are going with ministers. Some of them are going with the CM. Who will stop them? No one will stop them." He made the remarks amid reports that several MLAs were heading to Delhi to meet Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah earlier downplayed speculation about a leadership change in the state, terming it an "unnecessary debate" and attributing it to recent discussions about a cabinet reshuffle. The Chief Minister further said that the senior party leadership would take the final decisions on the cabinet reshuffle, as 2 of the total 34 ministerial posts, two posts are vacant and would be filled during the reshuffle. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday attended the 44th India International Trade Fair in New Delhi. Under CM Dhami's leadership, products from Uttarakhand are gaining new recognition. Through the "House of Himalayas" initiative, Uttarakhand's products are finding a place in households across the country, according to a release from Uttarakhand CMO. Small industries in Uttarakhand are becoming stronger under his leadership. Fifteen products from the state have received GI tags, and the demand for Uttarakhand's products has increased even in foreign markets. Speaking to reporters, CM Dhami said that the trade fair presents a platform to showcase our state's products. "The Trade Fair is providing a platform to showcase the details of products made in our state of Uttarakhand... All kinds of such products that are beneficial and useful from every perspective get a big platform here. Our effort is to provide opportunities to the people making such products, artisans, and craftsmen. We make every possible effort to encourage them... Inspired by the Prime Minister, the journey from local to global is going well... The products being made by our women are of very high quality," Dhami said. Earlier in the day, Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the second floor of the All India Uttarakhand Dharamshala Ashram located at Pushkar, Ajmer, Rajasthan, a release said. A large number of migrant residents of Uttarakhand, local citizens, and representatives of various organisations were present at the special programme organised on this occasion. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that he first bows in reverence to Lord Brahma, the primordial creator of the universe and the originator of the Vedas, who resides on the sacred land of Tirtharaj Pushkar. He added that being present on this spiritually enriched land is both a great privilege and a moment of deep joy for him. The Chief Minister said that our scriptures describe Pushkar, Kurukshetra, Haridwar, Gaya and Prayagraj as the Panchteerth. Among these, Pushkar, being the site of Lord Brahma's yajna, is regarded as the Guru of all pilgrimages. (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attended the religious ceremony that commenced on Sunday in Sri Anandpur Sahib to mark the 350th martyrdom day (Shahidi Diwas) of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. On this occasion, he paid obeisance at the Gurudwara. Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said that Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed everything to uphold faith, humanity and truth. He laid down his life not only for Sikhism but also for the protection of the rights of every religion and every sect. Guru Tegh Bahadur's courage to stand firmly against tyranny continues to guide us even today. He added that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's teachings inspire us to follow the path of mutual respect, brotherhood and tolerance. The Chief Minister said that the Guru's life serves as a beacon for strengthening unity in diversity and democratic ideals. "At a time when society needs peace, harmony and social justice more than ever, the legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji becomes even more significant," he said. MLAs Hardeep Singh Bawa, Vivek Sharma and other distinguished guests were also present on the occasion. Guru Tegh Bahadur, remembered as "Hind di Chadar," sacrificed his life in 1675 to uphold the right to freedom of belief. His martyrdom holds a significant place in India's socio-religious history, symbolising the protection of pluralism and the safeguarding of civil liberties. The state government said the observance aims to raise awareness of his teachings on compassion, equality, and resilience. The purpose of commemorating Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day is to honour and respect the sacrifice made by the ninth Sikh Guru while preserving people's religious feelings. To celebrate the day, Sikhs give special prayers in Gurudwaras. (ANI) The Delhi Legislative Assembly is fully gearing up for the 75th Constitution Day Celebrations as Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta called a High Level Meeting to review the arrangements along with senior officers of the Delhi Police, PWD, Horticulture Department and officials of the Assembly Secretariat. The Delhi Legislative Assembly will commemorate Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) on 26 November, honouring the historic adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. A major highlight of the celebration will be the unveiling of the specially curated Coffee Table Book by the Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, marking 100 years since Shri Vithalbhai Patel became the first Indian elected Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly on 24 August 1925, according to a release. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan will grace the ceremony as the Chief Guest. The event will also be attended by the Lt. Governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena and the Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, as Guests of Honour. Deputy Speaker, Mohan Singh Bisht, Delhi Cabinet Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh and the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi Rajeev Verma will also be present on the dais. The programme will be presided over by the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijender Gupta. As part of the national observance, a three-minute short film prepared by the Government of India on the occasion of the 75th Constitution Day will also be screened, the release stated. The Coffee Table Book, to be unveiled on the 75th Constitution Day, has been curated to commemorate 100 years since Vithalbhai Patel became the first Indian elected Speaker of the Central Legislative Assembly. It showcases rare archival photographs, key documents, and select excerpts from his speeches and writings, along with highlights from the All India Speakers' Conference and messages from dignitaries. Featuring curated archival material on the evolution of India's legislative institutions and visuals of the modern Parliament, the book serves as a concise yet rich tribute to Shri Vithalbhai Patel's enduring legacy and India's democratic journey. The Speaker noted that Constitution Day is an important reminder of the nation's democratic ideals and directed all departments to ensure flawless coordination for a dignified and smooth event. With preparations nearing completion, the Delhi Legislative Assembly is fully set to host a memorable and well-organized celebration, the release added. (ANI) He said that Dohutia and another ULFA-I cadre will be in Assam's Tinsukia and may come to Guwahati, but there were no plans to bring them to Delhi. "There is no plan to bring them to Delhi. They may come to Guwahati to meet the DGP," Sarma said. A top leader of the banned militant organisation ULFA-I on Sunday surrendered before the security forces along the Indo-Myanmar border, police said. A senior official of Assam police told ANI over the phone that Arunodoy Dohutia, a top leader of Paresh Baruah-led ULFA (I), surrendered before a joint team of Assam Police and Assam Rifles in a remote place of the Indo-Myanmar border on Sunday morning. "Arunodoy Dohutia, along with another ULFA (I) cadre, surrendered before the security personnel, and they deposited war-like stores," a senior police official of Assam police said. Earlier, sources said that the top ULFA (I) leader would be taken to Delhi for further investigation. (ANI) The ceremony, hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, will be presided over by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, according to a Ministry of Defence release. The commissioning of Mahe will mark the arrival of a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants - sleek, swift, and resolutely Indian. With over 80 per cent indigenous content, the Mahe-class showcases India's growing mastery in warship design, construction and integration. She will serve as a 'Silent Hunter' on the Western Seaboard - powered by self-reliance and dedicated to safeguarding India's maritime frontiers, the release said. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, Mahe represents the cutting edge of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in naval ship design and construction. Compact yet powerful, the ship embodies agility, precision and endurance - qualities vital for dominating the littorals. With her blend of firepower, stealth and mobility, the ship is designed to hunt submarines, conduct coastal patrols, and secure India's vital maritime approaches. (ANI) BJP leader Jairam Thakur on Sunday accused the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh of pushing the state's education system towards "decline" and attempting to "Congressise" it, alleging misuse of official resources for political glorification. In a strongly worded statement, the Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Assembly said the government should focus on making education employment-orientated rather than "politically coloured". "If the Chief Minister and Sukh's government can do something in the field of education, it would be better if they make it employment-orientated. We will not allow the Congressisation of education," the statement read. Thakur targeted the government for allegedly shutting down nearly 2,000 educational institutions since coming to power, claiming that instead of strengthening the system, responsible officials were busy Congressising education. "The government, which closed nearly 2,000 educational institutions in just three years since coming to power, should talk about strengthening the education system, but the responsible people talk about Congressising education, which is very unfortunate," the statement added. Thakur further lashed out at the Himachal Pradesh Board of Education for publishing what he called a politically motivated booklet on the occasion of Children's Day. He said a 72-page booklet, meant to focus on India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, was filled with political messaging and lacked academic integrity. "It is surprising that 40 pages of the 72-page booklet are filled with congratulatory messages from Congress leaders," the statement stated, adding that even the state Education Minister, Education Secretary, and Director of Education had no messages included. He also objected to the absence of references to national icons like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, as well as to the lack of proper citations for quotations. "Mahatma Gandhi, the champion of non-violence, is not mentioned in the entire book. There is no mention of Sardar Patel, the Iron Man of National Unity, without whom modern India is meaningless. The name of the author of the booklet or its chapters is not even mentioned," he alleged. Thakur further claimed the booklet was not even printed at the state printing press, raising concerns over transparency and expenditure. "This raises the question: are some in the government using Himachal Pradesh's funds to appease their political masters? Fortunately, Congress did not include its election symbol in the booklet," it added. The BJP leader also criticised the government for spending resources on political promotion while ignoring the needs of teachers and students. He said allowances for paper evaluation and exam duties had been pending for more than two years. "Himachal Pradesh teachers have not received the money for evaluation of exam papers for two years, and exam duty allowances are also pending for more than two years. The resources of the Himachal Pradesh Education Board should be spent on the betterment of the state's teachers and students, not on internal factionalism within the Congress party and to prove their closeness to the government and party leaders," the statement read. Thakur reiterated that the BJP would strongly oppose any attempt to politicise education in the state and urged the government to fully implement the central government's National Education Policy (NEP) to make education more job-orientated. He also demanded the immediate revival of stalled skill development programmes, saying this would help empower youth and contribute to the state's growth. (ANI) Earlier, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also attended the religious ceremony that commenced on Sunday in Sri Anandpur Sahib to mark the 350th martyrdom day (Shahidi Diwas) of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. On this occasion, he paid obeisance at the Gurudwara. Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said that Guru Tegh Bahadur sacrificed everything to uphold faith, humanity and truth. He laid down his life not only for Sikhism but also for the protection of the rights of every religion and every sect. Guru Tegh Bahadur's courage to stand firmly against tyranny continues to guide us even today. He added that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's teachings inspire us to follow the path of mutual respect, brotherhood and tolerance. The Chief Minister said that the Guru's life serves as a beacon for strengthening unity in diversity and democratic ideals. "At a time when society needs peace, harmony and social justice more than ever, the legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji becomes even more significant," he said.MLAs Hardeep Singh Bawa, Vivek Sharma and other distinguished guests were also present on the occasion. Guru Tegh Bahadur, remembered as "Hind di Chadar," sacrificed his life in 1675 to uphold the right to freedom of belief. His martyrdom holds a significant place in India's socio-religious history, symbolising the protection of pluralism and the safeguarding of civil liberties. The state government said the observance aims to raise awareness of his teachings on compassion, equality, and resilience. The purpose of commemorating Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day is to honour and respect the sacrifice made by the ninth Sikh Guru while preserving people's religious feelings. To celebrate the day, Sikhs give special prayers in Gurudwaras. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ram Kadam on Sunday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party the Trinamool Congress (TMC) over its opposition on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ahead of next year's state assembly polls, questioning whether she fears the removal of "infiltrators" from the voter list, alleging that her government had brought them in and facilitated their forced registration. Speaking to ANI, the BJP MLA from Ghatkopar West accused Banerjee of openly supporting Bangladeshi infiltrators, claiming that elections under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership will be conducted with complete transparency. "If Mamata Banerjee is protesting, the reason is very clear. Is Mamata Banerjee afraid of removing the names of the infiltrators who entered Bengal and whose names were forcibly registered there? What is she afraid of?" Kadam said. "Elections will be held with complete transparency under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi... Even she (Mamata Banerjee) is unable to hide how she openly supported Bangladeshis and infiltrators," he added. Currently, a nationwide SIR is underway in 12 states and union territories, including West Bengal, with the final elector's list to be published on February 7, 2026. These states and UTs include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee expressed serious concerns over the ongoing SIR in the state, urging the Election Commission to intervene immediately. Sharing her concerns in a letter on X, the West Bengal CM addressed to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Banerjee described the SIR exercise as "unplanned, chaotic and dangerous," highlighting gaps in training, lack of clarity on documentation, and the impossibility of meeting voters amidst their work schedules. Banerjee, in her letter, further noted the "critical gaps in training, lack of clarity on mandatory documentation and the near-impossibility of meeting voters in the midst of their livelihood schedules have made the exercise structurally unsound." The Chief Minister expressed serious concerns about the ongoing SIR, citing inadequate planning, insufficient training, and unrealistic timelines that are "compromising the process's credibility." The Trinamool Congress will also be holding an internal meeting on November 24, chaired by party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The objective of this meeting will be a SIR-related review, improvements across many places and districts, and ensuring that no names are left out. (ANI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday said that women's economic progress and socio-economic development are among the key goals of the government, and that the role of women in the Atmanirbhar Tripura, Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is very important. Saha said this while addressing a meeting organised by the BJP Mahila Morcha of Bardowali Mandal at Muktadhara Auditorium in Agartala. While addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Atmanirbhar Bharat is a national mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "It started in May 2020. Now this program will continue again from September 25 to December 25. The main objective of this program is to improve India's economic condition, defence system, infrastructure, and technology sector. These issues became clear during the Covid period, which our Prime Minister understood well. It was realised then that no one will help us if we are not atmanirbhar ourselves. That is why the Prime Minister repeatedly says 'Vocal for Local'. We are also giving the slogan of Vocal for Local in Tripura -- Har Ghar Swadeshi, Ghar Ghar Swadeshi," he said. The Chief Minister said that to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat, everyone must contribute to making an Atmanirbhar Tripura. "Only if every state is atmanirbhar, then Atmanirbhar Bharat will be achieved. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the country's independence, the Prime Minister is talking about a Viksit Bharat by 2047. That is why every state has to be developed. Today, Tripura is progressing in terms of health services. Starting from the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, we also have the Chief Minister Jan Arogya Yojana here. The health system is gradually improving," he said. Saha said that he often sees many people going to private hospitals for treatment. "However, if you go to the district hospital or state hospital despite a little difficulty, you can still get good treatment. Similarly, many people book tickets in advance and go to Kashmir, Bangalore, Sikkim, and other places for sightseeing. In this case, our money goes out. Yet there are many beautiful tourist centres in Tripura. Wherever we go within the state, our money stays here. So we must first make ourselves self-reliant and strong," he said. In the discussion, the Chief Minister also said that women are an important part of society. "Our current government has given special importance to the overall development of women. We should be aware of the benefits and rights that the government has provided to women. Women played a significant role in the recent Bihar elections. We achieved a huge victory there because of them. About 50 per cent of the population is women. Women are the driving force of the family. They are coming forward in running society and the country. From driving trains to flying airplanes, women are working with expertise everywhere. Along with doctors and engineers, women are also going on space missions. The role of women in the Atmanirbhar Tripura, Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is very important," he added. The meeting was attended by Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar, Sadar Urban District President Asim Bhattacharya, Sadar Urban District President Jhuma Biswas, Baradowali Mandal President Shyamal Kumar Deb, and other public representatives and party leaders. (ANI) BJP leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy on Sunday claimed that people had rejected Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's "vote chori" campaign, and it is unfortunate to "cast aspersions" on the country's institutions, including the Election Commission hours after Rahu Gandhi termed the special intensive revision of electoral rolls as "a conspiracy" to "protect those in power". The SIR is underway in nine States and three Union Territories. The first phase of SIR was held in Bihar ahead of the State's assembly elections. Shashidhar told ANI, "...The kind of hype they've tried to create over Special Intensive Revision of (electoral rolls) in Bihar in the name of 'vote chori ' has fallen flat. The people have rejected it... During the elections (in Bihar), and then there was no protest from anyone whose names had been illegally deleted after the SIR was conducted." The BJP leader noted that such comments were "unbecoming" of a person who is the leader of the opposition in the "biggest democracy" in India and advised him to avoid making such statements to "hide his party's failures". "He (Rahul Gandhi) wants a scapegoat, wants to find fault, and this kind of casting aspersions on the institutions of the country, including the Election Commission of India, is most unfortunate and is not expected from a person who is the leader of the opposition of the biggest democracy in India... Rahul Gandhi should refrain from making such statements to cover up the party's failures..." Rahul Gandhi said on Sunday that "chaos" has been unleashed across the country in the garb of the SIR and alleged that 16 Booth Level Officers have died due to stress. "Under the guise of SIR, chaos has been unleashed across the country - the result? In three weeks, 16 BLOs have lost their lives. Heart attacks, stress, suicides - SIR is no reform, it's an imposed tyranny," Rahul Gandhi alleged in a post on X in Hindi. "SIR is a calculated ploy - where citizens are being harassed and the deaths of BLOs from unnecessary pressure are dismissed as "collateral damage." This is not a failure, it's a conspiracy - a sacrifice of democracy to protect those in power," the Congress MP alleged. According to the media report shared by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, 16 BLOs have died in six states, including four each in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, three in West Bengal, two in Rajasthan, and one each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. After the death of the BLO in West Bengal sparked a political row, Governor CV Ananda Bose on Sunday said that the death of BLO Shanti Muni Ekka, who allegedly took her own life due to "unbearable pressure" from the SIR of electoral rolls work, will be examined in detail. "In such a situation, it is better to avoid a knee-jerk reaction. What the Chief Minister said has to be examined in detail. I am sure we have an Election Commission which is strong enough and has a balanced outlook. All these issues can be examined properly and appropriate solutions found, but what is required is free and fair elections in this country," the Governor said. The final elector's list is to be published on February 7, 2026. These states and UTs include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with cabinet ministers Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra and several distinguished representatives of Sikh Gurdwara Committees, attended the inaugural day of the three-day grand celebrations at the Red Fort marking the 350th martyrdom day of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib on Sunday. The three-day 'Gurmat Samagam', which commenced on November 23, will conclude on November 25. The Chief Minister stated that the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur is being commemorated across the country with deep devotion, reverence and enthusiasm. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said she felt privileged to take part in the Delhi government-organised event marking the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib at the historic Red Fort. "I had the privilege of participating in the grand three-day event organized by the Delhi government starting today, on the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji at the Red Fort," she wrote. https://x.com/gupta_rekha/status/1992653142132228562 Sharing details of the programme, she said, "The event features a light and sound show dedicated to the life-inspiring teachings of Guru Sahib, a heritage museum, sacred kirtan and poetry gatherings, presenting a unique confluence of faith, culture, and national pride." The Chief Minister added that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's life stands as a timeless symbol of courage in the face of tyranny, religious persecution and injustice. She said Guru Sahib was not only a revered Sikh Guru but also a guardian of universal human values. "By sacrificing his sacred head for the protection of religion, freedom and humanity, Guru Sahib inspired the entire world that standing up for truth and justice is the supreme essence of human duty. His unparalleled sacrifice will forever remain immortal in the soul of India," she said. Rekha Gupta added that the Red Fort stands as a witness to Guru Tegh Bahadur's supreme sacrifice and extended an invitation to people from all parts of Delhi and the nation to participate in the commemorative event. "Delhi is a living witness to this immortal heritage. The sacred Sis Ganj Sahib Gurdwara located in Chandni Chowk constantly reminds us that protecting the faith and rights of others is true service," she said. "In honour of this sacred heritage, this grand event is taking place on the ramparts of the Red Fort, a symbol of national pride, from where messages of religion, freedom and patriotism have reached the masses for centuries," she added. Inviting people to join the historic occasion, the Chief Minister said such an event is witnessed only once in many centuries and urged everyone to pay homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur and seek his blessings. "This event is a celebration of gratitude toward the nation's soul and a collective resolve. Let us all adopt Guru Sahib's ideals in our lives. Let us always remain vigilant in protecting truth, humanity and religious freedom. You are all cordially invited with your families. Come and become witnesses to this sacred heritage," she said. Guru Tegh Bahadur, remembered as "Hind di Chadar," sacrificed his life in 1675 to uphold the right to freedom of belief. His martyrdom occupies a significant place in India's socio-religious history, symbolising the defence of pluralism and civil liberties. The state government said the observance aims to raise awareness of his teachings on compassion, equality and resilience. Commemorating Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom day serves to honour and preserve the legacy of the ninth Sikh Guru while upholding the religious sentiments of the people. Sikhs mark the day with special prayers in Gurdwaras across the country. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad Ansari on Sunday hit back at Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav over his remarks against the "Viksit Bharat" vision, asserting that the SP has long engaged in "politics with a negative agenda" and "cannot digest the country's development" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at making India a developed nation by 2047. Ansari added that SP leaders are so unsettled by the government's focus on "prosperity, happiness, employment and progress" that they have resorted to personal attacks. Speaking to ANI, he said, "The Samajwadi Party has consistently engaged in politics with a negative agenda. Our Prime Minister is speaking about a developed India, focusing on advancing the country towards prosperity, happiness, employment, and progress. The leaders of the Samajwadi Party are so upset by this that they did not hesitate to make personal remarks against the Prime Minister. The country has a strong and capable Prime Minister in Narendra Modi, who is working sincerely and diligently to elevate the nation's development." Ansari further noted that discussions about the nation's development and progress seem to make the opposition uncomfortable. "These very things, the talk of the country's development and progress, are not being digested by the people of the Samajwadi Party," he said. In a recent development, the UP Minister Daya Shankar Singh criticised the SP chief's political priorities. "They are working towards the development of themselves and their family members, unlike PM Modi, who is selfless. Whether he remains or not, India should remain firm, that's his vision... Akhilesh Yadav's politics is centred around his family and people; on the contrary, he should think about who will take care of his family after he is gone," Shankar Singh told ANI. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dinesh Sharma, responding separately in Lucknow, asserted that the Prime Minister's roadmap for 2047 was anchored in a strong, widely supported national aspiration. "The vision of a developed India can never be defeated. The roadmap for a developed India in 2047 will be fulfilled solely on the basis of Prime Minister Modi's vision," he said. Meanwhile, at a press conference on November 22, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the BJP's focus on 2047, saying, "The BJP is talking about 2047. They don't even read their own manifesto...Why 2047? Should they add another 100 years?" Will you survive till 2047?" in an apparent dig at PM Modi's vision of a developed India. The "Viksit Bharat" initiative envisions a fully developed India by 2047, with economic growth, infrastructure development and national progress at its core. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said it was the capital's "good fortune" to host the 350th martyrdom day commemorations of Guru Tegh Bahadur at the Red Fort, urging families to participate in the three-day congregation. The Delhi government has declared November 25 a public holiday to enable citizens to take part in the celebrations. Addressing reporters, the Chief Minister said, "It is Delhi's good fortune that we are able to celebrate the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur here in Delhi in the form of a congregation... Yesterday and the day before, we organised a grand three-day congregation at the Red Fort for the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur. I would like every family to come here... The Delhi government has also declared a public holiday on the 25th so that everyone can celebrate this festival together." On the opening day, CM Rekha Gupta performed 'Seva' at the langar organised as part of the congregation, which drew thousands of devotees. In a post on X, CM Rekha Gupta expressed gratitude for being able to serve. "Today, my heart is filled with contentment through the service of langar... Today, participating in and serving at the martyrdom congregation of Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji atop the Red Fort is a matter of great pride for me," She wrote. https://x.com/gupta_rekha/status/1992671052846321678?s=20 She thanked devotees for their presence and encouraged wider participation in the remaining days of the congregation. "I extend my thanks to all the devotees who attended, whose presence made this event a success. My appeal is that in the coming two days as well, everyone participate in these congregations and receive the blessings of Guru Sahib Ji. The round roti in the Guru's home conveys the message of equality. The greatest form of langar is service, and the meaning of service is to deliver respect and empathy to every person. The immortal message of sacrifice, compassion, and freedom of Guru Shri Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji resides in the soul of Delhi," the post added on X. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, along with cabinet ministers Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra and representatives of various Sikh Gurdwara Committees, attended the inaugural day of the grand celebrations at the Red Fort. The three-day 'Gurmat Samagam', which began on November 23, will conclude on November 25. CM Rekha Gupta stated that the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur is being commemorated across the country with deep devotion, reverence and enthusiasm. A special light and laser show has also been organised by the Delhi government at the Red Fort as part of the celebrations, adding a vibrant visual tribute to the historic occasion. Guru Tegh Bahadur, remembered as "Hind di Chadar," sacrificed his life in 1675 to uphold the right to freedom of belief. His martyrdom occupies a significant place in India's socio-religious history, symbolising the defence of pluralism and civil liberties. The state government said the observance aims to raise awareness of his teachings on compassion, equality and resilience. Commemorating Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom day serves to honour and preserve the legacy of the ninth Sikh Guru while upholding the religious sentiments of the people. Sikhs mark the day with special prayers in Gurdwaras across the country. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jagdambika Pal on Sunday described the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) win in the Bihar Assembly elections as a "message for the future," asserting that voters rejected the opposition's focus on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue. He added that only Rohingya and other infiltrators were removed from the electoral process, reflecting the public mandate. Speaking to ANI, BJP MP Pal said, "The victory in Bihar is in itself a victory that is a message for everyone in the future... The opposition had made SIR an issue in Bihar... This has proven that the public has rejected that issue... Only Rohingya and infiltrators have been removed from the electoral process." The BJP MP emphasised that the electoral mandate reflects the public's trust in the NDA's governance and policies, signalling the electorate's support for the alliance's vision for Bihar's development. Earlier, on November 20, Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Chief Minister for the 10th time. BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior NDA leaders. A total of 25 ministers took oath as part of the new NDA-led Cabinet, including Vijay Kumar Choudhary (JD-U), Bijendra Prasad Yadav (JD-U), Shravan Kumar (JD-U), Mangal Pandey (BJP), Dilip Kumar Jaiswal (BJP) and Ashok Choudhary (JD-U). Bihar CM also allocated cabinet portfolios to the newly elected National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MLAs who swore in as ministers in the cabinet, giving up the Home department to the ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The ceremony was held at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna, which has previously hosted Nitish Kumar's swearing-ins in 2005, 2010, and 2015. The venue also holds political significance as the site where Jayaprakash Narayan called for a "total revolution" in 1974. The 2025 Bihar Assembly polls were seen as a crucial test for Nitish Kumar, who has remained a central figure in the state's politics for nearly two decades. The 74-year-old leader has served as Chief Minister since 2005, barring a brief nine-month interval in 2014-15. (ANI) Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) and the Ministry of External Affairs' lead for G20 affairs, on Saturday (local time) outlined four key priorities driving this year's G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Speaking at a press conference, Dalela said that the summit, hosted under the South African presidency, focused on enhancing disaster resilience and response, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, harnessing critical minerals for sustainable economic growth, and mobilising finance for a just energy transition. "Within the framework of the overarching theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability, the G20 this year has delivered a strong message on four key priorities that were identified by the South African presidency, which included strengthening disaster resilience and response, taking action to ensure debt sustainability for low income countries, harnessing critical minerals for sustainable economic growth and mobilizing finance for just energy transition," Dalela told reporters. He added that the concerns and priorities of Africa were prominently reflected in the G20 South Africa Summit Leaders' Declaration, adopted by member countries during the meeting. Dalela also highlighted that initiatives launched during India's G20 presidency continue to evolve, gain momentum and translate into concrete progress across the forum, an effort that South Africa has further advanced during its presidency. He further outlined the agenda for the remaining sessions, noting that a third session of the summit will take place on Sunday, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to deliver remarks. In addition, a trilateral meeting between the leaders of India, Brazil, and South Africa is scheduled on the sidelines of the summit tomorrow morning. "There was a focus on the issues and priorities of Africa, which are reflected in the G20 South Africa Summit Leaders Declaration, which was adopted by the members who gathered at the summit today. It is encouraging to see how the initiatives and outcomes that were shaped during our presidency have continued to evolve, gather momentum, and translate into concrete progress across the G20 and have been taken forward by the South African friends during their presidency... There is a third session of the summit tomorrow. Our Prime Minister proposes to make an intervention on the theme of the third session. And there would also be on the margins a meeting of the India, Brazil, South Africa leaders tomorrow morning," he said. The G20 Summit 2025, bringing together world leaders to discuss global economic, financial and developmental issues, is scheduled to conclude on November 23. (ANI) Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) and the MEA's lead official for G20 affairs, on Saturday (local time) emphasised the significance of the G20 Summit 2025 for India, highlighting the country's key contributions and enduring legacy. Speaking at a press briefing in Johannesburg, Dalela noted that the Prime Minister highlighted the Deccan Principles on food security, adopted during India's G20 presidency, and expressed hope that they would shape a comprehensive G20 roadmap on the issue. PM Modi also urged developed nations to fulfil their climate commitments by providing affordable finance and technology to developing countries within a defined timeframe. He added that PM Modi reiterated the importance of giving the Global South a stronger voice in global governance. In this context, the Prime Minister recalled the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 during India's presidency, a milestone that, he emphasised, should inspire continued inclusivity beyond the G20 framework. "Prime Minister also recalled the Deccan principles on food security, which were adopted during India's presidency, and he hoped that such an approach should become the basis for creating a G20 roadmap on food security. He also called upon developed countries to meet their climate action commitments on providing affordable finance and technology to developing countries in a time-bound manner. Prime Minister, of course, sought a greater voice for the global South in global governance structures. In this context, he recalled the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 during India's presidency in New Delhi two years back, which was a major step forward. And he felt that this inclusive spirit must continue beyond G20," Sudhakar Dalela said. He informed that this was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12th participation in a G20 Summit and the first-ever G20 Summit to be hosted on the African continent. He added that it marked the fourth consecutive G20 presidency held by a Global South nation following Indonesia in 2022, India in 2023, Brazil in 2024, and now South Africa. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated today in the G20 leaders summit hosted by the President of South Africa. This has been the Prime Minister's 12th participation in G20 summits... This G20 summit was special for many of us, especially for India, because it was the first time a G20 summit was held in Africa. And it was also the fourth global South presidency of G20 in succession. As you would recall, Indonesia chaired the G20 presidency in 2022, followed by India, Brazil, and then, of course, South Africa," Dalela told reporters. Reflecting on Prime Minister Modi's interventions during the summit, Dalela said the Prime Minister appreciated the South African presidency's work in key areas, including skilled migration, tourism, food security, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, innovation, and women's empowerment. He said that the Prime Minister also recalled the landmark decisions taken at the New Delhi G20 Summit and how they have been advanced under South Africa's leadership. "At the opening session on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, leaving no one behind, the Prime Minister appreciated the work of the group under the South African Presidency in areas such as skilled migration, tourism, food security, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, innovation, and women's empowerment. Prime Minister recalled some of the historic decisions taken during the New Delhi G20 Summit, and that have been carried forward by the South African presidency," Dalela said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (local time) emphasised that major global challenges can be effectively addressed through strong international cooperation as he spoke at the G20 Summit session on disaster risk reduction, climate change, just energy transitions and food systems. Addressing the session titled "A Resilient World - the G20's Contribution to Disaster Risk Reduction; Climate Change; Just Energy Transitions; Food Systems," PM Modi reiterated that India is committed to building a future that is human-centric, sustainable and inclusive. He noted that India's developmental approach aligns with the broader global objective of strengthening resilience against emerging risks. The G20 Summit 2025 will conclude on November 23. (ANI) Indian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Deepak Mittal and Consulate General Satish Sivan on Saturday (local time) paid their respects to Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who tragically lost his life in a Tejas aircraft crash during the Dubai Air Show 2025. The mortal remains of the Indian Air Force (IAF) officer were flown back to India on a special aircraft. The Emirati Defence Forces accorded him a ceremonial guard of honour in recognition of his bravery and service. "Ambassador Deepak Mittal and CG Satish Sivan paid their respects to Late Wing Commander Namansh Syal. A special IAF aircraft transported his mortal remains back to India. The Emirati Defence Forces honoured the Indian braveheart with a ceremonial guard of honour," an official post by the Indian Embassy in the UAE stated on X. The Indian Air Force (IAF) had earlier confirmed the death of Wing Commander Syal, stating that the Tejas fighter jet he was piloting crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show 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. A fighter jet crashed during a flight demonstration on the last day of the ongoing Dubai Airshow at the AI Maktoum International Airport. 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) Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday (local time) described his three-day visit to Israel as "very successful," noting that both industry leaders and government representatives in Israel have expressed strong enthusiasm for further strengthening bilateral ties with India. Goyal highlighted that India and Israel have finalised and signed the Terms of Reference, paving the way for formal negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement between the two nations. "It was a very successful three-day visit to Israel. There is a great deal of enthusiasm in the industry and the government to further strengthen relations with India. As a result, we finalised and signed the Terms of Reference, which will now begin negotiations for a free trade agreement. I also held separate discussions with several technology companies. At the Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation, we saw how Israel, taking every disaster as a challenge, has worked to benefit from it. It has turned it into an opportunity, and from that, whether it is in the field of security, health, or electronics technology, it has achieved remarkable innovations and success in various fields," Piyush Goyal told reporters. Piyush Goyal also highlighted the long conversation he had with Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat. He said that discussions on further steps to enhance economic ties between India and Israel were held. Goyal informed that his Israeli counterpart agreed to visit India with a large business delegation. The Union Minister also expressed confidence that his visit would increase bilateral trade between Israel and India. "Yesterday, I had a very long conversation with the Minister of Economy and Industry of Israel, Nir Barkat, who oversees international trade. We discussed in great detail what further steps will be taken to enhance economic ties. Both sides discussed this, and he expressed great satisfaction with the Israelis' visit to India with a large delegation, a business delegation, and now with the Indian delegation visiting Israel. He expressed great satisfaction with the success of both," Goyal said. The Union Minister further noted that his visit comes after a two-decade gap since the last visit by an Indian Commerce Minister, expressing confidence that the renewed engagement will significantly boost bilateral trade, innovation partnerships, and investment flows between India and Israel. "Tomorrow, I have a meeting with high-level Israeli leaders; I will share the details with you after the meeting. But in every way, it was a very successful visit. It's been 20 years since a Commerce Minister visited, and I hope this visit will increase bilateral trade between Israel and India. Our relationship in innovation, research, and development will improve, and in the future, there will be a significant surge in investment between the two countries," he added. Earlier on Saturday, 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. (ANI) The state of California has gained a title that no state wants to have: Having the most car thefts. In fact, California has more than twice the number of stolen cars as Texas, which holds the second position. The good news is that the total number of thefts in California actually dropped by 14% compared to the previous year, but the numbers are still sky-high, with approximately 180,000 car owners waking up to find their ride gone in 2024. The bad news is that it's easier to steal cars with keyless features than it is to steal traditional keyed cars. A common method thieves use to gain access to keyless cars is called a relay attack, where one thief stands near the car and a partner stands near the house, where key fobs are often left near exterior doors. The thief then boosts the signal to the car, unlocking it. So, in that example, if the key fob is in a house, and someone can get close enough to get a signal on the fob, then beam that signal across to the car, it'll unlock itself. That's the most common way, but there are many other ways to go about stealing a keyless car. For example, a Flipper Zero can be used to unlock cars that have keyless entry as a feature, and that's just one example. You could even become vulnerable if you fit a keyless entry system to your classic car. But these modern vehicles come equipped with remote entry and also happen to top the list of most stolen cars in California, as per data provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Honda's CR-V TrailSport Hybrid Looks Great, But The Smart Money Buys A Different Trim Honda Accord A blue 2025 Honda Accord parked at the side of a street. - Just dance/Shutterstock For the 2025 model year, the Honda Accord has a base MSRP of $28,295 alongside a $1,150 delivery fee, making it quite an affordable car. The standard engine is a four-cylinder unit that displaces 1.5 liters, with a turbocharger, mated to a continuously variable transmission. The powerplant makes 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. Other standard features for the 2025 model year include a rearview camera, stability assist, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. While all those features make the Honda Accord quite desirable to buyers, there's also another feature that, while convenient, potentially makes it easier to steal. All Accord models come with Honda's Smart Entry system, a major feature of which is keyless entry. It lets users unlock the doors by simply holding the handle while the key fob is nearby. The Smart Entry system also includes a push-to-start feature, and it lets users lock the car once they're done by tapping a button located on the door handle. Furthermore, there is also a custom feature called "Walk Away" that does what it says locks the car if the user walks away and the key fob goes out of range. And this isn't an upgrade option, but standard equipment on all trims and configurations of the Honda Accord, making the model particularly susceptible to theft. As of 2024, no fewer than 5,414 Honda Accords were stolen in California alone, earning the Accord the title of the fifth-most stolen keyless entry vehicle in California that year. Hyundai Elantra A grey Hyundai Elantra SEL in a parking lot, with two others behind it. - Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock The Elantra remains a fantastic car in its segment, coming with a host of features that make it a great value purchase. For instance, brake assist, forward collision warnings, lane keep assist, and an 8-inch touchscreen are standard across all trim levels and the base MSRP is an attractive $22,625, with a $1,195 destination charge. For that money, the base engine is a 2-liter, four-cylinder unit that makes 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated 36 mpg combined economy. The one major downside (in some people's eyes) is that the Elantra has used a CVT, or Continuously Variable Transmission, since 2020, and it still does on the standard models. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In certain cases, these transmissions that don't have traditional gear ratios are known to be less reliable than standard cog-and-mesh gearboxes. Coming back to the topic of theft, though, with keyless and remote entry standard on all models, it's not surprising that the Elantra is also among the most-stolen cars in California, ending last year with a whopping 5,618 reported thefts. Furthermore, the Elantra and some other assorted Hyundai and Kia models became almost uninsurable in 2023 thanks to a TikTok trend that had taken over the internet. In fact, the Elantra has come with keyless entry as standard since at least 2006, and, as one of the best-selling cars in the country, it makes sense that it would also be one of the most stolen keyless cars in the entire U.S., including in California. Honda Civic A nardo blue 2024 Honda Civic Type R parked outside a red brick building. - Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock A genuine icon is next on our list, in the form of the Honda Civic. The latest version has a base price of $24,250 on top of a destination charge for the model, which is $1,150. This standard version ships with a four-cylinder engine that displaces 2.0 liters and is paired to a continuously variable transmission. Together, the powerplant produces a respectable 150 hp at 6,400 RPM alongside 133 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM, and is generally considered to be quite reliable. Further standard features on the newest model include automatic climate control, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It's also pretty loaded from a safety and driver-assistance technology point of view, coming with lane keep assist, traffic jam assist, and adaptive cruise control systems as standard on all trims. On the Civic, keyless entry has been around for a while, though until 2011, it wasn't standard on all trims, as the base DX-level trim didn't include the system. From 2012 onwards (for the 2013 model year), the DX trim was dropped entirely, and in that year, all trim levels got Honda's remote entry system as standard. Being a major commercial success, the Civic has been sold by the millions in the U.S., and remote entry is still listed as standard on all trims for the latest model year. Therefore, it's no surprise that it is also one of the most-nicked cars with keyless entry in California, ending 2024 with an eye-watering 5,804 units stolen that year. Hyundai Sonata A grey 2025 Hyundai Sonata on display, parked outside in a dealership lot. - Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Japanese and Korean automakers are absolutely dominating this list, as the next car is the Hyundai Sonata. The newest model's base trim comes with a four-cylinder, 2.5-liter engine mated to an eight-speed transmission that produces 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. Standard features on the newest Sonata include high beam assist, cruise control, stability assist, and more pretty good for a car with a $26,900 MSRP ($1,150 delivery fee) This one is unique in the fact that it has given buyers a remote keyless entry system as standard on all trims since at least 2002. For the 2009 redesign, the remote system was still present, and in recent years, a more advanced digital key fob became a unique feature of the Sonata. This digital keyless entry system allows Sonata owners to enter, start, and lock their car without needing the key fob at all, instead controlling those aspects through a smartphone app. Following the trend we've established so far, the Sonata sold plenty of units in North America over the past two decades, meaning that a fair number of them were available to be scooped up by car thieves. To be exact, 5,865 Hyundai Sonatas were stolen throughout 2024, which might not sound like much, but that is an average of about 16 per day and remember, this data is for California alone. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 A 2024 Chevrolet Silerado 1500 Z71 finished in deep blue off-roading in a grass field. - Brandon Woyshnis/Getty Images The latest base version of the Silverado 1500 comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-liter engine that makes a total of 310 hp. This powerplant is paired to an eight-speed transmission that sends power to the rear wheels . Standard features on the base trim include a 7-inch infotainment system, wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, stability assist, lane keep assist, a post-collision safety system, and keyless doors. The Silverado 1500 and its higher-grade cousin, the GMC Sierra 1500, are both currently available in regular, crew, and double-cab variants, with two bed lengths as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the 2025 model year, the base MSRP on the entry-level WT trim Silverado 1500 is a borderline extortionate $37,000, and that's before tacking on a destination charge of $2,195, the minimum take-home price for the cheapest new Silverado to $39,195. Maybe its pricing is a sign of its desirability, because the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 holds no fewer than three unwanted distinctions on our list. The Silverado is the only American brand in the top five, in addition to being the only pickup truck. It's the only vehicle in California to surpass the 6,000 units stolen mark in 2024, becoming the most-stolen car in California that year, with a whopping 6,248 Silverado 1500s acquired by thieves, which works out to about 17 each day. 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (local time) expressed gratitude to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for the "warm welcome" extended to him at the G20 Summit 2025 in Johannesburg. "Upon reaching the G20 Summit venue in Johannesburg earlier today, thanked President Ramaphosa for the warm welcome and for organising this important Summit," PM Modi wrote on X. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992191667362013302?s=20 On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister posed for a group photograph with other G20 leaders and held bilateral meetings to strengthen India's international partnerships. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1992233734826061895?s=20 Prime Minister Modi also met Vietnam PM Pham Minh Chinh and reaffirmed India's commitment to a stronger, future-oriented friendship with Vietnam remains steadfast. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992256249082290547?s=20 "PM Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam and I met in Johannesburg. Our commitment to a stronger, future-oriented friendship between India and Vietnam remains steadfast," PM Modi said in a post on the social media platform X. The Prime Minister also interacted with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Angolan President Joo Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, discussing avenues for enhanced cooperation. During the second session of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (local time) stressed the urgent need to enhance international cooperation for disaster preparedness and response. Pointing to the rising frequency and impact of natural disasters worldwide, he described them as a major challenge for humanity. He noted that India had established the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group during its 2023 G20 presidency to strengthen global collaboration in this area and commended South Africa for prioritising the issue. "Natural disasters continue to pose a major challenge to humanity. This year as well, they have impacted a large portion of the global population. These events clearly highlight the need to strengthen international cooperation for effective disaster preparedness and response. To support this idea, India formed the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group during its G20 Presidency. I also congratulate South Africa for giving priority to this important agenda," PM Modi said during his address. PM Modi called for a shift from a "response-centric" to a "development-centric" approach to building disaster resilience. Highlighting India's belief that space technology should serve all of humanity, he proposed a G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership to make satellite data from G20 space agencies more accessible and valuable, particularly for the Global South. (ANI) Following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude and reaffirmed the strength of India-France relations. "Thank you, my friend, dear Narendra Modi. Nations are stronger when they move forward together. Long live the friendship between our countries!" Macron wrote on X. Prime Minister Modi, on his part, described the meeting as a "delightful exchange" and said that India-France ties remain a "force for global good." "Delighted to meet President Macron during the Johannesburg G20 Summit. We had an engaging exchange on different issues. India-France ties remain a force for global good!" PM Modi wrote on X. Meanwhile, during the second session of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (local time) stressed the urgent need to enhance international cooperation for disaster preparedness and response. Pointing to the rising frequency and impact of natural disasters worldwide, he described them as a major challenge for humanity. He noted that India had established the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group during its 2023 G20 presidency to strengthen global collaboration in this area and commended South Africa for prioritising the issue. "Natural disasters continue to pose a major challenge to humanity. This year as well, they have impacted a large portion of the global population. These events clearly highlight the need to strengthen international cooperation for effective disaster preparedness and response. To support this idea, India formed the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group during its G20 Presidency. I also congratulate South Africa for giving priority to this important agenda," PM Modi said during his address. PM Modi called for a shift from a "response-centric" to a "development-centric" approach to building disaster resilience. Highlighting India's belief that space technology should serve all of humanity, he proposed a G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership to make satellite data from G20 space agencies more accessible and valuable, particularly for the Global South. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, where India reiterated its active engagement in global affairs and its "shared commitment to global progress and prosperity" with other world leaders. Sharing a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "With fellow G20 leaders at the Johannesburg Summit. Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to global progress and prosperity." His message came as the summit, hosted by South Africa, unfolded with a series of high-level diplomatic interactions. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also posted an update from the venue, saying, "Standing together for a brighter future! PM @narendramodi along with G20 leaders in a memorable frame in Johannesburg." He added that PM Modi participated in the first session "Giving shape to the vision of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' and made four proposals during his remarks at the Session I of G20 Leaders' Summit. Jaiswal mentioned that this was PM Modi's 12th G20 Summit, highlighting his emphasis on "Integral Humanism" and the continuation of key outcomes from the New Delhi Summit. He further pointed to India's appreciation of the South African presidency's efforts in skilled migration, tourism, food security, AI, digital economy, innovation, and women empowerment, while reiterating the need for a stronger Global South voice. On the sidelines of the main sessions, PM Modi held several bilateral engagements. After meeting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, he posted, "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." Following his interaction with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, PM Modi stated that the two sides would continue working "to diversify bilateral cooperation". After meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron he said he was "delighted", adding that they "had an engaging exchange on different issues. India-France ties remain a force for global good!" His discussions with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung were termed "wonderful", with PM Modi noting that their second meeting this year reflected growing momentum in the Special Strategic Partnership, particularly in economic and investment collaborations. During talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, PM Modi said, "India and Brazil will continue to work closely to boost trade and cultural linkages for the benefit of our people." He also characterised his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as "very productive". PM Modi also interacted with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, among other leaders, and posted a "Family Photo" of G20 leaders, reiterating, "Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to global progress and prosperity." In his meeting with Angola's President Joo Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, he remarked, "India values the friendship with Angola and our nations are working closely to increase trade as well as cultural linkages." He wrote after meeting Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong that "The India-Singapore partnership remains a key driver of growth and stability." On his talks with Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, he affirmed, "Our commitment to a stronger, future-oriented friendship between India and Vietnam remains steadfast." He called his interaction with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz "wonderful", noting strong cooperation in trade, technology and innovation. Further engagements included meetings with WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, with PM Modi stating, "India and Ethiopia share a partnership rooted in history and strengthened by developmental cooperation. We will keep boosting ties in sectors like technology, skilling and more." PM Modi also met Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio, saying, "Together, our nations continue to strengthen a bilateral relationship that is people-focused, future-ready and rooted in enduring trust." In his interaction with WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PM Modi posted, "As always, a delight to meet Tulsi Bhai. India will always contribute towards building a healthier planet." PM Modi thanked South African President Cyril Ramaphosa "for the warm welcome and for organising this important Summit". Addressing the open session, PM Modi called for a broad reassessment of global development goals and suggested establishing a G20 initiative to tackle the drug-terror nexus, along with creating a global healthcare response team. (ANI) The United States has issued an updated aviation alert for airspace near Venezuela on the same day President Donald Trump authorised the use of a B-52 nuclear-capable bomber for what officials referred to as an "attack demo." At 1:08 PM ET, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) circulated a Notice to Airmen cautioning pilots, airlines and air traffic personnel about a "potentially hazardous situation" arising from increased security risks and heightened military activity in and around Venezuelan airspace. Soon after the advisory was released, the Air Force confirmed that a B-52, supported by KC-135 Stratotankers and fighter jets, conducted a bomber attack demonstration in the US Southern Command region. Officials said the operation forms part of ongoing missions targeting drug trafficking networks believed to have links to Venezuela. The FAA alert applies to the Maiquetia Flight Information Region, which encompasses all Venezuelan airspace and portions of the southern Caribbean, including areas above Colombia, Guyana, Brazil and Trinidad. The notice warns that threats could affect aircraft "at all altitudes", covering overflights, departures, arrivals and even planes on the ground. This advisory was issued as Trump continues to keep open the possibility of military action against Venezuela, amid what has been described as the largest US troop deployment in the Caribbean since the Cold War. He has portrayed the pressure campaign as a move against "narco-terrorists" allegedly acting under Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump stated he "probably would talk to" Maduro but emphasised he was "not ruling out anything", indicating that military intervention remains a potential option. He accused Maduro of causing "tremendous damage" to the US by enabling drug smuggling and illegal immigration. Later in the day, Maduro signalled his willingness to engage in dialogue with the Trump administration, adding to speculation over future developments. Meanwhile, Washington is expected to move towards designating the Cartel de los Soles, which it claims is directed by Maduro, as a terrorist organisation. This latest escalation follows the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford and its accompanying naval group in the Caribbean, alongside continuing US operations aimed at intercepting vessels suspected of transporting narcotics. (ANI) India expressed "strong support" to Brazil for the inclusive leadership at the 30th edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP 30) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and reaffirmed New Delhi's commitment to equity, climate justice and global solidarity. India welcomed several significant decisions adopted at the conference, in the "High-level Statement" at the Closing Plenary of the UNFCCC CoP30 in Belem, Brazil, on Saturday. The statement conveyed India's gratitude to the CoP President for his leadership, which it said was rooted in inclusion, balance, and the "Brazilian spirit of Mutiro," and guided CoP30 with integrity. Welcoming progress under the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), India underscored the equity dimension of the decision, noting that it reflects recognition of the overwhelming need for adaptation in developing countries, according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. A key element of India's address was the emphasis on the long-standing obligations of developed countries to provide climate finance. The statement expressed appreciation for the Presidency's efforts in supporting India in beginning the journey towards a long-overdue focus on Article 9.1. It added that India sincerely hopes that, in the spirit of international cooperation, promises made 33 years ago in Rio would now be fulfilled due to the first steps Parties have taken in Belem. India expressed satisfaction with the major outcomes of CoP30, foremost among them the establishment of the Just Transition Mechanism. The statement called it a significant milestone and expressed hope that it would help operationalize equity and climate justice at both global and national levels. India thanked the Presidency for providing space to discuss unilateral trade-restrictive climate measures, which it said are increasingly affecting developing countries and violate the principles of equity and CBDR-RC enshrined in the Convention and its Paris Agreement. The statement stressed that these issues cannot continue to be brushed under the carpet, adding that Parties have made a beginning to reverse this trend. Reiterating India's principled approach to climate action, the statement highlighted that the burden of climate change mitigation must not be shifted onto those least responsible for causing the problem. It stressed the need for greater global support to vulnerable populations, a large majority of whom are in the Global South, so they may protect themselves from the escalating impacts of climate change. India reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to science-based and equitable climate action. It observed that India remains committed to a rules-based global order that is equitable and respectful of national sovereignty. The nation also reaffirmed its commitment to working with all Parties to ensure that climate ambition is inclusive, just, and equitable. In conclusion, the statement reaffirmed India's support and gratitude to Brazil and the international community in the road ahead. It called on all Parties to put in a collective effort to ensure that the road from Belem leads to a future defined by fairness, solidarity, and shared prosperity for all. (ANI) Afghanistan's Minister of Industry and Commerce, Al-Haj Nooruddin Azizi, met members of the Spices Board of India during his ongoing five-day visit to New Delhi. Both sides discussed expanding spice-related cooperation, increasing exports, and exploring joint investment opportunities. In a statement on X, Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce said the Indian side expressed interest in greater collaboration, including setting up spice production factories in Afghanistan. The discussions also covered issues related to medicine imports, improving spice quality, investment potential, and challenges affecting the bilateral medicine trade. "In this meeting, the Indian side expressed keen interest, emphasised the need for expanding collaborations and increasing spice exports to Afghanistan, and expressed its readiness for joint investment and establishing spice production factories in Afghanistan, " the Ministry wrote on X on Saturday evening. The ministry said that Minister Azizi assured the Indian delegation that Afghanistan was ready to extend full support to reputable pharmaceutical companies seeking to operate in the country. Both sides agreed on an exchange of sectoral delegations. Afghan spice sector officials will travel to India to visit advanced spice factories. A delegation from India's spice sector will then travel to Kabul to explore practical possibilities for setting up pharmaceutical production units and expanding exports. The Afghan ministry noted that the Indian council includes around 57 standardised factories as members. The Minister further wrote on X, "Afghan spice sector officials and activists will visit advanced and reputable spice factories in India, and in return, a delegation from the spice sector of the Republic of India will travel to Kabul to explore practical opportunities for establishing pharmaceutical production factories in Afghanistan and expanding exports. It is worth mentioning that this council has approximately 57 standard and world-class quality factories as members" The meeting with the spice council comes after a series of high-level engagements during Azizi's five-day visit from November 19-23. On Thursday, the Afghan minister met Union Minister of State for Commerce, Jitin Prasada, in New Delhi. "Meeting with H.E. Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi... Discussions reflected a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation," Prasada wrote on X. Earlier, Azizi also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The two leaders discussed ways to boost bilateral trade, improve connectivity, and enhance people-to-people ties. "Pleased to meet the Industry and Commerce Minister of Afghanistan, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi in New Delhi this evening and discussed ways to strengthen our trade, connectivity and people-to-people ties. Reiterated India's support for the development and welfare of the people of Afghanistan," the post read. This marks one of the highest-level visits from the Taliban government to India since their takeover of Kabul in August 2021. Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, earlier concluded a six-day visit to India in October 2025, marking the highest-level engagement between New Delhi and the Taliban regime since the 2021 takeover. On Wednesday, Azizi led a high-level delegation to the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, seeking to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations. During the visit, Minister Azizi met with Neeraj Kharwal, Managing Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), to discuss opportunities for Afghanistan to participate in future exhibitions. The Minister toured various stalls, including Afghan showcases promoting local products, and interacted with traders to explore market access and expansion prospects. The trade minister's visit comes amid escalating tensions between the regime and Pakistan due to recent border clashes, which led to border closures disrupting exports. This has prompted Afghanistan to diversify its trade with India, Iran, and Central Asia. Afghanistan has increased trade with Iran and Central Asian countries as part of efforts to reduce its reliance on Pakistan, according to Tolo News. Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that the country is using the Chabahar Port in Iran to bypass frequent disruptions at Pakistan's borders and ease political pressures from Islamabad, shifting transit agreements to alternative routes. (ANI) Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited the Kadavumbagam Synagogue at the Israel Museum during his three-day trip, describing it as "a remarkable testament to the heritage and traditions of the Cochin Jewish community." Goyal visited the Synagogue on Saturday and concluded his three-day trip, the first by an Indian Commerce Minister to Israel in two decades. https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1992246494746071110 Earlier, Goyal said his November 20-22 visit had been "very successful," adding that both the Israeli government and industry showed strong interest in expanding cooperation with India. He noted that the two sides had finalised and signed the Terms of Reference for the proposed India-Israel free trade agreement, allowing formal negotiations to begin. Goyal highlighted that India and Israel have finalised and signed the Terms of Reference, paving the way for formal negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement between the two nations. "It was a very successful three-day visit to Israel. There is a great deal of enthusiasm in the industry and the government to further strengthen relations with India. As a result, we finalised and signed the Terms of Reference, which will now begin negotiations for a free trade agreement. I also held separate discussions with several technology companies. At the Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation, we saw how Israel, taking every disaster as a challenge, has worked to benefit from it. It has turned it into an opportunity, and from that, whether it is in the field of security, health, or electronics technology, it has achieved remarkable innovations and success in various fields," Piyush Goyal told reporters. Piyush Goyal also highlighted the long conversation he had with Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry, Nir Barkat. He said that discussions on further steps to enhance economic ties between India and Israel were held. Goyal informed that his Israeli counterpart agreed to visit India with a large business delegation. The Union Minister also expressed confidence that his visit would increase bilateral trade between Israel and India."Yesterday, I had a very long conversation with the Minister of Economy and Industry of Israel, Nir Barkat, who oversees international trade. We discussed in great detail what further steps will be taken to enhance economic ties. Both sides discussed this, and he expressed great satisfaction with the Israelis' visit to India with a large delegation, a business delegation, and now with the Indian delegation visiting Israel. He expressed great satisfaction with the success of both," Goyal said. The Union Minister further noted that his visit comes after a two-decade gap since the last visit by an Indian Commerce Minister, expressing confidence that the renewed engagement will significantly boost bilateral trade, innovation partnerships, and investment flows between India and Israel. Earlier on Saturday, 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 also 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. (ANI) The Chinese and US militaries held their second working group meeting this year, the Chinese navy was quoted by the country's state media. Xinhua reported that the annual session of the China-US Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) for 2025 was held from November 18 to November 20 in Hawaii, the United States. The first of MMCA's 2025 working group meeting was held in Shanghai in April this year. The exchanges were conducted on the basis of equality and respect, and the two sides had a "candid and constructive" exchange of views primarily on maritime and aerial security issues involving China and the United States. The talks took place amidst tensions between Beijing and Tokyo over the Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan. Takaichi suggested on November 7 that Tokyo could deploy its military forces in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait. 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. 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." 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. (ANI) The Baloch Advocacy and Studies Center (BASC) has expressed deep concern over the enforced disappearance of Nasreen, a minor girl who was abducted during a violent raid on her home in Hub, Balochistan on Saturday. According to BASC, police personnel accompanied by plain-clothed operatives from state intelligence agencies carried out the 'abduction' on Saturday, after which the family was denied all information about her whereabouts or the reasons for her detention. The organisation noted that this incident comes months after the disappearance of 23-year-old Mahjabeen from Quetta, whose fate also remains unknown. BASC stated that both cases reflect the continuing pattern of enforced disappearances that have plagued Balochistan for years, now increasingly involving women and girls. In its statement, BASC said the abduction of Nasreen "once again lays bare the systematic and ongoing violations of human rights in Balochistan." It condemned the growing use of arbitrary detention, the erosion of the rule of law and the entrenched atmosphere of impunity that allows such abuses to continue unchecked. The organisation emphasised that Pakistan's security and intelligence agencies operate without oversight, while the judicial system has consistently failed to prevent or prosecute enforced disappearances. BASC highlighted that Pakistan has not criminalised enforced disappearance, has not ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and routinely violates its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Calling the situation "one of South Asia's most pressing human rights emergencies," Qambar Malik Baloch, General Secretary of BASC, said the pattern of abductions represents a deliberate and systematic policy aimed at suppressing the political aspirations of the Baloch people and undermining their right to self-determination. BASC urged the international community and the United Nations to take concrete steps, including sustained diplomatic pressure on Pakistan and targeted sanctions against military and intelligence officials involved in human rights violations. It further called for the establishment of an independent international fact-finding mission with full access to affected regions. The organisation stressed that such measures are essential not only to secure the safe release of Nasreen and Mahjabeen but also to prevent future abuses and address the longstanding human rights crisis in Balochistan. (ANI) United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) spokesperson Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan said Pakistan's 27th Constitutional Amendment marks a dangerous shift in the country's political structure, further empowering the deep state while weakening democratic and judicial institutions, according to a detailed post shared on X. In his post, Khan warned that the passage of the 27th Amendment further entrenches the military establishment's dominance and undermines the democratic aspirations of the people, particularly those in regions like PoGB and PoJK. He reiterated UKPNP's call for genuine democracy, constitutional rights and an end to institutionalised political control. Khan stated in his post that Pakistan "was never a real democratic country," claiming that it was shaped during the Cold War by global powers to serve their strategic interests. He argued that the amendment confirms a political model in which the military establishment and law enforcement agencies enjoy absolute authority without accountability, while civilian governments remain subordinate. He criticised the provision granting lifetime immunity to the President and the Field Marshal, saying it removes all remaining checks on power and prepares the ground for one-man rule. The amendment, he said, allows the Field Marshal to stay in uniform for life with full authority and privileges, protecting those who have historically exercised unchecked influence over the state. Khan added that Pakistan's judiciary has long been politicised, often serving the interests of military rulers and politicians. He warned that creating a new constitutional court parallel to the Supreme Court would further weaken the judicial system. Despite the country's economic crisis, Khan pointed out that the amendment requires the appointment of new judges with high salaries and long-term benefits, while also guaranteeing the Field Marshal lifetime privileges at public expense. According to the UKPNP spokesperson, the amendment also centralises power, reducing provincial shares and increasing federal control over key sectors. He compared this to General Ayub Khan's controversial One Unit policy of the 1960s, which undermined provincial rights and contributed to long-term resentment that eventually led to Bangladesh's independence in 1971. Khan also expressed concern over the situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), which he said remain "at the mercy of Islamabad." He alleged that nationalist, secular and progressive voices from these regions face discrimination, restrictions and propaganda campaigns. According to him, political participation is limited, as individuals are barred from contesting elections unless they swear an oath of allegiance to Pakistan. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, continuing India's extensive diplomatic outreach during the gathering of world leaders. The G20 Leaders' Summit 2025, hosted for the first time on African soil, began on Friday. The theme for this year's summit is "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability." At the opening session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting a day earlier, PM Modi called on member nations to reassess global development frameworks and proposed launching a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus, along with the formation of a global healthcare response team. His address underscored that major global issues demand coordinated international efforts. During a session titled 'A Resilient World - the G20's Contribution to Disaster Risk Reduction; Climate Change; Just Energy Transitions; Food Systems', PM Modi reiterated India's focus on a development path that is human-centric, sustainable and inclusive. He pointed out that India's approach aligns closely with global efforts to strengthen resilience against emerging challenges. Sharing reflections on X, PM Modi posted, "The second session at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg focused on building a resilient world in the face of disasters, climate change and ensuring energy transitions that are just as well as robust food systems. India has been actively working on all these fronts, building a future that is human-centric and inclusive." On arrival at the summit venue on Saturday, President Ramaphosa greeted PM Modi warmly with a 'namaste', symbolising the close ties between the two nations. PM Modi also engaged with numerous world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Brazilian President Lula da Silva and others Following his meeting with the British Prime Minister, PM Modi wrote on X, "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 said he had a "great exchange of views" with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and noted that the two nations aim "to diversify bilateral cooperation." PM Modi added that he was "delighted" to meet President Macron, explaining that they "had an engaging exchange on different issues. India France ties remain a force for global good!" His interaction with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, their second meeting this year, was described by PM Modi as "indicative of the strong momentum in our Special Strategic Partnership." Both sides discussed avenues to further expand economic and investment collaboration. After meeting the Brazilian President, PM Modi noted, "India and Brazil will continue to work closely to boost trade and cultural linkages for the benefit of our people." A "very productive" discussion also took place with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Ahead of the main G20 session, PM Modi also interacted with several other leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Sharing a 'Family Photo' from the summit, PM Modi said on X: "Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to global progress and prosperity." In another engagement, PM Modi met Angolan President Joo Manuel Goncalves Lourenco and recalled welcoming him to Delhi earlier this year. "India values the friendship with Angola and our nations are working closely to increase trade as well as cultural linkages," he said. Further meetings included discussions with Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. "The India Singapore partnership remains a key driver of growth and stability," he wrote. He also met Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, reaffirming that "our commitment to a stronger, future-oriented friendship between India and Vietnam remains steadfast." Describing his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as "wonderful," PM Modi highlighted the strong partnership between India and Germany, particularly in technology, innovation and trade. He also met WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and later held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. "India and Ethiopia share a partnership rooted in history and strengthened by developmental cooperation. We will keep boosting ties in sectors like technology, skilling and more," he said. Another engagement included a conversation with Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, with PM Modi describing the bilateral relationship as "people-focused, future-ready and rooted in enduring trust." (ANI) Manila [Philippines], November 23 [ANI]: Navies of the Philippines and Japan are accelerating security cooperation amid Beijing's growing assertiveness in the West Philippine Sea and wider Indo-Pacific, according to Manila's state media. Commander of the Philippine Fleet, Rear Adm. Joe Anthony Orbe led a delegation to Japan this week for a string of high-level engagements with the Japan Self-Defence Fleet (JSDF) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), the Philippines News Agency reported on Sunday. The delegation toured JS Kumano, one of Japan's next-generation frigates. The visit, according to the report in PNA underscores the Philippine Fleet's accelerating pivot toward like-minded security partners as Manila faces increasingly hostile encounters inside its own exclusive economic zone, from water-cannon attacks to dangerous Chinese manoeuvres in and around the South China Sea, which is also referred to the West Philippine Sea by Manila. Japan and the Philippines conducted their first military drill in October 2025 as part of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), a key defence pact which was signed in July 2024 and came into effect in September 2025. The pact allows Tokyo and Manila to deploy forces on each other's soil. The RAA was employed for the first time in October 2025 for drills between the Japan Air Self-Defence Force and the Philippine Air Force. Japan is looking to export naval warships to the Philippines. The Maritime Self-Defence Force Abukuma-class destroyer escorts are currently in service with the Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force. Meanwhile, the Philippines, Japan and the US held joint exercises in the South China Sea on November 14 and 15, under the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). Philippine Navy ships engaged in anti-submarine warfare during the drills, an official told the PNA news outlet. While the Philippines Armed forces deployed its two missile-capable frigates, BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), along with an AW-159 Wildcat helicopter, the US INDO-PACOM deployed the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, led by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68). The Japanese force fielded JS Akebono (DD-108) and the SH-60K Seahawk. The Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Cape San Agustin supported the mission, enhancing maritime domain awareness in the WPS. Beijing said the drills "undermined peace and stability in the region." The drills came amidst tensions between Japan and China after Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan could respond in self-defence in case China attacks Taiwan. China hit back by halting Japanese seafood imports and advising its citizens against traveling to Japan. (ANI) Brussels [Belgium], November 23 (ANI/WAM): A number of world leaders participating in the 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit welcomed 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,'' said the leaders in a joint statement on Ukraine issued by the European Council today. They reiterated 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,'' they affirmed. (ANI/WAM) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attended the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) leaders' meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, where he joined Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa for discussions on trilateral cooperation and global priorities. PM Modi emphasised that IBSA is not just a group of three countries but an important platform connecting three continents, three major democratic nations, and three major economies, as per Ministry of External Affairs statement. Furthermore, he called on IBSA to send a strong message that reform of institutions of global governance, in particular the UN Security Council, is now not an option, but an imperative. PM Modi also noted that "there should be no room for double standards while fighting terrorism" and urged for close participation from the other nations in the fight against terrorism. "Highlighting technology's crucial role in ensuring human-centric development, Prime Minister proposed establishing an 'IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance' to facilitate sharing of Digital Public Infrastructure like UPI, health platforms like CoWIN, cybersecurity frameworks and women-led tech initiatives among the three countries", MEA added in the statement. The meeting took place as Modi continued his packed diplomatic schedule at the G20, marking his second day of engagements with world leaders. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with President Ramaphosa, described by officials as warm and productive. Modi congratulated South Africa for its successful G20 presidency, acknowledging Ramaphosa's leadership in steering consensus on key global issues. According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the two leaders discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, mining, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure, skill development and food security. They also explored the possibility of launching youth delegation exchanges to deepen ties in technology and people-to-people engagement. "PM congratulated President Ramaphosa & South Africa for the successful presidency of @G20. Discussions focused on further cooperation in trade, investment, mining, critical minerals, AI, Digital Public Infrastructure, skill development and food security. The leaders discussed initiating exchange of youth delegations for enhancing technology and people to people ties", MEA wrote in an X post. Earlier, MEA, in its press release, also noted that the Prime Minister appreciated the initiative taken by South Africa to hold an IBSA leaders meeting. The theme for this year's G20 Leaders' Summit 2025, being hosted for the first time on African soil, is 'Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability'. At the opening session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting a day earlier, PM Modi called on member nations to reassess global development frameworks and proposed launching a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus, along with the formation of a global healthcare response team. His address underscored that major global issues demand coordinated international efforts. During a session titled 'A Resilient World - the G20's Contribution to Disaster Risk Reduction; Climate Change; Just Energy Transitions; Food Systems', PM Modi reiterated India's focus on a development path that is human-centric, sustainable and inclusive. He pointed out that India's approach aligns closely with global efforts to strengthen resilience against emerging challenges. Sharing reflections on X, PM Modi posted, "The second session at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg focused on building a resilient world in the face of disasters, climate change and ensuring energy transitions that are just as well as robust food systems. India has been actively working on all these fronts, building a future that is human-centric and inclusive." On arrival at the summit venue on Saturday, President Ramaphosa greeted PM Modi warmly with a 'namaste', symbolising the close ties between the two nations. PM Modi also engaged with numerous world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Brazilian President Lula da Silva and others. Following his meeting with the British Prime Minister, PM Modi wrote on X, "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 said he had a "great exchange of views" with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and noted that the two nations aim "to diversify bilateral cooperation." PM Modi added that he was "delighted" to meet President Macron, explaining that they "had an engaging exchange on different issues. India-France ties remain a force for global good!" (ANI) The Baloch Students Organisation Azad (BSO-Azad) has accused the Pakistani military and "state-supported" armed factions of murdering a school teacher in the Buleda area of Kech district, part of a broader trend of attacking civilians throughout Balochistan, as per a report from The Balochistan Post (TBP). According to BSO-Azad, Ayaz Baloch, a teacher hailing from Buleda, was killed by what they termed "state-sponsored death squads" that function as part of a counterinsurgency strategy. The organisation claimed that Pakistani forces employ proxy armed groups to execute extrajudicial killings to "avoid directly dirtying their hands," as noted in the TBP report. BSO-Azad asserted that Ayaz was recognised for his work teaching children in remote regions and accused the Pakistani military of systematically targeting everyday civilians, such as "students, teachers, doctors, writers, political activists, and other non-combatants", through enforced disappearances and killings. "The Pakistani state is engaged in severe war crimes in Balochistan," the statement indicated, calling for urgent action from global human rights organisations. It urged international bodies to "stop the atrocities being perpetrated against the Baloch nation," as cited by the TBP report. In a separate announcement, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) reported that Ayaz had been forcibly taken on 12 November near the Main Bazar area of Mehnaz while he was heading home from school, allegedly abducted by Pakistani armed forces along with a state-sponsored armed group. The BYC mentioned that his mutilated and decayed body was discovered on 19 November in the Reko Dam area of Buleda, adding that he was identified only by his clothing and shoes since "his face was unrecognisable due to torture and decomposition," according to the TBP report. The organisation remarked that the incident "highlights a more extensive trend of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture" occurring in Balochistan, including cases involving teachers, students, activists, and women. It urged the global community to promptly recognise the critical situation, as emphasised by the TBP report. (ANI) The US State Department strongly rejected claims by two senators that President Donald Trump's 28-point peace plan for Ukraine was effectively drafted by Russia and did not reflect the administration's official position, the Hill reported. The controversy began remarks by Republican Senators Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Angus King of Maine. Both lawmakers said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told them that the plan had not been authored by the United States but had been "received" from an intermediary and amounted to "the wish list of the Russians," the Hill reported on Saturday. Rubio denied that interpretation in a post on X, saying, "The peace proposal was authored by the US. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations ... It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine." Earlier, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the suggestion that the administration was not behind the plan "is blatantly false." "As Secretary Rubio and the entire Administration has consistently maintained, this plan was authored by the United States, with input from both the Russians and Ukrainians," Pigott wrote on X. The proposal has drawn criticism from several Republican leaders, including Senators Mitch McConnell and Roger Wicker, who argue that it would effectively reward Putin nearly four years after the Russian invasion. The plan suggests that Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk would be placed under de facto Russian control, recognised by the US , a position Ukraine is unlikely to accept. It also asks for no significant concessions from Russia beyond allocating 100 billion dollars of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine's reconstruction, the Hill reported. Vice President JD Vance, however, defended the proposal, saying that critics were misrepresenting it. "Peace won't be made by failed diplomats or politicians living in a fantasy land," Vance wrote on X. "Every criticism of the peace framework the administration is working on either misunderstands the framework or misstates some critical reality on the ground." Earlier, in a televised national address, the Ukrainian president cautioned that the country was entering a critical phase. "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," he said. At the Oval Office, Trump told reporters he believed a realistic path to peace had been identified, but stressed that the proposal can only move forward if Zelenskyy signs off on it. "We think we have a way of getting peace, he's going to have to approve it. I think they're getting reasonably close, but I don't want to predict," Trump said, according to CNN. (ANI) Members of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) organised a demonstration on Saturday at the Sindh High Court (SHC) in protest against the recently passed 27th Constitutional Amendment, as reported by Dawn. This controversial amendment, which resulted in the formation of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), was approved by Parliament despite strong objections from the opposition. Several legal experts have also condemned it as a tactic to undermine the Supreme Court (SC) and transfer its status as the nation's top judicial body to the FCC, according to the Dawn report. Both former and current judges, along with lawyers, expressed their dissent regarding the amendment, especially highlighting its consequences for the SC. Soon after the amendment's enactment on November 13, two SC judges resigned, citing their concerns about it. These two judges were the senior judges of the SC at that time. The lawyers commenced their protest outside the Sindh High Court (SHC) by shouting slogans against the amendment and subsequently moved inside the high court's grounds. Following a confrontation, the police retreated and permitted the protest to persist. There were reports of minor injuries suffered by police personnel, as noted by Dawn. The protesting lawyers accessed the Sindh High Court Bar Association's hall, continuing their demonstration with chants against the amendment and the government. Eventually, they moved their protest outside the bar after the electricity was cut off. Last week, the KBA conducted a full-day strike in the subordinate judiciary to protest the amendment's approval and show support for the retired judges. They also held another full-day strike on Monday, during which litigants were barred from entering the City Courts and court proceedings were suspended due to the boycott, as per the Dawn report. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the margins of the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg on Sunday, where both leaders reviewed the status of their partnership and discussed expanding cooperation in commerce, cultural exchanges, investment, technology, skilling, AI and critical minerals. After the meeting, PM Modi posted on X, "Had an excellent meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. We reviewed the full range of the India-South Africa partnership, especially in boosting linkages of commerce, culture, investment and diversifying cooperation in technology, skilling, AI, critical minerals and more. Congratulated President Ramaphosa for South Africa's successful G20 Presidency." External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela and senior officials were present during the talks, which centred on reinforcing long-standing ties while strengthening collaboration across new areas. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, "recalling the historical ties that underpin India-South Africa ties, both leaders reviewed bilateral ties and expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in various fields of cooperation, including trade and investment, food security, skill development, mining, youth exchange and people-to-people ties." The statement further noted that the discussions included enhancing cooperation in "AI, Digital Public Infrastructure and critical minerals." The statement said the two leaders welcomed the growing presence of Indian companies in South Africa and agreed to support greater investment flows in infrastructure, technology, innovation, mining and start-up sectors. PM Modi also thanked President Ramaphosa for South Africa's role in the relocation of cheetahs to India and invited him to join the International Big Cat Alliance. The statement added that both leaders agreed to work together to strengthen the voice of the Global South. PM Modi appreciated South Africa's initiative in convening the IBSA leaders meeting, while President Ramaphosa conveyed his full support for India's BRICS Chairship in 2026. Sharing visuals of the meeting, South Africa's Presidency wrote on X, "His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa is in a bilateral meeting with His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Republic of India on the margins of the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders' Summit hosted by South Africa. Johannesburg EXPO Centre, Gauteng." It added that the meeting provided an opportunity "to re-engage constructively, strengthen bilateral relations, and explore mutually beneficial initiatives in trade, industrialisation, education, ICT, and infrastructure development." (ANI) This exercise marked a significant milestone in strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Australia. According to the Indian Navy, the warships and aircraft of the two navies conduct intensive joint naval drills and operations in the Northern Pacific. The exercise is aimed at significantly boosting interoperability and deepening the strategic partnership between the two maritime nations. The warships and aircraft of both navies conducted intense joint operations, focusing on anti-submarine warfare, gunnery exercises, and advanced flying operations. AUSINDEX 2025 reinforced the growing ties between India and Australia, underscoring their shared commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. INS Sahyadri, a Shivalik-class guided missile stealth frigate, showcased India's maritime prowess and its ability to operate effectively in distant waters. This exercise demonstrates India's growing blue-water capabilities and its active role in global maritime affairs. This comes shortly after the recently concluded Malabar Exercise. Australia, India, Japan, and US forces participated in Exercise Malabar 2025 in and around Guam, November 10-18. This year marks the 29th iteration of the Malabar exercise, which began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between the United States and India. The exercise has since evolved in scope and complexity, now including Japan and Australia. Participants included Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155), Indian Navy Shivalik-class guided-missile stealth frigate INS Sahyadri (F 49), and Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181). US participation included a P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to Commander, Task Force 72, a US submarine assigned to Commander, Task Force 74, an explosive ordnance disposal mobile unit assigned to Commander, Task Force 75, and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) operating under Commander, Task Force 70 and DESRON 15, the Navy's largest DESRON and the US 7th Fleet's principal surface force. Earlier in October, the Indian and Australian armies had concluded the fourth edition of their joint military exercise, AustraHind 2025, with a closing ceremony held at Irwin Barracks in Perth. AustraHind 2025 focused on joint company-level operations in open and semi-desert areas. The troops carried out missions involving joint planning, tactical drills, and coordination in humanitarian and peacekeeping scenarios. The exercise also served as a platform to integrate emerging military technologies and improve coordination between the two forces during joint combat operations. The successful conclusion of this year's edition further deepens cooperation and trust between the two sides, reflecting their shared commitment to peace, stability, and a free Indo-Pacific. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. The leaders discussed several aspects of the growing partnership between the two countries, including innovation, technology, and energy. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Met Mr. Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of the Government of the Netherlands on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. The bilateral partnership between our nations is growing rapidly in areas like water resources, innovation, technology and energy. We will keep working to deepen trade and investment linkages in the times to come. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992543452228448307?s=20 PM Modi met several world leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, during which both leaders reviewed the status of their partnership and discussed expanding cooperation in commerce, cultural exchanges, investment, technology, skilling, AI, and critical minerals. After the meeting, PM Modi posted on X, "Had an excellent meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. We reviewed the full range of the India-South Africa partnership, especially in boosting linkages of commerce, culture, investment and diversifying cooperation in technology, skilling, AI, critical minerals and more. Congratulated President Ramaphosa for South Africa's successful G20 Presidency." Other leaders whom PM Modi includes are UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, and Brazilian President Lula da Silva. Following his meeting with the British Prime Minister, PM Modi wrote on X, "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 said he had a "great exchange of views" with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and noted that the two nations aim "to diversify bilateral cooperation." PM Modi added that he was "delighted" to meet President Macron, explaining that they "had an engaging exchange on different issues. India-France ties remain a force for global good!" His interaction with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, their second meeting this year, was described by PM Modi as "indicative of the strong momentum in our Special Strategic Partnership." Both sides discussed avenues to expand economic and investment collaboration further. After meeting the Brazilian President, PM Modi noted, "India and Brazil will continue to work closely to boost trade and cultural linkages for the benefit of our people." A "very productive" discussion also took place with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Ahead of the main G20 session, PM Modi also interacted with several other leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Sharing a 'Family Photo' from the summit, PM Modi said on X: "Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to global progress and prosperity." (ANI) Canadian MPs have called for 2025 to be declared the "Year of Compassion" in honour of the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday. This initiative is part of a broader effort to reaffirm Canada's support for Tibet and its people, Phayul reported. MPs Karim Bardeesy, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, and James Maloney delivered statements in the House of Commons, highlighting the Dalai Lama's message of compassion and advocating for Tibet's rights. Over 60 Tibetan delegates gathered on Parliament Hill for Canada Tibet Lobby Day 2025, meeting with MPs and urging support for the "Year of Compassion" declaration. MP Karim Bardeesy reiterated the House's 2024 resolution, which acknowledged Tibetans as a unique people and nation, emphasising their long-standing contributions to Canada and the vitality of Tibetan democracy in exile. MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe urged Parliament to declare 2025 the 'Year of Compassion' in honour of the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday, calling for recognition of Tibet as an occupied nation and the safeguarding of Tibetans' right to choose the successor of the Dalai Lama without external interference. MP James Maloney, Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, reflected on the 55-year history of Tibetan presence in Canada since the arrival of the first refugees in 1970, commending the Dalai Lama's lasting message of peace and supporting the call for 2025 to be named the 'Year of Compassion,' as cited in the Phayul report. These statements coincided with over 60 Tibetan delegates from Toronto, Alberta, Belleville, and Ottawa gathering on Parliament Hill for Canada Tibet Lobby Day 2025, organised by the Canada Tibet Committee (CTC) in partnership with Parliamentary Friends of Tibet and various Tibetan organisations across the country, as noted by Phayul. The main request of this year's Lobby Day was for Canada to endorse the declaration of 2025 as the "Year of Compassion" in homage to the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday. Delegates stressed that such a declaration would pay tribute to the Dalai Lama's lifelong dedication to non-violence, interfaith harmony, peace, and compassion, while reaffirming Canada's commitment to the rights and dignity of the Tibetan people, as highlighted in the Phayul report. (ANI) The United States must build a much stronger relationship with India, calling the interests of both countries "compatible" despite turbulence in ties in the past, according to James C Lawler, a celebrated former CIA officer and former head of the agency's Counter-Proliferation Division. In an interview with ANI, Lawler said he has never fully understood why India and the United States were "never adversaries but never true friends" even though they shared several common interests and values. He said, "I think sometimes American foreign policy is a big puzzle. What I am hopeful for is that the United States needs a much stronger relationship with India. Most of our interests are convergent. We have vibrant economies. A lot of ethnic Indians are among our brightest people here in America." Lawler said the two countries share democratic frameworks and similar economic aspirations should not be "standoffish". "You're a democracy. We're a democracy. You've gotten away from more socialistic policies into more capitalism. I think we could be much stronger working together than standoffish," he said. He also said he hoped to visit India one day, noting, "I've never been to India. I'd love to go sometime." His remarks come at a time when India-US ties have seen several shifts, especially during President Donald Trump's second term. The relationship entered a difficult phase after Trump imposed a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods, calling India the "tariff king." The US President later added another 25 per cent tariff, saying it was a punishment for India continuing to purchase Russian oil. Trump also accused India and other nations of "funding the Russia-Ukraine war." India's Ministry of External Affairs repeatedly rejected these allegations. As ties improved later, Trump repeatedly claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would stop purchasing Russian oil. The Indian side did not publicly confirm such conversations. Another major friction point was Trump's repeated assertion that he personally stopped India and Pakistan from entering a "potential nuclear war." He made this claim referring to the period of border tension that followed Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 25 civilians and one tourist. India has consistently denied this version of events. New Delhi has maintained that the ceasefire along the Line of Control was reached bilaterally through the Director Generals of Military Operations, and that no third-party mediation was involved. India has also reiterated that any issues with Pakistan, including Jammu and Kashmir, must be resolved bilaterally. Meanwhile, Lawler who has served for 25 years as a CIA operations officer in various international posts said the hesitation in earlier India-US relations was difficult to explain during his time with the US intelligence agency. "India was much friendlier to the Soviet Union than we were. A lot of Indian military weaponry was Soviet. I think we should supply India with more technology," he said. He added that he had read reports that major Indian firms had now stopped buying Russian oil and called it an opening for deeper cooperation. Lawler said both nations face similar strategic concerns, including China, and urged that old thinking must be put aside. "The Cold War is over. Let's try and find more mutual interests. We could be much stronger working together," he said. (ANI) Celebrated former CIA officer James Lawler, widely credited for bringing down A Q Khan's nuclear smuggling network, recounted the early experiences that shaped his intelligence career, describing how he earned the nickname "Mad Dog" and why he came to call Khan the "Merchant of Death". The former head of the CIA's Counter-Proliferation Division, in an interview with ANI, detailed his role in exposing and sabotaging global nuclear trafficking networks linked to the Pakistani scientist. Lawler outlined how these covert efforts eventually drew in AQ Khan's proliferation network. The United States had monitored Khan's role in building Pakistan's nuclear capability for years before analysts realised the scale of his outward trafficking. "We were very slow. We thought it was serious that he was supplying Pakistan, but we did not imagine he was going to turn around and become an outward proliferator," he noted. "I nicknamed AQ Khan the 'Merchant of Death.'" He recounted how the CIA had confirmed that Khan's operation was supplying multiple foreign programmes. Addressing questions about Pakistani involvement, Lawler stated, "AQ Khan had certain Pakistani generals and leaders on his payroll," while emphasising that individual complicity did not amount to official state policy. Lawler's narrative detailed his counter-proliferation career, which started during a posting in a "beautiful Alpine country" known for advanced technology sought by states pursuing nuclear weapons. After returning to CIA headquarters in 1994, he was selected to lead the counter-proliferation office in the European division and was later assigned to infiltrate and disrupt the Iranian nuclear weapons programme. Expanding on the methods he adopted, Lawler explained how inspiration from Felix Dzerzhinsky's "Trust" operation led him to establish covert overseas entities that appeared to supply nuclear-related technology. "If I want to defeat proliferation and proliferators, I need to become a proliferator," he noted. These entities were used in sting operations to deliver compromised materials designed to hinder illicit nuclear activity. "We took the reverse of the Hippocratic oath. We always did harm." This approach aligned with how AQ Khan's network itself evolved. Over the decades, the network expanded significantly, shifting from procurement to full-scale trafficking. "Instead of being a consumer of this technology, they became a purveyor of the technology," Lawler observed, highlighting Khan's influence and popularity in Pakistan. He linked the slow early response from the United States to limited resources and competing geopolitical crises in the 1970s and 1980s, including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and conflicts in Latin America. He rejected claims that Saudi pressure shaped US inaction, emphasising instead that counter-proliferation only became a priority in the 1990s. A turning point came once analysts presented evidence confirming outward proliferation. The CIA then expanded contacts and infiltrated the network across multiple jurisdictions with a small team. No more than 10 officers at headquarters focused exclusively on the operation, supported by personnel overseas. Following 9/11, concerns about Libya, then a designated state sponsor of terrorism, heightened the urgency of the mission. Lawler highlighted the CIA's interception of the BBC China freighter, which he noted was carrying "hundreds of thousands of nuclear components." When US negotiators confronted Libyan officials with the seized material, "You could have heard a pin drop." Libya later dismantled its programme, and he recalled "dancing a little happy jig" beside the recovered containers, noting that the move likely prevented Gaddafi from using such weapons years later. The broader proliferation picture also involved Iran. Lawler described how Iran's programme relied on designs originally stolen from URENCO, using the same P1 and P2 centrifuge models supplied through AQ Khan. Khan's network also passed ballistic missile technology and a Chinese atomic bomb blueprint. "I think they got all of it," he noted. This led to his warning that an Iranian nuclear weapon could trigger a "nuclear pandemic," prompting regional powers to seek their own deterrents and sharply increasing the risk of nuclear conflict in the Middle East. Lawler also addressed why the United States tolerated Pakistan's nuclear development while opposing Iran's, suggesting that policymakers may have turned "a blind eye" because of Pakistan's role in Afghanistan, while acknowledging that many decisions had long-term consequences. His account included close monitoring of Pakistan's nuclear assets after 9/11. CIA Director George Tenet and the Counterterrorist Center ensured that AQ Khan was not providing nuclear material to al-Qaeda. Tenet personally confronted then-Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf with evidence of Khan's proliferation activity. Defending CIA sabotage methods, Lawler explained that the agency ensured equipment supplied to illicit programmes was compromised. Centrifuge facilities were particularly vulnerable, and the CIA made certain that "things would constantly break and not work." Reflecting on his decades of work, Lawler noted that he had no major regrets and found deep purpose in counter-proliferation efforts. He now writes spy novels based on his experiences, all cleared by the CIA's review board. As he reflected on his own past, Lawler traced the origin of his nickname, "Mad Dog," to an incident in the late 1980s while posted in France. He recalled being attacked by a German shepherd during a morning run, fighting the dog off, and later being warned it was likely rabid. "I made a list of all the people who I was going to bite in case I got rabies. That led to my nickname, which I come by quite honestly," he said, noting that many colleagues still use it. He underscored the importance of closer cooperation between India and the United States, describing earlier relations as "in between" and neither adversarial nor fully aligned. He emphasised shared strategic interests and warned that a nuclear exchange in South Asia would leave "only losers" and cause global devastation. Lawler, who served in the CIA from 1980 to 2005, stated that preventing proliferation remains essential to reducing nuclear dangers even as full disarmament remains distant. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday discussed ways to accelerate bilateral cooperation with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. PM Modi, during their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, said that the two are looking to enhance ties between their nations. In a post on X, he said, "Had a productive meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan. We discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral cooperation in areas such as innovation, defence, talent mobility and more. We are also looking to enhance trade ties between our nations. A strong India-Japan partnership is vital for a better planet." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992583812845654024?s=20 This meeting was the first time the two leaders met in person since Sanae Takaichi assumed office as Japan's first female Prime Minister in October 2025. PM Modi had previously held a congratulatory phone call with her on October 29, 2025. Earlier, on October 29, PM Modi spoke with PM Takaichi and congratulated her on assuming office. He discussed the shared vision of advancing the partnership between the two countries, and the leaders underscored that stronger India-Japan ties are vital for global peace, stability and prosperity. Sharing the details of the call in a post on X, PM Modi said, "Had a warm conversation with Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan. Congratulated her on assuming office and discussed our shared vision for advancing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership, with focus on economic security, defence cooperation and talent mobility. We agreed that stronger India-Japan ties are vital for global peace, stability and prosperity." Earlier in the day, PM Narendra Modi interacted with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992573184080822354?s=20 He also held a leaders' meeting of IBSA, a forum which reflects the enduring commitment to strengthening the voice and aspirations of the Global South. In a post on X, he said, "During the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, President Lula of Brazil, President Ramaphosa of South Africa and I held a leaders' meeting of IBSA, a forum which reflects our enduring commitment to strengthening the voice and aspirations of the Global South. IBSA is no ordinary grouping. It is an important platform that connects three continents, three large democratic powers and three major economies." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992555283487584351?s=20 "Ours is a bond that is heartfelt, carrying with it diversity, shared values and shared aspirations. All three IBSA nations have held the G20 Presidency in the last three years and have used this opportunity to further the human-centric agenda," he added. "Highlighted a few suggestions to deepen IBSA cooperation: IBSA must send a unified message to the world that institutional reform is no longer optional...it is now essential. It is a reality that global institutions are far removed from the realities of the 21st century. This has to change. Close coordination in the fight against terror. There can be no room for double standards on this issue. Establish an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance that will leverage technology for human-centric development. Start an IBSA Fund for Climate-Resilient Agriculture. This is vital for food security and sustainability," he added. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa, engaging in discussions and sharing a warm moment. Their interaction was marked by smiles, handshakes, and warm greetings, highlighting the strong bond between India and Italy. The two leaders were seen shaking hands, exchanging smiles, and sharing a light-hearted, candid conversation before the summit sessions began. Videos of the interaction quickly circulated online, highlighting their personal rapport, as noted at other global events such as the G7 Summit in June 2025. This meeting followed their previous interaction at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, earlier in the year. Their strong relationship has been a talking point in diplomatic circles, further emphasised by PM Modi's preface to the Indian edition of Meloni's book I Am Giorgia, in which he highlighted the shared civilizational links between India and Italy. The leaders held a bilateral meeting. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal were also present during the meeting. Earlier on Saturday, the Italian PM had shared pictures from the G20 Summit's first session. She posted photos with the G20 President, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. https://x.com/GiorgiaMeloni/status/1992210586843902116?s=20 The leaders had a conversation earlier in September with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, reaffirming both nations' commitment to strengthening the India-Italy Strategic Partnership and to cooperating on pressing global challenges, including the conflict in Ukraine. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Had an excellent conversation with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. We reaffirmed our joint commitment to deepen India-Italy Strategic Partnership, and shared interest in bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine." "Thanked PM Meloni for Italy's proactive support for concluding a mutually beneficial India-EU trade agreement and promoting connectivity through the IMEEEC initiative," the post added. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the leaders reviewed and positively assessed developments in the bilateral Strategic Partnership across sectors such as investment, defence, security, space, science & technology, education, people-to-people ties, and counter-terrorism. Further, MEA noted that "both leaders reaffirmed their commitment towards further deepening of the Partnership, in line with the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29." They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They agreed on the need for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. PM Modi reiterated India's full support for efforts in this direction. Prime Minister Meloni reiterated Italy's strong support for the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement and for the success of the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in 2026. The leaders also agreed on taking steps to promote connectivity under the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEEC) initiative, MEA stated. The leaders had earlier met in June this year on the sidelines of the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. PM Modi expressed his enthusiasm for the growing friendship between India and Italy, stating that their bilateral relationship will continue to strengthen, benefiting both nations. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1935097584823230921?s=20 The camaraderie between PM Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been making waves on social media, with their interactions sparking a trending hashtag #Melodi. PM Modi and Meloni have showcased their friendly rapport in videos and selfies, including one taken during the COP28 summit in Dubai, where Meloni captioned the photo "Good friends at COP28, #Melodi". Their friendly interaction marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough between Italy and India, with both leaders expressing enthusiasm for collaborative efforts in areas such as sustainability, energy, and industry. In December 2023, the two leaders had clicked a selfie on the sidelines of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai. While sharing the picture with PM Modi on X, Meloni had stated, "Good friends at COP28, #Melodi." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emplaned for India after attending the G-20 Leaders' Summit. In his official visit to Johannesburg from November 22-23, PM Modi attended several sessions and held talks with world leaders on the sidelines. PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and adopted the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism which reiterates both countries' common resolve to fight terrorism. In a post on X, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said, "PM Narendra Modi met PM Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Their talks centred around deepening India-Italy ties in trade, investment, technology, AI, defence and security, space, research, innovation and culture. Both leaders expressed satisfaction on the progress being made on the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 which would benefit the two economies and peoples. The leaders adopted the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism which reiterates our common resolve to fight terrorism. PM Meloni expressed strong support for the AI Summit to be hosted by India in 2026." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1992619046370763107?s=20 PM Modi addressed the third session of the G20 Summit, which focussed on ensuring a fair and just future for all. In a post on X, he said, "The third session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg focussed on ensuring a fair and just future for all, with a focus on sectors such as critical minerals, AI and more. In my remarks, I called for promoting technology that is human centric, global and open source instead of merely finance centric, national and exclusive in nature. This is also what we are working towards in India, seen in broad participation in areas such as digital payments, space technology and AI." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992613932557799596?s=20 "India's approach to AI is based on the three pillars of: Equitable access, population-scale skilling, responsible deployment. India's AI Mission is working towards ensuring that the benefits of AI reach every part of India, including every district and language. It must be ensured that AI is used for global good and its misuse is prevented. For that, we need to create a global compact on AI and also place strict restrictions on usage of AI for deepfakes, crime and terror activities," he added. PM Modi said that India looked forward to welcoming the world to the AI Impact Summit in February 2026. "India looks forward to welcoming the world to the AI Impact Summit in February 2026. We have picked the theme of Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya or welfare for all, happiness for all. In this era of AI, the approach must shift from thinking about 'jobs for today' to 'capabilities for tomorrow.' We hope that in the next few years, the G20 will develop a global framework for talent mobility. This will boost innovation and benefit the youth of our planet," he said. (ANI) The judicial inquiry commission formed to investigate the September 8 and 9 incidents - the Gen-Z protest atrocities - is set to question former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and other senior officials within the next week. The high-level commission, which has completed two months of its three-month tenure, plans to question Oli as well as former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, the Chief Secretary, and the former Police Chief, amongst others. The panel is currently reviewing the evidence from the officials, security personnel and witnesses as well as collecting the statements. "Both the former Prime Minister and former Home Minister will be questioned through formal letter within two weeks. We are working to complete the given responsibilities within the given time frame," one of the members of the investigation commission formed under the leadership of former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki told ANI. The commission plans to question Senior Superintendent of Police Bishwo Adhikari, then chief of Kathmandu District Police Range; Deputy Inspector General of Police Om Rana, the then acting chief of Kathmandu Valley Police Office; and Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki (then DIG), who took command of the Valley Police Office on September 9, and some Armed Police Force officers will also be summoned. Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, the highest-ranking official questioned to date, recorded his statement on Thursday. Chief Secretary Aryal also attended the National Security Council meetings. He was questioned on the government's role during and after the incidents, including operations following Oli's resignation. Following police officials, the commission will question the then Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chhabi Rijal, who faced criticism over alleged orders to fire, along with then Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi and then National Investigation Department chief Hutaraj Thapa. The commission was formed on September 21 by interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki. The judicial commission has worked on the details of personnel deployed on September 8 and 9 and questioned them about the incidents of both days. The police at first had not handed over the required information, which, after weeks of debacle, was finally delivered on November 9. Apart from the police, the commission also requested details from the Nepal Army regarding its role on September 9 following the criticism for its inability to secure major offices of the nation. But the response has failed to come in, as per the investigative body, which has less than a month left. Formed under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1969, the panel is tasked with identifying the causes behind the violence, vandalism, looting, and arson, and recommending action. It has the power to summon individuals, collect evidence from government or public offices, require document submissions, and recommend action for non-cooperation. The commission also has received about 300 complaints of personal losses, police reports, and photos and videos. The inquiry commission has recorded statements from Nakkhu Prison chief Satyaraj Joshi and Rastriya Swatantra Party chair Rabi Lamichhane, who was in judicial custody at the time and walked out when protesters reached the prison on September 9. The commission visited Nakkhu Prison on November 4. According to the commission, statements from around 30 security personnel, including police constables and officers, have been completed. They were asked how the situation escalated to firing on September 8 and how the protest turned to vandalism and arson the following day. The two-day Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9 unseated the KP Sharma Oli government, where at least 72 people were killed as the government tried to suppress the protestors. After three days of deliberations, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed the interim Prime Minister of the nation who had recommended to dissolve the parliament. Upon Karki's recommendation, President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved the House of Representatives on September 12 and announced fresh polls for March 5, 2026. (ANI) The delegation participated in the 11th BACSA International Conference - CULTUSERI 2025, where Sivakumar delivered the opening address representing ISC, highlighting India's leadership in traditional silk knowledge and its relevance to creative and cultural industries. He also presented a technical paper titled "The Chronicles of Wild Silk", according to a release from the Ministry of Textiles. S Manthira Moorthy, Director (Tech), CSB, presented a paper on Indo-Bulgarian collaboration in developing a productive bivoltine silkworm hybrid for India. During the visit, CSB showcased its innovative "5-in-1 Silk Stole", a premium product integrating Mulberry, Oak Tasar, Tropical Tasar, Muga, and Eri silks. Conceived under the initiative of the Member Secretary, the product was highlighted as a unique representation of India's rich silk heritage with strong market potential. The delegation engaged with key Georgian institutions, including universities, sericulture laboratories, research centres, textile companies, apparel manufacturers, carpet traders, and the Georgian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI). These interactions emphasised opportunities for enhancing bilateral textile trade, promoting industry collaborations, and exploring joint research in sericulture, the release stated. Meetings with senior officials of the Government of Georgia focused on identifying new areas of cooperation, improving market access, and expanding trade in textiles, apparel, carpets, and value-added silk products. The key outcomes that came from the engagement are as following: Strengthened India-Georgia cooperation in sericulture research, textiles & apparel trade; Showcased India's innovation through the 5-in-1 Silk Stole, a potential flagship product; Identified new avenues for trade diversification, including carpets and high-value textiles; Created pathways for institutional partnerships and technical collaboration; Reinforced India's global role through active participation in the BACSA international platform. The visit marks a meaningful step in advancing India's textile diplomacy and promoting cross-border partnerships for the growth of the silk and textile sectors. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the successful conduct of Johannesburg G20, saying it will contribute to a sustainable planet. PM Modi thanked South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for organising the Summit. In a post on X, he said, "The successful Johannesburg G20 will contribute to a prosperous and sustainable planet. My meetings and interactions with world leaders were very fruitful and will deepen India's bilateral linkages with various nations. I'd like to thank the wonderful people of South Africa, President Ramaphosa and the Government of South Africa for organising the Summit." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992632167680372790?s=20 Earlier in the day, PM Modi interacted with Andrew Holness, the Prime Minister of Jamaica during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. In a post on X, he said, "Interacted with Mr. Andrew Holness, the Prime Minister of Jamaica during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. India and Jamaica are bound by a friendship shaped by history and enriched by cultural linkages. Our partnership continues to grow with a deep commitment to collective progress." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992529761927884860?s=20 Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said that at the IBSA meeting earlier in the day, PM proposed establishing an 'IBSA Digital innovation Alliance'. He also invited the leaders to the AI Impact Summit to be held in India next year. In a post on X, he said, "IBSA: Connecting three continents, major democracies and major economies. PM Narendra Modi participated in the IBSA Leaders' meeting, chaired by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa in Johannesburg." "In his address, PM stressed the need for reforms in global governance institutions, particularly in UNSC. He emphasised the need for close coordination for fight against terrorism," he added. "Highlighting the crucial role of technology, PM proposed establishing an 'IBSA Digital innovation Alliance'. He also invited the leaders to the AI Impact Summit to be held in India next year. PM proposed establishing an 'IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient Agriculture' to further strengthen South-South cooperation," he said. PM Modi attended the G20 Summit from November 22-23. (ANI) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Japan to reflect on and correct its mistakes as soon as possible, rather than stubbornly clinging to the wrong path, Xinhua reported. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a media interview after concluding his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. "If Japan persists in its own way and keeps making the same mistakes, all countries and people who advocate justice have the right to re-examine Japan's historical crimes and have the responsibility to resolutely prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism," Xinhua quoted Wang as saying. Noting that firm mutual support on core interests is an inherent part of the China-Central Asia community with a shared future, Wang said China is willing to be a steadfast supporter and strong defender of peace, stability and development in Central Asia. China opposes any interference in the internal affairs of Central Asian countries and will never allow anyone or any force to create division or turmoil, he emphasized. Wang said he briefed the foreign ministers of the three countries on China's principled position regarding the Taiwan question and exposed the wrongful words and actions of Japan's current leader, which have openly infringed upon China's core interests and challenged the post-World War II international order. He said that Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have openly emphasized that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. They oppose any form of "Taiwan independence" and firmly support all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification, as per Xinhua. China on Friday took its feud with Tokyo over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Taikachi's recent comments on Taiwan to the United Nations, as tensions between the East Asian neighbours deepened and ties plunged to their lowest since 2023, as per Al Jazeera. "If Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression," China's permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, wrote in a letter on Friday to the global body's Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, referring to the strait that separates mainland China from self-governing Taiwan, which Beijing insists belongs to China. Beijing has not ruled out the possibility of forcibly taking Taiwan, as per Al Jazeera. (ANI) News / National by Staff reporter Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has sharply criticised businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei for remarks urging the exclusion of foreign nationals from key economic sectors, describing the comments as "xenophobic" and warning they could inflame dangerous sentiments.Tagwirei recently told a Zanu-PF gathering that foreigners should be removed from sectors such as transport, retail, and energy - a statement that immediately drew backlash within the ruling party.Responding to the remarks, Mutsvangwa cautioned that such rhetoric risked fostering a movement similar to South Africa's anti-immigrant vigilante group, Operation Dudula."Zimbabwe was founded on the support of Africa, the Africa Liberation Committee, and one of the beneficiaries, as a young guerrilla, was the current President," Mutsvangwa said. "Africa matters to us as a country. So you do not go about saying we do not want foreigners in Zimbabwe. We do not want Dudula here. We are an African country. Africans are not foreigners in Zimbabwe."He added that if any foreign nationals were violating local laws, due legal processes - not populist pronouncements - should address such issues.Although the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act reserves certain sectors, including retail and employment agencies, exclusively for Zimbabweans, foreign nationals have continued operating in these spaces, sparking debate. But Mutsvangwa insisted that hostile attitudes were not the solution, pointing out that millions of Zimbabweans abroad themselves rely on tolerance from host nations."We are not xenophobic like South Africa," he said. "When you live in a glass house, do not throw stones. The third biggest foreign currency earner in this country is the diaspora. They are strangers in other lands."Mutsvangwa's rebuke also hinted at growing tensions within Zanu-PF regarding Tagwirei's rising political profile. Although he recently backed Tagwirei's co-option into the Central Committee, Mutsvangwa has previously criticised him for allegedly buying influence.In a veiled swipe, he suggested that Tagwirei should consider attending the ruling party's Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology."Certain things are only said by the President. They are not said by everybody; otherwise everyone who thinks can be a president can be seen giving policies from his platform," he said. "It may not be too late - particularly for people who want to be presidents - to go back to Chitepo School of Ideology."Tagwirei has long been rumoured to harbour presidential ambitions once President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term ends in 2028, and Mutsvangwa's remarks appear to reflect intensifying intra-party rivalry.The businessman has not responded to the criticism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday unveiled a Joint Initiative to counter terrorism financing, reinforcing their commitment to global security on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. In a post on X, the Office of the Prime Minister of India said, "PM @narendramodi met PM @GiorgiaMeloni in Johannesburg. They had a productive discussion on deepening ties across trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space and education. Both leaders also unveiled a Joint Initiative to enhance cooperation against the financing of terrorism, reinforcing shared commitment to global security." The meeting marked a significant step in India-Italy relations, with both leaders committed to enhancing cooperation. "Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The India-Italy Strategic Partnership is growing from strength to strength, greatly benefitting the people of our nations," PM Modi posted on X. They held productive talks in Johannesburg, focusing on deepening India-Italy ties across multiple sectors. Their discussion highlighted progress in trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space, and education. The leaders welcomed the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29, boosting cooperation. Meloni supported India's 2026 AI Summit, promoting global AI collaboration. In a post on X, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said, "PM Narendra Modi met PM Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Their talks centred around deepening India-Italy ties in trade, investment, technology, AI, defence and security, space, research, innovation and culture. Both leaders expressed satisfaction on the progress being made on the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 which would benefit the two economies and peoples. The leaders adopted the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism which reiterates our common resolve to fight terrorism. PM Meloni expressed strong support for the AI Summit to be hosted by India in 2026." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1992619046370763107?s=20 Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa, engaging in discussions and sharing a warm moment. Their interaction was marked by smiles, handshakes, and warm greetings, highlighting the strong bond between India and Italy. The two leaders were seen shaking hands, exchanging smiles, and sharing a light-hearted, candid conversation before the summit sessions began. Videos of the interaction quickly circulated online, highlighting their personal rapport, as noted at other global events such as the G7 Summit in June 2025. This meeting followed their previous interaction at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, earlier in the year. Their strong relationship has been a talking point in diplomatic circles, further emphasised by PM Modi's preface to the Indian edition of Meloni's book I Am Giorgia, in which he highlighted the shared civilizational links between India and Italy. The leaders held a bilateral meeting. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal were also present during the meeting. Italyt's Prime Minister Meloni reiterated Italy's strong support for the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement and for the success of the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in 2026. The leaders also agreed on taking steps to promote connectivity under the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEEC) initiative, MEA stated. The leaders had earlier met in June this year on the sidelines of the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada. PM Modi expressed his enthusiasm for the growing friendship between India and Italy, stating that their bilateral relationship will continue to strengthen, benefiting both nations. (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Sunday hit out at Ukraine's leaders, accusing them of being ungrateful in a further sign of deteriorating relations between him and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Even when all seemed well after last Trump-Zelenskyy meet, including clothes and assistance in war, the new hurling is a grim reminder of volatility in the White House. "UKRAINE "LEADERSHIP" HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS , AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA," he said. Trump also wrote that the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, would have never happened with "strong and proper" US and Ukrainian leadership. His predecessor Joe Biden was in office when Russia ordered its troops into Ukraine, ABC News Australia reported. The post came after the US presented Ukraine with a 28-point peace plan on Friday (local time). The plan calls on Ukraine to cede territory, accept limits on its military and renounce ambitions to join NATO, echoing many demands Russia has made in recent years. The Trump administration has given Zelenskyy until Thursday to accept the plan or face the withdrawal of US support and intelligence sharing. Zelenskyy responded by saying his country faced the choice of either losing its dignity or losing the backing of a key ally. European leaders have voiced alarm at the plan, and were gathered on Sunday in the Swiss city of Geneva to discuss it. Since the plan was announced, there has been considerable confusion about who was involved in drawing it up. European allies said they had not been consulted. Officials from the United States, Ukraine, and national security advisers from France, the United Kingdom and Germany held talks in Geneva on Sunday to discuss Washington's draft plan to end the war in Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported. Russia says a major heat and power station in the Moscow region has been hit by a drone attack. Ukraine says at least five people were injured in an attack on Zaporizhia. European and other Western leaders say they believe the plan is a basis for talks to end Russia's war but requires "additional work," Al Jazeera reported. (ANI) India's Ambassador to Bahrain Vinod K Jacob welcomed Sachin Pilot, Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, at India House on Sunday. The leaders discussed India-Bahrain relations. In a post on X, Indian Embassy in Bahrain said, "H.E. Ambassador Mr. Vinod K. Jacob warmly welcomed Shri Sachin Pilot, Hon'ble Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, at India House. The discussions covered a wide range of topics including India-Bahrain relations & the positive contribution of the Indian Diaspora." https://x.com/IndiaInBahrain/status/1992637566437441966?s=20 Pilot said he had an engaging interaction with Jacob. In a post on X, he said, "Had an engaging interaction with the Indian Ambassador to Bahrain, Shri Vinod Jacob, at the India house in Bahrain. India and Bahrain longstanding bilateral relations are marked by strong cultural ties, growing economic cooperation, and the significant contribution of the Indian community." https://x.com/SachinPilot/status/1992600216357494895?s=20 Sachin Pilot received a warm welcome by the Rajasthani community in Bahrain. In a post on X, Pilot said, "Thank you for the warm welcome given by the Rajasthani community in Bahrain. I am pleased that, while staying connected to their heritage, they have created a strong identity through their contributions, which cannot be praised enough. This is a matter of pride for all of us." https://x.com/SachinPilot/status/1992615745453465705?s=20 Pilot earlier held talks with DR Mehta for making "Jaipur Foot" accessible free of cost to countless differently-abled individuals. In a post on X, he said, "Dr. D.R. Mehta ji, through his vision, and his commitment to service has made the prosthetic artificial limb - "Jaipur Foot" accessible free of cost to countless differently-abled individuals. The Jaipur Foot has enabled them not only to walk again but has also given them a new lease of life -- becoming a symbol of hope, self-reliance, and empowerment not only in India but across the world. It was a privilege for me to participate and exchange ideas with him at the "Future Ready" conference in Bahrain." https://x.com/SachinPilot/status/1992580547991007666?s=20 Pilot spoke at the annual conference "Future Ready" organized by the ICAI Bahrain Chapter. "Spoke at the annual conference "Future Ready" organized by the ICAI Bahrain Chapter. I'm glad that India's longstanding commitment to the global development and economic partnerahips is helping shape the future. As collective stakeholders, we all need to be prepared for the challenges ahead, especially our younger generation," he said. https://x.com/SachinPilot/status/1992562128470065625?s=20 https://x.com/SachinPilot/status/1992547605218210137?s=20 Pilot arrived at Manama on Friday (local time). (ANI) Japan has underlined its commitment to deepen cooperation with India in critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence, during a bilateral meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa on Sunday. According to a statement issued by the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the meeting began at 1:40 pm local time and lasted for about 35 minutes. At the outset, Prime Minister Modi offered his heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister TAKAICHI on her assumption of office and expressed his pleasure at holding the face-to-face meeting. In her response, Prime Minister TAKAICHI expressed her gratitude and conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Delhi and offered her sincere prayers for the swift recovery of those injured. She also stated that she would like to work with Prime Minister Modi to make Japan-India relations more robust and prosperous. In response, Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation, the statement added. Prime Minister TAKAICHI further stated that, based on the Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade launched during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Japan, she is determined to achieve tangible results across a wide range of fields, including security and defence, the economy, and people-to-people exchanges. She also mentioned that she aims to "leverage both countries' strengths to foster innovation and growth in the areas of critical and emerging technologies, such as semiconductors and AI, and to concretise cooperation in the area of economic security," as per the Japanese foreign ministry. In response, Prime Minister Modi stated his intention to advance concrete cooperation in these areas. The two leaders also concurred to cooperate in realising a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." MEA said that both leaders emphasised that India and Japan remain valued partners and trusted friends. Strong ties between the two countries are indispensable for regional and global peace, prosperity, and stability. The leaders agreed to stay in touch and meet again at the earliest opportunity. During his official visit to Johannesburg from November 22-23, PM Modi attended several G20 sessions and held talks with multiple world leaders on the sidelines. (ANI) Israel has breached the United States-brokered Gaza ceasefire almost 500 times in just 44 days, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians since the truce came into effect on October 10, Al Jazeera reported, citing the Gaza Government Media Office's statement. According to the office, 342 civilians have been killed during these violations, with children, women and the elderly comprising the majority of the victims. "We condemn in the strongest terms the continued serious and systematic violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Israeli occupation authorities," the office said, adding, "these violations constitute a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law and the humanitarian protocol attached to the agreement. Among these violations, 27 occurred today, Saturday, resulting in 24 martyrs and 87 wounded." The office also said Israel was fully responsible for the humanitarian and security repercussions from its violations, as per Al Jazeera. Israel continues to heavily restrict the full and free flow of desperately needed aid and medical supplies into the devastated enclave, as was mandated in the ceasefire agreement. On Saturday (local time), Israel's military launched a wave of air attacks across Gaza, killing at least 24 Palestinians, including children, in its latest violation of a six-week-old ceasefire in the war-torn territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the attacks were carried out after a Hamas fighter targeted Israeli soldiers inside Gaza's so-called "yellow line," a zone under Israeli control. "In response, Israel eliminated five senior Hamas fighters," the Israeli statement said. Hamas, however, challenged Israel's account, demanding proof of the claim. Izzat al-Risheq, a senior official in Hamas's political bureau, urged the mediators of the Gaza deal and the United States to pressure Israel to back its claim and to implement the Gaza agreement, according to Al Jazeera. Dozens of Palestinian families have been besieged in northern Gaza, local authorities have said, as the Israeli military has repositioned its forces deeper into the enclave in violation of the ceasefire agreement. (ANI) Algeria has fostered its grip on impoverished Tunisia, worsening the dependence of its fragile neighbor on gas rent in a bilateral relationship that constrained Tunisias diplomacy, a recent Chatham House op-ed showed. Tunisias recent trajectory marks a profound shift in Maghreb geopolitics, Safae El Yaacoubi wrote in the Op-ed, adding that power in the region is no longer exercised through formal alliances or ideological blocs, but through economic lifelines, diplomatic shielding, and calibrated isolation. She stresses that Tunisia is compelled to a form of vassalization wherein Algeria leverages Tunisias vulnerability to cement a gatekeeping role. When President Kais Saied consolidated power in July 2021, Tunisias rupture with Western partners left it exposed. Algeria stepped in as benefactor: $150 million in 2020, $300 million in 2021, another $300 million in 2022, and energy lifelines that now power nearly all Tunisian electricity. By mid-2023, 47% of Tunisias gas came from Algeria. This dependency is structural, notes El Yaacoubi, granting Algiers leverage it rarely needs to flaunt. Beyond official flows, Algeria controls informal trade, notably subsidized goods and fuel sustaining Tunisias border regions. When tensions flared after the Bouraoui affair, Algerian customs froze hundreds of Tunisian trucks, lifting restrictions only after Tebbounes televised order. The message was unmistakable: Tunis moves when Algiers nods, El Yaacoubi said. Diplomatically, Tunisia has abandoned neutrality to bandwagon with Algiers. It abstained on a UN vote on Western Sahara in 2021 and hosted Polisario leader Brahim Ghali in 2022, rupturing ties with Morocco. The Bouraoui episode deepened the asymmetry whenTunisia dismissed its foreign minister rather than assert sovereignty, signaling pre-emptive compliance. Even when Algerian pundits mocked Tunisia as a wilaya, Tunis stayed silent, El Yaacoubi recalled. This silence reflects a shift from independence to deference, says El Yaacoubi. Algeria now casts itself as Tunisias guarantor of stability, boasting of coordination with Rome and offering unsolicited advice on returning to democracy. Meanwhile, Tunisias legal trajectory mirrors Algerias model of vague conspiracy charges, exceptional courts, and informal security cooperation that blurs borders. Its not just authoritarian drift, argues El Yaacoubi, its a hybrid model shaped by Algerias post-Hirak playbook. The 1st African Child Parliament Forum adopted, by acclamation, the Rabat Declaration on Childrens Participation in Africas Development. In the Rabat Declaration, adopted by acclamation on Saturday at the close of the Forum, held November 21-22, representatives of government institutions and non-governmental organizations from African countries welcomed the creation of the African Network for Child Rights as a continental platform for advocacy, dialogue, and the effective participation of African children in promoting their well-being and development. We welcome the proposal of Moroccos National Observatory for the Rights of the Child (ONDE) to host the headquarters of the African Network for Child Rights and to cover its operational running costs, the Declaration states. Participants affirmed their commitment to ensuring that this Network becomes a continental African non-governmental cooperation structure endowed with legal status and operating in coordination with partner African institutions, in line with the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant regional and international instruments. They also paid tribute to the vision of King Mohammed VI for advancing a peaceful, stable and sustainably developing Africa, grounded in active solidarity, South-South cooperation, and the central role of youth in all development initiatives. Participants further expressed their deep gratitude to Princess Lalla Meryem, President of ONDE, for her unwavering commitment to protecting and promoting childrens rights through concrete, sustainable actions adapted to contemporary challenges. In the Declaration, participants encourage the establishment and development of child parliaments throughout African countries, ensuring that children are involved in monitoring public policies and implementing regional and international commitments. They also called upon development partners, including relevant United Nations development agencies, to support African countries national efforts aimed at promoting the role of children in development and establishing child parliaments tailored to each countrys specific context. Moreover, they reaffirmed their determination to develop complementary joint initiatives to advance advocacy at the international level through activities and participation in regional, continental and international events related to childrens rights, fostering appropriate partnerships with other regional and international actors to accelerate the development of the African Network of the Child Parliament and its members. Recognizing the fraternal relations and bonds of cooperation and solidarity between Morocco and brotherly African countries, participants reiterated their collective commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those relating to health, education, equal opportunities for children, and the fight against climate change. They also acknowledged the need for concrete, coordinated continental African action to promote childrens rights as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international and regional instruments, especially their rights to participation and to physical, mental and social well-being. Commending Morocco for the successful organization of the 1st African Child Parliament Forum, held under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI and under the effective presidency of Princess Lalla Meryem, participants pledged to foster dialogue, exchange experiences, and build a shared African vision to advance the participation of African children in development processes, in accordance with Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. India has agreed to deepen its energy trade with the United States in a bid to avoid the introduction of higher tariffs on exports by President Donald Trump. In recent months, Trump has threatened several countries with tariffs if they do not import larger quantities of U.S. gas, to varying success. India, like several other Asian countries, has decided that agreeing to increase imports is the best way to help avoid its economy being hit hard by restrictions on trade with the U.S. This week, Indias Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced that a deal had been made for the U.S. to supply almost 10 percent of Indias liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports. The agreement was made to decrease the trade surplus between India and the U.S. The two powers have agreed to a one-year deal to import roughly 2.2 million tonnes a year of LPG from the U.S. Gulf Coast. The LPG purchase price will be based on the Mount Belvieu benchmark. On the X social media site, Puri said, A historic first! One of the largest and the worlds fastest-growing LPG market opens up to the United States. In our endeavour to provide secure affordable supplies of LPG to the people of India, we have been diversifying our LPG sourcing. This marks the first structured contract of U.S. LPG for the Indian market, according to Puri. Indias LPG demand has increased by 74 percent over the last decade, supported by both higher incomes and Prime Minister Modis Ujjwala program, which provides subsidised cooking gas to low-income households. India sources most of its LPG from the Middle East at present, primarily from Qatar (27 percent), the UAE (26 percent), and Saudi Arabia (19 percent). The deal suggests that the Southeast Asian country may now be looking to diversify its energy sources following disruptions in the Red Sea, as well as OPEC+ cuts. At present, India imports between 20 to 21 million tonnes of LPG a year. If the U.S. provides 10 percent of its LPG supply, this could equate to around $1 billion in imports. Meanwhile, Indias trade surplus with the U.S. stands at around $40 billion. In August, the Trump administration announced it would be imposing a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods to address trade imbalances and encourage India to halt the import of Russian oil. While the tariffs have negatively affected the U.S.-Indian partnership, India has yet to reduce its imports of Russian crude. India continues to benefit from the discounted prices that Moscow is offering to counter the ongoing international sanctions on Russian energy products. In 2024, India bought $52.7 billion of Russian crude, contributing around 37 percent of its oil bill. Meanwhile, last week, Trump threatened to introduce tariffs of up to 500 percent on countries that continue to buy Russian energy. The Republicans are putting in legislation that is very tough, sanctioning, etcetera, on any country doing business with Russia, Trump told reporters. As well as India, the tariffs could hit China hard as it continues to purchase significant quantities of Russian oil. Following the agreement to purchase more U.S. LPG, Trump said he plans to remove the 25 percent tariffs imposed on India for importing Russian oil in November, while the 25 percent reciprocal tariffs will remain in place through 2026. The LPG deal is part of a larger bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Trump recently stated that the two powers were pretty close to a fair trade deal. In October, following the agreement, Indias exports to the U.S. increased for the first time in five months, rising by 14.5 percent from September. Chevron, Phillips 66, and TotalEnergies are expected to transport the LPG to India in 48 tankers starting in January. The state-run oil majors, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), will manage the supplies once on Indian soil. In the long term, India hopes to diversify its energy sources in a bid to decarbonise and boost its energy security. At present, India is the third-largest carbon dioxide emitter worldwide, after China and the U.S. Indias energy demand is set to double from current levels by 2045 as the economy continues to grow, yet the government has introduced a net-zero carbon emissions target for 2070. To achieve this, India will have to diversify its energy sources and significantly increase its renewable energy capacity, as outlined in the national roadmap for energy transition. Indias new energy agreement will see it import more LPG from the United States over the next year, with the possibility of extension. The move is expected to encourage President Trump to reduce U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to help restore trade relations. However, this may depend on whether India is willing to cut energy trade ties with Russia. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com New oil and gas drilling could commence in California if President Donald Trump gets his way, as the U.S. federal government continues to support a Drill, baby, drill approach to fossil fuel production. In November, the Trump administration plans to allow new oil and gas drilling off the California coast, according to a draft plan shared with the Washington Post. This would be the first time in several decades that new exploration operations were permitted. The document outlines a plan for six offshore lease sales along the California coastline, as well as the expansion of drilling into the eastern Gulf of Mexico, between 2027 and 2030. It is thought that the Interior Department could announce a formal proposal as early as this week. Any new drilling is expected to be centred around the Santa Barbara County region, where limited drilling is already taking place. A major oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969 prompted the government to bring an end to new leasing off the Pacific Coast, as well as limit existing drilling operations. Previous governments have continued to restrict drilling in the Californian waters, which extend three miles from the shoreline, due to concerns over beach pollution and the potential negative impact on tourism. Pete Stauffer, the ocean protection manager of the Surfrider Foundation, stated, Offshore drilling is highly unpopular across the country and will increase the likelihood of yet another destructive oil spill off our coasts. Surfrider Foundations chapter network will fight this proposal vigorously to protect all US coastlines from the unnecessary risks involved with new offshore drilling. The plan would also require Trump to approve new oil and gas leasing in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, a body of water that the President renamed the Gulf of America in January. This would likely lead to pushback from Republicans in Florida who have been opposed to new drilling since the Deepwater Horizon rig disaster of 2010. Meanwhile, in June, South Carolina governor Henry McMaster wrote a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in which he stated that South Carolinas coastline was one of the most pristine in the country, and offshore drilling is simply not in its best interest. Despite efforts by the Trump administration to open nearly all U.S. coastal waters to drilling earlier this year, the Interior Department ultimately decided to introduce a moratorium on drilling off Florida, Georgia and South Carolina through 2032 following pressure from Republicans in the southeast of the country. The position of oil and gas companies on conducting drilling in California waters is not yet clear, although developing new projects in the state would require a significant investment in supporting infrastructure, compared to other already developed regions of the United States. Analysts do not expect oil and gas companies to have much interest in the area due to the lack of infrastructure, as well as the widespread regional opposition to new drilling. During this months COP30 climate summit in Brazil, Californias Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, told reporters that any plan to carry out new drilling in the region would be dead on arrival in California. Newsom also said that the state would absolutely challenge the plan in court once it was finalised. This reflects his historic stance on new drilling. In June, Newsom addressed the Interior Department in a letter stressing Californias continued opposition to additional fossil fuel development. Newsom, a long-time supporter of the U.S. green transition, attended the climate summit in Trumps absence, after the Trump administration said that no high-level U.S. representatives would go to UN climate talks. During a ministerial meeting, Newsom said, Im very mindful that the Trump administration has abandoned any sense of duty, responsibility, or leadership as it relates to the issues that bring us all here together Its an abomination. Its a disgrace." In response to news of the anticipated drilling proposal, Newsom said that it was remarkable that Trump did not call for drilling near his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago. He didnt promote it off the coast of Florida, stated Newsom. That says everything about Donald Trump. In California, Texas-based oil company Sable Offshore has shown interest in reactivating three drilling rigs in federal waters off Santa Barbara that have sat unused since an oil spill in 2015. In May, Sable began producing oil at one of the rigs under an existing lease. However, following the move, Californias attorney general, Rob Bonta, sued Sable Offshore, accusing the firm of illegally discharging waste into local waterways. Although there has been no formal proposal for drilling in California, reports of plans for new exploration have prompted widespread pushback from state officials. The state governments of California, Florida and South Carolina have all shown opposition to new offshore oil exploration, meaning the federal government can expect a fight to get any new projects off the ground in those regions. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Australia may still stand as the worlds third-largest LNG exporter (behind Qatar and the United States) but the foundations of that success are faltering. The September 2025 start-up of the Barossa Project, designed to feed Darwin LNG, and ConocoPhillips November drilling success in the Otway Basin offer welcome headlines, but they do little to offset the deeper structural imbalance now shaping Australias national gas landscape. Most production remains concentrated in Western Australia and Queensland, far from the south-eastern population centres that depend on it, while new developments struggle to keep pace with both export commitments and rising domestic demand. At the same time, new investment is increasingly deterred by regulatory tightness and stringent environmental requirements, leaving Australias long-term gas outlook more fragile than its export rankings suggest. For decades, exploration was one of Australias greatest strengths: since the 1960s, hydrocarbons were discovered at a rate of roughly a billion barrels of oil-equivalent per year. But after 2015 that trend began to change. Offshore exploration has declined and is now concentrated almost entirely in the west and northwest regions with little population, limited domestic industrial demand, and a direct pathway into Asia-facing LNG terminals. Australias geography has amplified this imbalance: the most prolific basin, North Carnarvon, lies off the western coast, while nearly two-thirds of the population and most of the countrys industrial load are located in the east, with no pipeline linking the two. As a result, most new offshore discoveries naturally flow into LNG export plants rather than the domestic market, deepening the divide between where gas is produced and where it is consumed. This structural disconnect has become the central fault line in Australias energy system, and it has grown more severe as LNG exports have expanded. Related: Equinor Secures Major 10-Year Gas Deal With Czech Republic Recent drilling activity shows glimmers of hope but underscores how little has been done in recent years. The first offshore hydrocarbon exploration well since 2023 Chevrons Deep 1 and Dino South 1 was drilled only in May 2025. In November, ConocoPhillips, alongside 3D Energi and Korea National Oil Corporation, spudded its first well under the Otway Basin Program near shores of Victoria province (53 km offshore from Port Campbell, 12 km from existing gas production wells), a government-funded initiative designed to shore up southeastern supply. Just two weeks later, on November 17, the company announced it had struck gas in the two target reservoirs (Waare A and Waare C) the first discovery in the region in four years adding that six wells are planned across two permits. However, the potential flow rates and ultimate resource recovery are still to be determined. The consequences of waning exploration activity are increasingly visible in production trends. While national gas output more than doubled between 2015 and 2021, rising from around 5.5 million cubic metres per month to roughly 13 million cubic metres, it has since plateaued. Over the last 4 years production has hovered around an average of 13 million m3/month, signalling that without new exploration, the country has already reached a stagnation point and risks slipping into structural decline. With national output flattening, the weakest point in Australias gas system is increasingly the east coast, where demand keeps rising even as local supply fails to keep pace. Eastern Australias gas system is built around Queenslands CSG (coal seam gas)-LNG plants, which draw from the domestic market and have steadily increased their intake. When long-term lower-priced contracts expired between 2016 and 2019, domestic prices rose sharply and began tracking regional Asia LNG netback values the price LNG exporters could earn overseas, minus regasification and shipping. That linkage now defines the market: in Queensland, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, gas started behaving like a globally traded commodity, not a locally priced utility. Each winter, gas flows southward, but the constrained pipeline network cannot meet peak demand, causing local tightness and sharp price spikes. Government have required CSG-LNG exporters to offer uncontracted volumes to the domestic market before selling spot cargoes abroad. An east-coast price cap of A$12/GJ, introduced in summer 2023 and extended up to 2033, aims to protect consumers from global volatility. Despite the cap having exemptions, allowing undeveloped fields to be priced under a reasonable price mechanism, the result is a system that suppresses price signals just when investment is needed most. Pressure on supply is exacerbated by state-level environmental opposition. In NSW and Victoria, local resistance has prevented new projects for years. The Narrabri CSG development, which could supply up to half of NSWs demand, spent a decade stalled by protests, litigation and political friction before finally being approved in 2020. Victorias ban on onshore gas exploration from 2017 to 2021 still prohibiting coal seam gas ensured that Queensland remains the only state producing CSG. This geographic bottleneck forces the market to rely on higher-cost southern basins and long-distance interstate flows, raising prices, increasing winter risks, and tightening supply further. At the same time, the electricity system has become more fragile. This summer, wholesale power prices reached A$107 per MWh a decade high as supply stress collided with ageing coal-fire power stations that still make up around 65% of the energy mix. Outages during high demand are becoming more common, amplifying the consequences of any gas shortage. The unstable regulatory environment is beginning to scare away investors. In September, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company abandoned its planned US$19 billion acquisition of Santos, deterred by regulatory risk, domestic gas obligations and environmental pressures. Without major external investment, Australian producers face stagnation and an increasing likelihood of failing to meet both domestic commitments and international contract terms. ExxonMobil has already paused recent investments, citing the unpredictability of approvals and fiscal settings. Woodsides North West Shelf expansion project the largest export facility in the country only received provisional clearance in May after more than six years in the approvals pipeline. The final irony is that Australia may soon need to import LNG to stabilise the very market it once dominated. Several regasification projects are advancing. Squadron Energys Port Kembla terminal is expected to begin operations in mid-2026. Vopak has acquired an FSRU (floating storage and regasification unit) for its Port Phillip Bay project in Victoria, with imports projected to begin in 2029. Four additional import terminals are under construction across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. But FSRUs are costly and scarce, and any imported LNG would force domestic prices to track not only global spot levels (already volatile) but also shipping and regasification costs. For this reason, expanding domestic local supply (by projects similar to the Otway Basin exploration near to the southeast coast) remains the lowest-cost, lowest-emission, and most strategic solution. Yet approvals are slow, regulatory obligations are heavy, and investor confidence is wavering. If Australia cannot reset its approach, capital will migrate to more welcoming jurisdictions. Timor-Leste is already preparing a new exploration bidding round for 2026, having secured revised maritime boundaries and signalling its capability to attract upstream investment that Australia appears unable to accommodate. Australias gas system is entering a decisive phase. A decade of declining exploration, increasing regulatory intervention, environmental constraints and infrastructure fragmentation has pushed the market toward structural imbalance. The Barossa start-up and the Otway discovery show that new supply remains possible but unless the policy framework shifts, these isolated wins will not prevent deeper shortages, higher prices and eroding investor confidence. The country must choose whether to remain a global LNG power with a secure domestic market or allow its system to drift toward chronic vulnerability. By Natalia Katona 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: The COP30 climate summit has ended -- what were the major outcomes? The COP30 climate summit has drawn to a close after two weeks in the Amazonian city of Belem where protests, street marches and even a fire caused unexpected moments of drama. But beneath enormous tents erected over a former airport at the edge of the rainforest, nations also adopted some decisions on how to battle climate change. Here are the main negotiated outcomes, and the voluntary commitments, made during the summit attended by nearly 200 nations: Fossil fuels The thorniest issues were bundled into a "mutirao" pactthe summit's slogan, drawn from the Tupi-Guarani word for "collective effort." The agreement included an initiative for countries to collaborate on a voluntary basis to reduce carbon emissions and strive to limit global warming to 1.5C relative to pre-industrial levels. It also noted a commitment made by all nations at COP28 in Dubai to "transition away from fossil fuels"but this exact phrase, which has become politically sensitive, was not included. Despite pressure from more than 80 nations from Europe to Latin America to the Pacific, the conference did not adopt a "roadmap" to phase out fossil fuels. Instead, COP30 president Andre Correa do Lago offered to create one for countries willing to join on a voluntary basis, and another plan to halt deforestation. Finance The world's poorest nations have long complained they lack the finance for "adaptation"measures to protect their economies from rising seas, such as building sea walls, and other impacts of climate change. In a win for developing countries at COP30, the final agreement "calls for efforts to at least triple adaptation finance by 2035." In 2024, rich countries agreed to provide $300 billion a year by 2035 in climate finance to developing nations, with no specific amount earmarked for adaptation. Most of that goes to projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as renewable energy, and not to adaptationsomething developing nations have long complained puts them at a disadvantage. The "tripling" goal agreed in Belem could mean $120 billion from that $300 billion is earmarked for adaptation, but close observers said clarity was still needed around that target. Trade For the first time, trade has been included as a pillar of the final text, with a three-year dialog to take place under the climate framework. This reflected concerns from countries including China that trade measureslike taxes on carbon-intensive goodscould erode export revenues or throw up barriers to green technology sales. Forests At COP30, Brazil launched a new global investment vehicle that proposes paying out a share of profits to forest-rich countries for every hectare of trees they leave standing. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced during a leaders' summit in Belem last weekeven before COP30 officially startedthe launch of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility. The TFFF attracted $5.5 billion in pledges from Norway, Germany, Indonesia, France and Brazilthe biggest contributors. Ultimately, Brazil is seeking to raise $125 billion in public and private investment, but said the fund could start working even without the full $25 billion in startup capital from governments. Methane pledges Slashing methane emissionsthe second-largest contributor to climate change after carbon dioxideis considered one of the fastest ways to curb global warming. Although it remains in the atmosphere for about 12 years, the "super pollutant" is roughly 80 times more potent than CO 2 over a 20-year period. At COP30, seven countriesBritain, France, Canada, Germany, Norway, Japan and Kazakhstansigned a statement vowing to achieve "near zero" methane emissions across the fossil fuel sector. 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain This year's COP30 comes after the international Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) finally acquired the required number of ratification votes by United Nations member states. The treaty, effective from January 2026, is the first global agreement for marine areas beyond national jurisdictions, with a direct reference to climate change risks in its legal text. Its ratification comes at a crucial time for marine environments. The momentum of COP30 and the BBNJ treaty creates a unique opportunity to further integrate the ocean, particularly the deep sea, into the climate agenda. By connecting the BBNJ under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2015 Paris Agreement, UN member states now have the tools to better conserve the deep sea's biodiversity and its role in the global carbon cycle. The deep sea's role in our climate The deep sea (areas deeper than 200 meters) covers more than half our planet's surface and accounts for over 90% of the ocean's volume. It is Earth's largest long-term carbon sink. Since the Industrial Revolution, the deep sea has absorbed roughly 30% of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions and about 90% of excess heat, significantly slowing warming and buffering the planet against even more catastrophic impacts. The deep sea stores 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere and 20 times more than all terrestrial plants and soils combined. It helps regulate Earth's climate and its importance in fighting climate change is immense, stretching from pole to pole. The polar regions support essential climate functions. The Southern Ocean around Antarctica absorbs approximately 40% of the global oceanic uptake of human-generated carbon. The opposite pole, the Arctic Ocean, is facing some of the most immediate threats from climate change. Against this backdrop, COP30 is hosting an unprecedented number of Indigenous people, with around 3,000 participants. Inuit, Sami, Athabaskan, Aleut, Yupiit and other Arctic and global Indigenous leaders are voicing the need for climate policy to reflect local knowledge, rights and values in line with claims by Arctic states to sovereignty and stewardship. However, discontent exists given the lack of representation of Indigenous people in COP30 negotiations. More than 70,000 people participated in the parallel People's Summit which produced the Declaration of the Peoples' Summit towards COP30. The declaration calls for more equitable solutions to climate change that include Indigenous and other communities. Indigenous Peoples already co-create scientific management of marine protected areas, such as the Primnoa resedaeformis coral habitats and glass sponge reefs in Nova Scotia. However, more efforts are needed to reach the 30x30 target to designate 30% of Earth's land and oceans as protected areas and achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. 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. Closing the ocean gap Recent sessions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have focused on coordination across major international agreements like the BBNJ. These sessions, along with the latest vulnerability assessments from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and UNFCCC's Ocean Climate Change Dialogues, have urged parties to align ocean actions with climate commitments and close measurement and reporting gaps. In the summer of 2024, Brazil and France started the Blue NDC Challenge, encouraging countries to include ocean-based climate solutions in their National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans. The UNFCCC requires NDCs to increase carbon uptake rather than historical storage to mitigate it. Carbon uptake is the process, activity or mechanism by which natural sinks remove CO 2 from the atmosphere. On the other hand, National Adaption Plans may protect deep-sea ecosystems and their biological pump roles. While recent syntheses show that about 75% (97 out of 130 coastal states that have submitted their NDCs) of UN member states now reference marine and coastal actions in their NDCs, the formal mechanisms for implementing adaptation efforts that include the ocean are lagging behind. Of the roughly 100 climate indicators being considered at COP30 to monitor the progress of the Paris Agreement's global goal on adaptation, only 14 include marine or ocean dimensions, with the majority focusing on coasts or shallow waters. Although those with marine dimensions could be extended to include the deep sea, a persistent omission of deep-sea ecosystems risks undermining both mitigation and adaptation goals. While the final indicators are yet to be determined, it's critical to ensure that deep-sea ecosystems are explicitly incorporated. The global stocktakethe Paris Agreement's process to evaluate the world's climate action progressdetermines if countries are meeting goals and identifies gaps. The stocktake must also identify the deep ocean and deep-sea life specifically, and elaborate on appropriate ocean-based climate actions, comparable to elaborations on the need to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation. Supporting the Paris Agreement Emerging activities, misguidingly branded as helping the energy transitionlike deep-sea miningfurther threaten oceans by causing irreparable damage to the sea floor and in the water column. Geoengineering technologies to remove excess CO from the atmosphere are so far costly and ineffective, but may be necessary to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5 C target. However, marine-based technologies may disrupt seafloor habitats, alter ocean chemistry and disrupt the natural carbon cycle in unpredictable ways. The largest uncertainties in future climate projections stem from potential changes in ocean circulation and biological activity that could reduce the ocean sink efficiency. Even if emissions are stopped, a substantial fraction (20 to 40% in some models) of emitted CO will remain in the atmosphere for a millennium or longer, persisting until slow geological processes complete the sequestration. If deep-sea carbon sinks were to weaken due to these climate-induced changes, CO would accumulate faster in the atmosphere, making the 1.5 target significantly more difficult to achieve. Therefore, the deep ocean's capacity determines the long-term fate of CO and the ultimate success of the Paris Agreement's targets. Acting without a precautionary approach and failing to incorporate Indigenous values could further damage marine ecosystems and increase inequalities. In addition, failing to establish appropriate protocols for research ethics, project implementation and scientific assessments could result in negative outcomes in terms of CO sequestration. 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 tiny wearable sensor designed for thoroughbred racehorses can identify horses at elevated risk of catastrophic injury, according to a new study led by researchers at Washington State University. The sensor records roughly 2,400 data points per second to detail precise stride movements during horse races that are invisible to the human eye. An advanced algorithm analyzes this data, comparing it to patterns from sound, high-performing racehorses and those that suffered fatal musculoskeletal injuries, before assigning each horse a risk score from 1 to 6, with 6 indicating the greatest risk. Researchers tested the sensors during nearly 30,000 races involving more than 11,800 thoroughbreds at 10 tracks across the United States between July 2021 and May 2024. The study, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, found that horses with a risk score of 6 were 44 times more likely to suffer a fatal injury than those with a score of 1. Horses with a score of 6 made up just 0.4% of starts but represented 4% of all fatalities. "This technology can help us to intervene before a fatal musculoskeletal injury occurs," said lead researcher Dr. Warwick Bayly, a professor in WSU's College of Veterinary Medicine. "We now have the potential to prevent injuries that would end a horse's career, or even its life, and make racing safer. Our data show focusing on horses flagged with the highest risk scores could reduce fatal injury rates by nearly 20%." The industry has made strides in reducing race-day fatalitiesfrom 2 per 1,000 starts in 2009 to 1.32 in 2023but injuries still occur during both racing and training. Necropsy data show 93% of horses that suffered catastrophic injuries had preexisting bone conditions. "Every fatal injury is devastating, not just for the horse and connections but for the sport itself," Bayly said. "Instead of relying on what we can seewhich is very little at full gallopwe now have hard data that tells us when something isn't right." WSU began collaborating with the creator of the sensors, StrideSAFE, in 2020, testing the technology at the university's Hitchcock Research Racetrack, which is the only dedicated research racetrack at a U.S. university. From there, the sensors were deployed at Emerald Downs in Seattle and later at major tracks nationwide, including Saratoga, Belmont, Keeneland and Churchill Downs. The study also examined other factors associated with injury risk. Age was not found to be a significant predictor, but males were more likely to suffer fatal injuries than females. Horses running shorter races tended to have higher risk scores, and dirt and turf tracks had higher fatality rates than synthetic surfaces. Bayly is optimistic the sensors can be used to improve the safety of the sport by allowing high-risk horses to be identified early, giving trainers and veterinarians the opportunity to properly assess and address any ailments. "It's common to see human athletes wearing biometric sensors to monitor performance and prevent injuries," Bayly said. "We can now use the same technology to improve the safety of horse racing. If we can identify horses at risk and intervene ahead of time, we will not only save lives but also strengthen the integrity and sustainability of the sport." More information: Denise Mc Sweeney et al, Thoroughbreds deemed to be most at risk by inertial measurement unit sensors suffered a fatal musculoskeletal injury at a higher rate than other racehorses, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (2025). DOI: 10.2460/javma.25.04.0268 Journal information: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association By NJ THAKURIA Guwahati: The third edition of Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2025 came to an end on 16 November with two Assamese writers felicitating in the valedictory function held at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in the prehistoric city of Guwahati. PLF president Phanindra Kumar Dev Choudhury, chief guest Dr Apurba Kumar Saikia and a galaxy of authors, critics, journalists and literary enthusiasts were present on the occasion. The annual PLF commenced on 14 November marking the beginning of a literary exploration with a mission searching for roots enhancing a humble dream to connect Assam's younger generation with the land's glorious literary heritage. Tiwa scholar and a tireless researcher of the societyliteratureculturehistory, and a distinguished essayist Maneswar Dewri along with emerging short-story writer Srotashwini Tamuli were honoured with PLF awards 2025. Accepting the award, Dewri, who has for several decades enriched Assamese literature as well as research activities in culture and history of the land, expressed happiness and stated that he was deeply moved by the honour. Narrating his struggle and search works for the Tiwa ethnic community's identity amidst many challenges, Dewri added that many of his published books contain different events taking place in western Assam, which may be helpful for the research scholar and historians while penning a comprehensive history of Assam. Srotaswini, the author of an Assamese story collection titled 'Jalkhar and a research scholar at Birangana Sati Sadhani State University, admitted that receiving the award at an early stage of her literary journey had enhanced the sense of responsibility in the field of creative writing. While addressing the closing session, Sahitya Akademi awardee Dr Saikia appreciated the three-day literary exploration with the theme 'In Search of Roots', showcasing the history, culture and languages of the land, once known as Pragjyotishpur (later known as Kamrup kingdom, where the capital was located roughly in the present day Guwahati), in the right perspective. Dr Saikia also expressed satisfaction that the festival could generate a significant enthusiasm among the budding writers, translators, journalists, theatre & film workers as well as common literary appreciators and hoped that the PLF would soon emerge as an important litfest in India. Earlier, an analytical discussion on 'The Creative World of Novelist Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya: An Exploratory Journey', which was attended by Akademi winning writer Anuradha Sarma Pujari, storyteller Pranjal Sharma Basishtha, researcher Smritirekha Bhuyan and media columnist Rupam Barua, enlightened the audience over the creations of Gnyanpeeth awardee, who is considered as one of best novelists in the country. Another important event witnessed a pragmatic discussion on nature literature, conducted by conservationist writer Soumyadeep Dutta, where the wildlife activist elaborated on how literature on nature can nurture the society. A vivid appreciator of Gautam Buddha's teachings, Dutta categorically distinguished between the western green writings-which are mostly human centric and the nature literature of Bharat that is dedicated to all creatures on Earth. A reflective discussion on the expanding horizon of Assamese translated literature was also organized where Akademi (translation) award recipient Bipul Deuri, another Akademi (translation) winner Diganta Biswa Sarma and young writer-translator Dr Nayanjyoti Sharma participated. Addressing the listeners of 'Transcending Language Boundaries: The Triumphant Journey of Assamese Translated Literature', acclaimed scholar on the Indian knowledge system, Biswa Sarma opined that an honest translation is now admired as an original literary work. He also viewed that Sanskrit, though largely not a daily spoken language, cannot be neglected and it needs to be kept alive so that Indian regional languages get nourishment for the future generation. Nayanjyoti spoke about some difficulties but also a promising space for translation works from Assamese to other languages and vice versa. The three-day annual litfest was inaugurated by distinguished litterateur Nanda Singh Barkola, who highlighted India's growing global stature while painting a vivid portrait of the nation's cultural heritage. Aligning with the festival's theme, Barkola, a senior police officer by profession, referenced to Dr Bhupen Hazarika's iconic song 'Karbi Anglong Oti Numoliya.....', while encouraging a return to pre-Sankari traditions to rediscover the forgotten literary roots. Internationally acclaimed author Shefali Vaidya, who delivered the keynote address, appreciated the festival's evolving journey along with the mission to reconnect younger generations with their cultural and intellectual heritage. Opening her speech in Asomiya, she also invoked the timeless songs of Bhupen-da, underscoring the linguistic and cultural richness of the far eastern part of Bharat. Chairman of the organizing committee (Sankardeva Education and Research Foundation), Lt Gen (Retd) Rana Pratap Kalita and Pragjyotishpur University vice-chancellor Smriti Kumar Sinha also shared the dais. Special highlights of the inaugural day included the release of souvenir titled 'Pragjyoti', edited by Hemchandra Doley, and attendees paying floral tributes to Assam's three cultural icons namely Sudhakantha Dr Hazarika, Pranar Shilpi Zubeen Garg and flute maestro Deepak Sharma. The unique litfest housed four intriguing sessions on the second day, where the interaction with eminent actor and playwright Prithwiraj Rabha, who spoke about his father Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha's colourful life, philosophy and struggles, stole the limelight. During a reflective session, moderated by technocrat writer Nayanjyoti Bhattacharyya, legislator Rabha brought alive the extraordinary cultural journey of his father, honoured as a towering Assamese cultural personality, from a luminous student to a legendary artist to a revolutionary preacher. Kalaguru dedicated his life to three masters namely Sri Krishna, Srimanta Sankardeva and Leonardo da Vinci, stated the illustrious son, while narrating the fascinating stories from Kalaguru's personal, artistic and revolutionary world. Earlier, a panel discussion titled 'Assamese Language, Literature and Journalism: Growth and Expansion' attracted the attention of novice journalists, where four seasoned scribes namely Dilip Chandan, Bedabrata Dev Mishra, Nava Thakuria and Bidyut Kumar Bhuyan tried to highlight the challenges ahead of print journalism. The speakers were unanimous in views that traditional journalism while nurturing the native language can return back to the valued readers as the digital fatigue of electronic and other internet media outlets start exhausting the consumer-audiences. In another session on 'Evolution of Assamese Performing Arts: From Ankiya Bhawana to Bhramyman', four cultural personalities viewed theatre as the mother of all performing arts. National award-winning filmmaker and playwright Kripal Kalita, much-admired performer Pakija Begum, dramatists Pankaj Jyoti Bhuyan and Hillal Kumar Pathak painted a challenging picture of Assamese theatre but with promises to be kept in the coming days. Acknowledging the contribution of Assam's mobile theatre groups, they lamented that the landscape of Assamese theatre was yet to ascertain a distinct school of tradition. The festival's first panel discussion on 'Transformation and Evolution of Assamese Lyric Literature: From the Nineties to Present Era' was moderated by lyricist and composer Gautam Sharma, where cultural personalities Tarun Kalita, Diganta Bharati and Ibason Lal Baruah participated and viewed their cautious optimism over the future of Assamese language enriched with a vigorous literature. Two multilingual poetry sessions named Kavya Kaveri were joined by a number of popular poets, where they captivated the audience with self-composed literary recitations in different languages. On behalf of the organizers, PLF general secretary Bikram Kalita along with Kishor Shivam, Hirakjyoti Sarma, Pramod Kalita and Bhaskarjyoti Sarma lauded everyone for the fascinating deliberations in harmonious presence of author-translators, art-connoisseurs, critics, budding writers, performing artistes, translators and literature enthusiasts. The writer is an Assam, India based senior journalist and can be contacted at M-0091 98640 44917 Guwahati: Everyone who loves Bharat (widely known as India) and takes pride in identifying as Bharatiya is a Hindu, irrespective of his/her personal modes of worship, said Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Addressing a gathering of intellectuals, scholars, editors, writers, and entrepreneurs on 18 November 2025 at Sudarshanalaya in Barbari locality of Guwahati in northeast India, the Sarsanghchalak clarified that Hindu is not merely a religious term, but a civilizational identity rooted in thousands of years of cultural continuity. "Bharat and Hindu are synonymous," said Dr Bhagwat, adding that Bharat does not need an official declaration as a Hindu Rashtra, because its civilizational ethos always reflects it. During the interactive session, the RSS chief elaborated on the Sangh's civilizational vision, contemporary national concerns, and the ongoing programs reflecting the organization's centenary celebrations. He urged people to understand the Sangh by visiting a Shakha, rather than depending on preconceived narratives. Addressing concerns about demographic changes and cultural protection in Assam, Dr Bhagwat called for confidence, vigilance, and firm attachment to one's land and identity. He spoke about issues such as illegal infiltration, the need for a balanced population policy including a three-child norm for Hindus, and the importance of resisting divisive religious conversions. Emphasizing on the responsible use of social media, especially by youth, Dr Bhagwat also spoke in detail about the five key social transformations namely harmony, family awakening, civic discipline, self-reliance, and environmental protection. The Sarsanghchalak addressed a youth conclave on Wednesday, where he appealed to them not to create any opinion about the RSS on the basis of pre-conceived notions or motivated propaganda. He urged the youth of far eastern Bharat to observe and understand the RSS closely. Beginning his address, the Sarsanghchalak commented that the RSS has now become a subject of public discussions. 'But those discussions should be based on factual information,' he stated, adding that the information available in different global and digital platforms delivers more than 50% wrong facts relating to the RSS. A deliberate misinformation campaign against the RSS is observed in different media outlets as well, he stated. Referring to the vision of RSS founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the Sarsanghchalak stated that the primary aim of the Sangh is to make India a 'Vishwaguru' (teacher to the world). Stating that the nation can rise only when the society rises, Dr Bhagwat added that 'only when a united and quality-driven society can be created to lead a progressive nation'. Urging the youth to study the history of developed nations, he highlighted that the first hundred years of their growth were focused on building unity and qualitative strength within their societies. The Sarsanghchalak said that Bharat's greatness as a nation lies in its long-standing tradition of respecting and accepting linguistic, regional, and belief-oriented diversities. The mindset of respecting diversity is not found in many other countries, he said, adding that those who separated from Bharat eventually lost their diversities. Dr Bhagwat reminded that great spiritual leaders like Guru Nanak and Srimanta Sankardeva had full respect for the country's diversity and they spread the messages of unity through their teachings. Reiterating the RSS's primary goal to build a stronger Bharat, Dr Bhagwat commented that once the country becomes stronger, the different concerns regarding the north-eastern region with the rest of India, will automatically diminish. He insisted that there is no alternative to strengthening Bharat under the principle of 'India First'. Finally, the Sarsanghchalak called upon the youth to engage with the RSS activities according to their time, interest, space and abilities. He also pointed out that the foundation of the RSS in the far eastern region is gradually becoming stronger. Dr Bhagwat, who arrived in Guwahati on Monday to review the progress of various centenary-linked activities and also interact with civil society members of Assam, left for Manipur on Thursday with a three-day visit schedule. It will be his first trip to the Myanmar bordering State since ethnic violence (between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities) broke out there in May 2023. The RSS chief is expected to interact with the youth leaders, entrepreneurs, representatives of Janajati samaj and common citizens during his stay in Manipur too, which currently remains under the President's Rule. By AFP An Indian fighter jet crashed during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, killing the pilot in front of hundreds of shocked onlookers. The Indian-made Tejas warplane was executing a manoeuvre when it plunged to the ground and erupted in a fireball. The pilot was unable to eject. The crash happened in full view of a packed grandstand watching the aerobatics display on the last day of the Middle East's biggest air show. Dubai's government-run media office confirmed the "tragic death of the pilot" and the Indian Air Force (IAF) announced an inquiry. "IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief," it said in a statement. The plane went down about a mile (1.6 kilometres) from the show site, which was full of planes, helicopters and other hardware on static display. Thousands of people attended the airshow this week, including aviation industry leaders and senior military officials, as well as the public. Videos circulating on social media showed the aircraft suddenly plummeting and bursting into flames on impact. Smoke billowed from the crash site as emergency vehicles sped towards it. The incident happened near the start of the daily flying display, which features barrel rolls, loops and other stunts. The demonstration later resumed. It is the second crash involving the single-seat Tejas in less than two years after a non-fatal training accident in Rajasthan in March last year. In September, India signed a $7 billion order for 97 upgraded Tejas Mk1A fighter jets to replace its Russian MiG-21 fleet after decades of use. The Tejas, designed and built in India, was first commissioned into the air force in 2016. Friday's crash is believed to be the first in the history of the Dubai Airshow, which dates back to 1986. Dubai's state-owned Emirates and flydubai airlines signed several agreements at the airshow, including an Emirates order for 65 Boeing jets valued at $38 billion. BEIRUT (AP) Lebanon is ready to negotiate to reach an agreement that would end Israeli strikes on the country and lead to Israeli withdrawal from five border hills it has occupied since the Israel-Hezbollah war ended last year, President Joseph Aoun said Friday. In a televised speech marking Independence Day, Aoun added that Lebanese troops are ready to deploy in all points from where Israeli troops withdraw. It was not immediately clear if Israel would accept the offer as it comes at a time when it has intensified its strikes in Lebanon. On Tuesday, an airstrike killed 13 people in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh near the southern city of Sidon in the deadliest attack since a ceasefire went into effect a year ago. Aoun did not say whether the negotiations with Israel would be direct adding that they could be sponsored by the U.S., the United Nations or the international community. Aoun said the ceasefire monitoring committee that is made up of the U.S., France, Israel, Lebanon and the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL, can then check that only forces of the Lebanese state are deployed along the border. Israel said recently that Hezbollah is trying to rebuild its capabilities after it was weakened by the Israel-Hezbollah war. The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas attacked southern Israel, after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas. Israel launched a widespread bombardment of Lebanon for two months last year that severely weakened Hezbollah, followed by a ground invasion. That war, the most recent of several conflicts involving Hezbollah over the past four decades, killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon, including hundreds of civilians, and caused an estimated $11 billion worth of destruction, according to the World Bank. In Israel, 127 people died, including 80 soldiers. Kathmandu, Nepal, November 23, 2025: The official decision by the Nepali Congress (NC), the country's oldest and largest democratic party, to participate in the general elections scheduled for March 5, 2026, is widely believed to have compelled the CPN (UML) to reconsider its earlier decision to boycott the polls. The NCs move solidifies the legitimacy of the upcoming election, which was called following a major political crisis. The elections were necessitated after the House of Representatives (HoR) was dissolved on September 12, 2025, upon the recommendation of the newly appointed Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki. This political upheaval, which saw the resignation of then-Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, was a direct result of the large-scale 2025 Gen-Z protests. The CPN (UML), which was the main opposition after the HoR dissolution, had initially refused to participate in the fresh polls, demanding the restoration of the dissolved Parliament. The party's stance threatened to derail the electoral process, which is intended to restore full constitutional governance. Clearing the doubts that the Nepali Congress would join the UML's demand to restore the HoR, the party's recently concluded Central Committee meeting formally decided to contest the elections. The NCs decision is seen as a major factor not only compelling the CPN (UML) to rethink its boycott stance but also helping the interim government, led by Sushila Karki, create a political environment conducive to successfully holding the scheduled elections. Regarding its participation, the Nepali Congress emphasized the democratic imperative. The party stated, "We firmly believe that only through elections can we safeguard the Constitution, institutionalize the voices for change raised during the Gen-Z movement, and move the country forward." The Nepali Congress's participation is viewed as a critical step toward ensuring a multi-party electoral contest and validating the constitutional path forward after a period of intense crisis. LONDON (AP) A hard-right British politician and former ally of Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage was sentenced Friday to 10 1/2 years in prison for accepting bribes to make favorable statements about Russia in the European Parliament. Nathan Gill, 52, pleaded guilty earlier this year to eight counts of bribery between December 2018 and July 2019. Police have estimated that the former leader of Reform in Wales took around 40,000 pounds ($53,000) in bribes. Prosecutors said Gill, a member of the European Union legislature until the U.K.'s departure from the bloc in early 2020, was tasked by the former pro-Russia Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn to make pro-Russian statements about events in Ukraine in the European Parliament and in opinion pieces to news outlets, such as 112 Ukraine. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, having annexed parts of the country, including the Crimea peninsula, eight years earlier. The U.K. has been one of the most stalwart supporters of Ukraine since the invasion. Sentencing him at London's Central Criminal Court, which is better known as the Old Bailey, Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb said Gill had allowed money to corrupt his moral compass when it had been his duty as an elected official to speak with honesty and conviction." When you say what someone has paid you to say you are not speaking with sincerity, the judge said. Gill was stopped at Manchester Airport in September 2021 as he attempted to travel to Russia, and was charged in February of this year following an investigation. His mobile phone was examined and messages were found between him and Voloshyn, 44, that provided coded references to their financial dealings. The messages also indicated that Gill was co-opted to encourage other members of the European Parliament to back Russia's stance on Ukraine. The communications between the two men showed that an established relationship existed between them," prosecutor Mark Heywood said. Gill was first elected to the European Parliament in 2014 for the anti-EU U.K. Independence Party, which was then led by Farage. He later represented the Brexit Party, the next party led by Farage, and remained in the legislature until Britain left the European Union in 2020. He led the Welsh branch of the Brexit Partys successor Reform U.K. during 2021 elections in Wales but is no longer a member of the party, which is leading in Britain in opinion polls. Gill's sentencing has sparked calls for investigations into Russian interference in British politics and any further links, if any, with Reform U.K., which has consistently taken a less hostile attitude toward Russian President Vladimir Putin than other parties. A traitor was at the very top of Reform U.K., aiding and abetting a foreign adversary," said Ed Davey, the leader of the centrist Liberal Democrats. Nigel Farage himself was previously paid to be on Putins TV channel, Russia Today, and said he was the world leader he admires the most. We must all ask where do his loyalties really lie? We need a full investigation into Russian interference in our politics. In a statement, Reform said Gills actions were reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable and that it was pleased that justice has been served. Farage has previously said that Gill was a bad apple and that any political party can find in their midst all sorts of terrible people. Voloshyn, who had links to media outlets such as 112 Ukraine, is believed to be living in Russia and is wanted by authorities in Britain and Ukraine. Kathmandu, Nepal, November 23, 2025: The historic 'Gidde Press', widely recognized as Nepal's first printing press, has been officially returned to the Gorkhapatra Corporation, the state-owned print media organization, after an absence of 46 years. The press was formally handed over from the National Museum at Chhauni to the Gorkhapatra Corporation on November 22, 2025 (Mangsir 6, 2082 BS). The decision to repatriate the artifact was made so it could be properly showcased as a symbol of the nation's print history. The 'Gidde Press' was originally transferred to the National Museum for its preservation on 1 Ashoj 2036 BS. Reports indicate that during its time away, components were sometimes left exposed or stored haphazardly due to insufficient space and a lack of skilled personnel for proper installation. The Corporation now plans to display the machine in a dedicated exhibition room. The press was originally brought to Nepal in 1908 B.S. (approximately 1851 AD) by then Prime Minister Janga Bahadur Rana following his trip to Britain. It is believed to be a Colombian printing press due to a distinctive vulture or bald eagle emblem on its top lever, which is the source of its Nepali name, 'Gidde' (Vulture) Press. After its arrival, it was initially housed in Prime Minister Rana's Thapathali Palace before being relocated to the Gorkhapatra printing facility. The historic 'Gidde Press' played a crucial, foundational role in the development of printing in Nepal. Although it was initially used to print government gazettes and official documents, it was later shifted to the Gorkhapatra Corporation to print the Gorkhapatra, the first Nepali-medium national daily newspaper, which was established in 1958 B.S. (1901 AD). In encouraging development, mechanical engineering students from the Thapathali Engineering Campus have volunteered to assist with the necessary maintenance and restoration of the historic machine. The Corporation is also discussing collaboration with the National Innovation Centre for technical support. Kathmandu, Nepal, November 23, 2025: A historic toran, a sacred carved wooden archway, which is believed to have been stolen more than two decades ago from the Kumari Ghar in Basantapur, has been successfully reinstated in its original location. The reinstatement of the artifact, which is a major victory for Nepal's heritage recovery efforts, took place on Friday, November 21st. The artifact was officially transferred and installed following a decision made during the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) meeting held on November 17. The toran was moved to the Kumari Ghar in Basantapur from the National Museum in Chhauni, where it had been kept for approximately two years after its return to Nepal. The historic toran, which was believed to have been stolen around 1999 (2056 BS), was discovered at the Barakat Gallery in the United Kingdom. The official transfer was formalized after KMC Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, along with other committee coordinators and the Kumari House caretaker, visited the museum to sign and stamp the necessary handover documents. The successful restoration process was the result of coordinated efforts by the local government, cultural activists, Guthi Sanstha (Trust Corporation), and the community. The semi-circular wooden toran, featuring a distinctive Chhepu design (a mythical creature often used in Newari architecture), dates to the 17th-18th century. It measures 104.55 cm and was placed above the fifth window from the left on the ground-floor facade of the Kumari Ghar, the residence of the Living Goddess. Officials remarked that this successful restoration marks the beginning of a positive practice for the recovery of other lost and stolen artifacts from various heritage sites in the country. Arrests made during police pursuit that left cruiser against CFE tower Tulum, Q.R. Police attended to a highway accident that involved one of their own Saturday. During a vehicle chase, the driver of a state patrol truck slammed into the base of an electrical tower. The incident happened in the Cristal neighborhood while authorities were chasing a white Honda CR-V reported as suspicious. The police pursuit started after an alert was issued by the C-2 regarding five people on board the vehicle performing unusual maneuvers. In response, state and municipal police deployed an operation to locate the vehicle. When the vehicle was found traveling the federal highway, the driver of a state unit lost control and went off the road. The police truck reportedly drove in the vegetation until it came to a stop after crashing a CFE tower. Officers from inside the truck were evaluated at the scene by paramedics and found to be without injuries. There are reports that arrests were made as a result of the police pursuit that involved a total of seven vehicles. During the chase, the cars occupants were seen tossing items out the windows. Police were able to recover some of those items. On Saturday, Tulum Police reported the arrests of Eudith N and Jorge Moises N, both originally from Mexico Cit, during a coordinated action within the Tulum Shield strategy with agents from the Quintana Roo State Attorney Generals Office. During the operation, the marijuana and crack cocaine were seized. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. A few weeks ago, I got a press release for Mikes Hot Honey Bacon, a partnership with Smithfield (the ham people) that promised to be an irresistible balance of smoky and sweet, with a kick of heat. This is after Mikes Hot Honey announced a collaboration with Bushs beans, and Austin Eastciders, and Utz chips, and Taco Bell. You can get Mikes Hot Honey on your KFC order, or on pizza and wings from Pizza Hut. And despite partnerships with national corporations and fast food, you can also still probably find it on a pizza at whatever wood-fired Neapolitan-ish place showed up in your neighborhood a decade ago. Americans love a condiment trend, especially a spicy one. Two hundred years ago, black pepper was considered hot; now a jalapeno hot sauce is universally loved, wrote Sarah Lohman in her book, Eight Flavors, in 2016, referring to the then-ubiquity of Sriracha. We love to argue about the superiority of various hot sauces (Crystal or die), buffalo things, which have hence never been buffaloed, and now, ladle chile crisp on just about anything. But unlike Sriracha, whose trend has peaked, or gochujang, which is hitting its stride, hot honeyand specifically, Mikes Hot Honeyappears to be in a perpetual state of emergence. Food & Wine asked why it was everywhere this year, while back in 2022, Mashed declared hot honey was heating up like never before. In 2021, Nations Restaurant News made note of the sweet heat trend sweeping the nation, while in 2020, Yahoo said hot honey was the hot trend to try on everything. Even back in 2015, CBS said the product was creating a condiment craze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After over a decade of hot honey becoming a trend, we can perhaps just say that it is one. Or that it has moved past trend into staple, finding space in the American pantry with the ketchup and ranch dressing. But how does a condiment move from trend to necessity? In this case, through the dovetailing of a generation of American foodies developing new tastes and the glory of the internet. The Mikes Hot Honey origin story is, at least in certain corners of the food world, as well worn as Batmans at this point, but founder Mike Kurtz rehashed it to me again. In 2003, he was studying abroad in Brazil, and he and some friends decided to go hiking in a national park in Bahia. They descended into a valley where they found a pizzeria. There, sitting on each table, was a jar of honey infused with chile peppers. Just to be totally clear about it, this is not a Brazilian thing, he said. This was the only place he ever saw it. But when he returned to UMass, he couldnt stop thinking about the taste of spicy honey on his pizza, and he started experimenting with his own mix in his apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Then Kurtz moved to New York, where he began apprenticing at Paulie Gees Pizza in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, after it opened in 2010. He brought in a batch of his honey, and pizzaiolo Paul Giannone liked it so much he used it on a pepperoni pie he named the Hellboy. Customers began asking for bottles of the stuff to take home. Boom, Mikes Hot Honey was born. He began bottling the hot honey and selling it to pizzerias around the country. Soon, it felt impossible to go into a wood-fired pizzeria and not find a Mikes Hot Honeydrizzled pie on the menu. Or a pie with honey and chile obviously inspired by his creation. Advertisement Its not quite true that hot honey on pizza wasnt a Brazilian thing. Or more accurately, when Kurtz was there, it so happened that he was witnessing the birth of something. Since the arrival of Italian immigrants in the late 19th century (around 1874), the pizza made [in Brazil] was always adapted to what ingredients were available, says Rafael Tonon, a food writer covering trends in Brazil and Portugal. The lack of traditional Italian ingredients gave Brazilian pizza-makers the imperative to experiment, which has created an anything goes culture of pizza, says Tonon. For instance, in 2017 he covered a guy putting birthday cake on pies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, the thing with honey started in the early 2000s, when it began appearing alongside what were then seen as fancy ingredientslike Parma ham (which had just started being imported more widely) or figs. A whole charcuterie board on a pizza, which hit especially well with younger eaters interested in imported, exotic toppings. And if pizza is largely cheese and bread, why wouldnt it go well with the jams and honeys found on a cheese plate? At the time, a similar appetite (sorry) was growing in North America. Kurtz was mixing his first batches of hot honey in his apartment during the nascent foodie era, when it seemed everyone was primed to geek out over new-to-them flavors and culinary experiences. That included a wave of wood-fired neo-Neapolitan fusion emerging in New York City, as places like Robertas, Motorino, and Una Pizza Napoletana were shifting tastes toward traditional technique paired with cheffy innovation, like putting kale or brussels sprouts on a pie. Advertisement Part of this foodie era also involved a taste for heat, and for the combination of sweet and hot (swicy as some call it). The reason that sweet heat or swicy is sort of everlasting is that its a key component of traditional global cuisines like Mexican, like Thai, like Korean, that a lot of people of those ancestries and heritages are familiar with. Then it gets introduced and repackaged, trend watcher Kara Nielsen told CNBC. A 2023 survey noted that while Italian food was the most popular cuisine among Americans 55 and older, Mexican was the most popular for every other age group. And with the U.S. more diverse than its ever been, theres a higher likelihood that diners grew up with these flavors, instead of having to discover them in adulthood. Advertisement Advertisement So the tastes were there. But a crucial part of the foodie era was the use of the internet to build community around food. Which is exactly what Kurtz was doing. I was a pizza nerd. I was making a lot of pizza at home and I was an avid reader of Slice, he says. Slice was the blog dedicated to all things NYC pizza, created by Adam Kuban in 2003. The internet at the time was booming with recipe blogs and forums, but as Kuban writes, I was surprised there was no dedicated fan page for NYC pizzathere seemed to be weird little fan webpages for bands, celebs, etc. He had originally conceived of Slice as a zine, but after seeing the success of local blogs like Gothamist and Gawker, he decided to go online. Advertisement It was on Slice that the citys pizza obsessives gathered, learning about hidden gems in the tristate area, trading tips on developing dough and tricking out home ovens in the comment sections, and even hosting IRL meetups. And crucially, it was a place that was championing this new wave of pizzerias, not just pointing them out but saying that what they were doing was cool. Advertisement Advertisement I kept on seeing the same handle in the comments as Paulie Gee, and he was like a serial commenter, says Kurtz. He was commenting on every post, so I was like, who is this guy? Kuban had the same curiosity, and eventually went to Paul Giannones New Jersey home to interview him about his backyard pizza setup. Giannone went on to open Paulie Gees, partially due to the following he had gained online. Without the comment section of Slice, Kurtz may never have sought him out. Advertisement Kurtz says other pizzerias were quick to put Mikes Hot Honey on the menu because they saw him as a kindred spirit. A lot of these pizza people really saw the brand as one of their own, like a brand that is truly of the pizza community, he said. But that community was built online, in the Slice comment sections, on Yelp (which launched in 2004), and on a nascent Instagram, where one could share a dining experience in real time. The internet is where you learned about a new thing like a pizza pie with hot honey on it, even if you lived nowhere near Paulie Gees. And its where you could buy it yourself, shipped directly to your door. Mikes Hot Honey both created and rode the wave, repackaging a Brazilian trend for heat-seeking American tastes, and making it essential to the online pizza fandom, all while the American palate was changing to favor exactly that flavor profile. Its funny now to see something that was once completely new become as common as pepperoni on a pizzeria menu, a sticky bottle in the door of every pantry. But there was a moment like that for ketchup once. Our tastes have changed. Its only natural our condiments should too. I still remember the first time I walked into Carlsbad Caverns National Park. I was a teenager on a family trip, and until then, the only caves I had seen were small recess caves or modest caverns. I had no idea such a magnificent world could be hidden underground. That day sparked my lifelong fascination with national parks and natural wonders. Carlsbad Caverns will always hold a special place in my heart, but beyond my personal connection, I genuinely believe its a destination everyone should experience. Here are six reasons why. Surreal Natural Beauty Immense and aweinspiring, the Big Room surrounds visitors with surreal formations carved over millions of years. (florent_dartora / 500px via Getty Images) The caverns are a world apart vast chambers filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and delicate formations that look like they belong in a fantasy novel. The Big Room alone is one of the largest cave chambers in North America, and walking through it feels like stepping into another planet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if youve visited other caves, Carlsbad Caverns is on a different scale. Its not just geology; its art sculpted by nature over millions of years. A National Park You Can Experience in a Day Unlike sprawling parks that require multiple days to appreciate, Carlsbad Caverns can be experienced meaningfully in a single day. You can hike down the Natural Entrance Trail, explore the Big Room, and still have time for ranger programs or the bat flight. Of course, you could spend more time here, but for travelers with limited schedules, its one of the few national parks where you can see the highlights without feeling rushed. Always 56 Degrees: Easy to Plan One of the most underrated reasons to visit is the predictability. No matter whats happening on the surface blazing summer heat or winter chill the caverns remain a steady 56F. That makes planning simple: bring a light jacket, and youre set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This consistency means you dont have to worry about the weather ruining your trip. The cave is always comfortable, and the experience is the same yearround. UNESCO World Heritage Site The Natural Entrance Trail begins with a dramatic view back toward the caverns opening. (Sean Pavone via Getty Images) Carlsbad Caverns isnt just a U.S. treasure; its recognized globally. In 1995, UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site for its outstanding natural features. That recognition places it alongside icons like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, underscoring its significance as a place worth protecting and visiting. The Bat Flight Program Few experiences compare to watching thousands of bats spiral out of the cave at dusk. As a teenager, I was lucky enough to see the bat flight program, and it left a lasting impression. When Julie and I returned in March, we missed it a reminder that timing matters. The bat flight occurs seasonally, typically from late spring through early fall. Its one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles in the national park system, and its worth planning your trip around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more on timing, see my best time to visit Carlsbad Caverns guide. Proximity to Guadalupe Mountains National Park Just across the Texas border lies Guadalupe Mountains National Park, a completely different experience. Where Carlsbad Caverns takes you underground, Guadalupe Mountains lifts you skyward with rugged peaks and some of the most rewarding hikes weve ever done. Visiting both parks on the same trip gives you a rare contrast: the hidden world below and the soaring landscapes above. Its a pairing that makes southern New Mexico and west Texas one of the most underrated adventure regions in the country. Read more in my Guadalupe Mountains National Park guide. Other Reasons to Visit Carlsbad Caverns balances adventure with accessibility in a way few national parks can. For those who crave a challenge, the Natural Entrance Trail descends 750 feet underground through steep switchbacks, a dramatic journey into the Earth. Yet the park is also remarkably accessible: visitors can take an elevator directly to the Big Room, where twothirds of the main attraction is wheelchairfriendly. Add in the excellent exhibits at the visitor center and seasonal programs like the bat flight, and its clear the park offers something for every traveler, regardless of ability or interest. A Park Everyone Can Experience Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a place that truly welcomes all kinds of travelers. Whether youre hiking down the steep switchbacks of the Natural Entrance Trail or riding the elevator to the Big Rooms wheelchairaccessible paths, the experience is unforgettable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From surreal formations to the bat flight program and the chance to pair your visit with Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Carlsbad Caverns offers something unique for everyone. For me, it was the spark that ignited a lifelong love of national parks. For you, it might be the memory that lingers long after you leave. For practical details, see my complete guide to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. And dont miss the embedded video tour for a preview of what awaits underground. Taurasi stormed back onto the top-level pacing scene at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, Nov. 22, out-sprinting Remember The Alamo in the $40,000 Open to upset at 11-1 in his first start in seven weeks. The gelding, an 11-time Preferred winner last season, launched quickly from post one to take a pocket seat behind Remember The Alamo (Tyler Borth), who was seeking his third straight Open victory. Doug McNair kept Taurasi on the Borth helmet as Remember The Alamo laid down :27.4, :56.4, and 1:24.4 fractions on an uncontested lead. Taurasi shifted out once in the stretch and worked away at the leader, charging home in :25.4 to edge clear by a half-length late in a 1:50.4 victory. Captain Fear Not (Billy Davis Jr.) finished third. Taurasi won for the fifth time this season again at the premier overnight level in 22 starts for trainer Gregg McNair and owners Brad Grant of Milton, Ont. and Alagna Racing LLC of Jackson, N.J. The six-year-old Racing Hill-Voluminious gelding has earned $847,124 and won 28 of 79 career starts. He returned $24.30 to his backers. That upset win was preceded by Devils Wish stunning at 33-1 in the $50,200 Harvest Series Final for sophomore pacing males. Devils Wish, who finished second and third in the preliminary legs, went to the lead early before sitting the pocket to The Tulsa King (Todd Ratchford) through :26.3, :55, and 1:23.3 panels. The gelding then forged past that opponent on the inside to post a half-length win for driver Travis Henry and trainer Tony Beaton in a career-best 1:52. The Tulsa King finished a game second over Figment (Scott Young), who sustained a flat tire and was denied a sixth straight win. The win for Devils Wish was his first at Mohawk and fifth overall in 32 lifetime starts. The sophomore son of Mcwicked-Rocknroll Wishes is four-for-22 this season for owners Kevin McKinlay of Holland Landing, Ont., Martin Van Beek of Newmarket, Ont., and Brandon Guerra of Brantford, Ont. He has earned $89,360 lifetime. The win return was $68.70. Jayport Cash also earned a new mark as he motored home after mid-race trouble to capture the $47,200 Harvest Series Final for three-year-old male trotters. He sat fifth behind a first-half frenzy up front in which Sapphire Steve (Phil Hudon) got the front in a :27.3 opener but was twice overtaken as Massedonia (James MacDonald) and Goal Digger (Borth) went three-high towards the half in :56.2, with the latter swooping to the lead. Jayport Cash started up from fifth nearing the final turn but was hindered by his cover breaking stride, leaving him to play catch-up to three-quarters in 1:25.1. He reached the first-up Sapphire Steve at the bottom of the last turn, then drifted wide and turned on the jets, rallying past opponents to a two-length victory in 1:55. The Bear A Cuda (Trevor Henry), who started last, followed the winner down the lane and nipped Goal Digger late for second. Jayport Cash has won two straight races, improving his career record to three-for-24 with $64,830 in earnings. All three wins have come this year in 15 starts for trainer Josh McKibbin. The Trixton-Jayportcashforlife gelding is owned by M&S Racing Stable Inc. of Rockwood and Paul Badder of Croton, Ont. He paid $8 to win. The Harvest Series were for Ontario-sired horses that were non-winners of $30,000 this year as of Sept. 30. To view Saturdays harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. (Standardbred Canada) If you are in New York City to see the New Year's Eve ball drop this year in Times Square, you may want to stick around an extra few days. That's because New York City's coveted luxury hotels are about to offer a very rare and very exciting huge sale on their finest stays. Beginning January 2 and through February 12, over 140 NYC hotels are offering savings of 25% off their usual room rates. As this is the most popular time to visit New York City, and some of the city's most beloved hotels, this is a deal that is impossible to believe, but is an exciting reality. Some of the participating hotels include the legendary Lotte New York Palace, as well as The Pierre, The Plaza, Ace Hotel Brooklyn, and many more. You can check out the full list of participating hotels as well as how to book your discounted stay at New York City Tourisms official website. With all the tremendous savings, you may even be able to budget in some cash for dinner and a show while you're visiting. It seems like a perfect time to do so, as it's during the NYC Winter Outing promotional event, which also offers theater tickets and restaurant deals at some of the city's most coveted spots. The CEO of a crypto startup cofounded by Sam Altman thinks his companys mission is so important that employees should care about their work and nothing else. Tools for Humanity CEO Alex Blania reportedly said during a staff meeting in January that any employee who thought differently had no place at the company. We will neither fail, nor will we be an average outcome, and thats what we want, and thats all I care about every day and all you should care about every day, and nothing else should matter, he said in a recording reviewed by Business Insider. If you should care about something else, and if you want something else, you should just not be here. Its as simple as that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a slide deck reportedly displayed at the companys now-former office in San Francisco, an outline of blunt work values was also justified because of the companys ambitious mission. We are very (very) hardworking. We believe this is a once in a lifetime project and that success is important for humanity, one of the slides read, according to a video reviewed by Business Insider. Therefore, we work weekends, were always on call, and we push as hard as our circumstances allow us to. As a result we defy the odds, get to escape velocity, and succeed on the mission. Other values include that the company has no time for slowness and comfort, and that employees shouldnt worry about hurting one anothers feelings, according to Business Insider. Tools for Humanity chief product officer Tiago Sada defended the companys intense work culture in a Thursday X post, saying the allegations found in Business Insiders reporting are absolutely correct, and promoted the companys open positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organizations transparency about its values and operating principles has resulted in building a team that is passionate and focused on its increasingly urgent mission of ensuring every human benefits from the age of AI, a Tools for Humanity spokesperson said in a statement to Fortune. Founded in 2019 by Blania and Altman, Tools for Humanity has already scanned about 13 million peoples irises using thousands of shiny, metallic orbs worldwide in exchange for cryptocurrency. The company, which was built to ensure a more just economic system, according to its LinkedIn page, is the developer behind World, a cryptocurrency project that aims to provide proof of personhood in part to offset the pervasive spread of AI deepfakes. The companys cryptocurrency, WLD, was not available in the U.S. when the company first launched in 2023, but is available for participants as of April. Tools for Humanitys candidness takes the usual hardcore Silicon Valley startup culture to the next level, yet it also may fit into the wave of workaholism sweeping tech. Recently, more startups have adopted the Chinese-imported work culture of 996or working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a weekespecially in the fast-moving AI space. Some companies are even adding 996 clauses into employment contracts or transparently telling applicants to expect 70-hour in-person workweeks. Larger companies have not been so transparent, yet some in the tech sector have also recently signaled a shift in employee expectationsespecially as AI threatens to replace workers in some positions. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said earlier this year that the increased adoption of AI means the company will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While larger companies may mince words, Blania apparently did not hold back. Any other pursuit, apart from the companys mission, is a distraction, including DEI and politics, he said during the employee gathering. We just care about, how can we achieve the mission through merit, performance, and excellence? he said. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Concrete is everywhere. It's the second most used material in the world after water, and can be found in buildings and infrastructure in every corner of the globe. Scientists at Aarhus University in Denmark recently published a study that could reshape the way that we think about concrete, having pioneered a method to turn the material into a means of energy storage using microbes. The research, which was published in Cell Reports Physical Science, mixed Shewanella oneidensis bacteria into concrete to create a biohybrid material that can store electricity. The bacteria build biofilms inside the concrete that store the electricity, turning each cement block into a supercapacitor. The blocks function similarly to a battery, storing energy until it is needed. However, unlike a battery, the bacteria-infused concrete has the ability to regenerate its storage capacity. Rather than irreversibly degrading over time like the current generation of batteries do, researchers found that injecting the new concrete with nutrients allows the bacteria to regain up to 80% of its storage abilities. In an Aarhus University press release, Qi Luo, one of the authors of the study, said the researchers "envision this technology being integrated into real buildings, in walls, foundations, or bridges, where it can support renewable energy sources like solar panels by providing local energy storage." Homeowners with solar panels currently have to install a home battery to store charge, but with the new concrete, some of the storage capacity could potentially come from the concrete used in the home's construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 6 Of The Coolest Trucks From The '90s (And What They're Worth Today) Could the walls of the future store energy? A concrete wall in a modern home - iamsuleyman/Shutterstock The new concrete created by the researchers has a high amount of energy storage capacity. Luo explained, "Imagine a regular room built with bacteria-infused cement: even at a modest energy density of 5 Wh/kg, the walls alone could store about 10 kWh enough to keep a standard enterprise server running for a whole day." As well as being impressively capacious, the material also held up well over extended use. According to the study, the material was able to retain 85% of its original capacity after 10,000 charging and discharging cycles. For context, the average lithium-ion power tool battery will last anywhere between 300 and 2,400 cycles before it significantly drops in capacity. The concrete remained able to store electricity across a wide variety of temperatures, although its capacity dropped in freezing conditions. The research found that the electricity-storing microbes were most active at temperatures between 30 to 37 degrees Celsius (86 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit), and they could reach around 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit) before breaking down and permanently losing capacity. Even after the microbes died, the energy-storing films they built in the concrete continued to be able to hold a notable amount of charge. There are still limitations to the new material An apartment block made of concrete under construction - Maksim Safaniuk/Shutterstock Despite the new concrete showing plenty of promise in the study, it won't be entering commercial use anytime soon. The authors of the study acknowledged that they didn't yet know how the microbes behaved over the long-term, and further work also needs to be carried out on how the microbes survive with only minimal maintenance. At the moment, researchers also haven't confirmed whether scaling up the production of the bacteria to the level that would be needed for commercial use would be feasible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Certain environmental conditions, such as the alkalinity of the microbes' surroundings, also significantly altered their storage abilities. Furthermore, if the concrete was to be used in particularly hot environments, there would need to be some way to shield the microbes from the effects of the heat. So, while the new concrete is a potentially revolutionary battery technology if it does turn out to be commercially viable, there's no guarantee it will ever make it into the hands of construction companies. However, it remains a very promising idea, despite its current limitations. 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. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: SpaceX SpaceX reached another milestone with the launch of 29 more Starlink satellites for its broadband internet low Earth orbit constellation. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 2:53 a.m. EST (0753 GMT) on Saturday (Nov. 22). One hour and five minutes later, the Starlink satellite were deployed from the Falcon's upper stage. "Falcon 9 completes its 150th launch of 2025," SpaceX posted to social media. "Deployment of 29 Starlink satellites confirmed." A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink satellites lifts off from Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. | Credit: SpaceX Booster 1090 missions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O3b mPOWER-E | Crew-10 | Bandwagon-3 | mPOWER-D | CRS-33 | four Starlink missions The Falcon 9's first stage (Booster B1080) returned for a ninth time to a successful landing and recovery, in this case on the droneship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, according to a SpaceX page about the mission. The 29 Starlink satellites (Group 6-79) added to the SpaceX-owned network, which now numbers more than 9,000 active units out of the over 10,400 launched since 2019, according to satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell. In addition to being SpaceX's 150th Falcon 9 launch of this year, Saturday's mission was the 568th flight of the company's launch vehicle since 2010. 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 Artificial intelligence is fascinating, transformative and increasingly woven into how we learn, work and make decisions. But for every example of innovation and efficiencysuch as the custom AI assistant recently developed by an accounting professor at the Universite du Quebec a Montrealthere's another that underscores the need for oversight, literacy and regulation that can keep pace with the technology and protect the public. A recent case in Montreal illustrates this tension. A Quebec man was fined $5,000 after submitting "cited expert quotes and jurisprudence that don't exist" to defend himself in court. It was the first ruling of its kind in the province, though similar cases have occurred in other countries. AI can democratize access to learning, knowledge and even justice. Yet without ethical guardrails, proper training, expertise and basic literacy, the very tools designed to empower people can just as easily undermine trust and backfire. Why guardrails matter Guardrails are the systems, norms and checks that ensure artificial intelligence is used safely, fairly and transparently. They allow innovation to flourish while preventing chaos and harm. The European Union became the first major jurisdiction to adopt a comprehensive framework for regulating AI with the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, which came into force in August 2024. The law divides AI systems into risk-based categories and rolls out rules in phases to give organizations time to prepare for compliance. The act makes some uses of AI unacceptable. These include social scoring and real-time facial recognition in public spaces, which were banned in February. High-risk AI used in critical areas like education, hiring, health care or policing will be subject to strict requirements. Starting in August 2026, these systems must meet standards for data quality, transparency and human oversight. General-purpose AI models became subject to regulatory requirements in August 2025. Limited-risk systems, such as chatbots, must disclose that users are interacting with an algorithm. The key principle is the higher the potential impact on rights or safety, the stronger the obligations. The goal is not to slow innovation, but to make it accountable. Critically, the act also requires each EU member state to establish at least one operational regulatory sandbox. These are controlled frameworks where companies can develop, train and test AI systems under supervision before full deployment. For small and medium-sized enterprises that lack resources for extensive compliance infrastructure, sandboxes provide a pathway to innovate while building capacity. Canada is still catching up on AI Canada has yet to establish a comprehensive legal framework for AI. The Artificial Intelligence and Data Act was introduced in 2022 as part of Bill C-27, a package known as the Digital Charter Implementation Act. It was meant to create a legal framework for responsible AI development, but the bill was never passed. Canada now needs to act quickly to rectify this. This includes strengthening AI governance, investing in public and professional education and ensuring a diverse range of voiceseducators, ethicists, labor experts and civil societyare involved in shaping AI legislation. A phased approach similar to the EU's framework could provide certainty while supporting innovation. The highest-risk applications would be banned immediately, while others face progressively stricter requirements, giving businesses time to adapt. Regulatory sandboxes could help small and medium-sized enterprises innovate responsibly while building much needed capacity in the face of ongoing labor shortages. The federal government recently launched the AI Strategy Task Force to help accelerate the country's adoption of the technology. It is expected to deliver recommendations on competitiveness, productivity, education, labor and ethics in a matter of months. But as several experts have pointed out, the task force is heavily weighted toward industry voices, risking a narrow view on AI's societal impacts. Guardrails alone aren't enough Regulations can set boundaries and protect people from harm, but guardrails alone aren't enough. The other vital foundation of an ethical and inclusive AI society is literacy and skills development. AI literacy underpins our ability to question AI tools and content, and it is fast becoming a basic requirement in most jobs. Yet, nearly half of employees using AI tools at work received no training, and over one-third had only minimal guidance from their employers. Fewer than one in 10 small or medium-sized enterprises offer formal AI training programs. As a result, adoption is happening informally and often without oversight, leaving workers and organizations exposed. AI literacy operates on three levels. At its base, it means understanding what AI is, how it works and when to question its outputs, including awareness of bias, privacy and data sources. Mid-level literacy involves using generative tools such as ChatGPT or Copilot. At the top are advanced skills, where people design algorithms with fairness, transparency and accountability in mind. Catching up on AI literacy means investing in upskilling and reskilling that combines critical thinking with hands-on AI use. As a university lecturer, I often see AI framed mainly as a cheating risk, rather than as a tool students must learn to use responsibly. While it can certainly be misused, educators must protect academic integrity while preparing students to work alongside these systems. Balancing innovation with responsibility We cannot ban or ignore AI, but neither can we let the race for efficiency outpace our ability to manage its consequences or address questions of fairness, accountability and trust. Skills development and guardrails must advance together. Canada needs diverse voices at the table, real investment to match its ambitions and strong accountability built into any AI laws, standards and protections. More AI tools will be designed to support learning and work, and more costly mistakes will emerge from blind trust in systems we don't fully understand. The question is not whether AI will proliferate, but whether we'll build the guardrails and literacy necessary to accommodate it. AI can become a complement to expertise, but it cannot be a replacement for it. As the technology evolves, so too must our capacity to understand it, question it and guide it toward public good. We need to pair innovation with ethics, speed with reflection and excitement with education. Guardrails and skills development, including basic AI literacy, are not opposing forces; they are the two hands that will support progress. 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: CC0 Public Domain When the Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act passed in May 2024, it made national headlines. The law was the first of its kind in the U.S. It was a comprehensive attempt to govern "high-risk" artificial intelligence systems across various industries before they could cause real-world harm. Gov. Jared Polis signed it reluctantlybut now, less than a year later, the governor is supporting a federal pause on state-level AI laws. Colorado lawmakers have delayed the law's enactment to June 2026 and are seeking to repeal and replace portions of it. Lawmakers face pressure from the tech industry, lobbyists and the practicalities related to the cost of implementation. What Colorado does next will shape whether its early move becomes a model for other states or a lesson in the challenges of regulating emerging technologies. I study how AI and data science are reshaping policymaking and democratic accountability. I'm interested in what Colorado's pioneering efforts to regulate AI can teach other state and federal legislators. The first state to act In 2024, Colorado legislators decided not to wait for the U.S. Congress to act on nationwide AI policy. As Congress passes fewer laws due to polarization stalling the legislative process, states have increasingly taken the lead on shaping AI governance. The Colorado AI Act defined "high-risk" AI systems as those influencing consequential decisions in employment, housing, health care and other areas of daily life. The law's goal was straightforward but ambitious: Create preventive protections for consumers from algorithmic discrimination while encouraging innovation. Colorado's leadership on this is not surprising. The state has a climate that embraces technological innovation and a rapidly growing AI sector. The state positioned itself at the frontier of AI governance, drawing from international models such as the EU AI Act and from privacy frameworks such as the 2018 California Consumer Privacy Act. With an initial effective date of Feb. 1, 2026, lawmakers gave themselves ample time to refine definitions, establish oversight mechanisms and build capacity for compliance. When the law passed in May 2024, policy analysts and advocacy groups hailed it as a breakthrough. Other states, including Georgia and Illinois, introduced bills closely modeled after Colorado's AI bill, though those proposals did not advance to final enactment. The law was described by the Future of Privacy Forum as the "first comprehensive and risk-based approach" to AI accountability. The forum is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization that develops guidance and policy analysis on data privacy and emerging technologies. Legal commentators, including attorneys general across the nation, noted that Colorado created robust AI legislation that other states could emulate in the absence of federal legislation. Politics meets process, stalling progress Praise aside, passing a bill is one thing, but putting it into action is another. Immediately after the bill was signed, tech companies and trade associations warned that the act could create heavy administrative burdens for startups and deter innovation. Polis, in his signing statement, cautioned that "a complex compliance regime" might slow economic growth. He urged legislators to revisit portions of the bill. Polis convened a special legislative session to reconsider portions of the law. Multiple bills were introduced to amend or delay its implementation. Industry advocates pressed for narrower definitions and longer timelines. All the while, consumer groups fought to preserve the act's protections. Meanwhile, other states watched closely and changed course on sweeping AI policy. Gov. Gavin Newsom slowed California's own ambitious AI bill after facing similar concerns. Meanwhile, Connecticut failed to pass its AI legislation amid a veto threat from Gov. Ned Lamont. Colorado's early lead turned precarious. The same boldness that made it first also made the law vulnerableparticularly because, as seen in other states, governors can veto, delay or narrow AI legislation as political dynamics shift. From big swing to small ball In my opinion, Colorado can remain a leader in AI policy by pivoting toward "small ball," or incremental, policymaking, characterized by gradual improvements, monitoring and iteration. This means focusing not just on lofty goals but on the practical architecture of implementation. That would include defining what counts as high-risk applications and clarifying compliance duties. It could also include launching pilot programs to test regulatory mechanisms before full enforcement and building impact assessments to measure the effects on innovation and equity. And finally, it could engage developers and community stakeholders in shaping norms and standards. This incrementalism is not a retreat from the initial goal but rather realism. Most durable policy emerges from gradual refinement, not sweeping reform. For example, the EU's AI Act is actually being implemented in stages rather than all at once, according to legal scholar Nita Farahany. Effective governance of complex technologies requires iteration and adjustment. The same was true for data privacy, environmental regulation and social media oversight. In the early 2010s, social media platforms grew unchecked, generating public benefits but also new harms. Only after extensive research and public pressure did governments begin regulating content and data practices. Colorado's AI law may represent the start of a similar trajectory: an early, imperfect step that prompts learning, revision and eventual standardization across states. The core challenge is striking a workable balance. Regulations need to protect people from unfair or unclear AI decisions without creating such heavy burdens that businesses hesitate to build or deploy new tools. With its thriving tech sector and pragmatic policy culture, Colorado is well positioned to model that balance by embracing incremental, accountable policymaking. In doing so, the state can turn a stalled start into a blueprint for how states nationwide might govern AI responsibly. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Storm Menzies injured her hand and couldnt open a mascara tube. Now her snap-on grips for beauty products have won $30,000 in funding. Whats happening: Newcastle founder Storm Menzies has won $30,000 in equity-free funding at the Kickstarter Challenge Grand Final in Canberra for ByStorm Beauty, her accessible beauty brand. Why this matters: Government-backed initiatives like the Kickstarter Challenge address this funding gap whilst showcasing how disability-led innovation can reshape entire industries. Menzies win demonstrates that accessible design is becoming recognised as a business necessity rather than compliance. Storm Menzies started ByStorm Beauty after a 2023 injury to her dominant hand revealed a harsh reality about the beauty industry. The Newcastle disability worker, who has limited function in her right hand following a stroke at birth, couldnt open a tube of mascara, let alone apply it. ByStorms commitment to inclusivity goes beyond functional products; it is about igniting a cultural shift within the beauty industry to value diversity and challenge long-standing norms, she said. At the heart of ByStorm is the vision of a beauty industry where no one is sidelined. Menzies began crafting initial designs and prototypes for silicone snap-on grips in her garage, addressing challenges faced by people with upper limb mobility issues, grip strength limitations, or fine motor skill difficulties. Her products have already attracted attention from comedian Celeste Barber, who is collaborating with ByStorm Beauty for her label Booie Beauty. At the Kickstarter Challenge Grand Final at Parliament House on 20 November, Menzies secured $30,000 in equity-free funding after impressing judges in the health, wellbeing and care economy category. This isnt just a win for ByStorm, its a signal to the entire industry that disability-led innovation is worthy of investment, that people with disability are worthy of investment beyond charity, Menzies said. When we back underrepresented founders and communities, we dont just tick boxes. We shift the standard for the industry and give representation for every little girl watching, of what is possible. The funding will help Menzies employ people with disability to ensure ByStorm continues to be shaped by the community it serves. Four runners-up also received $7,500 each: Shehara Pillai of PlayPass, Lisa Cohen and Lianne Kady of Elevated Educators, Lindy Hua of CO2 Lab, and Cordelia King of Superstat. Governor-General Sam Mostyn delivered an address and announced the winner, pledging to share the stories nationally. Your passion, determination and talent bring you to this Grand Final, she said. Ive seen the progress weve made when we come together and amplify care, and thats what these projects seek to do. Enterprising ME director Fleur Anderson said the Kickstarter Challenge was crucial to addressing the investment drought facing female entrepreneurs. Her vision and determination exemplify the strength of female entrepreneurs, Anderson said. The record number of entries this year sends a powerful message: women are eager to innovate, to solve real problems, and to create meaningful change. Australian startups raised $1.9 billion in the first half of 2024, a 30% increase compared to the same period last year, though gender diversity in funding continues to be a challenge. Funding drought persists Enterprising ME research found financial barriers, uncertainty and self-doubt continued to hold women back, underscoring the need for support, mentorship and better access to funding. The Kickstarter Challenge is an initiative of Enterprising ME, an Australian Government-funded programme designed to support women aged 18 and over in pursuing entrepreneurship. The programme is delivered in partnership with the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia. COSBOA Deputy Chair Christine Pope noted the competitions growth in just five years. Not only did we recognise five outstanding finalists this year, but we celebrated an Enterprising Girl of the Year, and made strides towards the future with the launch of Carla, one of Australias first AI mentors built specifically for women in business, she said. For Menzies, the win reinforced her belief that inclusive design is not a niche concept but a necessity. Real inclusion starts when we stop treating accessibility as compliance and start seeing it as the future of business, she said. The founders journey from garage prototypes to securing major funding demonstrates how lived experience combined with determination can create meaningful change in industries that have traditionally overlooked diverse needs. If cockroach have no business in fowl party, politicians should also stay out of police acti The Tucson Musicians Museum will induct a renowned youth mariachi group, a Tucson promoter, a music education advocate and a dominant figure in the city's 1980s garage rock scene into its Hall of Fame. In ceremonies Sunday at El Casino Ballroom, Mariachi Los Changuitos Feos, Gene Ruley, Ray Vidal, Jim Travis, Leslie Stirm and Brent Kort will join nearly 200 Tucson musicians who have been inducted since the first class in 2017. The ceremony, which includes live performances, runs from 2 to 8 p.m. at El Casino, 437 E. 26th St. Tickets are $20 in advance through tucsonmusiciansmuseum.org or at the door. About the inductees: Mariachi Los Changuitos Feos youth mariachi formed in 1964 and famously performed with Johnny Cash, Tito Guizar, the King Family, Fess Parker, Gary Puckett, Andy Williams, Lawrence Welk, Linda Ronstadt, Edward James Olmos, Lola Beltran and Vikki Carr. The group toured widely, including in Mexico, California, Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., and Texas, as well as throughout rural Arizona. It was the subject of the 2024 documentary "Ugly Little Monkeys A True American Story," documenting the seminal youth mariachi's rise from the basement of All Saints Catholic Church on South Sixth Avenue to touring nationally and internationally and performing before American and Mexican presidents, to its dark underbelly of abuse and neglect from its founder and leader, Father Charles Rourke. New Orleans native Gene Ruley landed in Tucson in the early 1980s and formed one of Tucson's best-known garage bands, The New Drakes. Ruley, a driving force in the city's garage band scene alongside Howe Gelb, Al Perry and Rainer Ptacek, cowrote songs for the band's albums between 1995-2006. Ruley, featured in the 2023 Tucson music documentary "A Tale of Two Houses," died in August 2018 at the age of 54. Tucson native Ray Vidal played drums in Bucky Steele's Tucson High Marching 100 before going on to play drums and timbales in his grandfather Filiberto Quintero's Quintero Orchestra. He also played with a number of local groups and musicians, including the Mickey Greco Trio, Dixie Cats, Armen Dirtadian, Cass Preston and Ken Novak, as well as big stars Hank Williams Jr. and Diane Schuur. Vidal taught drums and recorded a drum instruction album before retiring due to health issues. Classically trained percussionist Jim Travis stumbled onto jazz in the 1970s, but the performance side of the music industry got so frustrating that he switched to promoting. Travis brought jazz to Tucson in the 1970s and eventually joined the Tucson Jazz Society. In the 1980s, he launched the New Music Series at St. Philips Plaza, which he later entrusted to the Jazz Society. His resume includes opening the pioneering CD store Soundscapes, which was the first in the country to offer listening stations so you could hear the CD before you bought it. He also worked with record companies, did advertising and promoted and booked music events from festivals, tributes and music series to memorial concerts for legendary musicians. His online social site called Vibz Arizona supports musicians by promoting artists, venues and live performances. Leslie Stirm has shaped her Instrumental Music Center store into a vital hub for musicians, educators and families since 1999. The shop offers rentals, sales, repairs and lessons for all types of instruments, but it also offers support for musicians and young people through her Join the Music campaign, which provides materials to Arizona schools. The program won the 2024 National Association of Music Merchants award for Best Sales and Marketing Promotion. NAMM has included the center on its list of the worlds "Top 100 Music Stores" for over a decade. Kansas City transplant Brent Kort began collaborating with Tucson musicians and bands soon after arriving here for college in 1989, which could explain his motivation for launching Local Love Presents a dozen years ago to book up-and-coming local bands into the historic Rialto Theatre and its sister 191 Toole. Kort performed in several Tucson bands, including being a founding member of Funky Bonz in 1993 and playing with Bad Tourist, Hillbilly Bo, Love Boat and most recently, Saguaroville. Saguaroville is among the acts performing at Sunday's induction ceremony. The Jack headlines with Amo & Co., The River Roses, Znora and Los Changuitos Feos. Jane Bolin, the first Black American woman graduate of Yale Law School and the first Black American woman judge in the United States. He was a critical reason that Alexander Graham Bell was awarded the patent for the telephone, working late into the night drafting blueprints and efficiently submitting an application hours ahead of Bell's competitor. A filament he developed made Thomas Edison's lightbulb more reliable and long-lasting. Latimer also pursued creative interests like poetry, playing the flute, and speaking enough French to oversee electrical lighting installations. He was awarded 10 U.S. patents. As the son of self-emancipated people, Lewis Howard Latimer created his own path through mechanical drawing. He observed drafters at work and read books during his job as an office boy for a patent law firm. His eagerness to learn the trade earned him opportunities to work on important projects like the telephone, lightbulb, and an early version of an air conditioner. In his career, he choreographed 79 ballets. In 1988, Ailey was honored by the Kennedy Center for his contributions to dance. In 2014, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1958, Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which gained popularity along with his dances, leading to a tour sponsored by the Department of State. Other notable works included 1958's "Blues Suite" and "Cry," which featured a woman solo created for his mother. He also created works set to jazz music greats like Duke Ellington and Hugh Masekela. Alvin Ailey's choreographies are an important part of modern dance history. His most famous dance, "Revelations," used traditional African American blues, work songs, and spirituals to tell inspirational stories of persistence from slavery to freedom. Gibson continued to gain attention and win tournaments, leading to her famous string of firsts (discussed above). Between 1956 and 1958 alone, she was in 19 major finals, winning 11. Gibson retired in 1958 but pursued another sport: golf. She became the first Black American woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour. Gibson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971. She showed a love for tennis at an early age, but there weren't many opportunities for Black people to pursue the sport then. However, she loved playing local paddle tennis. Her skills eventually got her noticed, leading to her being professionally trained in tennis. Before Serena and Venus Williams, there was Althea Gibson. Gibson was the first Black American tennis player to compete in the U.S. National Championships (a precursor of the U.S. Open) in 1950. She was the first Black American to win a Grand Slam title in 1956, winning the French Championships; the following year, she became the first Black American to triumph at Wimbledon. Taylor continued to face racism even at the height of his achievement. He was barred from some races, turned away from establishments, and even subjected to insults. He died in poverty and was buried in an unmarked grave. His remains were found and relocated in the 1940s by fellow bicycle professionals. His name was also added to the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame in the 1980s. By 1898, he had seven world records and was named the national cycling champion two years later. At his peak, he was touring internationally and was one of the highest-paid athletes of his time. Before Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, and Jack Johnson, there was Marshall "Major" Taylor. Taylor was the first Black American sports sensation to take an interest in cycling. At an early age, he received a bicycle and was later hired to perform cycling stunts outside a bicycle shop. Safety is a theme that runs through Morgan's inventions. In 1923, he patented a new traffic signal. Before his invention, traffic lights were manually operated and had only two modesstop and go. Morgan added a third modea caution lightto prepare motorists to change gears. General Motors purchased Morgan's patent for $40,000 in 1923 (about $710,000 today). Inventions like the traffic signal are best attributed to trailblazers like Garret Morgan. Morgan started his career working for a clothing manufacturer, where he learned about fixing equipment, leading to a patent for a sewing machine belt fastener. After handling a successful business, Morgan created a breathing device to protect wearers from smoke, gas, and other pollutants. The device earned him the first prize at the Second International Exposition of Safety and Sanitation. Drew was also pivotal in developing procedures for extracting plasma, preserving it against contamination, and packaging it for wounded soldiers during World War II. Through a U.S. relief program called Blood for Britain, more than 14,000 blood donations were collected, and 5,000 liters of plasma were shipped to England under Drew's direction. Many recognized his achievements, earning him a Spingarn Medal from the NAACP. Charles R. Drew, better known as the "father of the blood bank," is a pioneer in blood chemistry research. Drew conducted original research in fluid replacement and held a trial blood bank for seven months. In 1940, he became the first Black American to earn a doctorate in medical science from Columbia for his thesis, "Banked Blood: A Study in Blood Preservation." With Numero's help, Jones founded Thermo King Company (now Thermo King), which made over $1 million in sales by 1997, when Ingersoll-Rand Company acquired it. He became the first Black American elected to the American Society of Refrigeration Engineers in 1944. Jones gained over 60 patents throughout his career, including one for a portable X-ray machine, and was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1991. Besides working on innovations that helped convert silent-movie projectors into talking projectors, McKinley also found ways to enhance picture quality. By the late 1930s, Jones developed portable refrigeration to help the U.S. military carry food and blood during World War II. That same technology also helped distribute fresh food and vegetables throughout the country year-round. During World War I, he served in the U.S. Army, repairing machines and equipment. After returning from the war, McKinley continued to educate himself on various technologies, including electronics, when he caught the eye of entrepreneur Joseph Numero. Frederick McKinley Jones was interested in mechanics at a young age, which he used as an auto mechanic. With limited education, Jones taught himself mechanical and electrical engineering. He reached the peak of his career as a part of a three-person team on "World News Tonight," anchoring alongside Frank Reynolds in Washington and Peter Jennings in London. In 1959, he moved to Washington D.C., where he covered urban neighborhood issues and racial issues. He obtained six awards for his coverage of the 1968 race riots following Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. He also won two regional Emmys for a documentary he created on Anacostia called "The Other Washington," where he exposed the racist laws keeping the Black community in that neighborhood in poverty. There are many firsts when it comes to Max Robinson. Robinson was a journalist for ABC News and co-anchored for "ABC World News Tonight," becoming the first Black American broadcast network news anchor in American television history in 1978. Once sworn in as a judge of the city's family court in 1939, she changed segregationist policies, requiring child care agencies receiving public funding to accept children no matter their race or ethnicity. Bolin served for 40 years and retired at 70. Even after retirement, Bolin continued working with children, volunteering to tutor at New York City public schools and serving on the New York State Board of Regents. Jane Bolin was the first Black American woman graduate of Yale Law School and the first Black American woman judge in the United States. After graduating from Yale, Bolin worked with her family's practice before moving to New York. She continued to break barriers as the first Black American woman to work at New York's corporation counsel office. Since the protests, Johnson has become a guiding light in the LGBTQ+ community. She was a member of the Gay Liberation Front as well as co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionarieswhich focused on supporting LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessnesswith friend and fellow trans rights activist Sylvia Rivera. Johnson was at the front lines of the Stonewall riots of 1969. Like many transgender women and LGBTQ+ people of the time, Johnson was fed up with the oppressive policing she and her peers experienced and led multiple protests after the event. These riots would be a key milestone in the gay liberation movement. At 17, Johnson moved to New York City from New Jersey, where she could more freely express her identity and sexuality through drag. Johnson was one of the first drag queens to regularly patronize Greenwich Village's Stonewall Inn after it opened its doors to women and drag queens. The LGBTQ+ movement would not be where it is today without Marsha P. Johnson. One of the most prominent figures of the movement in New York City, Johnson tirelessly advocated for LGBTQ+ youth without housing, people living with HIV and AIDS, and equal rights for LGBTQ+ people. In 1947, President Harry Truman appointed her to serve on his Committee on Human Rights. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter appointed her as the head of the White House Conference on Aging, a position she held until 1981. Alexander continued practicing law until her retirement in 1982. After passing the Pennsylvania bar in 1927, she joined her husband's law firm, working on family and estate law. Alexander eventually opened her own firm in 1959 when her husband was stepped up to become a judge for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander was the first Black woman lawyer in Pennsylvania. Alexander studied at the University of Pennsylvania, earning her Ph.D. in economics in 1921, becoming the first Black woman to do so. As a leader of social movements for civil rights, socialism, and nonviolence, Rustin espoused the philosophy of nonviolent resistance, profoundly shaping King's views on the subject as well. And while his contributions have often been overlooked because he was an openly gay Black man when homosexuality was considered a mental illness, history has come around since then. The 1963 March on Washington is known for Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech , but Rustin worked alongside A. Philip Randolph as deputy director and logistical planner for the historic event. Rustin further assisted King with the boycott of segregated buses in Montgomery, Alabama. After many rejections from aviation schools in the United States, Coleman applied to and was accepted at the Caudron Brothers School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France. In 1921, she received her international pilot's license and returned to the U.S., where she performed numerous air shows. Coleman used her popularity to encourage other Black Americans to fly and pointedly refused to perform at locations that didn't allow entry to Black audiences. Bessie Coleman was the first Black American woman to hold a pilot's license. At a time when Black people were prohibited from voting, using public facilities, and riding railway cars with white people, Coleman dreamed of learning to fly, inspired by the stories her brothers came home with after serving during World War I. Parks also published numerous books, including memoirs, novels, poetry, and photographic tomes. His work can be found in major art museums nationwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. In 1949, he became the first Black staff photographer at Life magazine. Twenty years later, he tried his hand in Hollywood, becoming the first Black American to direct a major Hollywood studio feature film, " The Learning Tree ," based on his semi-autobiographical novel. From the 1940s to the 2000s, Gordon Parks' photojournalism focused on poverty, civil rights, race relations, and urban life. Parks was also a well-known composer, author, and filmmaker who interacted with influential people. Height's 40-year presidency of the National Council of Negro Women made her a leading figure in the Civil Rights Movement, and she is also credited as the first person to relate equality issues for Black Americans and women, seeing relationships in both sectors that were often deemed separate. Dorothy Height was a civil rights and women's rights activist devoted to improving opportunities for Black women. While working for the national YMCA office, Height oversaw the desegregation of all YMCA chapters in 1946. She was also the first director of the Center for Racial Justice. Beyond her research, Daly advocated for enrolling more Black students in medical school and graduate science programs, spearheading recruiting and training efforts for Black students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Despite the racial and gender biases, Daly conducted pivotal studies on cholesterol, sugars, and proteins. In 1955, she returned to Columbia to collaborate on innovative rat studies measuring cholesterol levels and blood pressure to indicate the correlation between high cholesterol and clogged arteries, which can cause stroke or heart attack. Her research also extended to the damage smoking can have on lung health in both humans and dogs exposed to chronic cigarette smoke. Marie Maynard Daly became the first Black American woman awarded a doctorate in chemistry in the United States. She earned her bachelor's in chemistry from Queens College and fellowships to pursue her master's at New York University. She received her doctorate in 1947 from Columbia University, becoming the first Black woman to earn such an honor in any subject at the university. After leaving NASA, Jemison formed her own company researching advanced technologies for developing countries. She is part of the National Women's Hall of Fame and the National Medical Association Hall of Fame. Jemison always had a goal of flying into space, and when she returned to the United States, she applied to NASA's astronaut training program and was accepted in 1987. Five years later, Jemison and six other astronauts flew Space Shuttle Endeavour into space on mission STS-47 on Sept. 12, 1992. There, she spent eight days conducting experiments on bone cells. Women and astronauts of color have Mae Jemison to look up to as the first Black American woman to embark on outer space. Before joining NASA, Jemison worked as a general practitioner after receiving her master's in medicine from Cornell University in 1981. She later conducted medical research with the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and Liberia. She worked under Dewey until 1945, when she started her private practice. Carter later went on to aid the United Nations and the National Council of Negro Women until she died in 1970. Carter was able to find that women arrested for prostitution were represented by the same lawyers and bail bondsmen who had connections to the most powerful racketeer in the country, Charles "Lucky" Luciano. She continued to build a case that led to brothel raids and, eventually, the sentencing of Luciano in 1936. Carter was the first Black American woman to work as a Manhattan District Attorney Office prosecutor. Initially, she struggled to get a private practice, but it wasn't until 1935 that she was brought on to special prosecutor Thomas E. Dewey's team to curb mob activity. However, as a Black man, he experienced racism when he returned to the United States. He was neither invited to the White House nor received honors by President Franklin Roosevelt. It was not until 1976 that President Gerald Ford awarded Owens the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1935, Owens competed and won 42 events. His growing fame led him to the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, where he secured four gold medals and broke two Olympic records, including the record for long jump, an achievement he held for 25 years. Jesse Owens, also known as "The Buckeye Bullet," started his track career in high school, setting records for the long jump, the 100-yard dash, and the high jump. After graduating, Owens enrolled at Ohio State University to continue his wins in events like the Big Ten, Amateur Athletic Union championships, and the Olympic trials. Despite the pushback on school curricula, many districts continue to push for Black history. As forgotten names come to the surface, Stacker used news articles and documents to shine a light on 19 groundbreaking Black historical figures whose names might be lost in the fight for more robust Black history education. Read more to find out how the lives of these figures shaped society today. Since 2020, there have been 783 anti-CRT bills, resolutions, opinion letters, and other measures introduced in a total of 244 local, state, and federal government entities, according to the University of California, Los Angeles' School of Law's CRT Forward project , which tracks attacks on CRT. In 2023, Florida's decisions regarding school curriculum came under fire when its Department of Education claimed the new AP African American Studies course "lacks educational value" and was indoctrinating studentsan accusation the College Board deemed slanderous . Critical race theory is a 40-plus-year-old academic concept that attempts to inspect systemic racism's impact on U.S. laws. Proponents believe that racism isn't biological; instead, it is a societal creation enforced by hierarchies. Behind these concerning cases of censorship and bans on books lies the controversy over critical race theory. "It is part of what I would call kind of a cycle of anxiety in which book challengers are driven by concerns and fears about a changing world. And so whatever the issue of the day is, then that usually drives and pushes people to try to remove books," Richard Price, author of the blog Adventures in Censorship, told NPR . While there's a push to add more names to the Black history curriculum, states like Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma have approved or suggested measures to limit race-related language in public schools. Others have also banned books by Black authors that focus on race. For many years, school curricula have limited their scope to the same Black figures throughout history. While lectures on the legacies of Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman are all important, some educators ( and their students ) are eager to learn more about underrepresented trailblazers like Lewis Latimer, Marsha P. Johnson, and Max Robinson. 19 Black historical figures you probably didn't learn about in class 19 Black historical figures you probably didn't learn about in class For many years, school curricula have limited their scope to the same Black figures throughout history. While lectures on the legacies of Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman remain crucial, some educators and students are eager to learn about underrepresented trailblazers like Lewis Latimer, Marsha P. Johnson, and Max Robinson. There is a growing nationwide movement pushing for a broader Black history curriculum that reflects the richness and diversity of Black contributions. However, this push faces significant challenges. As of 2025, states like Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma continue to approve or suggest measures that limit race-related language in public schools. These efforts include bans or restrictions on books by Black authors that explore race, part of a larger wave of censorship connected to controversies over critical race theory. The academic concept of CRTover 40 years oldexamines systemic racism's impact on laws and society, affirming that racism is a social construct upheld by power structures rather than biology. Since 2020, more than 780 anti-CRT measures have been introduced across local, state, and federal levels, with 18 states banning or restricting its teaching. In 2023, Florida's education department rejected the College Board's AP African American Studies course as lacking educational valuea move widely criticized by scholars and educators. Despite these obstacles, educators, students, and communities are creatively finding ways to teach and honor the full scope of African American history, recognizing that Black history is an essential part of American history that enriches us all. This ongoing struggle over how history is taught reflects a broader fight for an inclusive education that empowers all students to understand their past and shape a more equitable future. Despite the pushback on school curricula, many districts continue to push for Black history. As forgotten names come to the surface, Stacker used news articles and documents to shine a light on 19 groundbreaking Black historical figures whose names might be lost in the fight for more robust Black history education. Read more to find out how the lives of these figures shaped society today. Bettmann // Getty Images Jesse Owens Jesse Owens, also known as "The Buckeye Bullet," started his track career in high school, setting records for the long jump, the 100-yard dash, and the high jump. After graduating, Owens enrolled at Ohio State University to continue his wins in events like the Big Ten, Amateur Athletic Union championships, and the Olympic trials. In 1935, Owens competed and won 42 events. His growing fame led him to the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, where he secured four gold medals and broke two Olympic records, including the record for long jump, an achievement he held for 25 years. However, as a Black man, he experienced racism when he returned to the United States. He was neither invited to the White House nor received honors by President Franklin Roosevelt. It was not until 1976 that President Gerald Ford awarded Owens the Presidential Medal of Freedom. WESTOCK PRODUCTIONS // Shutterstock Eunice Carter In 1935, Eunice Carter uncovered evidence connecting a mafia boss to a prostitution operation. Carter's efforts led to his conviction. Carter was the first Black American woman to work as a Manhattan District Attorney Office prosecutor. Initially, she struggled to get a private practice, but it wasn't until 1935 that she was brought on to special prosecutor Thomas E. Dewey's team to curb mob activity. Carter was able to find that women arrested for prostitution were represented by the same lawyers and bail bondsmen who had connections to the most powerful racketeer in the country, Charles "Lucky" Luciano. She continued to build a case that led to brothel raids and, eventually, the sentencing of Luciano in 1936. She worked under Dewey until 1945, when she started her private practice. Carter later went on to aid the United Nations and the National Council of Negro Women until she died in 1970. Space Frontiers // Getty Images Mae Jemison Women and astronauts of color have Mae Jemison to look up to as the first Black American woman to embark on outer space. Before joining NASA, Jemison worked as a general practitioner after receiving her master's in medicine from Cornell University in 1981. She later conducted medical research with the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Jemison always had a goal of flying into space, and when she returned to the United States, she applied to NASA's astronaut training program and was accepted in 1987. Five years later, Jemison and six other astronauts flew Space Shuttle Endeavour into space on mission STS-47 on Sept. 12, 1992. There, she spent eight days conducting experiments on bone cells. After leaving NASA, Jemison formed her own company researching advanced technologies for developing countries. She is part of the National Women's Hall of Fame and the National Medical Association Hall of Fame. New Africa // Shutterstock Marie Maynard Daly Marie Maynard Daly became the first Black American woman awarded a doctorate in chemistry in the United States. She earned her bachelor's in chemistry from Queens College and fellowships to pursue her master's at New York University. She received her doctorate in 1947 from Columbia University, becoming the first Black woman to earn such an honor in any subject at the university. Despite the racial and gender biases, Daly conducted pivotal studies on cholesterol, sugars, and proteins. In 1955, she returned to Columbia to collaborate on innovative rat studies measuring cholesterol levels and blood pressure to indicate the correlation between high cholesterol and clogged arteries, which can cause stroke or heart attack. Her research also extended to the damage smoking can have on lung health in both humans and dogs exposed to chronic cigarette smoke. Beyond her research, Daly advocated for enrolling more Black students in medical school and graduate science programs, spearheading recruiting and training efforts for Black students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Susan Biddle/The Washington Post via Getty Images Dorothy Height Dorothy Height was a civil rights and women's rights activist devoted to improving opportunities for Black women. While working for the national YMCA office, Height oversaw the desegregation of all YMCA chapters in 1946. She was also the first director of the Center for Racial Justice. Height's 40-year presidency of the National Council of Negro Women made her a leading figure in the Civil Rights Movement, and she is also credited as the first person to relate equality issues for Black Americans and women, seeing relationships in both sectors that were often deemed separate. Height received numerous honors for her contributions, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. John Pineda // Getty Images Gordon Parks From the 1940s to the 2000s, Gordon Parks' photojournalism focused on poverty, civil rights, race relations, and urban life. Parks was also a well-known composer, author, and filmmaker who interacted with influential people. In 1949, he became the first Black staff photographer at Life magazine. Twenty years later, he tried his hand in Hollywood, becoming the first Black American to direct a major Hollywood studio feature film, "The Learning Tree," based on his semi-autobiographical novel. Parks also published numerous books, including memoirs, novels, poetry, and photographic tomes. His work can be found in major art museums nationwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images Bessie Coleman Bessie Coleman was the first Black American woman to hold a pilot's license. At a time when Black people were prohibited from voting, using public facilities, and riding railway cars with white people, Coleman dreamed of learning to fly, inspired by the stories her brothers came home with after serving during World War I. After many rejections from aviation schools in the United States, Coleman applied to and was accepted at the Caudron Brothers School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France. In 1921, she received her international pilot's license and returned to the U.S., where she performed numerous air shows. Coleman used her popularity to encourage other Black Americans to fly and pointedly refused to perform at locations that didn't allow entry to Black audiences. Patrick A. Burns/New York Times Co. // Getty Images Bayard Rustin The 1963 March on Washington is known for Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, but Rustin worked alongside A. Philip Randolph as deputy director and logistical planner for the historic event. Rustin further assisted King with the boycott of segregated buses in Montgomery, Alabama. As a leader of social movements for civil rights, socialism, and nonviolence, Rustin espoused the philosophy of nonviolent resistance, profoundly shaping King's views on the subject as well. And while his contributions have often been overlooked because he was an openly gay Black man when homosexuality was considered a mental illness, history has come around since then. Rustin was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. Afro American Newspapers/Gado // Getty Images Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander was the first Black woman lawyer in Pennsylvania. Alexander studied at the University of Pennsylvania, earning her Ph.D. in economics in 1921, becoming the first Black woman to do so. After passing the Pennsylvania bar in 1927, she joined her husband's law firm, working on family and estate law. Alexander eventually opened her own firm in 1959 when her husband was stepped up to become a judge for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. In 1947, President Harry Truman appointed her to serve on his Committee on Human Rights. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter appointed her as the head of the White House Conference on Aging, a position she held until 1981. Alexander continued practicing law until her retirement in 1982. Barbara Alper // Getty Images Marsha P. Johnson The LGBTQ+ movement would not be where it is today without Marsha P. Johnson. One of the most prominent figures of the movement in New York City, Johnson tirelessly advocated for LGBTQ+ youth without housing, people living with HIV and AIDS, and equal rights for LGBTQ+ people. At 17, Johnson moved to New York City from New Jersey, where she could more freely express her identity and sexuality through drag. Johnson was one of the first drag queens to regularly patronize Greenwich Village's Stonewall Inn after it opened its doors to women and drag queens. Johnson was at the front lines of the Stonewall riots of 1969. Like many transgender women and LGBTQ+ people of the time, Johnson was fed up with the oppressive policing she and her peers experienced and led multiple protests after the event. These riots would be a key milestone in the gay liberation movement. Since the protests, Johnson has become a guiding light in the LGBTQ+ community. She was a member of the Gay Liberation Front as well as co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionarieswhich focused on supporting LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessnesswith friend and fellow trans rights activist Sylvia Rivera. Bettmann // Getty Images Jane Bolin Jane Bolin was the first Black American woman graduate of Yale Law School and the first Black American woman judge in the United States. After graduating from Yale, Bolin worked with her family's practice before moving to New York. She continued to break barriers as the first Black American woman to work at New York's corporation counsel office. Once sworn in as a judge of the city's family court in 1939, she changed segregationist policies, requiring child care agencies receiving public funding to accept children no matter their race or ethnicity. Bolin served for 40 years and retired at 70. Even after retirement, Bolin continued working with children, volunteering to tutor at New York City public schools and serving on the New York State Board of Regents. Microgen // Shutterstock Max Robinson There are many firsts when it comes to Max Robinson. Robinson was a journalist for ABC News and co-anchored for "ABC World News Tonight," becoming the first Black American broadcast network news anchor in American television history in 1978. In 1959, he moved to Washington D.C., where he covered urban neighborhood issues and racial issues. He obtained six awards for his coverage of the 1968 race riots following Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. He also won two regional Emmys for a documentary he created on Anacostia called "The Other Washington," where he exposed the racist laws keeping the Black community in that neighborhood in poverty. He reached the peak of his career as a part of a three-person team on "World News Tonight," anchoring alongside Frank Reynolds in Washington and Peter Jennings in London. Sharee Marcus/Star Tribune via Getty Images Frederick McKinley Jones Frederick McKinley Jones was interested in mechanics at a young age, which he used as an auto mechanic. With limited education, Jones taught himself mechanical and electrical engineering. During World War I, he served in the U.S. Army, repairing machines and equipment. After returning from the war, McKinley continued to educate himself on various technologies, including electronics, when he caught the eye of entrepreneur Joseph Numero. Besides working on innovations that helped convert silent-movie projectors into talking projectors, McKinley also found ways to enhance picture quality. By the late 1930s, Jones developed portable refrigeration to help the U.S. military carry food and blood during World War II. That same technology also helped distribute fresh food and vegetables throughout the country year-round. With Numero's help, Jones founded Thermo King Company (now Thermo King), which made over $1 million in sales by 1997, when Ingersoll-Rand Company acquired it. He became the first Black American elected to the American Society of Refrigeration Engineers in 1944. Jones gained over 60 patents throughout his career, including one for a portable X-ray machine, and was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1991. Betsy Graves Reyneau/Three Lions/Hulton Archive // Getty Images Charles R. Drew Charles R. Drew, better known as the "father of the blood bank," is a pioneer in blood chemistry research. Drew conducted original research in fluid replacement and held a trial blood bank for seven months. In 1940, he became the first Black American to earn a doctorate in medical science from Columbia for his thesis, "Banked Blood: A Study in Blood Preservation." Drew was also pivotal in developing procedures for extracting plasma, preserving it against contamination, and packaging it for wounded soldiers during World War II. Through a U.S. relief program called Blood for Britain, more than 14,000 blood donations were collected, and 5,000 liters of plasma were shipped to England under Drew's direction. Many recognized his achievements, earning him a Spingarn Medal from the NAACP. Fotosearch // Getty Images Garrett Morgan Inventions like the traffic signal are best attributed to trailblazers like Garret Morgan. Morgan started his career working for a clothing manufacturer, where he learned about fixing equipment, leading to a patent for a sewing machine belt fastener. After handling a successful business, Morgan created a breathing device to protect wearers from smoke, gas, and other pollutants. The device earned him the first prize at the Second International Exposition of Safety and Sanitation. Safety is a theme that runs through Morgan's inventions. In 1923, he patented a new traffic signal. Before his invention, traffic lights were manually operated and had only two modesstop and go. Morgan added a third modea caution lightto prepare motorists to change gears. General Motors purchased Morgan's patent for $40,000 in 1923 (about $710,000 today). NYPL/Interim Archives // Getty Images Marshall 'Major' Taylor Before Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, and Jack Johnson, there was Marshall "Major" Taylor. Taylor was the first Black American sports sensation to take an interest in cycling. At an early age, he received a bicycle and was later hired to perform cycling stunts outside a bicycle shop. By 1898, he had seven world records and was named the national cycling champion two years later. At his peak, he was touring internationally and was one of the highest-paid athletes of his time. Taylor continued to face racism even at the height of his achievement. He was barred from some races, turned away from establishments, and even subjected to insults. He died in poverty and was buried in an unmarked grave. His remains were found and relocated in the 1940s by fellow bicycle professionals. His name was also added to the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame in the 1980s. Bettmann // Getty Images Althea Gibson Before Serena and Venus Williams, there was Althea Gibson. Gibson was the first Black American tennis player to compete in the U.S. National Championships (a precursor of the U.S. Open) in 1950. She was the first Black American to win a Grand Slam title in 1956, winning the French Championships; the following year, she became the first Black American to triumph at Wimbledon. She showed a love for tennis at an early age, but there weren't many opportunities for Black people to pursue the sport then. However, she loved playing local paddle tennis. Her skills eventually got her noticed, leading to her being professionally trained in tennis. Gibson continued to gain attention and win tournaments, leading to her famous string of firsts (discussed above). Between 1956 and 1958 alone, she was in 19 major finals, winning 11. Gibson retired in 1958 but pursued another sport: golf. She became the first Black American woman to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour. Gibson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971. Robert Pearce/Fairfax Media via Getty Images Alvin Ailey Alvin Ailey's choreographies are an important part of modern dance history. His most famous dance, "Revelations," used traditional African American blues, work songs, and spirituals to tell inspirational stories of persistence from slavery to freedom. In 1958, Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which gained popularity along with his dances, leading to a tour sponsored by the Department of State. Other notable works included 1958's "Blues Suite" and "Cry," which featured a woman solo created for his mother. He also created works set to jazz music greats like Duke Ellington and Hugh Masekela. In his career, he choreographed 79 ballets. In 1988, Ailey was honored by the Kennedy Center for his contributions to dance. In 2014, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Universal History Archive // Getty Images Lewis Howard Latimer As the son of self-emancipated people, Lewis Howard Latimer created his own path through mechanical drawing. He observed drafters at work and read books during his job as an office boy for a patent law firm. His eagerness to learn the trade earned him opportunities to work on important projects like the telephone, lightbulb, and an early version of an air conditioner. He was a critical reason that Alexander Graham Bell was awarded the patent for the telephone, working late into the night drafting blueprints and efficiently submitting an application hours ahead of Bell's competitor. A filament he developed made Thomas Edison's lightbulb more reliable and long-lasting. Latimer also pursued creative interests like poetry, playing the flute, and speaking enough French to oversee electrical lighting installations. He was awarded 10 U.S. patents. Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Paris Close. After abandoning modernization of its 44 CV9035DK IFVs, which may be transferred to Ukraine, Denmark has finally ordered 44 new CV90MkIIIC replacements. Denmark ordered another 44 Swedish CV90MkIIIC IFVs for 450 million together with spare parts and logistics support. Thus, the number of such vehicles ordered by the country has grown to 159. The new acquisition is intended to replace cancelled previous plans to modernize the existing CV9035DK fleet. And the latter have a probability of being sent to Ukraine after receiving successors. Read more: Rheinmetall Claims Romania Signed Deal for 298 Lynx IFVs Romanian Government Says No Contract Exists CV9035 MkIIIC IFV / Photo credit: BAE Systems In 2024, Denmark ordered 115 new CV90MkIIIC infantry fighting vehicles for 1.3 billion with a 5-year completion period. Then by rough calculation and inclusion of related costs, one cost approximately 11.6 million. Also, it was then planned to modernize the existing fleet of such equipment from 44 units to the CV9035 MLU standard, which would correspond to a similar project from the Netherlands. However, this was later cancelled in favor of purchasing additional new ones. CV9035 MkIIIC IFV / Photo credit: BAE Systems At the same time, they started talking about transferring old vehicles to Ukraine as part of military aid. However, in any case, they would have to wait until 2026, when delivery of the first CV90MkIIIC under the 2024 contract begins. In general, such an idea for military aid to Ukrainian military makes slightly more sense than ordering new ones. Yes, in the latter case, theyll have to wait at least several years for their manufacture, and existing samples will be ready in the near future. CV9040C IFV in service with the 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine / Open source photo Recall that back in 2023-2024, partner countries purchased 40 CV90s for Ukraine, which are supposed to start arriving in 2026 in addition to the 90 CV9040s already transferred by Sweden. That is, in reality the pace is still good, and BAE Systems plans to increase them even more to 250 units per year next year and then to 350 units per year. However, despite such good achievements, a serious queue for Swedish IFVs is already forming. Yes, a joint contract is going to be signed by Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Estonia, and Brazil is also expressing interest. Prep Kitchen has been listed as one of the UK's fastest-growing companies. A growing trend in the last few months has seen big names such as Spotify (SPOT), Comcast (CMCSA) and Oracle (ORCL) appoint co-CEOS, but British entrepreneurs William Fishenden and Mark Morley had already adopted the strategy a decade ago at Prep Kitchen, their startup meal delivery service. Too many cooks at the top table? Not for the co-founders and co-CEOs, who met at university, lost 50kg between them in their own personal fitness journeys and then, in late 2015, launched their healthy meal plan idea in Essex. From hand-delivering their chef-prepared, microwavable or oven meals in the early days, the duo have moved from Basildon to a facility by the Dartford Crossing in Kent, with the ability to sell 400,000 subscription meals a week. Prep Kitchen is set to achieve 35m in sales this year. Read More: My laundrette closed early so I set up a 27m laundry service After both friends had created side hustles at university importing goods, they partnered up on green tea brand Mighty Matcha, which they sold only a few years ago. Working initially in the restaurant industry, Fishenden had put on weekly weight while Morley says he was time-poor when it came to cooking at home. Morley had also been diagnosed with Crohn's disease aged 18 which worsened during university. In 2011, he contracted sepsis and then meningitis. After treatment, he was told he needed a colostomy bag which saw his weight balloon. Morley defied the doctors advice on lifting weights. He shed weight but couldnt break 95kg. After seeing his Crohn's disease level out, he then discovered a passion for smart, balanced eating and lost over 30kg. Founders Mark Morley, left, and William Fishenden are dedicated to delivering nutritious, ready-to-eat meals. We looked around, the solutions were awful and the offerings were like prison food, says Morley, so we both ended up going on our own personal meal prep journeys." When one meal prep company sent Morley raw eggs with salmon which was okay for the microwave, the duo knew there was an opportunity. We found that it really came down to making sure you eat your fruit and veg, your protein and control your calories, adds Morley. We did that ourselves before offering it to clients. While Fishenden took on operations, Morley oversaw tech, finance and marketing. They bootstrapped the company from the outset, putting in a combined 10,000 in 2015 which they repaid 12 months later. Prep Kitchen has been financed by cash flow ever since. Read More: How bamboo has made Cheeky Panda millions In 2016, they opened a hybrid restaurant and meal prep space but soon realised that customers were ordering their healthy meals for home. The pair took orders during the week and initially delivered on Sundays. They lost their small office space at the restaurant when Morley installed an extra fridge. Over the past 11 editions, the Commendation Ceremony for Outstanding Ethnic Minority Students and Youth has become a powerful symbol of Vietnams efforts to promote education in highland and minority regions. Students offer tributes at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, symbolizing the fruits of their educational journey. Among the most meaningful moments at each ceremony is when the honorees - students and young people from ethnic communities - visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to pay tribute. They bring with them the fruits of their journey through adversity: achievements earned through sheer determination and a deep thirst for knowledge. The event not only honors academic excellence and social contributions but also affirms the effectiveness of government policies aimed at building human capital in mountainous and minority regions. More importantly, it spreads the spirit of learning across Vietnams 53 ethnic groups. Policy as foundation In recent years, the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs - now the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs - has been instrumental in advising the Party and State on a range of policies for ethnic minority areas. Among these, education and training are seen as foundational. Developing human capital is the most sustainable path to lifting disadvantaged regions out of poverty. Supportive policies for ethnic minority students have grown increasingly comprehensive. These include financial aid, scholarship prioritization, the expansion of boarding schools for ethnic students, and efforts to preserve indigenous languages and scripts. The Commendation Ceremony offers ethnic minority youth a space to connect, share, and grow. Thanks to these efforts, access to education in remote areas has expanded significantly. According to the Ministry of Education and Training, 98% of ethnic minority five-year-olds now attend preschool, while primary school enrollment exceeds 97% - a remarkable achievement for remote areas. Within this broader picture, the Commendation Ceremony has emerged as a unique and meaningful initiative. It not only recognizes academic performance and personal development but also serves as clear evidence of the success of ethnic education efforts. Each honorees story reflects resilience, identity, and the desire to rise. Over its 11 editions, the Ministry has actively partnered with other ministries, localities, and social organizations to organize the event. As such, the ceremony has evolved into more than an annual celebration - its now a symbol of sustainable human development for Vietnams highlands. The direct involvement of senior leaders each year underscores a strong commitment: education and training for ethnic youth must remain central to Vietnams development strategy for minority regions. A platform for connection and inspiration Beyond the accolades, the Commendation Ceremony offers a rare space where ethnic minority students from across the country come together to connect, exchange experiences, and build networks. The success stories that emerge from these events highlight not only the dedication of the Ministry and related agencies, but also the potential of minority youth when given the right support. The ceremony is part of a broader, humane, and sustainable approach: supporting through policy, investing in resources, and nurturing through recognition. For these reasons, the event regularly welcomes top leaders of the Party and State, representatives of ministries and local governments, teachers, and millions of supporters from all over the country. Building a new generation of ethnic knowledge leaders Each student honored carries the dream of building a stronger future for their homeland. Torrential rains have triggered catastrophic flooding in the Central Highlands and South Central Coast, leaving 68 people dead or missing and tens of thousands of homes under water. River levels remain dangerously high, threatening downstream communities. According to the latest report at 6:00 a.m. on November 22, the floods continue to cause widespread destruction across provinces in the Central Highlands and South Central region. Many areas remain cut off, and tens of thousands of households are submerged. The Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention reported that between 7:00 p.m. on November 21 and 5:00 a.m. on November 22, light rains under 30mm fell across Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, and Lam Dong. Forecasts for November 22 show rainfall of 3060mm - possibly over 120mm - in the eastern parts of provinces from Quang Ngai to Dak Lak and northern Khanh Hoa. On November 23, the rains are expected to spread to Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, and eastern areas of Gia Lai, with totals between 3070mm and some areas exceeding 120mm. Rivers reach alarming levels Floodwaters on the Srepok and Krong Ana rivers in Dak Lak exceeded Level 3 alerts. Photo: V.N As of 5:00 a.m. on November 22, rivers remain dangerously high. In Dak Lak, the Krong Ana River in Giang Son reached 426.06m - more than 2m above Level 3 alert. The Srepok River in Ban Don measured 177.46m, surpassing Level 3 by 3.46m and still rising. In Khanh Hoa, the Dinh Ninh Hoa River stood at 5.97m, about 0.27m above Level 3. The Ba River in Cung Son (Dak Lak) measured 31.7m, slightly below Level 2. In the next 24 hours, water levels are expected to remain high, and may exceed alert thresholds, posing serious flood and landslide risks. 68 dead or missing, over 28,000 homes flooded Human casualties are rising rapidly, with 55 confirmed dead and 13 missing. Dak Lak is the hardest hit, with 27 fatalities and 8 missing persons. In terms of property loss, 946 homes - mostly in Lam Dong - have been damaged. Another 28,460 homes are currently flooded across Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and Khanh Hoa. Nearly 79,908 hectares of rice and crops and 100,014 hectares of perennial trees have been destroyed. More than 3.2 million livestock and poultry have been killed or swept away. Over 1,157 hectares of aquaculture have been affected. Road infrastructure has been paralyzed, with 16 national highways and 180 provincial or inter-commune routes blocked. Railway services through Central Vietnam have been suspended due to flooding and landslides. More than 1.17 million electricity customers have been affected. As of the morning of November 22, around 377,002 customers remain without power. Initial economic damage is estimated at over 8.98 trillion VND (approx. 367 million USD). Government responds with emergency measures Flooded roadways washed out in Dak Lak Province. Photo: Hai Duong For five days, Bui Tan Truongs home in Vo Kien Hamlet, Dien Khanh Commune, Khanh Hoa Province became a shelter for more than 50 people displaced by rising floodwaters. They huddled together, shared what little food they had, and made sure no one was left behind. From his balcony, Truong recalled, "For two straight days, all I could see was an endless sea of floodwater." Starting on the afternoon of November 18, the Cai River in Nha Trang surged, inundating residential areas with water levels reaching up to three meters. People in Vo Kien, Khanh Hoa endured five nights without power or clean water. The elderly, unable to move on their own, were cared for by younger residents. Volunteer groups brought supplies to help the community survive isolation. More than 70 years old, Ba Hai said it was the fastest, highest flood she had ever seen. In just an hour or two during the night, the water nearly touched the ceiling, she said. People frantically called out to one another, climbing to higher ground. In lower homes, some had to tear open roofs to escape. Hai and her daughter clung to a metal wall all night, hoping their roof wouldnt collapse. Rescue teams finally reached them the next morning. Without power, water, or phone signals, residents relied on candles or oil lamps to light the night and comfort one another. Though evacuated, their thoughts remained with the homes they left behind - damaged appliances, lost possessions, and nothing but the clothes they wore. They collected rainwater just to get by. At least were alive, one person whispered. News spread slowly from neighboring villages, fueling anxiety. With no way to call for help, they waited in the dark. When they reached shelter, they rationed food, helping one another through the high waters. Pham Thi Anh Nga said the water rose so fast she had to climb to safety and went two days without eating. When others brought her to safety, she looked at their faces and said, We just nodded at each other. No words. I was still panicking - two of my relatives hadnt been rescued yet. Heavy rain pounded the shelter. Over a dozen people huddled together, some crying, each raindrop fueling their fear. By November 20, everyone trapped had been rescued. When they heard the news, tears of relief flowed. Even now, many shudder recalling those moments. We were scared someone would freeze up, lose grip, and be swept away, said one villager. On November 21, Dinh Thi Kim Khanh, head of the Womens Union in Vo Kien, cooked pho for those at the shelter. Owning a small eatery, she gathered every last ingredient she had to serve those in need. Everyones hungry - we share what we have, she said. As the water rose, locals were guided to higher ground. Village leaders stayed awake through the night, coordinating rescue efforts to get each household out. In many parts of Vo Kien, water levels remain too high for residents to return home. By November 22, water levels in Dien Khanh had begun to drop, but many areas remained cut off. In Vo Kien alone, some areas were still submerged by nearly a meter. Broken bridges and washed-out roads hampered aid delivery. Bui Minh Nhan, Party Secretary of Vo Kien, borrowed a boat to ferry residents to safety and deliver food and water to stranded homes. By the 21st, when the water eased a bit, people finally got clean water and instant noodles, he said. With 398 households in the hamlet, the blackout came just hours after the floods began. Nhan and a few others swam from house to house, using memory to navigate. There was no time to think - just instincts and the sound of people shouting for help, he recalled. By the next morning, they used boats to continue evacuating people. Without phone service, they stopped at every home, prioritizing children and the elderly. Each boat could carry just two or three people, but the teams worked tirelessly, ensuring everyone was safe by November 20. When a drone flew overhead, Nhan held up a water bottle and shouted, People here badly need clean water! Two more people left at Nha Muoi - please help them! As the village chief drove a truck loaded with supplies, Nguyen Hoang Tuyen called out for help. The current was so strong, we nearly flipped several times, he said. Life jackets were scarce, and nerves were stretched thin. Luckily, everyone made it out safely. By 6 p.m., village chief Thai Minh Tien had gathered enough food for the next delivery. Final boat trips carried meals to three shelter sites, mostly in tall buildings. The teams raced to finish before dark, uncertain whether the waters would rise again. Final rescue trips brought essential supplies to shelters before nightfall. Lieutenant Nguyen Quoc Tuan from Khanh Hoas Fire and Rescue Police joined volunteers in delivering aid to nine households in the farthest corner of Vo Kien. It was their second trip of the day. Navigating deep waters, they used large trucks to reach people. Thank you, please be careful on the way back! a villager called out, her smile cutting through the dark. Take care, Auntie Hai! they shouted back. As the vehicle turned around, Tuan wished they had brought clothes for the people. One woman, hearing the trucks, ran out begging for candles - an essential item during these flood-ravaged nights. By candlelight, Vo Duc Thanhs two daughters cleaned up their home. We stayed at my uncles on higher ground. Only came back this morning to check, he said. His house was a mess, but Thanh remained hopeful. I dont even know where to start... but were alive. Thats what matters. Nguyen Hue The couple, long known for their lavish lifestyle and jaw-dropping car collection, now faces criminal prosecution alongside six other suspects. Phan Thi Mai and Hoang Kim Khanh were arrested for investigation into smuggling. Photo: CACC. The Mailisa tycoons arent just famous in the beauty industry. Over the past decade, they've built a garage worth over $21 million USD, featuring some of the rarest and most expensive supercars, hypercars, and ultra-luxury vehicles in Southeast Asia. 2017: Lamborghini Aventador S nearly $2M USD The journey began with a splash: Vietnams first Lamborghini Aventador S, purchased through an official dealership. Estimated landing cost: $2 million USD. 2018: Bentley Mulsanne EWB $1.75M USD A year later came a rare two-tone Bentley Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase in grey and champagne. It didnt make headlines - but its price tag did. 2019: Aston Martin Vantage V8 and Bentley Bentayga Centenary Edition $1.6M USD Their growing fame in the car world peaked with two new acquisitions in early 2019. A V8 Vantage arrived in January, followed by a $900,000 USD Bentley Bentayga Centenary Edition in May. 2020: McLaren Senna and Ferrari 488 Pista Spider $3.1M USD In mid-2020, Khanh gifted Mai a McLaren Senna - one of only 500 units globally. With a $1.6M USD price tag and a MAILISA license plate from Cambodia, it stunned Southeast Asias car community. By year-end, he surprised her again with a Ferrari 488 Pista Spider, bought through a private dealer later arrested for fraud. 2021: Cadillac Escalade ESV Sport $540,000 USD While less flamboyant, the limited-edition Escalade still added diversity and luxury to their growing fleet. 2022: Koenigsegg Regera $7.5M USD This was the jewel of the empire. In February 2022, Phan Thi Mai bought her husband a Koenigsegg Regera, a megacar producing over 1 megawatt of power. Only a handful exist globally. Hoang Kim Khanh and his wife Phan Thi Mai drive a Lamborghini during a parade in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly part of Binh Duong). The car, reportedly valued at $7.5M USD, secured Hoang Kim Khanhs place among Southeast Asias elite collectors. 2023: Morgan Plus Six, Ferrari SF90 Stradale, and Porsche 911 Turbo S $2.8M USD The spree continued with a quirky British roadster, a Ferrari SF90 hardtop (Vietnams first with civilian plates), and a brand-new Porsche 911 Turbo S - all delivered in rapid succession. 2024: Lexus LX 600 VIP $420,000 USD The final known addition: a Lexus LX 600 VIP edition, registered with an auctioned plate number 51K-858.85. 2025: Ferrari 849 Testarossa $1.7M USD Just months before his arrest, Khanh ordered a Ferrari 849 Testarossa - a brand-new model launched globally in September. Its estimated value exceeds $1.7M USD. Khanh and Mai drive a McLaren Senna on a visit to their hometown in Hai Phong City (formerly part of Hai Duong). Photos: CACC, Vietnamnet archives The collection drew admiration not only in Vietnam but across Southeast Asia. Khanhs Instagram alias Mailisa Khanh was a hub for car fans drooling over his exotic garage. But behind the glitz, investigators now allege a massive smuggling scheme - one that may have funded, in part, this turbocharged empire. The fall from grace of Mailisas owners has left the beauty industry and car world stunned. Nguyen Tien Dung Over recent days, both vendors and homemakers in Hanoi have been abuzz over the soaring prices of green vegetables, scallions, and tomatoes - some claiming they now rival the cost of meat and fish. A visit to Cong Vi Market shows many leafy greens still holding at high prices: cabbage at 1.201.60 USD/kg, malabar spinach at around 0.801.00 USD per bunch, and scallions at approximately 2.002.20 USD/kg. Cong Vi Market. Vendors in Hanoi say prices are high but not as extreme as online claims suggest. However, Dinh Thi Thanh Nga, a vendor at Cong Vi Market, shared that while prices have increased, theyre still lower than after storms and floods in the past. A bunch of water spinach has gone up by 0.200.40 USD, now selling at 0.801.00 USD. Malabar spinach increased from 0.60 USD to 0.70 USD, and katuk is between 0.901.00 USD per bunch. Dinh Thi Thanh Nga (left), a vendor at Cong Vi Market, says prices are high, but not record-breaking. What troubles Nga is the claim that scallions now cost 2.60 USD/kg. Online, people say its 2.60 USD and blame rising pho prices on that. But scallions are actually around 2.00 USD/kg - not extreme. Some just use the price hike as an excuse to raise prices on other goods, she said. At Nam Trung Yen Market, many customers agree that vegetables have become noticeably more expensive. Vendor Tran Anh noted that no Vietnamese family meal is complete without vegetables. Cabbage, once 0.801.00 USD/kg, now reaches 1.40 USD/kg. Kohlrabi, cauliflower, and chrysanthemum greens have all gone up by about 0.40 USD per bunch. Malabar spinach is selling for 1.00 USD per bunch. At Nam Trung Yen Market, customers confirm that vegetables are clearly more expensive. Tran Anh added that a meal for a family of four used to cost around 4.006.00 USD, but now just meat and vegetables alone come close to 8.00 USD. With vegetable prices rising like this, working-class families in Hanoi really have to tighten their daily spending, she shared. A simple family meal now costs significantly more due to higher meat and vegetable prices. Vendor Do Thi Hoan at Nam Trung Yen explained shes had to raise prices because wholesale rates have risen too. Like many others, shes trying to strike a balance between affordability and sustainability. At My Dinh Market in Tu Liem Ward, prices have also surged. Vendor Vu Bich Thuy reported that pennywort is now 2.80 USD/kg; mustard greens are 1.001.20 USD/kg; tomatoes, scallions, and houttuynia have each gone up by 0.200.40 USD/kg. We want to keep prices stable to maintain sales, but supply shortages and high input costs force us to adjust, she said. At My Dinh Market, rising input prices are forcing vendors to raise prices as well. Despite the increase, many low-cost eateries in Hanoi have decided not to raise dish prices. Nguyen Thi Lieu, who runs a casual rice shop on Duong Khue Street, said that business has become tougher lately due to the spike in vegetable prices. Where she used to buy mustard greens at 0.300.50 USD/kg wholesale, she now pays around 0.80 USD/kg. If buying retail, she sometimes pays up to 1.20 USD/kg. Despite cost hikes, food vendor Nguyen Thi Lieu still offers meals at unchanged prices. Nevertheless, Lieu has kept her rice dishes priced at 1.201.60 USD per serving. I dont dare raise prices. Im afraid of losing customers. For now, Ill accept a smaller profit to stay afloat, she said. Phuc Tai JOHANNESBURG Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Canadian PM Mark Carney and President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday afternoon (local time) to discuss directions for strengthening connectivity and promoting trade and investment cooperation between member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Union (EU). The three leaders welcomed the establishment of the CPTPP - EU Trade and Investment Dialogue in the context of profound changes in the world economy and many challenges, emphasising that this was an important step to strengthen the connection between the two most dynamic economic regions in the world and to consolidate the open, fair and rules-based global trade order. They assessed that the CPTPP - EU cooperation has great potential, not only promoting trade and investment between the two sides but also contributing to creating more momentum for the worlds economic growth. Canadian PM Carney affirmed that he will prioritise investing resources to promote cooperation between the CPTPP and the EU, and proposed assigning ministries and sectors of the countries to discuss and specify the content of cooperation. Meanwhile, EC President von der Leyen expressed her desire to promote digital trade cooperation, moving towards signing an agreement between the two sides on this issue. Speaking at the meeting, PM Chinh emphasised the enhancement of CPTPP - EU cooperation and expressed his delight that the first CPTPP - EU Trade and Investment Dialogue took place successfully last week and the two sides agreed to adopt a joint statement. He said that cooperation between CPTPP and the EU is important, and it is necessary to accelerate the process of building a cooperation framework. Sharing about the plan to assume the rotating chairmanship of CPTPP in 2026, PM Chinh said that Viet Nam is preparing carefully and hopes to receive active support and assistance from CPTPP members. Viet Nam will inherit and promote the achievements of CPTPP, while working with partners to develop CPTPP more dynamically, substantially and effectively, promoting trade between members, he said. The PM also said that in 2026, Viet Nam clearly identifies the CPTPP - EU Trade and Investment Dialogue as one of the top priorities. The Canadian and EC leaders expressed their appreciation for PM Chinhs sharing, welcomed Viet Nam's role as CPTPP Chair in 2026, and affirmed that they will closely coordinate to help Viet Nam successfully assume this important role in promoting trade and investment cooperation between CPTPP members, as well as between CPTPP and its partners. VNA/VNS HA NOI The "Vietnam Dialogue 2025" forum, held at the weekend in Frankfurt, brought together a large number of German and Vietnamese experts, scholars and representatives from leading European corporations in the fields of technology, finance and energy. Organised by Vietnam Advisors in collaboration with the German Asia-Pacific Business Association (OAV), this year's event focused on four major themes shaping the future of Viet NamEU economic cooperation, namely Viet NamGermanyEU relations; Viet Nam's emergence as a global technology hub; green transition and investment opportunities for European businesses; and Viet Nam's prospects as a regional financial centre. Discussions in the sessions centred on the Southeast Asian nation's macroeconomic shifts and its potential to attract investment in high technology, renewable energy and sustainable finance. In his opening remarks, Vietnamese ambassador to Germany Nguyen ac Thanh affirmed that the strong turnout clearly reflected not only the robust development of the Viet Nam-Germany Strategic Partnership but also the deep interest of European enterprises in Viet Nam's growth potential, at a time when the global political and economic situation is undergoing rapid and unprecedented changes. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy, highlighted the stability of Viet Nam's political system, the Government's strong reform commitments, and the dynamism of a 100-million-strong economy with a young, hardworking and eager-to-learn workforce. They are factors that underpin the country's appeal as an investment destination, she noted. Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Germany, Jan Rene Fricke of Vietnam Advisors, who initiated the forum, said this year's edition welcomed 150 participants from the business, academia and political circles, all seeking to explore opportunities in Viet Nam and identify new avenues for Viet NamGermany and EuropeViet Nam cooperation. Fricke noted that the nation is rapidly developing into a technology hub and becoming an increasingly important partner for the German industry. Almut Roner, executive director of OAV, said the bilateral Strategic Partnership, especially in economy, is witnessing unprecedented momentum. She emphasised that key areas for deepening the bilateral relationship include sustainable development and digital transformation. According to her, Germany strongly supports Viet Nam's ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Germany's technologies and expertise in renewable energy, from grid stabilisation to energy storage, could make a significant contribution to this goal. VNA/VNS The 5th Ukrainian Construction Congress and the first All-Ukrainian Yellow 2025 Product Design Award took place on November 21 at the Parkovy Exhibition Center in Kyiv, bringing together representatives of the development market, investment funds, local authorities, and industry experts, according to the event organizers. According to the organizers, the Congress was attended by 3,474 participants. The event discussed issues of infrastructure restoration, the shortage of construction personnel, the rising cost of materials, and the need to update construction and project management standards. Participants presented case studies on the modernization of the industry and market development scenarios for the next two years. Among the key events of the forum were the opening of the All-Ukrainian Yellow 2025 Product Design Award and a performance by musician Yevgen Kharchyshyn (Druga Rika), which concluded the business program. During the panel discussion The Evolution of the Developer: Me, You, Society, the transformation of the role of the developer from a builder to a manager and community partner was discussed. Representatives of the analytical portal LUN.ua presented an updated overview of the real estate market, which participants described as an essential planning tool in conditions of uncertainty. A new educational platform, DevelopStudy, created by MIB and Real Estate Business School, was also presented, aimed at training specialists in the development sector. Among the main conclusions of the Congress, the organizers noted the following: the market is in a state of turbulence due to the rising cost of construction work, labor shortages, and investment restrictions, but there are no signs of stagnation; Ukraine's recovery requires large-scale projects to modernize infrastructure, transition to modern technological solutions, and energy-efficient standards; the role of developers is expanding and includes resource management, improving service quality, and strengthening buyer confidence; The real estate market in 2026 will be focused on quality, transparency of processes, and sustainable brands. Communities are becoming key players in the recovery, as the quality of project preparation determines the prospects for attracting investment. Modernization of vocational education and raising industry standards are seen as a necessary foundation for further market development. As part of the Yellow 2025 award, the jury selected the winners from among 126 submitted works. The award is focused on the development of product design and the formation of quality standards. The event was organized by the DMNTR media group. The general partner was Kreator-Bud, the premium partner was Spatium Group, and the general sponsor was HutJet. Interfax-Ukraine was the general information partner of the Congress. BANGKOK Vietjet has received its first Boeing 737-8 under a US$32 billion order for 200 aircraft, marking a key step in the carriers fleet standardisation strategy to boost operational efficiency and support its sustainable growth as an international aviation group. The new aircraft landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Sunday, becoming the first of 50 Boeing jets set for delivery to Vietjet Thailand through 2028. The airline said the addition will boost its operational capacity, meet rising travel demand and support network expansion across key Asia-Pacific destinations. Vietjet Thailands first Boeing 737-8 will be deployed on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route, before launching on the international Bangkok-Cam Ranh service in December 2025. In Viet Nam, Vietjet continues to operate an Airbus fleet. Backed by extensive experience with new-generation aircraft and a strong global partner network, the airline is expanding its international footprint through major aviation hubs across the Asia-Pacific, while preparing for future services to Europe and the Americas. The Boeing 737-8 features advanced aerodynamics and new-generation LEAP-1B engines, is fully compatible with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and delivers 15-20 per cent lower carbon emissions along with up to 50 per cent reduced noise levels in line with ICAO standards. Vietjets 200-aircraft Boeing order is also among the key agreements supporting balanced Viet Nam-US trade. The airline said the modern fleet will underpin its strategy to boost regional aviation and economic growth, create long-term value for investors, and provide safe, high-quality travel experiences for millions of passengers worldwide. New route to Philippines Late las week, Vietjet also launched a direct route between HCM City and Manila, offering travellers more flexibility to explore one of the regions emerging destinations during the year-end festive season. Operating five return flights weekly, the new service is expected to enhance travel experiences and boost trade between Viet Nam, the Philippines and the wider region. This is Vietjets first route to the Philippines, further expanding our Asia-Pacific network and strengthening connectivity between countries and communities, the airline said. Manila, the bustling capital of the Philippines, attracts visitors with its Intramuros old town, UNESCO-recognised Baroque church and bustling shopping centres such as Mall of Asia, harmoniously combining history, culture and modern life. Meanwhile, HCM City is the most dynamic economic and cultural centre in Viet Nam, famous for Nguyen Hue walking street, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh market and unique cuisine, bringing a vibrant urban experience, both exploring culture and enjoying modern life. VNS HA NOI Shrimp exports to China and Hong Kong reached US$1.1 billion in the first 10 months of this year, marking a significant rise of 64 per cent, the highest growth among all markets. The market recorded an export value of $140 million in October alone, the highest ever recorded, according to the latest report by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). In total, shrimp exports reached $498 million last month, up 26 per cent compared to the same period last year. This was one of the highest monthly export figures so far this year, reflecting strong demand from major markets and efforts by businesses to boost deliveries toward the end of the year. The total export value reached $3.9 billion for the first 10 months, a 22 per cent growth compared to the same period last year. The growth momentum in October was largely driven by white-leg shrimp, along with a significant surge in exports to China, where demand for live, fresh, and frozen shrimp remained high. The market under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) achieved over $1 billion, a 33 per cent growth, with stable demand from Japan, Canada, and Australia. The US market reached $702 million, a 9 per cent increase, showing strong purchasing power despite fierce competition from Ecuador and India. White-leg shrimp accounted for nearly 65 per cent of total export value, hitting $2.5 billion. This category experienced the fastest growth, driven by competitive pricing and demand from various markets. Black tiger shrimp exports reached $385 million, maintaining steady demand in traditional markets like Japan and for large-size black tiger shrimp segment in China. Meanwhile, exports of other frozen processed shrimp products totaled $991 million. VNS HA NOI The US has announced the preliminary conclusion of its anti-dumping duty review on Vietnamese honey, with a significant reduction in the duty rate compared to the previous period. The Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam (Trav) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade reported that the US Department of Commerce (DOC) on Tuesday issued a preliminary determination regarding the second administrative review of anti-dumping duties on raw honey imported from Viet Nam. The review period spans from June 1, 2023, to May 31 last year. According to the DOC, the dumping margins for the two mandatory respondent companies from Viet Nam during the review period were 6.72 per cent and 21.55 per cent, respectively. Additionally, 12 other companies eligible for separate rates under this administrative review will face a duty rate of 14.14 per cent, which is the simple average of the dumping margins for the two respondent companies. This rate has been significantly reduced compared to the final duty rates from the first administrative review (for the period from August 25, 2021, to May 31, 2023), which were between 100.72 per cent and 156.96 per cent. Other companies that did not qualify for separate rates or did not participate in the review, or are new exporters will continue to be subject to the national duty rate of 60.03 per cent as per the original anti-dumping order. The Trav explained that since Viet Nam was still considered a non-market economy (NME) by the US in this case, the DOC applied the normal value calculation method through a third-country surrogate value in accordance with Section 773(c) of the 1930 Tariff Act. Related parties have the right to submit a case brief within 21 days from the date of this preliminary notice, followed by a rebuttal brief within five days. Parties wishing to request a hearing must submit a written request to the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance, through the US Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ACCESS), no later than 5:00pm (Eastern Time) within 30 days from the date of this announcement. Issues raised during the hearing will be limited to those presented in the corresponding case briefs. The DOC is expected to issue its final determination within 120 days from the date of this preliminary determination. Under Section 751(a)(2)(C) of the 1930 Tariff Act, the final results of this review will serve as the basis for the anti-dumping duties to be applied to shipments during the review period and to determine the anticipated cash deposit rate for future imports. VNS HA NOI Locals and tourists alike have been served a feast of dishes from around the world at the 13th International Culinary Culture Festival 2025, which took place over the weekend in Ha Noi. Themed 'Trip of Flavours A Journey of Flavours Around the World', the festival promotes cuisine as a means of emotion and connection, where every dish is not only about taste, but also a story of each nation's culture, history and identity. More than 120 booths including 50 from embassies were set up, offering a vibrant panorama of global culinary excellence. The two-day event brought the best and most popular dishes from many different countries, along with wonderful music and dance performances, to the stage. As the hosts, Viet Nam had a wide variety of its own stalls with famous national dishes including com (young rice flakes), pho bo (beef noodle soup), banh cuon (steamed rolls), bun cha (noodles with grilled pork), banh xeo (crispy Vietnamese pancakes) and banh my (Vietnamese sandwiches). Several localities, such as Bac Ninh, Ninh Binh, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai and Ha Giang, also introduced their regional specialties. These included beef and buffalo jerky, colourful sticky rice, roasted pig and herbal teas, among many others. As usual, Russia's booth received a lot of attention from visitors, who enjoyed salad and vodka while admiring the beautiful matryoshka dolls. South Korea's station was full of tteokbokki and kimbap orders and chefs from Turkiye kept busy preparing beef and chicken kebabs, while French croissants and Mexican tacos were also extremely popular choices. Attendees also loved the tikka masala and rogan josh from India, Thailand's spicy and sour papaya salad, grilled shashlik from Ukraine and Mongolian goat meat. In addition to the food, plenty of other activities took place, including a Fashion Food Show, Global Beer Fest, Borderless Cuisine Diary and Global Cuisine Avenue, helping the event become a vibrant exchange of cuisine, art and technology. This year's festival was even more meaningful. Organisers have said that they will donate all of the revenue to localities suffering from the recent deadly floods, such as Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Cao Bang, Ha Tinh and Hue. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Le Nguyet Anh, wife of Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, highlighted the core human values that the festival aims for. Culture and cuisine should become a thread connecting the heart, so that each instance of sharing can overcome geographical distances and borders, she said. She also sent heartfelt condolences to the localities and families suffering heavy losses due to natural disasters, storms and floods. Ha Thi Nga, member of the Party Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, called on everyone to work together and support people in the central region suffering from the floods and landslides. "In recent days, historic floods and rains have caused great damage to people and property, leaving behind much loss and pain. More than ever, the spirit of mutual love, the most beautiful value of the Vietnamese people, needs to be strongly awoken and spread," Nga said. "I call on people to work together and support people in flooded areas. Whether financial or in-kind contributions, large or small, each donation is an invaluable source of encouragement to help people overcome difficulties and stabilise their lives. "We commit that all resources received will be delivered to the right place, to the right person, in the most timely and transparent manner." Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam He Wei also sent his condolences to the Government and people of Viet Nam after the serious damage. He announced that the Chinese government will provide support to localities and people affected by natural disasters and floods. Ngo Phuong Nghi, director of the Diplomatic Corps Service Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: "This year's festival has many new features. The cultural element is raised to a new level; the number of participating booths is also a record. Many countries with great cultures and cuisines are directly participating in the festival for the first time, including Japan, South Korea and France. "This year's festival takes place as people in the north, south, central and Central Highlands regions have suffered great losses from natural disasters, so this year the festival is focused on working together to support people in overcoming storms and floods." He added that through the festival, organisers hope to link cultures between countries, and strengthen firm connections between people. "You can see that even young children, people with disabilities and vulnerable groups are very comfortable and happy to come to the festival. They freely express their emotions, enjoy the atmosphere and try to participate in the activities while experiencing new things and learning about the cultures and cuisines of the countries here. "Through this event we also want the world to see Viet Nam as a safe and peaceful country with friendly people, and that we always welcome international visitors." VNS JOHANNESBURG Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with leaders of countries and international organisations on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. Meeting Canadian PM Mark Carney again, PM Chinh highly appreciated the positive development in the relationship between the two countries in recent times in all fields, thus creating favourable conditions to promote more substantive and effective cooperation in the coming time. PM Chinh expressed his desire to make economic, trade, investment, and scientific and technological cooperation an important pillar in the bilateral relationship, in order to effectively exploit the complementarity between the two economies and the advantage of being members of the CPTPP Agreement. He proposed Canada open its market to Vietnamese goods, promote investment and connect the supply chain in a sustainable and mutually beneficial manner. PM Carney affirmed that Canada always considers Viet Nam an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region. He agreed with PM Chinhs cooperation proposals and proposed close coordination to promote the agreed cooperation contents, developing the Viet Nam Canada Comprehensive Partnership more and more substantially, towards new heights. On this occasion, PM Chinh respectfully invited PM Carney to visit Viet Nam soon, and the Canadian leader happily accepted the invitation. Meeting with Angolan President Joao Lourenco, Chair of the African Union (AU) 2025, PM Chinh respectfully conveyed the greetings of Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong and other Vietnamese leaders to the President. He affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to traditional and friendly relations and wants to strengthen cooperation with African countries, including Angola, especially in the fields of agriculture and trade, in which the two sides need to promote the export of key products to each other in the context of fierce trade competition today. As an AU Observer (from December 2023), Viet Nam is ready to continue to make more practical contributions to the AU Agenda 2063, and hopes that Angola will support the promotion of FTA negotiations between Viet Nam and the African Continental Free Trade Area, PM Chinh said. Regarding bilateral relations, the two leaders expressed their delight at the successful visit to Angola by State President Luong Cuong in August this year, and the two countries have determined the orientation of building a "cooperative partnership for mutual development" between Viet Nam and Angola to become a model for South-South cooperation. President Lourenco thanked the sincere sentiments of the Government and people of Viet Nam, affirming his consistent support for Viet Nam in strengthening relations with the AU and African countries, including Angola. The Angolan President welcomed and pledged to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses interested in investing in Angola, especially in the fields of agriculture, telecommunications, and energy. He hoped that Viet Nam would soon send an inter-sectoral delegation and businesses to visit Angola to promote specific cooperation projects based on the orientations and commitments of the two countries' senior leaders. On this occasion, PM Chinh conveyed the invitation of Party General Secretary To Lam and State President Luong Cuong to the Angolan President to soon visit Viet Nam. The Angolan President accepted the invitation with pleasure. Receiving Saudi Arabian Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud, PM Chinh recalled his deep impressions of his visit to Saudi Arabia last year, affirming that Viet Nam always attaches importance to developing the friendship and cooperation with Saudi Arabia more comprehensively and substantially. He conveyed the regards and invitations of Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong and senior leaders of Viet Nam to the King and senior leaders of Saudi Arabia to soon visit Viet Nam to develop bilateral relations to a new height. The PM suggested both sides expand the market, facilitate bilateral trade, and promote the early launch of negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries as well as the Viet Nam Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) FTA. PM Chinh also asked Saudi Arabia to increase investment in Viet Nam's potential projects in the fields of strategic infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy, digital transformation, science and technology; support Viet Nam in building an international financial centre in HCM City and a Nang; and expand cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, defence, food security, and Halal industry. Highly agreeing with PM Chinhs proposals, the Saudi Arabian FM congratulated Viet Nam on its economic growth this year and said he was impressed with Viet Nam's reform efforts. He affirmed that Saudi Arabia always attaches importance to developing comprehensive cooperation with Viet Nam, the leading dynamic economy in Southeast Asia, saying that the room for cooperation between the two sides is still very large, especially in the current complex world context. The Saudi Arabian FM said he supports the early negotiation and signing of an FTA between Viet Nam and the GCC; and suggested Viet Nam soon send a business delegation to Saudi Arabia to discuss and promote investment cooperation projects. On this occasion, the two sides also agreed to strengthen coordination and mutual support at multilateral and international forums, in which the Saudi Arabian FM highly appreciated Viet Nam's objective and constructive stance on the Palestine issue. Meeting Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed, the two leaders jointly assessed the results of the implementation of agreements and cooperation contents reached during PM Ahmed's visit to Viet Nam in April this year, affirming their determination to develop bilateral relations in an increasingly substantive and comprehensive manner. PM Chinh welcomed the recent opening of a direct flight to Viet Nam by Ethiopian Airlines after the visit. He suggested the two sides continue to promote the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially at the high level; expand markets, and facilitate bilateral trade, including immediately starting negotiations on basic agreements such as an Agreement on Double Taxation Avoidance and an Agreement on Investment Promotion and Protection. PM Ahmed expressed his great pleasure to meet PM Chinh again and thanked the respectful welcome and sincere sentiments that the PM and senior leaders of Viet Nam had given him personally during his visit to Viet Nam on the occasion of attending the Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals (P4G) Summit in April this year. He affirmed his appreciation for Viet Nam's economic growth rate, role and position in international issues and at multilateral forums. The Ethiopian PM agreed with the proposals raised by PM Chinh, affirming that the Ethiopian Government will closely coordinate with Vietnamese partners to effectively implement the agreements reached between the two countries. Receiving Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, PM Chinh affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to developing traditional relations with African countries, including Zimbabwe. The Vietnamese leader suggested the two sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially at the high level; expand import-export markets, and promote cooperation in potential areas such as agriculture, telecommunications, 5G, mineral exploitation, construction materials, textiles and footwear. PM Chinh also proposed the two sides soon study and sign a bilateral trade agreement and an investment protection agreement, and hoped that Zimbabwe would support Viet Nam in negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Vice President Chiwenga expressed his admiration for Viet Nam's history of fighting for national liberation and reunification, and its achievements in innovation, reform and development today, saying that this is a model that Zimbabwe wants to learn from. He said that the Zimbabwean President has appointed a Special Envoy to promote investment cooperation from Viet Nam, hoping that Vietnamese enterprises will invest in the fields of agriculture, mining and infrastructure. The Vice President emphasised that there is still a lot of room for cooperation between the two countries and hopes to soon send working delegations to Viet Nam to learn about socio-economic development experiences and promote cooperation, especially in the fields of manufacturing industry, telecommunications, agriculture, minerals, and building a financial centre. Receiving Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PM Chinh expressed his deep gratitude for WHO's care and support for Viet Nam in recent times. He emphasised that during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the timely support of WHO and the Director-General himself, Viet Nam had responded effectively and controlled the epidemic well. The PM said that Viet Nam is implementing many policies to ensure health care and improve people's health, always considering people's health as the top priority. Sharing the fact that Viet Nam has recently suffered many historic storms and floods, causing huge losses in human lives and property, leading to the risk of post-flood epidemics, he hoped to continue receiving support from WHO in responding to and preventing epidemics arising from natural disasters. Sharing with Viet Nam, the WHO Director-General expressed his deep condolences for the losses caused by storms and floods. He thanked the Vietnamese Government for its strong commitments to the health sector and people's health care; and expressed his admiration for Viet Nam's strong leadership and timely policies in COVID-19 prevention. Regarding the risk of epidemics after storms and floods, the WHO Director-General said the organisation currently has an Emergency Response Fund and is ready to mobilise resources from this fund to support Viet Nam. VNA/VNS JOHANNESBURG Within the framework of his working trip to attend the G20 Summit and conduct bilateral activities in South Africa, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held meetings with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday afternoon (local time). Meeting the UN Secretary-General, PM Chinh expressed his support for the UN chief's views and approach at this years G20 discussions, particularly regarding reform of the international financial system, green transition, and narrowing development gaps. He also appreciated the Secretary-Generals efforts in ensuring that the G20 remains aligned with UN goals and supports developing countries in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Secretary-General Guterres once again thanked and congratulated Viet Nam on successfully hosting the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), affirming the fact the country was invited to attend the G20 Summit for two consecutive years strongly reaffirms partners high recognition and appreciation of its growing reputation, position, and role in global affairs. He showed his deep sympathy to the Government and people of Viet Nam for the damage caused by storms and floods, adding that relevant UN agencies will support the country in overcoming the consequences of the floods. The Secretary-General also affirmed that the UN will continue to stand with Viet Nam in its new stage of development, particularly in supporting climate change response and the implementation of the SGDs. At the meeting with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, PM Chinh expressed his sincere thanks to the Australian Government for providing more than AUD3 million (over US$1.93 million) in humanitarian assistance to help Viet Nam overcome the consequences of recent storms and floods. He affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Australia, and proposed the two sides continue to effectively implement the Action Programme for this partnership framework, and regularly organise dialogue and consultation mechanisms, thereby helping to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen political trust. The Vietnamese leader also suggested Australia actively discuss measures to further increase two-way trade and soon achieve the goal of $20 billion, particularly by opening markets and facilitating the export of goods from both sides into each others market. He reaffirmed Viet Nams desire to promote cooperation pillars in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, AI training, green technology, as well as cultural activities and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. For his part, PM Albanese affirmed his special affection for Viet Nam and expressed his sympathy for the great losses the country has suffered due to recent natural disasters and floods in the central localities. He expressed his confidence that Viet Nam is a resilient nation and that the Vietnamese people will surely overcome and recover from the consequences of these natural disasters soon. The PM noted that Australia has also experienced major natural disasters such as cyclones. For this reason, he stressed that the two countries need to further strengthen cooperation in responding to climate change, while hoping that Viet Nam will continue to join hands and contribute to international efforts to respond to climate change. Sharing PM Chinhs vision for the development of sciencetechnology, innovation, and digital transformation, PM Albanese expressed his desire for the two sides to make breakthroughs in cooperation in these fields, especially in training human resources and developing biomedical technology. He affirmed that Australia always prioritises its relationship with Viet Nam and regards the country as a leading partner in Southeast Asia. He emphasised that the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has opened a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries. PM Albanese also pledged that Australia will continue to prioritise official development assistance (ODA) for Viet Nam, particularly in areas where Viet Nam has demand, such as climate change adaptation, energy transition, digital transformation, and circular economy. Being impressed by Viet Nams rising position and growing role, the Australian leader affirmed his support for the countrys successful assumption of the rotating Chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2026, as well as his backing for Viet Nam in successfully hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year 2027. VNA/VNS JOHANNESBURG Within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs trip to attend the G20 Summit and conduct bilateral activities in South Africa from November 2123, his spouse, Le Thi Bich Tran, participated in various meaningful social and cultural activities. Tran met with Humile Mashatile, spouse of South African Vice President Paul Mashatile; Bawinile Lamola, spouse of Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola; and Head of the International Diplomatic Spouses Association in South Africa Karem Ruiz de Rivieres. Together with Bawinile Lamola and Karem Ruiz de Rivieres, Tran then visited and presented gifts to residents in the Tsakane community and toured the Lesedi Cultural Village, which is located within the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Expressing her delight at meeting the spouses, Tran said she was deeply impressed by the gentle beauty of Johannesburg in particular and South Africa in general. She also conveyed her sincere thanks for the warm and thoughtful hospitality extended to the Vietnamese delegation by South Africa. At the Tsakane community, located in East Rand, 38 kilometres from Johannesburg and known for its gold and coal mining heritage since the late 19th century, Tran personally presented gifts brought from Viet Nam to local residents and students. From food and household items to school bags and stationery sets, all the gifts were warmly received by local people and children. She emphasised that both Viet Nam and South Africa place great importance on policies that care for peoples lives, ensure social welfare, and improve material and spiritual well-being. The consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party and State is to put the people at the centre and leave no one behind, Tran affirmed. Tran also expressed her confidence that the authorities and people of Tsakane will continue to further improve the lives of the local community, while conveying her hope that students facing difficult circumstances will always strive to overcome challenges and pursue their studies for a brighter future. VNA/VNS JOHANNESBURG Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held separate meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Mathias Cormann in Johannesburg on Sunday, on the occasion of their attendance at the G20 Summit in South Africa. Meeting with President Macron, PM Chinh affirmed that treasuring and advancing ties with France is an objective requirement and an important choice for Viet Nam. He proposed both sides continue maintaining the exchange of delegations at all levels, particularly high-level ones, and expressed his hope to welcome the French PM to visit Viet Nam soon. The two leaders also discussed increasingly extreme weather patterns and climate change, which have caused natural disasters across many parts of the world. President Macron expressed his deep sympathy with the Vietnamese people affected by recent storms and floods. Both leaders underscored the need for shared responsibility and enhanced cooperation to prevent, respond to, and overcome the grave consequences of climate change. President Macron recalled his positive impressions from his state visit to Viet Nam in May 2025, noting the effective implementation of agreements reached between high-ranking leaders of the two countries in economy, trade, science, technology, and defence. He agreed that Viet Nam and France should finalise and adopt the action plan to implement the joint statement on their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Highlighting the vast potential for economic cooperation, PM Chinh suggested France continue to work closely with Viet Nam to effectively carry out the EUViet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). He also urged the European country to soon ratify the EUViet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and prompt the European Commission to lift its yellow card warning on Vietnamese seafood related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. On regional and international matters of mutual interest, the two leaders shared concerns regarding global trade and non-traditional security challenges, particularly cyber security. PM Chinh welcomed Frances cyber security initiatives and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in this field. President Macron appreciated the Vietnamese leaders assessments and affirmed that the two countries should further unite, work closely together, and enhance strategic autonomy amid current global political and trade volatility, while working with partners to uphold multilateralism and international law. In his meeting with the OECD Secretary-General, PM Chinh expressed his appreciation for the OECD Secretariats support, including Cormanns personal backing, which helped Viet Nam fulfil its role as Co-Chair of the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme for 20222025 as well as sound implementation of the Vietnam-OECD memorandum of understanding for 20222026. Sharing an overview of Viet Nams economic development and strategic orientations towards 2045, PM Chinh asked OECD experts to continue supporting the nation in enhancing policy planning and implementation capacity as well as national competitiveness, towards meeting OECD global governance standards. He also called for expanded experience-sharing, consultation, and assistance for Vietnamese ministries and agencies deeper engagements in OECD specialised committees. The Government leader also expressed his hope that more Vietnamese professionals would be able to work at the OECD. Secretary-General Cormann praised the dynamic and effective cooperation between the OECD and Viet Nam, affirming that the country is a fast-growing, increasingly influential economy in Southeast Asia and a key driver of global growth. He underscored the OECDs wish to deepen cooperative ties with Viet Nam and expressed readiness to provide policy advice and support in areas the country requires. VNA/VNS JOHANNESBURG Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held bilateral meetings with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in Johannesburg on Sunday, as part of his activities on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa. Meeting with Chancellor Merz, PM Chinh affirmed that Viet Nam attaches great importance to its Strategic Partnership with Germany and highly evaluates Germanys leading role in the European Union. Viet Nam welcomes and supports Germanys active presence in the AsiaPacific region, contributing to regional peace, stability and sustainable development, he said. The two leaders stressed the importance of solidarity, friendship and cooperation amid the current global and regional context. They underscored the need to continue promoting free trade, the smooth flow of goods and services, and the removal of bottlenecks to facilitate business and production for the benefit of the people. PM Chinh thanked the German parliament for ratifying the EUViet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) on November 13, shortly after the two PMs phone call in September. He expressed his confidence that the enforcement of the EVIPA would create breakthroughs in bilateral trade and investment. He also thanked the German Government for its provision of ODA for Viet Nam in the fields of energy, environment and vocational training, and proposed Germany continue long-term cooperation programmes on dual vocational training, facilitate recognition of Vietnamese qualifications based on German standards, and further support the Vietnamese community in Germany in integrating into the hosts society and contributing to the bilateral ties. Praising Viet Nams rising role and position in the region and the world, as well as its achievements across sectors, Chancellor Merz stated that Viet Nam is an important partner in Germanys Indo-Pacific strategy. He expressed Germanys wish to expand cooperation in areas of mutual strength and need, including minerals, high-speed rail, vocational training, defence industry development, and cyber security. The German leader recommended strengthened joint work in vocational education. PM Chinh noted that bilateral cooperation in ensuring security and combating crimes, including offences affecting national security, is essential for maintaining social stability. At the meeting with Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouly, the two sides expressed their delight at the upgrade of the bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Partnership during the state visit to Egypt by State President Luong Cuong in August. They agreed to soon finalise the Action Programme for implementing the Viet NamEgypt Comprehensive Partnership framework. With the determination to raise bilateral trade turnover to US$1 billion, PM Chinh proposed the two sides promptly convene the Joint Working Group to study the feasibility of a Viet NamEgypt free trade agreement, establish the Viet NamEgypt Business Council, accelerate negotiations and soon sign an Agreement on Double Taxation Avoidance, strengthen investment cooperation, and facilitate Vietnamese enterprises in participating in Egypts new administrative and urban development projects and doing business in the country. He also suggested both sides boost agricultural cooperation, promote agricultural product exports; and soon complete market-opening procedures for Egyptian products such as potato, date, and pomegranate into Viet Nam, as well as for Viet Nams rice, lychee, and dragon fruit into Egypt. Agreeing with PM Chinhs proposals, the Egyptian PM proposed both sides coordinate and soon develop an Action Plan to advance trade cooperation with concrete progress commensurate with the potential and the bilateral relationship. He welcomed and encouraged Vietnamese firms to further explore the market and invest in Egypt, especially in the fields of telecommunications, infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. He expressed his hope that cooperation with a dynamic economy like Viet Nam will help Egypt connect with the highly potential ASEAN market. PM Madbouly also proposed the two sides coordinate to effectively implement the Letter of Intent on promoting defence cooperation signed during President Cuongs visit to Egypt, while inviting Viet Nam to send a delegation to attend the Egypt Defence Expo 2025 in Cairo in December. At the meeting with his Norwegian counterpart, PM Chinh appreciated the progress made in the bilateral relations in recent times and expressed the desire for both sides to work together to soon sign a Letter of Intent on establishing a Green Strategic Partnership, aiming to strengthen cooperation in green transition, circular economy, and climate change adaptation. He also urged the Norwegian Government to continue to encourage Norwegian enterprises and investment funds to invest and expand their investment in Viet Nam, particularly in marine economy, green transition, renewable energy, and circular economy. The two leaders agreed to enhance the exchange of high-level delegations, towards upgrading the bilateral relations to a higher level in the near future; and to promote the early conclusion of negotiations and signing of a Free Trade Agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Viet Nam. Agreeing with PM Chinhs proposals, the Norwegian PM suggested the two countries further expand and deepen cooperation in various fields, especially offshore wind power, renewable energy, circular economy, fisheries, and waste treatment. He also held that the two sides will continue to support each other at regional and international forums for the sake of peace, stability, and common interests of the regions and the world. These were the final activities of the Vietnamese Government leader during his trip to attend the G20 Summit and his bilateral engagements in South Africa, which also marked the conclusion of his working trip to Kuwait, Algeria, and South Africa. On the same day evening, PM Chinh and his spouse, together with the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, departed South Africa for Viet Nam. VNA/VNS PARIS As Hue City and other central localities of Viet Nam are suffering severe consequences from the most serious natural disasters in many years, the cooperative relationship between Hue and Frances Cergy city has become an important source of support. From local authorities and culturalsocial organisations to the Vietnamese community in France, all have taken coordinated action to promptly help the former imperial capital of Viet Nam overcome its difficulties. This year, the Festival of Solidarity (Festival de la Solidarite), which has been held regularly for the past 25 years to promote peace, friendship, and cultural diversity, took place as Hue Cergys sister city since 2018 is grappling with the heavy aftermaths of floods. Moussa Diarra, Cergy Deputy Mayor for International Cooperation, said that a support package of EUR 25,000 (US$28,810) for Hue will be submitted to the City Council next December, and the Mayor has also sent a letter expressing solidarity to the leaders of Hue city. He shared that a delegation of Cergy will also travel to Hue on December 5 to work directly, discuss and agree on the projects that need support. Not only the Cergy authorities, but the Vietnamese community there also quickly took action upon hearing that Hue and many central localities were affected by natural disasters. ang Thi Phuong Thao, chairwoman of the Vietnamese Association in Cergy, said that the community always stands with the homeland, sharing that they have met with the Cergy authorities to prepare support for purchasing seeds, livestock, aquaculture, and agricultural products the things that the people of Hue need at this moment. VNA/VNS The figure of the witch has always been tied to the gift of seeing the future: the three witches from Macbeth, the powerful volvas (Viking witches), Galadriel the elf in Lord of the Rings, all endowed with a special intuition which in a society that is turning to esotericism on social media to deal with great uncertainty, as evidenced by accounts like @charcastrology and @horoscoponegro it is possible to start thinking you may have these powers as well. Curiously, this ability to predict the future often manifests itself when one receives bad news and exclaims: I knew it. Although it can be stimulating to believe you have magic powers a la Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock in Practical Magic, chances are that you cant predict the future. A case of anticipatory anxiety is much more likely. Meaning in the words of Silvia Vidal, a psychologist who specializes in anxiety and trauma and who is the author of the Spanish-language book Abraza tus miedos (in English, Embrace your fears) excessive worry and malaise felt in the anticipation of a potential future event that can be perceived as threatening. The function of anticipatory anxiety is to prepare us for everything terrible that can occur. The more prepared we feel we are, the more control we think we have. The thing is, when our mind imagines everything horrible that could take place even if theres a low probability of it it goes from being an adaptive resource to something extremely limiting and painful. A crystal ball Polish sociologist and philosopher Zygmunt Bauman, author of the book Liquid Modernity, talks about how, given the socioeconomic, cultural and emotional instability of our time, uncertainty is the only certainty. But conflict arises because it is the nature of human beings to not be very good at dealing with the unknown. Every time something unexpected happens, our body can perceive uncertainty as danger, because we understand that if it happens once, it can happen again. Dealing with this insecurity requires a great deal of tolerance for discomfort, says Vidal. Perhaps that is why, in times of uncertainty, people tend to seek answers and self-knowledge by any means possible, including esotericism. Millennials and Generation Z have made ancient divination techniques like tarot and horoscopes, as well as terminology related to the universe of energies, the talk of the town. Today, it is common to hear someone say, Im going to manifest it in an attempt to attract a desired reality, or Im going to light a candle for you as an act of generosity that replaces the classic I wish you luck. If someone gets back together with their ex, it is automatically assumed that they may have decided to give it a second chance because Mercury is in retrograde. Years ago, people at most knew their zodiac sun sign, but today it is common to be familiar with ones entire chart at the very least, your ascendent and moon sign. Having your cards read was a practice once seen as extravagant and limited to very specific circles, whereas today, it is common to see groups of friends discussing the meaning of the major and minor arcana, the cards turned face up on a table full of empty beer glasses. Such a context is fertile ground for the idea that one has been endowed with a special gift that explains why you had a bad feeling that preceded an inclement event. If ones environment backs up certain magical beliefs, there is a greater possibility that you will hold onto those beliefs. We live in a culture that reinforces certainty over doubt, in which magical belief systems can act as escape hatches, momentarily relieving anxiety caused by not being in control, says Desiree Llamas, who holds a PhD in psychology. Theres another important issue to consider here, which is that when you suffer from anxiety, physical sensations and thoughts seems so real that that it can truly feel like disasters are right around the corner. You may feel that the strength of what you are thinking and feeling is precisely the sign that it is going to happen in real life. And thats not the case. It is simply anxiety, not powers, says Vidal. What didnt happen Anticipatory anxiety can be summed up as fear of suffering. It clumsily tries to prepare us for the worst with the false sense that if misfortune strikes, a foreseen blow will not hurt as much. It is a form of covert avoidance behavior. Instead of exposing ourselves to the event or uncertainty, we start planning or worrying in an attempt to prevent future discomfort. Paradoxically, that anticipation becomes the main source of present discomfort, explains Llamas. To avoid such suffering, Llamas advises breaking this pattern of false control and reducing our approval-seeking or sign-seeking behaviors. In addition, she advocates for the usefulness of gradually exposing oneself to uncertainty to see how nothing catastrophic happens, or focusing not so much on what one thinks, but why. If the purpose is to avoid feeling anxiety, then we are reinforcing the problem, she explains. After all, no matter how hard we try to predict the future and dodge its low blows, reality always unfolds with unexpected nuance. In Joachim Triers film The Worst Person in the World, the protagonist Julie hits a classic thirty-something crisis. With her erratic actions, emotional ups and downs, and all the other ingredients of a process of finding oneself, the movie can be understood as a Millennial version of a literary heros journey, in the style of Joseph Campbell. After a scandal that provokes a complete change in Julies life and decisions, she arrives at the conclusion that, I always worried something would go wrong, but the things that went wrong were never what I worried about. Traverse the vast spectrum of possibilities, imagine the worst but suffering will never go away. As such, it makes sense to put away the crystal ball and avoid dwelling on everything that could ultimately go wrong while ignoring all the times that your worst-case-scenario predictions failed and things didnt go so bad after all. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition HA NOI Relentless floods across the central and Central Highlands regions of Viet Nam have caused exceptionally severe damage, leaving 102 people dead or missing (up by 34 from the day before), with thousands of homes inundated or destroyed, according to disaster authorities. A report from the Department of Dyke Management and Disaster Prevention, updated at 7am on Sunday, shows 90 confirmed fatalities and 12 people still unaccounted for, a significant increase compared to 24 hours before Saturday morning updates had the toll at 55 deaths and 13 missing. ak Lak Province has suffered the worst losses, with 63 deaths and eight missing. Khanh Hoa has reported 14 deaths and two missing, while Lam ong has recorded five fatalities. Other localities with human losses from the floods include Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, a Nang, and Gia Lai. Initial economic losses are estimated at VN9.035 trillion (nearly US$343 million), roughly the same as the day before, though authorities expect the figure to rise as assessments continue when floods have eased. Heavy rain continues in several areas, as forecasters expect very heavy rain in Hue, a Nang and eastern Quang Ngai Province from November 23 to 25, with totals of 60 to 120mm and, in some areas, more than 250mm. Rivers in ak Lak, Khanh Hoa and the ong Nai basin are receding but remain high. Flooding continues in parts of ak Lak, where four communes and wards, including Hoa Xuan, ong Hoa, Hoa Thinh and Hoa My, remain underwater. Khanh Hoa still has 87 households in Dien ien and Hoa Tri affected, and Lam ong reports 127 inundated homes in Nam a and Cat Tien. Damage to housing is extensive. A total of 1,154 homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, with Lam ong accounting for 825 of them. Up to 185,733 homes had been flooded at the peak, including around 150,000 in ak Lak, though updated figures have reduced this by 50,000 after verification. Agriculture has taken a massive hit, with 80,825 hectares of rice and crops and 117,067 hectares of perennial plants ruined. More than 3.23 million livestock and poultry have died or been swept away. The aquaculture sector has lost 1,157 hectares of ponds and cages, mostly in ak Lak and Khanh Hoa. Transport networks remain fragmented. While National Highway 1 has reopened, 12 locations on other highways are still blocked by landslides or deep water. Six railway sections remain closed. Electricity outages have affected more than 1.17 million customers since the start of the disaster; around 258,000 still have no power. Telecommunications losses include 552 BTS stations offline. Provinces are urgently requesting relief supplies. Gia Lai has asked for 2,000 tonnes of rice, 3,000 kg of Chloramine B and 100,000 Aquatabs tablets. ak Lak is seeking 2,000 tonnes of food, large quantities of water-treatment chemicals, medical kits, 5,000 social assistance packages and support to restore agricultural production, including seeds, livestock and essential farm inputs. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Sunday requested competent agencies to support and complete house repairs for people before November 30, 2025; and develop a project to build houses for people who lost their homes before January 31, 2026 so that they will have houses to celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tet). He made the request while chairing an urgent online meeting from South Africa, where he was attending the G20 Summit. The meeting was connected from South Africa with the Government Headquarters and the provinces of Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, ak Lak, Lam ong and Tay Ninh, and the Civil Defence Command of Military Region 5. The PM ordered localities and relevant agencies to ensure no isolation or disruption in aid delivery to residents in flood-hit areas, as the death toll from southern and central regions flooding rose to 90. He called for verifying the number of dead or injured, arranging funerals, ensuring relevant policies and support for families of the deceased and missing, and providing medical treatment for the injured. Specific tasks were assigned to each locality, with the deputy prime ministers responsible for directing urgent measures to mitigate the disasters consequences. The Prime Minister ordered immediate financial support of VN500 billion for ak Lak Province, VN300 billion for Lam ong Province, VN150 billion for Gia Lai Province and VN150 billion for Khanh Hoa Province to help residents rebuild homes and restore public assets. Regarding rice supplies, he directed allocating 2,000 tonnes to ak Lak, 1,000 tonnes to Gia Lai and 1,000 tonnes to Lam ong. PM Chinh requested the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union to assist people in repairing homes and cleaning the environment. Authorities were instructed to review households whose houses have collapsed, fallen down, or been swept away by floods, and arrange temporary accommodation for people. For those located in dangerous landslide zones, new resettlement sites or projects must be identified. He demanded that new homes for families who lost their houses be completed before January 31, 2026 ahead of the Lunar New Year, and that repairs and reinforcement of damaged homes be completed by November 30. The PM asked localities to work with ministries to review and determine which schools need repair or reconstruction. A full report on schools swept away, collapsed or requiring rebuilding must be submitted before November 30, with a plan prepared as early as possible. He also requested concrete proposals regarding commune health stations and hospitals. The Prime Minister stressed that provincial leaders must be present on the ground at this time to assess the situation, direct response efforts, treat the injured and manage funeral arrangements and related policy support. He assigned the Ministry of Construction to review the transportation network and urgently address landslide sites and to propose solutions for emergency projects with simplified procedures for contractor selection. He also demanded accelerated restoration of electricity for production, business and daily life. PM Chinh reminded leaders of ministries, sectors and localities not to take part in unnecessary activities and to concentrate fully on supporting localities in overcoming the consequences of the disaster and addressing issues under emergency procedures. He called for a credit package to support residents and businesses in restoring production and business activities, along with policies on debt rescheduling, postponement or freezing for people and enterprises heavily affected by the floods. He said during the meeting with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) that he asked WHO to support Viet Nam in addressing the aftermath of the flooding. Upon agreement by the WHO, PM Chinh assigned the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to promptly send a formal request to the WHO seeking assistance in urgent and necessary areas. According to local authorities reports, no areas have so far remained isolated or inaccessible due to landslides. However, sections of Routes 20A and 20C still reported landslides, particularly at the severely damaged Mimosa Pass, which has cut off National Highway 20. At the online meeting, ak Lak Province Peoples Committee Chairman Ta Anh Tuan said they are working with the armed forces, especially the military and police, to focus on relief efforts. They are delivering food, essential supplies, medicines and medical treatment. All affected households have now been reached, and many communal kitchens have been set up. Around 21,000 personnel are involved in relief operations, including nearly 8,000 soldiers, more than 6,000 police officers and 7,000 mobilised from the province, he said. Inspecting flood-hit areas, Tran Phong, chairman of Khanh Hoa Province Peoples Committee, said that in most flooded areas, returning residents found their homes nearly empty. Bedding, clothing and vehicles were all swept away. Preliminary estimates put damage to the provinces public assets at about VN5.1 trillion, though this figure is incomplete and expected to rise. Most losses involve the road system, irrigation works, schools and hospitals. The province expects that local students can return to school on Monday, he said. Pham Anh Tuan, chairman of Gia Lai Province Peoples Committee, said water has receded and no homes remain submerged. Given the increasingly complex risks in tidal flood zones and landslide-prone areas, local authorities recommend long-term policies to support resettlement planning so that residents in high-risk zones can be relocated, ensuring safety and stability when future storms and floods occur, he said. VNS HA NOI A number of major international news agencies are closely monitoring the severe flooding in the provinces of Gia Lai, ak Lak and Khanh Hoa which have been hardest hit by recent torrential rains and widespread flash floods. The global community has praised Viet Nams swift response, decisive direction and strong inter-agency coordination in tackling the natural disasters. Reports by leading outlets such as Reuters, AFP, AP and numerous other international media have all highlighted the scale of human and material losses, as well as the heavy impact on agriculture. According to Reuters, citing data from the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority under the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, rainfall in several areas exceeded 1,900mm in just one week. German broadcaster DW quoted Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung as saying that local authorities had mobilised the military, police and security forces to evacuate residents to safer locations. The Vietnamese army deployed a wide range of equipment, from boats and ships to helicopters, to reach isolated communities. Meanwhile, Channel News Asia (Singapore) reported that rescue teams on the ground had to reach households one by one, in some cases breaking through windows or rooftops to free those trapped inside. Alongside domestic efforts, numerous international organisations and NGOs have swiftly mobilised assistance. The Diplomat reported that UNICEF, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and partners from the US, the EU, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and others have begun providing material aid, financial support and personnel to the hardest-hit areas. The cooperation between the Vietnamese Government and the international community has been described as prompt and effective, significantly strengthening relief efforts in the flood-stricken areas. In Australia, ABC News on Saturday broadcast footage from Viet Nam Televisions VTV1 channel, showing people being evacuated from waterlogged rooftops and ongoing rescue attempts carried out under adverse weather conditions. Domestically, the Vietnamese Government has approved an emergency relief package worth VN700 billion (US$26.56 million) for the worst-affected provinces. As of 12:00 on Saturday, the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committees at all levels had raised more than VN2.8 trillion in donations to support flood-hit communities. The international media and organisations have commended Viet Nams timely response, strong direction and well-coordinated rescue operations, considering them clear evidence of the countrys disaster-response capacity, solidarity and commitment to safeguarding its people amid increasingly complex climate-related challenges. VNA/VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Ho uc Phoc on Sunday signed a decision approving an emergency aid allocation of VN1.1 trillion (US$41.74 million) from the central budgets 2025 contingency fund to four provinces Khanh Hoa, Lam ong, Gia Lai and ak Lak to address severe damage caused by recent floods. Under the decision, Khanh Hoa will receive VN150 billion, Lam ong VN300 billion, Gia Lai VN150 billion, and ak Lak VN500 billion, in line with the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Finance. The Peoples Committees of the four provinces are responsible for managing and utilising the aid in a transparent and accountable manner, ensuring it is used for the correct purposes and delivered to the right beneficiaries, in full compliance with regulations on the State budget and all relevant legal provisions, while preventing any loss, waste or wrongdoings. ak Lak authorities are distributing a total of 2,000 tonnes of rice to residents in 24 communes and wards in the province severely affected by the flooding. So far, 160 tonnes have been delivered to Tuy An Nam and Son Hoa communes. On Sunday, an additional 380 tonnes were set to be delivered to Tuy An Tay, Tuy An ong, Son Thanh, O Loan communes and Tuy Hoa Ward all among the worst affected by the floods. The distribution of rice is expected to be completed by November 26. VNA/VNS Nguyen My Ha Tropical Storm Kalmaegi hit the coastal provinces from Gia Lai to ak Lak on November 6, washing ashore hundreds of fishing boats. An aerial photograph showed hundreds of light blue wooden boats struck by fierce winds many destroyed, sunk, or tossed onto the shore. Fishermen, whose family livelihoods depend on their trips out to sea, could not believe what they saw after they had gathered in the bay of Vung Chao in Xuan ai Ward to avoid the storm. The devastating effects of Kalmaegi had been warned in advance, and people tried their best to stay safe and anchor their boats, but no one expected damage on such a scale. Accurate forecasting helped minimise casualties, but now many fishermen no longer have boats with which to return to work. Human lives were protected, but people still need to rebuild their homes and repair their boats. More than 1,000 houses were destroyed or had their roofs blown off, and 54,000 cages of aquaculture products were lost. The government has allocated VN80 billion (US$3 million) to help the people of Quang Ngai, Gia Lai and ak Lak recover, but it will take time to repair the boats before fishermen can set sail again. Since last year, representatives from the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) have presented a plan to reduce sea fishing, improve fishing fleet management, and expand aquaculture farming to create alternative livelihoods for fishermen. According to the Department of Fisheries, marine resources are being depleted, and only by reducing the number of fishing vessels can marine areas recover naturally. At a MARD meeting last December, the plan proposed cutting 6,000 fishing boats by 2030 and converting vessels for coastal aquaculture or recreational activities, providing retired fishermen with new sources of income. Some pilot projects to shift livelihoods have not succeeded, leading to limited results during the initial phase. However, the goals of the plan remain unchanged: to protect aquatic resources, provide tourism services in conservation areas, restore natural marine habitats, and avoid legal violations. It is necessary to keep trying and find workable approaches. At the meeting, the Department of Fisheries also reported growing interest in community-run recreational services such as coral reef snorkelling, observing marine life, walking beneath the sea surface, and casual rod fishing. The plan will be reviewed again next month, but a successful model will need to be identified before it can be applied in other provinces. In Kien Giang Province in the far south, local authorities have already developed a proposal to manage the fishing fleet by reducing small coastal boats while maintaining larger offshore vessels. "Only when we find an alternative can we reduce excessive exploitation," said the Director of the Kien Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The plan requires each province to reduce its coastal fishing fleet by 12 per cent compared to 2020. Binh inh and Phu Yen, once separate coastal provinces before administrative changes, have beautiful beaches. They long remained like sleeping beauties while travel to places such as Ha Long, a Nang or Nha Trang was easier. In recent years, a mother-and-calf whale pair has been sighted off Binh inh, drawing interest from domestic tourists and attracting photographers eager to capture the rare scene. Xuan ai Bay may not be widely known, but it was recognised as a national landmark in 2011. It is also home to Song Cau Town, which holds archaeological relics of the Sa Huynh culture. The land of Song Cau has high mountains in the west, including Cu Mong Pass, at 245 metres above sea level, belonging to the Truong Son Range. The mountains in Phu Yen slope down towards the sea like a dragon reaching into the water, forming a coastline that curves like a crescent moon with long stretches of white sand. Someone once described Xuan ai Bay as a classic landscape painting of mountains and water. The bay is surrounded by many small beautiful beaches and secluded islands. In the 17th century, the busy commercial port of Vung Lam welcomed trading boats from afar. Vietnamese and Chinese merchants exchanged goods in a thriving harbour. But in the 19th century, the Nguyen dynasty shifted policy to promote agriculture and restrict commerce, and the court banned foreign vessels from docking at Vung Lam. They could only land in Hoi An or a Nang. This historical decision delayed the regions development. Yet like a sleeping beauty reawakened, the land now has the chance to flourish. With government guidance and financial support, and with the determination of its people, these challenges can be transformed into advantages as Vietnamese people have shown time and again. VNS Nguyen My Ha In Viet Nam sometimes you don't simply declare your love for your country. Under critical circumstances, when you feel compassion shared among fellow countrymen when natural calamities hit, you may hear people proclaim, "If there's a next life, I'd only want to be Vietnamese; even if I could only be a blade of grass, I'd want to grow on Vietnamese soil." When life is going well, the Vietnamese can quarrel about almost anything. But when faced with a common threat, they become united and supportive as never before, even if they have very different views. This year has been a special year, with the grand celebration of the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, respectively, on April 30 and September 2. Sentiment runs high among people across the country as they express their love for the nation. At the same time, it has been a tough year for many. Recent serious floods and landslides have made people's lives so much harder and even pushed some to the brink of misery. Every year, schools typically plan their extracurricular activities around these issues, with topics on protecting the environment, reducing plastic use, and more. The overall theme this year in many locations, in part inspired by epic war movies like Red Rain, has been music and dance programmes full of patriotic lyrics and military dances. On one hand, schools are institutions where our children learn about love for their country first and foremost. The love comes in the way you learn to read and write, and learn about its history, geography and literature. We all learned how hard our forefathers fought to secure the peace we enjoy today, and became aware of the need to treasure it. As a parent, I cannot agree more. But on the other hand, love for peace and for our country, if you're overdoing it, becomes a little mundane. Sometimes, staged sacrifices and heroic acts become light-hearted, or not well-thought-through. To commemorate National Teachers' Day this week, so much effort has been put into school's music pieces, where many children dress as soldiers. Footage behind them shows war scenes from movies or museums. The children who take part in such theatrical scenes have all been growing up in peace, and don't understand the pain and hardship their forefathers went through so that they would never have to experience the same. But many would say that if we treasure peace, we must be prepared for war. We need to educate our children about love for our country so that if needed, they would be the ones who protect it. We all learned about the young Tran Quoc Toan who, at 14 years of age, upon hearing the 13th-century Tran Dynasty's court discussing whether to fight or surrender to the Yuan invaders, crushed an orange in his palm as he determined to fight. Children today need to learn about Tran Quoc Toan and many other great men and women who fought for peace in Viet Nam. For children under 18, let's make their childhood peaceful and safe. After 18, when they become a mature man or woman, they can continue their studies in college or get a job, or they can join the army to fulfil their military service. They then take full responsibility for their actions as adults. However, for children in high school, they need to spend more time enjoying peace and friendship. They need to find their own way to express themselves, both in agreement or disagreement, with a calm attitude. They need to develop their own way of coping with stress, and carry themselves properly to ensure their viewpoints are taken seriously. There are skills they need to learn to keep themselves in a safe, sanitary and orderly environment so that they can come home to a clean and safe place to get a good, deep sleep and face the next day ahead. When they are physically healthy and mentally stable, they are more likely to make the right choices about loving their country and standing up to defend it when required. VNS Major reservations over Welsh tourism bill, says Airbnb Airbnb has warned property owners could check out of the Welsh tourism market for good over rushed licensing rules which could cost hosts up to an estimated 15m. The tech company gave evidence to the Senedd economy committee on November 20 on the Welsh Governments plans to license self-contained, self-catering accommodation. Carl Thomson, UK public policy manager for Airbnb, described licensing plans as a blunt and unnecessary tool that is disproportionate to any risks that might be faced by guests. In our view, theres no evidence that a licensing regime is needed in Wales, he said. Or that it will do anything other than cause immense harm to local accommodation providers, reduce consumer choice and push up costs for guests. In written evidence, Airbnb estimated the bill could cost Welsh hosts between 4.5m and 15m in reduced income, with immeasurable impacts on the wider Welsh economy Immeasurable Mr Thomson told the committee experience of short-term letting regulation from around the world shows licensing schemes do not solve the problem they are intended to fix. He said: Of course, safety matters but its important to remember that problems are exceptionally rare. Our data tells us accommodation in Wales actually has a much stronger safety record compared with other parts of the UK and internationally. Mr Thomson explained that of the hundreds of thousands of inbound trips booked to Wales through Airbnb in 2024/25 only 39 safety incidents were reported, equating to 0.004%. He added that none of the incidents related to carbon monoxide, fire safety nor electrical safety, with only a single reported gas-related concern. He told Senedd members: If the purpose of this legislation is to ensure the health, safety and quality of the sector, theres real questions about whether its necessary or needed. Rushed through Fiona MacConnacher, head of public affairs for the UK and Ireland at Booking.com, supported proportionate regulation but suggested the bill had been rushed through. Warning of unintended consequences, she said: Were talking about Welsh businesses here and if we affect those businesses, we dont just affect those self-catering businesses: we affect the restaurants, the pubs, the shops. Barbara Griffiths, who runs North Wales Holiday Cottages, warned government officials have told her they have not had time to add sectors beyond self-contained, self-catering lets. Its rushed and I feel it should be delayed, she said. Ms Griffiths argued the bill would not create a level-playing field, as claimed by ministers, because it does not cover other types of visitor accommodation. Bureaucracy Mr Thomson warned booking intermediaries would become legally liable for the accuracy of registration numbers provided by accommodation providers under the bill. He told the committee the first Airbnb learned about this aspect was when the bill was published. He said: That approach is inconsistent with established practice elsewhere in the UK and around the world. Theres real technical problems with how that could work in practice. Mr Thomson added: We strongly disagree with the suggestion that criminal liability should be placed on platforms, and the senior officers of those companies, for actions which theyve not participated in, for which they have no control and for which theyre unaware. He called for amendments to ensure liability rests with the accommodation provider. He argued registration plans previously passed by the Senedd can achieve all of the same aims without the cost, friction and bureaucracy that layering licensing on top brings. Overly regulated Ms MacConnacher emphasised that most providers are micro-businesses rather than large corporate machines, with a majority of hosts aged over 50 and female. She echoed Mr Thomsons warning about a cumulative pressure on operators who face a tourism tax, registration, business rates changes and now a licensing scheme. Rightly or wrongly, they might feel as if they are not welcome to run their business, she warned. Mr Thomson said: Theres real potential for this to make Wales an outlier, not only in terms of being overly regulated but harming its attractiveness and competitiveness. Airbnb criticised the proposed apply-and-wait model where yearly applications for licenses are manually checked, calling it outdated and warning it would leave businesses in limbo. Calling for renewals to take place every three to five years to provide certainty for the sector, Mr Thomson advocated a more automatic apply-and-go system. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter Maria Corina Machados adviser, who is living in exile in Boston, believes that after a transition the country could become the economic engine and a democratic beacon for Latin America Three months have passed since the U.S. naval deployment in the Caribbean, and the crisis with Venezuela remains unresolved. While opposition leader Maria Corina Machado participates in international economic forums promoting the countrys investment potential, Donald Trump her main ally maintains an ambiguous stance on the next steps. Meanwhile, over 600,000 Venezuelans in the United States have lost the protection of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and are now at risk of being deported. Maduro is facing the most severe crisis of his mandate, yet each passing day is another day in power, even as the arrival of the USS Gerald Ford in Caribbean waters and the launch of Operation Southern Spear seem to signal an imminent checkmate. From Boston, Carlos Blanco, 78, observes the situation calmly, without rushing to conclusions. For years, he has been one of Machados main advisers, though his political career began long before that: in the 1980s, he took on the task of reforming the Venezuelan state to free it from the personalism, concentration of power, and corruption inherited from Venezuelas oil rentier system. As minister for state reform in Carlos Andres Perezs second government, he rose to prominence. His project was just beginning to bear fruit when Hugo Chavez emerged with a military coup that catapulted him to the presidency six years later. Despite his redemptive and revolutionary rhetoric, Chavez did not eradicate the countrys ills he multiplied them. His successor, Nicolas Maduro, has deepened the abyss. All of this matters because, if a transition in Venezuela ultimately occurs, it will require extensive experience to prevent it from descending into a new authoritarianism or further chaos. Blanco has spent nearly two decades outside the country, but he has not missed a single moment of its recent history. He is one of Machados closest strategists and interlocutors and could become a key figure in the arduous task of rebuilding a country devastated by a quarter-century of Chavismo. Question. The change being discussed in Venezuela is very specifically a regime change. What would you say to Venezuelans who have expectations of that change? Answer. Today there is a new wave of support for change in Venezuela. Although there have been several attempts at change in the last 25 years, a real transition was never achieved. Now, four factors make it more feasible: the 2023 primary elections [where 2.4 million Venezuelans voted] and the 2024 presidential elections [where opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez was recognized as the winner by the U.S. and other countries] strengthened international and national confidence in the opposition leadership. A popular organization has emerged that remains active, despite having to go underground due to the repression following the theft of the July 28 elections. International support, currently led by the United States, has intensified. This support began with Clinton long before Trump. It was maintained under all subsequent administrations. Today it is stronger than ever and has gained strength from the U.S. military operation in the Caribbean against the Cartel of the Suns. The fourth element is the regimes internal fracture: there are significant divisions both in the political sphere including former allies of Chavismo such as the Communist Party and within the armed forces and police, although repression by the General Directorate of Military Intelligence (DGCIM) has managed to contain them. The regimes main support comes from the police and military structure, along with some armed groups. They are not millions of militia members, as is claimed, but only a few thousand. They can generate terror, but they cannot sustain power. The sum of these factors is driving political change in Venezuela. Q. There are two main scenarios for what could happen in a transition. One is that an opposition government would go after Chavismo and its facilitators, conducting a major reckoning and dismantling its corrupt framework. The other is that Venezuela would magically be fixed, and we would return to the idyllic, imagined community that existed before Chavismo. A. It is a very good issue to bring up because its not true that we believe the hegemony of one sector, even if its the majority, is desirable. We believe there should be diversity. The leadership of Maria Corina and Edmundo [Gonzalez] works with most of the countrys political parties, those integrated into the Unitary Platform, and other sectors of Venezuelan society such as the Church, the business community, the labor movement, and Chavista groups with whom we have a relationship. Q. Some Venezuelans fear an all-powerful Maria Corina Machado. She has announced that Venezuela will aggressively open itself to foreign investment in all sectors of the economy. It is reasonable to ask in what political framework this openness will be managed if not within a vertical unity. What would you say to those who fear the rise of a new authoritarianism, even of a different type? A. The first objective is to restore freedom. After an authoritarian regime, democracy does not emerge immediately; it is built gradually. To achieve it, genuine elections and the creation of strong institutions are required, starting with a credible National Electoral Council. This body is essential for renewing the National Assembly and enabling transparent electoral processes in the future. Ultimately, democracy is an orderly process that seeks to restore freedom and stability. Carlos Blanco during the interview. Bruno Munoz Q. Where does the order begin? A. The first step is to control the territory and prevent public institutions from continuing to be assaulted under illegitimate control. It is essential to reform the police forces, restructure the Armed Forces, and begin building a reliable judicial system. This requires strong authority, based on the Constitution and the laws, never on authoritarian arbitrariness. Authority and rights are compatible. Q. How will they achieve this? A. In the 2024 elections, public employees, police officers, and military personnel voted in an estimated 70/30 split for Edmundo Gonzalez, just like the rest of the population. This demonstrates the willingness of many officials to protect institutions and facilitate a less traumatic transition for the country. Although doubts remain about the future and about Maria Corina, the perception that change is necessary prevails. The anticipation and anxiety of becoming a different country are now part of daily life; change has permeated the very core of society. Q. Many people do not want to get their hopes up and prefer passive waiting over active hope. A. Skepticism is natural, fueled by past failures, but it is a healthy skepticism: citizens now trust less in promises and rely more on observable facts. Despite the repression, the resistance is persistent and enjoys significant international support, primarily from the United States. The process seeks freedom and needs legitimate authority during the transition. Political openness should facilitate the regimes departure and the return to democracy. Although internal and external factors, such as the political leadership, international allies, and global events (for example, Chinas significant role), influence the Venezuelan situation, the conditions for change are currently favorable. Q. Machado and her spokespeople have spoken of transition plans for the first 100 hours and the first 100 days. What do these plans entail specifically? A. In the first 100 hours of the transition, it is crucial to control the territory through citizen participation with the majority support of the Armed Forces and the police. Ensuring food security will be a priority; discussions are already underway with multilateral organizations and governments for an international operation for social support and security. This operation will include the immediate vaccination of children and their return to schools, not only to improve child nutrition but also to facilitate mothers return to work. All of this will begin from the very first minute, although some things may not materialize immediately. Q. A reconstruction and rescue plan. A. We must move quickly, not only in economic stabilization, but also in growth, prioritizing investments in infrastructure, education, health, and housing. These areas drive development and address urgent social needs. I compare the Venezuelan situation to the end of a major war, like World War II. People regained hope when devastated cities began to be rebuilt. The main challenge is to give the population back the ability to look to the future with optimism. Q. How will you confront crime and organized crime, considering the presence of guerrillas, mining mafias, drug traffickers, and corrupt military personnel? A. In the first 100 hours, political prisoners [currently numbering almost 900] will be released immediately and in an organized manner, ensuring their safety is not compromised by the outgoing regime. It is urgent to move forward with institutional reforms, especially the restructuring of the Armed Forces, which must have respected command structures. Bodies like the DGCIM, heavily corrupt and linked to organized crime, require intervention, although honest officers still resist within other police forces. To combat organized crime, we will rely on these loyal members and those who have resisted or even been imprisoned. The entire process must adhere to the Constitution and the laws, maintaining order and peace. Q. Many of these issues depend on the decisions of Donald Trump, whose commitment to Venezuela remains uncertain. Furthermore, in critical circles, Washingtons accusation that Nicolas Maduro is the leader of the Cartel of the Suns and the Tren de Aragua is interpreted as a political ploy to justify more aggressive measures, such as the deployment of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean and a possible regime change intervention. How does this shape the situation? A. From the beginning of Chavezs government, collaboration was established with the [Colombian guerilla group] FARC to allow drug trafficking through Venezuela, with the active participation of military personnel and government ministers, protecting these illicit routes under the guise of weakening imperialism. This protection facilitated the growth of drug trafficking and created a network of complicity that involved a large part of the military and police structure. The Armed Forces were then reorganized into key regional viceroyalties for drug trafficking; hence the term Cartel of the Suns, which predates Chavismo and describes the close relationship between the military hierarchy and drug trafficking. This intensified under Maduro. Q. And what about Tren de Aragua? A. The formation of armed groups, collectives, and gangs with territorial control allowed the Tren de Aragua a group used by the regime as an instrument of terror to expand nationally and internationally. Tren de Aragua cells exist in Spain, the United States, and several Latin American countries, and the regime has used it to order assassinations such as that of Lieutenant Ronald Ojeda in Chile and the trafficking of Venezuelan migrant women. The damage caused by this gang has been a part of national life for more than a decade, which is why many Venezuelans have emigrated. For the international community, Tren de Aragua may be something new, but we have suffered its effects for over a decade. Many Venezuelans left the country because of groups like Tren de Aragua. Therefore, what exists in Venezuela is not a dictatorship like those of Perez Jimenez, Somoza, and Pinochet, but a criminal organization that has permeated the state, where crime and corruption have become political engines with the goal of international expansion. Carlos Blanco, adviser to Maria Corina Machado. Bruno Munoz Q. How does the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean connect to the situation in Venezuela? A. The deployment is a direct response to the Maduro regimes ties to drug trafficking and the central role of the Cartel of the Suns. A war is being waged in Venezuela, initiated under Chavez and continued by Maduro, supported by international allies such as the Cubans, Russians, Hezbollah, the FARC, and the [Colombian guerilla group] ELN. This war not only affects political dissent but also targets traditional institutions that have been corrupted by the regime. Q. The criminal state? A. Exactly. For years, Venezuelans have faced this war almost alone, with only scant diplomatic support, especially during the presidency of Juan Guaido [the opposition figure who declared himself the president of Venezuela]. International sanctions have been imposed against individuals, groups, companies like [Venezuelas state-owned oil company] PDVSA and the regime, and now the United States has responded militarily in the Caribbean. The human cost has been enormous: since 2014, the repression has left 269 people dead for protesting against Maduro and more than 17,000 detained for political reasons, according to the Venezuelan Penal Forum. It is a war with real victims. Q. However, the term war is problematic, since Venezuela has not experienced a conventional armed civil conflict like Syria. Rather than a civil war, society is up against a criminal regime not only due to the alleged drug trafficking but also because it has systematically undermined the future of millions of Venezuelans through repression, corruption, and miserable living conditions. A. Modern wars include psychological and technological operations, not just direct combat. Today in Venezuela, there is a national and international intimidation campaign that is politically isolating the regime. Although this does not guarantee an immediate solution, the international pressure is growing stronger, and allies recognize the need to maintain it. Maduro is cornered. Q. On another note, do you believe that accusing Maduro of leading criminal organizations and the oppositions cautious response to the end of TPS, which leaves 600,000 Venezuelans exposed to deportation, reflect a trend in Venezuelan politics where international pressure and diplomatic calculation carry more weight than defending the real interests of citizens, both inside and outside the country? A. The allegation that Maduro leads the Cartel of the Suns mainly serves as an international political tool rather than the result of an independent judicial investigation. At the same time, the opposition, through Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez, has maintained a discreet and pragmatic approach to the TPS issue for months. Unfortunately, we have not obtained the desired results. But that cannot lead us to attempt to dictate U.S. immigration policy. We will not use our migration tragedy to confront the main international ally of the democratic movement. However, the offer made by Edmundo Gonzalez and Maria Corina Machado, for which they can be held fully accountable, is that only the freedom of Venezuela will allow for the true protection of the nearly 9 million Venezuelan migrants scattered around the world. Q. The viability of the transition hinges on Trump, a volatile and erratic leader. It is crucial that decisions be made within weeks; otherwise, the momentum will fizzle out. Maduro seems to be reading Trump and shows no signs of negotiating despite the pressure. What are your thoughts on these factors? A. The United States has already accepted that negotiating with Maduro is futile and has halted attempts at rapprochement, such as Richard Grenells. Trump, more than a cause, is a reflection of current conditions in the United States and the world: societies opt for disruptive leaders when seeking profound changes, with mixed results, as happened with Chavez. For Venezuelans, requesting international support is legitimate and necessary; the fight for freedom cannot rest solely on one society. Simon Bolivar also turned to foreign powers when he fought for independence. It is a duty to seek external support, especially from the United States, given its global influence. Q. Isnt that interventionism? A. The war has been international since Hezbollah, Russia, the ELN, the FARC, and Cuba became involved in Venezuela. We have the support of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and various Latin American nations. Each contributes what it can. Costa Rica and Ecuador have designated the Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organization; the United States is deploying a military fleet. The goal is to force Maduro to leave. If this doesnt happen, things will get worse for him and the regime. Q. You are considered Maria Corina Machados right-hand man, but you have a long career. In the 1980s and 1990s, you were a technocrat and minister who spearheaded state reforms and institutional modernization. Taking into account everything weve discussed, what are the biggest challenges for rebuilding Venezuela? A. I am just another member of Maria Corinas strategic team. Thats what happens to those of us who have lived a long time. My story, in fact, is a long one: as a child, I lived through the unforgettable experience of the fall of the Perez Jimenez dictatorship, and later I experienced other important periods, such as the democratic struggle and the reform processes, some successful and others not. Today, Venezuela needs to recover its democracy and create solid and transparent institutions. The current movement has the opportunity to propel society toward greater awareness. Civic responsibility consists not only of rights but, above all, of duties, particularly among public servants. I hope that this task can be successfully undertaken. Q. Political scientist Javier Corrales wrote in The New York Times that the stagnation of the Venezuelan transition is due to the resistance of military personnel and economic groups linked to Maduro, who fear losing their privileges. Do you agree? A. Yes, there is real resistance to change in Venezuela. Those who would lose privileges and status many facing international accusations are the ones most interested in keeping Maduro in power. Maduro uses control mechanisms, resorting to armed groups and violence to intimidate the population. However, I believe there is a deep desire for change capable of overcoming these obstacles. The exact moment is uncertain. But as with the fall of the Berlin Wall: we dont know when it will be, but we know it will happen. Although the United States is exerting military pressure on the regime, the primary responsibility still lies with the internal forces led by Edmundo Gonzalez and Maria Corina Machado. Q. Latin America faces similar challenges to Venezuela: authoritarianism, corruption, organized crime, and political and social fragmentation. How do you see the future of the region and of Venezuela? A. Latin America is often seen as the antithesis of the United States, but it is now experiencing a moment of real convergence, not with specific administrations like Trumps, but in terms of social projects. The region has advantages such as a shared language and the absence of major religious and tribal conflicts; although violence exists, wars between countries are not the norm. After the extreme experience of Venezuela, the region is in the process of rebuilding. Venezuela, given its history, geography, and resources, could become the economic engine and a democratic beacon for Latin America as it was after 1958, when there were only a handful of democracies in an ocean of dictatorships. For me, Latin America is the future of humanity. Q. How do you see the role of Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Brazilian President Lula da Silva with respect to Venezuela? A. Petro has aligned himself with Maduro as part of his international strategy to confront the United States and distances himself from Maduro when it suits him. As for Lula, he suffers from a historic cowardice: he could have been decisive in Venezuelas democratic recovery or helped facilitate dialogue, but he didnt even ensure that the Argentine embassy had proper protection while our colleagues were there. He didnt send anyone to visit those who had sought asylum. Therefore, Lulas stance on Venezuela is neither neutral nor independent, but cowardly, which is unbecoming of his trajectory as a leader capable of transforming the Brazilian Workers Party into a modern, democratic popular movement. Now he is transforming it into something that is declining, unable to exercise strong leadership in the region and on the issue of Venezuela, his most problematic neighbor. Q. If nothing happens with the U.S. naval deployment, would the United States be ridiculed internationally? Could that derail the transition and undermine the opposition leadership? A. I dont share that hypothesis. U.S. pressure is already having an effect, as are the attempts to sow internal division. The operation is primarily political, although it has a military component. It seeks to isolate Maduro internationally and send a clear signal to his allies. Its impact is palpable, although I cant speculate about the future. I prefer to focus on whats happening right now. Q. If theres one hope Venezuelans, both inside and outside the country, have, its to reunite in Venezuela for Christmas. But the clock of change is ticking. Will Venezuelans be eating hallacas in Venezuela? A. What I wouldnt give! Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Mexicos maquiladora (twin plant) industry was founded in 1965 in order to take advantage of changes in the U.S. tariff code. U.S. manufacturers were complaining in the early 1960s that Japanese manufacturers were beginning to dominate markets because of cheap labor and strong government support. Many U.S. manufacturers wanted to take advantage of more economical labor throughout the world, while still maintaining production of a portion of their products in the U.S. However, U.S. tariff code at the time mandated that if a tariff on a foreign-produced good was in place, it applied to 100% of the value of the product, regardless of whether a percentage of the product was made in the U.S. but assembled abroad. In order to help keep U.S. companies competitive, the U.S. government changed its tariff code to allow the U.S. content in an imported product to be excluded from tariffs. Thus, the Mexican government, wishing to industrialize its border regions and to create badly needed jobs, created its maquiladora industry, which allowed Mexico to assemble products made out of foreign components/materials predominantly U.S. using Mexican labor. When these products were exported to the U.S., tariffs only applied to the value of the Mexican labor on the product. U.S. companies, wanting to compete with their Japanese and European counterparts, quickly established plants in border cities such as Juarez. The maquiladora industry became known as the twin-plant industry, since firms had plants in both the U.S. and Mexico. Later, under the North American Free Trade Agreement and the subsequent U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement, tariffs were based on the amount of North American content in a particular product. For example, if an automotive component requires 75% North American content and it complies with this rule, in most cases, it can be exported to the U.S. from Mexico with zero duty. If it falls below the 75% requirement, the product could be subject to whatever tariff exists on this type of U.S. import. For the last 60 years, Mexicos maquiladora industry now officially referred to as its IMMEX program, although the term maquiladora or maquila is still commonly used has been a major element of Mexicos economy and the biggest driver of its exports. In the Borderplex region El Paso-Juarez-southern New Mexico the maquiladora industry has attracted billions of dollars of investment in the form of companies establishing operations not only in Juarez, but in El Paso, Texas, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico. It has also created millions of jobs when the entire supply chain is examined. The maquiladora industry has helped lift many Mexicans into the middle class, and industrialized and modernized Mexican border cities. This industry has deepened the trade ties between the U.S. and Mexico, and with Canada, helped create a North American trade bloc. Companies on the U.S. side of the border are supplying Mexican maquiladoras with raw materials and components for assembly, or they are receiving finished products from Mexico into U.S. distribution centers, which send them throughout the world. So many products that we consume in the U.S. are produced in Juarez, such as auto components, computers, consumer electronics and even food. The Borderplex is now the fifth-largest industrial base in North America. In the Borderplex, I always tell people that Juarez is the dog, and we are on the U.S. side are the tail. If the Juarez maquiladora industry is healthy, we are healthy on the U.S. side. The opposite also applies. That is why I have been following with consternation the fact that during the past two years, the Juarez maquiladora industry has lost approximately 65,000 jobs. The Mexican Association of Importers and Exporters recently announced that it had lost 20,993 jobs through August compared to 2024. Total employment in Juarezs maquiladora industry now stands at 261,443 jobs through August, down from nearly 330,000 jobs two years ago. It is generally acknowledged that jobs are being lost due to three factors. First is the uncertain business environment caused by the threat of tariffs against Mexico and Canada by the Trump administration. Businesses are reluctant to expand their production and workforces, not knowing what is going to happen with tariffs in the future. Second is the fact that the minimum wage has been raised in border cities such as Juarez. This decreases Mexican border cities competitiveness compared to Mexican interior cities such as Queretaro. It can also make Juarez less competitive compared to production bases in countries such as Vietnam. Third is the increasing use of automation in production plants in Juarez. More plants are being built or retooled using high-tech production equipment that requires less labor. Ad If employment in Juarez is contracting, but productivity goes up, this is not a bad thing, as it bodes well for the regions competitiveness. This is yet to be seen over a longer period of time. On the other hand, thousands of workers will need to find jobs in other areas. I have always said that the border is a harbinger of what is going to happen in the U.S. economy. We have a ringside seat to economic trends before they hit the overall U.S. economy. If cross-border trade and production go soft, the U.S. economy is most likely headed for a slowdown. What is going on in Juarezs maquiladora industry is important to us because so many jobs on the U.S. side of the border depend on what is going on there. This is why we must carefully follow what is happening with the loss of jobs in this industry. Authorities lock down portions of New Mexico Tech after a shooting left one person dead Wednesday. Anthony Alvarado A standoff at a home in Magdalena late Friday ended with the arrest of a suspect in the fatal shooting of a man on the New Mexico Tech campus. New Mexico State Police detained 21-year-old Anthony Alvarado following a nearly 48-hour manhunt aided by the Socorro Police Department, according to a news release. The release states that around 8 p.m. State Police SWAT officers surrounded the home and initiated callouts ordering Alvarado to surrender. After an approximately one-and-a-half-hour standoff, Alvarado exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident, according to the release. Alvarado is charged with an open count of murder, shooting at a motor vehicle, child abuse and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the death of Quentin Sisneros, 22. The shooting unfolded Wednesday night. Around 9 p.m., Socorro police received reports of a shooting on the New Mexico Tech campus and found Sisneros fatally shot, according to court records. Witnesses told police Alvarado was armed with a rifle and confronted a teenager in the parking lot. Police said witnesses told them the teens cousin had slept with the mother of Alvarados child. During the confrontation, a black sedan similar to the one driven by the teens cousin drove by. Witnesses told police Alvarado fired numerous times at the car, fatally striking the driver, Sisneros, before running away, according to court records. Investigators do not believe Sisneros was the individual involved in the prior relationship with Alvarados girlfriend, indicating this may have been a case of mistaken identity, State Police wrote in a prior release. From the war in Ukraine to the Middle East and Sudan, international justice is suffering its biggest crisis since the advances of the 1990s Courtroom 600 of the monumental Nuremberg Palace of Justice is disconcerting at first glance. It is smaller than the visitor imagines upon opening the door. The furnishings are different from those that existed during the trial of the Nazi leadership at the end of World War II, 80 years ago. Ordinary trials continued to be held here until five years ago, and the room retains the bland, functional air of a German regional court. It feels like a place thats still under construction, much like the idea that was born in this very room between November 20, 1945, and October 1, 1946. In an era of wars and massacres with impunity, from Ukraine to the Middle East, passing through Sudan and other parts of the planet, the edifice of international justice that was born in Nuremberg is showing severe cracks. If the people who have suffered horror in Ukraine, in Sudan, in Israel on October 7, and in Gaza, in Palestine, ask themselves what international law has done for them, they will answer that it hasnt done much, says jurist and writer Philippe Sands by telephone. Nuremberg and what followed from that trial has not been able to prevent horrors in our time, he adds. But Sands cautions that the idea of international criminal justice is, from a historical perspective, very recent: Its a system thats still in its infancy. It has a long way to go. Eight decades ago, in Nuremberg, for the first time, the highest-ranking officials of a state sat in the dock of an international tribunal, 21 men associated with the most horrific crimes of the 20th century. Among them were the highest-ranking living Nazi leader, Hermann Goring (Hitler, Goebbels, and Himmler had already died by suicide); the minister and architect Albert Speer; the Nazi chief Rudolf Hess; the diplomat Joachim von Ribbentrop; Hans Frank, jurist, governor of Poland, and perpetrator of the Holocaust; ideologues such as Alfred Rosenberg and Julius Streicher; and military officers such as General Keitel and Admiral Donitz. The United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France organized the tribunal to judge crimes so calculated, so malignant, and so devastating, that civilization cannot tolerate their being ignored, because it cannot survive if they are repeated. These are the words, in his opening statement, of the U.S. chief prosecutor, Robert H. Jackson, who added: That four great nations, flushed with victory and stung with injury stay the hand of vengeance and voluntarily submit their captive enemies to the judgment of the law is one of the most significant tributes that Power has ever paid to Reason. Nuremberg was to try three types of crimes: crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It ended with three acquittals, seven sentences of life imprisonment or long prison terms, and 13 death sentences. Thus was born what Gurgen Petrossian, a jurist at the International Academy of Nuremberg Principles, calls the Nuremberg Idea, which is as follows: When a person commits an international crime whether it be genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, or crimes of aggression that person must be held accountable. And this means that, regardless of who committed the crime, when, or where, the fate of these individuals is sealed: it is only a matter of time before they appear before a tribunal. After the convictions of the Nazi leaders, 12 more trials were held in Nuremberg, until 1949. A year earlier, the U.N. had adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Then, beginning in the late 1950s, national trials took place in Germany, helping the country without being forced by the victors to confront its responsibility for the murder of six million Jews. Trials such as those of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem in 1961 and Klaus Barbie in Lyon in 1987 were held. But the idea of international justice went into hibernation. It wasnt until the 1990s, with the massacres in the Balkans and Rwanda, that the International Criminal Tribunals in The Hague and Arusha were established. It was the golden age of the Nuremberg Idea. We were very optimistic, notes French historian Annette Wieviorka, author of The Nuremberg Trials, referring to this brief historical moment between the fall of the Berlin Wall and the attack on the Twin Towers. That is why, she adds, the lessons of Nuremberg are difficult to apply today. Philippe Sands sees the spirit of Nuremberg in the current International Criminal Court, in whose creation he participated, and in the arrest of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet in London in 1998, the subject of his latest book, 38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia. He also sees it in the nascent Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, which is reviving the main accusation against Nazi leaders. Without Nuremberg, everything would have been very different, says the Franco-British jurist. Some current dysfunctions of international justice can be traced back to the original sins of Nuremberg. It was a trial, for example, organized by the powers that won the war and their leaders (and one of them, Stalin, had already perpetrated some of his greatest crimes). This imbalance persists. Sands cites the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq at the beginning of this century and the roles of the United States and the United Kingdom. He also mentions the indictment of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte last March by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity in his war on drugs. This prompts him to reflect: What is happening in the Caribbean and the Pacific, with 76 alleged drug traffickers summarily executed [by the U.S.], is it compatible with international law? Is it a crime against humanity? More imbalances. There are world leaders wanted by the International Criminal Court, such as Russias Vladimir Putin and Israels Benjamin Netanyahu. But it seems unlikely they will ever face trial. Pinochet traveled to London in October 1998 thinking he was completely safe, so you never know, Sands notes. Its unlikely, but what we do know is that they receive advice on this matter and they dont ignore it. Its better than nothing. Faced with the temptation of cynicism, of thinking that what began in Nuremberg is just empty words, he recalls the case of Judge Thomas Buergenthal, a survivor of Auschwitz, who told him a few years ago that he wished there had been a Genocide Convention and an ICC in 1943. It probably wouldnt have stopped the crimes, Buergenthal maintained. But it would have told us that we werent alone and that it was known that crimes were being committed, he added. And it would have given us hope. This is more important than anything. In courtroom 600, they avoid discussing specific cases, but Petrossian is also clear: International law has always been in crisis. That the political situation is difficult, he adds, doesnt mean that it has ceased to exist legally, or that the Nuremberg Idea has disappeared. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Hody Childress, who died in 2023, for years anonymously donated $100 a month to the pharmacy in Geraldine, Alabama, to help his friends and neighbors cover the cost of prescriptions. Courtesy Tania Nix Hes been gone almost three years now. He died on Jan. 1, 2023, with a balance sheet $15,000 smaller than it was 10 years prior. But he died so much richer for the kind gestures made once a month for over a decade. And though hes been gone a while now, those gestures started a movement that continues to this day. Brooke Walker at Geraldine Pharmacy, where customers for years have received help with the cost of prescriptions thanks to a originally anonymous gift from a neighbor. Courtesy Brooke Walker The elderly woman approached the drive-through window at Geraldine Drugs in the small town of Geraldine, Alabama. It was months ago, and pharmacist Brooke Walker handed the woman her medicine. I can tell when someone in our small hometown might be struggling with high prescription prices, Brooke told me. The womans eyes grew wide as she saw the price of the drug. Dont worry, said Brooke. Hodys got this. The woman broke down in tears. Its a town of a thousand people that sits atop North Sand Mountain in northeast Alabama. Hardworking folks, from farmers to teachers, make their neighbors in Geraldine proud. What they might lack in riches they are blessed with in love. They look out for one another, in good times and in bad. Hody Childress knew a thing or two about hard work. For years, he worked at Lockheed Martin, but his true calling was farming. Hody raised crops and cattle, and he had a few pigs here and there. Hody Childress make have worked another job, but in his heart was a farmer, his children said. Childress, who died in 2023, for years anonymously donated $100 a month to the pharmacy in Geraldine, Alabama, to help his friends and neighbors cover the cost of prescriptions. Courtesy Tania Nix Hody and Peggy had 3 children, Doug and Tania and Butch. Hody Childress also knew a thing or two about sorrow. It was May 8, 1973, when the tornado blew through Geraldine. I remember we were at our grandparents house, said Hodys daughter, Tania. I was 9 years old, and my younger brother we called Butch was 7. I remember it like it was a movie. The tornado touched down and killed my grandfather. I ran to my mother and father who were weeping over my brother, who was on a stretcher. Seven-year-old Butch Childress was gone. Hody and Peggy Childress with two of their children, Doug and Tania, in 1973. The couple lost their youngest son, Hody Childress Jr., called Butch, when a tornado hit Geraldine, Alabama in May of that year. Courtesy Tania Nix Hody and Peggy Childress forged on after losing Hody Jr. Their two remaining children grew and raised families of their own. Peggy fought multiple sclerosis the best she could, but she died in 1999 at the age of 55 after Hody became the best caretaker ever. My father was always the picture of kindness, said Tania. He cared for his parents before they died. He cared for my mother as well. It was 2012 when then-28-year-old pharmacist Brooke Walker looked up from behind the counter at Geraldine Drugs. There stood 66-year-old Hody Childress, and he had a question. Do you ever see customers that cant afford their medicine? Hody asked. Yes, sir, I do, responded Brooke. I want you to have this, said Hody, as he handed Brooke a wad of cash. Dont tell anyone where it came from. And Hody walked out the door. Brooke Walker smiled and counted the money. A hundred dollars. She put it in a jar and went back to work. A month went by, and Brooke looked up from the counter to see the familiar face. Hello, said Hody Childress. You know what to do with this. Dont tell anyone where it came from. Another smile from Brooke, another $100, and another exit from Hody. A pattern had developed. A gesture the world never knew about that would go on for 10 years. Brooke Walker and the staff at Geraldine Drugs. Courtesy Brooke Walker Brooke Walker never told a soul about the man who delivered $100 or more once a month for a decade. But as Hody requested, Brooke would often dip into her jar when one of her customers found themselves in a pinch. Our customers are stretched thin during the first few months of the year when they have to meet their insurance deductibles, Brooke told me. Many times down through the years, our customers will tell us they dont have the money. Those were the times Brooke reached into the jar and helped give some relief to the locals. As the years came and went, Hody Childress and Brooke Walker grew close. They would talk about family and faith. In his later years, Brooke would tell Hody about her husband doing some work in the ministry, and about her deaf daughter, Navee, who had been adopted from India. Brooke and Chace Walker with children Kai, Karsyn, Holland, Navee Walker and Rynell Jones. Courtesy Brooke Walker And month after month, Hody would walk into the pharmacy and tell Brooke, You know what to do with this. Dont tell anyone about it. For years, Tania and her brother Doug had no idea about their fathers gestures, because aside from a few co-workers, Brooke kept it a secret. In the fall of 2022, Hodys health was failing. He needed help making his monthly $100 delivery. My father was dying, Tania told me. I was with him one day and he said, For as long as Im alive, I want to keep doing something I have done for a while. Go find Brooke Walker. She will know what this is about. The New Year brought the passing of 80-year-old Hody Childress. Family members gathered at the funeral home to console one another, Tania told me. My first cousin went to Brooke to ask about donating because we didnt know much about it. That was when Brooke decided to tell us. We had no idea my father was donating money for years. Hody Childress with his oldest son, Doug, and daughter, Tania. Childress, who died in 2023, for years anonymously donated $100 a month to the pharmacy in Geraldine, Alabama, to help his friends and neighbors cover the cost of prescriptions. Courtesy Tania Nix Hodys family wasnt surprised by the news. My father used to send cards to the elderly and put a $100 bill inside, said Tania. He would take checks to church and to a local childrens fund. The kind man with a modest income and a simple pension helped hundreds of his neighbors before going to Heaven. Hody Childress was buried at Geraldine Cemetery. It ironically is behind Geraldine Drugs, only a few hundred yards from where he changed so many lives. As word leaked out, the world fell in love with Hody. Hundreds of cards and letters began arriving at Geraldine Drugs from around the country, many with $100 bills inside. They came from New York, Michigan and Idaho. One little girl sent 5 bucks. The story of Hodys Heart spread around the world. Brooke Walker shows some of the letters that have arrived to make donations to the Hody Childress Fund. Childress, who died in 2023, for years anonymously donated $100 a month to the pharmacy in Geraldine, Alabama, to help his friends and neighbors cover the cost of prescriptions. Courtesy Tania Nix Brooke Walker and Tania Childress Nix did their best to write thank you notes to those sending in money, still gratefully using it to help customers with the cost of prescriptions. And while Hodys $100 bills were no longer coming in, the cards and letters from around the country made up for the lost revenue. Today, the annual amount being donated to Geraldine Drugs is about the same annual amount as when Hody was alive. Hodys got this, Brooke says to customers when the money gets tight. Cody Childress and his second wife, Martha Jo, with their great-granddaughter Carolina Nix in a photo from 2021. Courtesy Tania Nix Tania Nix is now 61 years old and she is no stranger to loss. Hody remarried after he lost Peggy, and Tanias stepmother, Martha Jo, passed in July of 2023. Her brother, Doug, passed away at the age of 53 on May 31 of last year. It was the latest in a series of setbacks in Tanias life. She lost her 7-year-old brother in the 1973 tornado, her mom in 1999 and her dad on New Years Day of 2023. Yet Tania will forever be blessed knowing the gesture made by her father turned into a movement. If ever a saint walked this earth, it was my father, said Tania, who plans to retire from her hairdressers job next spring. Hody Childress with his daughter, Tania, on her wedding day. Childress, who died in 2023, for years anonymously donated $100 a month to the pharmacy in Geraldine, Alabama, to help his friends and neighbors cover the cost of prescriptions. Courtesy Tania Nix I want to make a difference when I retire, added Tania. I want to become more involved in my church and volunteer to help people. My father set the bar on being kind. Showing kindness is the legacy everyone wants. Brooke Walker will be back at work tomorrow, serving the town folks as a picture of Hody Childress hangs on the back wall of the pharmacy. And as Thanksgiving week has arrived, Brooke is happy to thank her customers. A simple gesture has helped the morale in our town so much, Brooke told me. And as the Hody Childress Fund continues three years after Hodys passing, Brooke will smile as she remembers Hody saying, You know what do to with this. Brooke knows what to do with it, alright. She will greet her customers with a smile and utter her favorite five words: Dont worry, Hodys got this. If you would like to know more about the Hody Childress Fund, click this link https://geraldinedrugs.com/hody-childress-fund/ or send donations to: The Hody Childress Fund, 45 Richey St, Geraldine, AL 35974 Country star Jake Owen has some fond memories of Jimmy Buffett, and the late Buffetts generosity is a big factor in that. Owen recently was a guest on Rolling Stones Nashville Now podcast, where he and host Joseph Hudak spent time talking about Owens new album Dreams to Dream. Its an independent release and a big departure from the radio-friendly mainstream country for which Owen has been known. Produced by Shooter Jennings, its a full-on foray into outlaw-style country music. But Hudak also asks Owen about his association with Buffett. Owen says his admiration goes back to the days when he was just starting out. Jimmy was a guy that, as a kid, for me, playing in Vero Beach Fla., on a barstool, I used to play before this band and they were called the Land Sharks, Owen says. And all they played was Jimmy Buffett music. And if they werent playing there was a band called Possum that played nothing but Grateful Dead music which I never figured out until I asked them one day, Why are you called Possum? And he said, Cause we play dead, bro. Owen said that as his star rose, he was lucky to get to know Buffett through mutual acquaintances and friends including Scotty Emerick and Mac McAnally. Eventually Owen established an annual charity concert in Vero Beach, and favors were swapped. When it came to booking fellow artists for charity shows, he said, there were some who said Well get back to you and some who didnt hesitate. Buffett was in the latter camp. Ill never forget, I helped Jimmy, it was myself, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney and Jimmy and we did a hurricane relief [concert] in Florida, and I still have the voicemail that he sent to Keith when we asked him to do our charity event, said Owen. He responded and he said, Hey Keith. Mr. Buffett here. Not Warren. He said, Jake helped me out, and helped out Tallahassee when I needed him and he was like, Ill be happy to be there. And so he literally flew his own plane in, landed at the Vero Beach airport, got off with his flip-flops and a shirt, with Mac McAnally, and they came in, with a gig bag on his shoulder, and he came in and played for the people of Vero Beach. And then he got back on his airplane and flew himself out of there. To have that kind of memory is amazing, said Owen. In the podcast, Owen goes on to talk about the surreal experience of participating in an all-star Hollywood Bowl tribute concert that followed Buffetts death. Aside from the fact that he was among artists as diverse as Snoop Dogg, Joe Walsh and Paul McCartney, he said, it was where he and Jennings began to develop their collaboration. Only Jimmy Buffett could bring these people together and provide this type of unity, said Owen. Proposed new maps for Alabama's congressional districts were available at a reapportionment committee public hearing on June 27, 2023 at the Alabama State House. These maps and more could be reconsidered again depending on the outcome of federal cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. (Mike Cason/mcason@al.com). (Mike Cason/mcason@al.com) Mobile and Baldwin counties have long shared more than Mardi Gras parades and a coastal economy built on tourism and marine industries. Since the early 1980s, they have also shared a congressional district. That ended two years ago when federal courts split Mobile into the 2nd District and Baldwin into the 1st District. Now, with redistricting and voting rights cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, the two counties could be reunited. The prospect has GOP leaders humming the 1978 Peaches & Cream hit, reunited and it feels so good. And for some Republicans, the tune underscores what they see as a painful divide. The coastal regions of Alabama have been a community for decades, Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl said. To see that literally split into two and the division its created in the political process between the Wiregrass and the coastal areas is very sad. Even if Alabamas congressional maps are redrawn for the third time this decade, potentially eliminating the Democratic majorities in the 2nd and 7th districts, some observers believe another internal GOP fight could emerge. Any effort to create an additional Republican-leaning district would require shifting Democratic areas elsewhere, softening GOP advantages in other seats. Similar concerns have surfaced in other states after President Donald Trump encouraged Republicans in red states to pursue mid-decade redistricting. In Kansas, lawmakers stalled such an effort amid fears that reworking the states lone Democratic district could backfire. You are creating closer elections by doing that, said Spencer Goidel, a political science professor at Auburn University. If everything goes right and Republicans get the same vote share as they got in 2024, then they are safe. But what if there is a 5-point Democratic shift? If you go to seven Republican congressional districts, and you run a bad candidate in one of those districts, you lose. Ramifications, timing Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., speaks with demonstrators in front of the Supreme Court as the court hears the case drawing new congressional district boundaries in Louisiana, in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) AP How Alabama proceeds may hinge on federal cases before the Supreme Court. A ruling is expected in Louisiana v. Callais, which analysts say could weaken Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and restrictions on racial gerrymandering. Depending on how the conservative-majority court rules, Alabamas two majority-minority districts could be at risk. Those districts are held by the states only Democratic members of Congress, Rep. Terri Sewell in the 7th District and Rep. Shomari Figures in the 2nd. The court could also consider cases involving redistricting in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and California, where both Republican- and Democratic-led maps are under challenge. I think the Supreme Court will have to look at this and say, we have a problem, said Jon Gray, a Republican strategist based in coastal Alabama. Weve created a vicious circle and as a result of this, it will only keep (the political parties) one-upping each other. Timing is tight as states approach qualifying deadlines for the 2026 elections. Texas candidates must qualify by Dec. 6. On Tuesday a federal court blocked Texas from using its redrawn U.S. House map but then on Friday the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked that order allowing the map to stand. In Alabama, the deadline for Democrats and Republicans running in the May 19, 2026, primary is Jan. 23. Legislation in Montgomery could allow for special primaries in August for districts affected by litigation, affecting both congressional and legislative races. The Alabama Legislature begins its session on Jan. 13. Congressional candidates In Alabamas 1st District, among the most conservative in the country, two Republican hopefuls say they are not expecting changes before the primary. There are a lot of ifs, but the reality is were running a race from Dauphin Island to Dothan in 2026, said former Congressman Jerry Carl of Mobile. State Rep. Rhett Marques of Enterprise said many are waiting to see the outcome of the Louisiana case, which could reshape the Voting Rights Act. He noted, however, that Alabamas congressional maps are set until after the 2030 Census. A three-judge panel ruled in August that the state must continue using the 2023 map drawn by a special master at least until 2030. This is not how we voted for the districts to look, Marques said, pointing out that Alabama Republicans, who hold all statewide offices and a legislative supermajority, preferred a previous map keeping Mobile and Baldwin counties together in a coastal 1st District. Marques said the current map benefits him. I grew up and lived for the 27 years of my life in Baldwin County, he said. I now live in Coffee County and had a small business and raised two daughters there. I know this district better than anyone. Carl, who lost last years 1st District GOP primary to Rep. Barry Moore, said he expects the boundaries to change by 2028 as a result of the pending Louisiana case. If that changes, it does nothing but increase our odds and make things a lot better (for me), Carl said. Carl lost largely because Wiregrass-area voters backed Moore, of Enterprise. Moore is leaving the House to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. Joshua McKee, an Army Special Forces veteran from Robertsdale running in the 1st District, said he believes the Supreme Court is likely to issue a ruling that affects Alabamas map before the 2026 election. Im hoping redistricting takes place and we divide that up into two more districts across Southern and Central Alabama, McKee said. I think the best representation you get is when you separate (the coastal area and the Wiregrass) and focus more on what they each need. Business interests Bradley Byrne, president & CEO with the Mobile Chamber, speaks during the 11th annual State of the Economy on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at the Saenger Theatre in downtown Mobile, Ala. John Sharp Rejoining Mobile and Baldwin counties is also a priority for regional business leaders. The Mobile Chamber has signaled it hopes the courts reconsider the map. Bradley Byrne, who represented the 1st District from 2014 to 2021, said the top goal should be reconnecting the two counties because they share a clear community of interest. Its difficult for anyone -- and this is not a comment about the incumbents -- to manage a district that goes from the Mississippi line to the Georgia line, Byrne said. Its too big of a difference from one district to another. And its bad for the businesses in this area to have Mobile County separated from all of Baldwin County. Democrats have argued that Baldwin County, which is heavily conservative and 83 percent white, has little in common politically with more urban Mobile, which is 55 percent white and 35 percent Black. They supported the map that created a new majority-minority 2nd District; last year, Alabama sent two Black representatives to Congress for the first time. Predictions Paul Smith, a Georgetown Law professor and former senior vice president at the Campaign Legal Center who has argued two redistricting cases before the Supreme Court, said he does not expect a quick ruling on the Louisiana case. Ordinarily, one would expect a case as important as (the Callais case), even if argued in the fall, to come down in the late spring, Smith said. If that happens, one wouldnt expect changes in the districts for the 2026 election. He said he expects the justices to be mindful of the political climate. My prediction is that the Court will not act that soon, because the dissents will take some time to write and the Court doesnt like to issue decisions before the dissents are ready, Smith said, adding that the conservative majority would worry about being seen as nakedly political. Wahl said that if a ruling requires reconsidering the maps this year, Republicans already have an old map ready to restore Mobile and Baldwin counties to the 1st District while keeping the seat safely Republican. The 7th District could remain Democratic, but eliminating all Democratic districts could require shifting boundaries in ways that weaken GOP margins elsewhere. Im a former Republican official, Byrne said. Its a danger for the Republican Party and they need to take a hard look at that before they do it. This story was updated to reflect that Paul Smith is a former senior vice president at the Campaign Legal Center. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has launched an investigation into an officer-involved shooting that took place Saturday in Pike County. According to information released by ALEA, the Troy Police Department requested the investigation after an encounter that left one suspect hospitalized. The incident occurred after officers with the Troy Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop, said an ALEA statement. The driver, later identified as Justin Cook, 29, of Banks, refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. Ultimately, officers with the Troy Police Department located the vehicle and Cook at a residence in the 2000 Block of Pike County 6629, located within Pike County. Cook fired at officers from the residence, causing an officer to return fire, striking Cook, continued the ALEA account. Cook was initially transported to Troy Regional Medical Center for treatment but was later transferred to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery. No officers were injured over the course of the incident. ALEA said findings of the investigation will be turned over to the Pike County district attorneys office. A leadership shakeup inside Birminghams regional water system could cost the utility more than $3.5 million, as the newly hired CEO placed all top executives on paid leave just hours after taking the job. The move at Central Alabama Water utility now triggers contract buyouts, potential renewed litigation and intensified political controversy over how the utility is run. Jeffrey Thompson, who was appointed Thursday as CEO for Central Alabama Water, immediately removed the entire senior leadership team, including General Manager Mac Underwood, and within a day, began installing his own, according to sources familiar with the transition. Meanwhile, litigation looms from two board members seeking to undo the entire change in management, including the hiring of the CEO. The costly personnel move to force out Underwood, along with the assistant general managers Philip King, Derrick Murphy, Michael Parker, and Barry Williams could cost the utility more than $3 million in employment contract payouts. Underwood, who until Thursday had led the daily operations at the utility, is paid $446,118 on a five-year contract that was approved in March 2025. Underwoods payout would total more than $2.2 million, not including benefits. Mac Underwood, a former longtime general manager of the Birmingham Water Works Board, was reappointed to the position Feb. 26, 2025. He was sent home late last week by the new CEO. Roy S. Johnson/AL.com The assistant general managers each have agreements that they will pay them a years salary if they are terminated. With an average salary of $334,000 for each one, the payout comes to $1.3 million, excluding other cash benefits. Contracts for assistants were approved by the previous board just a day before Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation into law that replaced them and ended Birminghams dominance on the authority. Multiple sources tell AL.com that Thompson by Friday had already named his team of new leaders that include current employees along with an outside financial consultant. AL.com questions regarding the status of Underwood, the assistant general managers, the cause of their absence, and how long it will last were not answered. Instead, Thompson late Friday released a prepared general statement where he did not address details. Central Alabama Water has a depth of talented professionals on its team, and I am very confident in their abilities, he said. They have many years of experience and extensive knowledge of how our system functions. Our operational continuity is absolutely secure. Thompson in his statement also said customer service would be the priority in his administration. Water board member and Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson called the recent actions hypocritical and wasteful for an agency that promised to bring reform. They just laid off five of the top executives, then weve still got to pay them and now youre going to hire five more and put them on the citizens back who are paying for the water, Tyson told AL.com. So we are paying 10 people who are holding the same position. Where do they do that? She added. The water board will hold another special meeting Monday where they will close operating and revenue accounts with PNC Bank and authorize new officials to conduct banking business with Regions Bank, Truist Bank and Principal bank. Also, board members Tyson and Jarvis Patton late last week asked a judge to void action to hire Thompson on claims that the selection process discriminated against them. Secrecy in the CEO selection process was a source of conflict within the board, where just three of the seven members served on the search committee. At least one high-profile applicant claimed he was discarded by the search firm and the board before they even saw his resume. No public meetings were held to discuss the candidates. Multiple requests by AL.com for details, including a list of candidates, continue to be ignored by the utility. Thompson for months was viewed as the frontrunner, although there had been no official meetings or committee meetings throughout the process. Tyson and Patton late Friday rescinded their original complaint, but Tyson said there are plans for additional legal action. In some kind of way, the sunshine law was broken because how did all five of them know about the meeting, about the person they were going to hire, about the five people they were going to hire and two people didnt know a damn thing? Tyson told AL.com. Too many laws had to be broken. Birmingham firefighters battle a massive blaze on the citys Southside. The fire erupted in the area of the 1300 block of 20th Street South, near Cobb Lane. No injuries have been reported. (Will McLelland / Al.com) Will McLelland Click here to sign up for the Comeback Town newsletter. This is a guest opinion column By David Fleming On the morning of October 31, 2025, a fast-moving fire began in a long-vacant commercial building on Cobb Lane in Birminghams Five Points South and tore through an entire block, destroying multiple historic structures and leaving nearly two dozen people displaced. The blaze started in an unpowered, neglected wood-frame historic house and, fanned by early-morning winds, spread to adjacent brick apartment and condo buildings. This fire turned a single property vacancy into a neighborhood catastrophe. The Haskins & Bertha Williams residence was a vacant Victorian house built in 1901 at 1312 20th Street South. Mr. Williams, after purchasing a new car, built a multi-bay garage facing the alley whereupon they rented spaces for neighbors to park their cars. The alley would become known as Cobb Lane. Mr. Williamss former garage eventually became a gathering place for the public as a series of bars, most recently the J Clyde. After the original Williams family ceased to live in the main house in the 1970s, it housed various businesses including an antique store and Black and White Magazine. Next door, the Levert Apartments building became well known to the people of Birmingham when Virginia Cobb relocated her childrens clothing store and tea room to the rear of the building facing the alley in the 1940s. Her business eventually became the popular Cobb Lane restaurant, the site of many wedding showers and ladies lunches. Collectively, the alley and the buildings together created a space unique to Birmingham that spanned decades and became part of countless peoples memories. The Williams house had been left vacant for many years by its current owner and was deteriorating it has been named as the origin of the fire. Within hours, the primary building was a total loss, the Levert Apartments were gone, and the Cobb Lane Condos, all handsome historic structures, were likely total losses as well. At least 19 people were displaced. Neighbors and business owners watched drone footage and images of smoke that could be seen for miles, mourning lost homes and the physical fabric of one of Birminghams most iconic and historic blocks. While an arsonist was arrested for suspicion of starting the fire, the story here isnt only about a suspected arson arrest. It is also about what happens when property is left to decay. The vacant building where the fire began had no power and had been neglected; its condition made it both an attractive target for trespass and a tinderbox when a fire took hold. Fire officials and neighborhood leaders have since pointed to that vacancy as the proximate reason the blaze could so easily jump to neighboring occupied buildings. That pattern of vacancy plus neglect plus insufficient security turns isolated risk into community disaster. The Cobb Lane fire points directly to one of the most pressing problems facing Birmingham namely, the significant presence of absentee property owners neglecting their properties. This is not only a problem in Five Points South, but across downtown and the entire City of Birmingham. As a city resident and one who has worked on revitalization across our city for 30 years, I can attest that a major obstacle to progress in revitalization of downtown and neighborhoods is who owns the properties. Believe me, I have heard over and over many of the excuses by property owners for inaction. Some of them are worthy of sympathy. However, in most cases, I have found some common frustrating challenges. Typically, property owners of abandoned properties think the property is worth more than it really is and are waiting on the right price to appear. They are part of a group of owners that cannot get everyone to agree on a path forward. Or they are just comfortable with the existing situation and feel no motivation to do anything else. I have come to believe one solid truth about realizing a new vision of vibrancy for a place. The one that owns the dirt controls the destiny. There can be a great vision for what is possible, and many such great visions have been cast for places in downtown and in Birmingham neighborhoods. But if those that own a significant number of the properties necessary to realize the vision either will not get on board or will not get out of the way, then there is little hope for the realization of the vision. This is still a reality all too prevalent in our city. It is most frustrating when this condition exists in parts of the city where there is greater market potential for something positive to occur, like Five Points South. Property owners in Five Points South, downtown and across Birmingham must recognize that ownership is stewardship. When owners fail to act, the financial and human cost falls on tenants, neighbors, first responders, and the broader city. Years ago, a pastor instilled in me a truth by saying, Your irresponsibility becomes someone elses responsibility. Others will pay the price of what you fail to take responsibility for. Yes, there need to be fewer barriers to redevelopment in the city. But more can be done. City officials and community groups should use this moment to tighten enforcement and support sensible remediation: more proactive inspections, clearer pathways for owners to sell hazardous properties, incentives and low-interest loans for sympathetic historic rehabs, and stronger penalties for repeated neglect. Our utilities and city should make it easier to keep the power on in vacant structures which helps to enable security systems that could catch arsonists or people trespassing in vacant buildings. The City of Mobile is creating a vacant building registry to highlight neglectful property owners, something we should take a look at here in Birmingham. The Cobb Lane fire is a hard lesson: a single neglected building can destroy a block, upend lives, and erase pieces of a citys story. If Birmingham wants its downtown and neighborhoods to thrive safely and sustainably, then property owners must treat stewardship as a civic responsibility, not merely an investment on paper. Sell, repair, secure, or restorebut do not abandon. The safety of neighbors, the authenticity of our city and its economic future depends on it. David Fleming is the President and CEO of REV Birmingham, an economic development nonprofit with a mission to create vibrant commercial districts in the Magic City. A native of the area, David lives with his wife and son in Crestwood. David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. Hes past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP). Invite David to speak for free to your group about how we can have a more prosperous metro Birmingham. dsher@comebacktown.com Stillman College will be spending part of its 150th anniversary creating a better financial future for its campus after securing up to $1,040,000 in funding through a first-of-its-kind program. The Tuscaloosa-based historically Black college was one of the 11 HBCUs chosen to become part of the HBCU Brilliance Initiative, which is tackling a history of inequality by providing each institution with $40,000 grants, up to $1 million in low-interest financing and opportunities to expand their network of financial experts and advisors. Infrastructure modernization and budgetary planning will be the main focuses for Stillmans new influx of capital. Next year will be the schools Sesquicentennial. Stillman President Dr. Yolanda Page said her team wants to invest in the financial health of the campus in a way that protects it for another century and a half, if not beyond that. Its like building a house, Page said. When the original owner builds a house, they want to make sure theyre building it on a very firm foundation so that even if theres no intention of them being the owner for the houses lifetime, anyone who buys that house in the future is assured that, Hey, this house is not going to fall down on me because the foundation is not firm. Thats what I want to establish at Stillman. The initiative was started by the Reinvestment Fund, a financial institution funding community-centered solutions in under-resourced areas. That includes HBCUs, which historically have been deprived of funding equal to other colleges. In 2023, former president Joe Bidens administration reported a $12.6 billion financial gap between HBCUs and predominantly white institutions. In response to the disparity, federal authorities sent letters demanding 16 governors to increase state funding. That included Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who was told the state owed Alabama A&M University more than a billion dollars. Donors, celebrities and nonprofits have spent the past couple of years boosting the budgets of Black institutions. Recently, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has poured $700 million into HBCUs across the country, $38 million of that being sent to Alabama State University. Stillman is the only Alabama HBCU included in the Brilliance Initiative. The following 10 schools were accepted into the HBCU Brilliance Initiative accepted along with Stillman: Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Miss., Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Ga., Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Paine College in Augusta, Ga., Shorter College in North Little Rock, Ark., Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Miss., Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va., Voorhees University in Denmark, S.C., and Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio. According to the American Council on Education, private HBCUs experienced the deepest decline in federal funds per student between 2003 to 2015. With the exception of Coahoma and Fort Valley State, all of the colleges and universities involved in the initiative are private HBCUs, which depend more heavily on private donations and tuition revenue. Research indicates that investing in HBCUs leads to tangible benefits. For instance a 2013 research study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine concluded that an increase in the number of Black physicians reduced the impact of implicit bias on health disparities. About 70 percent of Black doctors and dentists are HBCU graduates. Research also shows that exposure to Black teachers by third grade increases college enrollment for Black students by 13 percent. HBCUs produce 50 percent of Black educators in the U.S. Eighty percent of Black judges and 40 percent of Black engineers came from HBCUs. Along with the funding, the HBCU will also be advised by Dr. Kendi X. Ibram, Professor of History and founding director of the Institute for Advanced Study at Howard University, and Leah Rothstein, author and housing policy leader. HBCUs have long been incubators of Black brilliance, scholarship, leadership, and multiracial democracy. Investing in these institutions is not just an investment in higher education but it is an investment in an equitable, knowledgeable, and just future, Kendi said in a press release. The Reinvestment Funds Brilliance Initiative is ensuring HBCUs flourish. And when HBCUs flourish, communities flourish, our nation flourishes. According to Page, the $40,000 grant will be used to conduct preliminary work, while the $1 million in financing gives Stillman the ability to kick infrastructure projects into motion. The colleges proposal focuses on four areas, including condition assessments of the 39 buildings on campus and implementation of the schools master plan, which makes sure the college is using its buildings and 105 acres of land efficiently. Page said the money will also be used for budget modeling. As we start assessing these buildings, getting them up to par for our students and our faculty to support teaching and learning, its going to take resources, Page said. So what does that look like? How do we generate resources so that we have the funds necessary to start the projects and complete them because theres nothing worse than building a building, and then it stays empty for X number of years because you just didnt plan reasonably from a financial perspective. Another priority for the grant is digitizing important documents. When leaders broke ground on I Dream Big Academy, a tuition-free, public charter school located in Stillmans Harte Center, Page said they had to find previous employees of the college to find the blueprints on the center. My thought was, There has to be a better way to do this, Page said. So were going to be taking all of those blueprints, all of those documents, and digitizing them. That way, in subsequent years, all we have to do is strike a couple of keys, click on a couple of links, and everything that we need is there. Money adds up when a school is modernizing aging buildings, Page explained. She estimated that an assessment for one building alone could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Page said two buildings on campus that were built before the 1970s need abatement due to asbestos. Depending on how much asbestos is discovered, an abatement may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, she said. So Im very quickly at a million dollars even when Im thinking about HVAC modernization, Page said. For many of my buildings, the HVAC looks like something from the 1920s or 1930s. so very quickly that money that is available for infrastructure improvements can be quickly spent. Page said Stillman is willing to pay these price tags because ultimately these projects create a better student and teaching environment and it helps to sustain an important legacy. That Black legacy is important, Page said. A lot of that legacy for all of our institutions is about the finances. Its about being financially secure. To learn more about Pages thoughts on Alabamians can help the states HBCUs, sign up for the Black Joy newsletter. Madisons new mayor is diving headfirst into her first term as the leader of the fast-growing city. Mayor Ranae Bartlett describes herself as someone who is passionate about bettering the City of Madison and values hard work, collaboration and responsible growth. Bartlett is breaking barriers across Madison, and possibly even across the state, as the first Asian-American mayor in Alabama. I have had others also observe that I may be the first Asian mayor in Alabama, Bartlett said. It was never an issue during the campaign, and that fact alone shows how inclusive the City of Madison is. I have had women and people of color come up to me at events, so excited to see someone who looks different sitting on the dais, speaking, leading. Ultimately, I will be judged by what I can accomplish for the residents of Madison. But if I can inspire others to enter the arena who are under-represented, thats a good thing. From South Korea to an encounter with Sam Walton She was born in Chuncheon, South Korea, to Mi Ja Kim and Chester Bartlett, who was deployed to Korea while serving in the U.S. Air Force. She quickly picked up a Southern accent when they moved to the Ozarks in Arkansas when she was four and a half years old. She said her parents valued education and wanted her to achieve anything she wanted because they didnt have those opportunities. They did not have the benefits of education, she said. I think its because of that they valued it more. And they just thought if their daughters could just get an education, that would be everything, college was just everything. And so law school just seemed to be, just seemed to be too much to even dream of. Her ability to work hard carried her to the top of her class at the University of Arkansas Law School. She supported herself through college, sometimes working up to three jobs. One of those jobs was working the customer service desk at the Clarksville, Arkansas, Walmart, where she was approached by founder Sam Walton to work in the Wal-Mart legal office before she even entered law school. One of Sam Waltons beliefs was that people shouldnt get promoted to upper management if they hadnt had real store experience, Bartlett said. When youre in a store, you really understand customer service. Youre trying to work hard and strive for excellence. Those are certain tenets that he wanted to promote. And so just because I had a job in a Walmart store, its kind of how I eventually ended up on corporate counsel for them. Bartlett worked at Walmart from her graduation until she and her family wanted a change of pace. They found a paradise in the small town of Madison in 2003. She said it was a stroke of luck that they ended up where they did. I cannot take credit for where we ended up, Bartlett said. My husband actually found a house. I was back home in Arkansas, working, and I couldnt get away on the house-hunting trip, and he and a realtor named Betty Hughes, who we are still friends with to this day. Betty helped Todd find our house in Madison. Weve lived there for over 22 years. All about building relationships Congratulatory flowers sit on Mayor Bartletts desk from Hughes. Mayor Bartlett places a high importance on building relationships in her community. The City of Madison gains a new mayor. Megan Plotka She wants to be an active part of the events of Madison so she can be an accessible city leader. She said this will be supplemental to her office hours and weekly newsletter. Intentional collaboration is one of her key values, especially in her time as a public servant. She knows that everyone has something to contribute. Collaboration has shown up several times during her five years as a city council member. One of her crowning achievements is the joint effort to install turn lanes on Slaughter Road. The road is split between three municipalities: Madison City, Huntsville City and Madison County. People have said, Youll never get anything done because there are three different jurisdictions, she explained. Well, you get people to sit down, and thats something that was very near and dear to my heart, to get people to sit down, talking to each other and working together. (...) Thats a great project, because it does affect multiple jurisdictions and a lot of people. Its a good argument for it. She revels in creative problem-solving for a variety of complicated problems. She feels comfortable approaching any issues to stretch her muscles by vetting a contract using her law degree, crunching numbers as a math major or strategically thinking again by tapping into her chess prowess. She founded the Madison City Chess League in 2013 and was selected to serve as the U.S. Chess Federation Executive Director in 2024. She stayed in the position until she was sworn in as the Mayor of Madison. Early term work Shes showing her commitment to creative problem-solving, collaboration and a strong work ethic in the first work session of her term. They discussed upgrades to the often-stalled train intersections in Madison. Bartlett helped broker partnerships between city leaders and private businesses to have cameras monitoring the trains. The majority of the project will be funded by private philanthropists, not city dollars. More work and special sessions are planned before 2026. This council is going to be very busy, and they, I think, want to be busy. Theyre very energized. They want to get things done. Were going to have work sessions each month, and potentially even a special-called meeting and an additional work session in December. Bartlett said she knows she can tackle anything because she has the experience to do it. She spent years as a city council member to learn about the intricacies of Madison. When she felt confident she could solve any problem, she ran for mayor. The City of Madison gains a new mayor The City of Madison To tackle the city council position, she prepared by joining the school board. She learned about the ins and outs of school function, funding and more. However, it wasnt a straight shot there. She was rejected the first time she applied for the position. She said it just gave her more time to prepare. Sometimes you dont get a job or a position the first time, and it doesnt mean you havent succeeded, she said. It just means you havent done it yet. And in my case, when I didnt get the appointment to the school board, I thought, I need to learn more. I just used it as an opportunity to serve on more committees for the school system, and it took about three or four years before I applied again, and I was a much better school board member because I had learned so much more, I had served in so many different capacities. After several years of public service, shes ready to help Madison through a complicated time. It is growing at a fast rate. She said there is only one way to handle it: controlled and planned growth. She said she and her administration want to make sure there are adequate resources for all residents. She said she wants to continue to invest in the citys school system and economic development projects. Bartlett said some projects that are in the pipeline that she cant announce yet. We wanted to see more commercial development because that generates more tax revenue for the city, and that helps us pay for roads and police and all the things that you know you want a city to help pay for for the residents, Bartlett said. She said she wants to continue being Madisons biggest cheerleader and help the city give to others what it gave to her and her family. I am reminded of a quote by someone I admire greatly who also blazed trails, accomplishing many firsts, Condoleeza Rice, People who end up being first dont actually set out to be first. They set out to do something they love, Bartlett said. I love Madison, and I think people know that, said Mayor Bartlett. I have volunteered countless hours here and have served the public in multiple roles. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as mayor and represent. (ECNS) -- Deep in the dense forests of the Amazon, the world is searching for a shared answer to address the climate issue. Extreme weather events are intensifying, development in the Global South remains constrained, and the global political landscape is undergoing rapid transformation. The COP30 being held in Belem in northern Brazil becomes more than a climate conference, but also an occasion to reconsider the relationship between humanity and nature. During an exclusive interview with China News Network, Andrea Mjuma, Chief Economist at Malawis Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning, spoke about his reflections in the Amazon and why he believes China is emerging as an indispensable force in global climate governance. In Malawi, floods, droughts, and extreme weather are no longer seasonal disruptions but fundamental challenges that are hindering the nations development. Mjuma noted that while the world is facing climate impacts together, the burden on extremely poor countries is far heavier. Were experiencing floods, droughts, and increasingly intense climate events, he said. Extreme poverty means we lack not only the resources to develop our economy, but even the capacity to protect our natural resources. When discussing partnerships, Mjuma repeatedly pointed to Chinas concrete contributions. Chinas achievements in biodiversity restoration, forest recovery, and ecological governance, he said, are not just words, but real action. He called China a trusted partner, emphasizing its ability to provide both financing and technology to the Global South. He highlighted the value of the G77+China framework, calling it a crucial collective platform. We believe that moving forward with G77+China will not only grow our economies, he said, but also keep us moving together. For him, Chinas leadership and practical engagement give developing countries a stronger, more unified voice. Mjuma stressed that climate change is a global enemy and that no nation, including Malawi, can face it alone. He argued that the world must move toward unity rather than division: We are not here to fight America, he said as he talked about Americas walking out of the Paris Agreement, We are here to demonstrate that only through cooperation can we address climate change successfully. The setting of COP30 in the Amazon reinforced his belief in coexistence between humans and nature. He referenced Chinas philosophy Green is gold., which he thinks is not a slogan but a blueprint for a new global climate governance culture: one where solidarity replaces isolation and collective strength overcomes a shared crisis. English News Ulanqab, gateway to grassland Silk Road and cradle of Qahar culture Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 18 Novembre 2025 While preserving the circular silhouette of the classic yurt, he reconstructed its framework using Russian Scotch pine and added modern polyurethane insulation to enhance thermal performance. Solar panels now crown the roofs, and each yurt is equipped with an integrated mobile biological wastewater treatment system, combining ecological preservation with modern convenience. By Wu Yong from People's Daily After entering China through the Erenhot Port in Xilingol league, north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, many Mongolian tourists make their way directly to Ulanqab. There, they find a welcoming stopover - a place to unwind and begin a journey of leisure and discovery. Centuries ago, Ulanqab was already a thriving trading post along the Silk Road of the grasslands and the "Tea Road of the North." Along the historic Zhangku Avenue - from Zhangjiakou on China's northern frontier to Kulun (present-day Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia) - a continuous stream of merchants once traveled, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges. Today, Ulanqab remains a vital gateway linking China with Mongolia, Russia, and beyond. With six railways, seven expressways, and eight national highways converging in the region, the city has evolved into a major transportation hub. It serves as a crucial non-provincial capital node for both the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Europe freight train routes. From the iconic Phoenix Tower, visitors are treated to panoramic views of verdant boulevards and meandering rivers. Hot spring resorts in the area offer a full suite of amenities - from therapeutic baths to wellness spas. "I came for the long history and incredible cuisine," said 80-year-old Mongolian tourist Dabuge Sumberel. "Many Mongolian travelers make Ulanqab their first destination in China," said local tour guide Husileng. "Thanks to its excellent connectivity and diverse attractions, the city has become an ideal gateway for cross-border tourism." Ulanqab's Jining district is home to the largest leather goods distribution center in northern China. The bustling scene of customers selecting fur and leather products evokes memories of the city's commercial prosperity in centuries past. "Jining's fur trade has a long and well-established history, attracting many Mongolian visitors," said Yang Jun, who manages tourism operations at the center. Seventeen-year-old Mongolian girl Hulan visited Ulanqab for the first time and was captivated by the city's offerings. After buying leather boots for herself and her parents, she continued browsing. "The craftsmanship is excellent, the designs are beautiful, and the prices are affordable. It's hard not to fall in love with the place." At the core of Ulanqab's cultural appeal lies Qahar culture, a distinct and vital strand of the grassland civilization that remains deeply embedded in local life and plays an important role in fostering people-to-people exchanges. "'Qahar' refers to a Mongolian tribe originally formed as a guard unit during the reign of Genghis Khan," explained Ou Jun, a professor with Jining Normal University. "Its cultural essence is defined by openness, inclusiveness, kindness, and integrity." As one of the earliest Mongolian tribal cultures to blend with agrarian traditions, Qahar heritage has flourished in Ulanqab, a major center of its development. "Ulanqab has developed rapidly, and tourism here is booming. I believe this has much to do with the local people, who are hard-working, sincere, and warm-hearted," said 37-year-old Mongolian tourist Uyuntsetseg. On the grasslands of Qahar Right Wing Rear Banner, rows of modern yurts rise gracefully above the prairie, resembling clouds suspended above the earth. "These yurts are slightly elevated from the ground, and from a distance, they look like floating clouds," said Tonrig, an inheritor of Mongolian yurt craftsmanship. "That's why I named them Ulunggeri, meaning 'cloud houses' in Mongolian." Traditional Mongolian yurts, though iconic, are typically small, lack privacy, and have no built-in sanitation facilities. To adapt the tradition to contemporary life, Tonrig has reimagined the structure, integrating modern design and digital technology with traditional techniques. While preserving the circular silhouette of the classic yurt, he reconstructed its framework using Russian Scotch pine and added modern polyurethane insulation to enhance thermal performance. Solar panels now crown the roofs, and each yurt is equipped with an integrated mobile biological wastewater treatment system, combining ecological preservation with modern convenience. Now, Ulunggeri yurts are making their way beyond Chinese borders. In 2024, a 30-meter-diameter yurt covering nearly 1,000 square meters was completed at a resort in Ulaanbaatar. That same year, Tonrig shipped a computer numerical control (CNC) machine from Shandong, China, to Mongolia and sent a technician to facilitate local production of Ulunggeri yurts. At the manufacturing facility, components like central skylights and roof beams, adorned with auspicious Mongolian motifs, are precisely carved by the CNC machine. Tonrig now simply sketches the design on paper, and the machine faithfully replicates the intricate beauty of traditional craftsmanship. In Ulanqab, inclusiveness continues to weave a new tapestry of cultural exchanges and mutual learning - stitch by stitch, across time and space. 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) It was only near the weeks end that things started really hopping. Oh, sure, there was another D.C. federal district judge issuing a ridiculous order -- this week, one of them enjoined the President from power washing the Executive Office Building that sits nearby the White House. I must have missed the constitutional provision providing that, for historical if not aesthetic reasons, our federal buildings must be grimy-covered. And yes, the media was still trying to concoct out of the juvenile blatherings of Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes a major split in MAGA. (More likely in my opinion, Carlson engaged in self-sabotage, this week attacking his most prominent supporter, Heritages CEO Kevin Roberts, who stuck his neck out and jeopardized both his tenure and the organization he heads by refusing to distance himself from Tucker.) Then, things started popping. Trump presented Volodymyr Zelensky with a 28-point take-it-or-leave-it peace plan; theres every reason to believe the Texas redistricting plan will pass into being for the midterms; the President has withdrawn the Temporary Protected Status of the thousands of Somalis residing in Minnesota; and the newly elected mayor of New York City buddied up to the President in the White House. Ukraine The best, most detailed description of the 28-point peace plan, what it contains, and how it was presented to Zelensky is in Jeff Childers substack. I summarize it, but urge you to read it all. After four years of sending a tsunami of U.S. money to Zelenskys Ukraine, Trump, who ran on a promise to end this war, cut off the funds and reduced the weapons flow there. He tried working with Zelensky and Putin, but the U.S. team's best efforts were going nowhere. The U.S.-controlled anti-corruption agency NABU exposed what had long been of concern -- enormous government corruption. Zelensky's best friend and business partner, Timur Mindich, fled the country, leaving behind stacks of dollars and a gold-plated toilet. Politico said , The agency has charged 71 current and former MPs with corruption, 42 of them during the period between 2022 and 2025. 31 of the charged MPs still sit in the Ukrainian parliament. Andriy Yermak, his top aide, is under attack from Ukrainian lawmakers who demand he be fired. (Yermak appears to have found urgent affairs to attend to in Istanbul, to which hes decamped.) Other ministers have also resigned or skedaddled out of the country, including the former defense minister, who reportedly came to the U.S., sought asylum, and offered his cooperation in the corruption scandal. The U.S. is demanding that Ukraine give up some land and arms. Apparently, because we required his presence there, Zelensky was forced to come to Istanbul, where he was presented with the plan, a plan that had no input from European leaders and was not leaked before it was handed over to Zelensky. While Zelensky and Yermak are considering the plan in Istanbul, top U.S. generals arrived back in Kyiv, also to discuss peace. The Russians seem to like it, and Zelensky has not complained. In fact, he tweeted, 'only President Trump and the U.S. can make this war come to an end.' As Jeff Childers has said, How many times before have we thought this is it? And then, somehow, Zelensky and his European buddies manage to scurry away through a crack nobody noticed? But this time, President Trump obviously orchestrated a massive strategy that the Z-man and the Euroweenies never saw coming. The carefully coordinated corruption scandal -- which nobody doubts happened -- is the political equivalent of a decapitation strike. This is ugly political hardball; the Mafia-like offer that cant be refused, the horse head in the bedsheets. The only reason Zelensky wasnt himself implicated in the corruption scandal -- a scandal that includes all his best buddies -- is that they need him to sign the paper. But if he wont sign the paper, hes useless. And what happens to useless people? [snip] It appears that Trump may be poised to resolve the most intractable, contentious, and difficult war on the planet since the last intractable, contentious, and difficult war that he resolved. Just like Zelensky, Democrats now also face a polycrisis. Which crisis should they focus on? Epstein? Venezuela? Ukraine? SNAP? ICE deportations? National Guard in blue cities? Tariffs? Russiagate? Obamacare? Affordability? Nick Fuentes? Ali Baba and the Arabian Nights? How to steal all the Whovillians presents before sunrise? Everyone keeps telling Trump to force Putin to take a deal. But how? Isnt it much easier to negotiate a deal the Russians can live with, and then force Zelensky to take it? Maybe this time, we are finally in the endgame. Epstein Those who want to imagine that Trump was intimately involved in Epsteins nefarious doings have no evidence to back up their suspicions, but at the same time are determined to leave no possibility unexamined. Twice now, the Administration has tried to persuade courts that have sealed grand jury testimony from dissemination to the public to undo the seals and lost both times. This week, the Department of Justice renewed its motion in a Florida federal court, this time arguing that the newly enacted Epstein Files Transparency Act supersedes Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e) that traditionally protects grand jury secrecy. The DoJ contends that in light of the acts clear mandate, the Court should authorize the Department of Justice to release all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials, including grand jury material. In my book, a federal law takes precedence over a procedural rule. If this view is correct, those on the left who supposed they could keep suspicion alive because the records to disprove it were forever sealed may be in for a surprise. Texas Redistricting Two judges in a three-judge federal district court panel, in a really poorly reasoned opinion, enjoined the redistricting plan for Texas. One of the three judges, Jerry E. Smith, wrote a blistering dissent. Judge Smith was the most experienced and highest-ranked judge on the panel. Texas filed an immediate appeal to the Supreme Court, and Justice Samuel Alito temporarily blocked that ruling until the entire court can consider the matter. Purcell v. Gonzales, decided in 2006, established the principle that to prevent confusion, federal courts must be especially cautious about changing election rules so close to an election. I think it applies here. The opinion underlying the preliminary injunction was logically sloppy and unsupported by the record, and gears have already been put into motion in Texas for the midterms. If Im right, the Supreme Court will reverse the district court order, and the Republicans will gain a substantial advantage in congressional seats. In the meantime, the plan adopted by the Texas legislature remains the status quo. Minnesotan Somalis In 1991, Somalis were granted temporary protected status (TPS), allowing them to remain in the U.S. As we know, temporary in federal parlance tends to slide into permanency. In any event, the Somalis have been engaged in significant criminal activities, stealing about a billion dollars. In two instances, for example, a Minnesota autism treatment and a pandemic food program, Feeding our Future, Somalis fraudulently stole almost 300 million dollars. Even worse, theres evidence that some of the money they siphoned was sent overseas to fund terrorist activities. President Trump ended the generous status this week, and the Minnesota Somalis are now subject to deportation. Mamdani New Yorks newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, held an apparently very lighthearted and cordial meeting in the White House. Given the two mens heated rhetoric during the mayoral election, it astonished many and infuriated many of their supporters. I dont much like Mamdani, but for those of you living in Rushs Rio Linda and who dont grasp why the men appeared so cordial, let me explain. Whatever his view of the president, New York City needs over $7 billion in federal funding to keep the city afloat, so Mamdani needed to cool it and be conciliatory. He has no political experience -- indeed, no real work experience that I know of. He is an economic illiterate with no demonstrated knowledge of government, management, or the Constitution, yet hes going to be in charge of running one of the most important cities in the country. No matter how little he thinks of Mamdani, Trump certainly loves his hometown and definitely does not want it to go further under. Nor should anyone who loves this country want that. By treating Mamdani in a friendly fashion, he can offer sound advice to protect the city and its people, and he can do this without foregoing necessary restraints on the mayor when they are warranted. If Mamdani fails, moreover, and he certainly will in many respects, no one can blame Trump for those shortcomings: He treated the mayor cordially, with no overt enmity. The following quote is the opening salvo from an article titled The Largest Funder of Al-Shabaab Is the Minnesota Taxpayer, by Ryan Thorpe and Christopher Rufo, both with the Manhattan Institute: Minnesota is drowning in fraud. Billions in taxpayer dollars have been stolen during the administration of Governor Tim Walz alone. Democratic state officials, overseeing one of the most generous welfare regimes in the country, are asleep at the switch. And the media, duty-bound by progressive pieties, refuse to connect the dots. [snip] In many cases, the fraud has allegedly been perpetrated by members of Minnesotas sizeable Somali community. Federal counterterrorism sources confirm that millions of dollars in stolen funds have been sent back to Somalia, where they ultimately landed in the hands of the terror group Al-Shabaab. As one confidential source put it: The largest funder of Al-Shabaab is the Minnesota taxpayer. [snip] Our investigation shows what happens when a tribal mindset meets a bleeding-heart bureaucracy, when imported clan loyalties collide with a political class too timid to offend, and when accusations of racism are cynically deployed to shield criminal behavior. The predictable result is graft, with taxpayers left to foot the bill. The six-page article chronicles a wide-ranging series of schemes to drain money from the intended recipients of state and federal programs. Fortunately, U.S. attorney Joseph Thompson has been filing indictments against several perpetrators of large-scale fraud. For example, under Minnesotas Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention program, autism claims against Medicaid accelerated every year, from $3 million in 2018 to $399 million in 2023! The number of autism centers blossomed from 41 to 328 over that same period, with many in the Somali community establishing their own autism treatment centers, citing the need for culturally appropriate programming. The scammers approached parents and recruited children into autism therapy services and generated fraudulent diagnoses of autism. The conspirators drove up enrollment by paying kickbacks to parents which ranged from approximately $300 to $500 per month, per child, depending on how much the child was authorized to receive from the DHS. Often, parents threatened to leave ... and take their children to other autism centers if they did not get paid higher kickbacks. Minnesota pioneered the establishment of a Medicaid Housing Stabilization Services program, which aimed to help seniors, addicts, the disabled, and the mentally ill secure housing. Its projected annual budget was $2.6 million when the program began in 2020. Since then, costs have shot up to over $100 million/year. This HHS program was terminated in August 2025 after the state paid out $61 million during the first half of this year. In September 2025, Joe Thompson filed criminal indictments for defrauding this HHS program against several persons from the Somali community, saying that not only did most of the cases involve overbilling Medicaid and Medicare, but they often originate from purely fictitious companies solely created to defraud the system ... operated out of dilapidated storefronts or rundown office buildings. Many of those committing these frauds had other companies through which they billed other Medicaid programs, such as the EIDBI autism program, the Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services program, the ... Integrated Community Support program, the Community Access for Disability Inclusion ... program, PCA services, and other Medicaid-waivered services. On the same day, September 18, 2025, 56 defendants pleaded guilty to a $250-million fraud scheme revolving around Feeding Our Future a nonprofit established in 2016 that sponsored daycares and after school programs to enroll in the Federal Child Nutrition Program. Most of the organizations sponsored by this program were owned and operated by members of the Somali community: In 2019, Feeding Our Future received $3.4 million in federal funding disbursed by the state. In the months after the Covid-19 pandemic began, however, the nonprofit rapidly increased its number of sponsored sites. Using fake meal counts, doctored attendance records, and fabricated invoices, the perpetrators of the fraud ring claimed to be serving thousands of meals a day, seven days a week, to underprivileged children. In 2021, Feeding Our Future received nearly $200 million in funding. [snip] In reality, the money was being used to fund lavish lifestyles, purchase luxury vehicles, and buy real estate in the United States, Turkey, and Kenya. In 2020, Minnesota officials raised concerns about the nonprofits rapid expansion. In response, the group filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination related to outstanding site applications, noting that Feeding Our Future caters to ... foreign nationals. The scope of this Somali fraud is mind-boggling reportedly billions of taxpayer dollars have been funneled out of state coffers: The Somali fraud rings have sent huge sums in remittances, or money transfers, from Minnesota to Somalia. According to reports, an estimated 40 percent of households in Somalia get remittances from abroad. In 2023 alone, the Somali diaspora sent back $1.7 billion more than the Somali governments budget for that year. Ryan Thorpe and Christopher Rufo claim that their investigation has revealed, for the first time, that some of that money went to the al-Qaeda-linked Islamic terror group Al-Shabaab. According to multiple law-enforcement sources, Minnesotas Somali community has sent untold millions through a network of hawalas, informal clan-based money-traders, that have wound up in the coffers of Al-Shabaab. According to Glenn Kerns, a retired Seattle Police Department detective who spent 14 years on a federal Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the Somalis ran a sophisticated money network, spanning from Seattle to Minneapolis, and were routing significant amounts of cash on commercial flights from the Seattle airport to the hawala networks in Somalia. One of these networks, Kerns discovered, sent $20 million abroad in a single year. [snip] Kernss investigation eventually expanded to Minnesota, where he realized the same thing was happening. I worked on it for five years, Kerns said. We had sources going into the hawalas to send money. I went down to [Minnesota] and pulled all of their records and, well shit, all these Somalis sending out money are on DHS benefits. How does that make sense? We had good sources tell us: this is welfare fraud. Kern also said that whether the money transfers were intended for Al-Shabaab or not, Al-Shabaab was taking a cut. David Gaither, former Minnesota state senator and nonprofit leader, says that the states Democrat establishment has long ignored the fraud within the Somali community: The media does not want to put a light on this. And if youre a politician, its a significant disadvantage for you to alienate the Somali community. If you dont win the Somali community, you cant win Minneapolis. And if you dont win Minneapolis, you cant win the state. End of story. Hopefully, a continuous string of indictments, along with political blowback against Governor Tim Walz and his Democrat cohorts, will signal the beginning of the end of this sad story. Image: Tim Walz. Credit: Lorie Shaull via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Is there anything sadder than injecting politics into a personal story of a terminal battle with cancer? It's a strange, discordant addition to an otherwise moving piece by Tatiana Schlossberg Moran, the daughter of Caroline Kennedy, writing in the New Yorker about her likely fatal battle with a rare form of leukemia at the age of 34. Tatiana Schlossberg, the daughter of Caroline Kennedy, had just given birth when she was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. She writes about her fear of adding another tragedy to her familys life. https://t.co/GR1vSZYmsW pic.twitter.com/NdTNuS0Acl The New Yorker (@NewYorker) November 23, 2025 She described her experience of finding out she had the illness shortly after having her second child, which in itself is an awful time to get such a diagnosis. After a string of plan A, plan B, and plan C treatments, she learned she has about a year left to live, the obvious wasting and weakness of cancer evident in the photographs accompanying her piece. She movingly wrote of memories from childhood flying at her as her mind concentrates on dying. She described her fear that her very small children would have no memory of her, and her sense of chagrin that the cancer hit her even though she kept herself fit and healthy. She praised her nurses and recalled the love and support she had received from her husband, family, and friends. She wrote of her sorrow at giving her mother Caroline another tragedy to mourn. There isn't a soul in the world who doesn't wish that she recovers from this ordeal, hoping against hope that the doctors can figure out a treatment to make her well so she can see her children grow up and live the normal life she had hoped to live. There isn't anyone who doesn't pray she gets a miracle. The piece is powerful because it describes something universal in the human condition, the terrible experience of dying, made worse because she was dying young and leaving her children without a mother. But then she brought up petty, vengeful Kennedy politics and sent it all crashing to earth. She brought up her second cousin once removed, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as the bad guy, saying he was all about cutting funding for medical research that could help her, or those like her, offering not a scintilla of proof that that was the case with her rare form of leukemia. That certainly drove the focus away from what she had written earlier. First, she wrote of her loathing for her cousin, which is classless behavior against a family member right there: Meanwhile, during the CAR-T treatment, a method developed over many decades with millions of dollars of government funding, my cousin, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., was in the process of being nominated and confirmed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Throughout my treatment, he had been on the national stage: previously a Democrat, he was running for President as an Independent, but mostly as an embarrassment to me and the rest of my immediate family. In August, 2024, he suspended his campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, who said that he was going to let Bobby go wild on health. My mother wrote a letter to the Senate, to try and stop his confirmation; my brother had been speaking out against his lies for months. I watched from my hospital bed as Bobby, in the face of logic and common sense, was confirmed for the position, despite never having worked in medicine, public health, or the government. Then she distorted RFK, Jr's views to a lousy political caricature, beginning with a subjective 'felt' feeling unsupported with evidence: Suddenly, the health-care system on which I relied felt strained, shaky. Doctors and scientists at Columbia, including George, didnt know if they would be able to continue their research, or even have jobs. (Columbia was one of the Trump Administrations first targets in its crusade against alleged antisemitism on campuses; in May, the university laid off a hundred and eighty researchers after federal-funding cuts.) If George changed jobs, we didnt know if wed be able to get insurance, now that I had a preexisting condition. Bobby is a known skeptic of vaccines, and I was especially concerned that I wouldnt be able to get mine again, leaving me to spend the rest of my life immunocompromised, along with millions of cancer survivors, small children, and the elderly. Bobby has said, Theres no vaccine that is safe and effective. Bobby probably doesnt remember the millions of people who were paralyzed or killed by polio before the vaccine was available. Alleged antisemitism? When the slogans bellowed out were directed at Jews and Jewish students were kept from studying in their own libraries? You can argue about whether Trump's response was the right one, but even the university took steps to curb its vile record of Jew-hate. There was nothing 'alleged' about the antisemitism that engulfed Columbia duing the period she's talking about. And as for her characterization of RFK's vaccine stance, what a dreadful parody. RFK, Jr. has questioned the efficacy of mRNA vaccines on younger COVID patients, and the impact of vaccines on babies who become autistic, but he's never said he's against polio vaccines, or any other type of conventional vaccine. He's often had to tell political inquisitors in Congress that he's not against vaccines, he's just a questioner seeking the truth. But here she is, claiming he's an anti-vaxxer and outright liar. That's kind of ... bad ... in a story like this. Then she got into funding: 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; slashed billions in funding from the National Institutes of Health, the worlds largest sponsor of medical research; and threatened to oust the panel of medical experts charged with recommending preventive cancer screenings. Hundreds of N.I.H. grants and clinical trials were cancelled, affecting thousands of patients. I worried about funding for leukemia and bone-marrow research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I worried about the trials that were my only shot at remission. Early in my illness, when I had the postpartum hemorrhage, I was given a dose of misoprostol to help stop the bleeding. This drug is part of medication abortion, which, at Bobbys urging, is currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration. I freeze when 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 or to get the care they deserve. Was that her leukemia funding? Or was it research into COVID vaccines that she said "could" maybe be used for some cancers, though probably not hers? It's quite a stretch of projection here. As for the firings she describes, has she ever heard of government waste? Maybe the problem was that they weren't doing their jobs properly and only a few of them were productive? Were they doing bad research or injecting politics into their research? There could be all kinds of reasons to get rid of them. As for the abortion drug, is anyone out there arguing against use of this drug for the purpose for which she needed it? What a stretch of logic we have here, brought on by overwrought politics. Not only was it an unwelcome injection of politics, it was selective politics. Because if she wanted to do political finger-pointing, she could have far more effectively pointed to the purported cause of her rare leukemia, which was Islamist terrorism. In her piece, she brought up that the doctors thought her cancer was caused by exposure to chemicals, such as those found in the 9/11 rubble, which she visited in New York. If so, then terrorists are the primary bad guys, not Bobby, who didn't even cut rare leukemia funding so far as is known. The piece didn't mention it, but it's also possible that she could be a victim of an electromagnetic attack, also known as Havana syndrome. I know this because I have a friend with a rare form of leukemia acquired in the same circumstances of being young and fit, and who got it while in government service after being posted to several of the U.S. embassies that were subject to electromagnetic attacks. He told me his doctors said there were two ways he could have gotten his leukemia -- through heavy exposure to industrial chemicals, or to an electromagnetic attack, and he was never anywhere near industrial chemicals. Tatiana's mom, Caroline,, on the other hand, had been U.S. ambassador to Japan, and while there is no record of electromagnetic attacks in Japan, according to Google AI, that doesn't mean it didn't happen there and it's also possible she traveled to places like Cuba or China where many attacks occurred. If she had brought that up, or the 9/11 Islamofascist terrorists up, instead of Bobby as the bad guy, she would have been on more solid ground with at least some evidence to back her accusation. What a way to wreck a beautiful personal essay. She didn't need to bring up speculative petty politics or level errant speculative accusations at all. If some editor didn't make her put that discordant section in, it indicates a mind and a family still seething with loathing for cousin Bobby, as well as unable to put politics aside. What a shame that would be. Image: X screen shot While everyone is fixated on Beijings military posture, the true threat lies in the intangible: a campaign of cultural sarcasm aimed at destroying Taiwans identity. The ruling Chinese governments stance toward Taiwan has escalated in recent weeks. As U.S. president Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese president Xi Jinping in April, these actions could help prepare the ground for Xi to persuade Trump to reduce U.S. support to Taiwan and pave the way for its annexation. China views Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to take control of the island, by force if necessary. China has recently released articles in state media explaining how Taiwan would be administered under Chinese rule in a one country, two systems regime, similar to Hong Kong and Macau. China also staged photos of reunification celebrations that airbrush out dissent and even unveiled a purported new national holiday commemorating Taiwans return. The intensity of these actions has surged after the election, as Beijing senses vulnerability in Taiwans domestic divisions. Democracy is more seriously threatened in the long run by Beijings cultural siege than by any amphibious attack. Though military force attracts attention, words and symbols erode sovereignty from the inside out. By Hong Kongifying Taiwan, China aims to make independence unthinkable, all without firing a shot. In an era where democracies grapple with internal fractures, this whisper campaign exploits doubt. The West must wake up before the erosion becomes irreversible. Recently, the Chinese embassy in the U.S. shared several satellite images taken by Chinas Jilin-2 satellite of Sun Moon Lake and the Alishan mountain range, two of Taiwans most popular tourist destinations. The embassy tweeted, There is only one China in the world; an unalienable portion of Chinas territory is Taiwan. From the perspective of the Jilin-1 space satellite, every inch of Taiwan Province, China, is vibrant. This statement shows that China sees Taiwan as its own territory. Consider the glitzy notion of Taiwan Reunification Day, which has been floating around in recent Chinese statements. It ignores decades of independent development and reframes 1945s retrocession as an inevitable homecoming. It is a masterstroke of historical revisionism, broadcast through apps and influencers to young Taiwanese. There has long been an existential debate in Taiwan about whether China will invade. China has vowed to annex Taiwan, and the island is taking the threat seriously. Recently, China has urged its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, escalating a diplomatic feud sparked by comments from Tokyo about Taiwan. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi commented that Japan could respond with its own self-defense force if China attacked Taiwan. She also mentioned that Chinese use of force around Taiwan would qualify as an existential threat. The West must pivot from defense pacts to cultural fortification. The U.S. and Europe together could launch several exchange initiatives, inviting Taiwanese creators to share their stories globally, amplifying voices that celebrate the islands unique democracy. Think of investing in festivals, films, and forums that reaffirm Taiwans identity. The West and its allies should openly criticize Beijings strategies. In forums like the U.N. or G7, highlight how this whisper war violates norms of self-determination, pressuring China through reputational costs. There should be pressure for coexistence between China and Taiwan. Tech companies must play a vital role, too. Platforms like Meta and TikTok should algorithmically prioritize fact-checked content from Taiwan. Integrate Taiwans narrative into Western curricula, fostering global empathy. Diversify supply chains to reduce Taiwans vulnerability, but pair it with soft power. Skeptics may contend that concentrating on intangibles diverts attention from actual threats like blockades and that cultural conflicts are less important than hard power. Fair enough overemphasizing subtlety could lead to complacency, and balance is essential. Democracies thrive on ideas, not just arms. As tensions simmer, the West must counter the erosion now, or watch Taiwans spirit fade into silence. Lets not wait for the shot that never comes. Act before the whispers win. Brabim Karki is the author of two novels: Mayur Albatross and Osin Fisher. He is a contributor to The Independent, Nikkei Asia, The Globe and Mail, The Hill, South China Morning Post, The Japan Times, and The Straits Times among others. You can see his writings at https://muckrack.com/brabim-karki. Image via Pexels. It certainly appears that NBC, CBS, ABC nightly news programs, along with PBS, NPR, and late-night shows like Fallon, Colbert, Myers, and Kimmel, coordinate what they decide to cover and what they seek to hide from the public. The morning news shows and The View also seem to follow the same marching orders. Here are some stories that the public likely wont see or will barely see when they watch these shows. They operate on the theory that what the public doesnt know about Democrats wont hurt themthat is, it wont hurt the Democrats. So, while they reluctantly report these stories, they downplay and quickly bury them. Image created using AI. How many Americans know that a rapper finally got convicted for making millions in illegal contributions to Obama in 2012? Fugees Rapper Pras Michel Gets 14 Years for Illegal Obama Donations Grammy-winning rapper Prakazrel Pras Michel of the Fugees was sentenced on Thursday to 14 years in prison for a case in which he was convicted of illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to former President Barack Obamas 2012 reelection campaign. Michel obtained over $120 million from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho also known as Jho Low and steered some of that money through straw donors to Obamas campaign. Why did it take 13 years for this conviction? There were straw donors. How many straw donors never get charged or convicted? Why was no one on Obamas staff charged? The media wont care. We wont see much coverage about a Democrat congresswoman charged with stealing $5 million from FEMA and having illegal campaign contributions: South Florida Congresswoman Charged with Stealing $5 Million in FEMA Funds and Making Illegal Campaign Contributions The major media outlets are too busy campaigning for Newsom to give the story of corruption in his inner circle much, if any, coverage: Gavin Newsoms former chief of staff indicted on public corruption charges The media certainly dont want the public to see who funds Mamdani: Comrade Mamdanis Chinese Help For years, the media and other Democrats ensured the public saw little coverage of Bidens autopen use. They also covered up Bidens sheer incompetence from the public, even as they effectively campaigned for him, and then for the equally incompetent Kamala. Of course, they also never cared about the corruption Joe and the family participated in as they lined their pockets with kickbacks from around the world. That still hasnt changed, even with Biden out of office: Dems walk out of hearing probing Bidens mental state The media doesnt have time to cover the above stories and many other important things because they are continuing their ten-year plan to destroy Trump in the public eye. They have replaced the lies about Russian collusion with endless stories about Trump and Epstein because Trump, like most of Palm Beach society, happened to associate with Epstein over twenty years ago, and Trumps name was mentioned in Epsteins emails. They make sure to bury the fact that Virginia Guiffre and others exonerated Trump, just as they intentionally altered what Trump said on January 6th and in Charlottesville. They never had an interest in Epstein during the Biden years, but now they are attacking. ABC buried a story about Epstein in 2015 as they campaigned for Hillary, just like they buried all the stories about the women Bill and Hillary physically and mentally abused and sought to destroy: ABC News Anchor Amy Robach Disappointed Network Nixed Her Jeffrey Epstein Story in 2015 As they report endless stories on Epstein, they somehow arent telling the public how Bill and Hillary are fighting hard not to testify in the House on Epstein. Of course, Democrats in Congress also dont care: Top GOP chair issues stark warning to Clintons if they defy deposition subpoenas in Epstein investigation House Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., rejected the Clintons attorneys proposal to provide written answers And of course, the media still pretend that the Obama-Biden administration was very popular and scandal-free free as they lost over 1,000 seats nationwide in eight years. Summary: For decades, most of the media have believed their function is to support Democrats and their left-wing policies and to destroy Republicans and their common-sense policies for less government. The public needs to be kept in the dark. Otherwise, they would rarely, if ever, elect Democrats. The Communist playbook has always been publicly available for those with the attention span necessary to do a little research. With the Internet, that kind of research is even easier and more convenient. Communists have always relied on useful idiots in countries they plan to conquer. Subvert them from the inside. Convince Americans to elect democratic socialists, who are stealth doctrinaire communists. Democratic socialiststhe dictionary definition of mutually exclusive terms, can best be understood as communists-lite. Socialism is incompatible with democracy and is as matter is to anti-matter to our constitutional, representative republic. Communists are socialists in a hurry. They share the same economic philosophies and political goals, but communists will kill you if you disagree and bill your family for the bullet. They murdered more than 100 million in the last century alone and continue to slaughter in this century. Socialists will merely seize your property, impoverish and starve you and eventually, put you in re-education camps. Theyll wait until they go full communist to start killing you for thinking, or looking, the wrong way. Bernie Sanders has always been a Democratic Socialist but votes Democrat. He was denied the nomination in recent presidential elections because the Democrat Party thought America wasnt ready to go quite that far left just yet. Besides, hes always been a little wild-haired and wild-eyed crazy. No longer. Democrats newest savior is New York City Mayor-Elect Zhoran Mamdani, a man with no actual work experience, but a real commie in Democrats clothing. Oh yes, hes also an Islamist; thats a twofer. Mamdani ran on controlling grocery stores, massive taxation, income equality, rent control, defunding the police (he denied years of advocating for that), and he just went full commie when he declared New York City a city of international law. I believe this is a city of international law," Mamdani told Ritter, "and being a city of international law means looking to uphold international law. That declaration is initially because he also ran on arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he set foot in NYC. Mandani is also a staunch antisemite, which given his Islamist ideology is hardly surprising. He doubtless also intends to enact Democrats neo-confederate separation ideology. Mandani isnt the only stealth communist taking over a major American city. Meet Katie Wilson, 43, Seattles mayor-elect. Graphic: X Post Wilson, like Mamdani, has virtually no real-world work experience and lives off funding from her parents. She dropped out of collegeOxford--with six weeks to go and is debt-free, thanks to her parents, both New York professors. Wilson secured her win by advocating for progressive proposals, including introducing city-run grocery stores and taxing the rich. She also vowed to Trump-proof the city. Yes, I am a socialist, Wilson said earlier this year. Im not out here waving a socialist flag, because Im not a super ideological person. Im also not sure that label will help me in the general election. But yes, Im fine with being called a socialist, she added. Evidently, Wilson doesnt feel the need to call herself a Democratic Socialist. Even so, Wilson is apparently a commie too far for The Washington Post: "With much of the country fixated on New York's decision to elect as mayor a socialist with little experience, it was easy to miss the news that Seattle has done the same," the Post editorial board wrote. "Voters from coast to coast will now get to witness two real-time experiments in radical governance." The WaPo thinks Wilson will be more successful than Mamdani in immediately going full communist: "Wilson may be less constrained than Mamdani. Fellow progressives also toppled the incumbent president of the Seattle City Council and the city attorney while picking up two other seats," the Post editorial board wrote. "Only two of the seven council members have served more than one term. There are not many silver linings here, except that the country may be able to more quickly see the failures of their policies which could prevent voters in other cities from falling for socialism." Mamdani has legislative hurdles in that the NYC political class isnt full commie, and there are so many regulations, laws and the New York Legislature, as well as New York Governor Kathie Hochul who is carefully and constantly sampling the political winds. Still, hell do as much communist and Islamist mischief as he can manage. Theres plenty of evidence New Yorkers and their taxes are planning to flee for blue states. Many have already fled. I suspect thats Seattles immediate future as well. NYC and Seattle voters voted for communism in a Democratic Socialist veil; theyre going to get it--good and hard. 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. Recently, there have been several reports of massive government fraud schemes carried out by Somali people resident in Minnesota. Yesterday, President Trump finally had enough and announced that those Somali immigrants who are here under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) have lost that protection. In 1991, during a bloody civil war in Somalia, President George H. W. Bush created TPS for Somali nationals. That designation was to have ended after 12 months. Instead, the TPS was routinely extended for another year, year after year. Its still in effect, with the Biden administration extending it to March 2026. Image by AI. Thats thirty-five years of temporary status for every new crop of Somali immigrants in America. During that time, tens of thousands of Somalis have come here. I cant give a specific number because neither ChatGPT nor I could locate definitive data. The best guess that ChatGPT could offer was that there are around 140,000-170,000 Somalis who have relocated to America, although not all came under the TPS program. Most of these Somalis moved to Minnesota. Indeed, I can remember in the early 1990s, when it was virtuous to rescue Somalis from a hot civil war, that people commented that these immigrants had gone from Africa to the cold, cold upper Midwest. The Minnesotans felt very virtuous, because they really did feel they were rescuing thousands of African Anne Franks from Auschwitz. The best guess is that there are currently 37,000 or so Somali-born refugees living in Minnesota. Theyre the ones who elected Ilhan Omar, an America-hating, antisemitic refugee to the U.S. House of Representatives. (And dont forget, of course, the allegations that she committed immigration fraud by falsely identifying her brother as her husband to bring him to America.) The statistics on these Minnesota residents are illuminating: Most live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area; the bulk of them are 44 years or younger; 36.6% of them speak minimal English, even after some have lived here over 30 years; few are wealthy (unlike Chinese and Indian immigrants swiftly became); over 36% of them live below poverty level; and almost 36% are married with young children. A statistic that doesnt show up on the Minnesota website is that the average IQ in Somalia is 68-72, which, in America, is classified as a mild intellectual disability. What the statistics dont say is that these Somalians are a devout Muslim community. I remember when I was first in St. Paul, in 2016, and went to the local Target. I was stunned to see the store filled with petite black women wearing the unique Somali burqa, which is a tent that has a little round circle cut out for their faces. These are no Anne Franks. The other interesting thing about Somalians is that, low IQ or not, many within the community have a propensity for financial crimes. In 2025, Americans have learned about multiple massive frauds against the U.S. government that people in the Somali community have carried out: The Feeding Our Future fraud operated out of Minnesota, but actually took federal monies designated for child nutrition. The scheme sucked up $250 million taxpayer dollars. The Autism and Medical fraud case, also out of Minnesota, involved falsely claiming that Somali kids were autistic, netting the fraudsters more than $14 million in taxpayer dollars. Generalized welfare and housing fraud schemes run out of...you guessed it...Minnesota allegedly ran into the millions of dollars, much of which ended up with al-Shabaab, one of the most violent Islamic terrorist groups in Africa. (Remember this massacre?) Theres also the problem of allegiance. When speaking to their constituents, Somali politicians (and political wannabes) have made it clear that their allegiance is to Somalia, not America. Ilhan Omar left Somalia when she was a small child, then lived in a refugee camp, and then came to America when she was 12. Nevertheless, she still refers to Somalia, not America, as our nation. Indeed, shes made it clear that she sits in Congress to represent Somalia, not America. Omar Fateh, who ran for Minneapolis mayor, also made clear where his real allegiance lies...and its not the U.S. It seems that he lost not because of his attitude toward Somalia but because there was a tribal schism among Somali voters. Ultimately, it does not appear that Somalis have assimilated into America. Like so many Muslim immigrants, their goal isnt to become Americans. Its for Americans to become like their home countries. And President Trump, it seems, has had enough: Minnesota, under Governor Waltz, is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity. I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota. Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. Its OVER! President DJT It remains to be seen what the actual effect of this announcement will be. Im sure therell be lots of lawsuits and leftist federal judges happy to say that all Somali refugees have a constitutional right to remain in America forever. But its a shot across the bow, and a very necessary one at that. President Trump dropped a Friday night bombshell in a Truth Social post: the immediate termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis in Minnesota. Minnesota, under Governor Walz is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity, Trump declared. Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. Its OVER! This is a long-overdue action against a welfare racket that has been bleeding taxpayers while funding Jihadists abroad. The epicenter appears to be in Minneapolis, the heart of Rep. Ilhan Omar's (D-Jihad Squad) extremist fiefdom, where an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 Somalis cluster -- the largest such enclave in the U.S. TPS, a Biden-era Band-Aid extended through March 2026, shielded just 705 non-citizens from deportation amid the chaos in Somalia. But as Trump correctly notes, that's peanuts compared to the actual infestation: a web of scams siphoning billions from programs like Feeding Our Future, Housing Stabilization Services, and Autism Services. More than 70 defendants -- nearly all Somali -- face charges in the $250 million Feeding Our Future heist alone, with U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson warning of "billions" stolen in a fraud ecosystem that rivals organized crime syndicates. Even worse, Minnesota taxpayers are unwittingly bankrolling al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda affiliate terrorizing Somalia. An expose in City Journal reveals millions being funneled overseas. That means the "largest funder of Al-Shabaab" is ... us. Somali gangs, tied to violent crime, human trafficking, and now confirmed terror financing, have turned the Twin Cities into a no-go zone. ICE has logged over 4,000 Somalis with removal orders, a backlog that President Trump vows to vaporize now that TPS shields are shattered. Somalia's repatriation cooperation represents a green light for mass flights home. Ilhan Omar, the ever unapologetic ingrate who fled Somalia's hellhole as a child, yet lectures America on her sins, fired back venomously: I am a citizen and so are the majority of Somalis in America. Good luck celebrating a policy change that really doesnt have much impact We are here to stay. Actually, she has a point. Well, half a point, anyway. The fraud's architects are often U.S.-born or naturalized, exploiting our (naively) high-trust systems. Some 58% of Minnesota's 86,000 Somalis are native-born, steeped in a clan-based culture where "me, my brother and my tribe against your tribe" justifies pillaging outsiders. So much in Islam justifies these depredations. Lying is allowed, as is rape and even oppression of non-Muslim minorities. Liberal guilt -- epitomized by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara's groveling apologies -- allows it to fester, from unreported female genital mutilation (affecting 30,000 girls) to election-rigging via tribal loyalties that sank mayoral hopeful Omar Fateh. This is not isolated to Minnesota. It's a microcosm of the left's failed multiculturalism. We see echoes of it in Dearborn, Michigan, where young Muslim men -- immigrants and their spawn -- bluntly admit they'd fight for Iraq over Uncle Sam. When they tell you who they are, believe them. This spotlights a community so entrenched in foreign allegiances that loyalty tests for citizenship are long overdue. Parents remit fortunes home, retiring abroad while their kids game the system here. Trump's axing of TPS, slashing fraud's lifeline, signals a broader purge: denaturalize terror backers, audit complicit Democrat bureaucrats and NGO's, and slam refugee doors shut. We (conservatives) cheer this as MAGA in action -- restoring law, draining the swamp of woke enablers like Tim Walz, whose regime overlapped these atrocities. But it's only Step One. Its time to end TPS nationwide, enforce our borders like fortresses, and demand assimilation or repatriation. Its intolerable that America's generosity is being used to build terrorist networks. The hammer needs to fall on those who have any part in it. We better get our act together -- before the clans come for us all. Image: Screen shot from X video As recently as last month, the Vatican has been pretty complacent about the systemic persecution of Christians in Nigeria by Islamist terrorists. Look no further than Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin's statement on the matter, which was part of a press conference where numerous issues were addressed, and this topic was not the first. According to the Oct 21 Vatican News report: Turning to Africa and the surge of hatred and violence affecting Christians in parts of Nigeria, Cardinal Parolinciting local sourcesstressed that the situation there is "not a religious conflict, but rather more a social one, for example, disputes between herders and farmers. We should also recognize that many Muslims in Nigeria are themselves victims of this same intolerance, he noted. These are extremist groups that make no distinctions in pursuing their goals. They use violence against anyone they see as an opponent. Just resource disputes, religion having nothing to do with it, he suggested. Everybody's a victim, so nobody's a victim, que sera sera. Can't we all get along? Yet somehow it's only Christians who are victims of monstrous acts such as this one, which are only getting bigger and bolder. According to the BBC: More than 300 children and staff are now thought to have been kidnapped by gunmen from a Catholic school in central Nigeria, making it one of the worst mass abductions the country has seen. The Christian Association of Nigeria said 303 students and 12 teachers were taken from St Mary's School in Papiri, Niger state - substantially more than previously estimated. It said the figures have been revised upwards "after a verification exercise". The kidnapping comes amid a surge of attacks by armed groups. The revised number of people taken surpasses the 276 abducted during the infamous Chibok mass abduction of 2014. Local police said armed men stormed the school at around 02:00 local time (01:00 GMT) on Friday morning, abducting students who were staying there. It's been going on for awhile. Here's a massacre from two years ago: NIGERIA - Death toll now 160+ - Houses of Christians burned in 20+ villages - 300 + wounded - Amnesty International have said Muslim 'President Tinubu must do more than merely condemning these horrific attacks' pic.twitter.com/s9JUtZMvDC Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) December 26, 2023 The complacency has been incredible, as if the entire situation has been viewed through an exclusively political or NGO lens -- resources, social conflict, tribal warfare. What's bad about it is that this is a true Christian martyr situation, an authentic persecution of Christians by evil fanatics who demand that these new Christians renounce their faith and join their own or else become slaves or murder victims. Saints will emerge from these bloody attacks and so will the growth of the Church as brave Nigerian Christians hold to their faith. Yet they don't acknowledge this reality out of fear of offending Muslims. This ought to be recognized by the Church, yet it's not. They are still trying to appease Muslim fanatics as a matter of diplomacy instead of recognize the ultimate sacrifices from faith of the Nigerian Christians. The Nigerians, though, know what kind of situation they are in, according to the Catholic Herald: ... Tersoo Anjila a Christian from Benue State, told the Catholic Herald: In villages, worshippers have been attacked in churches repeatedly, with thousands killed. There are times Christian communities are attacked and people are murdered in cold blood while asleep. In my state, Benue, over 300 people were massacred some five months ago by Fulani terrorists. I want to make it clear that this is jihad, it is an Islamist expansionist agenda. Any reason advanced for these killings is a lie. I am completely in support of any intervention that will bring an end to this. The Nigerian was referring public pressure from President Trump, who spoke of sending commandos in to hose that hellhole out. There's also this: NIGERIA - UPDATE 50 of the kidnapped Catholic schoolchildren have ESCAPED captivity 265 people remain in captivity, 239 of them children pic.twitter.com/H29z63ycvN Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) November 23, 2025 And this: The surge of violence in Nigeria has been a growing concern both within the country and across the international community for many years. Pope Leo XIV stressed the importance of communities working together to promote religious freedom. EWTN's Valentina Di Donato reports. pic.twitter.com/ZIl5TxS4F1 EWTN News Nightly (@EWTNNewsNightly) November 21, 2025 Now President Trump's statement, pressure from the U.S. public (where there are many beloved Nigerian priests here) and above all, this mass kidnapping seems to have finally roused the Vatican to say something forceful to address this Oct. 7-like event, which easily could have been modeled from that by the Islamist terrorists: At Mass this morning, Pope Leo XIV calls for the immediate release of 300 schoolchildren abducted from a Catholic School in Nigeria: Ive learnt with great sadness of the news of the kidnapping of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon. I experience their deep pic.twitter.com/XmrdEtUItf Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) November 23, 2025 The Catholic Herald also noted that the pope also made two key appointments in an apparent bid to sideline Parolin: However, alongside his comments, the Pope has also quietly signalled his support for the embattled religious minority in the sub-Saharan nation by making two prominent Curia appointments of Nigerian priests. Fr Edward Daniang Daleng was named Vice-Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household on 10 November. The Augustinian priest originates from Plateau State, one of the worst affected areas of Nigeria. Last month saw coordinated assaults in the region killing at least 25 Christian villagers, including six children, in just one week. Fr Daleng now takes hold of the second-highest position in the Vatican office that organises audiences. A long-time friend of the pontiff, he will play an important role in the shaping of this papacy. The second, and yet more significant, is the appointment of Msgr Anthony Onyemuche Ekpo from Abia State as Assessor for General Affairs of the Vaticans Secretariat of State on 19 November. Msgr Ekpo is now the third-highest-ranking official in the Section for General Affairs, after the Secretary of State and the Substitute for General Affairs. Speaking out for persecuted Christians is the one area where the Vatican can exert true moral authority and not sound like the United Nations or some sanctimonious NGO. What's more, unlike the migrant situation in the U.S., this is where the growth of the Church really is. The Vatican's focus up until now has been on the supposed mistreatment of illegal migrants in the U.S. who are being sent home, which is hardly a punishment, let alone torture or persecution. After all, many are going back to their Catholic countries. Yes, sending people back is disruptive, and yes, there are customer service problems, and yes, there are some sad stories, but illegal aliens are being treated reasonably humanely and offered ways out with cash with potential for return. The Church has some interest in this, given that a quarter of its parishioners are foreign-born, whether legal or illegal, meaning, Steve Bannon's claim about 'filling the pews' is at least partly true. Most of the Vatican's money comes from the U.S., too. Yet the Nigerians who really fill the pews, haven't drawn nearly the same level of Vatican concern. That now seems to be changing. Pope Leo XIV has recently conceded that nations have a right to control their borders, so the constant harping on that policy issue, dwarfing all other issues, has in the end, ended up eclipsing more serious issues such as the systemic religious persecution of new Christians on the African continent, whose population is still growing. Seems it's time for some real proportion about the Church's interests to be asserted. Micromanaging President Trump's policies should be beneath the Church's purview. Shining a light on Nigeria's Christian martyrs and saints is very much the Church's mission. It's a good thing that we are seeing some signs of change in the Vatican. Image: Screen shot from EWTN video on X. Poking fun: Arsenals tifo (Action Images via Reuters) Arsenal fans unveiled a tifo that included an image of Sol Campbell before the north London against Tottenham. Ahead of kick-off at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, home supporters unfurled a huge banner at the North Bank showing several former Arsenal players. FOLLOW ARSENAL VS TOTTENHAM LIVE! Campbell was front and centre on the tifo alongside Thierry Henry, Tony Adams, Gabriel, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Odegaard as Arsenal fans goaded Spurs fans about their former captain. Campbell joined Arsenal on a free transfer after leaving Spurs in 2001, in what remains one of the most controversial transfers in Premier League history. The centre-back was Tottenham captain and his move provoked anger among Spurs fans. Campbell made over 200 appearances for Arsenal, winning two Premier League titles and two FA Cups. He also scored in the 2006 Champions League final, which Arsenal lost to Barcelona. Campbell spent five years at Arsenal between 2001 and 2006, and returned to the club for a shirt spell in 2010. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk surveyed the mess their season had become and called on all the players to start taking more responsibility, insisting they were letting down head coach Arne Slot. The 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest a sixth in seven league matches left the defending champions 11th, the first time in more than a decade the club have been in the bottom half of the table. Van Dijk usually offers a level-headed assessment after matches but the latest defeat prompted words like mess and panic. Read Virgil van Dijk's post-match assessment of #LIVNFO Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 22, 2025 We are definitely letting him (Slot) down but weve let ourselves down as well, he said. You look at yourself first and then you help each other, you help each other get out of this mess because at the moment it is a mess thats just a fact. As the champions we cant be in the situation we are in right now. What are we going to do about it? Were going to try to turn it around and thats the mentality everyone should have. Van Dijk admitted there was anger in the dressing room but after the first of seven matches in 22 days he said this was no time to be turning on each other. It is easy to point fingers but you have to do it together, he added. What I want is for everyone to take responsibility on the pitch. We have to do that in order to push each other, to make each other better. Mo Salah was dejected at the final whistle on Saturday (Peter Byrne/PA) Its easy to maybe just think about your own situation rather than the collective side when things are not going well. We have been through it together and won the league and everyone was part of it and happy and when you go through a tough time you have to stick together and not point fingers. You have to be a man and face the toughness and go again, again and again because if you want to give up then you are at the wrong place in my eyes because this club has gone through much adversity over those years and weve always come out of it. But it doesnt mean it is easy, its tiring but there is no other way. Wednesday (at home to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League) is another game so what am I going to do, go home and cry? No, Im going to go home and try to think how we can turn this around and hopefully that is what everyone is doing as well. Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche enjoyed his trip to Anfield (PA) It is only a month since Van Dijk called a clear-the-air players meeting following the home defeat to Manchester United. The Dutchman has not ruled out another in an attempt to get things back on track. These things I dont plan now but lets see how I am when I think about it and hopefully the rest of the guys also think about how we can turn this around because I think the realisation is we are in a very difficult moment, he said. Conversely, things are on the up for Forest for whom Murillo, Nicola Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White scored as their biggest win at Anfield extended new manager Sean Dyches record to three wins, two draws and just one loss in six matches. Venezuelas president Nicolas Maduro faces narcoterrorism charges in the US - Anadolu/Getty Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro fears for his life as the US prepares a new wave of operations against the country, former regime officials have said. The US is preparing to launch new operations against the country in the coming days, officials said, including a CIA operation to overthrow Mr Maduro. Donald Trump has described Venezuela as a narco state and accused its president of being complicit in drug trafficking. Mr Maduro fears he could be killed following a betrayal from within his inner circle or a US military strike, a former official of the ruling Socialist party told The Telegraph. James Story, the last US ambassador to Venezuela, told The Telegraph he was certain that Mr Maduro was not sleeping well. It comes as the Trump administration prepares to designate the Cartel of the Suns drug-trafficking network, which Washington claims is led by Mr Maduro, as a terrorist organisation. Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, said the move would give Washington a whole new bunch of options. Mr Trump has said the designation would allow the US to strike Mr Maduros assets and infrastructure inside Venezuela. Maduro, shown out with his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas on Saturday, has so far shown no fear in public - AFP Victor Mijares, of the University of the Andes in Colombia, who is an expert on the Venezuelan armed forces, said: It makes Maduro a military target. The Trump administration has deployed the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier to the Caribbean as part of its effort to rupture the regime. Washington has also offered a $50m reward for information leading to Maduros arrest. Despite the risk to his leadership and life, Mr Maduro has shown few signs of fear in public. On Saturday he attended the premiere of a television series about his life in Caracas, where he spoke and mingled with the crowd. On Friday he danced on a stage in front of students to techno music edited to include him saying peace, peace, peace. Mr Maduro, who turned 63 on Sunday, has repeatedly called for dialogue and peace with the US, even swaying on stage to John Lennons peace anthem Imagine at a recent event. But reports of a backchannel between Maduro and Trump possibly to secure safe passage out of the country risk sowing mistrust inside the presidents inner circle, Mr Mijares warned. The US presidents recent suggestion of more formal talks with Mr Maduro could prove a poisoned gift. Mr Mijares said: He needs to appease Trump, without having his political, military and criminal coalition thinking hes just trying to save himself and leaving his entire network behind. Notably, recent appearances by Mr Maduro have not included other top regime figures. According to Andres Izarra, a former tourism minister who has since become a government critic and now lives in exile, the presidents circle has not yet ruptured because senior officials see no viable alternative to remaining in power. Mr Izarra said: Theres no golden parachute or golden bridge for Maduro. They cannot leave power, because leaving power is a threat to them. Their crimes will catch up with them if they step down. He said he expected the US to eventually take action inside Venezuelan territory, but believed Mr Maduro would continue to resist, even as he fears that any US operation could target him directly. Both Mr Izarra and Mr Mijares stressed that the Venezuelan armed forces had been deliberately structured to prevent uprisings and coups, often at the expense of conventional military power. Communications between units were restricted and soldiers were kept under strict surveillance to deter plotting. According to the Socialist party official, long-time loyalists fear that any change of government would lead to widespread persecution of those associated with Maduro at almost any level. Inside the presidents circle, top officials have already begun to play with the idea that he will not remain in power, said Eustoquio Contreras, who once served as deputy foreign minister under Hugo Chavez, Mr Maduros predecessor, and has since broken with the government. Mr Contreras said the presidents allies were now likely trying to engineer a transition that would prevent opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from taking office. Ms Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, led the opposition effort that defeated Mr Maduro in elections in July 2024, which were ignored by the president. She remains in hiding inside the country. Mr Contreras added: This crisis is reaching its end. Hopefully that comes through negotiation. If not, violence will be inevitable. There is a collective sense that this has reached the final stage. Days after their Oval Office love-in Mamdani confirms he does think Trump is a fascist but insists they can work together New York Citys mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani insisted that he would be able to work with Donald Trump and the White House even as he defended his position that Trump is a fascist. The incoming leader of the nations largest city was on Meet the Press on Sunday after a Friday meeting with Trump at the White House. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, represents part of his partys emerging left flank as the greater Democratic coalition shifts and reorganizes itself following the devastating 2024 elections, which saw them lose key seats in the Senate as well as the presidency. Mamdani reiterated that he thought he could work with Trump, a prospect that seemed fairly obvious to most people watching Fridays meeting between the mayor-elect and a beaming, happy president who seemed almost enamored with his guest and his calls to reinvigorate the city of New York as the cameras rolled. Trump, for his part, denied racist accusations from members of his own party who claim that Mamdani, the citys first Muslim mayor, was a jihadist. In the same meeting, Trump jokingly permitted Mamdani to call him a fascist in response to a reporters question about the mayor-elects past characterization of the president. On Sunday, Mamdani said his stance on Trumps use of the presidency hadnt changed. With moderator Kristen Welker noting that Trump had jumped in and answered for him, Mamdani clarified: And after President Trump said that, I said yes. Zohran Mamdani argued that his job is to work with President Trump and people of all political stripes as mayor of New York City (X - Meet the Pres) Thats something that Ive said in the past and I say it today [too], Mamdani told NBC. I think what I appreciated about the conversation that I had with the president was that we were not shy about the places of disagreement, about the politics that has brought us to this moment. And we also wanted to focus on what it could look like to deliver on a shared analysis of an affordability crisis. He added that as mayor, his job was to manage leadership of the city and said that he did not go to the White House to make a political show, but rather to find areas of common ground with the president on policies and plans that would benefit the city. Asked by Welker how he could square doing that with his sharp disagreements with Trump, Mamdani replied: I think working for the people of New York City demands that you work with everyone and anyone. Reporters and policymakers on Capitol Hill were struck by the warmth that Trump showed Mamdani during their meeting (AP) His comments come as Thursdays meeting sent off a shockwave through Washington politics. In one fell swoop, the president disarmed his partys favorite weapon against Mamdani, whom congressional Republicans and others had eagerly been vowing to make the face of the Democratic Party in their campaigns against more centrist members of the party whove been afraid to associate themselves with progressives. But the racist smears of Mamdani being a jihadist simply because he is Muslim were echoed not just by Republicans but also by Democrats who supported Andrew Cuomo, who lost the Democratic primary and later general election to Mamdani in New York. That fear of the partys progressive wing was evident on the House floor this week as many Democrats joined with their Republican colleagues to vote on a resolution condemning socialism as a concept, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Meanwhile, those same lawmakers were pummelled on Twitter/X. Many Democrats did not endorse Mamdani after he became the partys official nominee, despite the demands made to progressives to vote blue no matter who in past presidential election cycles. Some, like Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, avoided taking a position on the general election entirely after it became clear that Mamdani was going to win. Others, like Rep. Tom Suozzi, endorsed Cuomo and by extension, the racist attacks against the new mayor-elect. Chuck Schumer, the senior Democratic senator from New York state and his partys leader in the U.S. Senate, refused to tell reporters whether he voted for the Democrat or against him in the mayoral election this month (AP) On Friday, many left-leaning Twitter/X users mocked Democrats for showing Mamdani less personal warmth than the Republican president had. Maybe sit this one out, one Twitter user advised the Democratic National Committee after it posted a meme about the meeting. That users post was liked nearly a quarter of a million times. Trump, however, dismissed the racist abuse entirely upon meeting Mamdani, instead referring to him as a very rational person. Donald Trumps repudiation of the racist jihadist label applied to Mamdani by Republicans and some Democrats was a blow to no one more than it was to Elise Stefanik, the Republican running for governor in the state after she was unceremoniously dropped by the administration as nominee to be U.N. ambassador (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) I met with a man who really wants New York to be great again, said a grinning Trump. His remarks were immediately seized upon by the re-election campaign of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Her Republican opponent, Elise Stefanik, has been one of the loudest voices embracing the jihadist label for Mamdani as she pins her campaigns hopes on using Hochuls budding professional relationship with Mamdani to cast the governor as an unpopular figure and a radical. Remarking of Stefanik in an interview after the meeting, Hochul smirked and said: Shes full of s**t. Marshals run off track at the start of the Las Vegas GP with Max Verstappen storming round (F1TV) The FIA were under fire again after another close shave with marshals on track at the start of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. After Liam Lawson narrowly missed two marshals at the Mexico City GP last month, F1s governing body will have more questions to answer after the incident on lap two in Vegas. Following clashes on track at the start of the race at turn one, pieces of debris needed to be cleared on track. However, despite marshals ahead waving double-waved yellow flags, numerous marshals were still running off the track when race leader Max Verstappen entered the start-finish straight. Sky F1 pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz labelled the incident shocking, blaming the communication from race control. Verstappen took the lead at the start and held on to win, with Lando Norris taking second and George Russell third. Foxes blamed after more than 40 cars have brakes damaged in night-time attacks Foxes could be to blame after dozens of cars in a Dublin neighbourhood were damaged. Around 40 electric vehicles in the south of the city have been left damaged with bills totalling tens of thousands of euros, according to Irish national news broadcaster RTE. Wildlife experts speaking to the broadcaster have suggested wildlife such as foxes may be the cause. The damage is proving so costly that some residents have surrounded their cars with chicken wire to protect them. The problems began in August when a resident of the Stillorgan housing estate, Garret O'Connor, found he was unable to start his car in the morning. I turned on my ignition and got warning lights and sensor lights, he told RTE. I brought my car to the mechanic, and he said these wires underneath your car have been severed. "And it transpired that various other neighbours had had the same problem, my next-door neighbour and beyond. To begin with, I suspected vandalism. It later transpired that up to 40 cars locally have been damaged, costing an estimated 40,000. To help prevent damage, the South Dublin residents have resorted to wrapping their cars in chicken wire and fencing. Biodiversity Officer at Trinity College Dublin, Collie Ennis, told RTE: Foxes and rodents, maybe pine martins. They are attracted to the heat. They're attracted to anything they can chew, like your dog chews your couch chair in your home. "There are new parts in cars that are made up of organic materials that are even more attractive to the likes of rodents who will actually make a meal out of them, especially in newer cars. "The way to kind of defend your car against this is to invest in some sleeve covers, some chew-proof sleeve covers for all those cables, all those tubes, and that will prevent the animals from having a nibble on your brand new motor. An elderly couple was injured after a bear broke into their home near the California-Nevada border in search of food before hibernating for the winter. At the Stateline, Nevada, property near Lake Tahoe, an 87-year-old man went into his garage at around 4:30 a.m. and unexpectedly came face to face with the bear as it searched for food, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. As the man backed away, the bear scratched his hand and followed him into the house. Inside, the creature also scratched the 87-year-old woman. The bear eventually left the home, the department said. Its not immediately clear how long the animal was inside. The pair sustained minor hand injuries and were treated at the hospital. Theyve since been released. We are grateful that these individuals sustained minor injuries and are okay, Shawn Espinosa, Game Division Administrator for the department, said in a statement. Bears are still experiencing hyperphagia, or a phase where they build up as many calories as possible before going into their dens for winter. To ensure bears make their ways to their dens, it is important that residents secure attractants. A bear entered a home near Lake Tahoe in search of food, injuring an elderly couple (Getty Images) The department urged those living in bear country to take safety precautions to avoid a similar incident. Residents were encouraged to secure their garbage cans. Around 90% of bear incidents start with unsecured trash, the department warned. Other tips include removing food, trash, and other scented items from vehicles, securing doors and windows when away or in unoccupied rooms overnight, and installing electric fencing around beehives and chicken coops. For those who see a bear approaching their home, the department encouraged trying to scare the creature away by banging on pots and pans, yelling through an open window, or triggering a car alarm. Yelling things like Hey bear! or Get out of here bear! alerts those around you to whats going on, the release stated. These methods can help negatively condition bears to humans and houses and teach them that it is not okay to enter these areas. Matteo Berrettini lifts the Davis Cup title after Italys win over Spain (Getty Images for ITF) Jannik Sinner congratulated his Italy team-mates on completing their hat-trick of Davis Cup titles as Matteo Berrettini and Flavio Cobolli were the heroes against Spain in the final in Bologna. Italy became the first team since the United States in 1971 to win three consecutive Davis Cup titles, and they did so without their top-two ranked players in Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti. Sinner had opted to withdraw from the Italy team in order to start his preparations for next season. Instead, Italy won all three ties without losing a match as former Wimbledon finalist Berrettini and the 23-year-old Cobolli won three matches each to complete the clean sweep in front of their home fans. Cobolli, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals this season, rose to the occasion and pulled off a stunning comeback against Jaume Munar to help Italy over the line against a Spain side who were without the injured Carlos Alcaraz. After Berrettini dispatched Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3 6-4 in the opening match, the 22-ranked Cobolli battled from a set and a break down to beat Munar 1-6, 7-6(5), 7-5, sparking wild scenes in Bologna. World No 2 Sinner, who was instrumental to Italys triumphs in 2023 and 2024, posted on Instagram shortly after their hat-trick, saying Congratulations on this incredible victory. Cobollis win over Belgiums Zizou Bergs in the semi-finals also defied belief, with the Italian saving seven match points to win a 32-point third-set tiebreak, and he was overcome with emotion after leading Italy to victory. Its impossible to describe this feeling, its impossible, Cobolli said. I dreamed a lot for this night. I played an amazing match today. I dont know how I won. The match was tough. Jaume played so good. Cobolli reacts after leading Italy to victory (Getty Images for ITF) We cannot lose for our country. Sometimes you learn, but you never lose. If you give all you have in your heart I dont know what I did today. I dont know where I am. The only thing I know is that Im World Champion. Italys Davis Cup captain Filippo Volandri said completing the Davis Cup hat-trick felt even more special. Its the third one in a row, but Im crying, and I didnt cry for the first one, Volandri said. Its something unbelievable. We had a lot of tough moments, even if it doesnt look like [it], but we had it. But as a group what I said, we had the power to manage these moments. We felt also the players that were not here, but it was like they were here, like Jannik, like [Matteo] Arnaldi, like Musetti. Its a big, big team and only if you have a big team, you can reach this unbelievable result, its incredible. Thank you, time to enjoy. Kevin Spacey has clarified his recent comments about literally [having] no home after he says his remarks were misconstrued. The House of Cards actor, 66, made headlines last week when he opened up about living in hotels in an interview with The Telegraph, titled Kevin Spacey interview: Homeless, cancelled and crooning in Cyprus. In a new video shared Sunday on X, Spacey addressed the false narrative that hes homeless. I dont usually make it my business to correct the media. If I did, I wouldnt have time for much else, but in light of the recent articles claiming I am homeless, I feel the need to respond, he began. Not to the press, but to the thousands of people whove reached out over the past few days, offering me a place to stay or have just asked if Im ok. Expressing his gratitude for the concern and generosity, he added, But I feel it would be disingenuous of me to allow you to believe that I am homeless in the colloquial sense. Kevin Spacey's recent comments about having 'no home' made headlines (Getty Images) In my conversation with Mick Brown, the wonderful journalist who wrote the story that was in The Telegraph, where this rumor first began, I said I was basically living in hotels and Airbnbs and going where the work is, he clarified. And there are many people, as we all know, who are indeed actually living on the streets or in their cars or are in terrible financial situations and my heart goes out to them, he added. But it is clear from the article itself that I am not one of them nor was I attempting to say that I was. Which is why it was a shame that The Telegraph chose to undermine the work of their own journalist by selling him out with a knowingly misleading headline for the sake of clicks, Spacey said. The Independent has contacted The Telegraph for comment. In his interview with the British publication, the actor admitted that his financial situation is not great. Yet, while he confirmed that he never had to file for bankruptcy, he revealed that he lost his house because the costs over these last seven years have been astronomical. Ive had very little coming in and everything going out. Im living in hotels, Im living in Airbnbs, the two-time Oscar winner said. Im going where the work is. I literally have no home, thats what Im attempting to explain. Spacey, who was exiled from mainstream Hollywood in 2017 after multiple men accused him of sexual misconduct, which he has consistently denied, is currently working on making a career comeback. His latest project, 1780, which has yet to receive a release date, is directed by Dustin Fairbanks and follows a wounded Revolutionary War soldier who takes refuge with a trapper and his young son. Besides Spacey, the war drama stars DJ Qualls and P.J. Marshall. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both face disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix following an alleged rules breach, with the FIA investigating the drivers. The McLaren drivers have been summoned to meet the stewards shortly before midnight local time after Norris tightened his grip on a maiden world title. The investigation concerns the McLaren cars skid blocks underneath the cars, which must not wear less than 9mm during each race. Norris finished second behind Max Verstappen on The Strip, with Piastri fourth, meaning the Britons lead is now 30 points with two races remaining. But the FIA confirmed both drivers are being investigated over the fact their rearmost skid is less than required thickness under Article 3.5.9. The investigation places Norris and Piastris finish in jeopardy with the prospect of disqualification, which could reignite Verstappens world title hopes heading to Qatar. Should both drivers be disqualified, then Norris would remain 24 points ahead of Piastri, but Verstappen would come back into contention and move into joint-second at the same deficit behind Norris. Critics have said Donald Trumps peace proposal reads like a wish list for Vladimir Putin - Gavriil Grigorov Vladimir Putin could return to the world stage under a European peace plan that agrees to allow Russia back into the G8. The offer was made in a counter-proposal to Donald Trumps 28-point plan, which heavily favoured Russia. The European plan contains several concessions, including a cap on the size of Ukraines army and a commitment to elections that could see Volodymyr Zelensky removed from power a key demand of Moscow. Following an emergency summit in Geneva, Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said on Sunday night that the US was now making some changes to its peace plan. He added: I think this is a very, very meaningful, I would say probably best meeting and day weve had so far in this entire process, going back to when we first came to office in January. The counter-proposal was published after the US president said Ukraine had shown zero gratitude for American efforts to end the war. Volodymyr Zelensky said he was grateful and that Ukraine was counting on an outcome that will pave the way to a real and lasting peace - Volodymyr Zelensky Mr Trump still has to sign off on the deal, Mr Rubio said. Russia, which has repeatedly changed its demands, also has to sign off on it. Under the European plan, Russia is to be progressively re-integrated into the global economy. The plan adds that the country could rejoin the G8. The deal also states that the size of Ukraine military is to be capped at 800,000 in peacetime, whereas an earlier version of the European plan included no cap. The US-Russian proposal asked for a 600,000 cap. Europe has agreed to impose a cap on the size of the Ukrainian army, a proposal which featured in Mr Trumps plan - Shutterstock The deal adds: Ukraine will hold elections as soon as possible after the signing of the peace agreement. However, the European deal removes Russias demand that Ukraine gives up the eastern Donbas region. The deal also removes a clause that would give the US 50 per cent of future profits from frozen Russian assets invested in Ukraine. b' ' The 28-point plan drawn up by the Americans demanded that Ukraine give up large tracts of land, including territory that has not even been conquered by Russian forces. The European counter-proposal says that negotiations on territorial swaps will start from the line of contact or front line. It proposes that Ukraine should receive a security guarantee from Washington similar to Natos Article 5 clause. The Europeans want Russian sovereign assets to remain frozen until Moscow pays compensation for the immense damage it has caused since its full-scale invasion. b' ' The counter-plan was drawn up by Britain, Germany and France the so-called European E3 powers. Sir Keir Starmer spoke to Mr Trump on Sunday and agreed that Ukraine was facing a critical moment, a Downing Street spokesman said. The leaders discussed various aspects of the high-level discussions taking place in Geneva today on the US peace plan for Ukraine. They agreed that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace. Europes revised peace proposal was drawn up by Britain, Germany and France - WPA Pool Writing on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said: Ukraine leadership has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts. He also criticised Europe for not doing enough to end the conflict. He did not criticise Moscow for invdaing Ukraine in the first place. The 28-point proposal put forward by the Trump administration has been widely criticised, even by some Republicans, as being far too favourable to Moscow. Critics said that it read like a wish list for Putin. There were even claims that it had been drawn up by the Russians and then clumsily translated into English by Trump officials. Meaghan Mobbs, the daughter of Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy to Ukraine who announced last week that he will quit his post, claimed that the peace plan was originally written in Russian. She suggested that the document was not originally written in English, pointing to transliteration errors and phrasing that is commonly used by Russias government. The allegations were roundly denied by Trump officials. Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, with Andriy Yermak, Mr Zelenskys chief of staff - FABRICE COFFRINI Mr Rubio wrote on social media that the peace proposal was authored by the US. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine. Critics of the Trump proposal said that if accepted it would mean that Ukraines huge sacrifices in blood and treasure would have been in vain. Mr Trump initially gave a deadline of Thursday Thanksgiving for Kyiv to accept the plan. Friedrich Merz, Germanys chancellor, said he was sceptical the deadline would be met. Right now, Im not yet convinced were going to get the solution President Trump wants in the next few days. Donald Tusk, Polands prime minister, said that Europe, Canada and Japan were prepared to work on the US plan despite their reservations. However, before we start our work, it would be good to know for sure who is the author of the plan and where was it created, he said. Alexander Stubb, Finlands president, said that he and Giorgia Meloni, Italys prime minister, called Mr Trump early on Sunday to discuss the US plan. On the same day, Ukrainian forces used drones to strike a power station in the Moscow region, triggering a fire and cutting off heating for thousands of people. It was one of Kyivs biggest attacks to date on a power station deep inside Russia. The drones struck the Shatura power station, about 75 miles east of the Russian capital, where the temperature was around freezing. Video footage showed balls of flames and black smoke rising into the night sky. Russias defence ministry said later that it had downed 75 Ukrainian drones, including 36 over the Black Sea and several over the Moscow region. Read both peace plans in full below: Ministers are prepared to block a Chinese takeover of Thames Water, The Telegraph understands. The Government has been urged to prevent CK Infrastructure (CKI) from buying the water company, which serves 16 million customers across London and the South East, and is more than 20bn in debt. It is feared that allowing a Chinese firm a controlling stake in the capitals water supplier would effectively hand China the ability to switch off the taps. Darren Jones, the Cabinet minister responsible for national security, is now understood to be ready to intervene if he deems it necessary. It comes against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over the Governments links to Beijing following the collapse of a high-profile spying trial. It provoked a row in Westminster, with Sir Keir Starmer accused of sabotaging the prosecution to protect Britains ties with China. The Prime Minister is expected to travel to China early next year as part of efforts to boost economic links with Beijing. He would be the first prime minister to visit the country since Theresa May in 2018, after subsequent governments distanced themselves over human rights abuses, Hong Kong and espionage concerns. Last week, MI5 issued an espionage alert over two recruitment headhunters whom it claimed the Chinese Ministry of State Security had been using to reach individuals in Parliament. The Government ran a consultation on proposals to add the water sector to the list of areas subject to mandatory notification under the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act. The consultation closed last month, and ministers are drawing up the responses, which are likely to be published in the new year. Cabinet sources said they would not comment on specific cases but added that ministers will not hesitate to use the NSI Act when necessary. Under the Act, ministers can call in business transactions, such as an investment or acquisition, to probe risks to national security. In a letter to Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, Alex Burghart, the shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, warned that it is of paramount importance that the Government protects the UK from malign activity by the Chinese state. He explained that CKIs portfolio already included the electricity distribution network for London and the wider South East, gas distribution networks for more than five million homes across the UK and the water supply for 2.7 million people in the north of England, as well as Essex and Suffolk. Most of these acquisitions were made in a different era of UK-China relations and before screening under the NSI Act was in place. But times have changed, he said. Given this, it is the Governments responsibility to reassess these legacy cases from a national security perspective. Mr Burghart also asked for assurances that any attempted acquisition of Thames Water by CKI would be subject to a national security review by the Government. Earlier this year, American politicians warned Labour that selling Britains biggest water company to a Chinese-owned firm would be a national security threat. CKIs chairman has written to Ofwat, the industry regulator, to make clear its continued interest in the heavily-indebted supplier and said it was prepared to invest whatever it takes. In the letter, CKI called for the temporary nationalisation of Thames Water so that it could willingly put our plan to the test against others, in a reference to a rival bailout plan put forward by the water suppliers creditors. Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said: China has been targeting critical infrastructure in major democracies around the world. There is no such thing as a private company in China. Any Chinese company going round making huge investments will not be doing so without the blessing of the government. CKI is being used to try and gain huge strategic leverage around the world. They are targeting infrastructure with the intention of trying to control it that is a huge strategic risk for the UK. Why would we give them the ability to switch off the taps? A Cabinet Office spokesman said: Whilst we would never directly comment on a specific company or project, we have a robust investment security regime to keep our infrastructure secure and the country safe. We recently introduced the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to strengthen these tools further, and introduced a CNI Knowledge Base to map and protect vulnerabilities within critical national infrastructure sectors. It is officially Home Alone season, which means the movie is on every channel and all the classic lines are living in your head again. The minute I hear keep the change, you filthy animal, something in me clicks straight back into childhood. That is exactly why PetSmart's new Home Alone-themed Christmas dog sweater stopped me in my tracks. It immediately tapped into that funny holiday memory bank that only Home Alone seems to unlock. I thought Gussy had enough sweaters to last him through several Michigan winters, but this one instantly jumped to the top of the list. It is nostalgic, it is silly, and it somehow captures the exact chaotic comfort that makes the movie a December staple. SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends The sweater itself features the classic line "Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal" splashed across a bright holiday-red knit. It looks cozy enough to pass for human clothing and has a slightly mischievous charm that makes you laugh before you even decide whether to buy it. And let's be honest, you are buying it. The moment you picture your dog walking around the house like they are Kevin McCallister defending the living room from imaginary burglars, it is basically over. Related: These Are the Highest Rated Holiday-Themed Dog Treats at PetSmart Right Now Home Alone Dog Sweater, $19.99 at PetSmart Shop It! What makes this sweater even better is the reference behind it. The line comes from Angels With Filthy Souls, the fake gangster movie Kevin uses to scare off the Wet Bandits. It is one of the most quoted moments in the entire film, and somehow even funnier when your dog is the one wearing it around the house. There is something about a dog silently reenacting a chaotic movie line with zero context that works every single time. The sweater is online only, priced at $19.99, and comes in sizes from XS to XL. It is a slip-on design, which matters if your dog reacts to clothing with the same dramatic fear Kevin had toward the basement furnace. The material looks soft, warm, and cheerful, making it perfect for holiday photos, family gatherings, or just adding a little bit of humor to the everyday routine. If you want your dog to look festive, nostalgic and perfectly mischievous, this sweater is an easy yes. It is warm, funny, and turns your pup into the unexpected star of every holiday moment. And really, in the spirit of Home Alone, the holidays are not about being perfectly put together. They are about the moments that make you laugh, the memories you did not plan, and the little reminders that, just like Kevin, your dog might run the house more than anyone wants to admit. Related: PetSmart's Innovative and 'Durable' Pet Door Is 'Very Secure' This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Nov 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Shopping section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Pistachio farms in Syria survived the war - only to be hit by climate change This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Arabia Imad Sarmani, a farmer from the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Syrias southern Idlib governorate, known by his nickname Abu Abdo, sits on the balcony of his house sipping coffee and overlooking a farm adorned with greenery, from which clusters of pistachio trees hang. He feels a quiet satisfaction with the effort he has made throughout a year of ploughing, watering the trees and fighting the insect pests that have spread through the area in recent years. He is racing against time to prepare for the harvest season, known locally as al hawash, when he will reap the fruit of his farm. He has already prepared the necessary tools and hired workers. Before that, he deployed guards to patrol the land and keep out intruders or thieves. It is an unsurprising measure given these trees heave red gold on their branches. The farmer, who is in his sixties, was adamant that he never abandoned his land, not even during the worst days of the decade-long civil war in Syria. Speaking to Independent Arabia, he says: I have never abandoned my land, and I never will. He speaks with the resolve of a person whose roots are deeply embedded in the earth, much like the ancient poplar, pistachio and walnut trees that surround him. Drought has severely affected Aleppos prized red gold crop of pistachios (Independent Arabia) I travelled abroad when the war intensified, but I quickly returned. I will never abandon my homeland, he said. While his children have left to study and work elsewhere in the Middle East and Germany, Abu Abdo remains on his farm, cultivating what he calls a treasure. Things are different this year, however, with drought severely affecting the crop. Abu Abdo gives us a tour of his sprawling farm. He has faced a lot of difficulties due to its proximity to areas controlled by the former regime, which meant constant encounters with unruly shabiha militias. The checkpoints scattered across the area, especially those operated by the 4th Armoured Division, engaged in widespread theft, looting and extortion against farmers. However, the situation changed after the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024. Cars can now move freely to transport produce to the large markets of Damascus, Aleppo and other Syrian cities. The killer bug At the Aleppo pistachio market, supervisor Abdul Basit Dalil tells Independent Arabia about an unprecedented drop in sales and purchases compared to previous years. Prices vary depending on the type of pistachio, but all kinds currently sell for around $6 (4.50) per kilo. Farmers and traders are eager to export to foreign markets, where they can get between $20 and $30 (15-20) for a kilo of pistachios. When we arrived at the pistachio market, one grower and trader we met told us, We suffered from the drought that hit Syria, and the pistachio trees were greatly affected. People started looking for solutions. He said that those who had the means to dig wells were able to water their crops, and explained: The spread of diseases caused by Capnodis tenebrionis beetles and mealybug infestation has reduced production by 20 to 30 per cent compared with previous years. Despite this, the quantities available are sufficient for the local market. However, Syria also exports Aleppo pistachios, and we hope that marketing, customs and sales will be facilitated. Farmers and traders at the Aleppo pistachio market share their concerns about declining yields and rising costs (Independent Arabia) The capnodis beetle emerges between April and August. In winter, it hibernates in dense vegetation or under fallen leaves, and lays an average of 30 eggs at the base of the tree stem or in cracks along the branches. After two months, the eggs hatch and larvae emerge to burrow into the trunk and roots of the pistachio trees. Mohammed Saeed, a farmer from the town of Suran in the Hama countryside, explains how the drought has affected his town: The pistachio trees were affected by this problem to the point that they withered, and insects such as the capnodis beetle spread while farmers were away from their land under the former regime. For his part, Muhammad Kishto, Head of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Agriculture, offered reassurances based on his own estimates of increased production, particularly as harvesting continued until mid-September. He confirmed to Independent Arabia that the drought had affected crops in Syria, including Aleppo pistachios. However, he explained that pistachios follow an alternate bearing cycle, whereby they produce a heavy crop one year then a light or no crop the following year, before returning to normal production in subsequent seasons. Production is expected to increase by 50 to 55 per cent, he says. It is an important crop for the economy as it is both exported and used in the confectionery industry. It is mainly grown in the northern and southern rural areas of Hama and Idlib, as well as in the Aleppo countryside, with smaller areas in Homs and Suwayda. Climate conditions determine where it can be cultivated. Even so, farmers and traders are looking to export Aleppo pistachios in order to offset losses from declining yields and the high costs of fertilisers, electricity and fuel oil. There are also fears that production will fall again next year due to continuing drought. Holding a tree branch, Abu Abdo says: These are pistachio trees, but they won't bear fruit next year because the drought caused the fruit to fall off. Normally, between 5 and 10 per cent of the fruit would remain on the trees, but they've all wilted, so we can expect a poor harvest next year. The story of pistachios The pistachio tree is one of the most important in the Mediterranean basin, with origins stretching back thousands of years. It was grown across the Mediterranean region, which is known for fertile soil and a diverse climate that make it ideal for agriculture. Historical sources indicate that the pistachio originated in northern Syria, particularly in the northern and central governorates of Aleppo, Hama and Idlib. The Aleppo pistachio has held a special place in ancient cultures and civilisations throughout history. The earliest evidence of the use of Aleppo pistachios dates back to the Bronze Age in the Mediterranean basin, specifically in Aleppo. Pistachios were introduced to Europe in the first century AD by the Romans who brought them over from Syria. The so-called red gold tree has long been an economic lifeline, generating profits that boost national income and sustain rural communities through exports and foreign currency earnings. Aleppo pistachios are also widely used in the food industry, particularly in sweets and other culinary products, elevating dishes with their distinctive flavour. Beyond their gastronomical use, Aleppo pistachios have long been valued for their health benefits and used in traditional medicine. Translated by Mirane Abouzaki; Reviewed by Tooba Khokhar and Celine Assaf In April 2016, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe arrived at Tehran airport after spending New Year with her family. She was supposed to get on a plane back to London. Instead, she was intercepted, along with her 22-month old daughter Gabriella, by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. She didnt know it then, but it would be the start of a nightmare ordeal one that only ended in 2022. This is where we start Prisoner 951, the BBCs new dramatisation of her story. For six years, Zaghari-Ratcliffe was one of the UKs most recognisable faces: an innocent woman, locked up by the Iranian regime on falsified charges. Her fight to get back to her family and her husband Richards fight to get her released are what form the backbone of this love story from creator Stephen Butchard. Its a dark love story though. After her arrest, a terrified Nazanin (Narges Rashidi) finds herself being bounced between solitary confinement and brutal interrogation sessions from the Iranian secret forces. Will somebody tell me why I am here? she cries at one point. We soon find out: she is being charged with spying for the British state. Her life is now controlled by smug men with guns and stiff-faced women in black chadors arguably worse than the men, in the way they uphold the systematic state-backed misogyny that ultimately led to widespread protects in 2022. (BBC/Dancing Ledge) The legal system, we find out, isnt fair; instead, its hopelessly rigged against Nazanin. I will pray for you, her judge tells her patronisingly at one point; the next, hes sentencing her to years in the notorious Evin Prison, away from her toddler. On the other side of the world, an incredulous Richard (Joseph Fiennes) is having to contend with dubious foreign office advice, which basically consists of doing nothing and not drawing attention to the issue. When he does just that by going to the press, the Government is even less help. The third episode features actual footage of Boris Johnson, whose easy-breezy declaration that Nazanin was teaching journalism in Iran landed her in deeper trouble with its authorities; its utterly rage inducing. That the drama works as well as it does is down to the tremendous central performances from Fiennes and Rashidi who manage to have impressive chemistry given that they hardly film any scenes together. Fiennes does furious and stoic very well, but the lions share of the acting credits should go to Rashidi, who spends most of the series either weeping, screaming or totally numb shes never anything less than utterly believable, and her constant fear is infectious. The only time we see Nazanin smiling is in the obligatory flashback sequences, which are shot in a kind of sepia-tinged haze and accompanied by some schmaltzy guitar music. Theyre shown to us pretty much every episode: its a reminder of what the couple are fighting for, and a welcome counterpart to the relentless misery, even if they are a bit sickly. And the misery is relentless. Every episode seems to go through the same motions, like a nightmare played on repeat: Nazanin is offered some glimpse of freedom, only for it to be snatched away by another round of cheerless security officers. Joseph Fiennes as Richard and Narges Rashidi as Nazanin (BBC/Dancing Ledge Productions/Rekha Garton) In fact, its striking just how cruelly the Iranian government played with the hopes of Nazanin and her family. They say its over, that Im to be released, she tells her mother on the phone, after ten weeks of imprisonment. Her mother weeps with happiness but soon enough, Nazanin is screaming at the security officers in Tehran airport as shes forced into yet another van, rather than being reunited with her family. If the drama is repetitive, then that is oddly to its benefit. Its an apt way of illustrating just how trapped and helpless the entire family must have felt. The ending, when it comes, is less a moment of euphoria then a slow release of breath. Prisoner 951 might not be uplifting, but its a testament to two extraordinary people who never gave up fighting for each other and thats definitely worth celebrating too. Streaming now on BBC One and iPlayer Nebraska Republican Rep. Don Bacon lambasted Donald Trump over his proposal to end Russias war in Ukraine, warning it could be the presidents legacy. The presidents 28-point peace plan has been criticized as being favorable to Moscow, demanding Kyiv cede additional territory, limit the size of its military, and agree to never join NATO. Trump has asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept the proposal by Thanksgiving. Bacon was one of several GOP lawmakers to criticize the peace plan. Theyre pushing a surrender plan on Ukraine and one that will keep Ukraine vulnerable to Russian attacks in the decades to come. It looks like Russia wrote it, he wrote in a social media post Saturday. Earlier in the day, the Tennessee lawmaker posted an image on X with the words: In the war between Ukraine and Russia, the first to surrender was America. Bacon warned in the caption: This will be President Trumps legacy if he forces this surrender plan on Ukraine. Bacon, along with the bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, issued a statement rejecting the peace plan as unacceptable. Nebraska GOP Rep. Don Bacon slammed President Donald Trumps peace plan to end Russias war in Ukraine, warning it will be his legacy (Getty Images) The proposed peace plan for Ukraine appears to favor the interests of the aggressor Dictator Vladimir Putin over the sovereignty and security of a democratic Ukraine. That is unacceptable. This framework does not offer a genuine path to lasting peace, but instead, demands the surrender and capitulation of Ukraine to Russian aggression, the group said. They warned that accepting this proposal would undermine European and NATO security, weaken Ukraines ability to defend itself, and fail to address Russian aggression. Bacon joined several prominent lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in criticizing Trumps proposal. Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool, Kentucky GOP Senator Mitch McConnell wrote Friday. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said the only appropriate word to describe the presidents plan is capitulation. Let me be as clear as possible: Ukraine needs and deserves security guarantees, not one-sided concessions, he added in a Saturday post. Any serious peace deal must ensure Ukraine remains free and sovereign with the fullest ability to defend its territory. President Donald Trump said his 28-point peace plan was not his final offer (REUTERS) The president told reporters Saturday that the peace plan was not my final offer. However, he warned that if Zelensky didnt accept the plan by the deadline, then he can continue to fight his little heart out. I would like to get to peace. It should have happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened, Trump said outside the White House. One way or the other, we have to get it ended. Top U.S., Ukrainian and European officials will hold talks over the proposal at a summit in Geneva on Sunday, according to Zelensky. The Ukrainian president said in a video Friday: Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner, either the difficult 28 points, or a very difficult winter. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed the proposal. If Ukraine doesnt agree to the plan, Russia would end the war through military means, through armed struggle, Putin said, according to NBC News. The Royal Navy intercepted a Russian warship and a tanker off the coast of the United Kingdom. HMS Severn, a patrol vessel, shadowed the RFN Stoikiy corvette and a tanker vessel in the past fortnight, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday. The navy monitored the Russian movements through the Dover Strait and west through the English Channel. The ministry did not say exactly when the interception happened. HMS Severn later handed over monitoring duties to a NATO ally off the coast of Brittany, but continued to observe from a distance, the MoD said. The ministry reported a 30 per cent increase in Russian vessels threatening UK waters in the past two years. File - British patrol vessel HMS Severn followed the Russian ships as part of a round-the-clock shadowing operation (AFP via Getty Images) Commander Grant Dalgleish, HMS Severn's Commanding Officer, said the operation reinforced the Navys close work with Nato allies and highlighted the value of patrol ships. The announcement came just days after defence secretary John Healey said that a Russian spy ship was spotted on the edge of UK waters, where it pointed lasers at the RAF pilots tracking it. There were no injuries sustained by British pilots and no damage to their planes or equipment. While tailing spy ship Yantar, a Royal Navy frigate and other civilian ships experienced GPS jamming. The frigate HMS Somersets combat capabilities were not affected, the MoD said. The Yantar is one ship in a fleet of Russian vessels that are part of a Russian ministry of defence deep sea research programme known as GUGI (Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research). GUGI has both specialist surface vessels and submarines that are used to survey underwater infrastructure, but also has the capability to damage or destroy that infrastructure. Mr Healey told a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday that his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin is: We see you. We know what youre doing. If the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready. The Royal Air Force has since deployed three P-8 Poseidon aircraft to Icelands Keflavik Air base to conduct surveillance operations as part of what the MoD called Natos collective defence. The reconnaissance planes will patrol for Russian ships and submarines in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. Wing Commander Higgins, Officer Commanding 120 Squadron, said: "This deployment to Iceland highlights the enduring importance of the North Atlantic and Arctic to the security of the Alliance. Operating the P-8A Poseidon, we continue that legacy by contributing to NATO's collective defence and ensuring the security of this strategically critical region." Sir Salman Rushdie has revealed that his late friend, the iconic singer Lou Reed, originally intended his renowned song "Walk On The Wild Side" for a musical. The 78-year-old author disclosed that The Velvet Underground frontman had conceived the track, from his 1972 album Transformer, for a stage adaptation of Nelson Algrens novel of the same name. Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs, Sir Salman shared his personal connection to Reed: "Its kind of extraordinary to be able to say that I was friends with Lou Reed because when I was at college, I kind of worshipped The Velvet Underground. And the idea that I would end up with Lou Reeds phone number never occurred to me." He elaborated on the song's genesis: "Originally, it was written to go as the title track of this Nelson Algren musical, based on the novel, Walk On The Wild Side. And then the musical fell apart, never happened, and so he rewrote (it), the music is the same, but he rewrote the lyrics, dropping the characters from the novel, and replacing them with characters from the (Andy) Warhol Factory." Reed died in 2013 (Getty Images) Sir Salman chose the track as one of his Desert Island Discs, alongside Bob Dylans "Blowin In The Wind" and The Rolling Stones "(I Cant Get No) Satisfaction." The author also recounted a poignant near-meeting with Nelson Algren himself. "Its very strange because Nelson Algren, I almost met," he said. Algren had reviewed Sir Salmans Midnights Children in the Chicago Tribune. Sir Salman was en route to Algrens housewarming party when tragedy struck. "The party was all laid out and prepared, and he had a colossal heart attack and died on the rug in the middle of the room, and the first guests to arrive found the host dead on the floor. So I never met Nelson Algren, but almost." Earlier this month, Sir Salman released The Eleventh Hour, a collection of stories set in diverse locations, marking his first fiction book in nearly three years. Salman Rushdie was left blinded in one eye after being attacked on stage in 2022 (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) His celebrated works include the Booker Prize-winning Midnights Children and The Satanic Verses, which led to a fatwa issued by then-Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. Sir Salman, who spent years in hiding, has travelled freely for the past quarter-century. The Indian-British Booker Prize-winning writer was left blind in one eye following a knife attack in New York state in 2022. President Donald Trumps unusually warm reception of New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani during their first meeting has left director Spike Lee dumbfounded. Trump, 79, and Mamdani, 34, who have previously traded barbs, met for the first time on Friday in the Oval Office. During their unexpectedly friendly introduction, both men were all smiles as they shook hands and discussed Mamdanis plans for the presidents hometown. Later that day, during a press conference at the Torino Film Festival, the 68-year-old Do the Right Thing filmmaker addressed Trumps sudden change of tune. Noting that during the citys recent mayoral election, Trump had labeled Mamdani a communist and said New York City was going to go down the drain, Lee added: I mean, the President said he was going to cut off federal funding. So from the things that were said to this quick turnaround Im puzzled. Of whether Trumps amiable reaction to Mamdani would last, the BlacKkKlansman director said, We shall see. Director Spike Lee (left) said he's 'puzzled' by Zohran Mamdani (middle) and Trump's sudden Oval Office bromance (Getty) Lee and his wife, Tonya, walk the red carpet at the opening night of the Torino Film Festival (Getty Images for Stellantis) When you go back and see what the President said about him, and what would happen to New York City if [Mamdani] won, it just seems, Lee noted, trailing off. It seems like they somehow found common ground. Following a private, closed-door meeting, which Mamdani described as productive, the two posed for press photos, with Trump seated behind the Resolute Desk and Mamdani standing to his right. Asked by a reporter about whether he was affirming prior comments in which he referred to the president as a fascist, Mamdani began, Ive spoken about The president, who frequently called Mamdani a communist during his mayoral campaign, interrupted and said with a smile: Thats ok. You can just say yes. Then, patting Mamdani on the arm, the president added, Its easier. Its easier than explaining. I dont mind. The two had a surprisingly friendly press conference where Trump brushed off Mamdani's past criticisms (Donald Trump via Truth Social) Meanwhile, Trump has a history of turning on political allies. Recently, he became locked in a heated public spat with Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who was once one of his closest allies and biggest supporters, over a variety of issues ranging from healthcare to affordability. However, it was her criticism of Trumps handling of the governments remaining files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that set him off, leading him to brand Greene a raging lunatic. On Friday, she announced she will resign from Congress in January. Lee, who recently released his latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington, attended the Torino Film Festival with his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, where he was honored with a lifetime achievement award, alongside Antonio Banderas. Angela Rayner published plans to abolish district councils earlier in 2025 - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images Sir Keir Starmer is under growing pressure to reverse Angela Rayners controversial decision to delay local elections for as long as seven years. The Prime Minister will face a vote on Tuesday on putting off contests in nine areas, in plans that have been branded a denial of democracy. More than five million people across swathes of the south and east of England would be denied a vote in their neighbourhood as a result. Both the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK, who would expect to be the big winners if elections went ahead in those authorities, strongly oppose the proposals. Lib Dem MPs will table a challenge in the Commons which would force ministers to get Parliaments permission to postpone any election. Earlier in 2025, Ms Rayner published plans to abolish district councils and fold them into new super-unitary authorities, which will serve 500,000 people each. She was forced to resign as the local government secretary in September after The Telegraph published details about her tax affairs. Steve Reed, her successor, has taken control of the proposals, which will see local elections postponed until after the new authorities are up and running. Waste of money The argument put forward is that it would be a waste of money to hold elections for council seats that will be abolished under the reforms. But the result is that some district councillors are now set to serve terms of seven years, rather than the five years for which they were elected. Essex, one of the areas affected, has said it could mean that councillors who were elected in 2021 will not have to stand again until 2028. The Tories, who hold seven of the nine councils covered by the plan, have said similar delays could happen in the other eight districts affected. In 2024, elections in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Surrey, Thurrock, East and West Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were all postponed. Thurrock is run by Labour and the Isle of Wight by a coalition of independents and Greens. The remaining seven Conservative-run councils are all now lobbying ministers for permission to delay their elections for a second year in a row. Lib Dem MPs have tabled two amendments to the English Devolution Bill, which is the legislation behind the wider shake-up of council boundaries. One amendment would prevent ministers from delaying, postponing or cancelling any elections as a result of the reorganisation of councils. Fighting to end this stitch-up The second amendment would introduce a requirement for No 10 to get Parliaments approval before it was able to postpone elections. Zoe Franklin, the Lib Dem local government spokesman, said: We are fighting to end this disgraceful stitch-up between Labour and the Conservatives, who are running scared of the voters in council halls across the country. Democracy delayed is democracy denied. The Liberal Democrats are working to amend the law to stop these election delays and reinstate the vote this May to millions across the country. Other parties need to back up their warm words with action and vote for our amendments this week in the lobbies. Reform UKs Nigel Farage blamed the cowardice of the existing political class for the delays. Suspicions have been raised that the postponements are largely being driven by a desire to stop Reform from taking control of more councils. If it did so, the party could use its power to try and derail or slow down the reforms. A spokesman for the Local Government Department said: We are clear that the starting point is for all elections to go ahead unless there is strong justification otherwise. The Tardis has arrived at Stonehenge as part of the celebrations for Doctor Who Day. Fans of the long-running BBC sci-fi drama will be able to see the Doctors police box-shaped spaceship at the Unesco World Heritage Site in Wiltshire at the culmination of a digital treasure hunt called Vworp Around The World. Fans completed five digital missions to crack codes and find clues on the Doctor Who social media channels. The Unesco World Heritage Site sits in a plain in Wiltshire (PA) Sarah Bold, head of marketing at the BBC for Doctor Who, said: Doctor Who Day is all about creating unforgettable experiences for fans. Bringing the Tardis to Stonehenge unites two icons of British culture in a way that celebrates imagination, heritage, and fandom. Were thrilled to partner with English Heritage to make this moment truly special. Stonehenge featured in The Pandorica Opens episode of series five where Matt Smiths incarnation of the Doctor battled an army of Roman centurions and enemy spacecraft. Richard Dewdney, Stonehenge operations manager at English Heritage, added: Were excited to welcome back the Doctor Who universe to Stonehenge, having provided the backdrop to an episode of the iconic TV series fifteen years ago. We hope that fans who visit us to discover the Tardiss location will also enjoy exploring the mysteries of Stonehenge. Wishing you all a very happy #DoctorWhoDay, from the cast of @thewarbetweentv pic.twitter.com/lzvamDYQ4g Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) November 23, 2025 The distinctive blue box will be at the heritage site throughout Sunday November 23. Further celebrations are taking place on the official Doctor Who website, social media channels, and newsletter, with exclusive merchandise available in the online Doctor Who shop. The longest running sci-fi television series in the world was launched by the BBC in 1963 and is still one of the most watched on the BBC iPlayer. A spin-off series, The War Between The Land And The Sea, will be available in the UK on BBC iPlayer and BBC One next month. Doctor Who will return for Christmas 2026 with a special episode. President Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena, at a monument to victims of the Holodomor famine in the 1930s, in Kyiv on Saturday. He has warned his people the Trump peace plan presents Ukraine with an impossible choice. Photograph: AP Donald Trump said on Saturday that his peace plan was not my final offer, after a furious backlash from Ukrainians who described it as reminiscent of Neville Chamberlains 1938 Munich agreement with Adolf Hitler. The US president told reporters during brief remarks at the White House: Wed like to get to peace. It shouldve happened a long time ago were trying to get it ended, one way or the other we have to get it ended. Ukrainian and American officials will meet in Switzerland on Sunday for talks to discuss the plan. Security officials from France, Britain and Germany are expected to join them in Geneva. In the build-up to the talks, the US state department disputed claims by US senators from across the political spectrum that secretary of state Marco Rubio had told them the proposal was not the administrations plan but a wish list of the Russians. The claim, made by figures including the independent senator Angus King, a member of the Senate foreign relations committee, was blatantly false, said US state department deputy spokesman Tommy Piggott. Rubio later said in a post that the proposal was authored by the US as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations and was based on input from both sides. Related: Trumps Ukraine peace plan is a gift to Putin | Kenneth Roth Trump has given Volodymyr Zelenskyy until Thursday to sign the 28-point document. It calls on Kyiv to give up territory it currently controls to Russia, reduce the size of its army and relinquish long-range weapons. It also rules out a European peacekeeping force and sanctions for Russian war crimes. In a sombre address on Friday, Zelenskyy warned his country faces an impossible choice over the coming days between keeping its national dignity and losing a major partner in the shape of the US. It faces one of the most difficult moments in its history, he admitted. Speaking on Saturday, Zelenskyy said real or dignified peace was always based on guaranteed security and justice. He announced a negotiating team, appointed by presidential decree, that would soon meet its US counterparts in Geneva, led by his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak. Another member of the Ukrainian delegation, former defence minister and national security council secretary Rustem Umerov, said there would be consultations with Washington on the possible parameters of a future peace agreement. Hinting at red lines, Umerov added: Ukraine approaches this process with a clear understanding of its interests. This is another stage of the dialogue that has been ongoing in recent days and is primarily aimed at aligning our vision for the next steps. Zelenskyy has sought to engage constructively with a White House seemingly determined to end the conflict on the Kremlins one-sided terms. He has made clear he cannot give up Ukraines sovereignty or abandon a constitution that enshrines the countrys current borders. At a meeting in South Africa, G20 leaders and the European Council issued a joint statement pushing back on Trumps plan, saying it needs additional work. It said EU and Nato members would need to be consulted on some of its provisions, which rule out Kyivs Nato membership and put conditions on its future EU accession. Related: US tells Nato if Zelenskyy does not sign peace deal Ukraine will face worse in future Ukrainian reaction to the text, drawn up by Putins envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Trumps representative, Steve Witkoff, has been overwhelmingly hostile. Commentators said it was a blueprint for another Russian invasion: not only of Ukraine but of other parts of Europe as well. Mustafa Nayyem, a journalist and politician who led Ukraines 2014 pro-democracy Maidan revolution, said it invited parallels with Chamberlains infamous Munich deal with Hitler. Trumps peace plan came from the same recognisable genre, with the victim invited to formulate his own defeat so everyone else can live easier. In a Facebook post Nayyem said he was outraged by its full amnesty for Russian war crimes. It was an insult to people who had hidden in basements in Bucha or Mariupol where Russian troops executed hundreds of civilians and for those whose children had been forcibly deported to Russia, he said. A rather cynical agreement, he concluded. Speaking in Kyivs Golden Gate metro station, Dmytro Zarayskyi, 21, said Russia had been trying to control Ukraine politically and territorially for years. It conceded barely anything in the Trump agreement and continued to keep its forces on Ukrainian soil. I think the deal is an attempt to break Ukraine and force unjust conditions on us, he said. If Zelenskyy signed off on the proposals Kyiv would be forced to give up its freedoms, he said. If it didnt the US would most likely break off cooperation and intelligence sharing, a crucial source of battlefield information for frontline Ukrainian troops. There is no good way out of this for now, he remarked. Related: Ukraine war briefing: defeating Russia an illusion, says Putin, as he welcomes Trump deal Another passenger, 19-year-old Sofia Barchan, said Ukraine would keep strong without American support. We will fight for as long as it takes. Our territory will remain our territory, including Crimea and the east. It belongs to Ukraine. She said Zelenskyy was a smart person and predicted he would not give up Ukrainian land. Speaking in the rain, next to a replica of Kyivs original medieval gate, Olena Ivanovna said she was grateful to Trump for his peace-making efforts. She said Ukraine should be ready to give away Crimea and the eastern Donbas region temporarily if it meant keeping America as a partner. President Zelenskyy should hold a referendum and ask the people, she said. Previous European leaders have roundly condemned the plan. Finlands former prime minister Sanna Marin called it a catastrophe, not only for Ukraine and Ukrainians but for all of the democratic world. She said if the west showed weakness and ignorance as it did in 2014 when Putin annexed Crimea more aggression and conflicts would follow. The former prime minister of Belgium, Guy Verhofstadt, quoted Churchills definition of an appeaser as one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last. He added: Trump now takes Putins side. Europe must choose again: appeasement or our values, imperialism or freedom. Another moment of truth for our [European] union. The UK government has unveiled plans for a radical overhaul of its asylum system, as immigration continues to dominate the political agenda. Home secretary Shabana Mahmoods proposals are facing a fierce backlash, having been described by her own Labour MPs as performatively cruel. Under the new rules, refugee status will become temporary lasting just 30 months instead of the current five years and will be revoked once it is deemed safe for the individual to return home. Migrants wade into the water in an attempt to board a small boat on the shoreline in northern France (Getty) The UK will also revoke its legal duty to support asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute, and will seize assets and income from asylum seekers to contribute to the cost of their support. With Britains asylum policy set to become one of the toughest in Europe, The Independent takes a look at how the current UK statistics really compare to the rest of Europe and the policies behind the numbers. How does the UK compare to Europe on asylum seekers Data shows that the UK receives far fewer asylum seekers than comparable European countries in proportion to population size. Per 100,000 people in 2024, the UK came fifth for most applicants (156) after Spain (340), Germany (275), Italy (256) and France (191). The EU average last year was 203 per 100,000 people. The UK is now seeking to emulate reforms carried out in Denmark by Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen after she was elected in 2019. Two years earlier, the two nations were on a level pegging, proportionally speaking. Denmark received 57 applications per 100,000 people on average, and the UK 55. Since the 2019 measures came into force, the UK has seen its number triple to 156 per 100,000, while Denmarks numbers fell in the same period. However the two situations are not entirely comparable; the overall number of applicants is significantly lower in Denmark, both before and after the change in policy. Denmark had an average of 4,215 in the three years leading up to its 2019 reforms, while the UK saw significantly larger figures of between 50,000 and 100,000 during the same period. UK rejects more asylum applications than EU average Data from last year also shows that the UK rejected more asylum applicants than its European neighbours last year. The UK rejected 44,433 (52.9 per cent) of the 84,049 applicants who received a decision in 2024, compared to the EU average of 48.6 per cent. This was a huge decline from 2023, however, when 69 per cent of the 91,811 asylum applicants in the UK were granted protection. Despite its strict new system, Denmark granted 48.1 per cent of applicants asylum in 2024. But Clingendael, a Dutch think tank, says this is because Denmark receives very few applicants from so-called safe countries. The policies behind the numbers Denmark Denmark is known for having one of Europes strictest asylum systems, after Ms Frederiksen promised a zero asylum seekers approach before her election in 2019. While many EU countries have seen asylum applications rise since the pandemic, Denmarks have stayed relatively similar, owing to its tough approach. But the electoral benefits of Ms Frederiksens reforms were this week called into question, after dismal local results saw her party lose support to rivals on both the left and the populist right. Denmark receives a relatively low number of applications, averaging at 46 per 100,000 since 2017 Policies include short-term residence permits for refugees, confiscating valuables, tighter family reunification rules, and departure centres for those do not cooperate in leaving It explored sending asylum seekers to third countries, including Rwanda Keir Starmer welcomes Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen to 10 Downing Street (PA) Germany Despite being Europes most welcoming country for asylum seekers in recent years, immigration has become one of the critical political issues in Germany. It has been the cornerstone of the agenda of the Alternativ fur Deutschland, the far-right political party, which earlier this year became the second-largest party in the German parliament on a fiercely anti-immigration platform. The German government, while refusing to work with the AfD, has sought to fend off the partys rise, such as by introducing stricter border controls in 2025, allowing federal police to turn away asylum seekers who dont have valid entry documents. Germany consistently receives the most asylum seekers. In 2023, around 329,040 applied, declining to 229,700 in 2024 Asylum seekers are given a temporary residence permit, providing various benefits, integration allowance and German language courses Refused applicants who cant return home for legal or humanitarian reasons may be granted suspension of deportation The UK has seen protests against the housing of asylum seekers in hotels (AFP via Getty) Spain Spain has a relatively welcoming asylum policy in comparison to other countries in Europe, and has seen the number of applications dramatically increase in the past five years. Much of this has been a result of a major increase in arrivals on small boats, with 46,843 people arriving on the Canary Islands by sea. Left-leaning prime minister Pedro Sanchez has called for a more coherent and humanitarian approach to migrants, and last year framed welcoming asylum seekers as a moral duty, although he has called on the burden to be spread around Europe. Applications have nearly tripled since 2021, reaching a record 164,000 in 2024, the second most in Europe In 2024, Spain granted 57 per cent of asylum applications, well above the EU average It offers a reception and integration support programme lasting 18 months, and with asylum seekers allowed to work six months after their application was lodged Italy Italy, which for decades has received thousands of refugees via the Mediterranean Sea, saw a sharp shift in the countrys asylum policy after the election of right wing Giorgia Meloni in 2022. Asylum policy became more restrictive, prioritising border control, repatriation, and off-EU processing, with a less generous reception for new asylum seekers. Measures aimed at deterring asylum seekers from making the trip to Italy have failed to stem the flow, and in 2024, asylum applications had nearly doubled since Ms Meloni assumed office. In 2024, Italy granted asylum to just 35.9 per cent of its 151,000 applicants. In 2024, it received the third-most applications Asylum seekers can look for a job just 30 days after making their application Successful applicants are granted a five-year permit, after which they can apply for a long-term EU residence permit or Italian citizenship Giorgia Meloni was elected on an anti-immigration platform (LaPresse) France A polarised political landscape in France has seen president Emmanuel Macrons government take an increasingly tough stance against migration and asylum seekers. The far-right Rassemblement National (RN), led by Marine Le Pen from 2012 until 2022 before Jordan Bardella assumed the leadership, enjoyed increasing electoral success before winning 142 seats in 2024. This piled the pressure on the government, which expanded deportation powers and imposed tougher conditions for social benefits in response. The White House proposed having U.S. military planes drop leaflets over Venezuelas capital in an operation aimed at intensifying pressure on the countrys president, Nicolas Maduro, according to a report. In what could soon be the latest U.S. escalation against Venezuela, the reported plan entails planes dispersing leaflets in Caracas that contain details about the $50 million reward for information leading to Maduros arrest and conviction, sources told the Washington Post. The psychological operation, which has not yet been authorized, could take place as soon as Sunday to coincide with Maduros 63rd birthday, the paper reported. The Independent has asked the White House for comment. Maduro has been in power since 2013, following the death of Hugo Chavez; more than 50 countries, including the U.S., have refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuelas head of state, claiming he lost the 2024 presidential election. The White House has reportedly proposed dropping leaflets on Caracas containing information on a $50 million reward for Maduros arrest or conviction (REUTERS) The State Department in 2020 offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction related to his indictment on narcoterrorism charges. The Biden administration raised that reward to $25 million in January 2025; in August, the Trump administration doubled that amount. Reuters also reported that the U.S. was planning to launch covert operations related to Venezuela. A senior administration official told the outlet: "President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice. For months, Trump has been ramping up a pressure campaign against Maduro. Since early September, the U.S. has been launching strikes against alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, killing at least 80 people. The strikes are meant to target what administration officials say are narco-terrorists. The United States also sent its most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean Sea earlier this month. As the aircraft carrier headed toward the waters off Venezuela earlier this month, Maduro said, No more forever wars. No more unjust wars. No more Libya. No more Afghanistan. Long live peace. The psychological operation, which has not yet been authorized, could take place as soon as Sunday to coincide with Maduros 63rd birthday (AFP via Getty Images) The military buildup in the region also consists of at least eight other warships and F-35 aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice Friday to airlines warning of a potentially hazardous situation when flying over Venezuela amid the "worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela. The latest reported escalation comes as the U.S. is in an armed conflict with drug cartels, which Trump alleges are fueled by Maduros government. At an October roundtable, when asked why he didnt seek a declaration of war from Congress and insisted he had the authority to carry out such strikes. I dont think we're going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war. I think were just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country, OK? Were going to kill them, the U.S. president said. Legal experts and former national security officials have disputed the presidents claim that he has legal authority to launch extrajudicial killings against the alleged drug traffickers. Bipartisan members of Congress have also shared their concerns. If were going to go to war with Venezuela, the president needs to make his case, and theyve done zero on this, Nebraska GOP Rep. Don Bacon told CNN last week. If he wants to continue the operations on these boats, he should get authorization. Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, who serves on both the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, said at a press conference this week: "The last time we received a briefing on Venezuela with the full committee was never. That is something that should alarm everybody. Lord Cameron, 59, says he wanted to make his experience public to raise awareness of the benefits of early screening - Dave Benett/Getty Images for Royal Ascot Lord Cameron has revealed that he has been treated for prostate cancer as he called on the Government to introduce screening. The former prime minister credited his wife, Samantha, for encouraging him to get tested when he went for a GP check-up in 2024. He completed a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, an MRI scan and then a biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis. Lord Cameron, 59, is among many politicians urging ministers to roll out some form of testing to detect cases earlier, when treatment is more likely to succeed. Revealing his diagnosis for the first time in an interview with The Times, Lord Cameron said: I want to, as it were, come out. I want to add my name to the long list of people calling for a targeted screening programme. I dont particularly like discussing my personal intimate health issues, but I feel I ought to, he added. Lord Cameron said he understood men could be hesitant to talk about their health and tend to put things off, but he wanted to make his experience public to raise awareness of the benefits of early screening. Were embarrassed to talk about something like the prostate, because its so intricately connected with sexual health and everything else, he said. I sort of thought, well, this has happened to you, and you should lend your voice to it. I would feel bad if I didnt come forward and say that Ive had this experience. I had a scan. It helped me discover something that was wrong. It gave me the chance to deal with it. The Telegraph is campaigning for the introduction of targeted screening, so that those men most at risk such as black men, those with a family history of prostate cancer or specific genes linked to it are offered the checks. The UK National Screening Committee is due to make recommendations on the matter in late November for decisions to be taken by ministers. Lord Cameron recalled how in 2024 he and his wife were listening to the radio when they heard Nick Jones, the founder of Soho House, explain how a prostate test had successfully picked up his cancer and treated it. Lady Cameron told her husband: Youre going for a health check-up with your GP, you should ask about this. And so I did, he said. The former prime minister was a vocal supporter of prostate cancer awareness during his time in No 10 - Andrew Parsons/i-Images After listening to the interview, he ordered the PSA test, which searches for proteins associated with prostate cancer. It came back with a high PSA score, which he hoped was probably nothing. He told The Times: You have an MRI scan with a few black marks on it. You think, Ah, thats probably OK. But when the biopsy comes back, and it says you have got prostate cancer? You always dread hearing those words. And then literally as theyre coming out of the doctors mouth youre thinking, Oh, no, hes going to say it. Hes going to say it. Oh God, he said it. Then came the next decision. Do you get treatment? Or do you watch and wait? Lord Cameron said he was told about a less intrusive focal therapy, which uses needles to deliver electric pulses to destroy the cancerous cells, and successfully undertook the treatment. He added that after his biopsy came back, he faced a choice. I had this decision to make, which lots of people with prostate cancer have. Do you watch and wait? Or do you look at what the treatment options are? Do I want to take the risk of not acting, or do I want to take the risks of acting? His older brother, Alexander, died at the age Lord Cameron is now, a fact that he said focuses the mind. Lord Cameron credited his wife Samantha for encouraging him to get tested - Stefan Rousseau/AP During his time in No10, Lord Cameron was a vocal supporter of prostate cancer awareness, expressing frustration about his inability to grow a moustache for Movember. His administration established the Cancer Drugs Fund to provide access to drugs not routinely available on the NHS. Lord Cameron said advances in technology had made him more convinced of the benefits of targeted screening. He said: I know its not a slam dunk. There are respectable arguments against a screening programme. Youve always got to think how many cases do we discover and how many misdiagnoses are there and how many people will be treated unnecessarily. But it seems to me that quite a lot of things have changed over the last few years. Lord and Lady Cameron, 54, have three children: Nancy, 21, Arthur, 19, and Florence, 15. Speaking to the Today programme on Monday morning, Mr Jones called for a national screening programme where everyone benefits, adding: It shouldnt be me coming into radio studios talking about it. He said: Its the only major cancer which doesnt have a screening programme, which seems in this day and age totally ridiculous. The reasoning given has been overtreatment and cost. Those were a case five years ago, but now the data has changed, the treatments have changed and the outcomes have changed. Mr Jones added: I would recommend that any man knock on the door of your doctor and ask for a PSA [test], but I really do think that that should be the job of the National Health Service and there should be a screening programme in place to encourage people to come forward. Rishi Sunak, the former Tory prime minister, has urged the Government to show leadership and introduce targeted screening, even if the committee is cautious. He told The Telegraph in October: I understand it enough that as an elected politician, I would feel comfortable saying, Well, I just want to do this. Ive gone through the evidence. Ive made up my own mind. Rishi Sunak has also urged the Government to introduce a targeted screening programme - Karwai Tang/WireImage Mr Sunak said elected representatives needed to take responsibility in making their own decisions, not simply rubber-stamping any advice they were given. I made decisions like that as prime minister all the time, lots of other things where youre weighing up risk, reward, cost, benefit. I dont think this is so complex that you couldnt do that, he said. David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister, said in October that Labour was up for the fight. Mr Lammy, who has two brothers living with prostate cancer, said momentum was necessary in the campaign for checking those at greatest risk of the disease. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has applauded The Telegraphs campaign, highlighting the publications long history of campaigning for better cancer care. Earlier in 2025, he said: As a cancer survivor who owes his life to the NHS, I know all too well how important screening is and I would like to see a screening programme in place, but it must be evidence-led. The advisory committee has previously rejected screening because of concerns that the unreliability of PSA tests meant that too many men were undergoing needless procedures that could cause harm. But in recent years, the technology used to make a diagnosis has much improved, while treatment has become more targeted. Men can ask GPs for tests, but many doctors refuse them to those under 50 and surgeries are told not to proactively offer them. Charities have warned that this situation fuels inequalities, with middle-class men far more likely to seek checks and far higher death rates being prevalent among those in deprived areas. Black men are twice as likely to get prostate cancer and to die of the disease. A trial is being launched during November to compare different models of screening, with hopes it could cut deaths from prostate cancer by as much as 40 per cent. But its start date has been repeatedly delayed, meaning the first results will not be reported for another three years. Advocates of screening say the NHS should not delay, suggesting the case for targeted checks has been made. There is concern that the health service is not capable of identifying at-risk groups because of the poor quality of medical records. But recent trials found schemes were able to pinpoint such patients, urging them to come forward for tests. Currently, around half of cases of prostate cancer are only diagnosed at later stages, when treatment is far less likely to succeed. The 10-year survival rate is more than 90 per cent for men diagnosed at stages one and two, falling to just 18.6 per cent for those with stage four disease. Prostate Cancer Research is one of four charities supported by this years Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal. The others are Motor Neurone Disease Association, Canine Partners, The Not Forgotten. To make a donation, please visit telegraph.co.uk/appeal2025 or call 0151 317 5247 The Cop30 president, Andre Correa do Lago (centre), next to his advisers after the plenary session. The summit was bitterly contested. Photograph: Pablo Porciuncula/AFP/Getty Images The world is not winning the fight against the climate crisis but it is still in that fight, the UN climate chief has said in Belem, Brazil, after a bitterly contested Cop30 reached a deal. Countries at Cop30 failed to bring the curtain down on the fossil fuel age amid opposition from some countries led by Saudi Arabia, and they underdelivered on a flagship hope at a conference held in the Amazon to chart an end to deforestation. But in a fractious era of nationalism, war and distrust, the talks did not collapse as was feared. Multilateralism held just. We knew this Cop would take place in stormy political waters, said Simon Stiell, the UNs climate chief, after a long and occasionally angry final plenary at the climate summit. Denial, division and geopolitics has dealt international cooperation some heavy blows this year. Related: Trump, war, absent media: five threats to climate progress that dogged Cop30 But Cop30 showed that climate cooperation is alive and kicking, Stiell added, making an oblique reference to the US, which under Donald Trump opted not to send anyone to Belem. Trump, who has called the climate crisis a hoax and a con job has come to embody the opposition to progress on dealing with dangerous global heating. Stiell said: Im not saying were winning the climate fight. But we are undeniably still in it, and we are fighting back. Here in Belem, nations chose unity, science and economic common sense. This year there has been a lot of attention on one country stepping back. But amid the gale-force political headwinds, 194 countries stood firm in solidarity rock solid in support of climate cooperation. He pointed to one section of the Cop30 agreement: The global transition towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development is irreversible and the trend of the future. He argued: This is a political and market signal that cannot be ignored. The summit began more than a fortnight ago with the leaders summit. The Brazilian hosts promised with early sunny optimism that it would finish on time, but as the negotiations went on the confusion and obvious divisions between parties grew, and the process looked close to collapse on Friday. Overnight negotiations and compromise on all sides meant a deal could be agreed on Saturday. The summit produced decisions on dozens of issues, including a promise to triple adaptation funding to protect communities against climate impacts, an agreement for a just transition mechanism (JTM) and recognition of the rights of Indigenous people. However, proposals to start planning roadmaps to transition away from fossil fuels and end deforestation were not agreed and were hived off to processes outside the UN to be pushed forward by coalitions of willing nations. The impacts of the food system such as cattle in cleared tracts in the Amazon were largely ignored. The overall package was largely seen as incremental at best and far less than is needed to tackle the accelerating climate crisis. Jasper Inventor, a deputy programme director at Greenpeace International, said: Cop30 started with a bang of ambition but ended with a whimper of disappointment. This was the moment to move from negotiations to implementation and it slipped. The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said progress was made but warned it was becoming more difficult to secure agreements. Cops are consensus-based and in a period of geopolitical divides, consensus is ever harder to reach, he said. 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 EU commissioner for the environment, Wopke Hoekstra, echoed the sense of relief. It is not perfect, but it is a huge step in the right direction. The EU stood united, fighting for ambition on climate action, he posted on X, even though that unity was sorely tested. Related: Cop30s watered-down agreements will do little for an ecosystem at tipping point Anna Aberg, of the thinktank Chatham House, said just reaching a deal was positive. A Cop collapse would have been a big and harmful blow at the end of a year already marked by serious challenges for international climate cooperation and multilateralism more broadly, she said. It is positive that a deal was reached in Belem, even if many will legitimately be disappointed with the level of ambition. But there was also deep frustration that although adaptation finance had been promised, the deadline had been pushed back to 2035. Mamadou Ndong Toure, the thematic lead for climate and resilience at Practical Action in Senegal, said: Adaptation cannot be built on shrinking commitments; people on the frontline need predictable, accountable support and a clear path to act. Similarly, although Brazil styled Cop30 as the Indigenous Cop and the deal recognised for the first time Indigenous peoples land rights and knowledge as a fundamental climate solution, there were still concerns that participation was limited. Despite being referred to as an Indigenous Cop it became clear that Indigenous peoples continue to be excluded from the negotiations, said Emil Gualinga, of the Kichwa Peoples of Sarayaku, Ecuador. And there was frustration that the final text did not refer directly to fossil fuels. James Dyke, a climate scientist at the University of Exeter, said: Despite the hosts best efforts, Cop30 will not even be able to get nations to agree to fossil fuel phase-out. This shameful outcome is the result of narrow self-interest and cynical politicking. After several years of these annual UN climate gatherings being held in authoritarian-led countries, there were bursts of colourful protest in Belem as civil society returned in force. A march with tens of thousands of protesters lit up the middle Saturday of the summit and activists made their voices heard in an otherwise, grey, sterile conference centre. From Indigenous-led demonstrations at the venue to the more than 70,000 people who marched in the streets, there was a palpable sense of momentum that I havent felt for years, said Jamie Henn, the director of Fossil Free Media. At least a path ahead remains, watchers concluded. Prof Michael Grubb, of University College London, said: The damp squib of an outcome from Cop30 has underlined that a focus on the negative phasing out of fossil fuels is fraught with political obstacles. For the road to Cop31, the focus must be balanced by equal attention to the positive the huge economic potential of accelerating the energy transition, and ways to help countries around the world benefit from renewables and electrification. Google Maps Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora, Ill., where a deadly shooting took place on Nov. 22, 2025 NEED TO KNOW Two people are dead and one is in critical condition following a shooting at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora, Ill., on the evening of Nov. 22 Police said that initial information suggests that the three individuals involved knew each another People at the restaurant during the incident said they have been left shaken by the terrifying event Two people are dead and one is in critical condition after a shooting at a restaurant in Illinois. Police responded to multiple 911 calls about a shooting at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora at about 9:10 p.m. on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 22, per a release issued by the Aurora Police Department (APD). When officers arrived, they found three people suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the victims, who is believed to be the shooter, was pronounced dead on the scene. Two other victims a man and a woman were transported to a local hospital. The woman was later pronounced dead and the man is in critical condition, per APD. APD stated that preliminary information suggests that all three individuals knew each other and that the shooting appeared to be a domestic violence-related incident. Autopsies of the two deceased individuals will be conducted by the Kane County Coroners Office, which will confirm the identity of the victim and offender and release their names at a later time. Google Maps Two Brothers Roundhouse, where a deadly shooting took place the evening of Nov. 22, 2025 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. Our hearts are heavy tonight. Members of our community were senselessly shot while simply trying to enjoy a night out, and our entire city feels the weight of that violence, Chief Matt Thomas in a statement, per the release. On behalf of the Aurora Police Department, I want the victims and their families to know we are standing with you and doing everything we can to make sure you have answers. PEOPLE reached out to APD and the Kane County Coroners Office for comment on Sunday, Nov. 23, but did not receive an immediate response. Getty Police car (stock image) Witnesses said that the shooting occurred while the band Beyond the Blonde was performing at the restaurant, per CBS News. Restaurant goers began running when they heard shots fired, according to the outlet. Beyond the Blonde released a statement regarding the shooting on their Facebook page on Nov. 23, writing that they are still processing the tragedy, Last night was terrifying, sad, and absolutely shocking. The shooting at Two Brothers has left us shaken to our core. Our hearts are with the families and friends of those lost to such senseless violence. No one should ever have to experience that kind of fear or heartbreak, the wrote in their statement. They added, Were still processing so many emotions disbelief, sadness, gratitude for safety, and deep compassion for everyone affected. Hold your loved ones close today. Police are encouraging anyone with information on the incident to call the APDs Investigations Division at (630) 256-5500. Read the original article on People Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro leaves the hospital where he went to undergo a skin surgery procedure in Brasilia, Brazil on September 14. - Adriano Machado/Reuters Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was arrested on Saturday over concerns he was plotting to escape house arrest after he took a soldering iron to his ankle bracelet, authorities said. The arrest at his home in Brasilia, just days before he was due to begin a prison sentence for leading a coup attempt, is another setback for Bolsonaro, whose prosecution has been heavily criticized by the Trump administration. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Saturday on X the US was gravely concerned about Bolsonaros arrest, which he called provocative and unnecessary in a post on X. Landau criticized Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the Brazilian Supreme Court judge overseeing the case, accusing him of flouting traditional norms of judicial restraint and bringing the court into disrepute. There is nothing more dangerous to democracy than a judge who knows no limits on his power. In a statement, Brazils Federal Police said they executed a preventive arrest warrant that had been requested by the police themselves and authorized by the Supreme Court, CNN affiliate CNN Brasil reported. Sources told CNN Brasil that a vigil organized by Bolsonaros oldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, in front of the complex of residential buildings where the former president lives triggered the request for preventive detention. Bolsonaros lawyers vowed to appeal the arrest and dismissed the claim that the former president was attempting to escape. Brazils Supreme Court said Saturday it had received information about the summoning of supporters to the vigil, which indicated a high possibility of an attempted escape, adding that there was a violation of Bolsonaros electronic monitoring equipment in the early hours of the morning. The information confirms the convicts intention to break the electronic ankle bracelet in order to ensure the success of his escape, facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration, the court said. Flavio Bolsonaro described the vigil, initially planned for Saturday evening local time, as an opportunity to pray for his father following recent reports of ill health and for the return of democracy in our country. Are you going to fight for your country or just watch everything on your phone on your couch at home? he asked his followers in a social media video. Tampered ankle monitor Later on Saturday, the Supreme Court released a video, which it says shows Bolsonaro admitting to tampering with his ankle monitor with a soldering iron. Justice Moraes ordered Bolsonaros defense team to explain the ankle monitor tampering within 24 hours, according to an order released by the court on Saturday alongside the video. In the video, a penal official examines the partially melted casing and questions Bolsonaro about it. Did you use anything to burn this here? asks Rita Gaio, deputy director of Brazils Secretariat of Penitentiary Administration. Hot iron, Bolsonaro is heard replying. He said he used a soldering iron out of curiosity, and had not attempted to remove or damage the bracelet fastening the device to his ankle. Bolsonaros attorney told Brazilian media that the issue of the former presidents ankle monitor is beside the point, arguing that Bolsonaro would not have been able to escape his home since he was under armed guard. The issue of the ankle monitor is an attempt to justify the unjustifiable, Bolsonaros lawyer, Paulo Cunha Bueno, told reporters on Saturday. President Bolsonaro would have no way of leaving his house. He has an armed patrol car 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So there would be no way for him to leave his home. CNN has reached out to Bueno for comment. Flavio Bolsonaro did not immediately respond to a CNN Brasil request for comment. In an earlier statement, Jair Bolsonaros lawyers pushed back against the claim that he was attempting to escape, according to CNN Brasil. The fact is that the former President was arrested at his home, with an electronic ankle monitor and under police surveillance, his lawyers said in a statement. Furthermore, Jair Bolsonaros health is delicate and his imprisonment may put his life at risk. The lawyers added that the right to assembly is protected in law, referring to the planned vigil. Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced earlier this year to 27 years in prison for plotting to remain in power after losing the 2022 election to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and has been under house arrest. Four out of five justices on a Brazilian Supreme Court panel voted to convict Bolsonaro on all five counts in the landmark case. As well as plotting a coup detat, Bolsonaro was convicted of taking part in an armed criminal organization, attempting to abolish Brazils democratic order by force, committing violent acts against state institutions and damaging protected public property during the storming of government buildings by his supporters on January 8, 2023. Bolsonaro has long insisted that the trial amounted to a political witch hunt. Earlier this month, high-ranking military officials and a federal police officer were also sentenced to prison terms after a panel of Brazilian Supreme Court justices found them guilty of attempting a coup and plotting to kill Lula da Silva. On Saturday, reporters asked US President Donald Trump if he had heard of Bolsonaros arrest. Trump, a Bolsonaro ally who raised tariffs on Brazil to 50% as punishment for the former presidents trial, said that he had not heard, but that it was too bad. Trump recently backtracked and carved out tariff exceptions for some of Brazils biggest exports, namely coffee and beef. CNNs Julia Vargas Jones and Michael Rios contributed reporting. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com DCNF - Swalwell CNN California VotebyPhone - Featured Screenshot/Rumble/CNN Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell said he wanted people to vote using their phones to max out democracy during a CNN appearance Saturday. Swalwell announced his candidacy for governor of California during a Thursday appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, joining a crowded field of Golden State Democrats including former Rep. Katie Porter and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra. Swalwell told The Story Is host Elex Michaelson he wanted to modernize the state government. (RELATED: I Have Become Full Chinese: Left-Wing Streamer Professes His Unconditional Love For Communist China) I want us to be able to vote by phone. I think every California Swalwell said before Michaelson interrupted to confirm, Vote by phone? WATCH: Vote by phone, yeah. If we can do our taxes make our health care appointments, you know, make, essentially your do your banking online, Swalwell responded. You should be able to vote by phone. Make it safe, make it secure, but its actually already happening all over the United States. I want us to be a blue state that doesnt do just a little bit better than like Georgia or Alabama when it comes to, like, voting access, I want us to max out democracy. Swalwell also proposed penalizing counties where voters had to wait to vote in-person. Also, as it relates to democracy, if you wait in line for 30 minutes or more, if you do want to vote in person, I think you should fine every county for every minute that a person has to wait longer, Swalwell said, We have to be better, not just a little bit better than the other states. Swalwell allegedly had an affair with Christine Fang, who reportedly worked with the Ministry of State Security of the Peoples Republic of China. Swalwell has denied any wrongdoing in his relationship with Fang, but then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Jan. 24, 2023 removed Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee, citing Swalwells reported relationship with Fang. All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. FILE PHOTO: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during an event at the Parque Caiza socialist commune, amid rising tensions with the United States, in Caracas, Venezuela, November 6, 2025. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS FILE PHOTO: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during an event at the Parque Caiza socialist commune, amid rising tensions with the United States, in Caracas, Venezuela, November 6, 2025. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States is poised to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, four U.S. officials told Reuters, as the Trump administration escalates pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government. Reuters was not able to establish the exact timing or scope of the new operations, nor whether U.S. President Donald Trump had made a final decision to act. Reports of looming action have proliferated in recent weeks as the U.S. military has deployed forces to the Caribbean amid worsening relations with Venezuela. Two of the U.S. officials said covert operations would likely be the first part of the new action against Maduro. All four officials quoted in this article spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of impending action by the United States. The Pentagon referred questions to the White House. The CIA declined to comment. A senior administration official on Saturday did not rule anything out regarding Venezuela. "President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice," said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The Trump administration has been weighing Venezuela-related options to combat what it has portrayed as Maduros role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans. He has denied having any links to the illegal drug trade. Two U.S. officials told Reuters the options under consideration included attempting to overthrow Maduro. Maduro, in power since 2013, has contended that Trump seeks to oust him and that Venezuelan citizens and the military will resist any such attempt. The Venezuelan president, who will celebrate his 63rd birthday on Sunday, appeared on Saturday night at Caracas' main theater for the premiere of a television series based on his life. A military buildup in the Caribbean has been underway for months, and Trump has authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Friday warned major airlines of a "potentially hazardous situation" when flying over Venezuela and urged them to exercise caution. Three international airlines cancelled flights departing from Venezuela on Saturday after the FAA warning. The United States plans on Monday to designate the Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organization for its alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the United States, officials said. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading Cartel de los Soles, which he denies. HEGSETH: NEW OPTIONS AFTER TERRORIST DESIGNATION U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week that the terrorist designation "brings a whole bunch of new options to the United States." Trump has said the upcoming designation would allow the United States to strike Maduro's assets and infrastructure in Venezuela, but he also has indicated a willingness to potentially pursue talks in hopes of a diplomatic solution. Two U.S. officials acknowledged conversations between Caracas and Washington. It was unclear whether those conversations could impact the timing or scale of the U.S. operations. The U.S. Navy's largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, arrived in the Caribbean on November 16 with its strike group, joining at least seven other warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 aircraft. U.S. forces in the region so far have focused on counter-narcotics operations, even though the assembled firepower far outweighs anything needed for them. U.S. troops have carried out at least 21 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific since September, killing at least 83 people. Human rights groups have condemned the strikes as illegal extrajudicial killings of civilians, and some U.S. allies have expressed growing concerns that Washington may be violating international law. Washington in August doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million. The U.S. military dwarfs Venezuela's, which is debilitated by a lack of training, low wages and deteriorating equipment. Some unit commanders have been forced to negotiate with local food producers to feed their troops because government supplies fall short, Reuters has reported. That reality has led Maduro's government to consider alternative strategies in the event of a U.S. invasion, including possibly a guerrilla-style response, which the government has termed "prolonged resistance" and mentioned in broadcasts on state television. This approach would involve small military units at more than 280 locations carrying out acts of sabotage and other guerrilla tactics, Reuters has reported, citing sources and years-old planning documents. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Craig Timberg, Sergio Non and Diane Craft) 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) DUSHANBE, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday called on China and Tajikistan to strive for new progress in the China-Tajikistan comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era during his first strategic dialogue with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin. The two sides held in-depth discussions on implementing the consensus reached between the two heads of state and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, reached a broad agreement and jointly launched the China-Tajikistan foreign ministers' strategic dialogue mechanism. Noting that China and Tajikistan are good friends and good partners connected by mountains and rivers, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, China-Tajikistan relations have continuously reached new heights. The two heads of state met twice this year and made new plans for the development of bilateral relations, he noted. China stands ready to work with Tajikistan to follow the consensus of the two leaders, view and promote bilateral relations from a strategic perspective, carry forward everlasting friendship and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Wang said. Wang briefed Muhriddin on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, noting that the scientific formulation and steady implementation of five-year plans are important experience of the CPC in state governance and a major political advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics. China will, as always, support Tajikistan in following a development path suited to its national conditions and in taking effective measures to safeguard national security and development, and opposes any external interference in Tajikistan's internal affairs. No matter how the international situation evolves, China will remain Tajikistan's trustworthy and reliable partner, said Wang, expressing appreciation for Tajikistan's firm support on issues concerning China's core interests, including the Taiwan question. China will never allow right-wing forces in Japan to turn back the wheel of history, nor permit external forces to meddle in China's Taiwan region or allow Japanese militarism to stage a comeback, said Wang, vowing that China will work with all parties to uphold the international consensus on the one-China principle and jointly safeguard the hard-won outcomes of the victory of World War II. Wang pointed out that the two sides should continue expanding trade and investment and give full play to mechanisms such as the China-Tajikistan intergovernmental economic and trade committee. China is willing to increase its imports of quality agricultural products from Tajikistan and encourages capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Tajikistan, he said. Wang also urged the two sides to make full use of various platforms, including Confucius Institutes, Luban Workshops and others, and accelerate the establishment of cultural centers in each other's country. The two sides should energize local cooperation, enhance sister-city exchanges, and pool more strength for deepening China-Tajikistan friendship, he said. Noting that China and Tajikistan are strategic partners that share both security and risks, Wang said that the two sides should jointly address various challenges, implement the memorandum of understanding on jointly promoting cooperation on the Global Security Initiative, carry out solid bilateral joint patrols, prevent the infiltration and spread of terrorist forces, and build a strong security shield for the development of both nations. China supports Tajikistan in playing a greater role in the United Nations and other multilateral platforms, and stands ready to work with Tajikistan to jointly implement the four major global initiatives, uphold the UN-centered international system, and strengthen cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Central Asia mechanism, said Wang. For his part, Muhriddin said Tajikistan and China are friendly neighbors and sincere friends, as the bilateral relationship has always been grounded in mutual understanding, trust and support. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Tajikistan-China relations have maintained sound momentum, seeing active cooperation across various areas, he said. Muhriddin thanked China for its long-standing valuable support for Tajikistan's development, and said his country is willing to work closely with China to fully implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, enhance exchanges at all levels, promote Belt and Road cooperation, deepen cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity and green minerals, and expand people-to-people exchanges to better benefit both peoples. The two ministers also exchanged views on the Afghan issue. Wang said that Afghanistan is a common neighbor of China and Tajikistan, and China is willing to continue to strengthen coordination with Tajikistan on the Afghan issue, with a view to promoting regional peace and stability and reconstruction in the country. After the talks, the two sides issued the joint statement of the first China-Tajikistan foreign ministers' strategic dialogue. 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) Bundeswehr recruits take part in a combat exercise at the Westfalen-Kaserne barracks of the German armed forces in Ahlen, western Germany. - Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images This year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to build Europes strongest army a tall order for a country whose military has undergone years of neglect. The coalition government is hoping a new bill agreed upon last week will help make this a reality, bolstering Germanys forces in the face of the perceived threat from Russia and a significant shift in US foreign policy. The sweeping new reforms will see Germany attempt to boost its numbers to 260,000 soldiers, up from around 180,000 currently, in addition to an extra 200,000 reservists, by 2035. In the first instance, the drive will focus on voluntary enlistment, with greater incentives for those who sign up, including a monthly starting salary of 2,600 ($3,000) an increase of 450 from the current level. If the new quotas are not met, the government will have the option of mandatory call-ups, where necessary. From next year, all 18-year-olds will receive a questionnaire about their interest in serving. For men, answering this will be compulsory. From 2027, men aged 18 will also have to undergo mandatory medical examinations. It comes as the Trump administration warns that Europe must take responsibility for its own security, Russias war in Ukraine continues to grind on and experts on the region suggest Moscow could next invade a NATO state. A recruit holds a bazooka during a tank destruction exercise at the Westfalen-Kaserne barracks. - Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images Minna Alander, an associate fellow in the Europe Program at London-based think tank Chatham House, believes Germany has the potential to play a key role in conventional defense of Europe, given its central geographical location. If the plans to reach the new personnel numbers materialise, it will be great for Europe, but that will likely be sometime in the 2030s, she said. Whether this is soon enough remains to be seen. Germanys chief of defense, Gen. Carsten Breuer, said in a June interview with the BBC that NATO should prepare for a possible Russian attack within the next four years possibly as early as 2029 urging member states to be prepared. Ahead of the new bill, the coalition partners the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and center-left Social Democratic Union (SPD) had wrangled for weeks over what kind of military service should be introduced. One idea was a lottery-style conscription, which would have seen a draw used to select young men for medical screening, and then another to call them up for service. That proposal was ultimately scrapped by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who instead said enlistments should center around incentives such as better pay and other financial compensation. Germany previously had mandatory military service for males aged 18-23, but this was suspended in 2011 in favor of an all-voluntary army. The deal still needs to be approved in Germanys Parliament, or Bundestag, with lawmakers expected to vote on it by the end of the year. If that happens, it would come into effect on January 1, 2026. Pistorius, of the SPD, welcomed the move while seeking to reassure those affected. There is no reason for concern, no reason for fear, he said after the agreement was announced last week Because the lesson is quite clear: The more capable our armed forces are of deterrence and defense, through armament, training and personnel, the less likely we are to become involved in a conflict at all. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius welcomed the move while seeking to reassure those affected. - Lisi Niesner/Reuters Pistorius suggested Berlins new military system could set an example for other European allies. Everybody is watching what we are doing, he said. I am in close contact with (French Prime Minister) Sebastian Lecornu and his successor, and, of course, with UK and with other countries. And our new model of conscription is quite modern. It is very modern. And it might be able to be an example for other countries too? I dont know, but it might be. But the changes remain contentious, with many, particularly in Germanys political left, disagreeing with the reintroduction of any mandatory conscription. A Forsa poll published by newspaper Die Welt in October before the reforms were announced indicated that 80% of voters for Germanys left-wing Die Linke party opposed the idea. Alander believes however that achieving the quotas without resorting to mandatory call-ups is not unrealistic, given the size of Germanys population. If the government and armed forces managed to improve the perception of the armed forces significantly and motivate young people to start considering military service as a normal choice, the goal could be reached with voluntary participation alone, she told CNN. But, she added, My concern is that if an obligatory military service is imposed on a skeptical population, it could push more young people to the extreme right and extreme left. The reluctance of young people in Germany to be subject to mandatory conscription is clear. Speaking to CNN, one 17-year-old recognized the importance of Germany to be able to defend itself while expressing doubt about wanting to fight. Of course its important to be able to defend ourselves. But thats why were in the NATO alliance. I love Germany. I wouldnt say I want to fight for this country now. I have a different life in mind than being at war, he said. Leonid Bekjarov, 21, supported the increased investment in Germanys military. It has become so soft and has been neglected, he said. He too questioned the idea of mandatory conscription, however. I also think its terrible that (Russia) attacked Ukraine. But I am absolutely against war, and a little strengthening of the military is a good thing funds have already been allocated for this but now compulsory military service for everyone and having to go there, I think thats wrong. Recruits attend a shooting practice in Ahlen, western Germany. - Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images Others who spoke to CNN expressed concern that their education would go to waste if they were called up for service. Official figures also offer an insight into German public opinion. The number of applications for conscientious objector status has shot up since the start of the war in Ukraine, particularly as talk of resuming conscription has intensified. From the beginning of this year until October 25, 3,034 people applied to be recognized as such, government records show the highest since mandatory military service was paused in 2011. Decades of neglect Germanys armed forces, or Bundeswehr, have been chronically underfunded since the Cold War. For three decades after the fall of the Berlin Wall, military expenditure remained below 2% of the countrys GDP below NATO targets amid a lack of perceived threats, taboo around Germanys military might and a strongly pacifist national mindset following the Nazi era. Then came Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Amid calls within Europe to be war-ready, this triggered a significant shift in the countrys outlook. Then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz proclaimed a Zeitenwende or period of change leading to the creation of a special fund of 100 billion ($116 billion) to modernize the Bundeswehr. In June 2024, Germany set aside its unease over its military past to mark its first Veterans Day since World War Two, with new legislation stating that the day should be celebrated publicly and visibly every year on June 15. This attitudinal shift only deepened after Merz took office earlier this year, with the new chancellor not only pledging to turn Germanys armed forces into Europes strongest conventional army but also committing to doubling defense spending to meet new NATO targets. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin only understands the language of power, Merz said at the time. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Getty The Gist Gisele Bundchen made an appearance on the red carpet at the Fashion Trust Arabia 2025 Awards Ceremony in Doha, Qatar on November 22. She wore a sparkly blue floral dress with a subtle cutout in the center of the chest and a thigh-high slit. The model completed the glitzy look with glistening gold accessories. Gisele Bunchen's latest look was nothing short of statement-making. The Brazilian supermodel made a rare red carpet appearance at the Fashion Trust Arabia 2025 Awards Ceremony in Doha, Qatar on November 22, where she went all out in a sophisticated take on the sparkly gown trend. Bunchen wore a strikini blue and silver floral metallic sparkly dress with a high neckline, a cinched waist, long sleeves, and an ankle-length skirt. The dress featured a subtle, but daring cutout in the center of the chest that stretch all the way from the neck to the ribs. It also featured a thigh-high slit up one leg. Getty A subtle cutout The model accessorized with various glistening gold pieces: a pair of abstract geometric earrings, a glittering clutch, and a pair of strappy heels. She wore her long blonde hair in beachy waves, tossed to one side of her face. Getty Touches of gold Bundchen has been keeping a fairly low profile of late, spending most of her time has been spent with her family. Last December, she announced that she and her boyfriend Joaquim Valente were expecting their first child. The pair welcomed their child in February. Bunchen is also mother to Vivan and Benjamin, both of whom she shares with ex-husband Tom Brady. Speaking to Vogue France three months after the birth of her third child, Bundchen said, "Now that my little one is sleeping through the night, I'm back in control of my routine. As any new mom knows, it's incredible how much sleepor lack of itcan change everything!" Getty She wore her hair tossed to one side Read the original article on InStyle Republican Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said Sunday he would advise against Ukraine signing the peace proposal that President Donald Trump has offered to end its war with Russia unless more "ironclad" security guarantees are written into the agreement. "Without that, I would not advise Ukraine to sign this. They can't sign an agreement like Budapest and then allow Russia to invade again," McCaul told ABC News' "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz. Peace talks continue as American officials are meeting on Sunday with a Ukrainian delegation in Geneva. Trump says Ukraine showed 'zero gratitude' for US peace efforts The latest proposal, which was presented to Kyiv Thursday, was drafted by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff with input from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to the White House. But it was done in coordination with Moscow and includes conditions that are widely seen as being in Russias favor, prompting concerns within Ukraine and Europe that it would effectively be a capitulation. ABC News - PHOTO: Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, appears on ABC News' "This Week" on Nov. 23, 2025. Among the concessions Ukraine is being asked to make in this proposal: limiting its military to 600,000 personnel, agreeing to never join NATO, and forcing Kyiv to give up territory in the east, including areas not yet occupied by Russia. McCaul, a top member and former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he believes there's "flexibility" in Trump's 28-point plan and that his Thursday deadline for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a decision or risk losing American support to end Russia's nearly four-year war in shouldn't be a "take it or leave it" situation. "I think there's flexibility. I do know that Rubio said within the next 72 hours, we all know a great deal about whether this goes forward or not," McCaul said. "It's always he who has stated, the president, that he sees this as a vision, but not a done deal. So it should not be take it or leave it." Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, who also appeared on "This Week," called the plan "awful." "My reaction is it's awful. It would make Neville Chamberlain's giving in to Hitler outside of World War II looks strong in comparison," Warner said, arguing the plan is "almost a series of Russian talking points. "This would be a complete capitulation and that's why I think you're hearing from Congress, both sides, people pushing back ... It feels like this was a plan that they took almost entirely from the Russians," Warner said. ABC News - PHOTO: Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., appears on ABC News' "This Week" on Nov. 23, 2025. Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he hopes this is merely a new starting point. "To have this proposal forced upon them, I think as Zelenskyy said, Ukrainian dignity versus giving up a partner, I would hope the president would not be so weak as to try to force this plan on the Ukrainian and our other allies," Warner said. "I think the president is seeing this one-sided plan kind of blow up in his face with pushback from the Ukrainians, from the Europeans, from members of Congress of his own party. And my hope is, hell come back and be a bit more reasonable." Here are more highlights from McCauls interview: On the Russia-Ukraine peace proposal's prospects McCaul: The inception of this agreement seems to have come from a [Trump special envoy Steve] Witkoff discussion with the Russian [Kirill] Dmitriev, who heads up the Russian sovereign wealth fund. It's unclear how much input was given by either Ukraine or our European allies. Rubio did say on the call that this is a United States document with input from Ukraine and from Russia. About 80% of this deal, I think, they're going to find agreement with as they go to Geneva. The problem is going to be the 20% of really tough items to negotiate. On the deal's Thanksgiving deadline McCaul: On all party sides, except the Russians I haven't talked to, is that this is an ongoing negotiation process, so they're really getting it started. What they -- the way the White House described it last night was we had to start putting this pen to paper so we could get something accomplished. I do think it's in Ukraine's best interest to get something done now, rather than a year later, the military industrial war machine of Russia has now risen to a level that is very difficult now for Ukraine. Here are more highlights from Warner's interview: On Trump saying he'll speak with Venezuela's president Raddatz: Trump says hell be speaking with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Do you think that is a good idea? And what can you say to him? Warner: I think the notion that Trump says, "We'll talk to anyone" I think that is -- I'm not going to critique him on that. If there's a way to push Maduro out. Remember, our government and 50 other governments, most all of Western Europe, don't -- don't recognize the Maduro government as legitimate, but it does not feel like there is an organized planning coming down again -- America-only without any of our other allies in South America or Central America again, seems not the right approach. On whether U.S. will go to war with Venezuela Raddatz: Do you think he wants to go to war with Venezuela? Do you think he wants to -- Warner: I dont know. I dont know. I think he is trying to put outside pressure on Maduro, but by doing it in this kind of America-only approach, again, without giving any sign to, I think, even in the Republicans on the Hill, what his plans are, I'm not sure is the right way to do foreign policy. You couple this Venezuela misadventure with this desertion of Ukraine and this is not making America safer and it's sure not putting America first. Situated on the high Burren limestone plateau in County Clare, Poulnabrone Dolmen is one of Irelands most iconic archaeological monuments and is the second most visited location in the Burren after the Cliffs of Moher. In Irish, the name Poulnabrone means the hole of sorrows, Its age and construction methods continually amaze and confound archaeologists, earning it the nickname, one of Irelands whispering stones. It is a testament to the sophistication of Irelands early inhabitants. Irelands Oldest Dated Megalith Poulnabrone holds the significant distinction of being the oldest dated megalithic monument in Ireland. Archaeological excavations in the late 1980s revealed that the tomb was in use for over 600 years, dating back to the Neolithic period between 3800 and 3200 BCE. Burials and Rituals The most profound discovery was the fragmented remains of 22 individuals, men, women, and children. Excavators also found several artifacts buried with the remains, including stone tools, a bone pendant, and fragments of pottery. The presence of these objects suggests Poulnabrone was a central location for ritual activity beyond just a simple burial site. Unlike later tombs, the people interred at Poulnabrone seem to have been placed there after their bodies had decomposed elsewhere, as very few complete skeletal remains were found. This suggests a complex secondary burial ritual that remains a key area of archaeological inquiry. Architecture and an Engineering Mystery Poulnabrone is classified as a portal tomb. These tombs are characterized by two large portal stones standing on either side of an entrance, capped with a massive, sloping capstone. The engineering behind Poulnabrone is particularly confounding given the era in which it was built. The immense capstone is estimated to weigh several tons. A notable and unusual feature for an Irish dolmen is that the capstone slopes upward towards the west. The tomb was built directly on the limestone pavement and surrounded by a low mound of rock and earth known as a cairn or tumulus. The upright stones are not wedged into the deep fissures of the bedrock, which would have offered greater stability. Instead, their support largely relies on the compressive weight of the capstone and the surrounding low mound of rocks. The limestone flagstones used to construct the monument would have been carefully extracted from the surrounding limestone pavement, requiring significant effort with only simple stone tools. The structure features a second stone lying on the ground at the rear, which was likely a second capstone that would have covered the back of the structure, collapsing at some unknown time in the past. Poulnabrones Location The monument is strategically located on the plateau, making it visible from all around. Although the location would have been difficult to access, this position strongly suggests it served as a territorial marker in the Neolithic landscape. Its proximity to the important north-south route connecting Ballyvaughan Bay to the region of modern Kilnaboy village reinforces the idea that it was intentionally placed to delimit or announce a territory, a visual statement on the Neolithic map. The continued use of the site into the Bronze Age confirms its long-lasting importance as a spiritual or communal center. Access to Poulnabrone is open all year with free admission. Visitors can arrive via a short walk from the nearby free car park. A site warden is usually present during peak times to provide information and context to visitors. Related: Like MediaFeeds content? Be sure to follow us. This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.us. Civil defense workers inspect the damage after an apartment building was hit during an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh in the southern suburb of Beirut, Sunday Nov. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) HARET HREIK, Lebanon (AP) Israel on Sunday struck Lebanons capital for the first time since June, saying it killed Hezbollahs chief of staff Haytham Tabtabai and warning the Iran-backed militant group not to rearm and rebuild a year after their latest war. The strike in Beiruts southern suburbs killed five people and wounded 25 others, Lebanons Health Ministry said. Hezbollah confirmed Tabtabai's death. Earlier it said the strike, launched almost exactly a year after a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war, threatened an escalation of attacks just days before Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Lebanon on his first foreign trip. We will continue to act forcefully to prevent any threat to the residents of the north and the state of Israel, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said. The military instructed residents in northern Israel near the Lebanese border to continue with daily routines, indicating that it did not anticipate a military response from Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Tabtabai of leading Hezbollah's efforts to rearm. Israeli airstrikes over southern Lebanon have intensified in recent weeks while Israel and the United States have pressured Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. Israel asserts that the group is trying to rebuild its military capabilities. The Lebanese government, which supports disarming Hezbollah, has denied those claims. It also says troops have deployed to the south but that its cash-strapped army needs more resources. Hezbollah has not attacked Israel since the ceasefire began. In December, it fired a couple of rockets that landed on open territory near an Israeli military base and called it a warning. Tabtabai had been the apparent successor of Ibrahim Aqil, who was killed in September 2024 in Israeli attacks that wiped out much of Hezbollahs senior leadership, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah. Tabtabai also had led Hezbollahs elite Radwan Unit. In 2016, the U.S. designated him as a terrorist, calling him a military leader who led Hezbollahs special forces in Syria and Yemen, and it offered up to $5 million for information about him. Escalation of assaults Hezbollahs leadership is studying the matter of response and will take the appropriate decision, Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollahs political council, told journalists at the scene. The strike on the southern suburbs today opens the door to an escalation of assaults all over Lebanon. Lebanons President Joseph Aoun in a statement condemned the strike and accused Israel of refusing to implement its end of the ceasefire agreement. He called on the international community to intervene with strength and seriousness to stop the attacks on Lebanon and its people. Israel's military statement said Israel remains committed to the understandings agreed upon by Israel and Lebanon. Smoke could be seen in the busy Haret Hreik neighborhood, where Israel did not issue an evacuation warning before the strike. The fourth floor of an apartment building was damaged. Gunshots were heard to disperse crowds as emergency workers arrived. This is definitely a civilian area and void of any military presence, Hezbollah parliamentarian Ali Ammar told reporters. An Israeli drone was flying near the building targeted. They want to take our weapons. But our weapons will not be taken, said Maryam Assaf, who lives nearby and heard the strike. She said it "only gives us more determination, strength, and dignity. Hezbollah severely weakened Lebanon's president last week said the country is ready to enter negotiations with Israel to stop its airstrikes and to withdraw from five hilltop points it occupies on Lebanese territory. He also has said Lebanon is committed to disarming all non-state actors in the country, including Hezbollah. Hezbollah has said that talk about its military arsenal should come through dialogue with the Lebanese state once Israel stops its attacks. The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas attacked southern Israel, as Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas. Israel launched a widespread bombardment of Lebanon last year that severely weakened Hezbollah, followed by a ground invasion. That war was the most recent of several conflicts involving Hezbollah over the past four decades. It killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon, including hundreds of civilians, and caused an estimated $11 billion worth of destruction, according to the World Bank. In Israel, 127 people died, including 80 soldiers. On Tuesday, an Israeli strike killed 13 people in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh near the southern city of Sidon in the deadliest attack since the ceasefire went into effect. The military said it targeted a military facility belonging to the Palestinian Hamas militant group. Hamas denied it has any military facilities in the crowded camp. Oct. 7 attack Meanwhile, the Israeli armys chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, said he was sanctioning 13 army officials who were top commanders on Oct. 7, 2023. Some were censured and others forced into retirement. Among those punished were the then-heads of military intelligence, the armys operation branch and the Southern Command, which is responsible for the Gaza Strip. All three men have already resigned. They were removed from reserve duty and told their military careers are over. Zamir noted the severe, resounding and systemic failure to protect Israelis before and during the attack as well as the need to "set a clear standard of command responsibility. ___ Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press writer Megan Janetsky in Jerusalem contributed to this report. [Nur Photo via Getty Images] At least 22 Palestinians have been killed in a series of Israeli air strikes across northern and central Gaza, Hamas medical and civil defence officials have said. They said five sites had been hit, including residential homes. A senior Hamas commander was among the dead, according to local sources. The Israeli military said it had struck targets in Gaza in response to an incident earlier on Saturday, when it said an "armed terrorist" had fired at soldiers after crossing the Strip's so-called "yellow line" designating areas under full Israeli control. Hamas denied this. Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire deal agreed on six weeks ago. More than 310 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire came into force, according to Gaza's health ministry. The territory's civil defence said Saturday's strikes by Israel targeted Gaza City in the north, as well as Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat camp in central Gaza. The Hamas officials said five people had been killed at the Abbas junction in the densely populated Rimal area of Gaza City. Witnesses said an Israeli strike set a car on fire. In addition, three people were killed near a mosque in Deir al-Balah, the officials said. Two houses were targeted in Israeli strikes in Nuseirat, they added, with three killed after the home of the Abu Amouneh family was hit. Seven others were killed in another strike targeting the house of the Abu Shawish family. Three more people were killed later on Saturday when a house in western Gaza City was hit, officials reported. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a later statement: "Today, Hamas violated the ceasefire again, sending a terrorist into Israel held territory to attack IDF soldiers. In response, Israel eliminated five senior Hamas terrorists." The statement also called on mediators to "insist that Hamas fulfil its side of the ceasefire". Following the strikes, Hamas said the army's westward push of the yellow line and continued bombardment of eastern Gaza amounted to a "blatant breach" of the agreement. The group called on mediators and the US to intervene urgently, warning that Israel was attempting to impose "new facts on the ground" and undermine the ceasefire. The Israeli military launched an offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. At least 69,500 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, including 280 during the ceasefire, according to the territory's health ministry. On the first Monday in May, the biggest names in fashion, film and music will ascend the stairs of New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art for the iconic venues annual gala. And presiding over them all, alongside Vogue stalwart Anna Wintour, will be a couple whose presence on the rarefied guest list might have raised eyebrows just a few years ago: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos. Earlier this week, US Vogue confirmed that the multi-billionaire Amazon founder, currently the third richest man in the world, along with his TV host-turned-philanthropist wife, will serve as the lead sponsors for the 2026 Met Gala. Theyll also fund the accompanying exhibition at the Mets Costume Institute (publishing house Conde Nast and fashion brand Saint Lauren are providing financial support, too). This venture for the newlyweds, who tied the knot back in June in a staggeringly lavish or eye-wateringly ostentatious Venetian extravaganza, wont come cheap. Last years Gala cost around $6 million, although that sum is small change when your estimated net worth sits somewhere around the $250 billion mark. Bezos buys his wife the party of the year, read one disparaging headline from the Daily Beast. Social media users, meanwhile, inevitably joked about attendees ordering their outfits via Amazons next-day Prime delivery. But this latest move shows how seriously the pair have jointly set their sights on the fashion industry, and the celebrity circuit at large. Wintour famously gets the final say on the galas invitees, but as sponsors of the event often referred to as the Oscars of fashion, the pair will inevitably have some influence over who gets the call-up (does that mean everyone onboard the Blue Origin rocket during Sanchezs recent foray into space travel is guaranteed a spot?). And Sanchez will surely have her pick of designers queuing up to dress her for the night. Their Met Gala takeover is just the latest sign that the couple, whose joint ethos could probably be loosely summed up as more is more, and then some, are not content with simply being jaw-droppingly wealthy. Instead, they are seeking the cultural cachet that comes with infiltrating fashions upper echelons, and the reflected glory that comes with hanging out with the A-list. While their fellow Silicon Valley couples are content to wield power behind the scenes, the Bezos-Sachezes, it seems, are vying for the spotlight. Its as if theyre trying to emulate David and Victoria Beckham, a stylish power duo with lucrative business interests across a whole range of fields, rather than, say, Mark and Priscilla Zuckerberg. Its all a far cry from the 61-year-old Bezoss early days as an e-commerce pioneer. The one-time hedge fund manager launched Amazon in a rented garage in Washington in 1994 and, for more than two decades, he and his first wife MacKenzie Scott opted for a low-key lifestyle described by a family friend as abnormally normal. His reputation was that of a publicity-shy tech geek, someone who wasnt exactly flash: in 2013, Bezos was reportedly still driving a 1997 Honda, because it was a perfectly good car. Bezos was once described as having an 'abnormally normal' lifestyle (AFP via Getty) There were signs, however, that he might aspire to a more glamorous milieu. In 2012, he attended the Met Gala for the first time with Scott, when Amazon sponsored the event. A few years later, in an early sign of his designs on Hollywood, he hosted his own starry party for Manchester by the Sea, which would become Amazons first Academy Award-nominated movie. That night would put him on a path heading far away from abnormally normal. On the guest list was Patrick Whitesell, CEO of the Hollywood talent agency Endeavour, who reportedly introduced Bezos to his wife Lauren Sanchez. Back then, she was best known as a TV host on Fox, but shed recently become a keen helicopter pilot; she was also about to launch Black Ops Aviation, a production company specialising in aerial filming. In 2018, Bezos hired Black Ops to shoot footage for the space tech company Blue Origin, his passion project. Soon, the limelight-averse founder and the showbiz interviewer found themselves becoming the story. At the start of 2019, Bezos and Scott confirmed that they were divorcing after 25 years of marriage; in the happy-clappy parlance of celebrity break-up statements, they promised to continue our shared life as friends. But the following day, the National Enquirer ran a story alleging that Bezos and Sanchez were embroiled in an affair (sources close to the couple, meanwhile, argued that their respective marriages had been over long before their relationship began). The tabloid also published texts between them: I love you, alive girl was somehow one of the less mortifying messages from him to her. Bezos, meanwhile, hit back by accusing the Enquirers publisher, American Media Inc, of extortion and blackmail for threatening to publish intimate photos of the pair (in a statement at the time, AMI said it believe[d] fervently that it acted lawfully in the reporting of the story of Mr Bezos). Bezoss personal life was now tabloid fodder; no longer was he simply someone you might read about in the business pages, or in a tech magazine profile. Thanks to speedy divorce proceedings, he and Scotts marriage officially ended in April; Sanchez also finalised her split from Whitesell, and the new couple started to embark on a series of paparazzi-friendly vacations around the world. In 2021, Bezos stepped down as Amazons chief executive, giving him more time to fully embrace the super-rich lifestyle. Hed soon hire celebrity personal trainer Wes Okerson to overhaul his image from weedy tech guy to beefed-up Broligarch, and reportedly dropped around $500 million on his custom superyacht, Koru (a boat so massive it comes with its own support yacht). He and Sanchez were joined on board by a load of celebrity pals, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Usher, Katy Perry and her then-fiance Orlando Bloom; Sanchez, it seemed, was introducing him to a whole new social circle. Sanchezs inauguration outfit made headlines back in January (Getty) The yacht was also the backdrop for the couples 2023 engagement, after Bezos hid a (massive) diamond ring under Sanchezs pillow while they were travelling on Koru. When he opened the box, I think I blacked out a bit, Sanchez revealed in a US Vogue interview published a few months later. This profile, accompanied by a lavish Annie Leibovitz photoshoot, was one of the first signs that the couple were winning over fashion world tastemaker Wintour, who has always had a keen eye for strategic alliances (sorry, friendships). In the piece, Sanchez positioned herself and Bezos as a sort of super-rich two-for-one, working in tandem. We always look at each other and go, Were the team, she told the magazine. So everythings shared. They also talked up their philanthropic efforts, such as the Bezos Earth Fund, a $10 billion commitment to tackling climate change (the question of whether the couples superyacht and its significant carbon footprint might sit uneasily alongside those efforts remained unasked). A few months later, Bezos and Sanchez attended the 2024 Met Gala; according to reports, Wintour helped select the latters Oscar de la Renta gown, due to concerns that Sanchez might opt for something akin to the sparkling, plunging and semi-sheer number shed worn to a White House dinner. Indeed, Sanchezs route to fashion acceptance feels a little like the one taken by her friend Kim Kardashian about a decade earlier: the nod of approval from Wintour, the Vogue interview, the subtle image overhaul, the front-row appearances. The transformation, though, has probably been less dramatic in Sanchezs case: she still loves a plunging neckline, as demonstrated by her headline-grabbing bra top worn at Donald Trumps presidential inauguration in January. Sanchez and Bezos during their wedding festivities in Venice (AFP/Getty) The couples presence at the inauguration, sitting near Zuckerberg, Elon Musk and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, also seemed like the start of a new political pivot, for Bezos especially, who once voiced a fear that Trump would be a threat to democracy. Trump, for his part, hasnt always been overly enamoured of Bezos either; he once referred to him, inevitably, as Jeff Bozo. But in 2024, The Washington Post, the paper Bezos bought in 2013, refused to back Kamala Harriss presidential campaign, reportedly at the owners request. Whether his new alignment with Maga is an actual political shift or pure business-minded pragmatism remains to be seen; perhaps Sanchezs friendship with Trumps daughter Ivanka helped smooth things over too. Ivanka was one of the high-profile guests at the Bezos-Sanchez wedding in June, alongside the likes of DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey, actor Sydney Sweeney and a handful of Kardashians. It was an event that played out with all the fanfare and media scrutiny of a royal wedding, although the couples decision to get married in Venice stoked the ire of environmental activists and locals fighting over-tourism; they later claimed a victory after Bezos reportedly had to change venues at the last minute due to planned protests. Another gushing Vogue profile documented the occasion, revealing Sanchezs lacy Dolce & Gabbana gown to the world. Soon after, reports began to swirl that Bezos was considering buying Conde Nast, the publishing house behind Vogue and GQ, as a wedding gift for his new bride. But sources close to Bezos shut down the rumours, and the houses longtime owners, the Newhouse family, said their titles werent for sale. Purchasing a print media company in the year 2025 would have arguably been a strange decision for a forward-thinker like Bezos, anyway; he already has the Post in his portfolio to tick off the legacy media box. The couple at Paris Fashion Week in October (Getty) Whether or not shes secretly harbouring ambitions to be the next Wintour, Sanchezs charm offensive on the fashion industry has continued. In October, she was a front-row fixture at Paris Fashion Week, attending shows for the likes of Dior and Chanel in archival vintage looks that reflected her growing industry clout. To curate this Paris wardrobe, she worked with in-demand stylist Molly Dickson, whose clients have included Lana del Rey, Stranger Things actor Sadie Sink and Sanchezs pal Sweeney (could she have put them in touch?) Indeed, Sanchezs strong ties with Tinseltown could also prove useful for another Amazon venture: the brands streaming service. Amazon gained creative control of the James Bond franchise earlier this year, and Bezos is reportedly keen for Sweeney to appear as a leading lady in a future 007 instalment. Its not hard to imagine the couple wooing acting talent by giving them the hard sell over dinner at their Miami mega-home. What else is on the cards for the pair? Like so many other Silicon Valley types, Bezos is clearly fascinated by the quest to make getting old and frail a thing of the past (if you can afford it). Hes thought to be a major investor in Altos Labs, a biotech startup that aims to reverse the ageing process by rejuvenating cells. And, of course, theres Blue Origin. The fact that Sanchez and pals girlboss-y jaunt to the Karman Line, the boundary of space, was roundly mocked earlier this year is unlikely to have made any difference to their future plans (however funny the memes may have been). Like them, loathe them, or just find them a bit, well, cringe, this is a power couple whose influence is only going to grow til it reaches truly stratospheric levels. 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. 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? 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 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? 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. Alamy Stock Photo Penrith Railway Station in Australia NEED TO KNOW A 57-year-old man has been charged with 10 animal cruelty offenses after two dogs were found inside a bike locker at a train station in Australia on Wednesday, Nov. 19 Police responded to Penrith railway station following reports of dogs heard barking inside a metal bike locker When they opened the locker, they found one dog deceased and another suffering from extreme heatstroke," and the latter eventually died at the vet A 57-year-old man has been charged with animal cruelty after two dogs were found inside a bike locker at a train station in Australia. The New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) told PEOPLE in a statement that the man was arrested after the two dogs were found in bad condition. The incident occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 19, around 4 p.m. local time when police were called to Penrith railway station located about 34 miles from central Sydney following reports of dogs heard barking inside a metal bike locker. When police arrived on the scene, they gained access to the locker with the help of Fire and Rescue NSW. Inside, they found two greyhound dogs, one of which was already deceased. Getty A police car in Australia Police said they found a second one that was suffering from extreme heatstroke. The dog was transported to a local veterinarian, where it later died. After launching an investigation into the incident, police said they arrested a 57-year-old man at Station Street, Penrith, on Thursday, Nov. 20, at around 9:30 a.m. Police did not detail how they were able to connect the incident to the suspect. Although police did not identify the man, local news outlet The Western Weekender identified him as Sandy Norrie. It is unclear whether the dogs belonged to the man or someone else. He was taken to St. Marys Police Station in Penrith, where he was charged with 10 animal cruelty offenses. Getty Police lights on a NSW police car The charges include two counts of recklessly beating and killing an animal, committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal, confining an animal in cage of dimensions inadequate for exercise, committing an act of cruelty upon an animal and being in charge of an animal failing to exercise care, according to the NSWPF. He was refused bail and appeared in court on Nov. 20. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 27. 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. This incident comes as several Australian states, including South Australia, have increased penalties for animal cruelty offenses. In South Australia, those found guilty of animal abuse could now face maximum fines of up to $250,000, and possibly up to 10 years jail, per Vet Practice Magazine. The previous penalty was a $50,000 fine and four years in jail. Corporations could also be fined up to $1 million for mistreating animals, according to the outlet. Read the original article on People NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch issued a heartfelt apology to members of a prominent Manhattan synagogue that was a target a hateful anti-Israel protest this week, conceding cops should have done a better job keeping an unruly mob away from people attending an event there. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch issued a heartfelt apology to the congregation of an historic Manhattan synagogue Saturday conceding cops should have done a better job of keeping away hateful anti-Israel protesters. Tisch told a crowd of 150 congregants attending service at Park East Synagogue that this weeks protests are legally allowed outside houses of worship no matter how vile the topic but said the NYPD failed to keep the front entrance clear and ensure people could easily enter and leave shul. That is where we fell short, and for that, I apologize to this congregation, the 44-year-old top cop said during a 10-minute speech which drew a standing ovation. Our plan didnt include a frozen zone at the entrance. As a result, the space right outside your steps was chaotic. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Saturday issued a heartfelt apology to members of a prominent Manhattan synagogue which was the site of a hateful anti-Israel protest this week, conceding cops should have done a better job keeping an unruly mob away from people attending an event there. REUTERS You deserved an NYPD posture that recognized the sensitivity of this location, the climate were living in, and the heightened fear within our community, she added. Instead, you had turmoil. I say all of this as someone who understands what this moment feels like. Elliot Felig, who attended the service, said he was impressed by Tischs remarks. She was extremely well received and spoke from the heart, and I think everyone was appreciative of her acknowledging that the effort by the NYPD while sincere fell a little short, he said. Other congregants who attended included Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who called Tisch a woman of valor, a source said. Synagogue Rabbi Arthur Schneier had previously said he was very, very touched by Tischs support following the Wednesday night incident. Some 200 demonstrators gathered outside the Manhattan synagogue and heckled Jews attending an event by Nefesh Bnefesh, a Zionist organization that helps Jews immigrate from North America to Israel. Many chanted Globalize the intifada and sinisterly urged the resistance to take another settler out. Anti-Israel protestors and counter-protesters gathered outside the Park East Synagogue Wednesday. Yoav Ginsburg/ZUMA / SplashNews.com Counter protestors were also on the scene, calling the masked demonstrators cowards and pussies for not showing their faces. Cops set up metal barricades to keep protestor at bay, but some of the barricades were left too close to the synagogue entrance putting event attendees coming and going in potential risk. Pal-Awda NY/NJ, the anti-Israel activist group leading the protest, said it was demonstrating against an effort to recruit American settlers to illegally occupy stolen Palestinian land. There were no reported arrests. Pal-Awda NY/NJ, the anti-Israel activist group leading the protest, said it was demonstrating against an effort to recruit American settlers to illegally occupy stolen Palestinian land. Yoav Ginsburg/ZUMA / SplashNews.com After Mayor Eric Adams, a retired NYPD captain, learned a protest was planned, he texted his hand-picked commissioner and other NYPD honchos before it started and told them to make sure it didnt get out of hand, sources said. However, Adams who is leaving office at years end and made the request from Uzbekistan in Central Asia where hes currently visiting wasnt happy with the results despite Tischs assurances the NYPD was up for the job. The mayor was fuming mad when he saw what happened, said a source close to Adams. Protestors got right to the entrance, and it got nasty. Private security at the synagogue even had to intervene. The Mayors Office denied any rift between Tisch and Adams and instead pointed blame at the protestors and NYPD supervisors at the Manhattan North precinct for their handling of the incident. The blame lies at the feet of those spreading their hateful message, and while the mayor and police commissioner were clear about the need to ensure the entrance to the synagogue was clear of protestors beforehand, the plan executed by the commander on the ground did not meet expectations, said Adams spokesman Fabian Levy. Mayor Adams was fuming mad with how the NYPD handled the protest, sources said. ZUMAPRESS.com The city deeply apologizes to congregants of Park East, as well as anyone with a conscience who witnessed this despicable behavior, and as long as Mayor Adams is serving this city, he is committed to never allowing the desecration of our houses of worship. Tisch earlier Wednesday accepted Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdanis offer to stay on as top cop next year. The socialist pol and Tisch are worlds apart on Israel, for deeply personal reasons. Tisch, who hails from one of the citys most prominent Jewish families, is a Zionist, while Mamdani is a longstanding vocal critic of Israel who has pledged to order the arrest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city. Mamdani through his spokeswoman said the protestors should have behaved better but suggested the the event the synagogue hosted, which offered information on immigrating to Israel, violated international law. The mayor-elect has discouraged the language used at last nights protest and will continue to do so, Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec told Jewish Insider on Thursday. He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law. Additional reporting by Doree Lewak and Georgett Roberts. CANBERRA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that a deal has been struck for Turkey to host the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in 2026, with Australia assuming the role of President of Negotiations in the lead-up to and at the meeting. Albanese said in a joint statement with Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, and Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen that Australia will have "exclusive authority in relation to the negotiations" at COP31, to shape and guide global decision-making in support of the multilateral system and global trade and investment in clean energy industries. The deal ends an impasse between rival bids to host COP31 from Turkey and Australia, which will, in partnership with the Pacific, set the agenda for and preside over a special pre-COP in the Pacific in 2026 prior to COP31 in Antalya under the agreement. The officials said that the special event will give the world an opportunity to see Pacific climate impacts and solutions firsthand. From the end of COP30 in Brazil until the end of COP31, Bowen will serve as the president of negotiations to "shape and guide" decision-making in support of the multilateral system and global investment in clean energy. "This will give Australia and the Pacific unprecedented influence over multilateral deliberations and actions of the global community in 2026," the joint statement said. A strengthened agenda for COP31 will also include a session focused on the climate finance needs of small island developing states. They said that COP31 will bring the focus of the world to the impacts, opportunities and priorities in the Pacific. Flooded areas are seen from above after a week of torrential rains in the town of Cuke near Sarande, southern Albania, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj) 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. 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. 60 Minutes Australia/Youtube Rebel Wilson on '60 Minutes.' NEED TO KNOW Rebel Wilson has broken her silence on her The Deb costar Charlotte MacInnes suing her for reporting alleged sexual harassment "She came to me, she made what I obviously inferred as a sexual harassment complaint, and I had a duty to then act on it," the actress said during an interview with 60 Minutes Australia Wilson claimed in an October 2024 lawsuit, among other things, that MacInnes was sexually harassed by film producer Amanda Ghost during the film's production Rebel Wilson is speaking out once more about the controversy surrounding her directorial debut The Deb, and breaking her silence on her reaction to lead star Charlotte MacInnes suing her, after Wilson alleged MacInnes was sexually harassed on set. During an appearance on 60 Minutes Australia on Sunday, Nov. 23, the actress, 45, looked back at her decision to report the alleged wrongdoings, stating, "I felt that in my position as director, I had to report that. And the moment I did, [it] started all the kind of retaliation against me." Wilson has been engaged in a legal battle with The Deb producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden since July 2024. It began when the Pitch Perfect alum claimed the trio was attempting to prevent The Deb from world premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, and she also accused the producers in an Instagram video of "bad behavior" on the movie's set. (Ghost, Cameron and Holden later filed a defamation suit against Wilson, kicking off the bitter legal back-and-forth.) Attorneys for Wilson subsequently filed a countersuit against the trio and multiple production companies associated with The Deb in October 2024, alleging that the three producers' conduct on set "was marked by a troubling pattern of egregious and illicit behaviors, including theft, bullying." Wilson's counter-complaint also alleged that Ghost sexually harassed The Deb's lead actress, later revealed to be MacInnes, which allegedly caused her "to suffer a breakdown." However, MacInnes later filed a declaration in court back in August, per The Guardian, stating that Wilson fabricated the claims, describing them as completely false and absurd." Mike Marsland/WireImage; Frazer Harrison/Getty Rebel Wilson, Amanda Ghost. According to 60 Minutes Australia, producer Ghost said she had a medical reaction to cold water during production, which prompted MacInnes and an assistant to take her to her nearby home, where both MacInnes and Ghost allegedly warmed up in the hot water together. Recalling the aftermath of the situation, Wilson claimed that MacInnes came to her and allegedly told her: "Amanda Ghost asked me to [take] a bath and shower with her, and it made me feel really uncomfortable." As she was pressed by journalist 60 Minutes Australia Tara Brown to confirm there was "no doubt" that MacInnes came to her and "used those words," Wilson said she was "100%" sure, adding, "She told me she was uncomfortable, yeah." "She came to me, she made what I obviously inferred as a sexual harassment complaint, and I had a duty to then act on it," the actress continued. As Brown then presented alleged texts between Wilson and Ghost on 60 Minutes Australia, in which Wilson stated that she spoke with MacInnes after the shower incident and the young star reportedly told her she was "all good," the mom of one reacted, "How I would describe those texts, is I'm trying to maintain professional communication with Amanda Ghost she's the producer, she's the access to the money for the film. This is weeks before we start shooting the movie, and I'm trying to keep a very professional communication, but at the same time I'm feeling very uneasy." When Brown asked Wilson why she doesn't believe MacInnes' alleged backtracking of her claims against Ghost, Wilson told 60 Minutes Australia, "I think, when it gets into the details in court, I don't think anyone in their right mind believes that a medical incident occurred and Amanda Ghost needed the body warmth of an actress to save her life. It's just not credible." MacInnes did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment, nor did legal representation for Ghost. Elsewhere during the broadcast, Wilson recalled when things started to go wrong while working on the project. "A whole ton of things went on, including something massive ... me and local producers being locked in a room and forced to sign documents," Wilson said. "At the time, I said, 'What is this? This is like the KBG,' " she continued, referring to the Soviet Union's security and intelligence agency. Then recalling how she was told that the movie was being canceled and "everyone will be out of a job," Wilson claimed the "drama all stemmed from the U.K. producers on the film," alleging, "I was, kind of, the target of this incessant bullying and harassment because I'd spoken out about the behavior of these U.K. producers." Dave Benett/Getty Rebel Wilson, Charlotte MacInnes and others in May 2023. When asked by Brown on 60 Minutes Australia if she sees the actions she has taken amid the drama surrounding The Deb as bullying, Wilson said, "No, I see that as, like, standing up for my movie and the hard work that everyone put into it for years." As for the overall scope of the drama surrounding the project, the star added, "I think it's wild it's gotten to this point. I think it's a ridiculous waste of the Australian legal system." "[MacInnes] reported something to me, I acted on it, in my position as the director of the movie, [and] I had an ethical, moral responsibility to do that," she continued. Brown also pressed Wilson about claims she previously made about MacInnes that the star had backtracked on her previous statements for career advancement. "I do think it's undeniable," Wilson responded. "I believe her only work since filming The Deb was in a stage show that Amanda Ghost produced. [And] despite Oscar and Tony-nominated performers auditioning for the role, it gets given to an unknown Australian?" When Brown pressed if she didn't believe MacInnes was deserving based on her talent, Wilson pushed back, "I think she's talented, which is why I cast her in the movie ... but I guess it's undeniable the benefits she has received since finishing the film." MacInnes' prior complaint featured a statement from her legal team, stating that the actress "has strenuously and repeatedly denied that she was a victim of sexual assault, prompting Wilson to accuse her on Instagram of lying in exchange for favors (e.g. being awarded the lead role in Gatsby)." "Wilson has continued to publicly spread these accusations, prompting todays legal notice," the statement continued at the time, adding that Wilson "will have 28 days to respond to the Notice, including offering amends such as a correction or apology before formal legal action." MacInnes' legal team also slammed any claims that she "falsely changed her story that Amanda Ghost had made unwanted sexual advances to her and sexually harassed her." "The imputations are false and seriously defamatory of Ms MacInnes," they wrote, reiterating a previously shared statement from MacInnes: "There is no truth to the allegations made involving me. I made a statement to the film team when this was first said in September 2023 and am saying this now to draw a line under it. Making false accusations undermines real victims, and I wont be the subject of a fabricated narrative." Darren Gerrish/WireImage for Serpentine Summer Party 2025 Rebel Wilson in June 2025. The Deb is an Australia-set musical about a high school outcast (Natalie Abbott) who is determined to redefine herself at her small town's Debutante Ball, or the Deb," as it's known to locals. The film is set to be released in Australia and New Zealand on Jan. 15, 2026, but a worldwide release date has yet to be set. Read the original article on People U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, second left, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, sit at the beginning of talks with the Ukrainian delegation at the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Geneva, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP) GENEVA (AP) Top U.S. and Ukrainian officials said Sunday they'd made progress toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war but provided scant details after discussing the American proposal to achieve peace that has sparked concerns among many of Washingtons European allies that the plan is too conciliatory to Moscow. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said high-stakes talks in Geneva were very worthwhile and constituted the most productive day in a very long time." I feel very optimistic that we can get something done, Rubio said. But he offered very little information on what was discussed. He also downplayed a Thursday deadline set by President Donald Trump for Ukraine to respond to the plan, saying simply that officials want to see fighting stop as soon as possible and that officials could keep negotiating Monday and beyond. He said that higher-level officials may eventually have to get involved. This is a very delicate moment, Rubio said of what still needed to be worked out. Some of it is semantics, or language. Others require higher-level decisions and consultations. Others, I think, just need more time to work through. The 28-point blueprint drawn up by the U.S. to end the nearly four-year war has sparked alarm in Kyiv and European capitals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his country could face a stark choice between standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs. The Ukrainian leader has vowed that his people will always defend their home. The proposal acquiesces to many Russian demands that Zelenskyy has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. In a subsequent statement Sunday night, the White House said the Ukrainian delegation affirmed that all of their principal concerns security guarantees, long-term economic development, infrastructure protection, freedom of navigation, and political sovereignty were thoroughly addressed during the meeting. It added that the Ukrainians expressed appreciation for the structured approach taken to incorporate their feedback into each component of the emerging settlement framework. The White House said changes made to the proposal now reflect their national interests" and provide "credible and enforceable mechanisms to safeguard Ukraines security in both the near and long term. But language of such positive steps came only after concerns about the original, Trump-endorsed deal intensified. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators said Rubio told them Saturday that the plan had originated with Russia and was actually a wish list for Moscow, rather than a serious push for peace. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that hed spoken to Trump and made clear there were some parts of the plans key European nations could agree on but others where they could not. I told him that we are fully in line with Ukraine, that the sovereignty of this country must not be jeopardized, Merz said in an interview with DW. Rubio touts progress on talks, saying efforts will continue Rubio called the U.S. proposal a living breathing document that would continue changing. He also made, clear though, that any final product once its ready will still have to be presented to Moscow: obviously, the Russians get a vote here. The head of the Ukrainian delegation, presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, said of the talks, We have made very good progress and are moving forward to a just and lasting peace, he said. The rosy assessment of what was discussed defied Trump himself. Before talks began, the president blasted Ukraine for a lack of gratitude for U.S. military assistance while shying away from criticizing Russia. Trump has set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to respond to the plan but also suggested it could slide if there was proof of real progress. He also said that the plan was not his final offer without offering further details on what that meant. UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA, Trump posted on his social media site Sunday morning. After Trumps post, Zelenskyy cheered U.S.-led efforts on security while also stressing that the crux of the entire diplomatic situation is that it was Russia, and only Russia, that started this war. Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump, Zelenskyy wrote in a post on Telegram, adding, We thank everyone in Europe. It is important not to forget the main goal to stop Russias war and prevent it from ever igniting again, he added. Ukraine and allies have ruled out territorial concessions Before convening with U.S. officials, Yermak and his team also met with national security advisers from the U.K., France and Germany. The allies have rallied around Kyiv in a push to revise the plan. Alice Rufo, Frances minister delegate at the Defense Ministry, told broadcaster France Info before the talks began that key points of discussion would include the plans restrictions on the Ukrainian army, which she described as a limitation on its sovereignty. Ukraine must be able to defend itself, she said. Russia wants war and waged war many times in fact over the past years. On Sunday, Zelenskyy said that there was an understanding the U.S. would take into account a number of elements in a peace deal that are important for Ukraine, but did not elaborate further. There have already been brief reports from the team about the results of the first meetings and conversations, he said. There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraines national interests. Rubio's reported comments cause confusion Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Sunday that Warsaw was ready to work on the plan with the leaders of Europe, Canada and Japan, but also said that it would be good to know for sure who is the author of the plan and where was it created." Some U.S. lawmakers said Saturday that Rubio had described the plan as a Russian wish list rather than a Washington-led proposal. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said that account was blatantly false. On his way to Geneva, Rubio 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 issue was still causing a stir on Sunday. The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Mark Warner, told ABCs This Week that the peace plan appeared to be almost a series of Russian talking points, had made Europeans feel like theyve been totally left high and dry and had led to ferocious pushback. Turkish leader plans talk with Putin Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he would hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. He said he would talk to Putin about reviving a previous deal from July 2022 that allowed Ukraine to safely ship exports of grain via the Black Sea. The agreement stayed in place until the following year, when Putin refused to extend it, saying that a parallel agreement promising to remove obstacles to Russian exports of food and fertilizer hadnt been honored. We had a grain corridor endeavor to open the path to peace, Erdogan said, Unfortunately we were only partially able to succeed. Tomorrow I will be asking Putin to revisit the endeavor. Erdogan's new diplomatic push comes just days after he met with Zelenskyy in Ankara. ___ Davies reported from Manchester, England, and Weissert from Washington. Associated Press writers Claudia Ciobanu in Warsaw, Poland; Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Ukraine; Cinar Kiper in Istanbul; and Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine President Donald Trump's comments accusing Democratic lawmakers of "seditious behavior" following a video encouraging members of the military to refuse "illegal orders" have drawn criticism across party lines. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, one of the six Democrats featured in the video, told ABC News' "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz on Sunday that she believed Trump's attack, threatening the punishment of death for sedition, is "a tool of fear." "He's trying to get us to shut up because he doesn't want to be talking about this," Slotkin said. "In fact, I would argue that one of the things that he's been doing by repeating it and talking about it is trying to distract us from the big stories of last week, which were the [Jeffrey] Epstein files and then the economy." Democrats defend message to troops as Trump, officials suggest they be punished Republican Rep. Michael McCaul also sought to distance himself from the comments, telling Raddatz, "I don't speak for the president in terms of hanging members of Congress." ABC News - PHOTO: Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., appears on ABC News' "This Week" on Nov. 23, 2025. "I would tone down the rhetoric and tone down the theme here," McCaul added. The White House and Trump have denied Trump was threatening death upon the lawmakers, who have military or national security backgrounds, but the president's attacks have continued despite the lawmakers reporting they've experienced a deluge of threats and have had to increase their security as a result. On Saturday night, Trump again referred to them as "traitors," asserting the individuals "SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW" rather than defending themselves to the media. On "This Week," Slotkin said the lawmakers put out the video because officers had approached them directly with concerns. "You don't have to take my word for it. We've had report after report of legal officer, JAG officers, coming forward and saying, 'Look, I push back on this. I'm not sure that this is legal,'" Slotkin said. "There is such things as illegal orders. That's why it's in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Going back to Nuremberg, right? And it's just a -- it's a totally benign statement. And if the president is concerned about it, then he should stay deeply within the law." However, when pressed by Raddatz on whether she believed the president had issued any illegal orders, Slotkin said, "To my knowledge, I am not aware of things that are illegal, but certainly there are some legal gymnastics that are going on with these Caribbean strikes and everything related to Venezuela." ABC News - PHOTO: Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, appears on ABC News' "This Week" on Nov. 23, 2025. McCaul said that as far as Venezuela and the strikes on alleged drug boats is concerned, he doesn't believe anything illegal has occurred. "These orders that they're talking about, in my judgment, are not illegal orders to follow. They are orders based upon Article 2 self-defense of the Constitution to stop a threat, in this case, the threat of drugs coming into our country and killing Americans," McCaul said. "And so, you look at it from that perspective, there are no illegal orders to follow here." Here are more highlights from Slotkin's interview: "Primary concern" is military use within the U.S., Slotkin says Slotkin: My primary concern is the use of U.S. military on American shores, on our city -- in our cities and in our streets. We've seen now the courts overturn the deployment of U.S. military into our streets, including here in Washington, D.C. When you look at these videos coming out of places like Chicago, it makes me incredibly nervous that we're about to see people in law enforcement, people in uniformed military, get nervous, get stressed, shoot at American civilians. It is very -- a very, very stressful situation for these law enforcement and for the communities on the ground. So it was basically a warning to say, like, if you're asked to do something, particularly against American citizens, you have the ability to go to your JAG officer and push back. Raddatz: And with these service members calling you, couldn't you have done a video saying just what you just said? If you are asked to do something, if you are worried about whether it is legal or not, you can do this. It does imply that the president is having illegal orders which you have not seen. Slotkin: I think for us, it was just a statement widely, right? We say very quickly and very -- to all the folks who come to us -- this is the process: Go to your JAG officer, ask them for explanation, for top cover, for their view on things. We do that on a case by case basis, but we wanted to speak directly to the volumes of people who had come to us on this. On potential for further military action targeting Venezuela Slotkin: Certainly, the sheer size of the military buildup in and around Venezuela -- I mean, you have to assume that when superpowers put that much force into an area that they're going to use it. They brought in aircraft carriers. They brought in F-35s. ... Certainly if we're going to actually think about prosecuting some sort of war or military action against the mainland of Venezuela, I would hope that the president would want to have that conversation publicly, bring in the American people who are not looking to get into another war, who are not looking to get into regime change. President Donald Trump's administration is rejecting claims that its most recent plan for a peace deal in Ukraine was really a Russian "wish list." Confusion arose regarding the deal after lawmakers on Capitol Hill claimed they were told by White House officials that the deal was a proposal from the Russian side. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since pushed back on that claim, however. "[Rubio] made it very clear to us that we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives," Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said at a press conference. "It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan. It is a proposal that was received, and as an intermediary, we have made arrangements to share it and we did not release it. It was leaked." According to The Associated Press, Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said that Rubio told him and his colleagues that it "was not the administrations plan" but a "wish list of the Russians." Rubio responded to this narrative with a post on social media, writing that the peace proposal "was authored by the U.S." Us And Russia Draft Peace Plan For Ukraine Requiring Major Concessions From Kyiv Read On The Fox News App Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended a peace proposal for Ukraine this weekend. "It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine," he added. Rounds released another statement through his press office after Rubio's response. "I appreciate Secretary Rubio briefing us earlier today on their efforts to bring about peace by relying on input from both Russia and Ukraine to arrive at a final deal," Rounds wrote. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Witkoff Meets Ukraine Officials In New York Ahead Of Emergency Un Security Council Meeting: 'Very Productive' The White House is pushing back on claims that a recent peace proposal for Ukraine was a Russian "wish list." Rubio traveled to Geneva on Sunday to meet with Ukrainian officials alongside Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, where they are expected to hash out Kyiv's misgivings regarding the deal. Trump himself lashed out at Ukraine over the peace talks in a Sunday statement. "UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA," Trump wrote on Truth Social. While the current agreement has not been made public, a leaked draft has been reported to include terms that would halt the fighting in Ukraine while giving Russia concessions like control over Ukrainian territory that the Russian military does not yet control, as well as barring Ukraine from membership in NATO. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to "work calmly" with President Trump's administration. Click Here To Download The Fox News App Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not reject the plan outright in an address last week, but he 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." Fox News' Jennifer Griffin and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Trump admin disputes claim that Ukraine peace plan was Russia 'wish list' President Trump lifted his administrations 40 percent tariffs on Brazilian food products Thursday, marking the latest reversal on a string of tariffs he imposed on other countries earlier this year. The action removes tariffs from products including coffee, fruit, cocoa, and beef. They were first imposed in July in an effort to punish the South American country for the prosecution of Trumps political ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, over an alleged plot to keep his office after losing an election. Trump met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia late last month. Lula said the meeting went well and the two countries teams would begin tariff discussions immediately. And Trump said he believed the U.S. and Brazil should be able to make some pretty good deals for both countries. The administrations action to remove tariffs on Brazil comes roughly a week after it announced Trump was slashing tariffs on scores of products, including coffee, tea, beef, bananas, tropical fruit, wood and iron, in a bid to lower some grocery prices following frustration from voters over exceedingly higher costs. That move came after the administration announced it reached framework agreements with Argentina, El Salvador, Ecuador and Guatemala. The agreements are meant to bring tariff relief to products that cannot be produced in the U.S. 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. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump participate in a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on August 18, 2025. - Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images/File The 28-point plan hammered out by US and Russian envoys and put to Ukraine this week came with a deadline and an implicit threat: Sign up or face the risk of being abandoned. US President Donald Trump said Friday that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky would have to like the US plan, suggesting he is in no mood to negotiate. Since then, Trump has sent mixed messages, saying the plan was not his final offer but adding that if Zelensky did not accept it he could continue to fight his little heart out. Zelensky recognized the stark choice in a somber speech to the nation on Friday, casting the plan as a choice between losing the United States as an ally and giving in to Russian demands, which many of the 28 points cater to. If Kyiv were to lose US support, the consequences would be grave for its weapons supplies and access to intelligence, compounding existing crises: a lack of soldiers, a financial crunch and a deepening lack of confidence among Ukrainians in a presidency tainted by scandal. Above all, rejecting the proposal would herald an existential separation from the US, with massive strategic implications for Ukraine and its European backers. It would risk the US turning its back on the conflict altogether, reneging on pledges of a security guarantee for Ukraine and telling not just Zelensky but the Europeans: Youre on your own. Weapons pipeline Not getting US weapons would hurt Ukraine, but not as much as it would have done three years ago. Thats partly because the conflict has changed so much: Tanks, anti-tank weapons and armored vehicles now play a subordinate role to the ever-present drones. And its partly because the weapons pipeline from Europe is now bigger than that from the US. From the start of the war through June 2025, Europe has allocated at least $40 billion in military aid, $5 billion more than the US. A serviceman of the 141st Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces prepare a tank to fire towards Russian troops, at a position near a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine on September 3, 2025. - Stringer/Reuters The loss of US weaponry would most of all affect Ukrainian air defenses, which include Patriot batteries and missiles. Zelensky has repeatedly pleaded for more air defenses from the US, but the Patriots are in short supply. Even if the US cut off its own supply of missiles and spare parts, it might allow European and other allies to continue helping. Ukraine has also had a limited supply of highly effective US ATACM missiles. The Trump administration has shown greater willingness to sell US weapons to a European-financed fund known as the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) worth some $90 billion. But it could punish Ukraine by abandoning the program if Kyiv rejects the plan. On the upside, Ukraine has built a formidable drone and missile industry, even if it needs scaling-up. Ukrainian officials have said that 90% of the drones it uses are made in Ukraine. Intelligence sharing The US briefly stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine back in March, after the infamous Oval Office encounter between Trump and Zelensky. The exact nature of that cooperation has never been publicly divulged but likely includes early warning of Russian missile launches and real-time analysis of Russian troop movements, critical at a time when Russian forces are making advances on several parts of the frontlines. In October, Zelensky acknowledged that all of Ukraines defenses against Russian missiles Patriot, NASAMS and the IRIS-T would have limited data without US intelligence, meaning there wouldnt be enough information to ensure defense. US intelligence has also been used by Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia, including against military and energy infrastructure, Ukrainian sources have told CNN. The Europeans are improving their access to such intelligence, but it takes years to build and coordinate such capabilities. Men and money Ukraines greatest problems are more homemade and couldnt be fixed by any number of US tanks or missiles. Its military has a manpower crisis. Tens of thousands of soldiers went AWOL in the first seven months of this year alone. Many infantry units are severely under-staffed, but reducing the draft age from 25 is seen as a political landmine. An instructor shows recruits of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces an FN MAG machine gun during a military exercise at a training ground in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine November 5, 2025. - Andriy Andriyenko/Press Service of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Reuters Should Kyiv reject the blueprint, US backing for its solvency may be another casualty. The International Monetary Fund says Ukraine needs $65 billion in budget support over the next year alone. The European Union has been struggling to agree to a way to use frozen Russian assets as some sort of loan guarantee. The 28-point plan the work of Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian official Kirill Dmitriev threatens to blow up the delicate negotiations on using those assets. $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. Frozen European-held Russian funds will be unfrozen, the plan insists even if those funds are beyond US control and Europe is not party to the plan. Security guarantees The US-Russian plan (point 5) says that Ukraine will receive reliable security guarantees, but no detail is offered. Language such as: It is expected that Russia will not invade neighbouring countries (point 3) will not inspire confidence in Kyiv. Some reports suggest that according to an annex to the plan a significant, deliberate, and sustained armed attack by the Russian Federation across the agreed armistice line into Ukrainian territory shall be regarded as an attack threatening the peace and security of the transatlantic community. CNN has been unable to confirm such a clause. This handout photograph, taken on November 12, 2025, shows Ukrainian servicemen checking the area next to destroyed buildings in the frontline town of Kostyantynivka. - Iryna Rybakova/Press service of 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces/AFP/Getty Images Without precise and detailed guarantees, endorsed by the US Congress so they have the force of law and backed by the threat of sanctions, its hard to see why Zelensky would accede to the bare outline in the plan. But rejection would bring existential risk. Long before Russias full invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putins dream was to split Europe from the US. A favorite theme of the Kremlin since Trump took office has been to contrast Trumps efforts to settle the conflict with the war-mongers in Europe. The 28-point plan nods to this US administrations semi-detached view of NATO, the cornerstone of peace in Europe for 80 years. It says a dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States, exchanging the role of ally for one of arbitrator. European leaders, along with Japan and Canada, came as close as they could to a polite rejection of the plan in a statement on Saturday, saying it requires additional work. They added they were concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraines armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to attack. European officials are meeting with their Ukrainian and US counterparts in Geneve Sunday for more detailed talks on the blueprint. Some Europeans think this is a cathartic moment. We have been told repeatedly and unambiguously that Ukraines security, and therefore Europes security, will be Europes responsibility. And now it is, former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on X Saturday. A watershed moment Just one month ago, Zelensky said that in a phone call with Trump, he had discussed opportunities to bolster our air defense, as well as concrete agreements that we are working on to ensure this. There are good options and solid ideas on how to truly strengthen us. Those good options have evaporated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) attends a lunch meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump (R) at the White House on October 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images The potential loss of weapons systems and intelligence and their immediate impact on a battlefield that is steadily tilting Moscows way as well as Ukraines energy supplies very much matter. But they pale by comparison to the prospect that Washington is ready to reward Putins aggression, shrug at his seizure of European territory and detach itself from the most successful alliance for peace in the modern era. That point was made on Saturday by a number of senior Republicans, with US Sen. Roger Wicker, chairman of the Armed Services committee, saying: Any suggestion that we can pursue arms control with a serial killer and liar like Putin should be treated with great skepticism. There is a long tradition of great powers in Europe making deals over the heads of smaller countries, leading to terrible suffering, writes Anne Applebaum in the Atlantic. The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact with its secret protocols, brought us World War II. The Yalta agreement gave us the Cold War. The Witkoff-Dmitriev pact, if it holds, will fit right into that tradition, she says. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Rubio said envoys were making 'adjustments' to the proposals (Fabrice COFFRINI) 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. 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. "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". 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." 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. "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. 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 Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called President Trumps 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine awful and a complete capitulation to Russian demands. Warner, in an interview on ABC Newss This Week, compared the U.S. proposal to the appeasement approach of World War II-era British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who agreed in 1938 to let Germany annex the Sudetenland in the hope of staving off a larger war. My reaction is its awful. It would make Neville Chamberlains giving in to Hitler the outset of World War II look strong in comparison, Warner said, when asked for his reaction to the peace proposal on the table. He characterized the proposal as almost a series of Russian talking points, saying, It would require Ukraine to give up the totality of the Donbas, parts they still control, cut back their military forces going forward, never be able to join NATO. This would be a complete capitulation, he continued. And its why I think youre hearing from Congress, both sides, people pushing back. And, obviously, the Europeans feel like theyve been totally left high and dry. The Trump administrations 28-point plan caught many Ukraine supporters in Congress off guard, with some saying the proposal would reward Russian President Vladimir Putin after nearly four years of war. Former national security adviser John Bolton argued the plan was written from the Russian point of view. The plan includes a provision that would place the regions of Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk under de facto Russian control to be recognized by the U.S., among other likely nonstarters for Ukraine. There are also no major concessions required from Russia, apart from directing $100 billion in frozen Russian assets to Ukraines reconstruction. Trump said the proposal was not the United Statess final offer to Ukraine, and a senior U.S. official told NewsNation, The Hills sister network, that the proposal has always been a hopeful start to continued negotiations, and eventually the signing of a final peace agreement once and for all. 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. New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks during a meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images New Yorkers know better than to be overly positive. A day after Zohran Mamdani got a surprisingly warm reception at the White House from President Donald Trump, who has spent the last few months deriding the New York City mayor-elect as a lunatic and falsely labeling him a communist, New Yorkers told CNN they were cautiously optimistic and slightly impressed. I really dont like the guy, but Im glad that he was able to go in there and do a good job with the president, John Lani told CNN Saturday following a mid-morning run in Central Park. Maybe well get some funding, we wont shut down congestion pricing. Maybe well get some stuff for the subway, well see what it does for the state. Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist who previously served three terms in the New York State Assembly, cruised to victory earlier this month, winning every borough in the city except for Staten Island, a known Republican enclave. Near Central Park, along the bustle of one of Manhattans most congested intersections, New Yorkers praised Mamdanis handling of his televised press engagement with the president, even if they remain skeptical about how he will ultimately perform once he takes office on January 1. Voter data analysis published by The Center for Urban Research at CUNYs Graduate Center shows the area near Central Park, home to Columbus Circle and the Trump International Hotel, favored former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran against Mamdani as an independent. I hope everyones very successful. I didnt support either party, said a voter who did not want to share their name. Meeting could prove to have high stakes Trump and Mamdanis relationship will prove pivotal for several key issues in New York City. There is the question of whether Trump will ramp up immigration enforcement and deploy federal forces, like he has in some other blue cities. There are major infrastructure projects that depend on federal funding, and the vast majority of Mamdanis proposals like making city buses fast and free, providing free universal childcare and raising taxes on the wealthy will depend on funding from the state, which is also dependent on federal funds. After watching news coverage of the meeting, Sherry and Steve Cohen, who live in Manhattan, said they wanted to give Mamdani a chance. Id like to think that Mamdani is being smart enough to play Trump and praise the man because he needs things for New York, Steve Cohen said. Unfortunately, this is what you have to do. You have to bow down, praise him, and walk out and wash your hands after. President Donald Trump pats New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's while they speak to the press in the Oval Office on Friday. - Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Trump, who grew up in Queens and made his name and fortune in Manhattan, remains focused on New York City despite his lack of popularity there. Trump, who conceded Friday he would have loved to be mayor of his hometown, struck an agreeable tone, saying he wanted to help the city instead of hurt it. Already, there were signs that Mamdanis approach might be working, at least for now. Trump suggested Saturday New York City is not a priority for deploying National Guard troops. Right now, other places need it more, Trump told reporters. We had a very good meeting yesterday. We talked about that, but if they need it, I would do it. Shelly Payson, who is supportive of Mamdani, said she thought Mamdani had a strategy going into the meeting that worked. I think that Trump continues to be the most transactional president weve ever had, and if people are smart they find a way to give him something which may be meaningless, but its important to him and then he loves you and rolls out the red carpet, Payson said. CNNs Kit Maher contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Saturday that China is ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Italy and forge a more stable and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Li made the remarks when meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit scheduled here for Saturday and Sunday. Noting this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Li said that in July last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the Italian prime minister in Beijing, where they mapped out a strategic blueprint for deepening bilateral relations. Over the past year, the two sides have actively implemented the important consensus reached between the two leaders, Li said, adding that China stands ready to work with Italy to further carry forward their traditional friendship. China is willing to work with the Italian side to continuously promote two-way opening up, enhance connectivity and alignment in markets, industries and related areas, and promote balanced and optimized development of bilateral trade, Li said. The Chinese premier expressed hope to build on the traditional strengths of cooperation between the two countries, expand exchanges and cooperation in emerging industries, and boost common development and prosperity. China encourages more Italian companies to enter the Chinese market through platforms such as the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the China International Consumer Products Expo, and the China International Supply Chain Expo, Li said. China also expects Italy to provide a fair, transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in Italy, he added. Li said both sides should enhance people-to-people exchanges in such areas as tourism, education, sports, youth and local cooperation, and facilitate personnel exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Italy within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the G20, build broader consensus and reinforce the international community's confidence and resolve in practicing multilateralism and consolidating multilateral mechanisms, Li said. On the evening of Jan. 21, 2025, President Trump on his first full day in office unveiled what he characterized as a monumental undertaking that would prove an exemplar of economic triumphs to come, and that he himself orchestrated. From a podium framed by the Roosevelt Rooms white-columned fireplace, Trump announced the formation of the Stargate Project, a head-spinningly huge, $500 billion joint venture that he lauded as the biggest AI infrastructure project by far in history, all taking place right here in America that will ensure the future of technology. Shoulder-to-shoulder to the left of the POTUS stood three superstars of the AI firmament representing, in the hosts words, a massive group of talent and moneythe principal Stargate partners, Oracle executive chairman Larry Ellison, OpenAI chief Sam Altman, and founder and CEO of Japans SoftBank, Masayoshi Son. The first of the guests to speak was Ellison, who declared that Stargate would revolutionize health-tech by building applications that enable the sharing of electronic records so that a doctor at an Indian reservation would be able to see how a doctor at [New Yorks] Memorial Sloan Kettering or at Stanford would treat the patient, as well as contribute to the development of wonder drugs that would vaccinate humans against cancer. Next up was Son, who gushed that this is the beginning of the golden age in America and assured Trump that we wouldnt have decided [to go forward] unless you won. Altman hailed Stargate as the most important project of this era, and turning toward Trump, asserted: We wouldnt have been able to do this without you. A press release that OpenAI issued the same day detailed the full roster of Stargate participants. Besides the ChatGPT purveyor, Oracle, and SoftBank, it encompasses three additional colossi of the new wave of deep learning, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Arm, as well as MGX, the AI investment group backed by Abu Dhabis sovereign wealth fund. Whats stunning about the venture isnt so much the stupendous scale of investmentthats what AI is all aboutbut that six leaders in the field that are competitors in different products to different degrees, and often fierce opponents, could unite to form a single company. Wasnt this something like allowing GM, Ford, Toyota, suppliers Bosch and Lear, and auto software provider Continental AG, to collaborate on building immense car factories? And furthermore, is this not what more than 100 years of antitrust law have been designed to prevent? Namely, the potential competition-flattening effects of an enterprise that pools capital, technology, and purchasing clout on behalf of a half-dozen rivals? However, America has witnessed no outpouring of outrage from legal experts and legislators. Nor have regulators challenged the sprawling joint venture. The reaction in Congress ranges from high praise from Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, host to Stargates biggest facilities, to an almost total lack of comment from everyone else. At a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on May 8 headlined Winning the AI Race, Altman and Cruz extolled the Stargate model, and not a single senator questioned the legality of the construct. The term antitrust appears nowhere in the three and a half hour sessions transcript. The highest-profile slap at Stargate came from the biggest name not in the club, Elon Musk. The day after the announcement, the then DOGE head, working alongside Trump in the White House, trashed his bosss prize deal, charging on X that the group really doesnt have the money to fund Stargate. Musk also reposted an image of a crack pipe, accompanied by a joking allegation that longtime foe Altman and his associates were freebasing, as the original poster put it, to come up with their $500 billion number on Stargate. Those broadsides infuriated the presidents staff, and marked the start of rising tensions between the Tesla CEO and Trump, leading to Musks departure from DOGE in May. Still, Musk effectively did the Stargate founders a favor by not mentioning the real threat they pose to AIs progress or the real reason Ellison, Son, and Altman are likely so grateful to Trump. Hes handing them an unprecedented gift by granting their companies wide freedom to join forces where theyd normally be pummeling one another in product after product. Put simply, the Stargate model may be great for them, but a downer for everyday and corporate customers by doing what cartels always doboost prices, quash choice, and hamper innovation. A Yale researcher provides the sole deep dive into the dangers of Stargate So far, only one article in either the press or academia has provided a detailed analysis of how Stargate threatens to stifle competition. Its the piece Stargate or StarGatekeepers? Why This Joint Venture Deserves Scrutiny, authored by Madhavi Singh, a researcher at Yale Law School and deputy director of Yales Thurman Arnold Project, an initiative dedicated to the study of antitrust issues. Singhs paper is scheduled for publication in a forthcoming issue of the Berkeley Technology Law Journal. But a draft is posted on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN), and she shared a revised version with Fortune. Singh argues that the Trump administration has wrongly veered from rigorous enforcement of the Clayton and Sherman competition laws toward extremely light-touch regulation. The joint venture has clear federal backing, which makes it unlikely the federal authorities would investigate it, she told me in a phone interview. The emphasis, she argues, has shifted to advancing two objectives: first, supporting U.S. AI giants as national champions in the U.S.-China trade war, and second, allegedly protecting our national security by enabling these flag-bearers to work in concert on the theory that their teamwork will empower America to make the crucial AI components we need, including those deployed in our defense industries, at home. Singhs language is as blunt as her legal arguments are sober and precise. The latest and most flagrant example of the governments enabling private sector companies to expand and entrench their power under the guise of protecting American tech supremacy, she writes, was the launch of Project Stargate. Singhs analysis raises the broader question of whether the joint ventures, equity investments, purchase agreements, and other arrangements that are tying together so many rivals in AI, and that are so unusual in other industries, merit scrutiny under the competition laws. Stargates exact structure is unclear, but its pushing the biggest current data center build-out in all of AI As Singh points out, several of the Stargate partners engage in the same or similar businesses. And this overlap will likely guide how the roles get divided in this epic data center campaign. Its important to note that Stargate has released little information on its ownership shares, governance, and the participation of the various partners. What we do know comes mainly from the initial OpenAI press release. It describes Stargate as a freestanding new company that will deploy $100 billion immediatelythe money Musk claimed it didnt haveand comprises four shareholders, SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX of Abu Dhabi. Oracle, OpenAI, and Nvidia will collaborate closely to build and operate this computing system. The implication is that OpenAI and Oracle, two players big in the outfitting of data centers as well as engaging in other parts of the AI stack, would purchase or lease the chips and systems that fill the data centers, and operate them, and that Nvidia, the largest GPU provider by far, would supply its top custom chips. What about Microsoft? It apparently wont offer any capital expenditures or computing capacity at Stargate campuses like OpenAI and Oracle, but its a key technology partner that could apparently rent computing power in the centers for such uses as running its Copilot product. The part to be filled by Arm, a publicly traded company that licenses IP to software providers, isnt spelled out. The Stargate AI data center in Abilene, Texas. One Stargate megaproject was already in the works at the time of the White House announcement: a behemoth in Abilene, Texas, slated to cover roughly the size of Manhattans Central Park and harbor 1.2 gigawatts in power capacity, sufficient to light and heat as many as 1 million homes. Then in late September, OpenAI trumpeted plans for a staggering array of new facilities under the Stargate umbrella. The announcement implies that the different sites are being developed by varying sets of partners within the consortium. Oracle is supplying the computing capacity in Abilene, Nvidia is furnishing racks of superchips, and OpenAI this time is a customer, deploying the GPUs and integrated AI software to advance its next-gen research. The September release also disclosed that a $300 billionplus program in which Oracle will furnish 4.5 gigawatts of capacity for three data centers run by OpenAI, this time in operator mode, will also fall under the consortium. Their locations: Texas, New Mexico, and, as later revealed, rural Michiganby the way, the Great Lakes State is giving that a project a big tax break. Two other sites comprising another 1.5 gigawatts, one each in Ohio and Texas, will rise over the next 18 months, erected by an arm of SoftBank that builds and wires a data centers physical shell, and connects the facility to the local power grid. OpenAI has named SoftBank as its collaborator, apparently signaling that the GPT inventor and the Japanese conglomerate will act as partners in fitting out and operating the centers. OpenAI will likely be its own customer as well. All told, those projects, and a slate of smaller ones, encompass a $400 billion investment in AI infrastructure and seven gigawatts, sufficient to power half the households in the state of Georgia. OpenAI further stated in the fall release that it should hit its commitment goal of $500 billion, covering 10 gigawatts, by the close of 2025. Even by AI standards, that half-a-trillion figure is a grabber. It represents roughly twice the cost of King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia and the U.S., Russia, Japan, Canada and Europe-funded International Space Station combined. Singh identifies the ways Stargate could effectively forge near-monopolies, and how its practices may breach todays antitrust laws In her article, Singh furnishes a primer on the AI stack, relating that it consists of three layers. The first is the foundation of infrastructure that itself covers two areas, chips such as Nvidias GPUs and TSMCs CPUs, and cloud services that supply the computational juice, led by Amazons AWS and Microsofts Azure. Occupying the second tier are the models such as GPT. Those models power the third and top layer, the user-facing apps such as ChatGPT, focused on consumers, or the likes of Microsoft Copilot for the B2B crowd. Singh avows that competitors, choices, and new offerings are plentiful in the second two upper areas, models and appsa prime example is the challenge Chinas DeepSeek and sundry other entrants are mounting versus ChatGPT in open-source AI. The menace to competition, says Singh, comes at the infrastructure stratum. The competition is only at the level of the models and apps, she writes, adding that, by contrast, chips and cloud are highly concentrated. She notes that three players, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, control 70% of cloud services, and that Nvidia holds between 80% and 95% of the market for GPUs, while TSMC accounts for 60% of all chip production. Infrastructurespecifically chips and cloudis precisely where Stargate is so powerful, and shrinks the sparse field by putting several of the few players on the same team, warns Singh. Oracle, Microsoft, and now OpenAI all play big-time in a lean field of cloud providers; those three are now insurgents in the AI chip business, where fellow consortium members Nvidia and Arm are dominant incumbents. Singh reviews where Stargate could violate both of the two reigning antitrust statutes. First, she invokes the Clayton Act. It states that a court will block a joint venture if it shows probable harm to future competition, she says in the paper. It doesnt have to be showing harm yet, but potential damage of loss from head-to-head competition, such as higher prices, reduced choice, and reduced innovation. By squeezing the number of independent players, Singh argues, Stargate also raises the risk that theyll work together to protect their competitive moats. She cites the example of Oracle versus Microsoft. In the past, she relates, Oracle exerted pressure on Microsoft and the other hyperscalers by charging lower prices and offering a flat-fee structure. Oracle has been a disruptive force in the market. Now it may adopt Microsofts pricing strategy, Singh states. That would raise prices and lower options for customers. Stargate risks elimination of a maverick, meaning Oracle. Arm now provides important IP software to Nvidia. Will Stargate discourage Nvidia from developing its own IP, and challenging its newfound partner? The same temptation to divide markets and align interests under Stargates shield lurks in chips as well as cloud, says Singh. Today, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are all developing their own custom offerings in both GPUs and CPUs to escape the strongholds respectively of Nvidia and Arm. Because of Stargate, Microsoft might stop challenging Arm and Nvidia in chips, she writes. For Singh, Stargate blunts the essence of the Clayton Act by potentially eliminating competition down the road. She adds that the FTC blocked a proposed merger between Arm and Nvidia in 2021 precisely because even though they didnt make the same types of chips, their union would erase a potential competitor. If left independent, each might be tempted to enter the others market, providing more choices and lower prices to chip customers. The Sherman Act bans agreements in restraint of trade. Now, Arm, Nvidia, and Microsoft separately decide what types of chips they produce [or design], Singh asserts. The Sherman Act prohibits activity that deprives the market of independent centers of decision-making and therefore the diversity of economic interests, asserts Singh. This is precisely what Stargate does. How Stargate could cartelize Big Tech The chief argument against Singhs take: Right now, it appears that the AI giants, and notably the Stargate members, are fighting hard to capture one anothers turf. A key example: the hyperscalers drive to develop and market their own GPUs in a gambit to escape Nvidias near-monopoly pricesa quest they are following separately, at least for now. OpenAI got into data centers to reduce its reliance on a small set of huge customers longing to hammer its prices, especially its Stargate partner Microsoft, and Nvidia is courting such neoclouds as CoreWeave to lessen its dependence on the dominant hyperscalers. But for Singh, the temptation to coordinate will prove irresistible for a simple reasonits the ticket to maximum profitability. All of these tech markets seem initially competitive, she told me in our interview. But it takes a bit of time for anticompetitive barriers to get erected. A lot of these players realized that instead of competing in each others markets, it makes economic sense to earn monopoly profits, and give each other a share by giving out such favors as IP licenses that are really designed to reward competitors for staying in their own lanes. The idea is, Ill take the monopoly in one kind of chips, and you take the monopoly in IP for those or another kind of chips. Singh is virtually a lone voice challenging Stargate as a downer for competition. If the Trump paradigm would make a few protected players far richer, and minimize the payoff for our citizens and producers, its a bad deal for America. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com A Colorado man lost his late wifes ashes and decades of family memories after a storage mix-up and now hes fighting to find out how it all went so wrong. Jeff Hersh of Broomfield, Colorado, says hes lost nearly everything that mattered to him from his late wifes ashes to decades of family memories after the contents of his storage unit were auctioned off. Its a devastating loss, but not as rare as you might think. Each year, about 155,000 storage units are auctioned across the U.S., according to Simply Self Storage (1). That adds up to a $65 million industry built on unclaimed belongings and missed payments. Must Read For Hersh, it all started last spring when a pipe burst in his neighbors condo, flooding the home hed shared with his daughter since 2001. ServPro, a professional restoration company, stepped in to pack up his belongings wedding albums, baby books and his wifes ashes and moved them to an Extra Space Storage facility for safekeeping. They took everything that was in here," Hersh told Steve on Your Side (2). "Furniture. They boxed up all my stuff. They took my desk and they took the drawers and just dumped them into boxes." When payments on the unit allegedly fell behind, the contents were sold at auction on September 3, 2025. Since then, Hersh says getting answers or any chance of getting his life back has been a nightmare. "I'm really upset. I'm heartbroken. I'm devastated, angry," Hersh said. When temporary storage becomes a permanent loss Hersh spent six long months living in a hotel while his condo was repaired. When it was finally time to move home, he called ServPro to retrieve his belongings. Thats when things took an unexpected turn. "I'm sorry, all your belongings are gone, the manager of ServPro allegedly told Heresh. Hersh dreaded breaking the news to his daughter that all her childhood keepsakes and photos of her mother had vanished. That was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to tell my daughter since I had to tell her that her mom died, he said. According to Hersh, the confusion began when the storage facility changed ownership while his items were inside, switching from CubeSmart to Extra Space Storage. ServPro, he said, was never informed of the change and that may have led to his belongings being auctioned off. Its common to rely on storage during a major life transition. About 33% of Americans currently rent a unit, and another 18% plan to, according to StorageCafe (3). What is uncommon is when that safety net turns into a permanent loss. And in Hershs case, the story he was told about what happened to his belongings didnt quite hold up under closer inspection. Read more: 22 US states are already in a recession protect your savings with these 10 essential money moves ASAP Something's not adding up When Steve On Your Side began digging deeper, the story ServPro told didnt line up with the records. Screenshots between Hersh and the ServPro manager raised new questions about who knew what and when. A spokesperson for Extra Space Storage said the same ServPro employee who handled Hershs belongings called in late May to make a payment on the unit. The company also shared documentation showing nine attempts to reach that employee about overdue payments and the upcoming auction between late June and early September. The unit was officially listed for auction on September 3, with bidding closing three days later. Extra Space said the ServPro employee called on September 7 to ask about the results and again on September 10, requesting contact information for the winning bidder. Due to privacy laws, the company said it couldnt release those details. How to safeguard your belongings Hersh says the experience feels as gut-wrenching as watching his home burn down. He hopes his story reaches the person who bought the unit. "All we know is that they were from Colorado Springs and that they emptied out the storage unit and went on their way," Hersh said. "All we really want is our personal stuff back that has no value to anybody else." If a company or restoration service stores your belongings on your behalf, always verify whose name is listed on the rental contract. Request written documentation that includes the account number, payment schedule, and storage location, so youre never left out of the loop. Setting up automatic payments or calendar reminders can also prevent missed bills that might lead to an auction. Keep an up-to-date inventory of whats inside your unit, take photos for your records and check whether your homeowners or renters insurance extends to items kept off-site. Finally, stay proactive. Contact the storage company directly every so often to confirm your account is current. A quick call or email can go a long way toward protecting your most irreplaceable memories. 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. Governing (1); 9 News (2); Storage Cafe (3); Dove Storage (4). This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. A viral TikTok of travelers reacting to Trumps new $100,000 H-1B visa fee exposes the human toll behind a policy sparking panic, backlash and debate over Americas tech future. A TikTok from @sreela.r showing anxious travelers stepping off an Emirates jet went viral after news broke of a surprise $100,000 fee tied to new H-1B petitions. The clip captured private panic in public view as workers wondered whether their jobs, start dates and long-planned moves had just been cancelled with the stroke of a pen. Indian news outlet NDTV reported deplaning and delays as video showed confused and stressed families hastily grabbing their belongings to leave the plane. (1) Must Read Behind the human drama of upended plans lie serious policy concerns about how the H-1B visa program is used and abused. H-1B visas allow foreign workers with very specialized skills to enter the U.S. and work. The debate has pitted political factions against each other and united former workers. Supporters of President Trumps move call it a way to protect U.S. jobs. Critics see it as an unforced economic shock that could stall hiring and reduce American competitiveness, especially in tech and AI. What the H-1B visa is and how it works The H-1B temporary visa for specialty occupation roles was created in 1990 by Congress to help companies recruit talent from abroad and fill hard-to-staff skilled jobs while protecting U.S. wages. The visa is initially granted for up to three years and can be extended to six. Congress set an annual cap of 65,000 new visas, with an additional 20,000 slots for graduates of U.S. masters degree programs. Employers, not workers, file the petition and must pay the required fees. Approvals, including renewals, peaked in 2022, at 442,425. (2) More than 70% of new H-1B approvals go to professionals from India. Chinese nationals are the next largest group, accounting for 10% of the total. For years, employers have recruited H-1B candidates from India and China to staff projects, arguing that domestic hiring alone cannot fill high-tech roles that rely on these workers. At the end of 2024, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy faced backlash for stating that U.S. culture values "mediocrity over excellence," which he claimed was why tech companies heavily rely on H-1B visas. (3) H-1B workers are concentrated in computer occupations and engineering, most commonly within the professional, scientific and technical services sector. USCIS reports that this sector accounted for about half of approved beneficiaries in 2024, with the rest spread across manufacturing, finance, health care and higher education. Large technology, consulting and finance firms are frequent petitioners. Major sponsors include Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Apple, big consulting firms, financial institutions and universities. Read More: Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and its raising alarm bells for retirees. Heres why and how to protect yourself A long-simmering controversy H-1B visas have become particularly controversial in the 21st century as the program has expanded alongside big techs push to lower costs and the offshoring of highly skilled labor. Federal watchdogs have warned that a small share of firms capture a large portion of approvals. Indian staffing giants like Cognizant Technology Solutions, Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys are among the biggest recipients. Three of the top 10 H-1B employers in 2023 were either headquartered or originated from India down from six in 2016. Tech leaders argue that the United States faces persistent STEM skill shortages and that attracting global talent is essential for innovation a view shared by Elon Musk and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, both former H-1B visa holders. (4) Major CEOs, including Apples Tim Cook, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Metas Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, have all called for expanding the program. Critics counter that corporations exploit the system to cut labor costs. Staffing agencies sometimes submit multiple applications for the same worker under different employers to boost their odds of winning a visa in the lottery. (5) A Bloomberg report found these staffing firms often pay lower wages to visa holders and crowd out more qualified candidates. (6) The Economic Policy Institute found that most H-1B employers pay migrant workers below market rates and that many H-1B workers are hesitant to report workplace abuse for fear of losing their visas. (7) That dynamic pushes down wages for local workers by 17% to 34% on average. Can companies hire American and move on? Unfortunately, the H1-B problem has been decades in the making. While the original goal of attracting offshore talent undeniably fueled American innovation, the reliance on low-cost skilled labor has made it harder for U.S. companies to cultivate homegrown talent. Training in advanced AI, chip design, cybersecurity and specialized software is no longer confined to American universities or research centers. Theres no quick or equitable fix to the H1-B issue. A sudden $100,000 fee on new petitions adds significant friction to high-skill hiring. And while clarifications have softened the immediate shock, companies and workers still face higher costs, tighter timelines and tougher choices about where critical work gets done. Unwinding the imbalances built over the first quarter of the 21st century will take time and could have unintended consequences. 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. NDTV (1); Pew Research (2); KATV (3); Business Insider (4); Bloomberg (5); UC Berkeley (6); EPI (7). This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Many people travel based on city size, preferring larger or more well-known cities as their final destinations. But what if we told you there was a new travel trend where tourists are exploring mid-sized cities to really get a feel for the state? Weve done the research and compiled a list of Americas 12 up-and-coming cities, perfectly sized for your next trip. These mid-size cities are the kind of places that quietly deliver on everything travelers and relocators crave: affordability, accessible outdoor spaces, genuinely great food, growing job markets, and downtowns you can actually navigate on foot. 1. Erie, Colorado Noel stock.adobe.com Erie, Colorado, blends small-town warmth with Front Range convenience, offering a comfortable lifestyle just minutes from Boulder and Denver. Its family-friendly neighborhoods, high-quality schools, and abundant parks make it especially appealing to new residents. With tech and healthcare jobs nearby and a growing dining scene downtown, Erie feels like the perfect middle ground-close to the action but far from the chaos of big-time city living. 2. Winnemucca, Nevada MelissaMN stock.adobe.com Winnemucca, Nevada, is carving out a name as a wide-open, opportunity-rich community in northern Nevada. Its low cost of living and strong employment base-notably in mining, agriculture, and logistics-make it a surprisingly dynamic place to explore. Outdoor enthusiasts love the rugged high-desert trails and mountain access, while the compact town center offers easy navigation and a relaxed, welcoming pace. 3. Maineville, Ohio Maineville, Ohio, offers a peaceful suburban feel with easy access to Cincinnati's job market, making it ideal for those who want affordability without sacrificing opportunity. Surrounded by parks, lakes, and bike paths, it's a haven for outdoor lovers. Its steady population growth is fueling new restaurants, local businesses, and neighborhood amenities, all while keeping its small-town charm firmly intact. 4. Ferndale, Michigan Ferndale, Michigan, stands out in metro Detroit for its walkable downtown, creative culture, and growing culinary scene. Independent boutiques, craft cocktail bars, and community events give it a lively, inclusive personality. With a more approachable price point than nearby hotspots and rising opportunities in tech and creative industries, the city offers a balanced urban-suburban lifestyle that feels both vibrant and grounded. 5. Middlebury, Vermont Bram stock.adobe.com Middlebury, Vermont, pairs quintessential New England beauty with a progressive, arts-focused spirit. Thanks to Middlebury College, the town enjoys a strong cultural footprint-think galleries, farm-driven restaurants, and community festivals. Outdoor access is unmatched, with lakes, forests, and mountains minutes away. Its manageable size, stable local economy, and commitment to sustainability make it a quietly flourishing place to call home, or spend a long weekend. 6. Vienna, West Virginia Vienna, West Virginia, offers affordability and a tight-knit community feel along the Ohio River, making it especially attractive for families and remote workers. The city is investing in parks, riverfront recreation, and small-business development, helping it steadily grow without losing its simplicity. With a strong retail base and easy access to hiking trails and park systems, Vienna offers a pleasantly balanced, low-stress lifestyle. 7. Venice, Florida Kristina Blokhin stock.adobe.com Venice, Florida, combines Gulf Coast beauty with a laid-back, small-city rhythm that's drawing new residents in droves. Its historic downtown is walkable and full of local eateries, boutiques, and arts venues, while white-sand beaches and bike trails add sun-soaked appeal. With growing healthcare and hospitality sectors, plus a relatively affordable cost of living for coastal Florida, Venice feels both charming and full of potential growth. 8. Bowling Green, Kentucky jackienix stock.adobe.com Bowling Green, Kentucky, hits the sweet spot between university-town energy and Southern hospitality. Home to Western Kentucky University and major automotive employers, it offers a healthy job market and steady economic growth. Its food scene has expanded quickly, and its walkable downtown gives the city a welcoming sense of community. Nearby caves, rivers, and parks make outdoor adventure an easy part of daily life. 9. McMinnville, Oregon jkraft5 stock.adobe.com McMinnville, Oregon, thrives at the crossroads of wine country charm and small-city innovation. Its historic, strollable downtown is packed with tasting rooms, farm-to-table restaurants, and independent shops. Outdoor access, from vineyards to forests, sits right outside town. With aerospace, agriculture, and hospitality anchoring its economy, the city is growing steadily while maintaining a relaxed, intensely local vibe. 10. Rio Rancho, New Mexico Beautiful Korea stock.adobe.com Rio Rancho is one of New Mexico's fastest-rising cities thanks to strong job growth in tech, healthcare, and manufacturing. It offers affordable housing, wide-open neighborhoods, and stunning desert views without the congestion of nearby Albuquerque. Residents enjoy miles of trails, family-friendly parks, and a growing restaurant scene. It's the kind of place where quality of life comes easily. 11. Harrisburg, South Dakota Jacob stock.adobe.com Harrisburg is emerging as a powerhouse suburb of Sioux Falls, driven by excellent schools, affordable new housing, and rapid economic expansion. Despite its growth, it maintains a friendly, small-town feel with parks, trails, and community events woven into daily life. Easy access to Sioux Falls jobs and amenities keeps opportunity close at hand while Harrisburg continues to develop its own identity. 12. Johnson City, Tennessee mark stock.adobe.com Johnson City, Tennessee, is the perfect blend of mountain-town relaxation with a growing, innovation-friendly economy. Its affordability and expanding job market, powered by healthcare, education, and a rising entrepreneurial scene, make it increasingly attractive to newcomers. The city's outdoor access is exceptional, with trails, lakes, and the Appalachian Highlands all within minutes. A revitalized downtown packed with breweries, coffee shops, and live music adds the perfect cultural balance to its easygoing lifestyle. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State's itinerary planner. What is your favorite time of year to explore the great outdoors? Some of us prefer fall, where every adventure feels magical as the season glows with autumn hues. Winter is equally enchanting when the snowy landscapes turn every outdoor activity into memorable moments. No matter what season you enjoy, there are hiking trails in Nevada that will satisfy the outdoor enthusiast in you. But there is something truly enticing about hiking the Chickadee Ridge via Tahoe Rim Trail near Incline Village in the snowy season. With picture-perfect views, tons of wildlife, and unlimited winter activities, it's easy to see why we selected this trek as the top winter hike in Nevada. Grab your snowshoes and trekking poles (you'll need them) and come see why this is arguably the most scenic winter trail in Nevada. What is Chickadee Ridge? I would describe Chickadee Ridge as an outdoor wonderland with awe-inspiring views of Lake Tahoe. At 8,000 feet above sea level, the scene here is simply breathtaking, and the hike is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. The trail is great at any time of year. During the warmer seasons, the meadows are lush, featuring flowing streams and pretty little wildflowers. But the area truly comes alive during the colder months when the snowy meadows along the ridge glisten under sunlight, making the wintry landscapes pure magic. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the ridge is that it got its name from the quirky little chickadees that live in the mountains. These adorable creatures are known to fly into your hands for a quick snack. So, not only is this ridge a fun destination for adventurers, but bird lovers will fall in love with it, too. Where is Chickadee Ridge Trail? Inside the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in the Tahoe Meadows area, you'll find the shared trailhead. The parking lot is located right off Mt. Rose Highway, about 15 miles outside of Incline Village. Although there is no official trailhead for Chickadee Ridge, the trail shares the same access as the Tahoe Meadows Trailhead. Cruising to the trailhead is an adventure on its own. Expect a peaceful, scenic drive winding through the Sierra Nevada with stunning views of Lake Tahoe in the beginning. As you ascend through the forest, the area will be surrounded by towering pine trees, which are especially pretty after a fresh snowfall. Talk about a winter wonderland! Once you get to the large Alpine meadow, you'll see parking along the street. Exploring This Winter Wonderland For a short hike, adventurers will be rewarded in the most magical way. Only two miles long, this out-and-back trail will take no more than two hours to complete. Since it's part of the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 200-mile multi-use network that circles Lake Tahoe, the area is popular for mountain bikers, horseback riders, and hikers. In the winter months, the landscapes are filled with snowshoers, skiers, sledders, and hikers. The trail is easy to follow, and because of heavy snowfall, you'll see the pathways of other hikers as you trek. You'll gain about 300 feet in elevation to get to the ridge that overlooks Lake Tahoe. On the way, expect dense pine forests covered in fluffy white powdery snow, and prepare to be awestruck by the sweeping views from the top of the ridge. Seeing Lake Tahoe surrounded by snow-capped mountains and evergreens is a dreamy scene that you won't forget. While the overlook is the main reason to visit, the chickadees add so much joy to this winter hiking adventure. Bring the kids and dog along to interact with the playful little birds. You'll notice them along the trail as they dart from tree to tree. Many hikers come here to feed them, and although it's not highly recommended, if you do feed the chickadees, be sure to use ONLY birdseeds. Human food can be harmful to these delicate creatures. Aside from the chickadees, you might see some adorable chipmunks along the way. Between the stunning overlook of Lake Tahoe, the playful wildlife, and the endless outdoor activities, it's easy to see why this scenic trail is one of the best winter hikes in Nevada. Hiking Tips for Chickadee Ridge Trail Wear extra layers (preferably fleece and wool) and snowshoes, and bring trekking poles. Don't forget your camera to capture pics of the birds and the winter scenes. Plan ahead and bring birdseed that you can buy in Incline Village. Download AllTrails+ for updated trail conditions and access to maps; you never know when this will come in handy. Besides that, enjoy this winter hiking adventure in Nevada. Want to see more of Lake Tahoe? Use Only In Your State's itinerary planner to discover more hiking trails and attractions in the area. Illustration: Joanna Andreasson; Source images: iStock Defending COVID-19 policies against legal challenges, government officials relied heavily on Jacobson v. Massachusetts, a 1905 case in which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a smallpox vaccine mandate imposed by the Cambridge Board of Health. But the breadth of the license granted by that decision is a matter of dispute, even as applied to superficially similar COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Critics of those mandates argued that COVID-19 shots, unlike smallpox vaccination, do not prevent disease transmission, so requiring them amounts to paternalistic intervention rather than protection of the general public. Last summer in Health Freedom Fund v. Carvalho, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit dismissed that distinction as constitutionally irrelevant. Rejecting a challenge to a 2021 COVID-19 vaccine mandate that the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) imposed on its employees, the majority held that the district "could have reasonably concluded that COVID-19 vaccines would protect the health and safety of its employees and students." The implications of the 9th Circuit's decision for the right to bodily integrity are alarmingly broad, since the court's logic would seem to bless all manner of medical mandates that the government views as beneficial to the patient, even if they have no effect on other people. The plaintiffs in the 9th Circuit case, including LAUSD employees who were fired because they refused to comply with the vaccine requirement, argued that Jacobson did not authorize that policy. Their case featured dueling interpretations of Jacobson that reflected different understandings of "public health." Is that rationale for government action limited to external threats such as disease carriers and air pollution, where someone's actions risk harming others, or does it extend to self-regarding decisions that do not impinge on other people's rights, such as lifestyle choices and consent to medical treatment? The 9th Circuit's ruling implicitly embraces the latter view, which invites far-ranging, open-ended interference with individual freedom. In Jacobson, the Supreme Court weighed "the inherent right of every freeman to care for his own body and health in such way as to him seems best" against the government's interest in "preventing the spread of smallpox." The majority repeatedly referred to that danger and noted "the common belief," supported by "high medical authority," that vaccination was effective at addressing it. The Court rejected the premise that people may do as they like "regardless of the injury that may be done to others." That concern about injury to others, the plaintiffs in the 9th Circuit case argued, did not apply in the context of COVID-19 vaccine mandates. While smallpox vaccination effectively curtailed the spread of disease, they said, COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent infection or transmission, although they may reduce symptom severity in people who receive them. The LAUSD argued that COVID-19 vaccination does make transmission less likely, or at least that it was reasonable to think so when the mandate was adopted. But initial expectations, based on clinical trials, that the vaccines would effectively retard the spread of COVID-19 were contradicted by real-world experience, especially with emerging variants of the virus. In 2024, a three-judge 9th Circuit panel deemed that point relevant. The majority noted that Jacobson "did not involve a claim in which the compelled vaccine was 'designed to reduce symptoms in the infected vaccine recipient rather than to prevent transmission and infection.'" When an 11-judge panel reheard the case, however, the majority concluded that the LAUSD mandate's constitutionality depended on "what reasonable legislative and executive decisionmakers could have rationally concluded about whether a vaccine protects the public's health and safety, not whether a vaccine actually provides immunity to or prevents transmission of a disease." Since the plaintiffs conceded that COVID-19 vaccines "lessen the severity of symptoms for individuals who receive them," the court said, the policy easily passed muster. The majority "suggests that Jacobson's reference to 'public health and public safety' is so capacious that merely 'lessen[ing] the severity of symptoms' is enough to justify a vaccine mandate," two dissenting judges complained. That logic, they warned, "comes perilously close to giving the government carte blanche to require a vaccine or even medical treatment against people's will so long as it assertseven if incorrectlythat it would promote 'public health and safety.'" The implications of the 9th Circuit's decision extend beyond coercive medical treatment. The court's expansive understanding of "public health and safety" obliterates the distinction between public and private, justifying forcible intervention whenever the government thinks it will protect recalcitrant individuals from disease or injury. The post Can the Government Mandate a Vaccine for Your Own Good? This Federal Court Says Yes. appeared first on Reason.com. 23 November 2025 16:19 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more There is a saying that people are born the same, yet over time, desire and temptation can mould a person into something quite different, even reshaping their character. Countries, too, undergo such transformations; once freed from the levers of empires, they often experience a period of distortion before rediscovering who they truly are. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia in 199091, declared both sovereignty and independence. But those who held power at the time succumbed to their own ambitions and to the false nationalist fantasies seeded into public consciousness, making a path that led the nation towards a dead end. Today, it is Armenias constitution that stands as the principal barrier to peace in the South Caucasus. It is no coincidence that, at the very moment Armenia finds itself staring into the abyss, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan now openly admits that the country needs a new constitution. This need has existed for many years, but previous political elites, and a society shaped by decades of misguided ideological propaganda, were unwilling to face the truth. Time, however, has a habit of separating illusion from reality. The same authorities that once occupied Garabagh consoled their public with fantasies of borders stretching to the seas. Yet these delusions left Armenia isolated for more than three decades. As the old saying goes, Time is the best healer. Armenia now recognises that the structures and governance it inherited were fundamentally flawed. Progress cannot be built on conquest or mythmaking, but on mutual respect and constructive relations with neighbours. Even senior American officials have acknowledged this shift. As US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff put it so pointedly, he praised President Ilham Aliyev for liberating Garabagh without pushing into Armenian territory, "though he could have. Aliyev acted with restraint, demonstrating a magnanimity that few leaders in such a moment would have shown," he said at one of his meetings. Indeed, if Azerbaijan had wished, Yerevan, Goycha, even Zangazur could have been taken by force. But that was never Bakus agenda. Instead, Azerbaijan repeatedly urged Armenia to embrace a peace agenda, warning it that the geopolitical chessboard of the South Caucasus was shifting fast. Armenia may have been blind to the checkmate awaiting it, but its former patron, Russia, and the far more perceptive West saw it clearly. Todays Armenian leadership, its illusions finally stripped away, is beginning to confront realities it long dismissed. This wider awakening forms the essential backdrop to the current constitutional debate in Yerevan. Pashinyans argument is that the existing constitution, drafted in 1995 and amended twice since, is viewed by many Armenians as the legacy of discredited regimes. It lacks organic legitimacy and fails to reflect the citizen as the true sovereign. His government argues that a new constitution could create a unified national identity within the boundaries the world actually recognises, not those that Armenian nationalism once imagined. But the constitutional debate is not simply a matter of national introspection. It sits at the heart of the peace process with Azerbaijan. Baku has long maintained that Armenias constitution, through references to the 1990 Declaration of Independence, implicitly asserts territorial claims on Azerbaijan. Pashinyan has cautiously acknowledged this, signalling his readiness to remove ambiguity that undermines the peace treaty both sides say they want. He has also tied constitutional reform to long-overdue changes in the justice system. By his own admission, Armenias courts operate in a bubble, detached from public confidence. The introduction of jury trials is one of several innovations being considered, a sign that this constitutional debate is also about modernising the state itself. A referendum is planned, with a draft expected by 2026 and a nationwide vote pencilled in for 2027. Yet as with any attempt to shake up entrenched systems, fierce opposition has emerged. Critics accuse Pashinyan of capitulation to Azerbaijani demands, while others see an attempt to consolidate power under the guise of reform. For now, Armenias Justice Minister, Srbuhi Galyan, has confirmed that work on the draft is underway. Armenia stands at a crossroads. It can cling to the outdated narratives that brought it isolation, war, and economic stagnation. Or it can embrace a constitutional transformation that reflects geopolitical reality and opens the door to lasting peace. Change is seldom easy, and there will always be those who prefer to live in the past. But the writing is on the wall: only through political maturity and constitutional clarity can Armenia hope to secure a future defined not by conflict, but by stability, growth, and genuine sovereignty. 23 November 2025 11:53 (UTC+04:00) The UN climate conference COP30 wrapped up in Brazil on Saturday without securing a firm commitment to phase out fossil fuels, a failure that immediately sparked public protest from dozens of countries, who warned that the summits final draft undermines global efforts to keep warming to 1.5C (2.7F). The draft outcome, put forward by Brazil as conference president, avoided any explicit reference to phasing out oil, gas or coal, following strong pushback from major fossil-fuel producers and several emerging economies, according to Anadolu Agency. Instead, it calls only for countries to step up climate action on a voluntary basis. The omission triggered a dispute on the floor during the final plenary. COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago briefly halted the session after delegates from the EU, Colombia, Panama and Switzerland protested openly and raised their flags to signal their objection to the text. When proceedings resumed, he confirmed that the outcome documents had been approved despite the protests and concerns that delegations had not been given the chance to voice their positions publicly. I'm sorry. I didnt see the flags, do Lago said. More than 80 countries including Colombia, France and Spain had spent the past two weeks pushing for a clear and explicit roadmap to end fossil-fuel use. Colombia was among the strongest critics. Environment Minister Irene Velez said the summit had failed its central purpose. Colombia will not endorse a text that denies science, blocks the 1.5C goal, and turns its back on people and life, she said. President Gustavo Petro echoed that sentiment, writing on social media that he rejected the final document. I cannot accept that the COP30 declaration does not clearly state as science does that fossil fuels used by capital are the cause of the climate crisis, he said. European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra also voiced disappointment, saying the EU had hoped for more ambition but would nevertheless "support" the agreed text. Despite the backlash, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared the conference a success, insisting science prevailed, multilateralism won. Brazil said it would continue working within the voluntary framework until COP31, when Turkiye assumes the presidency. The summit was also marked by the absence of the worlds largest oil producer, the United States, which did not attend the gathering in Belem. 23 November 2025 12:55 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more At a moment when Armenia and Azerbaijan are closer than ever to signing a long-awaited peace treaty, some figures in Yerevan continue to indulge in the dangerous fantasy that peace is a form of surrender. Their claim that Armenia is being pressured into peace is not only misleading; it is a reckless narrative that exposes what they truly desire: perpetual confrontation, not reconciliation. Those who insist that Armenia cannot accept peace because of supposed humiliation or fear offer no credible alternative. What, then, is their preferred option? Renewed war? Further aggression? The continued occupation or attempted re-occupation of another countrys territory? By refusing to answer these questions honestly, they reveal the hollowness of their rhetoric. Real threat to peace comes from those who fear it most It is telling that their outrage is not directed at the prospect of another conflict, but at the basic idea of dialogue between societies. The mere fact that Armenian civil society representatives travelled to Baku, openly, safely, and with state support, is portrayed as betrayal rather than progress. Instead of welcoming confidence-building measures, they twist them into conspiracies, accusing their own government of legitimising events they have already predetermined in their minds. Such actors refuse to acknowledge that Armenia is not compelled to make peace; it is choosing to, because peace is unquestionably in the interest of its people. No international pressure is required to recognise that stability, open borders, and regional cooperation are preferable to another cycle of devastation. Pretending otherwise is an insult to the publics intelligence. In truth, these voices are not safeguarding national dignity, but they are sabotaging their countrys future. By attempting to poison the atmosphere, delegitimise dialogue, and discredit any Armenian who seeks contact across the border, they perpetuate the very hostility they claim to oppose. Their position is not one of principle, but of political opportunism dressed up as patriotism. The region has suffered enough. Those who now try to derail the peace process should be honest: their objection is not to pressure, but to peace itself. JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Sunday that he hopes that Germany will uphold a rational and pragmatic policy toward China. Li made the remarks when meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz here on the sidelines of the 20th Group of 20 Summit. Expressing expectations for Germany's efforts to overcome obstacles and pressure when promoting bilateral ties, Li called on the German side to focus on common interests and consolidate the foundation of cooperation. 23 November 2025 14:07 (UTC+04:00) COP30, held in Belem, Brazil, concluded with Azerbaijan playing an active diplomatic role following its presidency of COP29. Azernews reports that a high-level Azerbaijani delegation, led by Parliamentary Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, attended the Leaders Summit, where she delivered the countrys statement and met with several international counterparts. During the opening of the conference, Azerbaijan formally handed over the COP presidency to Brazil. Mukhtar Babayev, who chaired COP29, highlighted last years achievements in Baku and took part in numerous events throughout the summit. Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry delegation was deeply involved in climate negotiations, including two major decisions entrusted directly to Baku. Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev, alongside his Brazilian counterpart, mediated complex talks between Turkiye and Australia over the right to host COP31. After nearly two weeks of intensive discussions, Turkiye was selected as the next host. Azerbaijan was also appointed jointly with Norway to lead negotiations on the Paris Agreements Global Stocktake, a key component of global climate accountability. Both countries submitted final recommendations to Brazil, aiding progress on the adopted documents. Beyond negotiations, Azerbaijan organised events on peace and migration, water, health, urban climate policy, and transparency, while also co-hosting sessions on renewable energy, hydrogen, and agriculture. Azerbaijan and Brazil additionally unveiled the Roadmap from Baku to Belem, outlining steps to increase global climate finance to USD 1.3 trillion, consistent with the Baku Financial Goal agreed at COP29. 23 November 2025 15:22 (UTC+04:00) A youth conference was held at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, jointly organised by the Uzbekistan Youth Union and Azerbaijans Young Reformers Public Union, with support from Azerbaijans Agency for State Support to NGOs. According to the Uzbekistan National News Agency, the event provided an important platform for strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation between young people in both countries. The conference brought together the universitys rector, Gulchehra Rikhsiyeva, leaders of youth organisations from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, and several academics. Speakers noted that the countries strategic partnership and the close relationship between Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Ilham Aliyev has opened up significant opportunities for broader collaboration between youth bodies. They highlighted growing prospects for joint work in science, innovation, culture, volunteering, and start-up development. It was also stressed that Azerbaijans victory in Karabakh has become a unifying factor for the countrys youth, giving new impetus to their civic engagement. Participants agreed that joint programmes, student and expert exchanges, shared forums, and cooperation in innovation and start-ups will further deepen ties between the young people of both nations. 23 November 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) European Council President Antonio Costa announced on Saturday that he had convened a "special meeting" on Ukraine, set to take place next Monday, Azernews reports. "Work continues. I have invited all 27 EU leaders for a special meeting on Ukraine in the margins of the EU-AU Summit in Luanda on Monday," Costa wrote on his X account, and reiterated a previous statement by the European leaders regarding the United States-backed peace proposal. The world leaders are currently gathered at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. 23 November 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Dutch police are investigating Friday's incident. Officials said that for security reasons they would provide no further details about how the drones or what action was taken, Azernews reports via BBC. As well as being used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Volkel Air Base hosts a US Air Force squadron as part of Nato. The incident follows reports of drone sightings at other Dutch air bases in the past few weeks, as well as facilities in neighbouring Belgium, Denmark and Germany. The sightings have disrupted air traffic and raised security concerns. A lack of evidence pointing to their origins has plagued investigations into the incidents since they began in September, as in many cases the drones depart after a while. Some European officials have attributed the sightings to "hybrid warfare" on the part of Russia, as the nations that have been targeted are all allied to Ukraine. But the Kremlin has denied it has anything to do with past incursions. Defence ministers from 10 EU countries have agreed to create a "drone wall" in response to the sightings, while some individual nations have sought to secure anti-drone defence measures. Unidentified drones have been observed hovering over a military base used by Nato in the Netherlands, the Dutch defence ministry has said. It said military personnel deployed weapons to try to take down the drones spotted near Volkel Air Base, north of Eindhoven, between 19:00 and 21:00 local time (18:00-20:00 GMT) on Friday. The defence ministry said the devices "departed and were never recovered". The Netherlands is among a number of northern European nations to be blighted by drone sightings around military installations and airfields in recent months. Russia has denied accusations it was involved in previous incidents. 23 November 2025 11:26 (UTC+04:00) The White House has accused South Africa of declining to ensure a smooth handover of the G20 presidency to the United States, Azernews reports via TRT World. The claim comes after South Africas Foreign Ministry said it would transfer the presidency to Washington at an appropriate level, shortly after the G20 adopted a climate-crisis declaration opposed by the US. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said on Saturday that President Cyril Ramaphosa had pushed for a G20 leaders statement addressing the climate emergency and other global issues despite consistent and robust US objections. She added that President Donald Trump was looking forward to restoring legitimacy to the G20 in the US 2026 host year. Earlier, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told reporters at the summit that the US had wanted the handover to be carried out through the charge daffaires at its embassy in Pretoria. Lamola stressed that South Africas Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) sought to make a clear distinction between the formal handover process and the ongoing summit discussions attended by world leaders and their duly appointed representatives. 23 November 2025 12:21 (UTC+04:00) The United Nations on Friday issued a stark warning over the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank, citing an escalation of violence that has resulted in growing civilian casualties, forced displacement and deepening insecurity among Palestinians. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters that humanitarian agencies were alarmed by the persistent rise in violence, noting casualties, property destruction, displacement, loss of livelihoods and a profound sense of insecurity for Palestinian civilians. According to the U.N., the number of Palestinian children killed in 2025 reached 50 this week. In total, more than 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the beginning of the year, Dujarric added. Israeli military operations in the West Bank have intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. Since then, over 1,076 Palestinians have been killed and more than 10,700 injured in attacks by Israeli forces and armed settlers in the occupied territory. Arrests have also surged, with more than 20,500 Palestinians detained during this period. In a significant legal development last July, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israels occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem is unlawful and called for the removal of all Israeli settlements from these areas. 23 November 2025 13:19 (UTC+04:00) US President Donald Trump has said that six Democrats involved in a video calling on military officers to refuse illegal commands "should be in jail". Trump took to social media on Saturday night, writing: "THE TRAITORS THAT TOLD THE MILITARY TO DISOBEY MY ORDERS SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW, NOT ROAMING THE FAKE NEWS NETWORKS TRYING TO EXPLAIN THAT WHAT THEY SAID WAS OK." He said that the Democrats' message was "SEDITION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL" and that "THERE CAN BE NO OTHER INTERPRETATION OF WHAT THEY SAID". The Republican leader's remarks came after he accused Democrat lawmakers on Friday of "seditious behaviour, punishable by death". Democrats slammed Trump's comments as "absolutely vile" threats against the six senators and representatives, all of whom have served in the military or intelligence community. The video posted on social media on Friday called on the military to "refuse illegal orders" and featured Arizona's Mark Kelly, Michigan's Elissa Slotkin, along with Jason Crow of Colorado, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire. 23 November 2025 13:38 (UTC+04:00) Voters in Republika Srpska, the Serb-majority entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, headed to the polls on Sunday for a snap presidential election. Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) across 2,211 locations both within Republika Srpska and abroad. Voting will run until 7 p.m. (1800 GMT). According to Bosnias election commission, more than one million citizens are registered to vote. The first preliminary results are expected before midnight, according to the Anadolu Agency. Six candidates on the ballot The Central Election Commission confirmed that six contenders are competing for the presidency following the removal of Milorad Dodik from office. The frontrunner, according to analysts, is Sinisa Karan the minister for science, technology and higher education who enjoys the backing of Dodiks Union of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD). He is joined on the ballot by Dragan Djokanovic of the New Policy Union, Branko Blanusa of the Serbian Democratic Party, Nikola Lazarevic of the Ecological Party of Republika Srpska, and two independent candidates, Igor Gasevic and Slavko Dragicevic. Background to the snap vote The election was triggered after months of political crisis centred on Milorad Dodik, known for his separatist rhetoric and repeated challenges to Bosnias constitutional order. Dodik openly refused to recognise the Office of the High Representative (OHR) created under the Dayton Peace Agreement and rejected the authority of the current High Representative, Christian Schmidt. In June 2023, under Dodiks leadership, the Republika Srpska National Assembly voted to stop publishing Schmidts decisions in its Official Gazette. Schmidt annulled those moves, invoking his powers to block legislation seen as threatening the states integrity. Dodik doubled down on his claims that Republika Srpska would eventually secede from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prosecutors charged him with failing to comply with OHR decisions, seeking a prison term. In December 2023, he received a one-year prison sentence and a six-year ban from political office, later converted into a fine. Bosnias Central Election Commission subsequently voted unanimously to remove him from the presidency, paving the way for the current snap election. 23 November 2025 14:31 (UTC+04:00) At least 90 protesters were arrested at a London demonstration in support of the banned activist group, Palestine Action, police said Saturday, Azernews reports via Middle East Monitor. The arrests as of 1800GMT are in relation to the protest organized by Defend Our Juries in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Palestine Action, Metropolitan Police said in a statement. It added that the protest concluded and those involved have left the area. Protesters gathered in Tavistock Square, where demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and signs while chanting pro-Palestine slogans. Some of the banners read: I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action. The Defend Our Juries group wrote on the US social media platform X that police instantly started arresting protestors for silently holding signs that it said opposed genocide and the Palestine Action ban. 23 November 2025 18:37 (UTC+04:00) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday said he will call his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday to discuss the revival of Black Sea grain corridor. Speaking to the press on the margins of the G20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Erdogan said, "Our efforts regarding the grain corridor were, in fact, intended to open the path towards peace." "I believe that, if we can set this process in motion, it would be highly beneficial," he added. Ankara first arranged Russia-Ukraine talks in 2022, and later brokered the Black Sea grain deal to facilitate the export of grain and fertilizers from Ukrainian ports amid the war. Russia suspended its participation in July 2023. On the Sudan conflict, the Turkish president said the Sudanese people want Ankara to play role in resolving issue, vowing: "Wherever there is trouble, we will be there." "Whether in Gulf, Sudan, or Somalia, we have been part of these efforts, from now on, we will continue rushing everywhere for peace," Erdogan added. This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2025 shows a welcome sign of the 18th Europe-China Business & Technology Cooperation Fair in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Photo by Han Jiayi/Xinhua) CHENGDU, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 18th Europe-China Business & Technology Cooperation Fair concluded Friday in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, with more than 600 government officials, business leaders and experts from over 20 countries attending the event. Jointly hosted by the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, the fair serves as a high-level platform for precise matchmaking between European and Chinese businesses. Its goal is to foster meaningful and sustainable cooperation across a range of sectors. Since its inception, the fair has attracted over 12,600 Chinese and European companies, facilitated nearly 30,000 matchmaking sessions, and led to more than 3,300 intent cooperation agreements, according to the CCOIC. Under the theme "Mutual Trust and Connectivity, Shared Success and Prosperity," this year's event underscored a growing consensus among European stakeholders that China is not a dependency, but a vital partner with ample room for collaboration. Zoltan Hidveghy, managing director of PTE Inno Capital, the technology transfer arm of Hungary's University of Pecs, came to Chengdu looking for partnerships in research, biotech and commercialization. "We are here to explore opportunities, not exactly investment in the traditional sense, but possibilities for collaboration," said Hidveghy, whose university is developing an industrial park in Hungary and generates significant research and development (R&D) through its some 20,000 students and 11,000 staff. He emphasized that China's rapid innovation cycle and swift response times are significant advantages in comparison to Europe. "Once you come up with something, you immediately implement it. That is a big difference," he noted. Hidveghy also observed a qualitative shift in China's innovation landscape. "Earlier I wouldn't have mentioned design, but now everything produced in China looks good and is very well made," he said. These changes, in his view, are transforming the relationship from one of reliance to a complementary one characterized by "innovation, sustainability, and design." Raquel Ramirez Alexander, vice president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China and a 10-year Chengdu resident, highlighted how firsthand exposure is shifting outdated European perceptions. "People don't realize how modern China is, how innovative, and how many industries are advancing at such a rapid pace," she said. "When they come to Chengdu, Chongqing -- the southwest, they are really surprised in a very positive way." Alexander described the fair as increasingly necessary in a time of global uncertainty, where partners are looking for an "open, fair and predictable business environment." She cited a conversation with a young engineer at a local R&D center to illustrate the synergy: "European expertise allowed them to have precision, and China's industrious capability allowed them to have speed." With both sides striving toward ambitious climate goals, she envisions new opportunities emerging in clean mobility, the circular economy, and advanced manufacturing. "I believe there is still so much in front of us," she added. Anthony Gasiorek, secretary general of ONTPE, an organization that supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in France, visited China many times over the past 15 years. "Everything has changed. The Chinese market has grown extremely fast, much faster than Europe," he said. Gasiorek argued that the core of the relationship is reciprocity. "Both sides need each other," he noted. "European companies need the support and scale of the Chinese market. Chinese companies need the European market and opportunities to expand internationally." He identified new energy, photovoltaics, robotics, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing as fields where cooperation is essential. "Both Europe and China need each other to advance these technologies, because the world is changing quickly, and global cooperation is necessary." Gasiorek also highlighted that China's diversified industrial ecosystem offers a destination for highly trained French engineers and students, enabling joint innovation on a global scale. A recurring theme among the participants was that cooperation between China and the European Union is increasingly defined by joint innovation, shared standards and interconnected supply chains. Participants attend the Europe-China B2B Matchmaking Meeting during the 18th Europe-China Business & Technology Cooperation Fair in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 20, 2025. (Photo by Han Jiayi/Xinhua) 23 November 2025 19:20 (UTC+04:00) Malaysia has announced plans to implement a comprehensive social media ban for children under 16 beginning next year, as part of a broader initiative to enhance online safety for young users across the country. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the government's intention to prohibit social media access for minors under 16, requiring platform providers to implement electronic know your customer (eKYC) identity verification systems by the target implementation date. "We expect all platform providers to be ready to implement the measures by next year," Fadzil stated during a media briefing following an educational seminar. International Precedents and Monitoring The minister acknowledged Australia's pioneering move to establish age restrictions on social media platforms starting December 10, making it the first nation to prohibit users aged 16 and under from accessing major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube. Malaysian authorities will closely observe the implementation and outcomes of Australia's approach as they develop their own regulatory framework. Comprehensive Online Safety Legislation The social media age restriction forms part of Malaysia's wider Online Safety Act, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. This legislative package represents the government's comprehensive approach to addressing digital risks facing young internet users. The Cabinet had previously decided in October to raise the minimum age for social media access to 16, formalizing this protective measure. Parental Guidance and Alternative Activities Minister Fadzil emphasized the importance of parental involvement in children's digital habits, encouraging families to promote outdoor activities and reduce screen time for younger children. He stressed that parental supervision of device usage remains crucial even as the government implements regulatory measures to create safer online environments for Malaysia's youth population. 23 November 2025 20:19 (UTC+04:00) The G20 in South Africa has ended with the glaring absence of the United States the next country to lead the bloc after the Trump administration boycotted the two days of talks involving leaders of the worlds richest and top developing economies. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the summit in Johannesburg closed on Sunday by banging a wooden gavel on a block, in a G20 tradition. The gavel would normally be handed over to the leader of the next country to hold the rotating presidency, but no US official was there to receive it. The worlds biggest economy boycotted a summit meant to bring rich and developing nations together over President Donald Trumps claims that South Africa is violently persecuting its Afrikaner white minority. The White House said it intended in a last-minute decision for an official from its embassy in South Africa to attend the G20 handover. But South Africa refused that, saying it was an insult for Mr Ramaphosa to hand over to a junior embassy official. 23 November 2025 20:47 (UTC+04:00) An Israeli airstrike has struck Lebanon's capital, Beirut, for the first time in months. Israel's military said it targeted Hezbollah's chief of staff. Benjamin Netanyahu's office said: "A short while ago, in the heart of Beirut, the IDF attacked the Hezbollah Chief of Staff, who had been leading the terrorist organisation's build-up and rearmament. "Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the attack upon the recommendation of the defence minister and the IDF chief of staff. "Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times." Hezbollah has yet to comment. Smoke could be seen in the busy Haret Hreik neighbourhood, with one video circulated on social media showing dozens of people crowded around the area of the strike, which appeared to be on an apartment building. It is the first Israeli airstrike on Beirut since June. There was no immediate word on casualties. 23 November 2025 21:16 (UTC+04:00) Donald Trump has slammed Ukraines leadership for not thanking him for his efforts to end the war with Russia. The US President has accused Ukraine of having zero gratitude in a post on his Truth Social profile. He wrote: UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. I INHERITED A WAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED, A WAR THAT IS A LOSER FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE SO NEEDLESSLY DIED. He repeated his accusation that Vladimir Putin seized his chance to invade as Sleepy Joe Biden was in the White House. It came as a widely leaked 28-point US-backed peace plan acquiesces to many Russian demands that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. It prompted fears it was entirely drafted by the Kremlin but Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied the accusation saying it took a month of negotiation. He wrote on X: The peace proposal was authored by the US. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine. Nevertheless, Trump says he wants Ukraine to accept the plan by late next week. Seemingly in response, Ukraines top security official, Rustem Umerov said: We appreciate our American partners working closely with us to understand our concerns to reach this critical point and we expect to make more progress today. Zelensky says there is now an understanding that the US-proposed peace plan may take into account a number of elements that are based on the Ukrainian vision and are critical to Ukraines national interests. He adds that further work is ongoing to ensure that all elements are truly effective in achieving the main goal to finally put an end to the bloodshed and war. 23 November 2025 21:38 (UTC+04:00) At least 50 of the more than 300 students abducted by gunmen from a Catholic school in Nigeria have escaped their captors, a Christian group tracking the incident says. The gunmen raided Saint Marys Catholic School in north-central Nigerias Niger State on Friday, taking 303 children and 12 teachers in one of the countrys largest mass kidnappings. In a statement on Sunday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said the 50 pupils were safe and had been reunited with their families after they escaped between Friday and Saturday. As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims, CANs chairman in Niger State, Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said in the statement. The Catholic school abduction came just four days after armed men stormed a secondary school in northwestern Nigeria, kidnapping 25 schoolgirls and killing the schools vice-principal. Mondays attack took place in similar circumstances in neighbouring Kebbi States Maga town, some 170km (106 miles) away. At least one girl has since escaped and returned safely, but 24 others are still missing. The identity of the attackers remains unclear in both cases, and no group has claimed responsibility so far. Regional authorities and security agencies have launched search-and-rescue operations in surrounding forests and along escape routes, with police, military and even local hunters deployed to help. Officers from the PSNI observe a Defend Our Juries protest in support of Palestine Action in Belfast (David Young/PA) Amnesty International has welcomed the approach of the PSNI to todays Defend Our Juries rallies in Belfast and Derry, where peaceful protests against the genocide in Gaza and the proscription of Palestine Action were held. Amnesty is acting as an intervener in the coming judicial review of the UK governments proscription of Palestine Action, who prior to being banned as a terrorist organisation were a direct action protest group. The government outlawed Palestine Action under terrorism laws, with membership carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said violence and criminal damage had no place in legitimate protest, and Palestine Actions activities, including breaking into an RAF base and spraying two aircraft with red paint, justified the ban. Palestine Action has increasingly targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain. It accuses the government of complicity in Israeli war crimes and genocide in Gaza. Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland Director of Amnesty International UK, was a human rights monitor at todays protest in Belfast. He said: We welcome the approach by the PSNI today to facilitate peaceful protests against the genocide in Gaza and the proscription of Palestine Action. This stands in marked contrast to the arrest everyone response by the Metropolitan Police at the Defend our Juries protest in London. The differential approach by police forces to identical protests held simultaneously in different parts of the UK underlines the utter absurdity of UK terrorism law and the disproportionality of proscribing a group like Palestine Action. This proscription not only undermines peoples right to peaceful protest, it has proven to be a huge waste of police time where Chief Constables have chosen to enforce the ban. Previous arrests now need to be rescinded, charges dropped and prosecutions ended. The government can end this farce by overturning the proscription and restoring freedom of expression to all who wish to protest peacefully. Speaking at a rally in Derry, veteran civil rights activist Eamonn McCann said there are people on remand in British prisons for alleged offences related to Palestine Action. "Surely here in Derry above all places we should be taking a stand on that, he said, and we should remember also that people who hold up these placards have been told, you are risking imprisonment. "Well, we've been told not to raise slogans, more than 50 years ago in this town, more than 100 years ago, this has been going on don't dare raise slogans which threaten the integrity of the British state. But we did it. We did it. And that is a tradition of which Derry people are proud. "And we shouldn't let that tradition down now by allowing internment across the water. There are people in jail for over a year. "Do we all know this? because there hasn't been given much publicity. There are people in jail without charge, without trial, in Britain at the minute. End internment. This week, investigative news website The Detail reported that the PSNI is facing fresh questions about consistency in policing. Officers from the PSNI observe a Defend Our Juries protest in support of Palestine Action in Belfast (David Young/PA) Police arrest almost 500 people over Palestine Action support Since Palestine Action was banned in July, the PSNI has made three arrests and sent six files to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS). In addition to arresting Palestine Action supporters, the police have also issued advisory letters to 13 individuals in Derry. The cases relate to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act, which makes it an offence to wear clothing or display items that indicate support for a proscribed group. Over the same period, however, the PSNI took no similar action against public displays linked to proscribed loyalist or republican groups, despite several high-profile incidents. These included parades honouring UVF killer Brian Robinson in Belfast in September, and another in Portadown in August for Harris Boyle, a UVF member linked to the Miami Showband Massacre. A PSNI spokeswoman said its role is to apply the law fairly and proportionately, regardless of the issue or organisation involved. The proscription of groups is a matter for Government; police act to ensure public safety and uphold the law. We are clear that people have a right to protest and express their views, and we will continue to facilitate that. We simply ask that those taking part do so peacefully and within the law, so that everyone can make their voices heard safely. Police are appealing for information after a teenage girl was sexually assaulted while waiting for a bus in south Belfast. It happened on Saturday at around 9.30pm. Sergeant Ashe said: We received a report of a teenager who had been approached by an unknown male while waiting for the bus in the Adelaide Street area of the city with her friends. The man, described as approximately mid 40's, heavy build, bald with a black beard, wearing a beige jacket with pockets and blue jeans then groped the girl and made sexual comments towards her. We would appeal to anyone who was in the Adelaide Street area of Belfast between 8:30pm and 9.45pm on Saturday and saw anything suspicious, or who might have information which could assist with our investigation, to contact us on the 101 number, quoting reference 785 of 22/11/25. Stock photo: Getty The story behind Belfast's 'Alec the Goose' tribute outside St George's Market in Belfast We would also be keen to speak with anyone who might have CCTV, dash-cam or other footage which could help with our ongoing enquiries. US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pose for a photo at the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt (Suzanne Plunkett/PA) Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump agreed to work together at a critical moment for Ukraine as the US called talks taking place in Geneva on its peace plan the most productive so far. Sir Keirs call with the US president was the second in as many days, and a Downing Street spokesperson said they discussed various aspects of the high-level talks focusing on the peace plan in Switzerland. They agreed that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace, No 10 said.The two leaders spoke on Sunday as US, Ukrainian and European officials, including Sir Keirs national security adviser Jonathan Powell, held meetings. US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Ukrainian chief negotiator Andriy Yermak said good progress had been made at talks so far as they updated reporters. Mr Rubio said it had been probably the most productive and meaningful meeting so far in this entire process. He said the teams are now working on suggestions and making some changes in the hope of narrowing the differences between the US and Ukraine. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said he thought the US proposal may take into account the Ukrainian vision after meetings began. But Mr Trump railed against Kyiv in a social media post, saying its leaders had expressed zero gratitude for his countrys efforts. Mr Rubio, alongside Mr Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and army secretary Dan Driscoll, are representing Washington at the talks. The 28-point plan is said to have been negotiated by Mr Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev, with Kyiv and European allies left out of the process. The US State Department dismissed as blatantly false claims from senators that Mr Rubio told them the plan was a wish list from Russia. Sir Keir and other leaders have pushed back against the US-drafted plan for Ukraine, raising concerns about proposals to make Kyiv limit its armed forces and give up territory and its path to Nato membership. They called Washingtons plan a basis that requires further work in a joint statement on Saturday after talks at the G20 in South Africa. On Sunday, Mr Zelensky said his team had reported back from initial meetings and conversations. There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraines national interests, he said in a post on X. 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 Mr Trump meanwhile did not mention the discussions in a post on Truth Social on Sunday about the violent and terrible Ukraine war. Ukraine leadership has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia, he wrote. In a later update, Mr Zelensky wrote that he is grateful to every leader and to everyone around the world who supports Ukraine and our principled stances. We are working to ensure full coordination among our friends. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander earlier said that allies of Ukraine need to find a way to secure that ceasefire and open up space for meaningful negotiations. She insisted the UKs voice does count with Washington, speaking to Sky Newss Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips. Heidi Alexander was speaking on the Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme (Sky UK/PA) Our relationship with the US is one of seeking to influence to facilitate that dialogue with other global leaders, she added. The inclusion of an article five security guarantee Natos mutual defence provision under which an attack on one member is an attack on the entire bloc is seen as integral and significant to Washingtons plan, it is understood. Sir Keir has said this security guarantee and his one-on-one discussions with Mr Trump on Ukraine make it clear to him that the US leader wants a just and lasting peace. The Sunday talks will see national security advisers go through quite a bit of detail, the Prime Minister has said. Sir Keir spoke to Mr Zelensky on Saturday and reiterated the UKs steadfast support for Kyiv. 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 Mr Trump, who shunned the G20 summit, initially suggested he wanted a Ukrainian response by Thursday. But he has since signalled there is some room for negotiation in Geneva, saying no when asked whether his proposals are final. An apartment building was damaged during an Israeli air strike on Dahiyeh, southern Beirut, on Sunday (Bilal Hussein/AP) By Fadi Tawil and Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press By Fadi Tawil and Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press Israel struck Lebanons capital for the first time since June, saying it killed Hezbollahs chief of staff Haytham Tabtabai and warning the Iran-backed militant group not to rearm and rebuild a year after their latest war. The strike in Beiruts southern suburbs killed five people and wounded 25 others, Lebanons Health Ministry said. Hezbollah confirmed Tabtabais death. It is not yet known if anyone was injured in the incident (Bilal Hussein/AP) Earlier it said the strike, launched almost exactly a year after a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war, threatened an escalation of attacks just days before Pope Leo is scheduled to visit Lebanon on his first foreign trip. We will continue to act forcefully to prevent any threat to the residents of the north and the state of Israel, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said. The military instructed residents in northern Israel near the Lebanese border to continue with daily routines, indicating that it did not anticipate a military response from Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Tabtabai of leading Hezbollahs efforts to rearm. Israeli airstrikes over southern Lebanon have intensified in recent weeks while Israel and the US have pressured Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. Israel asserts that the group is trying to rebuild its military capabilities. The Lebanese government, which supports disarming Hezbollah, has denied those claims. It also says troops have deployed to the south but that its cash-strapped army needs more resources. People and Civil Defence workers gather at the site where an Israeli airstrike hit an apartment building on Dahiyeh in the southern suburb of Beirut (Bilal Hussein/AP) Hezbollah has not attacked Israel since the ceasefire began. In December, it fired a couple of rockets that landed on open territory near an Israeli military base and called it a warning. Tabtabai had been the apparent successor of Ibrahim Aqil, who was killed in September 2024 in Israeli attacks that wiped out much of Hezbollahs senior leadership, including long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah. Tabtabai also had led Hezbollahs elite Radwan Unit. In 2016, the US designated him as a terrorist, calling him a military leader who led Hezbollahs special forces in Syria and Yemen, and it offered up to five million dollars for information about him. Hezbollahs leadership is studying the matter of response and will take the appropriate decision, Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollahs political council, told journalists at the scene. The strike on the southern suburbs today opens the door to an escalation of assaults all over Lebanon. Israeli airstrikes over southern Lebanon have intensified in recent weeks while Israel and the United States have pressured Lebanon to disarm the powerful militant group. Lebanese Red Cross volunteers work at the site where an apartment building was hit during an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh in the southern suburb of Beirut (Bilal Hussein/AP) Israel asserts that Hezbollah is trying to rebuild its military capabilities in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese government, which has approved its militarys plan that would disarm Hezbollah, has denied those claims. Lebanons President Joseph Aoun in a statement condemned Sundays strike and accused Israel of refusing to implement its end of the ceasefire agreement. He called on the international community to intervene with strength and seriousness to stop the attacks on Lebanon and its people. Israels military statement said Israel remains committed to the understandings agreed upon by Israel and Lebanon. Smoke could be seen in the busy Haret Hreik neighbourhood. A video circulated on social media showed dozens of people crowded around the area of the strike, which appeared to be on the fourth floor of an apartment building. Lebanese Red Cross volunteers work at the site where an apartment building was hit during an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh in the southern suburb of Beirut (Bilal Hussein/AP) Gunshots could be heard to disperse crowds as emergency workers arrived. This is definitely a civilian area and void of any military presence, especially the neighbourhood where we stand, Hezbollah parliamentarian Ali Ammar told reporters near the site. Lebanon and United Nations peacekeepers have been critical of ongoing Israel attacks in the country and accuse Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. Mr Aoun last week said the country is ready to enter negotiations with Israel to stop its airstrikes and to withdraw from five hilltop points it occupies on Lebanese territory. It was unclear if Israel would agree. Mr Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam say they are committed to disarming all non-state actors in the country, including Hezbollah. President Donald Trump is pushing Ukraine to accept the deal by late next week (Evan Vucci/AP) US politicians critical of Donald Trumps approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war have said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told them the peace plan the president is pushing Kyiv to accept is a wish list of the Russians and not the actual proposal offering Washingtons position. A State Department spokesperson denied their account, calling it blatantly false. Mr 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 favourable to Moscow. It all added up to a confusing and potentially embarrassing turn of events for a Trump administration-blessed peace plan that already faces a potentially rocky future. The widely leaked 28-point US-backed peace plan is, according to the White House, the result of a month of work between Mr Rubio, Mr Trump and envoy Steve Witkoff, along with input from what it said was both Ukrainians and Russians. The senators claim US Secretary of State Marco told them the plan is a wish list of the Russians (Mandel Ngan/pool/AP) The plan acquiesces to many Russian demands that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. Mr 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, speaking at a security conference in Canada. They want to utilise it as a starting point. He said it looked more like it was written in Russian to begin with. The senators said they spoke to Mr Rubio after he contacted some of them while on his way to Geneva for talks on the plan. Senator Angus King said Mr 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 Mr Rubios message on the call. Mr Rubio, who serves as both national security adviser and secretary of state, is attending a meeting in Geneva on Sunday to discuss Washingtons proposal as part of a US delegation. He wrote on X: The peace proposal was authored by the US. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously categorically rejected some parts of the peace plan he is now being pressed to accept (PA) It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine. A senior Trump administration official, who insisted on anonymity to detail internal discussions, noted the White House has consistently maintained the plan was authored by the US 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 towards working to a more lasting peace plan. The senators have said the plan will reward Moscow for its aggression and send a message to other leaders who have threatened their neighbours. It rewards aggression. This is pure and simple. Theres no ethical, legal, moral, political justification for Russia claiming eastern Ukraine, Mr King said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed the proposal, saying it could form the basis of a final peace settlement if the US can get Ukraine and its European allies to agree. Mr Zelensky has not rejected 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. As the talks got under way in Geneva, the Ukrainian president said on Telegram: A positive result is needed for all of us. Ukrainian and American teams, teams of our European partners, are in close contact, and I very much hope there will be a result. Bloodshed must be stopped and it must be guaranteed that the war will not be reignited. SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out at a corrugated cardboard manufacturing factory in Anseong City, Gyeonggi province, South Korea, leaving one person dead, YTN news said Sunday. Local fire authorities, judging that the flames were intense and could spread to surrounding areas, issued a Level 1 response and deployed approximately 30 pieces of equipment and 110 personnel to extinguish the fire. During this process, factory workers reported that "one person appears to be trapped." Fire authorities immediately launched a search and found the body of a worker on the second floor of the factory after extinguishing the flames. Police believed that the deceased worker sought a meal in the cafeteria break room with two other employees, but was unable to escape. Anger as UDA crime gang given 1million 'reward' for 'good behaviour using taxpayer money Public money sweetener for renegade South East Antrim faction behind three recent murders and up to its neck in drugs is slammed From left: Glen Burns, David Weir and Clifford 'Trigger' Irons will all be sentenced next month for cocaine supply offences. Right from top: Gary Fisher, 'Duck' McTaggart and one of the reimagined royal family murals in Rathcoole. Sunday Life Investigations Sun 23 Nov 2025 at 08:00 More than 1m of public money is to be spent on helping South East Antrim UDA ex-prisoners find jobs and make a positive civic contribution. Prisoner projects connected to republican terror gangs set for 2m charity windfall Groups to benefit are linked to ONH and INLA, which are both heavily involved in criminality, including drugs and murder A show of strength from the ONH faction loyal to Carl Reilly Sunday Life Investigations Sun 23 Nov 2025 at 08:00 Millions of pounds of taxpayer cash is to be given to ex-prisoner groups connected to republican gangs which the PSNI say remain heavily involved in criminality including murder. But ex-play centre boss found guilty of disorderly behaviour A former director of a childrens play centre who was thrown out of a bar has been acquitted of assault. 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%. The owners worked to renovate and transform the space, carrying through the colors, materials and design elements from the old space to the new. On Friday, the team that conducted the $750,000 Reconnecting Communities feasibility study will release its final report, recommending whether the city should repair or remove the deteriorating bridge over Marshall Street, which divides the busy area between Main and River streets. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. (ECNS) -- Deep in the dense forests of the Amazon, the world is searching for a shared answer to address the climate issue. Extreme weather events are intensifying, development in the Global South remains constrained, and the global political landscape is undergoing rapid transformation. The COP30 being held in Belem in northern Brazil becomes more than a climate conference, but also an occasion to reconsider the relationship between humanity and nature. During an exclusive interview with China News Network, Andrea Mjuma, Chief Economist at Malawis Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning, spoke about his reflections in the Amazon and why he believes China is emerging as an indispensable force in global climate governance. In Malawi, floods, droughts, and extreme weather are no longer seasonal disruptions but fundamental challenges that are hindering the nations development. Mjuma noted that while the world is facing climate impacts together, the burden on extremely poor countries is far heavier. Were experiencing floods, droughts, and increasingly intense climate events, he said. Extreme poverty means we lack not only the resources to develop our economy, but even the capacity to protect our natural resources. When discussing partnerships, Mjuma repeatedly pointed to Chinas concrete contributions. Chinas achievements in biodiversity restoration, forest recovery, and ecological governance, he said, are not just words, but real action. He called China a trusted partner, emphasizing its ability to provide both financing and technology to the Global South. He highlighted the value of the G77+China framework, calling it a crucial collective platform. We believe that moving forward with G77+China will not only grow our economies, he said, but also keep us moving together. For him, Chinas leadership and practical engagement give developing countries a stronger, more unified voice. Mjuma stressed that climate change is a global enemy and that no nation, including Malawi, can face it alone. He argued that the world must move toward unity rather than division: We are not here to fight America, he said as he talked about Americas walking out of the Paris Agreement, We are here to demonstrate that only through cooperation can we address climate change successfully. The setting of COP30 in the Amazon reinforced his belief in coexistence between humans and nature. He referenced Chinas philosophy Green is gold., which he thinks is not a slogan but a blueprint for a new global climate governance culture: one where solidarity replaces isolation and collective strength overcomes a shared crisis. KABUL, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- A significant weapons cache was uncovered in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province, with three individuals arrested in connection to the discovery, local authorities confirmed on Sunday. According to Bilal Uruzgani, the spokesperson for the provincial police, the weapons were found hidden in a residential house. The cache included a variety of ammunition, hand grenades, rocket shells, bullets, and other munitions. Authorities have initiated further investigations to identify other individuals who may be connected to the illicit arms stash. AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The "High 5" New Zealand International Health Industry Investment Summit 2025 was held in Auckland on Friday. During the summit, NEXT Park and the NZ China Commerce & Inno Hubs were officially launched. These initiatives will focus on health foods, biomedicine, agricultural technology, digital technology, and green energy. Stefan Bohlander, a professor at the University of Auckland, noted that breakthroughs in cancer research, especially leukemia, demonstrate that scientific innovation depends on interdisciplinary collaboration and international cooperation, adding that China-New Zealand scientific cooperation has a solid foundation, with strong complementarities in medical research, clinical resources, and innovation ecosystems, and should be further strengthened. The summit also featured six thematic roundtable discussions covering technology investment, health foods, traditional medicine, solar energy, aged care and wellness, and industrial chain cooperation. MEXICO CITY, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and many others injured Saturday after a tourist bus overturned in the western Mexican state of Michoacan, local authorities said. The Michoacan Attorney General's Office said on social media that the bus had departed from Uruapan and was heading to Tlalpujahua municipality. Investigators and forensic teams have been dispatched to the crash site. Local media reported that at least 20 passengers were injured. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident and investigation is underway, according to reports. Traffic accidents are among the leading causes of death in Mexico. Official data showed that 374,949 roadway accidents were recorded nationwide in 2024, resulting in 4,656 deaths and 85,980 injuries. JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday urged the German side to encourage the European Union (EU) to view China-EU ties with a broader vision, a longer-term perspective and a more open mindset. In his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit, Li also expressed the hope that Germany can help push the EU to adhere to its position as a partner of China, enhance dialogue and cooperation between the two sides, and jointly promote the development and prosperity of China and the EU. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) speaks during a press briefing at the United States Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 23, 2025. Representatives from the United States, Ukraine and European countries met in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday to discuss ways aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff attended the meeting. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office. Also, national security advisers from France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as representatives of the European Union, also took part in the meeting. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) GENEVA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from the United States, Ukraine and European countries met in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday to discuss ways aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff attended the meeting. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office. Also, national security advisers from France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as representatives of the European Union, also took part in the meeting. Yermak said on social media platform X on Sunday that the Ukrainian delegation had begun its work in Geneva. He said the team held its first meeting with national security advisers from the United Kingdom, France and Germany and would next meet with the U.S. delegation, adding that they were "in a very constructive mood." Yermak added that a series of meetings in various formats was planned for the day as the sides continue working together to achieve a lasting and just peace for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said on social media platform X on Sunday that he hoped the talks would be constructive and lead to a positive outcome. Diplomatic vehicles enter the United States Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 23, 2025. Representatives from the United States, Ukraine and European countries met in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday to discuss ways aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff attended the meeting. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office. Also, national security advisers from France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as representatives of the European Union, also took part in the meeting. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) Journalists wait outside the gate of the United States Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 23, 2025. Representatives from the United States, Ukraine and European countries met in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday to discuss ways aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff attended the meeting. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office. Also, national security advisers from France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as representatives of the European Union, also took part in the meeting. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) COLOMBO, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said the recommendations for formulating China's 15th Five-Year Plan have set out the direction for China's next stage of development and injected renewed confidence into the world. Amid rising global uncertainties, Sri Lanka stands ready to deepen cooperation with China based on equality and mutual respect, so as to deliver greater benefits to the two countries and their peoples, the minister added. Herath made the remarks on Friday at a special briefing hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka on the guiding principles of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, which adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, a key document of the session. Representatives from Sri Lanka's political, business and academic communities spoke highly of the blueprint, saying China's long-term planning, technological advancement and high-quality development would continue to generate strong momentum for the world economy and open up broader space for China-Sri Lanka cooperation. In his briefing, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong noted that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China achieved historic accomplishments in economic and social development, maintained its contribution of around 30 percent to global economic growth, witnessed the continuous expansion of high-tech industries, and made notable progress in green and low-carbon transition. Looking ahead, the 15th Five-Year Plan will focus on promoting high-quality development, advancing scientific and technological self-reliance, deepening reform, improving people's well-being and building a beautiful China, Qi said, adding that "China will further expand high-standard opening up and share development opportunities with all countries, including Sri Lanka." Herath said Sri Lanka attaches great importance to practical cooperation with China and highly appreciates China's stable economic growth and technological innovation, adding that China's achievements in poverty reduction, scientific progress and industrial upgrading highlighted the value of long-term planning and policy continuity. "China's development successes are not accidental but the result of the high-quality implementation of successive five-year plans, which offer important inspiration for Sri Lanka's future," said Herath. Lalith Kumara, vice president of the Association for Sri Lanka-China Social and Cultural Cooperation, said China has made globally recognized strides in poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, digital transformation and green development through long-term planning. Kumara said China and Sri Lanka could further deepen cooperation in rural development, modernization of agriculture and fisheries, small-scale processing industries, digital entrepreneurship and youth innovation, helping the bilateral partnership move "from development assistance to capacity building." Ajith D. Perera, chair and executive secretary of the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said China's success is rooted in its unified national market, institutional strengths and effective governance. Perera said Sri Lanka should learn from China's strategic vision and planning capability, which are vital for Global South countries seeking to enhance international competitiveness. Sri Lanka looks forward to advancing trade facilitation, strengthening air connectivity and expanding payment system interoperability with China during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, thereby creating more favorable conditions for bilateral trade growth, Perera added. Kalpana Madhubhashini, head of the international division of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, said China's five-year plan system stands out for its scientific approach, inclusiveness and strong implementation capacity. "China's planning process incorporates broad input from across society, ensuring the plan is not an abstract slogan but a people-centered national strategy that is practical and executable," she said. Madhubhashini said that China's commitment to a people-centered development philosophy, and its sustained efforts in poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, demonstrate how institutionalized governance can transform the lives of millions. "The document's emphasis on scientific and technological innovation, agricultural modernization, social welfare and comprehensive national security will continue to underpin China's long-term stability and modernization, contributing even more to global development," Madhubhashini said. DAMASCUS, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Syrian authorities imposed a curfew in central Syria's Homs on Sunday and deployed security forces after the killing of a Bedouin couple triggered retaliatory attacks and widespread unrest in the city. The interior authorities said in a statement that a man and his wife from the Bani Khalid Bedouin tribe were found killed in their home in the town of Zaidal earlier in the day, with the woman's body partially burned and sectarian-charged graffiti found at the scene. Specialized units have been collecting evidence and tracking suspects, they said, calling on residents to cooperate with security directives. Murhaf al-Naasan, head of the Internal Security Forces in Homs, condemned the killing as a "heinous crime" aimed to "ignite sectarian discord among residents," and urged restraint. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, armed tribesmen carried out retaliatory attacks in the predominantly Alawite al-Muhajirin neighborhood in Homs, burning homes, damaging vehicles, and firing shots indiscriminately, causing civilian casualties and property damage. Gunfire, arson, and isolated kidnapping incidents have spread across parts of Homs, the Britain-based war monitor said, without specifying the number of casualties involved. Local witnesses have described the development as "uncontrolled chaos." In response to the situation, the interior authorities decided to impose a curfew across the city, from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time (1400 GMT Sunday to 0200 GMT Monday), to prevent further escalation and facilitate security operations, according to an official source cited by Syrian state media. JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 20th Group of Twenty (G20) Summit on Saturday adopted a declaration calling for strengthening multilateralism and fostering equitable global governance, despite the boycott of the United States. "The G20 Presidency has culminated into a progressive declaration ... that will revolutionize how the Global South participates and plays in the global economy," South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said following the announcement of the declaration. The 122-point declaration, titled "G20 South Africa Summit: Leaders' Declaration," underscores the need to address global challenges through multilateral cooperation and calls for stronger support for developing countries to advance inclusive growth and sustainable development. Although G20 members unanimously endorsed the declaration, the United States, which refused to attend the summit, has said that it would reject any outcome document presented as a G20 consensus without its consent. Tensions between South Africa and the United States have escalated since the start of the year. The U.S. administration froze its assistance to South Africa, alleging that the Expropriation Act, a land reform law signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January, "discriminates" against white South Africans. Observers said that South Africa angered the United States in December 2023 when it brought a case before the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing "genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza. Bilateral relations have remained strained throughout this year. Citing what it called discriminatory land policies against white South Africans, Washington first cut development assistance to Pretoria and later expelled the South African ambassador. In August, the U.S. government imposed a 30 percent tariff on South African goods, making South Africa the sub-Saharan African country facing the highest U.S. tariff rate. The South African government rejected Washington's accusations as lacking "factual accuracy and failing to recognize South Africa's profound and painful history of colonialism and apartheid." Throughout this year, the United States has repeatedly said that no officials would attend the summit. South African G20 Sous-Sherpa Xolisa Mabhongo confirmed receiving a letter from the United States ahead of the summit, in which Washington said it would only accept a "chair's statement" reflecting a lack of consensus. In response, Chrispin Phiri, a spokesperson of South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), said that the United States' absence negates its role over the G20's conclusions, reiterating that Pretoria would not be bullied. "We cannot allow coercion by absentia to become a viable tactic," Phiri said. "It is a recipe for institutional paralysis and the breakdown of collective action." Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Ramaphosa, told reporters on Saturday at the media center that "the mere fact that we have an agreed declaration shows that the world is embracing multilateralism, and the world is embracing cooperation and collaboration." Stressing the multi-polar world is in real action, Lamola said: "The world is here, the African continent is here, global institutions are here. Multilateralism has been affirmed." Frank Lekaba, a senior lecturer of Wits School of Governance at the University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg, hailed the adoption of the declaration as a win for Africa. "I think it already reasserted the centrality of the G20 and the legitimacy of the G20 and the South African presidency," said the expert. South Africa assumed the rotating G20 presidency on Dec. 1, 2024, becoming the first African nation to hold the position. The United States is scheduled to take over the presidency on Dec. 1, 2025. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at Thursday's briefing that only a U.S. envoy would attend the presidency handover ceremony at the end of the summit. Magwenya on Saturday reiterated at the media center that the South African president will not hand over to a junior embassy official. "It is a breach of protocol that is not going to be accommodated or allowed in this instance. It is a position of principle." "America chose to boycott the summit. That is their choice and that is their prerogative to do so. But what cannot happen is a breach of protocol being forced," he noted. Briefing the reporters after the first session of the summit, Lamola said that the United States has to collect the G20 presidency from the DIRCO offices. "No one will steal that spotlight. The African continent has made it," said the South African foreign minister, highlighting the summit as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the African continent. DUSHANBE, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Japan to reflect on and correct its mistakes as soon as possible, rather than stubbornly clinging to the wrong path. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a media interview after concluding his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, where he held strategic dialogues respectively with their foreign ministers from Nov. 19 to 22. If Japan persists in its own way and keeps making the same mistakes, all countries and people who advocate justice have the right to re-examine Japan's historical crimes and have the responsibility to resolutely prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism, Wang said. Noting that firm mutual support on core interests is an inherent part of the China-Central Asia community with a shared future, Wang said China is willing to be a steadfast supporter and strong defender of peace, stability and development in Central Asia. China opposes any interference in the internal affairs of Central Asian countries and will never allow anyone or any force to create division or turmoil, he emphasized. Wang said he briefed the foreign ministers of the three countries on China's principled position regarding the Taiwan question and exposed the wrongful words and actions of Japan's current leader, which have openly infringed upon China's core interests and challenged the post-World War II international order. He said that Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have openly emphasized that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. They oppose any form of "Taiwan independence" and firmly support all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. Their collective voice is timely, as it not only supports China's legitimate position on the Taiwan question but also upholds the fundamental norms of international relations, once again clearly demonstrating that the one-China principle is an unshakable consensus of the international community, said Wang. Noting this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Wang said that the return of Taiwan, stolen by Japan at the time, to China was explicitly stipulated in a series of international documents such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. This is an undeniable achievement of the victory of World War II and an international obligation that Japan, as a defeated country, must continue to observe, Wang added. In this crucial year, what Japan should do most is to deeply reflect on its history of invading and colonizing Taiwan, deeply reflect on the war crimes committed by militarism, abide by the rules and act with restraint and prudence on Taiwan and historical issues, he noted. Wang said that it is shocking for a sitting Japanese leader to openly send a wrong signal of attempting to intervene militarily in the Taiwan question -- saying what should not be said and crossing a red line that must not be touched. China must resolutely hit back -- not only to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also to defend the hard-won post-war achievements secured with blood and sacrifice, and to uphold international justice and human conscience, he said. The Chinese people love peace and are friendly towards their neighbors. However, on major issues concerning national sovereignty and territorial integrity, they will never make any compromise or concession, said the Chinese foreign minister. The Japanese government has made solemn commitments on the Taiwan question in the four political documents between China and Japan, which have the effect of international law and leave no room for ambiguity or misinterpretation, he said, stressing that no matter which party or person is in power in Japan, these commitments must be adhered to. A person cannot establish himself in society without integrity, and a nation cannot stand among nations without credibility, he said. Wang said he briefed the three countries on the significance and key elements of the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). China's commitment to high-quality development and high-standard opening up will create new development opportunities and cooperation space for neighboring countries, including those in Central Asia, and countries around the world, Wang said. The three countries highly recognize China's successful governance model, are willing to learn from China's experience in state governance and administration, and look forward to China providing more certainty and stability for countries in the region and the wider world, he said. Noting that the next year will mark the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, Wang said that China will take it as an opportunity to build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future. The three Central Asian countries highly appreciate the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, believing that these major initiatives meet the general aspirations of people across the world and the pressing needs of today's world, said the Chinese foreign minister. The three countries confirmed that they will join the group of friends for global governance and the International Organization for Mediation as soon as possible, Wang said, adding that China welcomes a greater role played by Central Asian countries in international and regional affairs. China-Central Asia trade has been growing, and China has become Central Asia's largest trading partner, Wang said. In the first three quarters of this year, two-way trade between China and the five Central Asian countries was nearly 80 billion U.S. dollars, up 15.6 percent year-on-year, and the figure for the whole year is expected to exceed 100 billion dollars, he said. Wang said that China-Central Asia investment is also expanding. China has become a major source of investment for Central Asian countries, he said, adding that to date, China's total investment in Central Asian countries has exceeded 50 billion dollars. People-to-people exchanges between China and Central Asia are booming, Wang said. In the first three quarters of this year, the number of travelers from the five Central Asian countries to China increased by 37.7 percent year-on-year, and the number of travelers from the Chinese mainland to Central Asia increased by 50 percent year-on-year, he said. China is ready to work with Central Asian countries to accelerate common development through win-win cooperation and deliver more benefits to the relevant countries and their people, he said. Compared with other C5+1 mechanisms, the defining feature of China-Central Asia cooperation is that they are close neighbors just like family; the biggest strength is that they need and complement each other; and the greatest consensus is on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Wang said. China and Central Asian countries always adhere to the principles of treating all countries equally, regardless of size, and making decisions through consultation and consensus; they always uphold mutual trust and support, with cooperation never tied to any political conditions; they are always committed to common development, working together to address various risks and challenges and safeguarding regional security collectively, Wang said. JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday urged joint efforts from Beijing and Berlin to strengthen dialogue and communication, and properly handle their respective concerns. Li made the remarks when meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the 20th Group of 20 Summit. Sunday's front pages focus on a range of stories, from Denis O'Brien losing his defamation battle to a 'stampede' of landlords leaving the housing market. The Business Post reports that Denis OBrien is facing a 2 million bill after losing a recent defamation case. This Sundays edition. Pick up a copy in-store, or subscribe to read at https://t.co/u5ystSGUtr: Denis OBrien facing 2m bill in defamation defeat Comer and Magnier clash over doping claims Newstalk and Virgin to face same conflict-of-interest rules as RTE pic.twitter.com/ZybfEzPiOB Business Post (@businessposthq) November 23, 2025 Sunday Independent, the number of landlords leaving the market is accelerating ahead of new tenancy rules, according to estate agents across the country. #IrishFrontPages - todays Sunday Independent with Sport, Business Post and Irish Mail on Sunday pic.twitter.com/4YRjcOwwml the Irish World (@theirishworld) November 23, 2025 Israel struck Lebanons capital for the first time since June, saying it killed Hezbollahs chief of staff Haytham Tabtabai and warning the Iran-backed militant group not to rearm and rebuild a year after their latest war. The strike in Beiruts southern suburbs killed five people and wounded 25 others, Lebanons Health Ministry said. Hezbollah confirmed Tabtabais death. It is not yet known if anyone was injured in the incident (Bilal Hussein/AP) Earlier it said the strike, launched almost exactly a year after a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war, threatened an escalation of attacks just days before Pope Leo is scheduled to visit Lebanon on his first foreign trip. We will continue to act forcefully to prevent any threat to the residents of the north and the state of Israel, Israeli defence Minister Israel Katz said. Advertisement The military instructed residents in northern Israel near the Lebanese border to continue with daily routines, indicating that it did not anticipate a military response from Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Tabtabai of leading Hezbollahs efforts to rearm. Israeli airstrikes over southern Lebanon have intensified in recent weeks while Israel and the US have pressured Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. Israel asserts that the group is trying to rebuild its military capabilities. The Lebanese government, which supports disarming Hezbollah, has denied those claims. It also says troops have deployed to the south but that its cash-strapped army needs more resources. People and Civil Defence workers gather at the site where an Israeli airstrike hit an apartment building on Dahiyeh in the southern suburb of Beirut (Bilal Hussein/AP) Hezbollah has not attacked Israel since the ceasefire began. In December, it fired a couple of rockets that landed on open territory near an Israeli military base and called it a warning. Tabtabai had been the apparent successor of Ibrahim Aqil, who was killed in September 2024 in Israeli attacks that wiped out much of Hezbollahs senior leadership, including long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah. Tabtabai also had led Hezbollahs elite Radwan Unit. In 2016, the US designated him as a terrorist, calling him a military leader who led Hezbollahs special forces in Syria and Yemen, and it offered up to five million dollars for information about him. Hezbollahs leadership is studying the matter of response and will take the appropriate decision, Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollahs political council, told journalists at the scene. Advertisement The strike on the southern suburbs today opens the door to an escalation of assaults all over Lebanon. Israeli airstrikes over southern Lebanon have intensified in recent weeks while Israel and the United States have pressured Lebanon to disarm the powerful militant group. Lebanese Red Cross volunteers work at the site where an apartment building was hit during an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh in the southern suburb of Beirut (Bilal Hussein/AP) Israel asserts that Hezbollah is trying to rebuild its military capabilities in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese government, which has approved its militarys plan that would disarm Hezbollah, has denied those claims. Lebanons President Joseph Aoun in a statement condemned Sundays strike and accused Israel of refusing to implement its end of the ceasefire agreement. He called on the international community to intervene with strength and seriousness to stop the attacks on Lebanon and its people. Israels military statement said Israel remains committed to the understandings agreed upon by Israel and Lebanon. Smoke could be seen in the busy Haret Hreik neighbourhood. A video circulated on social media showed dozens of people crowded around the area of the strike, which appeared to be on the fourth floor of an apartment building. Lebanese Red Cross volunteers work at the site where an apartment building was hit during an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh in the southern suburb of Beirut (Bilal Hussein/AP) Gunshots could be heard to disperse crowds as emergency workers arrived. This is definitely a civilian area and void of any military presence, especially the neighbourhood where we stand, Hezbollah parliamentarian Ali Ammar told reporters near the site. Advertisement Lebanon and United Nations peacekeepers have been critical of ongoing Israel attacks in the country and accuse Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. Mr Aoun last week said the country is ready to enter negotiations with Israel to stop its airstrikes and to withdraw from five hilltop points it occupies on Lebanese territory. It was unclear if Israel would agree. Mr Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam say they are committed to disarming all non-state actors in the country, including Hezbollah. US politicians critical of Donald Trumps approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war have said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told them the peace plan the president is pushing Kyiv to accept is a wish list of the Russians and not the actual proposal offering Washingtons position. A State Department spokesperson denied their account, calling it blatantly false. Mr 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 favourable to Moscow. It all added up to a confusing and potentially embarrassing turn of events for a Trump administration-blessed peace plan that already faces a potentially rocky future. Advertisement The widely leaked 28-point US-backed peace plan is, according to the White House, the result of a month of work between Mr Rubio, Mr Trump and envoy Steve Witkoff, along with input from what it said was both Ukrainians and Russians. The senators claim US Secretary of State Marco told them the plan is a wish list of the Russians (Mandel Ngan/pool/AP) The plan acquiesces to many Russian demands that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. Mr 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, speaking at a security conference in Canada. They want to utilise it as a starting point. He said it looked more like it was written in Russian to begin with. The senators said they spoke to Mr Rubio after he contacted some of them while on his way to Geneva for talks on the plan. Senator Angus King said Mr 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 Mr Rubios message on the call. Mr Rubio, who serves as both national security adviser and secretary of state, is attending a meeting in Geneva on Sunday to discuss Washingtons proposal as part of a US delegation. Advertisement He wrote on X: The peace proposal was authored by the US. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously categorically rejected some parts of the peace plan he is now being pressed to accept (PA) It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine. A senior Trump administration official, who insisted on anonymity to detail internal discussions, noted the White House has consistently maintained the plan was authored by the US 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 towards working to a more lasting peace plan. The senators have said the plan will reward Moscow for its aggression and send a message to other leaders who have threatened their neighbours. It rewards aggression. This is pure and simple. Theres no ethical, legal, moral, political justification for Russia claiming eastern Ukraine, Mr King said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed the proposal, saying it could form the basis of a final peace settlement if the US can get Ukraine and its European allies to agree. Mr Zelensky has not rejected 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. As the talks got under way in Geneva, the Ukrainian president said on Telegram: A positive result is needed for all of us. Ukrainian and American teams, teams of our European partners, are in close contact, and I very much hope there will be a result. Bloodshed must be stopped and it must be guaranteed that the war will not be reignited. Top US and Ukrainian officials said they were making progress towards ending the Russia-Ukraine war as they discussed the American proposal to achieve peace despite concerns among many of Washingtons European allies that the plan was far too conciliatory to Moscow. US secretary of state Marco Rubio described the first session of high-stakes talks in Geneva as probably the most productive and meaningful meeting since President Donald Trump returned to office in January. Mr Rubio said the delegations would meet for a second time later on Sunday. US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and US secretary of state Marco Rubio at the beginning of talks with the Ukrainian delegation at the US Permanent Mission (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP) Defying that optimistic tone was Mr Trump himself, who used a lengthy online post to blast Ukraine for a lack of gratitude for US military assistance, while shying away from criticising Russia. There was a sense of urgency underpinning the discussions: Mr Trump has set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to respond to the plan. But he also has suggested that could slide if there was proof of real progress and that the plan was not his final offer. Advertisement Some American and European supporters of Ukraine have panned the plan as too favourable to Moscow. This will ultimately have to be signed off by our presidents, although I feel very comfortable about that happening given the progress weve made, said Mr Rubio, who was joined at the talks by army secretary Dan Driscoll and Mr Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff. Russia will also need to approve the final peace plan, Mr Rubio said. The head of the Ukrainian delegation, presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, also confirmed an initial session of talks had concluded and that a second meeting would soon take place. I want to confirm that we had a very productive first session with the distinguished American delegation. We have made very good progress and are moving forward to a just and lasting peace, he said. Very soon today the second meeting will take place, where we will continue to work on joint proposals with the engagement of our European partners. Final decisions will be taken by our presidents. US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and US secretary of state Marco Rubio at the beginning of talks with the Ukrainian delegation at the US Permanent Mission (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP) Before the meeting, Mr Trump on Sunday used a lengthy online post to blast Ukraine for a lack of gratitude for US military assistance, while notably shying away from criticising Russia. With strong and proper US and Ukrainian LEADERSHIP, Mr Trump wrote, Russias invasion of Ukraine would have NEVER HAPPENED. Advertisement Mr Trump also took a swipe at US allies in Europe, writing, UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. After Mr Trumps post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was grateful for US-led efforts on security, but stressed that the crux of the entire diplomatic situation is that it was Russia, and only Russia, that started this war. Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump for the assistance that starting with the Javelins has been saving Ukrainian lives. The talks are taking place on Sunday at the US Permanent Mission in Geneva, Switzerland (Martial Trezzini/Keystone/AP) We thank everyone in Europe, in the G7, and in the G20 who is helping us defend life. It is important to preserve the support. It is important not to forget the main goal to stop Russias war and prevent it from ever igniting again. The leadership of the United States is important, we are grateful for everything that America and President Trump are doing for security, and we remain as constructive as possible, Mr Zelensky said in a post on Telegram. Advertisement Ukraine and allies have ruled out territorial concessions The 28-point blueprint drawn up by the US to end the nearly four-year war has sparked alarm in Kyiv and European capitals. Mr Zelensky has said his country could face a stark choice between standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs. The proposal, originating from negotiations between Washington and Moscow, acquiesces to many Russian demands that Mr Zelensky has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. The Ukrainian leader has vowed that his people will always defend their home. Before convening with US officials, Mr Yermak and his team also met with national security advisers from the UK, France and Germany. The allies have rallied around Kyiv in a push to revise the plan, which is seen as favouring Moscow. US, left, and Ukrainian, right, delegations at the beginning of their talks at the US Permanent Mission in Geneva, Switzerland (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP) Speaking before Sundays talks, Alice Rufo, Frances minister delegate at the Defence Ministry, told broadcaster France Info that key points of discussion would include the plans restrictions on the Ukrainian army, which she described as a limitation on its sovereignty. Ukraine must be able to defend itself, she said. Russia wants war and waged war many times in fact over the past years. On Sunday, Mr Zelensky said that there was an understanding the US would take into account a number of elements in a peace deal that are important for Ukraine, but did not elaborate further. Advertisement There have already been brief reports from the team about the results of the first meetings and conversations, he said. There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraines national interests. Previously, Trump said the US proposal was not his 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, Mr Trump told reporters outside the White House on Saturday. One way or the other, we have to get it ended. Mr Trump did not explain what he meant by the plan not being his final offer and the White House did not respond to a request for clarification. Top US and Ukrainian officials said they were making progress towards ending the Russia-Ukraine war but provided scant details as they discussed the American proposal to achieve peace despite concerns among many of Washingtons European allies that the plan was far too conciliatory to Moscow. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said high-stakes talks in Geneva were very worthwhile and constituted the most productive day in a very long time on larger efforts to end the fighting. I feel very optimistic that we can get something done, Mr Rubio said. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a video address to the nation in Kyiv, Ukraine (Press Service Of The President Of Ukraine/AP) But he offered very little information on what was discussed, allowing only that discussions would continue on Monday and perhaps deeper into the week. He also suggested that Europes role and responsibilities as spelled out under the US peace plan might be separated from facets more directly involving the responsibilities of Russia and Ukraine. Advertisement And Mr Rubio noted that any final product, once it is ready, will still have to be presented to Moscow: Obviously, the Russians get a vote here. In a subsequent statement on Sunday night, the White House said the Ukrainian delegation affirmed that all of their principal concerns security guarantees, long-term economic development, infrastructure protection, freedom of navigation, and political sovereignty were thoroughly addressed during the meeting. It added that the Ukrainians expressed appreciation for the structured approach taken to incorporate their feedback into each component of the emerging settlement framework. The White House said changes made to the proposal now reflect their national interests and provide credible and enforceable mechanisms to safeguard Ukraines security in both the near and long term. Mr Rubios attempt to strike such a positive tone while offering no evidence of a breakthrough constituted a more nuanced approach than US President Donald Trump himself. Before talks even really began, the president blasted Ukraine for a lack of gratitude for US military assistance, while shying away from criticising Russia. Mr Trump has set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to respond to the plan. But he also has suggested that could slide if there was proof of real progress and that the plan was not his final offer. Mr Rubio also undermined the idea that the deadline was looming, saying simply that officials want to see fighting stop as soon as possible. Advertisement Some American and European supporters of Ukraine have panned the plan as too favourable to Moscow. Questions intensified after a bipartisan group of US senators said Mr Rubio told them on Saturday that the plan had originated with Russia and was actually a wish list for Moscow, rather than a serious push for peace. US left, and Ukrainian, right, delegations at the beginning of their talks in Geneva (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP) The head of the Ukrainian delegation, presidential chief of staff Andrii Yermak, also confirmed an initial session of talks had concluded and that a second meeting would soon take place. I want to confirm that we had a very productive first session with the distinguished American delegation. We have made very good progress and are moving forward to a just and lasting peace, he said. Very soon today the second meeting will take place, where we will continue to work on joint proposals with the engagement of our European partners. Final decisions will be taken by our presidents. Before the meeting even began, however, Mr Trump suggested he did not expect much. He posted on his social media site that: UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA. After Mr Trumps post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cheered US-led efforts on security while also stressing that the crux of the entire diplomatic situation is that it was Russia, and only Russia, that started this war. Ukraine is grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump, Mr Zelensky wrote in a post on Telegram, adding: We thank everyone in Europe. Advertisement It is important not to forget the main goal to stop Russias war and prevent it from ever igniting again. Ukraine and allies have ruled out territorial concessions The 28-point blueprint drawn up by the US to end the nearly four-year war has sparked alarm in Kyiv and European capitals. Mr Zelensky has said his country could face a stark choice between standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs. US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon his arrival to the White House (Jose Luis Magana/AP) The proposal, originating from negotiations between Washington and Moscow, acquiesces to many Russian demands that Mr Zelensky has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. The Ukrainian leader has vowed that his people will always defend their home. Before convening with US officials, Mr Yermak and his team also met with national security advisers from the UK, France and Germany. The allies have rallied around Kyiv in a push to revise the plan, which is seen as favouring Moscow. On Sunday, Mr Zelensky said that there was an understanding the US would take into account a number of elements in a peace deal that are important for Ukraine, but did not elaborate further. There have already been brief reports from the team about the results of the first meetings and conversations, he said. There is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraines national interests. Advertisement Mr Trump has not clarified his comment on Saturday that the US proposal was not his 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, Mr Trump told reporters outside the White House on Saturday. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and US secretary of state Marco Rubio talk to the press as their consultations continue (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP) One way or the other, we have to get it ended. Rubios reported comments cause confusion Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Sunday that Warsaw was ready to work on the plan with the leaders of Europe, Canada and Japan, but also said that it would be good to know for sure who is the author of the plan and where was it created. Some US lawmakers said on Saturday that Mr Rubio had described the plan as a Russian wish list rather than a Washington-led proposal. A US State Department spokesperson said that account was blatantly false. Mr Rubio took the extraordinary step of suggesting online that the senators were mistaken, even though they said he was their source for the information. The top Democrat on the US Senate Intelligence Committee, senator Mark Warner told ABCs This Week on Sunday that the peace plan appeared to be almost a series of Russian talking points, had made Europeans feel like theyve been totally left high and dry and had led to ferocious pushback. Possibility for additional talks Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he would hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. He said he would talk to the Russian leader about reviving a previous deal from July 2022 that allowed Ukraine to safely ship exports of grain via the Black Sea. The agreement stayed in place until the following year, when Mr Putin refused to extend it, saying that a parallel agreement promising to remove obstacles to Russian exports of food and fertiliser had not been honoured. We had a grain corridor endeavour to open the path to peace, Mr Erdogan said. Unfortunately we were only partially able to succeed. Tomorrow I will be asking Putin to revisit the endeavour. Mr Erdogans new diplomatic push comes just days after he met with Mr Zelensky in Ankara. Advertisement Updated BusinessCompaniesMergers & acquisitions BHP walks away from takeover talks with Anglo American Simon Johanson Updated November 24, 2025 8:11am ,first published November 24, 2025 6:13am 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 Key points Mining giant BHP has ended its renewed talks with rival Anglo American regarding a potential merger. BHP confirmed holding recent discussions but stated it is no longer considering a combination, though it believes in the strategic merits. BHP reserved the right to resume its interest if circumstances materially change. Australian mining giant BHP says it is no longer considering a merger with rival Anglo American after confirming it had again discussed a tie-up more than a year after its first failed attempt. The global resources company headquartered in Melbourne confirmed on Monday that it held talks with Anglo over recent days, overtures that Bloomberg reported on Sunday, citing sources familiar with the matter. For BHP and CEO Mike Henry, the move will represent a test of how far the company is willing to go in its efforts to grow in copper. Bloomberg BHP said in a statement that it continues to believe that a combination with Anglo American would have had strong strategic merits and created significant value for all stakeholders. Following preliminary discussions with the board of Anglo American plc, BHP Group Ltd confirms that it is no longer considering a combination of the two companies. Advertisement Related Article Opinion Iron ore Chinas Pilbara Killer is finally on the prowl Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The miner said, while it was confident of its own highly compelling potential for organic growth, it nonetheless reserves the right to set aside its current position if Anglos board agrees to do the same, another bidder makes an offer for Anglo, or if the UKs panel on Takeovers and Mergers indicates there is a material change of circumstances. John Mills, equity analyst with Morningstar, said the lack of financial detail on BHPs latest disclosure of talks with Anglo makes it difficult to determine why Anglos board had rejected its approach. There would have been some sort of figure involved, whether it was shares or cash, or a combination thereof, otherwise it would have been harder for Anglo to just to fob them off, he said. BHP, which has a $205 billion market capitalisation, is one of the worlds largest producers of copper, accounting for about 1.9 million tonnes of the sought-after red metal annually. Advertisement Copper is a key ingredient in the worlds energy transition away from fossil fuels, with prices and demand soaring over the past decade as miners rush to keep up with rising global consumption. The renewed tie-up talks between BHP and Anglo American come just months after Anglo, listed on Londons exchange, agreed to plans to merge with Canadas Teck Resources in a move that will create a global copper-focused heavyweight producing about 1.2 million tonnes annually, a significant rival to BHP. Anglo and Teck shareholders will vote within two weeks on the $92 billion merger, although the deal will still need approval under the Investment Canada Act. Mills said shareholder approval for the Anglo Teck deal was likely a foregone conclusion but gaining approval from Canadian regulators was a wild card. In May last year, BHP abandoned a $75 billion takeover bid for Anglo American after a tense six-week chase. Advertisement At the time, BHP boss Mike Henry flew to London for eleventh-hour meetings following crucial month-long negotiations which resulted in BHP increasing its offer three times before finally convincing Anglo Americans board to engage with its proposal. BHPs new approach comes less than three weeks before shareholders from Anglo and Teck are scheduled to vote on their deal to create a new copper giant worth more than $US60 billion combined. Bloomberg The company then dramatically pulled away from making a formal bid after failing to secure an extension to a deadline to commit to a binding offer on terms it could agree to. Its fresh attempt at talks suggest it may have reservations about the previous deals lack of success. The copper tussle comes as BHP is fighting a game of brinkmanship with the Chinese government over the global pricing of its largest commodity, iron ore. Beijing on Friday expanded its embargo on purchases of a particular blend of BHPs iron ore as it seeks to control pricing of the key steel-making ingredient using the buying power of the state-run China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG). Advertisement Media reports suggest Beijing ordered Chinas steel mills and traders to cease purchasing jingbao fines, a low grade iron ore which forms a small percentage of the miners exports. The ban follows an earlier embargo of another ore blend. The news was greeted by a fall in the companys share price, which is down 3.67 per cent over the past five days. But the stock closed slightly higher on Monday to close at $40.46. BHP and CMRG have been at an impasse over contract negotiations since September. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Its making its southern hemisphere debut at the 2026 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, which also includes an epic Greek feast and events with local favourites Iain Huey Hewitson and Helen Goh. Baked goods for days, a 1600-person Greek feast and dozens of international chefs will take over the state when the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival returns next year. It runs from March 20 to 29, spanning 200 events across Melbourne and regional Victoria. The hugely popular Cake Picnic will make its southern hemisphere debut. Isabel Spooner Martinez Leading the bumper program is the southern hemisphere debut of Cake Picnic, which started in San Francisco as a 15-person cake swap but has erupted into a viral sensation, with wildly successful events attended by thousands in the US and London. The premise is simple: No cake, no entry. Buy a ticket, bake a cake and bring an appetite for everyone elses creations. Its gonna be big, its gonna be fun, says festival creative director Pat Nourse of the picnic happening at Kings Domain, with room for 1600 people. The last couple of events sold out in seconds. Staying sweet, another headline act is Helen Goh, the Melbourne-raised pastry chef and a longtime collaborator with Yotam Ottolenghi. Goh will not only host a one-off three-course lunch, but also contribute sweet treats to the Bakers Dozen, a bigger-than-Ben-Hur bake sale by Victorias best, back for a fourth year. Therell be a hot cross bun bar with butter butlers and interstate guest bakers. The year has seen a plethora of new products across the beauty sphere. These are the best of the best. November 23, 2025 Stephanie Darling 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. OSLO, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store has highlighted Norway's growing support for solar power development in South Africa, as he visited Norwegian-owned solar power plants in the country, the government said in a release on Sunday. Store visited the Damlaagte and Ilikwa solar power plants in South Africa's Free State province on Friday. The plants were developed by Mainstream Renewable Power, in which Norway's Aker Horizons ASA is a major shareholder. According to the Norwegian government, the company has provided renewable energy to around 200,000 households, while the two plants Store visited together supply electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of roughly 120,000 households. While progress in renewable energy deployment has been rapid, Store underscored the need for more investment and cooperation on solar power across the African continent. "Some 600 million people on the African continent lack access to electricity. At the same time, Africa has an abundance of sunshine, which is a good source of renewable energy. I had the chance to see how Norwegian companies are helping to produce renewable energy. This solar energy plant is serving both to reduce emissions and create growth," Store said during the visit. South Africa remains heavily dependent on coal, which accounts for about 85 percent of its power production. The Norwegian side sees solar projects such as Damlaagte and Ilikwa as examples of how foreign investment can both ease the country's energy crisis and contribute to its green transition. "These solar power plants are an excellent example of how Norwegian investments are being used to advance the green transition across the world. Plants such as this also create new jobs," said the prime minister. Norway is investing widely in renewable energy development in South Africa as part of its support for the country's long-term plan to phase out coal and implement a green transition. Norfund, the Norwegian investment fund for developing countries, has invested around 5 billion Norwegian kroner (about 480 million U.S. dollars) in South Africa, predominantly in renewable energy projects. Advertisement Updated NationalNSWCrime Man shot in Sydney home invasion, police seize getaway car Jack Gramenz Updated November 24, 2025 1:21pm ,first published November 24, 2025 6:04am 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 Three men who police believe are behind a home invasion and shooting in Sydneys west were forced to flee on foot after police stopped them reaching their getaway vehicle. CCTV footage from a nearby street, obtained by Nine News, appears to show the men running from the scene of the attack in Penrith, during which a 26-year-old man was shot in the leg. CCTV appears to show the men fleeing the scene of the Penrith home invasion. Nine News Emergency services were called to Stafford Street about 11.45pm on Sunday, with the shooting victim taken to Westmead Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Five paramedic units attended the shooting including three intensive care teams. The incident is believed to be a targeted attack, with a person in the home known to police, but not the man who has been shot. Advertisement NSW Police Superintendent Trent King said an SUV found near the scene has been seized for forensic examination. Police are very confident that it is linked to this offence, he said. A man has been taken to hospital after being shot in the leg during a home invasion in Sydneys west. Nine News We actually intercepted them trying to get back to their SUV, and as a result, theyve run away on foot. Investigators have appealed for dashcam footage from the area. Advertisement The shooting is the latest in a spate of gun violence across Sydney. At least a dozen shots were fired into a home at Macquarie Fields on November 5. Loading Another man in his 20s was shot in the leg at Greenacre on November 12. Up to 40 shots were fired into a home at Casula in Sydneys south-west on November 15. Advertisement Three shootings in four hours on Wednesday night targeted homes and businesses, with one elderly couples Bossley Park home being shot again 48 hours later. Vision later emerged online of a gunman allegedly opening fire on the home on Friday morning. The automatic weapon allegedly used in the shooting was later found in an Audi crashed near the scene. Loading A 22-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy have been charged and remain before the courts. Former detective Luke Taylor told Nines Today program on Monday the spate of shootings across Sydney could be linked to an emerging power vacuum as influential organised crime groups split. Advertisement Other gangs, people who were once affiliated with these gangs, splintering off and trying to become top dog in the gang scene in Sydney. With that, comes an increase in violence, Taylor said. A gunman opens fire on a Bossley Park home on Friday morning. SCN Worldstar On Friday, Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said gun violence in the citys west was definitely not out of hand. Weve made significant arrests. We will not stand for the type of violence you are seeing there, he said. Advertisement Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. 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. Loading 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. Advertisement NationalQueenslandQueensland SEQ mayors family cars attacked three times outside home Julius Dennis November 24, 2025 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A south-east Queensland mayor says screws have been drilled into the tyres of her familys cars outside their home three times since she was elected last year. Redlands Mayor Jos Mitchell says the screws have been the same each time, and have always been drilled into the back right tyre, furthest from the house. A screw was put in my husbands drivers side rear tyre. It was a Phillips head screw. Not long after that, my daughters drivers side rear tyre, parked in the same location. Same screw, same tyre, Mitchell said. Redlands Mayor Jos Mitchell says the screws are always in the drivers side rear tyre. Julius Dennis On this most recent occasion [November 8], same screw, same tyre position in my sons tyre. Advertisement Mitchell was elected in March last year after long-time mayor Karen Williams decided she wouldnt run again following a drink-driving scandal that catapulted her into the news. The race was heated. The former federal member for Bowman, Andrew Laming, also ran for mayor, putting even more of a spotlight on the race. One of several screws found in cars owned by Jos Mitchells family. Mitchell ran as part of a team calling for council change, eventually winning 52 per cent of the votes for mayor ahead of Lamings 26 per cent. Cindy Corrie came third with 22 per cent of the vote. Mitchell said that during the election campaign, her own car was damaged several times, in what she believed were deliberate attacks. Advertisement The first couple, I thought it was just a coincidence. They were smaller bits of damage to the car, like dings, she said. However, they increased in regularity. These incidents were investigated by police, and this masthead understands the latest tyre episodes are also under investigation. An incident in December 2024, when a drone allegedly swooped low into the mayors yard, was reported to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and was also on the polices radar. Mitchell, who was previously a police officer herself, said she believed the acts of damage were meant to intimidate her. I believe they are intimidatory tactics because they are small, and they are consistent, she said. Advertisement Mitchell has been the subject of almost 50 complaints to the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA), which deals with councillor conduct. Last month, she publicly called for changes to the OIA process, which allows people to make complaints anonymously. Brisbane Times does not insinuate anyone involved in council politics is behind the alleged offences, or that there is a link between the OIA complaints and the incidents at Mitchells home. Jos Mitchell believes the acts of damage are meant to intimidate her. Julius Dennis Queensland Parliament Clerk Neil Laurie has previously spoken about the increase in threats against politicians. In February, a submission from Laurie calling for state MPs to receive an allowance of $6500 to spend on home security was approved by the Queensland Independent Remuneration Tribunal, but this did not extend to local councillors. Advertisement Advertisement People say things online and interact in conversations online that they would not say in person. The online discourse around Redlands local politics is often heated, with derogatory remarks made about councillors and the mayor on Facebook groups from all sides of politics. Ive received my fair share; Ive told my family not to look at them now, they are quite pointed and quite hateful, and some of them do make you feel unsafe, Mitchell said. As a result of the incidents at her home, the mayor said she has had to beef up her own security. Weve installed security cameras. Were installing more security cameras. So you have to spend money and, unfortunately for councillors at our council, there is no funding to pay for this, so you pay for it at your own expense, she said. Advertisement Ive been doing that to beef up the possibility of finding out whos doing this. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaVictorian Parliament Opinion The Liberal Party has been too slow to adapt to our contemporary society Fran Bailey Former federal minister November 23, 2025 4:00am November 23, 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 201 View all comments The morning of Tuesday, November 18, at Victorias Parliament House revived the words of Desmond Tutu: Hope is being able to see light despite all the darkness. The unanimous election of Jess Wilson to become the first female leader of the state Liberal parliamentary party and opposition leader, has provided all Victorians with that light, to see a secure future for our state. This is generational change. Photo: Matt Davidson Jess Wilson was born in 1990, the year I was elected to the House of Representatives in our federal parliament, becoming the first Liberal woman to be elected to the House in a Victorian seat. Advertisement I applaud the Liberal Party for their decision to elect Wilson because in doing so, they have provided all Victorians with a beacon of hope. Hope for a fair, tolerant and secure future for all of us who reside in this state. Hope for restoring faith in our political institution that is meant to govern for all of us, not just sections of our community or for groups who yell the loudest. This change by the Liberal Party is long overdue. It demonstrates to all Victorians that the state Liberal Party has finally put aside its propensity for making itself an issue and has accepted the challenge to adapt and be prepared to recognise that among its ranks there is a young woman, a mother, who possesses the skills needed to tackle the ever-increasing long list of problems that define Victoria today. Related Article Liberal Party Who is Jess Wilson? The Millennial MP who overthrew Brad Battin The party has been prepared to recognise that within their ranks, they have a young woman with the appropriate and contemporary skills to tackle the enormity of the task to restore Victoria economically and socially. She is someone who has already demonstrated an ability to work collaboratively with her parliamentary colleagues and has a wealth of experience in the wider business community. Wilson grew up in a political family, no doubt following her father, Ron, who was the Liberal member for Bennettswood from 1999 to 2002, around his electorate and learning first hand that you cant hope to be an effective representative unless you know your constituency and what concerns them. With a father like Ron Wilson, this drive to understand peoples views and needs, and, importantly, to follow up and actually take action is in her DNA. Advertisement I know personally that Jess Wilson follows these principles because I first met her standing in a shopping centre in her electorate chatting to people of all ages and nationalities. She firmly believes in earning the trust of the people she represents. Wilson understands the enormity of the task and responsibility of the job she has accepted. She understands that, in becoming the elected leader of the Liberal Party of this once great state, she will have to earn the trust of her fellow Victorians from all walks of life. She will have to convince them that if we are to have any chance of a secure future and a safe and tolerant society, we will need to change. Our society has changed and adapted over the past decades into the contemporary society of today, one in which 31 per cent of all Australians were born overseas. There are many responsibilities our government must consider with care such as the increasing number of people who now work from home, social issues of housing insecurity, the cost of energy, gender diversity, rising rates of homelessness (especially among older, single women) and both the challenges and opportunities of the emerging, fast-changing world of artificial intelligence. New Victorian Liberal Party leader Jess Wilson with her husband, Aaron Lane, and son Patrick. Jason South Wilson will play a vital role in managing a world that is vastly different to the one her parents brought her into. Adapting to change can often be difficult and challenging, especially recognising emerging opportunities and managing these new challenges, as they arise. The Liberal Party has been too slow to respond to the challenges of our contemporary society. Now, here in Victoria, we have made an important step by accepting the reality of change and electing a well-qualified Millennial in Jess Wilson. Advertisement This decision sends a very clear message to the community the Liberal Party in Victoria understands that change is evolutionary and is responding to that change positively and responsibly. It also sends a clear message that we have in our new leader someone who understands how to attract investment, understands the importance of harnessing the climate change transition by creating new opportunities for business, and, importantly, embracing our entrepreneurial spirit to achieve this change. As well, this change of leadership has the potential to attract more well-educated, young people into participating in our parliamentary process. Former Howard government minister Fran Bailey in 2007. Craig Abraham Wilson has the opportunity to demonstrate that the principles and values of the Liberal Party are as relevant today as a bedrock of our society as they have been in past generations, underpinning the development of our nation. The values of individual freedom, choice, diversity, tolerance and compassion will always provide incentives to achieve and triumph over racism, violence and bigotry. Advertisement Wilson understands that our Victorian economy is on life-support measures caused by the ever-increasing debt, currently approaching $200 billion and growing, racked up by the Labor government. This is why Victoria is going backwards and why so many Victorians are struggling to make ends meet. She understands that in order to become fiscally responsible and be able to provide and pay for future essential services, the Victorian government must start to repay that massive debt. Only then can we, once again, be a productive state capable of servicing that debt. Related Article Opinion Political leadership The exceptional thing about the battle of the bobs? Its not exceptional Chip Le Grand State political editor It will be a daunting task to confront this miasma of debt in our state economy, but Wilson is up for that challenge. All Victorians need her skills to break through the economic darkness that envelopes our state. Wilson has demonstrated that her way is to methodically and fairly consult, with respect, before making an assessment or decision. With this change of style, she will restore integrity to government, a subject she passionately believes in. She spoke of the importance of integrity of the parliament in her maiden speech. It is vital that we are governed with consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. Jess Wilson and your team, we are counting on you to deliver a secure future for all of us. Advertisement Fran Bailey is a member of the Liberal Party and a former minister in the Howard government who served in the House of Representatives in federal parliament from 1990 to 1993 and 1996 to 2010, representing the Division of McEwen in Victoria. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Victorian Parliament Opinion For subscribers Jess Wilson Fran Bailey is a member of the Liberal Party and a former minister in the Howard government who served in the House of Representatives in federal parliament from 1990 to 1993 and 1996 to 2010, representing the Division of McEwen in Victoria. Advertisement NationalWARenting Distressing report names Perth the most unaffordable capital for renters Holly Thompson November 23, 2025 11:01pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 1 View all comments Perth has retained its position as Australias most unaffordable capital city for renters for the second year running, climbing to the top of the list after once being listed as the countrys most affordable. The National Shelter Economics and Planning Rental Affordability Index, which compares median rent to average income, found Perth also recorded the largest drop in affordability, down a further 4 per cent from last years record low. Perths median rent now consumes 32 per cent of an average rental households income higher than Sydney and Adelaide which sit at 30 per cent. In 2021, the median rent took up just 21 per cent of household income in Perth. Advertisement Rental affordability for regional WA has also crashed to its lowest level in more than a decade, recording the steepest annual drop in affordability compared to all capital cities and regions, down 5 per cent from last year. In 2020, rents in regional WA were affordable, taking 19 per cent of an average rental households income now they are categorised as moderately unaffordable, consuming 28 per cent of income. Shelter WA chief executive Kath Snell said the reports findings were distressing, but unfortunately not surprising. Its mind-boggling that Australias wealthiest state has the worst affordability for renters, she said. Just a few years ago, Perth was Australias most affordable capital city now it is the most expensive, overtaking Sydney. Advertisement This housing crisis is no longer confined to those on the lowest incomes, its climbing the ladder affecting working families ... effectively plunging them into housing stress. Snell said that while the state government were making progress, what the state needed was ambition that matches the scale of the crisis. That means an additional 5000 social and affordable homes per year, capping rents, reining in short-stay rentals, ending no grounds evictions, and improving minimum standards, she said. SGS Economics and Planning principal Ellen Witte said Perths rental market has shifted from steady to spiralling. In the three years before COVID, median rents rose by just 1 per cent a year, but over the three years since, theyve surged by around 14 per cent a year, she said. Advertisement Since 2020, rents in Perth have climbed by more than 90 per cent, completely erasing the affordability gains made in previous years. So, how is unaffordability actually impacting renters? The index found Perths coastal and central suburbs recorded the worst affordability. It classified rent for single JobSeekers and single pensioners as critically unaffordable in Perth and regional WA, and extremely unaffordable for single parents working part-time. For a full-time hospitality worker, rents are extremely unaffordable in Perth chewing up half of their income, and severely unaffordable for the regional WA taking 44 per cent. Advertisement Matilda Campbell (a pseudonym to protect her identity for future rental applications) said she had been renting a spare room that was advertised online, in a home with parents and their young child. They had advertised the room at a cheap rate to help them offset their mortgage and the arrangement had been working, Campbell said, until they began asking her to look after their child for them. Campbell started looking for another place to stay, but found nothing within reach. I was studying and working. I had a casual job that didnt have any guaranteed hours. My income, it was pretty bad. I think I was making about $600 a week, she said. Advertisement There were some (rental options) around for $250 a week, but that just felt very unaffordable to me at the time. Campbell now has a full-time job, but had to move back in with her parents. So many people are capitalising on the desperation of others, she said. It is a basic need housing is a basic need and a human right, and people are doing anything they can to get what they want out of that sometimes. She said the laws needed to change before anything got better. Advertisement I think there should be rental caps, and I dont think real estate agents should be able to determine the price of a property, there needs to be an independent body formed that determines the value, Campbell said. They must ask agents and landlords: Where did you get the price from when you were pricing this rental? How did you come up with that number? Overwhelmingly, the answer every single time I have asked has been Im matching market value, but the people who decide the market value are the people who have investment properties so of course its going to increase. In another case, Lynette, 72, who did not want her last name used, and her husband, 73, are living on pension payments of $966 per week. The rent on their apartment has just been increased to $825 per week. Advertisement Lynette said her husband could only work for a few hours per day because if he worked longer, they would lose their pension. The pair are now worried they will become homeless. Landlords are extremely greedy, and we know first hand it is nothing to do with their mortgage, Lynette said. Im ready to explode. Housing All Australians founder and executive director Robert Pradolin said the rental crisis was also having a negative impact on WAs economy. Advertisement From cafes and hotels to hospitals and childcare centres, businesses across WA are struggling to find staff because theres nowhere affordable for them to live nearby, he said. Even WAs community services sector the very people supporting our most vulnerable cant recruit or retain staff because workers cant afford to live in the communities they serve. Housing that people can afford is absolutely critical economic infrastructure and without it our prosperity is being held back. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsFederalFive Minutes with Fitz Opinion Wells wanted to be a diplomat but shell be content saving Generation Alpha Peter FitzSimons Columnist and author November 23, 2025 4:00am November 23, 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 61 View all comments Anika Wells is the minister for communications and minister for sport. She has been the driving force behind the legislation that in little more than a fortnight will ban those younger than 16 engaging in social media. Fitz: Minister, what were your political touchstones growing up? AW: My first political memories are of my dad regularly laughing and delighting in Paul Keating skewering the opposition in question time. And I remember also doing a school assignment in primary school about traffic signs around our school. And the local state MP called me up about it, which really impressed me. Communications Minister Anika Wells. Alex Ellinghausen Fitz: And yet politics was not your initial ambition? Advertisement AW: No, I always thought I wanted to be a judge or, more probably, a diplomat. Thats why I studied French at school and went on a year-long exchange to a fishing village an hour south of Nantes. I thought it would put me on the pathway to diplomacy. Fitz: Hence why, when I met you in Paris two years ago, I noted your French was word-perfect and near accent-less. What took you away from that? AW: Well, the lightning bolt moment on that journey was joining Young Labor and meeting Bill Shorten. He was going around the group, What do you want to do when you grow up? And I said, I want to be a diplomat. He said, No, you dont. You want to be a politician. And I was really taken aback, and said, No, thats not what I want. I want to be a diplomat. And he said, Well, lets see about that ... Wells says she and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are on the same page on delaying social media access for children. Alex Ellinghausen Fitz: And we did. When you finally did move into standing for preselection, who was your own political hero? Advertisement 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. 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? Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement Fitz: Yes, but dyb, dyb, dyb, dob, dob, dob, hand on your heart and hope to die do you honestly, believe in it? Related Article Social media Shut it down: The sites already policing the worlds first social media ban 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. Advertisement 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? Related Article Good Weekend Idk what to do: Teens share their thoughts after test-driving the social-media ban 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. Advertisement 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. Loading 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. Advertisement 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? Related Article Social media Noted zealot: eSafety Commissioner called to testify before US Congress 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. Advertisement 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? Advertisement 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. 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 PoliticsQueenslandQueensland Rail QR training hundreds of new drivers to avoid another epic rail fail Felicity Caldwell November 24, 2025 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 6 View all comments Its been almost a decade since hundreds of train services were cancelled after the opening of a new rail line, with the saga culminating in revelations that Queensland Rail did not have enough drivers. With Cross River Rail launching by 2029 a new 10.2 kilometre rail line, including four new underground stations Queensland Rail is working to train hundreds of new staff to avoid a repeat. Following in the footsteps of 67 new drivers last financial year, Laurina Neumann is a few months into her training. Trainee driver Laurina Neumann in one of Queensland Rails train simulators. Felicity Caldwell Neumann did not grow up wanting to be a train driver, but was looking for a career change from teaching and aviation. Advertisement Im not a 9 to 5, Monday to Friday office kind of person, so when I looked into the railway, it grabbed my attention, she said. You need to be dedicated. When I get home after work, Im studying and going over everything Ive learnt. It is like learning an entirely new language. Youre learning new systems, new equipment, how trains and railways operate theres a lot to it. Queensland Rail now has 716 drivers and 768 guards in supply across the south-east Queensland network a big jump from December 2016, when there were fewer than 500 drivers. The Redcliffe Peninsula Line opened with much fanfare in October that year. But only a few weeks later, 167 services were cancelled, with another 261 canned on Christmas Day. Advertisement The unfolding saga led to a new timetable that cut 462 services to restore reliability and several resignations. An inquiry, led by Phillip Strachan, revealed a five to 10 per cent undersupply of train staff, with an over-reliance on overtime. Queensland Rail now has more than 700 trained drivers. Felicity Caldwell Strachan recommended an extra 200 drivers and 200 guards be recruited and trained. That milestone was reached in mid-2021. He also recommended training be sped up from 18 months to nine months or less. That too has been achieved the training program now takes 8 months. Advertisement Candidates go through a comprehensive recruitment and selection process, including psychometric and psychomotor tests. If selected, their training includes 1400 hours of classroom theory on rail safety, signalling systems, and emergency procedures; simulator training; and time on the controls of a real train without passengers for on-track experience with tutor drivers. The train simulator, seen from the outside, can also simulate the movement of a train travelling and braking. Felicity Caldwell They study a complex network comprising 850 kilometres of track, 2000 signals and 152 stations. In the simulator which can be an NGR (New Generation Rollingstock), IMU (Interurban multiple units) or other train on a virtual network that mirrors the real thing, right down to the whistle signals and passengers trainees learn how to react safely and instinctively when the unexpected happens. Advertisement Service delivery training manager Mitch Strathie said Queensland Rail received many applications, but the assessment was rigorous, and they only took the best of the best. A lot of people grow up wanting to be a train driver from the time theyre a kid, he said. Asked whether AI could drive Brisbanes trains, Strathie said that was a long time away. We have potential trespassers in the corridor, we have weather events, we have level crossings that we interact with the driver needs to be alert 100 per cent of the time and at this stage, theres just no technological solution that can do that, he said. Strachan recommended recruitment be opened to external applicants, including people with no previous rail experience, to accelerate a train crew surplus. Advertisement Related Article Queensland Rail Inside the room where officers control the entire Brisbane train network Queensland Rail does now recruit externally, but often fills roles internally, including with station customer service officers and train guards. This way, new drivers coming through the ranks have already spent time immersing themselves in the world of trains, a spokeswoman said. This also means competitive internal pathways for career development at Queensland Rail. With just a few years until Cross River Rail launches, a Queensland Rail spokeswoman said the organisation was ensuring it had the workforce ready for the new line. Advertisement We are working really closely with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to support its planning and delivery of these key projects, which includes determining future train crew requirements, she said. Tutor driver Dave Ramsay joined Queensland Rail as a guard, did the driver training program in 2020, and now teaches the next generation of drivers. Ramsay said when driving a train, everything might be the same 99 per cent of the time. Its that 1 per cent of the time when its something different, and you have to react to it ... its like that hyper-focus type of job, where distraction is our number one enemy, he said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement WorldEuropeEpstein fallout Andrew should give evidence to Epstein committee, Starmer suggests Tony Diver November 23, 2025 8:48am 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 Key points The former Duke of York was summoned by the US House oversight committee to give evidence about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein but missed a deadline to respond to the official request last week. British PM Keir Starmer stated that individuals with relevant information should be prepared to share it, though he would not comment on the particular case. His potential evidence is sought ahead of the release of the Epstein files, after US President Donald Trump signed a bill to compel their disclosure. 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. 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. Advertisement Asked by reporters travelling with him at the G20 summit in Johannesburg whether Mountbatten-Windsor should appear, Starmer 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. Related Article Royal family Andrew officially no longer a prince, as US seeks interview over Epstein The congressional committee investigating Epstein does not have the power to compel foreign witnesses to appear, and has so far been ignored by 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. Advertisement 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, US President Donald Trump signed a bill that will force the Justice Department to release a cache of Epsteins emails within 30 days, with some exemptions. Loading Trump 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. Advertisement 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 Mountbatten-Windsors potential involvement in the congressional investigation, Starmer 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. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Starmer has largely avoided commenting on Mountbatten-Windsors involvement with Epstein. Getty Images The Labour government last month rejected calls for a debate on whether to strip 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. Advertisement Mountbatten-Windsors association with Epstein, which included visits to his private island, Little St James, has plagued him for more than five years. Related Article Epstein fallout How a Republican and a Democrat forced Trumps hand on Epstein 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. Giuffre died by suicide in April. Mountbatten-Windsor stood down from all royal duties in 2019 and renounced his remaining titles last month, with the agreement of King Charles, amid concern from Buckingham Palace that his personal life was distracting from the work of the monarchy. In a statement released at the time, Mountbatten-Windsor said he would no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. He added: As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me. Advertisement The Telegraph, London Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaCancer JFKs granddaughter reveals terminal cancer diagnosis Harriet Alexander November 23, 2025 7:19am 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 Key points Tatiana Schlossberg, the 35-year-old granddaughter of JFK, has disclosed she has terminal acute myeloid leukaemia and less than a year to live. She revealed the diagnosis, received shortly after the birth of her second child in May last year, in an emotional New Yorker essay. Schlossberg, who is the daughter of former US ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, has been undergoing various treatments and two clinical trials. 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. 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. Advertisement Its not leukaemia, I told George. What are they talking about? Further tests revealed a diagnosis of leukaemia with a rare mutation known as Inversion 3, a genetic anomaly found in less than 2 per cent of cases and more commonly seen in older patients or first responders at Ground Zero. Schlossberg had just turned 34. Prince William and Caroline Kennedy, along with her children Jack and Tatiana Schlossberg, tour the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston in 2022. AP I did not could not believe that they were talking about me, Schlossberg wrote. 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. Advertisement Schlossberg is the second daughter of Edwin Schlossberg and Caroline Kennedy, who served as the US ambassador to Australia from 2022 to 2024. Kennedy announced in September last year, four months after Schlossberg received her diagnosis, that she would leave her post and return to the United States regardless of the election results. 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, Schlossberg wrote in her essay. Caroline Kennedy served as the US ambassador to Australia until November 2024. James Brickwood Now I have added a new tragedy to her life, to our familys life, and theres nothing I can do to stop it. Tragedy has followed the Kennedy family since John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. His brother, Bobby, was shot while campaigning in 1968. JFKs son, John F. Kennedy Jr, died in a plane crash in 1999 that also killed his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Advertisement Schlossberg, an environmental journalist, has been receiving treatment including a bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy and blood transfusions, and has joined two clinical trials. Related Article US politics JFKs influencer grandson to run for Congress During the latest clinical trial, my doctor told me that he could keep me alive for a year, maybe, she wrote. My first thought was that my kids, whose faces live permanently on the inside of my eyelids, wouldnt remember me. She has been leaning on her sister, Rose, a filmmaker, and her TikTok influencer brother, Jack, to help raise her children. Jack, who has built a social media profile based on bizarre rants, announced last week that he is running for Congress. Schlossberg said she and her family had been embarrassed by her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a vaccination sceptic, running for president. He was confirmed as secretary for the Department of Health as she was undergoing treatment. Advertisement The Trump administration stripped federal funding from Columbia University, where she received treatment at the medical centre, but has since agreed to restore it. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaRussia-Ukraine war Rewrite begins on US peace plan for Ukraine amid Republican revolt Michael Koziol and David Crowe Updated November 24, 2025 11:33am ,first published November 24, 2025 4:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 301 View all comments Key points Confusion has erupted in Washington over the authorship of a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, with one Republican senator describing it as a Russian wish list. The backlash comes as European leaders have countered with a rival 24-point proposal, creating a diplomatic standoff ahead of a Thursday deadline set by President Trump for Ukraine to accept the US terms. President Donald Trump has distanced himself slightly, calling the plan a framework rather than a final offer, but also attacked Ukraines President Zelensky on social media for showing zero gratitude. Washington/London: The 28-point peace deal being pushed on Kyiv by the Trump administration will be rewritten to fully uphold Ukraines sovereignty following negotiations between US and Ukrainian officials, and confusion in Washington about the origins of the proposal. The delegations that met in Geneva drafted an updated peace plan, according to a statement from both parties, and will continue intense work on the emerging settlement framework over the coming days ahead of the loose Thursday deadline issued by US President Donald Trump. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) speaks to reporters alongside Ukraines head of presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, in Geneva on Sunday. AP Meanwhile, a White House summary of the meeting, which did not outline the agreed changes, said Ukraine was satisfied by what had transpired. The Ukrainian delegation affirmed that all of their principal concerns security guarantees, long-term economic development, infrastructure protection, freedom of navigation, and political sovereignty were thoroughly addressed during the meeting, the readout said. Advertisement The US delegation was led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and army secretary Dan Driscoll. The Ukrainian team was led by Andriy Yermak, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskys office. Rubio told reporters in Geneva it was the best meeting they had had all year. Zelensky also sounded positive about changing the draft US plan after speaking with Western leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The first draft of the peace plan was thrashed out by Donald Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff (centre). Rubio (right) was not fully looped in. AP Diplomacy has been reinvigorated, and this is good. We expect the outcome to deliver the right steps, Zelensky said. The rewrite came as European leaders pushed for a rival 24-point peace plan that seeks to maintain pressure on Russia by holding sanctions in place and allowing foreign defence forces to be stationed on Ukrainian soil. Advertisement It also came as some Republicans grew alarmed about the provenance of the initial US proposal, which was generally seen as harsh on Ukraine and light on concessions asked of Russia (which started the war). Related Article Updated Russia-Ukraine war Absolutely senseless: Trump peace plan triggers backlash in Ukraine Multiple US senators, after being briefed by Rubio on the weekend, said the secretary had conveyed in their calls that the 28-point plan was not a proposal by the US government. He made it very clear to us that we are the recipients of a proposal that was delivered to one of our representatives. It is not our recommendation. It is not our peace plan, Republican senator Mike Rounds said at a news conference on the sidelines of a security forum in Canada. But hours later, Rubio flatly rejected that characterisation of the briefings. The peace proposal was authored by the US, he wrote on X, characterising it as a framework for ongoing talks. Advertisement US State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott also sought to control the damage, calling the senators claims blatantly false. He said the document was written by the US with input from Russia and Ukraine. A Russian wish list Bloomberg News reported on Sunday (Monday AEDT) that the plan largely resulted from behind-the-scenes talks between Witkoff and his Russian counterpart, Kirill Dmitriev, including an October meeting in Miami that included Kushner. Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Trump personally for support. Getty Images According to Bloomberg, Rubio was not fully looped in until late in the process, while Trump found out about it at the last minute, but he blessed it once he was briefed. Advertisement Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said the proposal looked like a Russian wish list. Its better for the United States not to make such incredible concessions to the Russians because I think ultimately it puts us at a disadvantage, he told TV network NewsNation. Related Article Russia-Ukraine war Western leaders say Trumps plan leaves Ukraine vulnerable and needs work Republican congressman from Nebraska Don Bacon, who sits on the House armed services committee, said the messy situation had hurt the US, undermined its alliances and encouraged its adversaries. Some people better get fired on Monday for the gross buffoonery we just witnessed over the last four days, he said. Todd Young, a Republican senator from Indiana, said he was pleased that Trump acknowledged the plan was not a final offer. Its time to tighten the thumbscrews on [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, not throw in the towel against him, he said. Advertisement But Trump instead tightened the screws on Zelensky. In a social media post, he reprised his previous complaints that Kyiv was ungrateful for US support and Europe was hindering peace efforts. UKRAINE LEADERSHIP HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS, AND EUROPE CONTINUES TO BUY OIL FROM RUSSIA, Trump wrote. Natalia and Anatoliy Zhygunov cry at the coffin of their son Ruslan, a Ukrainian serviceman who was killed at the frontline. AP He claimed again that the war, which began in February 2022 when Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, would not have happened if there had been strong and proper US and Ukrainian leadership at the time. Meanwhile, European leaders pushed alternative proposals as their officials met US and Ukrainian counterparts in Geneva. Advertisement Like the US plan, the European proposal says Russia would rejoin the global economy and be restored to the group of major economies, which would again become the G8, but it differs dramatically in keeping sanctions in place until there is proof of long-term peace. While the US seeks to cap the Ukrainian military at 600,000 personnel, the European plan suggests 800,000. Crucially, the European plan avoids any restriction on placing foreign troops on Ukrainian soil a scenario ruled out in the draft US plan and says it would be up to NATO members to decide if Ukraine could join the defence pact. The European terms are in keeping with the long-term position put by leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Macron, when they convened the coalition of the willing among national leaders to consider a peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he would be open to considering the options, but has made no commitment about sending Australian peacekeepers. 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. This photo taken on Nov. 23, 2025 shows a residential apartment damaged by an Israeli airstrike in Haret Hreik, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon. At least five people were killed and 25 others injured on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential apartment in Haret Hreik, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and 25 others injured on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential apartment in Haret Hreik, Beirut's southern suburbs, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the strike, saying it attempted to kill Haytham Ali Tabatabai, whom Netanyahu described as Hezbollah's de facto chief of staff that "led the organization's force build-up and armament efforts." "Israel is determined to pursue its objectives anywhere and at any time," Netanyahu said. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah mentioned whether Tabatabai was killed in the strike. According to Lebanon's Al-Jadeed TV channel, the strike also caused heavy damage to buildings and parked cars in the highly-populated neighborhood. Hezbollah said the area contains no military centers. Hospitals in Beirut's southern suburbs said they are in urgent need for blood units of all types, whereas the Lebanese army said it has imposed a security cordon in the area. Following the strike, Israeli warplanes continued to fly low over the southern suburbs' Dahieh region. Earlier in the day, Netanyahu told the weekly cabinet meeting that Israel "will continue doing whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing its ability" to threaten Israel. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strike, calling it "another sign of disregard for repeated calls to halt attacks and implement international resolutions." He urged the international community to act decisively to stop the strikes, prevent regional tensions, and spare further bloodshed. In a separate development, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that an Israeli drone strike earlier in the day targeting a car in the village of Aita al-Shaab in southern Lebanon's Bint Jbeil district killed one person. A Lebanese security source told Xinhua that the dead was a Hezbollah member named Mohammad Saleh. Since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27, 2024, which largely ended about 13 months of cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has struck Beirut a few times, while attacking other areas in southern and eastern Lebanon almost daily, claiming they are aimed at eliminating Hezbollah "threats." It has also maintained 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. This photo taken on Nov. 23, 2025 shows the damaged vehicles at the scene of an Israeli airstrike in Haret Hreik, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon. At least five people were killed and 25 others injured on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential apartment in Haret Hreik, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) This photo taken on Nov. 23, 2025 shows a residential apartment damaged by an Israeli airstrike in Haret Hreik, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon. At least five people were killed and 25 others injured on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a residential apartment in Haret Hreik, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) Advertisement WorldSouth AmericaClimate policy Takeaways from heated UN climate talks in Brazil Melina Walling , Anton L. Delgado and Seth Borenstein November 23, 2025 9:46am 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 Belem: After two weeks of negotiations, this years United Nations climate talks ended with a compromise that some criticised as weak and others called progress. The deal finalised at the COP30 conference pledges more money to help countries adapt to climate change, but lacks explicit plans to transition away from the fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas that heat the planet. Brazils Environment Minister, Marina Silva, left, speaks as COP30 president Andre Correa do Lago listens at a news conference at the COP30. AP The conference didnt do as much as scientists thought the world needed. It wasnt as meaningful as activists and Indigenous people demanded. Few countries got everything they wanted. And the venue even caught fire. But that disappointment is mixed with a few wins and the hope for countries to make more progress next year. Advertisement Heres what you need to know about the outcome. Leaders tried to nail down specifics on fighting climate change Leaders have been working on how to fight the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather and sea level rise, for a decade. To do that, every country had the homework of writing up their own national climate plans and then reconvened this month to see if it was enough. Loading Most didnt get a good grade and some havent even turned it in. Advertisement Brazil, host of the climate conference known as COP30, was trying to get them to co-operate on the toughest issues like climate-related trade restrictions, funding for climate solutions, national climate-fighting plans, and more transparency on measuring the progress of those plans. More than 80 countries tried to introduce a detailed guide to phase out fossil fuels over the next several decades. There were other to-do items on topics including deforestation, gender and farming. Delegates from Ethiopia, host of COP32, pose for a photo at the COP30. AP Countries reached what critics called a weak compromise Nations agreed to triple the amount of money promised to help the vulnerable countries adapt to climate change. But they will take five more years to do it. Some vulnerable island countries said they were happy about the financial support. Advertisement But the final document didnt include a road map away from fossil fuels, angering many. After the agreement was reached, COP president Andre Correa do Lago said Brazil would take an extra step and write its own road map. Not all countries signed up to this, but those on board will meet next year to specifically talk about the fossil fuel phase-out. It would not carry the same weight as something agreed to at the conference. Also included in the package were smaller agreements on energy grids and biofuels. Responses ranged from happy to angry Given what we expected, what we came out with, we were happy, Alliance of Small Island States chair Ilana Seid said. Advertisement But others felt discouraged. Heated exchanges took place during the conferences final meeting as countries sniped at each other about the fossil fuel plan. Related Article Updated Climate policy Turkey refused to budge, so Australia caved. Why is Albanese still calling it a win? I will be brutally honest: the COP and the UN system are not working for you. They have never really worked for you. And today, they are failing you at a historic scale, a Panama negotiator, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, said. Sierra Leones Environment and Climate Change Minister, Jiwoh Abdulai, said: COP30 has not delivered everything Africa asked for, but it has moved the needle. He added: This is a floor, not a ceiling. The real outcome of this years climate talks will be judged on how quickly these words turn into real projects that protect lives and livelihoods, he said. Advertisement Talks set against the Amazon rainforest Participants experienced the Amazons extreme heat and humidity and heavy rains that flooded walkways. Organisers who chose Belem, on the edge of the rainforest, as the host city had intended for countries to experience first-hand what was at stake with climate change, and take bold action to stop it. Related Article Political Sketch Climate crisis Australia beaten by the Turks. Dont mention the war But afterwards, critics said the deal showed how hard it was to find global co-operation on issues that affected everyone, most of all people in poverty, Indigenous people, women and children around the world. At the start of this COP, there was this high level of ambition. We started with a bang, but we ended with a whimper of disappointment, said former Philippine negotiator Jasper Inventor, now at Greenpeace International. Advertisement Indigenous people, civil society and youth One of the nicknames for the climate talks in Brazil was the Indigenous peoples COP. Yet some in those groups said they had to fight to be heard. Protesters from Indigenous groups twice disrupted the conference to demand a bigger seat at the table. While Indigenous peoples rights werent officially on the agenda, Taily Terena, an Indigenous woman from the Terena nation in Brazil, said so far she was happy with the text because for the first time it included a paragraph mentioning Indigenous rights. She supported countries speaking up on procedural issues because that was how multilateralism worked. Its kind of chaotic, but from our perspective, its kind of good that some countries have a reaction, she said. 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. THREE Carlow businesses were rightly victorious at the annual Good Food Ireland Awards ceremony at the K Club, Straffan, County Kildare. The businesses that scooped the much-coveted awards were Murphys Butchers Tullow that were named as Meat Producer of the Year; Malone Fruit Farm Ballon which brought home the gong for Fruit and Vegetable Producer of the Year; and Ballykealey House in Ballon which scooped the Food Lovers' Choice Award for Irelands Ancient East. The Malones from Malone's Fruit Farm are presented with their award The producer of the year category recognised producers for their premium produce, commitment to sourcing local ingredients, sustainable practices and collaboration with the local community. It was a particularly special night for the Malone and Murphy families, as James Malone and Jim Murphy, who went on stage to accept their respective awards, both grew up together on Church Street in Tullow. We lived on Church Street for years and then moved out to Ballon when the fruit farm was getting bigger and needed a bit more land, explained James Malone. So, Jim and I grew up on the one street and both won an award on the same night, which was lovely. Murphys Butchers and Malone Fruit Farm were selected as winners by an independent panel of Irish and international experts, following mystery inspections and assessments of produce while Ballykealey House was chosen as one of the Food Lovers Choice award winners by members of the public. Bernadette and Jim Murphy from Murphy's Craft Butchers in Tullow with judges at the recent Good Food Ireland Awards James Murray, executive head chef at Ballykealey House, said that the hotel, which primarily focuses on weddings, joined Good Food Ireland in 2020 to highlight to customers how they support local producers, which includes their fellow award winners. Its fantastic that three companies from little Carlow have won these prestigious awards: a food producer, a butcher and a venue itself. Its recognition of the hard work and dedication. We are so lucky in Carlow that we have the likes of Murphys Butchers and Malone Fruit Farm here." Winter in March is a handcrafted film that uses soft materials to explore difficult, often painful subjects. Director and writer Natalia Mirzoyan has called it a documentary road movie. Though based on real events experienced by Mirzoyans friends and her own family, the film distorts reality into a dreamlike, surreal experience, blending nightmares and anxieties with recent history. Opening on a young Russian couple, the film follows Dasha and Kirill, on the morning their country launches its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Shocked and appalled, they struggle to comprehend the unfolding events. While Kirill becomes paralyzed by anxiety, Dasha tries to join protests against the war and the regime. But the protests are quickly suppressed, and Kirills mental state worsens. Feeling helpless and saddened, the couple decides to pack their belongings and leave their country for good. On their route to Georgia, Kirill falls deeper into depression, while Dasha remains determined to get them both out of Russia safely. The metaphorical cold of the Russian winter lingers behind them as they experience Kafkaesque encounters at border checkpoints. Winter in March premiered in May 2025 at the Festival de Cannes, in the La Cinef section, finishing in third place (ex aequo). The film later won an Oscar-qualifying Best Short Film award at the Sarajevo Film Festival and was recently selected as a European Film Awards 2027 Short Film Candidate. Since May, it has received more than ten notable international awards. The Story and Message From the outset, the filmmakers behind Winter in March recognized that the experiences of a couple escaping an oppressive regime cannot be compared with the suffering of people being invaded by that same regime. After all, what are anxiety, uncertainty, and uncomfortable circumstances compared to the bombings, killings, and torture endured by the people of Ukraine? Even so, the message of Winter in March felt important to them: voices of opposition and peace voices that may one day help influence change from within aggressor states also have weight and should be heard. The films composer, Evgeny Fedorov of the Russian alternative rock band Tequilajazzz, had to leave Russia after publicly opposing the war and the political regime. After receiving threats against his life, he fled through the Estonian border just weeks into the invasion. Estonia granted him political refugee status. The collaboration between Natalia and Evgeny adds additional layers to Winter in March and reinforces its themes of resistance, individual agency, and peace. Evgeny hopes the film will reach others who oppose the dictatorial oppression and aggressive behavior of their countries. Natalia admits that when she began working on Winter in March, she hoped the war would be over by the time the film was completed. Sadly, that hope did not materialize, and the war continues today. With regret, she notes that the film now resonates with even more viewers worldwide, who perceive echoes of their own socio-political realities. As democracies struggle around the globe, people find recognition and solace in the films message. She hopes that freedom will endure, that human rights issues will receive the attention they urgently need, and that the people of Ukraine will soon know peace again. Production and Collaboration Natalia Mirzoyan had already established herself as an award-winning filmmaker best known for her 2018 short Five Minutes to Sea before making Winter in March. Originally from Armenia, she lived and worked in Saint Petersburg until the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Like the protagonists of her film, she left Russia in the spring of 2022. She settled in Estonia and, as a long-time admirer of Estonian stop-motion animation, pursued a masters degree at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Winter in March is her first puppet stop-motion film and began as her graduation project. Natalia learned puppet-making under the mentorship of Anu-Laura Tuttelberg. Ulo Pikkov, head of the Estonian Academy of Arts animation department, saw the films potential and approached Estonian animation studio Rebel Frame with the idea of producing Winter in March professionally. This led to a collaboration between Rebel Frame, the Estonian Academy of Arts, and Armenias ArtStep-Studio, later joined by co-producers from France and Belgium. Metaphors and Symbolism The decision to use fabric and cotton was deliberate. The fragility of fabric how it tears or unravels symbolizes the strained mental state of people who feel powerless to change decisions made by their government, such as waging war on another country. In Russian slang, vatnik literally made of cotton refers to stubborn supporters of the oppressive regime. In American history, cotton carries its own symbolic associations, evoking the legacy of slavery and systemic oppression. Ice, snow, and cold also play significant symbolic roles. They reflect the protagonists deepening anxiety as they realize they have no choice but to abandon their home and country. A recurring scene shows Dasha slowly sinking into the snow, as the inevitability and helplessness of their situation take hold. The creators of Winter in March can only hope that the coldness of todays geopolitical climate will eventually pass just as even the harshest Russian winter always gives way to spring. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), visits Shenzhen municipal committee of the CPPCC in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 21, 2025. Wang made a fact-finding and research tour in Shenzhen and Huizhou, two cities located in southern China's Guangdong Province, from Nov. 21 to 23. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) SHENZHEN, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Huning has urged efforts to gather people's support, consensus, wisdom and strength to ensure that decisive progress is achieved toward the country's goal to basically realize socialist modernization. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks during a fact-finding and research tour in Shenzhen and Huizhou, two cities located in southern China's Guangdong Province, from Nov. 21 to 23. After he was briefed on the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, Wang underlined the need to build up more experiences that can be replicated and applied to other areas to further boost the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. While visiting a memorial museum dedicated to a CPC-led guerrilla force against Japanese aggression in Guangdong during World War II, Wang urged efforts to promote the great spirit forged in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and inspire the public to carry forward the revolutionary heritage and follow the Party and its guidance. While visiting several other localities, he called for efforts to implement relevant measures and policies aimed at facilitating the growth of the private sector, to enhance cross-Strait economic and cultural exchange and cooperation, to foster rural industries with local features, and to boost law-based governance of religious affairs. Wang also stressed that the CPPCC should prioritize the thorough study and implementation of the guiding principles from the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee as a major political task, and serve the central tasks of the Party and the country with high-caliber deliberation and suggestions. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), visits a memorial museum dedicated to a CPC-led guerrilla force against Japanese aggression in Guangdong during World War II, in Huizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 23, 2025. Wang made a fact-finding and research tour in Shenzhen and Huizhou, two cities located in southern China's Guangdong Province, from Nov. 21 to 23. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) A large crowd of people filled the Soddy Daisy city hall hoping to talk to the city commissioners about a rezoning issue. A request has been made by Jamie Thomas to rezone property at 7849 Dayton Pike from C-2 Local Business, A-1 Agricultural and R-2A Rural Residential to M-1 Industrial District to build an asphalt plant. The same request was denied in August for land at the intersection of Thrasher Pike and Holland Johnson Road. On Thursday the concerned people overflowed from the commission room into the hall and out the doors despite the rainy and foggy night, only to be told that Mr. Thomas had given a letter to the city that same day asking to move the hearing to Jan. 15. Barbara Henry, speaking for the disgruntled public, asked the commissioners to find a way to notify the public beforehand if there is a cancellation or a delay about issues on the meeting agendas. A lot of people went to a lot of trouble, but were willing to do it because the rezoning item had the possibility of affecting their property values, she said. City Attorney Sam Elliott responded that the commissioners would have had to vote to change the agenda after it was published and could not do that because of the late notification. Commissioner Marcus Keith brought up a requirement that in the future the city should be given a reasonable amount of time for a request to delay, to prevent a situation like this so the public can be notified. That will be a topic of discussion at an upcoming workshop. The citizens also requested a larger venue for the Jan. 15 meeting and the city will try to find another location in time to let people know. There were more questions and discussion about the citys planning commission with resident Diane Walker asking if the composition of the board was diverse to ensure impartiality, and she was satisfied with the response. The seven-member planning commission had voted five to two in favor of the rezoning issue. Commissioner Travis Beene said there is a misconception about the Soddy Daisy planning commission. He said they make recommendations for or against developments but the recommendation then is passed to the city commissioners. They are the representatives who have been voted for and is the body that actually makes the decision, he told the audience. Another issue at the commission meeting drew some concern from both residents and the council, which was a request to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the organization Southeast Emergency Response and the Soddy Daisy Fire Department. This group provides assistance to people after an emergency such as fire. The intent is taking care of people when they have no insurance and have had an emergency such as a fire and nowhere to stay. The city customarily turns to Red Cross in that situation and this would give another option. But the commissioners want clarification that the agency will not go after the homeowner for reimbursement in the event that they do have insurance and it fails to pay for whatever help is provided due to the emergency. A request was made for Southeast Emergency Response to do a presentation at the next commission meeting. In regular business, the commissioners approved an agreement for professional design services for Holly Park. Soddy Daisy received a $250,000 grant from Hamilton County to use on parks. To receive the grant, the city will match that amount, giving a total amount of $500,000 for the new park project. The first step that was approved will be to hire design consulting services for the amount of $43,840 that will come from the grant. The city is gearing up for Christmas with several holiday events and activities scheduled. Nooga Lights is expanding the light show this year. On Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays there will be a walk-through display at the state park by the lake. The rest of the week will be a drive-through display. The citys annual Christmas evert, Holly Jolly Jamboree will be on Friday, Dec. 5, at Veterans Park from 4-9. It will feature lights, and food and market vendors. The Soddy Daisy Christmas Parade will be on Sunday, Dec. 7, and information about a coat and toy drive will be on the citys website. With Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene announcing that she will resign her seat, several candidates are starting to come forward. Small business owner, Christian conservative, and Dalton City Councilman Nicky Lama said he is strongly considering a run for Congress to represent Georgias 14th Congressional District. Councilman Lama said he was encouraged by an outpouring of supporters, grassroots conservatives, and community leaders urging him to step forward at a moment when the district needs fresh energy, bold America First leadership, and leaders grounded in faith-based values. I have been humbled by the calls, messages, and conversations encouraging me to consider running for Congress, Councilman Lama said. My love for public service goes back to my grandfather, Ed Painter who taught me that being involved in the political process is both a duty and a privilege. My Christian faith guides me, and its what inspired me to run for City Council - to make our community better, to apply conservative values, and to ensure government works efficiently for families and small businesses. Councilman Lama said, "Washington needs new blood rooted in faith and real-world experience - not more career politicians. You can be a strong conservative, fight for America First principles, and stand firmly with the MAGA movement - while staying grounded in faith, family, and the real needs of Georgias 14th District. Washington doesnt need more career politicians. It needs business-minded leaders with fresh energy who are willing to shake up the system, drain the swamp, defend our freedoms, secure our borders, protect our children, stand with law enforcement, grow our economy, and uphold the Christian foundations that make our nation strong. Councilman Lama also expressed respect for Congresswoman Greene, saying, I will deeply miss Congresswoman Greenes leadership. She served our district and our country with conviction, and her departure is a great loss for Georgia. I wish her the very best and thank her for her service. Councilman Lama said he will continue speaking with voters, conservative grassroots activists, church-going families, and community leaders as he evaluates the race and will make a final decision in the coming days. Christian Hurd, husband, father, Marine, and a tenth-generation Georgian, said he is also interested. He said, "Except for my time at the University of Georgia and while serving in the United States Marine Corps, I have been proud to call Georgia's 14th District home for all of my life. I have spent my adult life in service to our nation, and five days ago my family and I announced an exploration of candidacy for the United States Congress as a way to continue that service. Today, I am declaring my intent to file as a Republican for the 2026 special and regular elections for Georgia's 14th Congressional District, and I will do so as an America First Conservative. "I have witnessed the fracturing of the American family and society throughout my childhood here in Dalton, Georgia. My foremost priority is to rebuild, protect, and defend the American family because it is the foundation for a strong and resilient nation. "To meet the affordability crisis plaguing American families and businesses head-on, I will back an unprecedented federal initiative to supercharge the construction of new homes in urban areas, power plants of all types, and our nation's necessary infrastructure. Further, we must enact a nationwide ban on the purchase of single-family homes by private-equity firms and strictly enforce our immigration laws. Combined, these will increase the housing supply for working Americans, generate vast amounts of affordable energy for American homes and businesses, and ensure that Americans can better reach home ownership, strengthen their communities, and build their families. "Placing America First means we conserve what makes us great as a nation, and strong, stable, and growing families are the source of America's strength. Decades of bad governance and a flawed vision have decreased our competitiveness, stalled innovation, and brought unnecessary pain to American families. We no longer have any choice but to aim big to ensure our nation's stability and future success, and now is the time for the Republican Party to act decisively for America. "As a Marine who has served within the intelligence community and is fluent in the languages of Iran and Afghanistan, I have extensive training in Middle Easter issues as well as operational experience in the Indo-Pacific region. I have witnessed firsthand the crosion of our national power in the face of an existential Chinese threat and the consequences of weak leadership. While I am committed to enabling the United States to do whatever is necessary to bury our enemies and win the new Cold War with Communist China, some in Congress have failed to understand America's critical role in this world and the dangers we face. The Congress must ban foreign ownership of American farmland and other properties adjacent to our military bases and sensitive sites, in addition to accelerating the retum of supply chains for critical national security manufacturing and their components back to the United States. "I will ensure our military has what it needs to defeat evolving and advanced threats because America First means we must never allow our enemies to catch us unprepared. America can never allow a Chinese-dominated world, and if our leaders are complacent, that's what we're going to get. American foreign policy must serve the interests of the American people, and I will fight to ensure our national strategy is based upon American superiority on the battlefield and unchallenged safety and security on the homefront. Thave been greatly inspired by the President and Vice President as they take the hard stand to stabilize the American nation and restore our power and reputation abroad, and I believe this is an opportunity to assist their mission with my vision for American renewal inside the United States Congress. I am interested only in the hard, disciplined work our nation needs to defeat our enemies and rebuild our nation at home, and I will work tirelessly to prepare America for the difficult days ahead. I will be a reliable partner to the White House and would be honored to work alongside them as I fight for the America First Agenda at every step of the way. "As my lifetime of service has shown, I will never bring a shred of scandal or distraction to the Republican majority in Congress. "I believe in American exceptionalism and will defend it with honor, principle, and courage until my dying breath. In the coming days and weeks, I will share my deeply held beliefs and convictions regarding the direction of our country and will do so in an accessible and open environment where each citizen can directly participate. I have never been more optimistic for the future of our nation than I am now, and it is with the utmost respect and commitment that I ask for your guidance, prayers, and support as my family and I begin this journey together." Home News CofE pleads with Labour govt not to end Places of Worship Grant to restore historic churches facing collapse The Church of England has urged the Labour government to secure long-term funding for a key tax relief scheme, warning that hundreds of historic churches face collapse if it's allowed to expire. The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which allows churches, mosques and synagogues to reclaim value-added tax (VAT) on building repairs, is set to expire in March 2026 unless it's extended. In January, the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, extended the scheme by only one year, reduced its annual budget from 42 million ($55 million) to 23 million ($30 million) and imposed a 25,000 ($32,600) cap on claims. The Church of England, which maintains nearly half of the countrys Grade I listed buildings (officially designated as being of exceptional architectural or historic interest), says the scheme is essential for keeping aging religious sites open and active. Church leaders say the changes, combined with uncertainty over future funding, have already disrupted projects and stalled essential maintenance work across the country, The Telegraph reported. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell has appealed directly to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, saying the scheme represents a modest but vital investment in national heritage. For more than 20 years, [churches] have relied on the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme to give that crucial bit of extra help, he said. We urge the government to make the scheme permanent and lift the cap on claims. The archbishop also warned that scrapping the scheme would harm the community services that churches provide, including warm spaces in winter, food aid programs and shelters. In some areas, they are the only public buildings where people can come and gather together, he said. The Rev. Marcus Walker, rector of St. Bartholomew The Great in London, said the government benefits from voluntary church fundraising and should not impose extra tax burdens. So far, the government has not confirmed whether the scheme will continue after March 2026. The Treasury has not commented on future tax policy decisions, saying they are made during fiscal events. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has defended the schemes value but stopped short of promising its continuation. The department noted that other sources of support, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund, remain available. In July, the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee had also called on the government to make the scheme permanent. Committee Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage said the program was critical to maintaining the U.K.s religious heritage. Church Times earlier reported that the scheme had been a lifeline for religious institutions since it was introduced in 2001, and quoted the archbishop of York as saying that only about 27% of churches might remain open within five years if the policy environment did not change. At the Great Expectations conference hosted by the National Churches Trust in October, Cottrell told attendees that churches were incredibly anxious about the future of the grant. He called for the government and the Church of England to work in partnership to sustain places of worship and the social programs they deliver. Church House data shows that more than 100 Anglican churches and cathedrals are currently engaged in repair projects that exceed the 25,000 cap. Among these, at least 38 initiatives are valued at over 2 million ($2.6 million), and 41 are multi-year efforts that depend on reliable long-term funding. The government said 94% of past claims under the scheme were below 25,000, with 70% under 5,000 ($6,500). However, church officials say that ignores the urgent needs of many historic buildings requiring more costly interventions. As of Nov. 11, just over 11.4 million of the 23 million budget for the 202526 period had been used, and about 583,000 worth of claims were in progress. Roughly 11 million remained available, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sports grant tracker. A Savanta poll conducted for the Church of England found that 59% of British adults favored government support to help churches pay for repairs, and 77% considered historic churches and cathedrals to be national treasures. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone. Our work is made possible by the generosity of supporters like you. Your contributions empower us to continue breaking stories that matter, providing clarity from a biblical worldview, and standing for truth in an era of competing narratives. By making a recurring donation or a one-time donation of any amount, youre helping to keep CPs articles free and accessible for everyone. CAIRO, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Hamas delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, is in Cairo on Sunday to discuss the transition to the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, as well as recent security escalations in the Strip, according to an Egyptian security official. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua that Egypt is holding intensive discussions with Hamas leaders, along with U.S. and Qatari mediators, to sustain the ceasefire and begin the second phase of the deal. He added that the discussions also focused on forming a committee to administer the Gaza Strip under the ceasefire and addressing recent Israeli violations and escalations in the enclave. After two years of conflict, a long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Oct. 10, following mediation efforts by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye. While intensive airstrikes have largely ended, deaths continue to be reported in Gaza due to periodic violence. On Saturday, Israel conducted a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least 22 deaths and dozens of injuries, according to Gaza's civil defense. The Israeli military said the strike was in response to an earlier incident, when an "armed terrorist" reportedly fired at soldiers after crossing the Strip's so-called "yellow line," which designates areas under full Israeli control. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Saturday that China is ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Italy and forge a more stable and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Li made the remarks when meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit scheduled here for Saturday and Sunday. Noting this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Li said that in July last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the Italian prime minister in Beijing, where they mapped out a strategic blueprint for deepening bilateral relations. Over the past year, the two sides have actively implemented the important consensus reached between the two leaders, Li said, adding that China stands ready to work with Italy to further carry forward their traditional friendship. China is willing to work with the Italian side to continuously promote two-way opening up, enhance connectivity and alignment in markets, industries and related areas, and promote balanced and optimized development of bilateral trade, Li said. The Chinese premier expressed hope to build on the traditional strengths of cooperation between the two countries, expand exchanges and cooperation in emerging industries, and boost common development and prosperity. China encourages more Italian companies to enter the Chinese market through platforms such as the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the China International Consumer Products Expo, and the China International Supply Chain Expo, Li said. China also expects Italy to provide a fair, transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable business environment for Chinese enterprises to invest in Italy, he added. Li said both sides should enhance people-to-people exchanges in such areas as tourism, education, sports, youth and local cooperation, and facilitate personnel exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Italy within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the G20, build broader consensus and reinforce the international community's confidence and resolve in practicing multilateralism and consolidating multilateral mechanisms, Li said. Meloni, for her part, said Italy-China relations enjoy a good momentum of development, with continuous bilateral exchanges at all levels and positive progress in practical cooperation. She also said that Italy stands ready to take the opportunity of celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries to step up the implementation of the action plan on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership, deepen cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology and other fields, and promote people-to-people exchanges by giving full play to such mechanisms as the Italy-China Government Committee and the bilateral mixed commission on economic cooperation. Italy welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Italy, and encourages Italian businesses to continue investing in China, she said. Meloni added that her country is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China on multilateral platforms and jointly uphold multilateralism. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) On an official visit to Israel, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the first phase of a potential IndiaIsrael Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to "kickstart benefits faster" for both economies. Speaking to CNBC-TV18 in Jerusalem, Goyal said New Delhi and Tel Aviv "have agreed to focus on low-hanging fruits" and "will get the sensitive issues off the table on both sides" to accelerate outcomes.Goyal mentioned innovation and R&D as key drivers for future collaboration, noting that joint projects will be developed to combine Israel's technological strengths with India's scale and skilled workforce. India, he said, can offer "youthful, talented manpower" to support Israeli industry, while Israeli firms can leverage India as a platform for large-scale investment.During the visit, aimed at shaping a broader strategic and economic partnership, Goyal met Israel's Finance Minister to explore a joint protocol to promote bilateral trade in goods and services. He is also scheduled to meet senior Israeli leadership to chart the next phase of cooperation.On November 20, India and Israel signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) to begin formal negotiations for the proposed FTA. The two countries had earlier held eight rounds of talks between May 2010 and October 2021. The new agreement is expected to include market access, progressive tariff elimination, faster approvals and reduced non-tariff barriers.Upcoming discussions will span investment, customs simplification, defence, space, fintech, agri-tech, AI, cybersecurity, innovation, R&D and drip irrigation. Goyal said the services sector stands to gain significantly particularly IT, BPOs and tourism and that an FTA could create a "bridge" for Indian professionals to work in Israel.The minister said 810 companies have been shortlisted for the 4.5 lakh crore Tel Aviv metro project, with pre-qualification interest notices already issued.Israel's Economy Minister Nir Barkat has projected a ten-fold jump in bilateral trade after the FTA is finalised. Goyal, meanwhile, expects trade to rise to $3040 billion over the next five years, saying that Israeli companies increasingly view India as a major investment hub for serving markets across Asia. Piyush Goyal also met Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he wrapped up his official visit to Israel. Goyal said he conveyed the warm wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India and updated PM Netanyahu on discussions with Israeli counterpart Nir Barkat. He noted that both sides discussed strengthening the innovation partnership by combining Israels hi-tech strengths with Indias scale and talent. Goyal also took PM Netanyahu's guidance on further deepening bilateral economic and strategic engagement across sectors like agriculture, water, defence, science & technology and innovation. Residents in Delhi are getting an immersive taste of Saudi Arabia's rich culture and heritage at the second edition of the 'Spectacular Saudi' event, currently underway at Select Citywalk Mall in Saket. The three-day festival, also taking place in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru, showcases the kingdoms traditional crafts, cuisine, and performing arts.Visitors can witness skilled artisans at work, from intricate fabric weaving to the elegant art of Arabic calligraphy, alongside tasting an array of authentic Saudi delicacies. Live Ardah performances and interactive workshops further bring the kingdoms traditions to life, offering a multi-sensory experience that transports guests into the heart of Saudi culture.One of the highlights, The Essence of Saudi, presents a striking display of the nations heritage and design, while Brewtopia: A Qahwa Experience immerses attendees in the rich aroma of Saudi coffee and fragrant bakhour, evoking the sights, sounds, and scents of desert landscapes and mirrored architecture.Adding a modern twist, a special AI-powered stall allows visitors to don traditional Saudi attire digitally and pose against iconic backdrops from cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, creating personalised immersive keepsakes.For those inspired to travel, the event features dedicated kiosks offering information, travel assistance, and exclusive promotions, helping turn the dream of a Saudi Arabian visit into reality.A spokesperson from the Saudi Tourism Authority said, The return of Spectacular Saudi to India highlights the enduring cultural bond between our nations. Across all five cities, we have received an overwhelmingly positive response as visitors engaged with Saudi Arabias art, cuisine, music, and dance. We are delighted to offer travel partners the opportunity to showcase the diversity of Saudis destinations and look forward to welcoming more Indian travellers to create lasting memories.The festival is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, leaving participants with a vivid glimpse into the traditions and hospitality of Saudi Arabia.Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is set to unveil a five-star luxury train named Dream of the Desert, in 2026. Promising far more than transport, the train aims to offer travellers an unforgettable journey through the kingdom's iconic landscapes.A video shared on Instagram has already given viewers a glimpse inside what some are calling the world's most beautiful train. The social media post described it as Saudi Arabias first five-star luxury train, generating excitement among travel enthusiasts eager to experience the opulence and innovation.With its announcement, the Dream of the Desert is poised to redefine luxury travel in the region, combining comfort, style, and the magic of desert vistas for a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure.(With inputs from PTI) A big reason why The Simpsons was such a big hit with audiences right from the very beginning is that, despite their yellow complexion, four-fingered hands and bulging eyes, the characters were deeply relatable. The series premiere, Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire, made it very clear that the Simpsons were far from wealthy. They were a mostly comfortable middle class family who faced significant financial strain during the holidays, even forcing Homer to take a second job as a mall Santa. Don't Miss As the show continued, the Simpsons economic standing wasnt just a minor background detail, it was the engine behind some of the shows best and most emotionally-impactful stories. Like when Homer sold his ticket to ride the Duff beer blimp in order to sign Lisa up for the Little Miss Springfield. Or when the family had to cut back on expenses in order to afford to pay Santas Little Helpers veterinary bills. Along the way, something clearly changed. By Season Six, the family could easily pay to go on a vacation to the Disney-esque Itchy & Scratchyland, with seemingly no concerns about the steep cost. And when they arrived at the park, even after paying for their tickets, Homer had $1100 in cash (which he unwisely converted to Itchy & Scratchy money). Advertisement While there have been occasional references to the characters money problems in recent years, theyre usually just one-off gags, not substantive plot points. And as times changed, the idea of a middle class family supporting three kids and two pets on a single income while owning a house and two cars became completely unrealistic. Even more so than when Frank Grimes complained about Homers inexplicable good fortune back in Season Eight. Advertisement As Cracked mentioned earlier this year, U.S. census data from 2025 made it very clear that the show no longer represents ordinary America. And the latest season has only underscored that the Simpsons are flush with cash, hence why they can afford a pair of snazzy VR headsets in Men Behaving Manly. Advertisement Advertisement Theres no obvious story reason that would explain why the Simpsons arent as worried about finances as they used to be. After all, Homer still has the exact same job in Sector 7G. Advertisement While complaining about the consistency of a 36-year-old cartoon show may seem a little like questioning the musicality of a skeleton being played like a xylophone by cartoon mouse, fans have attempted to come up with theories to explain why The Simpsons are suddenly wealthy. Some suggested that Homer made a fortune from his half-brother Herbs baby translator. One fan speculated that Bart and Lisas cut of the t-shirt revenue from Krustys Comeback Special may have given the family a lifetime of security. And others have pointed out that Homer could have easily made millions by simply selling the Denver Broncos. Giving the Simpsons near-limitless resources has allowed writers a certain amount of creative freedom. But after nearly four decades, maybe its time to bring the characters back to their middle-class roots? Advertisement Advertisement As the economy continues to hammer working families, the Simpsons become even less relatable than they already were. And a number of those early cash-strapped stories arguably speak to todays concerns better than more recent ones. The show tackled the affordability of healthcare in Homers Triple Bypass, which found the Simpsons struggling to pay for Homers life-saving heart surgery. And they addressed labor rights in Season Fours Last Exit to Springfield, which memorably focused on Homer leading union efforts to ensure that his greedy employer wont take away a much-needed dental plan. Advertisement If that episode premiered today, the solution to Lisa needing braces would likely be fantastical and not nearly as relatable if the Simpsons returned to the reality of average working people. HANOI, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 21st International Congress on Luobing Theory Overseas Forum was held here Saturday, aiming to promote the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and strengthen international cooperation in the field of Luobing theory, also known as the theory of collateral diseases. The event was co-hosted by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies Specialty Committee of Luobing and the Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Association, focusing on clinical applications of Luobing theory in cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, anti-aging and oncology treatments. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Truong Viet Binh, president of the Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Association, noted that the innovation of Luobing theory not only offers valuable references for modern medicine but also serves as a successful model for modernizing traditional medicine in countries, including Vietnam. During the forum, experts from several countries released a new guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which highlights the concept of integrating heart and lung treatment in TCM practice. I doubt this peace deal will work, though I really hope it will. Some way must be found to end this stupid, pointless war, which began long before most people in the West noticed it and has now lasted 11 years. It has created graveyards which can be seen from space. It has demolished much of Ukraine. Yet if president Zelensky agrees to these terms, he will not be garlanded with flowers and called 'Volodymyr the Peacemaker'. He will be accused of 'capitulation' (a wild exaggeration). He will swiftly fall from office. He might even be driven out by an ultra-nationalist putsch like the one which overthrew another Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovych, in 2014. Very strong nationalist forces in Ukraine do not want peace on such terms. Nobody wants to take the blame for such a defeat. This is always the problem with modern wars. Rulers tell their peoples for years that they are angels and that their foes are demons. Then they have to sit down with those fiends and make peace with them. This problem is one of the reasons why the First World War lasted two years longer than it needed to, and why this one may not stop for years. Mind you, it is a worse deal than Kiev could once have had when the war was in its infancy. If they had agreed to the peace terms Mr Zelensky negotiated in 2019, we'd all be a lot better off. But the militants called that deal a capitulation, too and killed it. To me, the great paradox is this a Russia-hating faction in Washington DC sought this war for years, goading the Kremlin with westward expansion of Nato. With matching stupidity, Putin gave into the provocation and mounted his cruel, savage and illegal invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska visit the Holodomor Genocide complex of the National Museum in Kyiv, Ukraine, on November 22, 2025 Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at an operational meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on November 21, 2025. This gave the American Russia hawks what they wanted. Because Ukraine was not a member of Nato, they could have a shooting war with Moscow, in Europe, that would not lead to a nuclear confrontation. No Western troops took part, so the miseries of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan were avoided. It was all done by sending money and weapons, and sharing intelligence. They presumably hoped that this would bring down Putin. But it didn't. So now America, as so often, is bored with a war it once desired and now seeks to get out of it. You might think the leaders of Europe would welcome the chance to bring it to an end, especially as it is costing them so much and gaining them nothing. It wasn't even their idea. But no, they want it to go on, as they are all in the grip of a strange fantasy. They claim to think that Russia broke, rusty, decrepit and even more corrupt than Ukraine is poised to sweep across the Continent and wash its tank tracks at Calais. Well, Putin has yet to take the Ukrainian city of Kharkov, ten miles from Russia's border. And the nations of Europe together already spend roughly three times as much as Russia does on defence. Maybe they are worrying too much. It is up to Ukraine to decide when to talk peace and on what terms. Its their men and women being killed, their cities being bombed. To be underneath the drone and missile attacks, as I have been, is a draining experience, and Ukraines collective bravery has been remarkable to see. But make no mistake, the peace that US President Donald Trump is offering is a potentially fatal one that will lead to greater danger for Ukraine. This is not peace, but delayed capitulation. By giving up well-defended, fortress cities near the front line and slashing the size of its armed forces, Kyiv will prostrate itself before Moscow, and in years to come it will prove too tempting for Vladimir Putins Russian bear not to take a second bite. Forcing humiliating terms on Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky means Putin pockets three prizes. First, he gets land his armies couldnt capture and cities that he hasnt yet destroyed. His geographical position will be stronger because the contested land is on higher ground once he has that, before him will lie a largely flat and obstacle-free run to Kyiv. Second, and most importantly, Putin knows that a bad peace will weaken Ukraines internal cohesion. Furious soldiers will demand to know why the blood of their comrades was spilt in vain. Blame would be rife as to who sold them out and why there is no reckoning for the Russians who kidnapped their children and raped, tortured and murdered their fellow citizens. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured in black) with Ukrainian soldiers paying tribute to the victims of the famine of 1932-1933 at the National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide in Kyiv BOB SEELY: US President, Donald Trump's (pictured) peace plan he is offering is a potentially fatal one that will lead to greater danger for Ukraine. This is not peace, but delayed capitulation Third, a bad peace will significantly damage the transatlantic alliance. We in the UK and Europe will no longer be able to trust the US. A hasty sell-out of Ukraine against the wishes of Europe will mean the alliance is one in name only. Putin may then threaten the Baltic republics, in the belief that Natos collective self-defence has evaporated. Fracturing the West has long been his ambition. Other adversaries, such as China and Iran, will rub their hands, too. We know from experience that appeasing dictators never works. Czechoslovakia was served to Adolf Hitler in 1938, but the peace for which it was traded didnt last, any more than this one will. After a year, the aggressor came back for more. For Ukraine, its very existence is at stake. Zelensky must tread a fine line. He cannot dismiss Trumps poisoned chalice out of hand, but he cannot accept it either. He must seek a genuine peace that his country can live with, while not sowing the seeds of its destruction. Trump has shown staggering naivety on Ukraine. His success in Gaza was won by standing full-square behind Israel, giving him greater leverage behind closed doors, but his ambivalence towards Kyiv has emboldened Putin to dictate terms. And the peace deal before Zelensky may as well have been printed on Kremlin-headed notepaper. The future of his nation, and that of Europe, now rests unenviably on his shoulders. Dr Bob Seely MBE is the author of The New Total War. Most people thought puberty blockers were no longer permitted in this country. Their use was dealt a heavy blow by the report of Dr Hilary Cass into gender identity services in April last year. She concluded they were powerful drugs with unproven benefits and significant risks. She warned of a general lack of reliable information, saying: This is an area of remarkably weak evidence, and yet results of studies are exaggerated or misrepresented by people on all sides of the debate to support their viewpoint. The reality is that we have no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions to manage gender-related distress. She also noted: Based on a single Dutch study, which suggested puberty blockers may improve psychological wellbeing for a narrowly defined group of children with gender incongruence, the practice spread at pace to other countries. The Commission on Human Medicines, an independent expert body that advises UK ministers on the safety of medicines, concluded that prescribing puberty blockers to children for gender dysphoria represented an unacceptable safety risk. An emergency ban was imposed by the then Tory government in May 2024. The Labour Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, made it permanent in December. Announcing the move, Mr Streeting said: It is a scandal that medicine was given to vulnerable children without the proof that it was safe or effective. And so it is. But what was little noticed at the time was a clause through which the use of these drugs is now set to return, quite legally, in the guise of research. Protestors marching through central London last year and showing their support for Transgender freedom Labour Health Secretary, Wes Streeting (pictured) announced a planned clinical trial by NHS England would go ahead on puberty blockers Mr Streeting said that a planned clinical trial by NHS England would go ahead. The ban would then be reviewed in 2027 in the light of any new evidence that emerged. No doubt this trial is lawful, and those who favour it argue that we do not know enough about the effects of these drugs. This is only a live question if the drugs are still being used at all. But given what we already know, can this be justified? The testing of drugs or safety measures is a complex and sometimes risky business. To give an extreme example of the problem of safety versus knowledge, we use crash-test dummies because it is far too dangerous to use actual humans. We test drugs on animals, to the distress of many, because we are not sure it is safe to test them on people. Those on whom puberty blockers would have to be tested are necessarily so young that it is hard to see how they can give fully informed consent. And what if, despite all precautions, lasting damage is done? Among other things, the new study will examine any effect upon brain development. The mention of such a possibility is surely alarming in itself. It illustrates just how powerful the chemicals used in this procedure are. How can we know whether all the effects are reversible? And without knowing, is it safe to test? Many will ask why this is truly needed and whether it can possibly be justified. At the very least, we need more of a debate on the balance between known risks and possible benefits before a trial of this kind is allowed to go ahead. If you're thinking of getting a tattoo beware of a certain ink colour that may contain chemicals linked to cancer. Last year the alarming results of a new Swedish study suggested that tattoos could put you at a higher risk of a deadly type of cancer. Those with tattoos had a 21 per cent higher risk of the blood cancer lymphoma compared to those who do not, found the researchers from Lund University. Lymphoma is a type of cancer than affects the white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting infections. The link is thought to be due to carcinogenic chemicals in the tattoo ink that trigger a reaction when injected into the skin. The study found the body interprets the ink as a foreign body, so it activates the immune system, causing low-grade inflammation which can trigger cancer. But specifically, the pigment in red ink was found to cause the most hazardous skin reactions. This is because they can contain cadmium, mercury or iron oxidecompounds that have been linked to cancer. Earlier this year Ed Sheeran fans went wild after he revealed his colourful collection of tattoos Post Malone, 28, (pictured) has over 70 tattoos, including at least 14 on his face, according to Business Insider If you're determined to get a tattoo with the colour red, they suggest picking a red ink with naphthol instead. The Swedish study, published last year, identified people with lymphoma aged between 20 and 60 using population registers, and then matched them with a control group of the same sex and age, but without a diagnosis of lymphoma. The participants were then given a questionnaire about lifestyle factors to see if they were tattooed or not. Around 1,400 of people with lymphoma answered the questionnaire, as well as 4,193 people in the control group. In the group with lymphoma, 21 percent (289 people) were tattooed, while 18 percent (735 people) were tattooed in the control group. 'After taking into account other relevant factors, such as smoking and age, we found that the risk of developing lymphoma was 21 per cent higher among those who were tattooed,' said Christel Nielsen, the researcher at Lund University who led the study. The researchers had theorized that the size of the tattoo might impact the risk of lymphoma, and thought that a full body tattoo might be linked to a higher chance of cancer. However, the results showed that the amount of body surface tattooed did not matter. Rapper Cardi B showed off her elaborate and bright thigh tattoos as she posed in a white bra top The researchers wrote in the journal eClinicalMedicine that they are not sure why this was the case. 'One can only speculate that a tattoo, regardless of size, triggers a low-grade inflammation in the body, which in turn can trigger cancer. The picture is thus more complex than we initially thought,' said Nielsen. Next, the researchers plan to study whether there is any link between tattoos and other types of cancer. GOT A HEALTH-RELATED STORY? EMAIL: Health@dailymail.com Advertisement There are various types of lymphoma, but two main ones: non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin. Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the white blood cells. It is named after Thomas Hodgkin, an English doctor who first identified the disease in 1832. It affects around 2,000 people each year in the UK, and 8,500 a year in the US. The five-year survival rate for the disease is 89 percent. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma affects around 8,600 people annually in the US, and 14,000 new people every year in the UK. With non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the cancer has about an 83 percent survival rate if it is confined to a single region. Lymphoma occurs when white blood cells in your lymphatic system mutate into fast-growing cancer cells that don't die. The mutated cells often collect on the lymph nodes glands that filter out waste products on the neck, groin, abdomen and armpits forming cancerous masses. Like most cancers, the majority of the genetic mutations happen on their own, without an identifiable cause. But research has suggested that having viruses such as HIV, a weak immune system or an autoimmune disease may raise your risk. It's an issue millions are all too familiar with particularly weary office workers and busy parents. But now a physiotherapist has spilled his secret for easing neck and shoulder relief. Dr Joe Damiani, a head and neck specialist, has said a 'neck hump' is likely to blame for the issue. A common term for the rounded hump at the base of the neck and upper back, it is located at the cervicothoracic (CT) junction. This is the area where the cervical spine neck meets the thoracic spine upper back. The issue can be aggravated by 'slouching' and 'too much screen time', the New York based physio, who boasts 1.2million followers on Instagram, said. He added: 'The neck has a lot of mobility, whereas the thoracic spine has the ribs connected into it, and it really just doesn't move that well. 'When you lose mobility at the connection point, you can really feel it.' Dr Joe Damiani, a head and neck specialist, has said a 'neck hump' is likely to blame for the issue. A common term for the rounded hump at the base of the neck and upper back, it is located at the cervicothoracic (CT) junction To combat the issue he suggested first lying on the ground, before placing a soft double massage ball on your back in line with your chin. Then, after placing a hand behind your head, tuck your chin over the ball. Move your head forward, then 'come straight back', Dr Damiani added. 'Hold and repeat each rep, trying to get a little deeper, which forces movement at that junction. 'And after, retest your mobility and see how you feel.' It comes as recent figures suggest tech neck a term coined for pain, stiffness and soreness in the neck and shoulders felt after staring down at a screen now affects an estimated 70 per cent of British office workers and teens. Unlike more obvious problems such as back pain or trapped nerves, tech neck is often dismissed as an annoying but inevitable side effect of our digital lives. But its actually flagging progressive damage to your cervical spine that, if left untreated, can escalate to more serious joint, muscle and nerve issues. To combat the issue he suggested first lying on the ground, before placing a soft double massage ball on your back in line with your chin Moving or doing exercises frequently throughout the working day has been shown to reduce muscle discomfort and eye strain. Its also recommended workers get up and walk around, or do exercises at the desk, every 30 minutes when working at a computer. Working on a tablet or laptop has been shown to result in more hunched posture than working at a standard computer workstation. If possible, when working for an extended period, choose a standard desktop. But if workers must work on a laptop, experts recommend placing it on top of some books to raise the height of the display so that the eyes align with the top third of the screen, and add a separate keyboard which sits on the desk. A mother who vaped for years feared she was having a stroke when she suddenly was unable to read or speak. Lydia Ward was using e-cigarettes at home at the end of October when she was struck by intense fatigue and dizziness. Her vision suddenly blurred, and she began feeling light-headed. The panicked 34-year-old from Georgia, who'd been vaping 'on and off' for three years, called her husband and realized she couldn't make out the words on her phone screen. 'It was like looking through a glass,' Ward said. 'It was very blurry. 'I couldn't read anything. The words didn't make sense. I couldn't remember how to read, it was very weird. I couldn't read for a good 10 minutes.' Her speech also became slurred as she failed to remember the names of friends and acquaintances. Driving to pick up her daughter from school, her mom in tow, she couldn't even recognize the school principal. '[My mom] started mentioning people's names just to make sure I remembered. It was a weird couple of hours of just having neurological issues,' Ward said. Despite the scare, all of her tests later that day came back clear. Doctors believe the thousands of potentially cancer-causing chemicals in vapes constricted her blood vessels, potentially blocking blood flow to her brain, leading to stroke-like symptoms. Lydia Ward (pictured here), 34, vaped 'on and off' for about three years when she suddenly found herself unable to read or speak, fearing she had a stroke Your browser does not support iframes. The toxins can also induce inflammation in the eyes and vocal cords, leading to blurred vision and trouble speaking. The medical team urged Ward to drop the habit, which she said she had picked up after being influenced by friends. 'My friends were all doing it. It was social, it was boredom at home, stress relief,' she said. 'After the hospital I got home and threw [the vape] away, it scared me so bad.' Ward's warning comes as roughly six percent of US adults (about 17 million) report vaping regularly. The highest rates are seen in young adults aged 18 to 24, with more than 15 percent in that group reporting regular use. Among children, about 1.6 million middle and high school students vape, though usage has declined since its peak in 2019. Vaping has long been touted as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, which is proven to cause nine in 10 cases of lung cancer, America's deadliest form of the disease. However, a growing body of research has found vaping could be linked to other long-term harms such as high blood pressure and stroke. Earlier this year, doctors writing in a medical journal detailed the case of a New Jersey man who died of aggressive lung cancer, the first case of its kind thought to be directly caused by e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes produce an aerosol by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings and a mixture of toxic chemicals. Though all of Ward's tests came back clean, doctors suspect her vaping caused changes in her blood pressure that led to stroke-like symptoms Ward, pictured here, has since quit vaping and swears she will never again pick up the habit after her medical scare When inhaled, this vapor can deliver harmful substances deep into the lungs, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds known to cause cancer. These substances can damage lung tissue, and over time, this damage can lead to DNA mutations and inflammation which increase the risk of cancer. 'People don't realize when they are simply vaping what effects it can have,' Ward said. 'You might not feel it one day, but I feel like it can happen to anyone.' Ward she wanted to use her story to warn others about what could happen. 'Imagine waking up one day and just not being able to put simple words together,' she said. 'I was scared I wasn't going to be able to function. What if my vision didn't come back? What if something was wrong with my brain?' The makeup artist has stopped vaping altogether and has largely recovered from the incident, though she still has a slight cough and tightness in her chest. She has also vowed to never start vaping again. 'I really think it was linked and the people at the hospital said they have people come in all the time [with issues linked to the e-cigarettes]. 'My advice to anyone vaping, especially younger people, is to think long and hard about your health and if you want a long healthy life.' A child is seen from a tent provided by China in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 23, 2025. A total of 2,102 Afghan families with 11,855 members returned to their homeland from neighboring Iran and Pakistan on Saturday, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems said Sunday. The commission provides temporary shelters, nourishment, water, medical care, and transportation services for the returnees. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) KABUL, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- A total of 2,102 Afghan families with 11,855 members returned to their homeland from neighboring Iran and Pakistan on Saturday, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems said Sunday. The commission provides temporary shelters, nourishment, water, medical care, and transportation services for the returnees. Nearly six million Afghan refugees, most of whom are undocumented migrants, are currently living abroad, with most living in Iran and Pakistan. (251123) -- KABUL, Nov. 23, 2025 (Xinhua) -- An Afghan child is seen at a makeshift camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 23, 2025. A total of 2,102 Afghan families with 11,855 members returned to their homeland from neighboring Iran and Pakistan on Saturday, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems said Sunday. The commission provides temporary shelters, nourishment, water, medical care, and transportation services for the returnees. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) (251123) -- KABUL, Nov. 23, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Newly arrived Afghan refugees receive water at a temporary camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 23, 2025. A total of 2,102 Afghan families with 11,855 members returned to their homeland from neighboring Iran and Pakistan on Saturday, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems said Sunday. The commission provides temporary shelters, nourishment, water, medical care, and transportation services for the returnees. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) (251123) -- KABUL, Nov. 23, 2025 (Xinhua) -- A newly arrived Afghan child drinks water at a makeshift camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 23, 2025. A total of 2,102 Afghan families with 11,855 members returned to their homeland from neighboring Iran and Pakistan on Saturday, Afghanistan's High Commission for Addressing Returnees Problems said Sunday. The commission provides temporary shelters, nourishment, water, medical care, and transportation services for the returnees. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) A quick roll in the sheets could be the key to your next promotion, a study suggests. Researchers at online pharmacy ZipHealth asked 1,000 Americans how often they have sex and what time of day most suits their fancy. The experts also asked them how productive, motivated and burned out they felt at their full-time jobs to see how their bedroom habits translated to the board room. The study found adults working full-time jobs tended to feel the most productive, focused, task-oriented and motivated if they were intimate with a partner right before their commute. Additionally, nearly one in three said having a fulfilling sex life positively impacted their income and how quickly they moved up in their careers. Just over half of those who got busy first thing in the morning said they had received a raise in the past year, while almost one in five had been promoted within that time. Gen X and Baby Boomers were the most likely age group to prefer morning sex, followed by millennials and Gen Z, which could help explain why the younger generation tends to be more disgruntled with their jobs. While it's unclear exactly what morning sex does to enhance productivity, sex experts and therapists told the Daily Mail that the flood of 'feel-good' chemicals that get released during the act can boost workers' moods for the rest of the day, improving their motivation and sense of worth. Your browser does not support iframes. Sofie Roos, a licensed sexologist and relationship expert at Passionerad in Sweden, told the Daily Mail: 'Morning sex works a bit as a natural kick-starter for the day, both for body and mind. 'During sex, especially when orgasming, a cocktail of the feel good hormones dopamine and oxytocin are being released, which makes us feel more energized, focused, safe and high on life.' Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that's part of the brain's reward system, controlling movement, attention, pleasure, motivation and arousal. When a person does something pleasurable, like have sex, the brain releases large amounts of dopamine in response. Roos continued: 'The dopamine is the brain's own rewarding hormone that makes us feel motivated and full of energy, which is the same signal substance thats connected to determination and productivity; that said, things which make you do a better job.' Oxytocin, while managing female reproductive systems like childbirth and lactation, also influences arousal, romantic attraction and trust. Dr Michael Krychman, a gynecologist and sexual medicine specialist at UCI Health in California, added: 'Sex can increase testosterone and affect your assertive personality. In addition, the release of endorphins causes a sense of calmness and oxytocin can increase bonding with other individuals.' The ZipHealth study surveyed 1,000 Americans with full-time jobs. They were 40 years old on average, and 56 percent were female. Of the participants, 47 percent were millennials, 14 percent were Gen Z and 39 percent were baby boomers and Gen X combined. The team found people who had morning sex had the highest levels of productivity, task completion, concentration, motivation and job satisfaction. In fact, they were twice as productive and focused as those who rarely or never had sex. And when looking at job titles, researchers found executives and business owners were the most likely group to have morning sex with a rate of 26 percent, followed closely by senior managers at 23 percent. Additionally, 35 percent of those surveyed said morning sex boosts their mood more than a cup of coffee before work. Yuki Shida, a licensed marriage and family therapist at Shida Marriage Counseling, Inc, told the Daily Mail: 'Feelings of fear, anxiety, stress would not be impacting your work performance as much in this [post-sex] state. 'Of course, this survey from ZipHealth does not identify the causation relationship between these two factors. 'The benefit that someone gains from morning sex more than likely depends on their relationship health, environmental stress, and resiliency factors rather than just the time of day that they have intercourse.' While quick sex in the morning generally boosted work performance, one in five Americans admitted they have been late to work at least once because they were having sex. This was most common among Gen Z, 25 percent of whom said the habit made them late, compared to 21 percent of Gen X and Boomers and 19 percent of millennials. Experts told the Daily Mail that while the ideal lovemaking session lasts more than a few minutes, some quick action in the morning is better than none. Karen Bigman, sex educator and founder of the Taboo to Truth podcast, told the Daily Mail: 'If having a "quickie" is all you have time for, you'll still get the benefits of the hormone release, provided you're adequately aroused and you enjoy the experience. 'If it's simply functional, and causes more stress because you feel rushed, then it will likely have the reverse affect. 'The longer your session, the more connected and relaxed you'll feel.' If you've been active on social media lately, you've likely noticed more women discussing their experiences with menopause and the impact lower libido has had on their sex lives. You may have also heard about women trying to fix their low libido by taking 'Female Viagra' - Addyi (Flibanserin) - a prescription drug that is now available in the United States and Canada, but not yet approved in Australia. Conversations about female libido are long overdue, but is 'Female Viagra' the wonder drug we've been waiting for, or is it a bit of a fizzer? Is low libido normal? Addyi, the so-called 'female Viagra', is now available via prescription in the U.S., though it hasn't yet been approved by Australia's TGA. Its pink branding and sex-positive ads (as seen on its website, above) are making headlines overseas - but there are reasons to be cautious It's common to worry about a loss of libido, discomfort during sex, relationship stresses, and a fear of losing their sex life altogether. Many women feel their health issues have been brushed off in the past, or were told their symptoms were just part of the ageing process and to get used to it. However, women deserve clear information, good advice, and appropriate medical care. Fortunately, GPs around Australia are increasingly seeing women asking for assistance to help guide their way through menopause. Here's a basic guide about libido, hormonal changes, and the 'Female Viagra' that has been attracting so much attention lately. What low libido actually is Low libido simply means a reduced interest in sex. It may be a temporary change related to stress, relationship issues, illness, or medication. It can also last a lot longer and begin to cause emotional distress. Low libido is far more common than people realise. Australian research shows that sexual desire varies throughout adulthood, with about 27 per cent of women in their early 20s experiencing low libido, increasing to more than 90 per cent of women reporting low libido in their late 70s. Some women naturally have a lower sex drive and feel perfectly content, while others find their lack of libido frustrating and desperately want it to improve. If your low libido doesn't bother you, then it's not an issue. However, it becomes a clinical concern when it begins to bother the person experiencing it. Flibanserin (right) does not work like Viagra (left), which simply increases blood flow and helps men get erections. Instead, it acts on receptors in the brain that influence motivation, reward and desire How perimenopause and menopause affect desire Perimenopause is the time when a woman's ovaries start to run out of eggs and produce less oestrogen. This phase of life can last several years before menopause eventually occurs and is often associated with symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, joint stiffness, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. These changes happen as oestrogen levels drop, affecting sexual comfort and desire for sex. Menopause occurs when a period hasn't happened for 12 months in a row, usually around age 51 years for women in Australia. Hormone therapy, with oestrogen and progesterone, can be very effective for treating these symptoms during perimenopause, but for many years, women were discouraged from using hormone therapy due to concerns about cancer risk and blood clots. Fortunately, we now have better knowledge, more clear information, and safer ways to use hormone therapy. Women who were previously warned against using Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT) may find that safe and effective options are now available. New formulations are now available that weren't previously available. When low libido is considered a medical condition Reduced sexual desire, fewer sexual thoughts, difficulties with sexual arousal, and a loss of pleasure during sexual activity are all aspects of a condition known as Female Sexual Interest and Arousal Disorder (FSIAD). For a diagnosis, these symptoms must persist for more than six months and cause significant distress. About one-third of Australian women experience these symptoms in their early 40s, and that number remains consistent into their early 60s. Unfortunately, many women avoid discussing these issues due to embarrassment or because they don't feel their concerns will be taken seriously. It acts on receptors in the brain that influence motivation, reward and desire. It reduces the activity of serotonin, increases the effects of dopamine and also affects noradrenaline. These neurotransmitters influence mental desire rather than physical arousal. Dr Brad McKay says there are sound reasons flibanserin hasn't been approved by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration - its effectiveness remains doubtful, and its side effects and drug interactions raise serious concerns What the so-called 'Female Viagra' actually is Flibanserin is approved in some countries and is also known by its American brand name Addyi. It's often referred to as 'Female Viagra', but this nickname is misleading. The tablets are pink, contrasting with the blue tablets of (male) Viagra, and they have a distinctive angular shape, similar to Viagra's characteristic diamond appearance. Viagra (sildenafil) works in men by selectively increasing blood flow to the penis to help get and maintain erections. It only works when someone is sexually aroused and doesn't increase libido. Flibanserin does not work this way at all. It targets receptors in the brain that influence motivation, reward, and desire. It lowers serotonin activity while increasing dopamine and noradrenaline levels. This results in a psychological impact on libido and sexual drive rather than triggering a physical response to sexual arousal. Flibanserin tablets are taken once a day and may take four to eight weeks to show any benefit - whereas Viagra is taken as needed and typically begins to work within half an hour. Flibanserin (Addyi) is not available in Australia and has not been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Why has it not been approved in Australia For the TGA to approve a medication, it needs to be both effective and reasonably safe. Flibanserin has had difficulty meeting these expectations. Let's start with its effectiveness: Studies show a small improvement in desire. On average, women taking the medication every day experienced only one additional satisfying sexual experience every two months. This result may seem underwhelming to most of us, but it's important to recognise that the significance of sex differs greatly from person to person. Some women might see taking a tablet every day for two months to achieve just one extra enjoyable encounter as a waste of time and effort, while others might cherish each additional sexual experience as adding more fulfilment, meaning, and value to their lives. How do the side effects stack up Flibanserin commonly causes side effects such as dizziness, low blood pressure, drowsiness, nausea, sweating, blurred vision, confusion, and fatigue. It also interacts with a wide range of other medications, including antibiotics, blood pressure drugs, and antiretroviral treatments for HIV. Additionally, combining flibanserin with alcohol significantly increases the risk of a rapid drop in blood pressure and fainting. The medication is quite expensive, costing anywhere from several hundred to over a thousand dollars each month. Current research suggests that if it were to be approved for use in Australia, it is unlikely to qualify for funding through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). As a result, Australian women would need to cover the full out of pocket cost. The combination of minimal benefits, significant side effects, potential interactions with other medications and alcohol, and a high cost raises concerns about its overall value. Why a single pill is unlikely to be the answer Sexual desire is influenced by physical, emotional, hormonal, and interpersonal factors. Sex often plays second fiddle to various stressors, such as feeling tired, being pressed for time, caring for kids, work demands, relationship issues, sleep problems, medications, trauma, concerns about body image, and low self-esteem. Many women find that these factors greatly impact their sexual desire, making it extremely challenging for a small pink pill to provide substantial relief. What doctors look at when assessing low libido When women raise concerns about low libido, doctors usually assess several key areas. These include stress levels, sleep quality, medications, relationship dynamics, signs of anxiety or depression, and symptoms related to hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause. Blood tests can assess hormone levels and rule out other possible causes of low libido. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) can offer relief for many women, and in specific cases, low-dose testosterone may be prescribed under the guidance of a specialist. Additionally, lifestyle changessuch as increasing exercise and enhancing sleep quality - can lead to significant improvements. Counselling or sessions with a sex therapist can also be beneficial, especially when emotional or relationship factors are at play. Overall, medication might be helpful, but it's just one component of a comprehensive treatment plan. Could Flibanserin help some women? Possibly. When used safely and under careful medical supervision, some women may be lucky enough to respond well to the medication while not experiencing significant side effects. However, Flibanserin comes with strict alcohol restrictions, careful monitoring requirements, and a comprehensive understanding of potential drug interactions. These factors make it unsafe for women to bypass their doctors and order unapproved medications from online pharmacies. Furthermore, there is a significant risk associated with online clinics offering 'Female Viagra' without fully understanding their patients' medical histories. Many women learn that there are far more treatment options than they were originally told, especially as medical understanding continues to evolve. There is nothing embarrassing about wanting a healthy sex life. Sexual wellbeing is an important part of overall health, and women deserve respectful, evidence-based care. What women should know before taking any libido medication Many treatment options are available that don't include a little pink pill. It's important to speak openly with your doctor about your concerns. If you feel uncomfortable, misunderstood, or not taken seriously, it's essential to seek a second opinion. Some general practitioners have a special interest in menopause and women's sexual health, while endocrinologists and gynaecologists can be particularly helpful in managing complex cases. The bottom line Low libido is common, and there's no need to feel embarrassed. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can significantly impact sexual desire, but there are many ways to address these symptoms and enhance your sex life. The medication known as 'Female Viagra' provides only modest benefits and comes with significant risks, which is why it hasn't been approved in Australia. If you're concerned about low libido, please consult your doctor. With the right support, many women can improve their sexual lives and have more meaningful sexual experiences through lifestyle changes, personalised hormone treatments, and open conversations - often leading to far better outcomes than a single pill could ever offer. Dr Brad McKay is a medical practitioner, author, TV host and media commentator. This article contains general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor for guidance tailored to you. Long Covid, when someone suffers from Covid-like symptoms for at least three months after their infection, has long been dismissed as a fictitious condition. But for the 20million Americans estimated to suffer from it, a new study could provide them with stronger support for their struggle. Led by Harvard University researchers, a new paper has revealed there are eight distinct ways people experience the condition. Researchers tracked 3,700 adults who were first infected with the virus during the Omicron wave, which occurred after December 2021. The patients, based in the US, were followed for 15 months and filled in a questionnaire on their symptoms every three months. Only participants who had filled in the surveys for 15 months following their initial infection were included. Analysis was then used to split the patients into eight different groups based on their persistent symptoms and how they shifted over the year and three months after their initial infection. These ranged from those suffering from intense Covid symptoms at every follow-up to those who had severe Covid symptoms initially that eased over time. Researchers hope their results will help other doctors to understand the condition and advise long Covid patients on how their condition may progress and potential therapies. Tracey Thompson, a long Covid sufferer, said her symptoms were so severe that she considered assisted suicide. She is pictured above in the hospital in March 2022, after contracting Covid in March 2020. She developed a sore throat and lost her sense of smell Kirsty Huxter, shown with husband David before catching Covid, said the symptoms from long Covid were so severe that she was left bedbound Your browser does not support iframes. Long Covid is linked to a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog and post-exertional malaise, coughing, chest pain, heart palpitations, headaches, sleep problems, lightheadedness and joint pain. In some cases, these symptoms have left patients feeling so unwell that they say they have considered assisted suicide. Previous studies have suggested the condition may be caused by the immune system remaining overactive even after the initial Covid infection has been cleared. Similar symptoms have also been recorded in people after recovering from other viral infections, in a condition called post-viral syndrome, such as the flu and Epstein-Barr virus. There is a cohort of people, including doctors, however, who do not believe that long Covid is a real condition because of its wide variety of symptoms and the fact that there is no single test for the condition. In the new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists used data from the National Institutes of Health Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Adult Cohort study. This recruited adults who filled in a symptom survey once every three months over 15 months after their Covid infection. Individuals who kept filling in the survey were assumed to still be suffering from Covid symptoms. In the survey, 69 percent of participants were female and they were 49 years old on average. There is a cohort of people, including doctors, however, who do not believe that long Covid is a real condition Your browser does not support iframes. Based on survey results, researchers broke down long Covid into eight different categories. Overall, most participants, 1,301 people, were placed into the 'consistent, minimal to no symptom burden' group. These were individuals who occasionally reported minimal Covid-like symptoms. The second most-common group, including 481 people, was 'consistent, low symptom burden' group. These were individuals who consistently reported suffering from low-level Covid-like symptoms. The third-most common group, with 443 participants, was 'intermittent, high symptom burden'. They had symptoms that fluctuated from mild to severe over the study period. A total of 195 participants were placed into the most severe group, where their symptoms were 'persistent, high burden' across the 15 months surveyed. They suffered constantly from debilitating or severe symptoms throughout the study period. The other groups were: 'Improving, moderate symptom burden', which included participants whose symptoms improved over time; 'Worsening, moderate symptom burden', which included participants whose symptoms worsened over time; 'Improving, low symptom burden', which included participants whose symptoms improved and had mostly eased after six months; and 'delayed, worsening symptom burden', which included participants whose symptoms worsened about 15 months after infection. Lead researcher Dr Tanayott Thaweethai, a biostatistician at Harvard Medical School, said: 'The variability we identified will enable future studies to evaluate risk factors and biomarkers that could explain why patients vary in time of recovery, and help identify potential therapeutic targets.' Dr Bruce Levy, the chair of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, who was also involved in the research, added: 'This study addresses an urgent need to define the differing long Covid trajectories. 'Our findings will help determine what resources are needed for clinical and public health support of individuals with long Covid and will also inform efforts to understand long Covid's biological basis.' A peculiar thing happened last Sunday. In my Ask Jana column, I answered a question from a reader who learned her husband had received a 'rub and tug' from a masseuse. She wanted to know if that constituted cheating. Her husband said it didn't - and even thought it was a funny little escapade. Yuck. My answer was clear: 'I think this one's pretty black and white: if a man lets another woman touch his willy, he's cheating. It doesn't matter if it was part of a "massage".' Done and dusted. Or so I thought When I shared my opinion on Instagram, I got some very surprising responses. The upshot was this: a shocking number of men don't think getting a Thai massage with a 'happy ending' counts as cheating. Even worse? A surprising number of women agreed. This week, DailyMail+ columnist Jana Hocking pulls back the curtain on 'rub and tug' joints One friend even told me she doesn't mind her husband getting a bit of 'hand relief' elsewhere if it gives her a 'few days' peace' - but draws the line at blowjobs or sex. Another said it wouldn't be a 'deal-breaker' if her man got a 'wristy' at a massage parlour. (Yes, she really said 'wristy'. That's Australian women for you.) 'I just don't think I'd care, to be honest... maybe I'm too easy-going?' she told me. 'Easy-going' is one way of putting it. Later that evening, as I strolled around Bondi, it suddenly seemed like massage parlours were everywhere, their neon 'open' signs flickering at me. Some were sandwiched between nail salons and bottle shops, others were sitting awkwardly on corners next to kebab joints. Some were at street level, but mostly they were up flights of dimly lit stairs. There were no customers in sight during my little stakeout, but you'd be wrong to assume business was slow. Usually there's a back entrance somewhere, or the male customers enter unnoticed, slinking in like horny ninjas. Call me naive, but until recently I really thought happy ending joints only existed in the red light districts of Bali and Thailand. 'Rub and tug' massage parlours are hiding in plain sight, nearly as common as coffee shops and convenience stores (stock image posed by models) Call me naive, but until recently I really thought happy ending joints only existed in the red light districts of Bali and Thailand, writes Jana (stock image) But no, they are right here on our doorstep, hiding in plain sight, almost as common as coffee shops and convenience stores. Welcome to Australia's 'happy ending' massage boom. Thai massage joints surged in popularity here when remedial massage was added to the extras offered by several major health insurers. But an unintended consequence of this was the proliferation of shops that provide a very different kind of 'extra' service - namely handjobs. I am told customers at these venues are generally married men who consider it 'light cheating' because the sex act they're paying for is so... basic. No sex, no blowjob, not even a bed. It's hardly in the same league as a brothel or meeting a woman on a dating app - or at least that's their logic. So how exactly does it all work? Well, men walk in, choose their massage and pay in cash. Then, upon entering the room, there is usually a hint of sorts from the masseuse that 'extras' are on the table. This is typically something like, 'Have you been here before?' Then it's game on. The rubdown begins and hands brush past bits that are usually off limits in a legit massage. Then, after about 30 minutes, the customer is told to 'turn over please' and... well, do I need to spell out what happens next? After their 'happy ending', the men exit - often through a discreet side door - and skip off home to their unsuspecting wives and girlfriends. Yep, it still sounds like cheating to me. But plenty of fellas out there disagree. This response came from a famous athlete, believe it or not: 'In my opinion, a rub and tug is not cheating. Stress relief and relaxation, no intimacy at all.' Meeting women has never been a problem for someone like him. But, as I was beginning to understand, it isn't about that. 'There's no exchange of bodily fluids, no sex or oral. Just a whole-body massage. People will disagree, but that's my two cents,' he said. Chris*, a FIFO worker from Western Australia, also told me that massage parlours have become a 'convenient loophole' for men on-site. 'Guys fly into town, check into their usual cheap motel, grab a kebab, then head to what they call the "relaxation zone". They treat it like self-care. Like getting a haircut or a car wash,' he explained. 'It's not an affair. It's just a massage.' This married man had a similar take: 'I've been married 12 years. I don't have affairs, I don't lie, I don't go on dating apps, but I do get the occasional massage with a happy ending,' he said. 'I see it like getting a release - it's not emotional, and it's keeping me satisfied in a marriage where regular sex dried up a long time ago.' Another bloke told me that he and his mates frequent a 'rub and tug' parlour after weekly footy practice and treat it like 'a cheeky secret'. His justification? 'You don't fall in love with your waxer. Why would this be different?' So, where does that leave us? There's a reason these shops are popping up everywhere, and it's not because we're a nation of people with tight shoulders. Perhaps it's because they present a guilt-free solution (although it really shouldn't be) to the sexual frustration common in many marriages. It's a kind of cheating that can be easy to justify - or maybe dismiss as an 'accident'. To that I say: if it's really 'just a massage', why don't you tell your wife about it? If you have to pay in cash, walk out a side door, and delete your browser history it's not exactly the same as a physio appointment, is it? As one of my followers succinctly put it: 'If it's something you would be ashamed to tell your partner, then you probably shouldn't be doing it.' Maybe it's time we stop calling it 'just a massage'. Punters have mixed reactions to the new drink, dubbed a 'Guinness shandy' With demand for low and no alcohol drinks continuing to rise, some bartenders are getting creative with their pints and combining beverages like never before - to mixed reactions from pub-goers. One pub in Dublin has raised eyebrows rather than glasses with the introduction of a new '60/40' pint of Guinness. The Palmerstown House Pub debuted the new tipple on its Instagram page, explaining that the pint has 'all of the Guinness character' but is 'just a little lighter' than a pint of fully alcoholic stout. The '60/40' contains approximately 60 per cent Guinness 0.0 and 40 per cent normal Guinness, which has 4.2 per cent alcohol content. 'Great for when you're in the mood for a pint but with a little less alcohol,' the pub said in its Instagram post, before clarifying that the drink 'is not a 0.0 option', which means it is not suitable for teetotals. However, some punters have expressed strong feelings about the concoction, with many against such a drink. One commenter on Instagram branded the idea 'a load of nonsense' while another said it 'should be illegal'. A third declared such a mix of Guinness is 'blasphemy' and another commenter wrote: 'Who the hell wants to have to buy more drinks to get drunk in this economy?' The Palmerstown House in Dublin has introduced a new '60/50' pint of Guinness, which is described as being 'just a little lighter' than a normal alcoholic Guinness The '60/40' contains approximately 60 per cent Guinness 0.0 and 40 per cent normal Guinness, which has 4.2 per cent alcohol content However, some pointed out that the drink is akin to a 'Guinness shandy' or joked that it was 'semi-skimmed Guinness'. 'Few drinking this in the pub I work in, calling it a Gandi (Guinness shandy),' one person wrote. Others recalled the existence of the mid-strength Guinness which was first launched in 2012, but has now been discontinued. Guinness Mid-Strength had just 2.8 per cent ABV and were introduced to allow drinks giant Diageo to take advantage of a 50 per cent duty tax discount on beers at 2.8 per cent or below that the UK government introduced that year. Those who were in favour of the 60/40 drink declared it was a 'genius' move by the pub and a 'marketing win'. '2 per cent(ish) beers are the future,' one person said, while another added: 'I've asked for this in a few pubs and been looked at like I was a mentalist! Great to see you making it an actual thing.' 'I would drink hundreds of them. HUNDREDS! (Also low-alcoholic beer is great for the summer or when you generally don't want to get plastered on a Tuesday,' a third person said. Guinness launched its popular 0.0 version in 2020, but had to recall the product shortly after due to a contamination issue, later re-releasing it in 2021 after the problems were resolved. The pub debuted its new Guinness concoction on Instagram, where punters had very mixed reactions with some calling it a 'Guinness shandy' Sales of Guinness 0.0 cans have been booming since it launched and this year, Ocado sales of the non-alcoholic version of the stout outstripped the original for the first time. In September, the Mail on Sunday revealed that 53 per cent of Guinness deliveries from the UK's largest online-only supermarket are now of the alcohol-free variant. The brewer sells almost 50 million worth of Guinness 0.0 in shops and online supermarkets every year about a fifth of its total off-sales market, according to researcher NIQ. It's now the nation's best-selling alcohol-free beer. In the pub, the traditional variety with 4.2 per cent alcohol by volume is still the UK's king of beers, accounting for an estimated one in nine of all pints sold. Last year, Guinness 0.0 was introduced on draught for the first time - as the stout's popularity soared thanks to viral pubs like The Devonshire in Soho, London. Australia's first female recipient of a Michelin star, restaurateur and chef Skye Gyngell, has died from a rare skin cancer at the age of 62. Her heartbroken family issued a statement overnight. 'We are deeply saddened to share news of Skye Gyngell's passing on 22nd November in London, surrounded by her family and loved ones,' they said. 'Skye was a culinary visionary who influenced generations of chefs and growers globally to think about food and its connection to the land. 'She leaves behind a remarkable legacy and is an inspiration to us all.' Gyngell passed away following a fight with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and fast-growing skin cancer diagnosed when she found a lump on her neck in April 2024. Jamie Oliver led tributes for Gyngell. 'She was an amazing woman and incredible cook and kind hearted,' Oliver wrote. Restaurateur and chef Skye Gyngell (pictured) has died aged 62 Gyngell passed away following a fight with Merkel cell carcinoma 'She will be very, very, very missed. Thank you for all you did to inspire young cooks.' Gyngell was the daughter of legendary broadcaster Bruce Gyngell and his first wife, interior designer Ann Gyngell (nee Barr), whose death was confirmed only days before her daughters. News of her mother's death was was shared publicly by Channel Nine presenter Leila McKinnon, who is married to Gyngell's brother, David Gyngell. Born in Sydney in 1963, Gyngell trained in France and later worked in London before becoming head chef at Petersham Nurseries Cafe in Richmond when it opened in 2004. She earned a Michelin star for the restaurant seven years later - the first and still the only Australian woman to do so. She went on to become culinary director at Heckfield Place in 2012 and two years later opened her own celebrated restaurant, Spring, at Somerset House. Alongside her restaurant work, Gyngell published several cookbooks and contributed widely to food writing. After a lifetime of hard work and decades of diligently saving into a pension, a comfortable retirement is the least you would expect. But stark figures from the Government warn that 43 per cent of workers are not saving enough for their later years. An estimated 15 million workers are not setting enough aside to guarantee themselves an adequate lifestyle when they stop working, according to research by the Department for Work and Pensions. Saving for retirement could get even harder if the Chancellor launches a tax raid on pensions in the Budget this week. The good news is that it is not too late to take action. Whether you are decades or days from retirement, there are simple steps you can take to boost your pension and secure your financial future. Give yourself a pension health check Before you make a plan to boost savings, take stock of where you have got to so far. Get all your pension paperwork together, tot up how much you have in each pot and where the accounts are. Your latest statements should forecast how much your pot with your employer could be worth by retirement age. Factor in other assets such as Individual Savings Accounts (Isas), investments and income, perhaps from a buy-to-let. Free online pension calculators can help determine how much you need to save to reach your goals and live comfortably in retirement. You input your incomings and outgoings and lifestyle expectations and the tool will forecast whether you are on track. One free calculator is offered by the Government-backed Money Helper website. To use it go to moneyhelper.org.uk/en/pensions-and-retirement/pensions-basics/pension-calculator. Consider seeking professional advice. Over-50s who have a modern workplace pension in the private sector, called a defined contribution pension, can get a free appointment with the Governments Pension Wise service. Go to: moneyhelper.org.uk. Track down any lost pots The Pension Policy Institute estimates that there are 3.3 million lost pension pots, worth a combined 31.1 billion. This means the average lost pot is worth 9,470, however this rises to 13,620 for someone aged between 55 and 75. Susan Hope, retirement expert at life insurer Scottish Widows, says: Based on the average value, not tracking down yours is equivalent to working for free for 65 days a year and for over-55s, it is equivalent to 92 days. Despite that, some 66 per cent of people surveyed by Standard Life said they had never tried to track down a lost pot. If you think you may have lost track of a pension, dig out old paperwork to see where your savings are. And contact previous employers to find out about their pension scheme details. If the company no longer exists, or you are unable to contact them, use the Governments free Pension Tracing Service, a database of pension contact details. Consolidating your pots in one place can make it easier to keep track of your savings. However, anyone with a defined benefit pension should take advice first, as these often come with valuable benefits that will be lost if you move your money. Boost your contributions Helen Morrissey suggests ways to get your employer to contribute more Under auto-enrolment, anyone aged between 22 and state pension age earning at least 10,000 a year is automatically signed up to their workplace pension scheme. As a result, more people are saving for retirement than ever before but most are still not saving enough. The minimum pension contribution through auto-enrolment is 8 per cent of your salary (5 per cent from you and 3 per cent from your employer). However, estimates suggest that you need to save closer to 15 per cent of your salary for a decent retirement. Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at financial services company Hargreaves Lansdown, says: Some employers are willing to contribute more than the minimum if you do the same. This is known as the employer match, and can give your retirement planning a significant hike. Got a bonus? Invest it tax-free Rather than boosting your monthly contributions, consider a one-off payment. Funnelling a bonus directly into a pension can often help to avoid a hefty income tax bill too. A one-off 3,000 bonus put into your pension, which grows at 5 per cent a year could bolster your pot by 4,886 over ten years, and by 7,959 after 20 years, says Maike Currie from online pension consolidation service PensionBee. Had a basic rate taxpayer taken the bonus as pay, they would have ended up with a maximum of 2,160 after income tax and National Insurance, she adds. A pay rise is also a good opportunity to boost your contributions do it before you get used to having the extra cash in your pocket. Cut the fees charged on your savings Charges eat into your returns, so keep them as low as possible. Fees on newer workplace pensions are capped at 0.75 per cent if you save into the default fund, but older pots may charge more. Consider moving your money if you think that you are paying too much. Imagine a saver has three pension pots, each worth 25,000, with annual charges of 1.5 per cent, 1 per cent and 0.75 per cent. Assuming 5 per cent annual investment growth, after ten years the three pots would have a combined value of 109,608, and after 20 years would have grown to 160,343, according to figures from AJ Bell. However, if the three pots were consolidated into one account charging a more competitive 0.45 per cent a year, they could be worth 116,780 after ten years, and 181,833 after 20 years thats an extra 21,490. But dont just chase the lowest fee, warns Les Cameron of pension group M&G. Its important to assess the returns you are likely to make on the pension. He says: An investment that achieves annual growth of 7 per cent but charges 1 per cent will result in a larger pot than one charging 0.5 per cent but growing by 6 per cent. Review your investments Many pension savers are in the default fund, a generic investment option chosen by their employer. As it is a one-size-fits-all type of pension fund, it is unlikely to be a top performer. Rachel Reeves is expected to launch a tax raid on pensions in this week's Budget A higher risk option that invests more in the stock market is likely to grow your money faster, particularly for those who are a long way from retirement. Your investment options will vary depending on your pension provider some offer a range of ready-made portfolios of differing risk levels, while others let you choose from hundreds of funds. Watch out for funds using a lifestyling strategy. This is where your money is gradually moved out of the stock market and into safer assets such as Government bonds and cash as you near retirement. This may be sensible for some savers close to drawing an income from their pot, but if you plan to work longer or to leave your money invested after retirement, it may not be a good option. Review your investments at least once a year. Make full use of allowances Savers can put up to 100 per cent of their earnings, to a maximum of 60,000, into a pension each financial year while still receiving tax relief. Using up as much of this allowance as you can afford is an effective way to boost your pot. Carry forward rules let you make use of unused allowances from the previous three tax years, which can be useful if you have had a windfall or inheritance. Currie explains: Add up your unused allowance from the previous three tax years, then add it to this years to get your total pension contribution limit. You can contribute this amount and still get tax relief. Claim the extra tax relief Higher rate taxpayers get 40 per cent tax relief on pension contributions, but this doesnt always happen automatically. There are two ways that tax relief is applied to contributions: net pay, where contributions are taken before you pay tax, and relief at source, where they are made from your post-tax income. With both, a 100 contribution would still be paid into your pension, but how it is done differs. Under net pay, a 100 pension contribution costs a higher-rate payer 60. With relief at source, it would cost 80 the basic rate of 20 per cent tax relief is applied automatically, but you need to claim the extra 20 tax relief you are owed through self-assessment. A 100 monthly contribution could grow to 45,250 over 20 years, assuming 7 per cent annual growth and charges of 1 per cent. Using the additional tax relief to top-up your contributions could add another 11,300 to the pot, says Cameron. Claire Moffat, tax and pensions expert at mutual life, pensions and investment company Royal London, adds: You can claim tax relief for the last four years, so its worth checking if youve missed out. To check how your tax relief is paid, have a look at your payslips or you can ask your employer or pension provider. Top up your state pension To GET the full state pension, you need 35 years of qualifying National Insurance contributions and you need at least ten years to get any state pension at all. Reasons you might have gaps in your National Insurance record include: if you were a low earner; if you were unemployed and not claiming benefits; or if you took a career break to raise children or care for relatives. You can fill in missing years to boost your entitlement. The costs vary but, for example, filling in contributions for the entirety of the 2024-25 financial year that is if you had made no contributions at all would cost you 907.30 and boost your state pension by 6.32 a week or 329 a year. In other words you would recoup this outlay within three years. Check your National Insurance record on the gov.uk website. It is usually possible to fill in the past six tax years. Speak to the Future Pensions Centre (0800 731 0175) first though it can advise whether making a payment will benefit you. Keep allowances in the family Spouses can help each other so no one gets left behind. You can pay up to 2,880 a year into a pension for a non-earner, which gets topped up to 3,600 with tax relief. This can be particularly important for women, who typically under-save compared with men and are more likely to take career breaks. Hope says: A five-year break at age 35 can leave women almost 70,000 worse off in retirement, so continuing to contribute even small sums helps. Work for longer and defer payments... State pension age is 66, rising to 67 by 2028, but you dont have to take the payment straight away. For each year you defer, the payment rises by almost 6 per cent. The new full state pension is 221.20 a week (or 11,973 a year), so waiting one year would add 665 a year for life. A basic rate taxpayer would need to live to 82 to see a net benefit from a one-year deferral, and 86 for a five-year deferral, says Moffat. ... or Consider a career change Some employers are more generous than others and, as retirement saving moves up your priority list, you could consider targeting a new workplace that offers greater pension perks. Public sector pensions are known for being especially generous. Teachers receive employer contributions of more than 28 per cent. For the NHS it is 23.7 per cent. Easyjet will this week report higher annual profits after travellers shrugged off economic woes in a bumper summer. The budget airline's results due tomorrow are expected to impress despite costly disruption from French air traffic control strikes. Analysts expect easyJet to report a rise in profits to 650m for the year to the end of September up from 610m in the previous year, according to broker AJ Bell. At its quarterly update in July, the group said its package holiday arm 'continues to perform strongly', too. Taking off: Analysts expect easyJet to report a rise in profits to 650m for the year to the end of September up from 610m in the previous year But it warned that French air traffic control strikes in July created 'unexpected and significant costs'. The walkouts forced it to cancel 660 flights and resulted in a 15m hit although further threatened action last month was called off. Richard Hunter, head of markets at trading platform Interactive Investor, warned the airline could come 'in the firing line for demotion from the FTSE 100 in the upcoming December reshuffle'. Shares in easyJet have tumbled 17 per cent this year. An alarming 20 new bat viruses have been detected in China, sparking fears that they could spread to humans and livestock and reach Australia. The viruses were discovered inside the kidneys of bats inhabiting orchards near villages in China's southwest, along with new species of bacteria and a new parasite. Two of the viruses are closely related to the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses, which are known for their high fatality rates in humans and for causing severe symptoms that include severe brain inflammation and respiratory disease. Associate Professor Vinod Balasubramaniam, a molecular virologist at Monash University in Malaysia, said the viruses were particularly concerning because they were predominantly found in bat kidneys, raising alarm that the viruses could be spread through their urine into water sources and on fruits. 'For Australia, with its history of Hendra outbreaks linked to bat populations, the findings hold special relevance,' he said. 'The similarity between Australian rural environments and Yunnan's orchards near human settlements stresses the urgency of intensified surveillance and biosecurity measures. 'Global connectivity means an outbreak in China could swiftly reach Australia.' University of Sydney wildlife disease ecologist Dr Alison Peel said more research was needed to determine the risk posed by the new viruses. An alarming 20 new bat viruses have been detected in China with fears raised it could be spread to humans and livestock and reach Australia (stock image) 'The main significance of this work lies in the discovery of viruses in bats in China that are "evolutionary cousins" to two of the most concerning pathogens in humans, Hendra virus and Nipah virus, which circulate in bats and are highly fatal if they spill over into people,' she said. CSIRO virologist Dr Nias Peng said Australia could not afford to ignore the potential for new diseases transmitted from animals to humans. 'Given Australia's history with Hendra virus outbreaks since its emergence in 1994 to cause multiple fatal infections in horses and humans, this underscores the importance of continued vigilance in rural and peri-urban areas close to bat habitats,' she said. 'Strengthening disease surveillance, understanding spillover mechanisms, and educating the public about reducing exposure risks, like ensuring fruits are washed and livestock protected from exposure, could help mitigate potential outbreaks.' The World Health Organisation recommends washing and peeling fruit to prevent contracting and spreading Nipah virus. University of Queensland Director of the Centre for Animal Science Professor Tim Mahony said while Hendra and Nipah viruses were both highly lethal to humans, they are quite different in their risk profile. 'Human infection by Hendra virus requires an amplifying host, horses, with no reports of anyone being infected through contact with bats or their fluids,' he said. 'The situation with Nipah virus is somewhat different, as while an amplifying host can be involved (typically pigs), human infections through contact with saliva from infected bats is a known risk. University of Sydney wildlife disease ecologist Dr Alison Peel said more research was needed to determine the risk posed by the new viruses and its potential spread to Australia (stock image) 'Whether either of these scenarios, or others, applies to the related viruses identified in this study is impossible to know.' The research was published in the journal PLOS Pathogens. JERUSALEM, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel struck the Lebanese capital of Beirut in an attempt to kill Haytham Ali Tabatabai, whom Netanyahu described as Hezbollah's de facto chief of staff. The strike was conducted "in the heart of Beirut, targeting Hezbollah's chief of staff, who led the organization's force build-up and armament efforts," according to a statement by Netanyahu's office. Local TV channel Al Jadeed reported that the strike killed at least one person and injured several others. "Israel is determined to pursue its objectives anywhere and at any time," Netanyahu said. Earlier in the day, Netanyahu told the weekly cabinet meeting that Israel "will continue doing whatever is necessary to prevent Hezbollah from reestablishing its ability" to threaten Israel. The Israeli military confirmed the strike in Beirut, saying it targeted a "key" Hezbollah figure, without elaborating on the outcome of the attack. Footage showed extensive damage to cars and buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs. Lebanon's state-owned National News Agency reported that the strike hit an apartment building in the Haret Hreik neighborhood, with injuries reported. Since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27, 2024, which largely ended about 13 months of cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has struck Beirut a few times, while attacking other areas in southern and eastern Lebanon almost daily, claiming they are aimed at eliminating Hezbollah "threats." It has also maintained 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. Israel's Home Front Command has not updated its civil defense guidelines for residents in the north, indicating that authorities do not anticipate an imminent response from Hezbollah. At 36 weeks pregnant and on holiday with her husband and two young children, Dr. Anna Brown - whose name we have changed to protect her identity - was suddenly gripped by severe abdominal pain during dinner. Terrified and in agony, she said she needed to lie down. Yet in a chilling display of the daily abuse she was by then enduring, her husband ignored her and let her return to the room alone. 'I got the children to bed, and I was lying there feeling frightened and unloved,' she says now. 'Just as I thought he couldn't hurt me more, he walked in through the door, took one look at me and said, ''you spoiled my dinner".' A respected paediatrician who seemed to have it all- a thriving career, the 'perfect family' Anna was in fact stuck in a nightmare of coercive control and emotional torment. The manipulation and cruelty she suffered at the hands of her husband, David, would last for 14 years and leave her feeling suicidal. Just as bad, her subsequent experience of psychiatric care would traumatise her all over again, she says, and rob me of everything I had left'. Indeed, shockingly, Anna, who's now 57, found herself hospitalised and diagnosed with a serious mental illness rather than helped to escape the domestic abuse she was suffering. Today she is telling her story to help other women whose abuse is misinterpreted by the medical profession as mental illness a clinical mistake which doctors themselves admit still happens in UK hospitals. Former doctor, who we are calling Dr Anna to protect her identity, described how her husbands coercive control and emotional torment shattered her sense of self, left her feeling suicidal, and ultimately pushed her into a psychiatric system that, she says, 'robbed me of everything I had left' (stock image) For Anna it has been a long fight for some kind of justice. Earlier this year, some 20 years after she was told she had manic depression and a personality disorder, her GP replaced those labels on her medical record with the phrase 'victim of domestic abuse'. 'In hindsight, this patient was a victim of coercive controlling behaviour,' he wrote on her record in recognition of the true cause of her distress. It is a victory of sorts, she says, though it does nothing to undo the damage she claims she suffered as a result of the treatment she was given in hospital in the mid-2000s, which included electroconvulsive therapy. Anna's breaking point came after years of being 'treated like a slave' by her husband. She met him in the mid-1980s while they were both at university. To the outside world, he appeared generous and funny, the kind of man people instantly warmed to. Months of 'love bombing' convinced her she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, and less than 18 months after meeting, they were married. It didn't take long for David* to show his true colours, however. Within months of the wedding, Anna, whos from Worcestershire, found herself increasingly isolated. 'He'd just be so rude to people, so rude to my friends, that I was embarrassed, she says. You start to avoid seeing people, and then you find you're cut off from them altogether. 'When I look back now, all our friends were his friends, which makes it harder to leave because you don't have a support network. 'When I married him, I felt like I was in a room full of bright, warm, lovely candles. And over the time, he just snuffed out every candle, every light in my life. Until I was done, in darkness.' In the early years of their marriage, Dr Anna recalls how David would use affection as a form of control. He wanted to have a sexual relationship, but didn't offer any other form of intimacy, even refusing to touch her stomach when she was pregnant with their first child. 'He wouldn't hold hands. And he wouldn't dance with me when I was out. He'd dance with other women, but not me.' If she didn't feel like having sex, her reluctance was met not with understanding but with anger and sulking so she would often just give in. 'The emotional side of it wasn't there at all for him, it was just kind of transactional.' Financially, he was selfish and controlling too, always finding a way to prioritise his own habits. 'He drank quite a bit. He expected to have a bottle of wine a night at seven or eight pounds each. And I couldn't ever get him to tell me what he was spending, or commit to a spending regime. 'I had to deny myself as a result. I used to find it really embarrassing, because I never really had any nice clothes for work.' At the time, Dr Anna was a full-time medical student juggling exams and coursework while her husband worked shifts. Because he didn't drive, she routinely woke at 4:30am to take him to or from work- often waiting outside for hours to bring him home again. It was another way for him to assert control: she was expected to shape her life around his needs, constantly doing things to keep him satisfied and avoid his anger. Despite her studies and the demands of renovating their first home, she said she was left to do 'absolutely everything', from walking the dog and managing the house, while he refused even to learn to drive or lift a finger to help. She explained: 'I couldn't even ask him to pick his underwear up off the floor. If I did, I was a nag. The pathetic one. He treated me like a slave. I was just expected to do everything.' Ashamed that her marriage had fallen short of the fairytale she had imagined, she concealed the abuse from her family, who continued to believe David was a devoted and loving husband. Whats more, he followed the narcissist abusers playbook closely, alternating cruelty with affection to create an emotional bond that kept Anna from leaving him, at least at first. Once she completed her medical training, she began to work exceptionally long hours sometimes up to 100 a week - looking after sick children in hospital, but was still expected to do all of the house work, cooking and cleaning. Their three children came along in late nineties, and she dropped down to 56 hours a week to take care of them and run the household. Now her husband's callousness ramped up. No matter how hard she tried to make him happy, it was never good enough; he would pick apart everything and belittle her efforts. On one occasion, he flew into a rage because she had asked friends to help her with house renovation work rather than do it all herself. On another, exhausted after a 36-hour shift, she packed everyone's cases for a holiday, including Davids only for him to rip everything out of the case when he got home and tell her: 'You've done nothing then, have you?' At the time, her parents were sitting downstairs, oblivious to his nastiness. 'The ridiculous thing is that I was embarrassed. I didnt want my parents to hear how he was treating me. There was just this constant feeling that nothing I could ever do was right.' By her mid-thirties, the strain had begun to break her down physically and mentally. Emotionally shattered, she began experiencing blackouts, severe anxiety and depression - her body's way of warning she couldn't take any more. In the early 2000s, with three children under the age of six, she was referred by her GP to a psychiatrist. While the abuse was never physical, the psychiatrist recognised the signs of coercive control though this was not then a crime and urged her to run for her own safety. Anna fled with the children to her parents home in Yorkshire, but now her husband launched a campaign to destroy her reputation. Determined to keep control, he began to spread lies about her, convincing others that she was unstable and a danger to her own children. Tragically, even her parents began to believe him. David now took two of their children back, leaving her with their baby. Faced with this onslaught, Anna spiralled further into depression and started to feel the only way to escape his control was to end her life. Persuaded by relatives and her psychiatrist to seek help, she admitted herself to a psychiatric ward - yet now it seemed she swapped one form of control for another. Inside the hospital, Anna claimed doctors failed to recognise it was abuse that had driven her despair. She alleges staff told her they 'didn't want to take sides' in what they perceived as a domestic matter. Instead, she was given strong drugs normally used to treat psychosis and mania, including Lithium, Haloperidol and Valproate, and diagnosed with several serious mental disorders. 'I'm on that ward and telling them that my husband is the cause of my [mental] injuries. I was made out to be this problem, I was labelled with personality disorder and manic depression. They misdiagnosed my distress.' Anna stayed in hospital for six weeks, but despite pleading for sanctuary and support, David was now able to manipulate both her family and the psychiatric team into believing she should return to him. Releasing her to his care, the doctors effectively reunited her with the very man she says put her in hospital in the first place. 'The people I turned to for help betrayed me. I had no choice but to return to his abuse. If I tried to leave, he told me I would never see my children again. This felt like my death sentence. I was trapped and I was hopeless. If I was beaten up by him and in intensive care my family would have flocked around me, but I was beaten up psychologically instead and no one could see that. 'I'm not cross with my family though - they trusted the psychiatrists to get it right.' Less than two months later, her mental health now in steep decline, Anna was back in hospital. Once again she was heavily sedated with powerful antipsychotics, and soon after underwent 21 sessions of Electroconvulsive Therapy [ECT], where electric currents are passed through a patient's brain to cause seizures or fits. 'Unlike some women I 'consented' to have ECT. But I consented because I was told it would cure my depression. I was told it was what I needed. By that time I was so heavily drugged up, I couldn't think straight. And you trust your doctor. Anna claims the ECT resulted in devastating memory loss and caused her to lose all recall of her medical training. She has never returned to her work as a paediatrician. 'Afterwards I couldn't recognise faces of friends or family. I went from being a doctor to being unable to do primary school maths. 'I couldn't navigate to the shops or walk around familiar places. I lost my independence. Even now, 20 years on, the effects of the ECT linger. 'I can go from intelligent and able to my brain becoming so tired it's hard to speak or do simple tasks like running a bath or getting dressed. 'I have to sleep every afternoon. I will live with the injury [done to my brain by ECT] until the day I die. Neither my abusive husband nor the psychiatrists have ever been held accountable.' At the time of her admission to hospital, coercive control was not legally recognised as a form of domestic abuse. As a result, she believes, many victims were pathologised rather than protected. In 2015 coercive control became a crime, yet she thinks women are still being wrongly labelled with mental health disorders instead of being identified as survivors of prolonged and systematic abuse. For Anna, escape finally came in 2007, when she once more fled to her parents house with her children and this time convinced them she was being abused and refused to go back. Today she lives with her new husband, a kind and understanding man, in her hometown. She does three hours of volunteering a week, but is unable to work. In an effort to protect other abuse victims from a similar fate on psychiatric wards, she raised a complaint in 2010, informing management at the hospital of their failure to recognise and respond appropriately to her experience of domestic abuse. She claimed the complaint was 'rebuffed', so she submitted another in 2016, which she says was also dismissed. Dr Anna is now urging Jess Phillips MP and Safeguarding Minister and Health Secretary Wes Streeting to implement an immediate ban on the use of ECT as a treatment for survivors of domestic abuse. Dr Lucy Johnstone, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, is concerned that administering ECT to women with a history of domestic abuse can unintentionally replicate the dynamics of that abuse. Speaking to The Daily Mail, she said: 'Two things are going on which are very destructive. One, if you tell someone who is a victim of domestic abuse that she has a mental illness, I would see that as more gaslighting. 'It's not much different from the perpetrator saying 'you're too sensitive, I didn't really do that, that didn't really happen'. 'The effect is it will conceal the real reason for her distress. The distress of women in abusive relationships is understandable in context. And the second thing is, if ECT is given in those circumstances, and I have seen this, how different is that from a perpetrator hitting you around the head? 'I believe ECT is done in good faith by staff who want to help people get better but what they may not be able to see is how they are replicating damage. Then in 2005, Dr Anna underwent 21 sessions of Electroconvulsive Therapy, resulting in devastating memory loss (stock image) 'There has been quite a lot of research where women say ''I felt like I was traumatised again, I felt like I had been raped again, I felt like I was being held down and attacked again.''' In an online statement Dr Philippa Greenfield, Joint Presidential Lead for Women and Mental Health at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: 'Clinicians often do not realise that violence, abuse and coercive behaviour can have serious mental health implications. This lack of awareness can leave victims undetected and their mental health needs not appropriately addressed. 'As soon as the need arises, victims of domestic abuse should be offered the right support. Meanwhile Dr Catherine Durkin, Joint Presidential Lead for Women and Mental Health at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, says we have long been aware of the serious harm violence and abuse can do to women and girl's mental health. Tragically, it is not uncommon for female patients to experience long-term abuse that causes serious symptoms, including suicidal ideation or symptoms of psychosis.' Dr Anna agrees. 'My distress was a perfectly normal reaction to the daily horrors that I was facing,' she says. 'All I needed was for my abuse to stop. I needed talking therapy. I needed protection. 'Instead my distress was medicalised and psychiatrists told me I was ill, that I had a chemical imbalance in my brain that only they could cure by drugs and ECT. 'If women refuse treatment, psychiatrists section us. Women are then dragged to ECT trolleys and restrained where the ECT is given against their will. This is state sanctioned abuse, she claims. 'No amount of 'happy pills' or ECT was going to be 'mind altering' enough to make the abuse I was suffering feel like I was having a fun and happy marriage. 'Why do psychiatrists and society think this is how to cure abuse? It is the same treatment that abuse victims have been subjected to for centuries.' John Devapriam, Chief Medical Officer for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust told the Daily Mail: 'Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a clinically recognised, safe, and effective treatment for severe mental health conditions such as depression, catatonia, and acute mania, particularly when other treatments have failed. 'It is administered under strict medical supervision in line with NICE guidelines and can be life-saving. 'We support informed decision-making through patient resources and ensure consent is obtained, including for those lacking capacity. Care is tailored to individual needs, and staff work with a trauma-informed approach and access specialist safeguarding advice to ensure safety and compassion.' On a sun-drenched Sunday morning in Washington, DC, the nation's most eligible bachelors - and the women determined to meet them - are packed into one of the hottest places in town. Church. Pastor Ben Stuart is in full swing, warning his young flock about the dangers of promiscuity in a sermon invoking the Biblical story of Solomon's 700 wives. Yet the real challenge for these spiritual singles is finding just one relationship that lasts. Indeed, America is seeing a revival of God-fearing Gen Zers, who now attend church nearly twice as often as Boomers. But in the nation's capital, where golden crosses now openly adorn the necks of Republican staffers on the Hill and 'Jesus Saves' bumper stickers gleam on K Street, the search for a godly spouse has exposed an uncomfortable truth. Faith, it seems, has become the latest dating strategy, and not everyone is playing for keeps. It is a struggle Bethany Miller, 25, knows all too well. 'In DC, career is like a love language, people lead with that... men wear Christian values like a lapel pin,' Miller, managing editor of the Vogue-like conservative magazine The Conservateur, told the Daily Mail. Bethany Miller (pictured) is the 25-year-old managing editor of The Conservateur Passion City (pictured) in Washington, DC, one of the hottest churches in town attended by MAGA acolytes She lamented a superficial streak among the men she encounters at fashionable soirees across the capital, 'They're going out getting drunk and having sex.' 'There are men I know who work in the administration: they go out drinking when they should be eating grass-fed beef or in their bed,' claimed Miller, who splits her time between her home base of Nashville and Washington, DC. One conservative guy, she said, even blurted out to her at a bar, 'You actually believe that s***?' On dating apps, she filters for Christian matches, but even those curated pools disappoint. Recently, she went out with a church-going man who seemed ideal, until theology entered the conversation. 'I asked him how he aligned theologically,' she recalled. 'He looks at me and goes, "What do you mean?" 'I could tell you another five times that has happened.' And while figures like the late Charlie Kirk have inspired young conservatives to find their soulmates at church, Miller said fringe beliefs have turned the dating scene sinister. She increasingly meets men influenced by darker online corners, like white supremacist Nick Fuentes or racist ideologies such as Kinism, the belief in racial segregation. 'They will actually tell me, I want to keep my bloodline pure,' she said. Though Kinism remains a niche online subculture, its rhetoric has seeped into the circles Miller frequents, turning theological alignment into a minefield. 'They are clinging to faith as a front,' said Miller, a Calvinist from the Reformed school of Protestantism. 'They can't even tell you anything theological.' Morgan Housley, too, is frustrated by the seemingly performative conservative, Christian values within the DC dating pool that have left her disillusioned. 'Just because you're going to church doesn't mean you're on fire for the Lord,' the 29-year-old, who works for a conservative think tank, told the Daily Mail. Morgan Housley (pictured), too, is frustrated by the seemingly performative conservative, Christian values within the DC dating pool that have left her disillusioned By day she dashes around the city for business meetings, but by night she scrolls through profiles of men who post Bible verses between bar selfies. 'Those aren't conservative values, getting drunk and partying and Making America Party Again,' she said. Housley recalled one date with a man who claimed to be Christian: 'I could tell that faith wasn't important to him, it was just an accessory in his life.' Instead, she yearns for what she calls 'spiritual masculinity.' 'I want to be led,' she said. 'When I think of masculinity, it's not just a guy that has big muscles, it's also protecting me emotionally and physically.' Housley blames a 'lukewarm and feminine' American church for failing to cultivate genuine masculinity. And the DC resident, who hails from Florida, fears the city's grind is eroding her femininity. 'I don't think women were meant to go to a nine-to-five,' she said, sighing. While she pines for a 'guy who will look me in the eye and tell me I'm beautiful,' she also isn't sure where she'll find him. 'God can be creative and funny,' she said, 'but I just don't think my husband is in DC.' But as Washington's young worshippers wrestle with authenticity, north in New York, the faithful are turning their congregations into social clubs. In Manhattan's fashionable Soho neighborhood, St Patrick's Old Cathedral hums with energy as hordes of worshippers pack the pews. It's 7pm on Sunday and Mass is standing room only. Paula Scanlan, 25, a senior fellow at the American Principles Project, described the crowd as 'a really young group of people who are aged between 22 and 35 years old.' In Manhattan's fashionable Soho neighborhood, St Patrick's Old Cathedral hums with energy as hordes of worshippers pack the pews Pictured: Raquel Debono (left), who runs a singles night called Make America Hot Again, and Paula Scanlan, 25, a senior fellow at the American Principles Project Church, she told the Daily Mail, provides a 'third space' - a social setting between work and home and 'it can be a place to find your husband.' 'Somebody asked me out after church last week!' she exclaimed, noting that 'the more you're out there the higher chance you have' at finding love. Scanlan's cheerful pragmatism has made her somewhat of a shepherd among New York's Catholic 20-somethings. And she has a method for finding eligible bachelors for her fellow congregants, meeting handsome men under the flashing lights of bars then persuading them to join her beside the flickering candles of St Patrick's. 'If I meet a really nice guy but I'm not interested,' she said, 'we'll invite him to church and say, come and meet all these other wonderful people. 'It's a way to triage the guy.' To her friend Raquel Debono, however, church is more like hot yoga for the soul. 'The vibe is me trying not to touch my phone for an hour,' the 29-year-old, who runs a singles night called Make America Hot Again, told the Daily Mail. 'It's like the same as a workout class, then I walk out, I'm like, "oh my God, I'm a good person now".' Raised Catholic in a family that only went to church once a year on Christmas, she admitted she 'was very surprised' by the young faces lining the pews. 'I didn't know that young people went to church.' Afterwards, she and Scanlan mingle outside before drifting to a nearby bar. 'There's a few [hot guys],' Debono said. 'Probably too religious for me, though.' Unlike some of her peers, she believes so-called evangelical 'Bible-thumpers' in the conservative movement are 'crazy.' 'Some of the most problematic characters I've seen in my life have been people of God,' she said. Yet she sees value in community: 'Kids should be raised going to church every week.' Down in the Bible Belt, however, the Christian revival takes a bolder, more orthodox turn, fueled by viral TikToks and a surge in young converts. There has been an 80 percent increase in Orthodox Christianity converts from pre-pandemic levels, according to a 2023 Orthodox Studies Institute survey. Savanna Faith Stone, now 20, got married at 18 and leads an army of online followers as she proudly cooks, cleans and serves her husband, whom she met through mutual friends in Tallahassee. Savanna Faith Stone (pictured), now 20, got married at 18 and leads an army of online followers as she proudly cooks, cleans and serves her husband, whom she met through mutual friends in Tallahassee This spring, she began sharing their marriage online, and within months, her homemaking posts went viral, drawing more than 600,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. 'I don't really like the term tradwife,' the former Miss Florida beauty queen told the Daily Mail. 'No one is traditional if you were born after the 1940s. We have washing machines and dishwashers and all of that.' Yet she embraces Christian values: 'Marriages just thrive that way.' While she encourages looking for dating prospects beneath the church's stained-glass windows rather than over drinks or in DMs, she says it's not enough to just scour the pews during Sunday Service. 'If you want a man to be more spiritually active or in his faith, then you need to be waking up at 5am and reading your Bible and playing worship music in the house and going to church and doing those things through action,' she said. In other words, it's not enough to just talk the talk. Indeed, young men now attend church more than young women - 43 percent versus 36 percent, respectively, according to evangelical pollster Barna - reversing a long-standing trend in which women dominated pews. But Miller highlighted the problem of performative piety: 'These young men are turning up to church to find wives there... We should go to church to commune with the Lord.' Back in Manhattan, however, as the organ fades and the flock spills onto cobbled streets, Scanlan's optimism endures. Perhaps, as the saying goes, she'll find love when she least expects it. 'I am not going in there with the expectation to meet my husband,' she smiles, 'but I understand that it has a chance to lead me to him.' A chain of McDonald's restaurants owned by a North Carolina congressman has been dogged by grim allegations and controversies such as maggots in burgers, a norovirus outbreak, and even a deadly shooting at one location by one of his felon employees. Republican Chuck Edwards won his seat in 2023 after running on his record as a successful business owner with a 'passion for customer service', telling an inspiring tale of his rise from a teenage McDonalds employee to multi-franchise owner. But the Daily Mail can reveal Edwards's restaurants have a far-than-spotless track record. The most recent controversy emerged in January this year, when one of Edwards's former staff pleaded guilty to shooting dead a 30-year-old mother at a McDonald's restaurant in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Sam Ivey, 37, was hired by Edwards's company C. Edwards Group, despite his extensive criminal history which included an assault conviction involving a gun. The family of the murdered woman, Jaclyn Reed, sued Edwards's firm over the 2023 killing, claiming the company failed to properly train staff to handle altercations, and that it 'knew or should have known' Ivey was dangerous because 'at the time of his hiringIvey was a convicted felon with an extens[ive] criminal record including a conviction for assault by pointing a gun.' The case was settled out of court in March this year. Ivey was carrying a semi-automatic pistol, unlawful for a felon, and was found with another handgun altered to be fully automatic. North Carolina congressman Chuck Edwards had pitched himself as a self-made success story after rising through the ranks from a teenage McDonald's employee to a franchise owner But the Daily Mail can reveal that Edwards's franchises have been dogged by a string of disturbing controversies ranging from norovirus outbreaks, maggots in food, to a fatal shooting Edwards, who is a licensed firearms dealer, chalked up high levels of gun violence in his state to a mental health crisis. His wife said the staffer had disobeyed the firm's no-gun policy. In August 2018, another Edwards-owned McDonald's was named as the source of a major norovirus outbreak. Health officials in Transylvania County traced the outbreak that sickened an estimated 300 people to 'human contamination' at his outlet in Brevard. Edwards's wife Teresa said that 'out of an abundance of caution' the restaurant was closed for a 'deep clean' but reopened after 'a couple of days' according to site Food Safety News. Edwards, 65, a two-term member of the US House, represents a district covering most of western North Carolina, did respond to requests for comment representing a district. On his campaign website, he describes his successful career in corporate America, adding that 'Chuck considers himself a small businessman - turned public servant'. But his restaurants have had a history of toe-curling claims related to unsanitary conditions. Most recently, his McDonald's restaurant in Hendersonville, North Caroline became the site of a deadly shooting by one of his employees Sam Ivey, 37, was hired by Edwards' company despite his extensive criminal history. He pleaded guilty to murdering Jaclyn Reed, 30, at a McDonald's in 2023 One in Henderson County was the subject of a 2010 complaint in which Priscilla Moss claimed in a lawsuit that she began to eat her McDonald's burger, noticed it 'had a peculiar taste', then found an apparent 'jelly-like substance'. 'Upon closer inspection the jelly-like substance was insect eggs,' the lawsuit said, adding that she then found live worms in the burger. She claimed the restaurant manager offered to refund her money, but denied the burger was bought at Edwards's restaurant. The offending sandwich was sent to North Carolina health authorities for testing, which found it was full of fly larvae. The case was dismissed in 2012 after an apparent out-of-court settlement. Edwards was hit with another lawsuit in 2022, this time for personal injury. Cynthia James claimed she slipped on used cooking oil that had been improperly dumped in the parking lot of one of the congressman's restaurants in 2019. She claimed staff had been pouring used grease down a storm drain. When James got out of her car she slipped on it, her complaint said, injuring her arm and requiring multiple surgeries. The case went to a court-appointed mediator in 2023 and was voluntarily dismissed by the parties in October that year. Areas of West Virginia that used to employ tens of thousands of people in the now-dying coal industry are facing huge population declines over the next 15 years. McDowell County, once the world's largest coal producer, will lose 32 percent of its residents by 2040, according to grim projections by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia. There were 19,111 people living in McDowell County in 2020, when the US Census was last taken. Hamilton Lombard, who leads the center's demographic research group, believes there will be only 13,037 people by 2040. The county's numbers have already fallen to just above 17,000 as of 2024. It's a far cry from the population of around 100,000 that the county had in the 1950s at the height of the coal boom. This is not limited to McDowell, as 10 other nearby counties stand to shed tens of thousands of people between them. This will gradually translate into staggering losses in economic production and tax revenue for the state. Lombard told the Daily Mail that this ongoing trend is not primarily driven by outward migration, though there are certainly natives, particularly college graduates, who have been moving elsewhere to find opportunity. In 2019 and 2020, McDowell County had nearly twice as many deaths, 638 total, than births, 339, according to data from the West Virginia Department of Health. Lombard said: There are really only a few other places in the country that are higher than that. Most of them are retirement communities, and McDowell County is not anything like a retirement community in Florida.' A decaying, unused church in Switchback, a town in McDowell County. The county is expected to lose 32 percent of its population by 2040 An abandoned coal mining town in Fayette County, West Virginia Downtown Welch in McDowell County. It is expected to lose 32 percent of its population by 2040 Your browser does not support iframes. By looking at the current age distribution in these counties, which skews toward people in their 60s and 70s, Lombard was able to confidently make predictions about their future populations. He also took historical demographic trends into account. If you get past a certain age, you're more likely to die than have a child, would be the crude way of putting it, he said. That'll make it very hard to grow, because even if you're attracting people, which McDowell County isn't, you've got to attract enough people every single year to make up for that deficit, and that's just very hard to do. Abandoned coal mines, sparsely-traveled town streets and out-of-business signs tacked to the doors of once-bustling establishments are common sights in McDowell County and rural West Virginia as a whole. The opioid epidemic has also wreaked havoc on the state. In 2013, opioid overdoses became the leading cause of death for West Virginians under the age of 45. The coal industry has also been steadily phased out in favor of cleaner energy sources since the 1980s, gradually leaving residents with fewer and fewer jobs. But it was not always like this. McDowell County used to be a vibrant place to live that attracted young people looking for work. If you look at McDowell County back in 1980, it had a younger population than Washington, DC. It was one of the younger counties in the country,' Lombard said. 'Today, the median age there is 44, and in Washington, DC it is 34. It's growing far older than DC just by losing so many young adults. The 1980s marked the beginning of the end for coal in West Virginia and other producing states. Jobs in the industry steadily declined throughout the Clinton and Obama administrations as well. A home that burned to the ground in Boone County and was never rebuilt Hamilton Lombard, the lead demographer with the Cooper Center, told the Daily Mail that 'the prognosis is fairly grim' for much of West Virginia over the next 15 years Downtown Logan in West Virginia was built from the coal industry but has been losing its population Coal production in West Virginia was cut in half from 2008 to 2016, largely because natural gas became far cheaper. Another sign of how much things have soured in McDowell County is its life expectancy, which was 66.3 years as of 2021. That's a full 12 years shorter than the national average of 78.4 years. Lombard noted that McDowell County's life expectancy is on par with several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Rwanda, Eritrea and Ethiopia. It's not all bad for West Virginia though, with some places actually having a bit of a rebound thanks to economic and workforce changes spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Five years ago, all seven coalfield counties, including McDowell, had more people moving out than coming in. Today, that's only true of two of them. Lombard says people who work remotely are moving to these traditionally downtrodden areas for cheaper housing. 'People have looked at some of these rural areas a lot more closely and realized, if you want to live in McDowell County, you can buy a house for $50,000...and these are not homes that need to be gutted. They're very, very livable,' he said. McDowell County and areas like it, despite having homes that cheap, are still not doing enough to attract those with hybrid or remote schedules, Lombard said. A man waits for his meal in this August 2022 file photo at the Sterling Drive-In in Welch, West Virginia. Welch is the county seat of McDowell County The areas benefiting the most from white collar transplants are Tucker County, south of Pittsburgh, and eastern West Virginia, which is close to Washington, DC. 'It's been so different since 2020, and continues to be so different. I think there's a lot more hope for at least some of these communities. I wouldn't say all of them,' Lombard said. 'On one hand, the prognosis is fairly grim. But if you look at the last couple years, it seems like some solutions have come up that just weren't obvious before 2020 on how they can turn themselves around,' he added. Seattle's first democratic socialist mayor attended one of the world's most exclusive universities but just six weeks before graduating abruptly dropped out. Since securing her $250,000-a-year-role in the West Coast city last week, Katie Wilson has been slammed for being privileged and bankrolled by her parents as questions around the reason why she ditched her studies have swirled. On her parents' dime, Katie, studied physics and philosophy at Balliol, a constituent college of Oxford University in the UK, before quitting to drift across America on a bus. Katie's father, David Wilson, is a distinguished former professor who paid for her education and has admitted he regularly helped his 43-year-old daughter pay for childcare costs. David told Daily Mail that he needed some time to understand his daughter's shocking decision to leave the English university in 2004 with only a few weeks left in her last semester. David, 76, explained her reasoning behind it saying she needed to 'burn bridges' before moving on to a life of activism. 'Katie dropped out of Oxford and she decided to fall in the direction of social activism, of course they [Katie and her husband] made their own way by doing odd jobs,' said her father. David said that while touring the US, Katie and her husband decided to stay in Seattle for many reasons, particularly an open library system that would allow her to access books from the University of Washington. Katie Wilson and her father, David Wilson, relax on a hammock. David was surprised when she told him she was dropping out of Oxford with only six weeks to go before graduating Katie studied physics and philosophy at Balliol, a constituent college of Oxford 'She made damn sure that she could actually continue to do what college students do,' added her father. 'What you can see from that is she never really left the whole ethos of college and academic life - scholarship, science, telling the truth. It's almost a moral system that stayed with her, that remained a part of who she is,' he said. He said that Katie had an all-or-nothing mentality, meaning that to pursue her fight as an activist, she needed no safety net: 'It seemed very ill-advised at the time.' 'Why would you walk away from something like that? I kept thinking, why start from nothing? Not that you [Katie] gave us any choice.' 'But now I understand. It was that whole idea of burning bridges so you don't have a Plan B,' added David. However, her father said he was not the only one skeptical of Katie's decision; her husband Scott Myers, with whom she traveled the country after dropping out, allegedly also disapproved of her decision to leave school. 'Her husband himself said that if it was his kid, he would have said don't do it,' said David. Katie, who has been compared to fellow democratic socialist Mayor-elect of New York City Zohran Mamdani, was repeatedly criticized by her political opponent, outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell, for taking money from her parents. Wilson dropped out of university to pursue a life of activism according to her father She was criticized by her political opponent, outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell (left) for her inexperience and privilege Harrell's reelection website highlighted a quote from Carolyn Riley-Payne, former Seattle King County NAACP president, who said: 'It's hard to trust a candidate running on their challenges with affordability when her family's wealth shields her from actual consequences and financial stress. 'Wilson chose to not graduate from college, and now chooses to rely on parental subsidy to avoid financial hardship.' David described the criticism as 'lame and tone-deaf.' Her father also noted that focusing on his daughter's choice to drop out was nothing but a 'stupid distraction' and was only highlighted to try to discredit her during the election. She defeated Harrell on November 4. Katie told The Seattle Times that party culture at Oxford led her to 'go and find out what the real world is all about, and I'm going to plunge in and burn a bridge so that I really have to do that.' Despite her explanation, many online said something seemed off about her leaving the school at practically the last moment. Several Reddit threads question exactly what happened at Oxford. One user put it shortly: 'Dropping out is fine. Six weeks before graduation? Suspicious as f***.' David said that focusing on his daughter's choice to drop out was nothing but a 'stupid distraction' aimed to discredit her during the election Katie has been public open leaving Oxford but many online speculate that there are details missing from her story Katie Wilson has been criticized for taking money from her parents to pay for childcare Many threads mention that universities in the UK have a different grading system from that in the US. Colleges in the UK sometimes base entire grades on one exam at the end of the semester, which has led users to speculate that Wilson quit before she knew she would fail. One user noted: 'What I think folks are missing is not that she bailed six weeks before she was done but that she stuck around for 3.9 years in that careerism and party culture shed hoped to avoid, before bailing. Why should the people of Seattle trust someone whose moral compass takes that long to suss out a problem?' Multiple comments highlighted the privilege to drop out of a university with only six weeks left because her parents were paying for it. However, others came to Katie's defense: 'Dont see that her Oxford degree or not makes any difference in the Mayoral race; Bruce Harrell is no knight in shining armor either. I believe being expelled would probably leave a paper trail that would have already been revealed.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Katie Wilson and Oxford University for comment. Senator Ted Cruz is already plotting his presidential comeback, Washington, DC, insiders say, kicking off a vigorous feud with journalist Tucker Carlson to stand out to donors looking to move beyond the MAGA movement. But sources tell the Daily Mail that there is more to his war with Carlson than just a dispute over the level of American support for Israel. Cruz's attacks on Carlson, one Republican insider noted, appeared to be a 'passive aggressive' attempt to challenge President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon celebrated the news of a potential Cruz campaign for president, telling the Daily Mail that it was clear that the Texas senator was appealing to the 'Israel First' faction of the Republican Party. 'Israel First has its horse,' said to the Daily Mail. 'We need to have a national debate on this subject.' Bannon added that he believed that the 'Israel First' Republicans had 'destroyed' the country by 'setting up a Palestinian state.' Other Republican strategists said they were 'not surprised' that Cruz and others were eyeing a 2028 race after his painful loss to Trump in 2016. But they said it would be difficult to challenge Vance, who is currently leading the polls. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Chairman Ted Cruz has sparked buzz surrounding a 2028 presidential campaign Vice President JD Vance looks on during a meeting in the Oval Office 'JD Vance seems awfully strong and I would be shocked if anyone would be able to take the nomination from him,' one strategist told the Daily Mail. Voters already familiar with Cruz's aggressive style of politics might be looking for something new. 'I think Republican primary voters are looking for more authenticity in their leaders, looking more for what is new and less of what is old,' the strategist said. But Cruz is adamantly sending a strong signal to prominent Republican donors of where he stands on Israel. On Sunday, Trump declined to condemn Carlson for conducting an interview with white nationalist podcaster Nick Fuentes, who proudly shares antisemitic views 'You can't tell him who to interview,' Trump told reporters when asked about Carlson. 'Meeting people, talking to people, for somebody like Tucker, that's what they do.' Less than 12 hours later, Cruz issued a statement to Axios noting that, 'We have a responsibility to speak out even when it's uncomfortable.' 'When voices in our own movement push dangerous and misguided ideas, we can't look the other way,' he continued. 'I won't hesitate to call out those who peddle destructive, vile rhetoric and threaten our principles and our future. Silence in the face of recklessness is not an option.' Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, speaks during the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) Annual Leadership Meeting Conservative podcast host and commentator Tucker Carlson debates with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas on the subject of the United States' involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran That was a 'thinly veiled' attack against Vance and Trump, one Washington insider noted, adding that it would be 'stupid' for him to attack the vice president directly. 'Sen. Cruz and President Trump are very good friends, and no amount of sniping from disgruntled anonymous staffers trying to score political points is going to change that,' a Cruz spokesperson told the Daily Mail, citing the senator's support for Trump's agenda. Trump told reporters Monday he was not surprised by the news that Cruz is laying groundwork for a presidential campaign but added its a little early. Hes a very good guy. He is a very good friend of mine, he added. Cruz's public opposition to Carlson began in June after the former Fox News star's podcast interview with the senator blew up over the subject of Israel and the United States intervention in the Middle East. Since then, Cruz has ramped up criticism of Carlson describing him as 'complicit in evil' for interviewing Fuentes, and spreading 'poison that is profoundly dangerous.' Carlson defended his interview with Fuentes, noting that the controversial media figure is 'the single-most influential commentator among young men' and wanted to know more about what he believed. Vance, who considers Carlson a friend, has not condemned his decision to conduct the interview, even though he denounced Fuentes as a 'total loser' during the 2024 campaign. Some supporters of Israel were angered by Vance's cautious conversation with a young man at a Turning Point event at the University of Mississippi about the administration's support of Israel. Vance agreed that Christians and Jews had 'some significant theological disagreements' but that it was important to discuss them and work with Israel on common interests. 'What I'm not okay with is any country coming before the interest of American citizens,' he said. On Thursday, Vance also took a different approach to Republican Party infighting, arguing in support of more debates. 'I think these debates should happen, they should happen in podcasts, they should happen in the media, they should happen in the op-ed pages,' the vice president said during an event with Breitbart News on Thursday. Part of the infighting, he said, was the result of a 'natural outgrowth' of the Trump coalition that included former Democrats. 'I think that we have to remember that we have a lot more common than we do not,' he said, adding that it was important not to forget the threat posed by the modern left. 'Have our debates but focus on the enemy,' he added. Cruz, however, has made a point of standing unapologetically with Israel. In October, he spoke at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual summit demanding that his party publicly denounce critics of Israel and right-wing antisemitism. 'How many elected Republicans do you see standing up and calling this out?' Cruz cried. 'How many do you see willing to take on the voices on the anti-Israel right?' He warned of a looming 'existential crisis' in the United States, despite Trump's historic support for Israel. 'When Trump is not in the White House, what then?' Cruz asked. Residents of a small northern Minnesota city are on edge after multiple gray wolf sightings. Bold and repeated sightings of the beasts prowling residential streets of Ely and even on school grounds have become a disturbing new reality in the city of just over 3,000 residents. Located on the edge of the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Ely residents are used to wildlife, but the recent, close encounters with the iconic predator have them worried that wolves are becoming more comfortable around humans. On November 7, 2025, a lone wolf was spotted walking on the Ely School District grounds while students were in class. A police squad car also recently captured a video of two wolves running down a city street, captioning the video 'Seems like a good opportunity to remind everyone of Ely's leash law,' followed my a winking emoji. 'Still don't think there's a wolf problem??' said a commenter on the video. US Rep Pete Stauber, who represents the region, is calling for the federal government to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) list. Stauber argues that the Minnesota wolf population is fully recovered, and that the inability of the state to manage the rising numbers is now creating a threat to public safety and prey species. A gray wolf was spotted walking on the Ely School District grounds while students were in class An Ely police squad car also recently captured a video of two wolves running down a city street 'Seeing a wolf stroll near a school while kids are in class is a stark reminder that gray wolf populations are WELL past restored. They must be removed from the endangered species list!' Stauber said in a Facebook post. Representative Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin echoed that sentiment in a separate post after the wolf sighting outside the public school. 'We have seen livestock slaughtered, pets torn apart, and wolves now appearing on school grounds,' he said. 'Their population must be managed. It's time to delist the gray wolf.' Stauber is also leading the charge for the Pet and Livestock Protection Act and expressed hope it will pass the House soon. This legislation is intended to return wolf management to state authority, ensuring safety for farmers, ranchers, hunters, and local residents who face ongoing issues with cattle and pets being attacked and eaten by wolves. However some people were especially perplexed as to why Tiffany, a representative of Wisconsin, was concerned about the wolves in Ely. 'I heard a moose was spotted in Canada. Should we delist those?' scoffed one Facebook user. 'We've taken over their habitat. We can co-exist,' defended another. Your browser does not support iframes. Police captured two of the beasts prowling a neighborhood and shared footage to its Facebook page 'If they are just in sight, they are not a danger. Just be mindful we live with other predators,' said a third. The core of the issue lies in the booming wolf population in Minnesota, which has recovered far beyond the ESA's original goal. The most recent mid-winter population estimate from the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from 2023 stands at 2,919 wolves, and projections indicate the current population could be as high as 3,624. Wolves are concentrated in the northern third of the state. The Minnesota DNR's current wolf management plan sets a goal of maintaining the population between 2,200 and 3,000 wolves, and Appendix 2 of the plan states that if the population exceeds 3,000, the DNR will 'consider additional public engagement and wolf management actions to address depredation or other public concerns.' This threshold, Stauber argued, has been unequivocally surpassed, requiring immediate management action. However, under current federal rules, wolves in Minnesota can only be killed in defense of human life. Government agents can dispatch them to protect livestock, but the status prevents broader state management actions. Conservation advocates have pushed back, arguing that lifting federal protections is premature, risking the kind of trophy hunting that originally endangered the species. The growing population of gray wolves in Ely are seemingly comfortable around humans Susan Holmes, executive director of the Endangered Species Coalition, warned in a statement: 'Removing protection for wolves would reverse the recovery of one of our most beloved species and take us back to a time when wolves were shot, trapped, and poisoned until they disappeared from the landscape.' Meanwhile, local discussions have centered on the cause of the wolves' migration into town. Some residents have said the wolves are simply following their natural food source, the deer, which have been lured into the neighborhoods by people feeding them. 'Maybe humans should not leave deer feed at their front door thus attracting the predators to naturally follow their prey,' commented a Facebook user. Experts affirmed that while wolves pose a threat to livestock and pets, the risk to humans is low. Wolf attacks on humans are extremely rare worldwide, according to the International Wolf Center and a 2020 study by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. Researchers documented 26 fatal attacks between 2002 and 2020, more than half caused by rabid wolves. Rep Pete Stauber has renewed calls to delist gray wolves. A file photo of a gray wolf at the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake, Minnesota In North America and Europe, only two fatal attacks occurred over 18 years despite tens of thousands of wolves living alongside millions of people, making the risk 'above zero, but far too low to calculate.' Daily Mail has reached out to Tiffany, Stauber, Ely Police Department and the school for further comment. Two Ukrainian men caught smuggling migrants into the UK after their yacht was intercepted off the coast of the Isle of Wight are facing jail. The bizarre plot by Vladyslav Cherniavskyi, 37, and Oleksandr Yavtushenko, 43, was foiled following a major cross-border operation which saw the boat seized in the English Channel and brought into Gosport Marina, near Portsmouth. The vessel, which had been travelling from northern France, was carrying five migrants - four Albanian men and one Vietnamese woman. A Border Force cutter was used to escort the boat into the marina and the two Ukrainian men were arrested for serious immigration offences and remanded in custody. The pair, of no fixed addresses, are to be sentenced next month after they appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court this week and pled guilty to three joint charges of facilitating illegal immigration. The operation on July 20 saw the National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force and French law enforcement come together to stop the plot in its tracks. Pictured: The yacht used by the Ukrainian people smugglers to bring the illegal migrants into the UK In another case of illegal migrants being smuggled using luxury vessels this year, 21 Albanians - 20 men and one woman - were found hidden below the deck in cramped and dangerous conditions Your browser does not support iframes. Four of the migrants - three Albanian males and one Vietnamese female - were handed to immigration authorities at the time. The fifth passenger, Pellumb Selimi, 29, was arrested for failing to appear at court in connection with drugs offences. Locals in the area witnessed the moment a sophisticated people-smuggling operation was thwarted by officials at Gosport's Haslar Marina. Richard Crosthwaite, 44, was enjoying a beer with friends in the popular Creek bar and restaurant which is attached to the marina. 'We were just sat having a drink and we saw the NCA walking men with their hoods up and with handcuffs on along the walkway and out of the marina, he told the Mail. 'Then they brought the Vietnamese woman, she looked a bit shaken up and they were being gentle with her, she didnt have handcuffs on.' Richard, a boat engineer who lives on his vessel in the marina, added: 'We just couldnt believe it, honestly, Ive never seen anything like that happen here before. 'Its a really quiet place.' Another couple were heading along the walkway inside the marina towards their boat when they stepped directly past officers guiding two men. 'It weirdly just seemed like a really normal thing for them, we barely paid any attention to it,' said the female, who did not want to be named. Her husband said in his 20 years living in the area he had never seen of or heard of such an incident. As migration figures continue to surge it has caused some locals to worry that Gosport and Haslar Marinas may become a hotbed of migrant crossings. Meanwhile, the closed Haslar Immigration Removal Centre is due to be reopened but no date has yet been set. Phase one of the project is due to be completed this year, costing 101 million, and will see 130 bed spaces created in the refurbished accommodation, reduced from 198 when it was in service before 2015. Linda Vine, 78, who lives opposite the marina, said she had heard increasing rumours of migrant crossings into the harbour in recent months. 'Ive heard there have been other occasions. I mean, it kind of makes sense, from a smugglers point of view - all sorts can be brought under cover of those boats,' she said. 'Its definitely a concern and we just hope we dont become the new Dover. Its all making everyone a bit nervous, to he honest.' One worker from within Haslar Marina suggested Julys operation was not a stand alone episode. 'Border Force typically dont say too much to us, theyll bring a boat in and say were just going to leave this here and it will be berthed somewhere in the corner of the marina and we just dont ask any questions about who, if anyone, was in there.' NCA Senior Investigating Officer Julian Harriman said: 'This operation was part of an ongoing NCA investigation led jointly with French judicial authorities and Gendarmerie Nationale, which has been supported by Border Force. 'Those arrested remain in custody. 'Tackling people smuggling gangs remains a priority for both France and the United Kingdom and we are determined to do all we can to target, disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks involved.' The number of illegal arrivals so far this year has hit more than 39,000 - more than throughout the whole of 2024 - 36,816 - and 2023, when 29,437 people crossed the border illegally. The use of yachts has become a new tactic used by people smugglers to secretly bring illegal migrants into private marinas in the UK. Britain's Border Force are using extra surveillance to crack down on the method. It comes after a people smuggler was jailed for seven years in July after being caught cramming 21 Albanians onto a luxury 70,000 yacht to cross the English Channel. Bleda Bega, an Albanian national, was on the 23-foot Tacoma headed from Brest, in France, when it was intercepted by Border Force. Gosport Marina, where the yacht carring five illegal migrants was intercepted and escorted to by a Border Force cutter Border Force agents securing a yacht in the port of Dover last year in another example of luxury vessels being used for people smuggling Border Force vessels patrol the Channel identifying any vessels, including yachts, involved with people smuggling. Pictured: A Border Force vessel arriving at the Marina in Dover, south-east England, in September Hidden below the deck in cramped and dangerous conditions were 20 men and one woman. The luxury vessel, which was headed for Newquay, Cornwall, was intercepted near Falmouth. Albanians Florjand Lika, 30, and Romeo Zani, 32, had both paid to travel on board the hired yacht to sneak back into the UK after previously being deported. They were each given 12 months in prison. An ex-people smuggler told the BBC in May how he smuggled dozens of Vietnamese migrants to the UK through the use of yachts. He would bring the yachts into private marines in seaside towns across the south east of England. He told the BBC that smuggling migrants into the UK, whether that be via yacht or ferry, were 'easy' and 'low risk', and said he was speaking out because of his anger at being jailed for a crime that was so easy to commit. A harbourmaster on the Essex coast told of how private marinas 'have no more security than a caravan site', while Charlie Eastaugh, Border Force's director of maritime, said at the time that the security of marinas rest with private operators. A 7-Eleven employee, who shot a man who was attempting to strangle her, was later fired for using her own gun while on shift in Oklahoma. Stephanie Dilyard, 25, was forced to defend her life after a customer began to attack her when she refused to accept a fake $100 bill. She was later fired for defying company policy. 'This was a situation where I felt like I was put into a corner between choosing between my job, and my life, and I'm always going to choose my life because there's people that depend on me,' Dilyard told Fox 25. 'Just, I'm going, I'm going home, you know. I need to be here for my kids.' The former 7-Eleven employee was attacked by a man, identified as 59-year-old Kenneth Thompson, who fled from the scene and called 911 after being injured by the gunshot. 'He threatened me, and said he was gonna slice my head off, and that's when I tried to call the police,' Dilyard recalled. 'He started throwing things at me, came behind the counter. I tried to run off, but he grabbed his hands around my neck, and pushed me out of the counter space, and that's when I pulled out my gun and I shot him.' On a GoFundMe created to help support her family, Dilyard wrote that Thompson also slammed her against a sandwich case before she shot him in the stomach. Stephanie Dilyard, 25, was forced to defend her life after a customer began to attack her after refusing to accept a fake $100 bill, but she was later fired to defying company policy Dilyard said that she was fired for using her own gun, as company policy stipulates that employees may not carry their own self-defense weapons The former 7-Eleven employee was attacked by a man, identified as 59-year-old Kenneth Thompson, who fled from the scene and called 911 after being injured by the gunshot Oklahoma police confirmed to the outlet that her actions were defendable by the state's self-defense law. But her efforts to save her life were later punished by her former employer after she was told she violated company policy. Dilyard said that she was fired for using her own gun, as company policy stipulates that employees may not carry their own self-defense weapons, including mace or pepper spray. Former and current employees of the company claimed on Reddit that carrying your own weapon is punishable by termination. One user wrote that 'incase of an emergency youll have to literally find the close object near you to protect yourself.' Yet Dilyard, who had worked for the company for two years, felt she was left with no choice but to defend herself. On the GoFundMe Dilyard wrote: 'As many already know, us overnight clerks are by ourselves. We have no security, and we are not allowed to carry self defense weapons, including mase.' 'However, working conditions, it was not realistic for me to be able to follow policy AND be able to go home to my kids if a situation happened. Thats is why I decided to carry in the first place,' she continued. Dilyard said she had been working from 11pm to 7am on her own for much of her employment. Dilyard said she felt she was forced to choose between her life or her job, but knew she had to get home to her children Thompson was later arrested at hospital and charged with assault and battery, threatening acts of violence, attempting to pass a fake bill, and a felony warrant for violating parole Oklahoma police confirmed to the outlet that her actions were defendable by the state's self-defense law Her experience, she hopes, will help prevent other clerks from being seriously injured during a potential attack. 'If I've known that there's a potential that somebody is for real on taking my life away that I will do whatever it takes, and I hope that women see that, and they'll do the same thing. You have a right to defend yourself,' she told the outlet. Thompson was later arrested at hospital and charged with assault and battery, threatening acts of violence, attempting to pass a fake bill, and a felony warrant for violating parole, Fox reports. 'I never expected for me to be in this situation, but I did what I had to do to go home to my kids. I was a good employee, committed and determined, but in-between a rock and a hard place I had to make a quick decisionlose my life, or lose my job,' she wrote on the GoFundMe. The Daily Mail has reached out to 7-Eleven for comment. A Christian street preacher arrested for saying 'God bless you' to protesters at a Palestinian demonstration claims that police are trying to gag his freedom of speech after arresting him 16 times. Shaun O'Sullivan says he plans to sue Wiltshire Police after being cleared of racial harassment following a six-day trial in Crown Court, at an estimated cost of 20,000 at the taxpayer's expense. Mr O'Sullivan, 36, preaches at Swindon's evangelical 'Awaken' church and on the streets to homeless and addicts on the fringe of society, as he once was. But he claims that some police officers have a 'vendetta' against him and are looking for reasons to arrest him. Despite his remarkable tally of arrests, none of the charges or cases brought against him have stuck, and a jury unanimously threw out the latest case of racial and religious harassment against him in just 90 minutes (which included their lunchtime break). Those proceedings followed an allegation that he was guilty of harassing Muslims by saying the words: 'Pray for the Jews and pray for the Palestinians' in relation to the Gaza conflict. On a separate occasion, he was arrested after it was alleged that his 'God bless you' comment had offended Muslims at a pro-Palestinian march. In a remarkable clip which he recorded and posted on TikTok, he can be heard speaking to a female police officer who confirms repeatedly that saying 'God Bless You' is indeed a crime 'If it causes distress', and observes that 'if that person was a Muslim' they might be distressed. Shaun O'Sullivan (pictured) says he plans to sue Wiltshire Police after being cleared of racial harassment following a six-day trial Mr O'Sullivan, 36, preaches at Swindon's evangelical 'Awaken' church and on the streets to homeless and addicts on the fringe of society, as he once was In fact, Section 5 of the Public Order Act says a person commits an offence if they use 'threatening or abusive words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviourwithin the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.' Why Muslims (who believe, in common with Jews and Christians) that there is only one God, would be likely to be offended by someone offering his blessing upon them is anyones guess. No doubt because of that officers fundamental misunderstanding of the law, the case was eventually dropped. No doubt because of that officer's fundamental misunderstanding of the law, the case was eventually dropped. Mr O'Sullivan told the Daily Mail: 'The police have a vendetta against me I've been told as much by individual officers who have said if someone complains about me I'll be arrested. 'I'm glad that the jury were able to see sense and almost immediately dismiss the nonsense that the police and prosecution said about me. 'I'm not racist and I have no problem with people disagreeing with my religious views, but I do have a right to state them because we have freedom of speech in this country even if it does offend people. 'That's why, despite Wiltshire Police arresting me 16 times, I have always been cleared. But now I'm going to sue them because the harassment from them has turned into a witch-hunt and it's just too much.' He cited derogatory comments made about him on a local newspaper's Facebook site, some of which have been 'liked' by a woman he says is a serving Police Community Support Officer with whom he has had contact in the past. He said: 'There she is, a police employee liking comments where someone has called me 'racist, homophobic', a 'very unpleasant man' and not a Christian. How can she be allowed to do that and then claim to be neutral? It's an absolute disgrace'. A few hours after the Mail drew the attention of Wiltshire Police to the Facebook likes, they were removed. Following the end of his six-day trial, during which he was supported by the Christian Legal Centre, father-of-four O'Sullivan told his 12,000 followers on TikTok: 'We need to come back to an expression of our freedoms of speech. 'My name has been dragged through the papers, my friends have been targeted...my family have been attacked, we were branded racists around the street. 'We had friends of ours assaulted, church members assaulted, and I'm finally grateful that I can go back to my family with a not guilty verdict.' He added: 'Expressing your beliefs is a true important thing of this country.' Mr O'Sullivan was accused of verbally assaulting three people based on an assumption they were Muslim and Palestinian on September 15, 2024 in Canal Walk. He pleaded not guilty to one count of religiously aggravated harassment and one count of racially aggravated harassment at Swindon Crown Court. At the hearing, Andy Pickett, prosecuting, said: 'The motivation is, having identified their appearance, either demonstrating religion or race, the comments were then made.' However, following the trial he was found not guilty by a jury, with a unanimous verdict. Mr O'Sullivan welcomed the verdict outside the Crown Court, filming videos to share the outcome of his case and posting them to his social media page. In one of the videos, he says: 'Here we go again brothers and sisters. I just got the not guilty verdict and here I am outside the Crown Court after six days of trialling. For saying what? My freedom of speech as usual.' Christian Concern said: 'Shaun came to Christ after overcoming drug addiction and a life of crime. He himself used to mock street preachers until he found salvation in Jesus Christ, who turned his life around completely. Shaun himself became a street preacher, wanting to share his faith with everyone around him.' Mr O'Sullivan, who is a well-known figure on the streets of Swindon, armed with wooden cross or megaphone, was arrested and charged with a public order offence in March 2020, but later found not guilty at Swindon Magistrates Court. Last year Mr O'Sullivan was banned by Swindon Borough Council from loudly preaching through a speaker in the town centre after numerous complaints. The council said at the time that the 'persistent, abhorrently loud noise was having a detrimental impact on the quality of life for residents, shoppers, and local businesses'. They served a formal written warning that he faced a Community Protection Notice if he did not stop, with a 100 fine and a potential prosecution for breaching the order. In his defence, Mr O'Sullivan said that his church does good work, 'We got a few people off heroin and out of county line drug dealing and into rehab,' he said. 'One of the guys now is about a year clean. We go to the places that most normal vicars wouldn't go.' Mr O'Sullivan claims that some police officers have a 'vendetta' against him and are looking for reasons to arrest him Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which supported O'Sullivan's case, welcomed the verdict: 'Shaun's case highlights the dangers of policing 'hate incidents' based on perception alone. We must ensure that robust public debate, especially on matters of Christian faith, is not silenced. 'In this instance, the decision to log a 'hate claim' was based solely on a single phone call. This was another example of police overreach and the chilling effect on free speech. The acquittal is not just a personal vindication for Shaun but a reminder of the fragile state of fundamental freedoms in our country right now. 'Shaun loves Jesus and he wants to reach the public with the hope that has transformed his life. He, and other Christian preachers, must have the freedom to do that without fear of being prosecuted and dragged before a judge and jury.' A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police told the Daily Mail: 'Although it would be inappropriate to comment about an individual in this case, we can say that we police without fear or favour. 'Our four key priorities as set out in the Police and Crime plan - are: A police service that meets the needs of its communities; Reduce violence and serious harm; Tackle crimes that matter most to local communities; Improve the experience of victims and deliver justice. BELEM, Brazil, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Global climate cooperation remains active and resilient despite an adverse political environment, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said on Saturday. "We knew this COP would take place in stormy political waters. Denial, division and geopolitics have dealt international cooperation heavy blows this year," Stiell said in a statement assessing the results of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30). Even so, he stressed that governments reaffirmed their resolve to act. "COP30 showed that climate cooperation is alive and kicking, keeping humanity in the fight for a livable planet, with the firm determination to keep 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach." "I am not saying we are winning the climate fight. But we are undeniably still in it, and we are fighting back," he said, adding that 194 countries stood in "solidarity-rock-solid" in support of climate cooperation. He noted the international community sent a united message about the direction of global climate efforts: "The global transition to low greenhouse-gas emissions and climate resilience is irreversible and the trend of the future." Stiell highlighted agreements on a just transition, a move to triple adaptation finance and further support for countries hit the hardest by climate disasters. These steps, he said, will help ensure that "every nation and every person can share in the vast benefits" of the clean economy. He cited progress made through the COP30 Action Agenda, including major commitments to clean grids, the protection or restoration of forests, land and oceans, and efforts that will increase the resilience of hundreds of millions of people. These outcomes, he stressed, are "real-world progress on the things billions of people care about most." Stiell said the world must now accelerate the implementation of national climate plans and maintain the momentum generated in Belem. "As we leave here, our job is to keep climate at the top of the agenda for another fifty years," he said. COP30 concluded Saturday in Belem, the capital of the Amazonian state of Para, with the approval of the final document, "Global Mutirao: Uniting humanity in a global mobilization against climate change," after about two weeks of negotiations under the Brazilian presidency. The ancient enmity between China and Japan has erupted into one of the most dangerous faceoffs in the Asia-Pacific in decades, with Tokyo openly threatening Beijing with military action if it invades Taiwan. It is believed that the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has ordered his forces to be ready to seize the island by 2027 and is now warning Tokyo would 'bear all consequences' if it dares to get in the way. Officials from the two sides have since traded barbs, with one from China warning of decapitating 'dirty necks', seen as a direct threat to Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. The war of words suddenly moved much closer to the brink this week when Japan scrambled fighter jets after spotting what it said was a Chinese military drone near Yonaguni, its southernmost island, just a short distance from Taiwan's east coast. At the same time, a formation of Chinese coast guard vessels sailed for hours through waters around the Senkaku Islands, a chain controlled by Japan but claimed by China, prompting furious protests from Tokyo. Analysts say the timing is no accident - the incursions came days after Japan's new leader, hardline conservative Takaichi, told parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could amount to a 'survival-threatening situation' for Japan and might trigger a military response. The 'survival-threatening' line is enshrined in Japan's security law, and it means an attack on its allies is seen as a direct threat against the country. In response, China's defence minister, Jiang Bin, issued a stark warning, saying: ' Should the Japanese side fail to draw lessons from history and dare to take a risk, or even use force to interfere in the Taiwan question, it will only suffer a crushing defeat against the steel-willed People's Liberation Army and pay a heavy price.' With all the violent rhetoric, reports indicate that Tokyo is now considering building its own nuclear arsenal, a concept that has been considered taboo for decades. The row has quickly spiralled - Beijing has discouraged travel to Japan, while Tokyo has advised its own citizens in China to avoid crowded public places and stay alert. Your browser does not support iframes. Japan's new prime minister Sanae Takiachi seen shaking hands with China's Xi Jinping - weeks after this photograph was taken, the two find themselves embroiled in a bitter war of words Chinese soldiers marching at a military parade in September. Senior military officials have allegedly been told to prepare for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027 A Japan Ground Self Defence Force battle tank taking part in a military exercise in June. The country has warned that an invasion of Taiwan would result in a military confrontation China has even put releases of Japanese films on hold, according to officials in Tokyo, a symbolic slap in a relationship already strained by history and territorial disputes. The fraught relationship between China and Japan is rooted in a history that still shapes politics on both sides. In the 1930s and 1940s, Japan occupied large parts of China, and the memory of atrocities such as the Nanjing massacre, where hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed, remains central to China's national story. Beijing regularly accuses Tokyo of downplaying those wartime abuses. Japan carries its own fears - it sees a rising China determined to reclaim regional dominance and push American forces out of East Asia. Japan's warning that it could fight if China invades Taiwan marks a sharp break with decades of strategic ambiguity. Taipei lies roughly 68 miles from Yonaguni and sits astride sea lanes that carry much of Japan's trade and energy. Tokyo's new security strategy, adopted in 2022, explicitly calls Taiwan's stability 'indispensable' to Japan's own security and sets out plans to acquire 'counterstrike' capabilities, including missiles that can hit enemy bases. Analysts read that as code for helping the United States repel a Chinese assault on Taiwan. On the other side of the strait, US and allied intelligence services say President Xi Jinping has instructed the People's Liberation Army to be ready by 2027 to invade Taiwan. China's claim to Taiwan goes back to the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, when the defeated Nationalist government fled to the island and set up a separate state. The Communist Party has never accepted this split - for Xi Jinping, bringing the island under Beijing's control is tied to the idea of national rejuvenation and restoring China's full territorial unity. Losing Taiwan, in Beijing's view, would mean accepting permanent division and foreign interference on its doorstep, a humiliation Chinese leaders say they will never tolerate. Taiwan capital Tapei's skyline, seen in August 2025. China's threats that it could invade the island by 2027 has triggered a furious reaction by Takiachi Officials stress that readiness to invade does not mean will, but the 2027 date has become a focal point for war planning in Washington, Tokyo and Taipei. A series of reports this year detail Chinese efforts to build amphibious ships and militarised civilian ferries capable of moving large forces across the Taiwan Strait, along with missile and air power designed to keep US and Japanese forces at bay. For Tokyo, that 'danger year' is fast approaching - in March, Japan unveiled its first formal plan to evacuate more than 100,000 civilians from remote islands near Taiwan if war breaks out. Residents of Yonaguni, Ishigaki and Miyako would be hustled onto ferries and aircraft and taken to safer prefectures within days. Japan is also building an underground bunker on Yonaguni and deploying more missile units across its southwest islands, turning fishing and tourist communities into the front line of a possible superpower showdown. Professor Allen Carlson, an expert on Chinese foreign policy at Cornell University, told Daily Mail that the prospect of war 'is more present than has been the case in quite some time'. He said: 'A Taiwanese declaration of independence would be considered intolerable to China, and would likely lead to military action. Any action that Beijing considers to undermine its claim to Taiwan is viewed as a threat and could lead to Chinese retaliatory measures.' Mr Carlson believes that although there is no immediate indication that China is moving to invade Taiwan, 'it is looking to actively pressure Japan to back down from the position it appeared to take last week, which involved a strengthening of its security commitment to Taiwan.' He added: 'The island is central to Beijing's long-term strategy. Domestically, bringing Taiwan under the control of the People's Republic of China is central to the completion of the country's project of national unification. 'Internationally, as long as Taiwan remains outside of Beijing's control, it places a limit on China's ability to emerge as a global naval power.' Nonetheless, the sense of looming peril is feeding into a dramatic military build-up - Japan has about 247,150 active military personnel and spends roughly $57 billion a year on defence. Its army field around 1,443 warplanes and 521 tanks, and operates about 159 warships. Tokyo currently has no fully fledged aircraft carriers of its own, though it has converted two helicopter carriers to operate F-35 B jets. Members of the Japan Self Defence Forces marching in formation in November 2024. The country has 247,150 active military personnel Japan has zero nuclear warheads, but it does run a sophisticated, layered missile defence network built around Aegis destroyers and Patriot batteries. China towers over those figures. Its armed forces count roughly two million active personnel and an official defence budget of about $266.8 billion. It has around 3,309 warplanes, roughly 6,800 tanks and a fleet of about 754 warships, including three aircraft carriers. Western estimates say China now has about 600 nuclear warheads and some 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles, alongside a growing arsenal of land, sea, and air-launched cruise missiles and anti-missile systems such as the HQ 19 and HQ 29. Mr Carlson assessed: In terms of economic conflict, China is in a stronger position, especially vis-a-vis its ability to impose controls over the export of rare earth metals to Japan. He continued: 'In the immediate theatre, Japan has some advantages, but overall China's naval capabilities far exceed those of Japan. The question is what domestic reaction either side would face should a conflict result in casualties. 'Arguably, such a situation might so enflame nationalist sensibilities in China that it could have a destabilising impact on domestic politics.' Although Japan spends far less on its military, it boasts 1443 warplanes and 521 tanks, and operates about 159 warships. It has also converted two helicopter carriers to operate F-35 B jets, pictured China's army dwarfs Japan's - in September, the country showed off its huge arsenal in a military parade, including the intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles, DongFeng-5C The disparity in raw numbers heavily favours China, yet geography and alliances matter. Japan lies astride the so-called 'first island chain' that blocks Beijing's outward maritime expansion. US bases and treaty commitments on Japanese soil make Tokyo a key node in any conflict over Taiwan or the East China Sea. The United States IndoPacific Command regards Japan as indispensable in deterring Chinese aggression. US forces stationed on Okinawa and mainland Japan, bound to defend the country under a 1960 security treaty, would be central to any fight over Taiwan or the East China Sea. Successive US presidents, from Barack Obama to Joe Biden, have publicly confirmed that this treaty covers the Senkaku Islands as well as Japan's home islands, meaning a clash over the rocks could legally trigger American intervention. That is what makes the coast guard drama so alarming in Western capitals. Chinese vessels, some armed, have been pushing into the waters around the Senkaku Islands ever more frequently, setting records for the number of days they patrol close to the islands. This week's formation, which spent several hours inside the 12 nautical mile zone claimed by Japan, was described by Beijing as a 'rights enforcement' mission. Tokyo called it an unacceptable violation of sovereignty and said it had shadowed the ships and ordered them to leave. A China Coast Guard vessel seen near one of Japan's off Uotsuri Island, part of the Senkaku Islands The disputed Senkaku Islands continues to be one of the biggest bone of contention between Japan and China The incident followed a long pattern - Chinese coast guard intrusions around the islands have risen sharply in recent years, often lasting days and sometimes involving ships that appear to be armed. The pattern is designed, analysts say, to normalise a constant Chinese presence around territory that Japan administers, gradually undermining Tokyo's effective control and testing how far Washington is willing to go in defence of its ally. Mr Carlson believes the wrangling over the islands is one of the main catalysts that could trigger a conflict between the two nations. He said: 'The last juncture at which a clash appeared possible was in 2012 when the two sides nearly came to blows over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. 'During that crisis, nationalist protests in China against Japan raged, but both sides ultimately stepped back from the brink. This time, while the territorial dispute did not ignite the current spat, it has become entangled with it as Beijing, in its efforts to place pressure on Tokyo, has expanded its activities in and around the islands. 'The most likely trigger for conflict would then be an inadvertent engagement between Chinese and Japanese vessels, which could easily spiral into a more direct confrontation should either side suffer casualties.' At roughly the same time as the Senkaku patrol, Japan's Air Self-Defence Force detected a suspected Chinese drone near Yonaguni. Fighter jets were scrambled to monitor the craft, which appeared to be operating near sensitive airspace close to Taiwan. The scramble was officially justified as a routine response, but it demonstrated how quickly a drone malfunction or misreading of intentions could spark a wider confrontation. Mr Carlson believes this is all part of China's plan to apply pressure on Japan to shift from its rhetoric over Taiwan. He said: ' [China] is trying to pressure Japan to retract the Prime Minister's recent statement. 'I think this is part of a coordinated effort on the part of the Chinese to achieve this goal, and sort of that to make clear to Japan the resolve it has to oppose any measures that appear to strengthen Taiwan's position in relation to China.' The political atmosphere has become more combustible than ever before in recent times. After Takaichi's remarks in parliament, China's consul general in Osaka posted a message on X that many in Japan read as a personal threat to the prime minister, saying in effect that her 'dirty head' should be cut off. The post was later deleted, but not before it triggered a formal protest from Tokyo, which branded the language outrageous. Beijing has distanced itself from the wording, saying it was a personal comment, but has not softened its criticism of Japan's stance on Taiwan. Public opinion in Japan is deeply split over how far to go. A Kyodo news agency poll released found the country almost evenly divided on whether Japan should consider military action in support of Taiwan, if China attacks. Support for Takaichi's tougher line exists, but so do fears that her rhetoric could drag the country into a catastrophic war. Behind that anxiety lies an even more sensitive debate - nuclear weapons. Since the late 1960s, Japan has adhered to three non-nuclear principles - not to possess, produce or allow nuclear weapons on its territory. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the testimony of hibakusha survivors have given those principles near-sacred status in post-war Japanese politics. The horrific bombings of Hiroshima, pictured, and Nagasaki contributed to Japan's decision not to develop nuclear weapons But the world around Japan has dramatically changed since then. China, Russia and North Korea all have nuclear arsenals and are modernising them. Washington's security guarantees have looked less dependable in recent years, especially under Donald Trump. A Reuters investigation found a growing number of senior ruling party lawmakers are willing to talk about once-unthinkable options, such as nuclear sharing arrangements that would see US nuclear weapons based in Japan. There are even considerations of Japan eventually developing its own nuclear deterrent if the American umbrella frays. Takaichi herself has long criticised the principle that bans the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japan. This week, she refused to clearly state whether the three principles would remain untouched in an upcoming revision of the country's security strategy. Separate reports say her administration is considering a formal review of the doctrine, although officials insist there is no plan to possess or produce nuclear arms. Critics say even debating such moves risks shredding Japan's moral authority on disarmament and sparking a regional arms race, potentially pushing South Korea and others to develop their own bombs. Supporters argue that when encircled by nuclear neighbours and facing a possible war over Taiwan, Japan can no longer afford to abide by the principle. Chinese soldiers conduct aerial landing behind enemy lines during a live fire exercise in November 2025 According to Mr Carlson, Japan's current political landscape could be what dictates its future nuclear stance. He explained: 'Should Japan shift its position on nuclear weapons, the driver for such a change would go well beyond this current spat, and stem more from underlying changes in Japanese domestic politics alongside shifting strategic assessments of the threat posed by China and the reliability of the US commitment to Japan.' For now, the nuclear taboo still holds, but it is far weaker than it was a decade ago. If war did break out, the lineup of friends and foes is already taking shape. On one side would stand Japan, backed by the United States and, on some level, Australia. The Oceanic nation has deepened defence ties with both Washington and Tokyo and participates in the Quad grouping aimed at managing China's rise. Some analysts believe the Philippines, which has granted US forces expanded access to its bases and is itself on the frontline of maritime disputes with China, is likely to offer support, at least with logistics and staging. Some European NATO states could send ships, impose sanctions and provide intelligence, even if they stay out of the actual fighting. China would count on its increasingly close partnership with Russia, formalised in a 'no limits' declaration and built up through repeated joint bomber patrols and naval exercises over the Sea of Japan and nearby waters. If war broke out, China can count on the support of Russia's president Vladimir Putin. The two countries have forged a close partnership Moscow has already welcomed political backing from Beijing over Ukraine and has every interest in seeing Washington tied down in Asia. North Korea, which has supplied Russia with millions of artillery shells, ballistic missiles and even thousands of troops for the war in Ukraine, would almost certainly cheer China on and could threaten US bases in Japan. Officials in Western capitals worry about an even darker scenario. In it, China moves on Taiwan while Russia tests NATO in Europe, with North Korea acting as a spoiler in Northeast Asia. A clash over a drone or a coast guard ship near the Senkaku Islands could suddenly be entangled with battles in Ukraine or the Baltic, drawing in multiple nuclear-armed states at once. It is that chain reaction that prompts some strategists to warn of a realistic route to World War III starting in the waters between China and Japan. But Mr Carlson believes the most important actor in any alliance would be South Korea. He explained: 'Would Seoul stand side by side with Japan and the United States, or would it equivocate given its proximity to China - and the potential implications of a military conflict for the South's relationship with North Korea? 'The key actors would be Japan, South Korea, and the US, not to mention Taiwan itself.' Yet for all the apocalyptic talk, there are still reasons to believe both Beijing and Tokyo want to stop short of open war. China's economy is slowing, according to figures, and foreign investment plummeted to a 30-year low in 2024. In recent days, its military modernisation showed signs that it had hit some turbulence, including high-profile purges and concerns over corruption in its missile forces. On the other hand, Japan's society is rapidly ageing, its birth rate is falling, and its recruitment pool is shrinking, making a long war hard to sustain. Despite their history and tension, the two countries remain major trading partners, and any conflict that closes the Taiwan Strait or East China Sea would shatter supply chains, sink markets and plunge the global economy into crisis. In that vein, Mr Carlson agrees that a war between the two would have severe consequences for the rest of the world. 'It would have an incredibly destabilising impact, particularly as it would all but demand US involvement, which would mean the world's two largest powers would be stepping towards military engagement', he said. 'It strikes me that neither Xi nor Trump has any interest in going down such a road, and, therefore, I suspect that both leaders will be looking for a way to de-escalate the current spat.' Donald Trump and Sanae Takiachi shake hands last month. A conflict between Japan and China will force the US to step in to defend Japan, according to experts However, that does not remove the danger - it simply means all sides are relying on deterrence and brinkmanship instead. Japan is betting that clearer red lines, stronger alliances and more capable armed forces will dissuade China from gambling on a quick strike against Taiwan or the Senkaku Islands. China is hoping that steady pressure, constant patrols and fierce rhetoric will gradually wear down Japanese resistance and convince Washington that the risks of defending its ally are too high. In between sit ordinary residents of islands like Yonaguni and Ishigaki, who are now uncertain about whether or when war will break out. For now, the crisis is still a contest of words, patrols and military exercises. Together, these old wounds and territorial standoffs have kept tensions simmering for generations. With Chinese drones probing Japanese airspace, coast guard ships loitering around disputed rocks and leaders trading threats of 'crushing' defeat and decapitation, the hated Far East rivals are clearly on a collision course. Whether the world witnesses another uneasy standoff or watches the spark that sets off a global conflict may depend on how carefully Beijing and Tokyo navigate the next few years, as the 2027 clock ticks louder over Taiwan. Staring out into the North Sea, people living on the coast of North Norfolk pray every day that collapsing cliffs dont creep any closer to their homes. A hardy few remain in their seafront houses, refusing to budge, while JCBs scoop up the wreckage of neighbours' properties from the sandy beaches below. Many of the residents along the coastline feel ignored and insulted by the authorities who they blame for inaction or indifference. This week, the region which perhaps more than any other in Britain has carried the can for the disastrous effects of climate change, was infuriated further, after a tax-payer funded coastal erosion support group claimed its staff were taking time off for 'stress' due to dealing with them. Dr Sophie Day, a University of East Anglia researcher working for the Coastwise scheme made the claims in a written statement to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs inquiry. She said: 'It is not only communities on the edge who sustain mental health impacts associated with coastal erosion. 'The current situation is completely unsustainable. I have observed colleagues having to take time off sick because of the cumulative stress.' Coastwise, a Government project run by contractors on behalf of North Norfolk District Council, has previously said that stopping the cliffs falling into the sea is 'unrealistic and unsustainable'. Instead, its stated aim is to come up with ideas to slow coastal erosion and help people deal with the emotional toll. One of its remits is to look after the 'wellbeing' of people losing their homes, which it does by running 'cafes' in the various villages devastated by the tides. HAPPISBURGH: In one dismal section of Britain staring out into the North Sea - life is governed not just by the 'woke' authorities.. but by the sea TRIMINGHAM: A farmhouse destined for the abyss is hastily demolished in 2024 due to rampant coastal erosion in Norfolk HEMSBY: Many in the coastal community have accepted they will now just have to take what comes Your browser does not support iframes. It has also teamed up with mental health charities to help residents to talk about how they feel about coastal erosion in an 'a-political and non-judgemental environment'. Norfolk suffered from severe coastal erosion in recent years with many properties abandoned as the cliffs slip away. A report by climate group One Home previously estimated that coastal homes in England worth a total of 584million could be lost to cliff collapses by 2100. This bleak situation is tragic for those involved and routinely captivates the public imagination as the problem is now well known and depressingly fast. A sacry map released by Canadian researchers showed that large parts of UK coastal towns and villages, including Hemsby and nearby Great Yarmouth, will be permanently underwater should a projected 1.6 feet of sea level rise. This week, the Daily Mail spoke to residents in the isolated, crumbling coastal communities of Happisburgh and Trimingham - two tiny dots on the British map that could cease to exist in a matter of decades. And although North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) were quick to deny any of their own staff were taking sick days off, the damage done to the confidence of the coast dwellers was quick to settle. HAPPISBURGH: When the Mail visited Happisburgh, a former jewel in the regions crown, the mood was bleak Your browser does not support iframes. When the Mail visited Happisburgh, a former jewel in the region's crown, the mood was bleak. Homeowners said they were in disbelief about the Coastwise claims, questioning why they are paying council tax for a 'non service'. Linda Balls, 63, a cleaner who has lived in the village for 41 years, said: 'It's ridiculous, any old excuse to get off work with stress. They should man up.' She's trying to sell her house but finding it far more difficult because of the 'village falling into the sea' reputation. Linda walks her dog, Jake, along the cliffs every day and over the years has seen most of the coast eroded, particularly the sloping path to the beach which has to be replaced every year and a new visitors car park as recently been built as the original collapsed into the waves. Fellow resident, Melvyn Clulkey, 73, a retired garage owner and local Happisburgh campaigner in Beach Road, said: 'I think it's dreadful, what about us and our needs and worries? We need support too.' Beach Road neighbour, Jacob Visser, 69, a retired engineer moved to the village almost four years ago, as he thought it would be a beautiful place to live, added: 'I'm shocked and I believe the council should be doing a lot more to help, instead of taking sick leave for stress.' All residents agree there seems no solution on the table at this time, but meanwhile the cliffs continue falling into the sea. In nearby Trimingham, where last year NNDC helped demolish a farmhouse that had started falling into the sea, tensions were also high. Coastwise was looking at how the rainwater from the land was running across the road and soaking the land around the cliff and making it slide down to the shoreline. Richard Wallis, 66, lives in a four-bedroom flint and brick house nearby that is destined to fall into the sea. He used to take part in the Coastwise scheme but left. 'It's pathetic, he told the Mail, 'the trouble is we're being dictated to by these people like Natural England who say what we can and cannot do. 'These people are academic. They do not live on the coast. It's not their property that's going to be affected. It beggars the question: do they have the heart? TRIMINGHAM: Where every storm brings a fresh landfall Last year, the council helped demolish a farmhouse that had started falling into the sea, tensions are still high '[Coastal erosion] is not purely down to the action of the sea. It's also down to the outflow of the surface water from the land. In the late 1950s and Sixties there were wells sunk along the coast in the land [here] and they've all silted up. There are people still here who can tell you exactly where they are. 'The ponds along the coast that were naturally filling need to be reinstated. Ditches need to be re-dug. Things have been allowed to slip. 'The water is taking the easiest route and it's causing this slippage [of clay over chalk] of land into the sea. 'The trouble is we end up dealing with these academics who do not live in the practical world.' Mr Wallis, who is also a parish councillor, bought his four-bedroom home nine years ago. He said: 'I never thought I would ever get depressed or have slight mental health issues but it's not easy these days. I have had two heart attacks and I worry about what's going on everywhere, but I have never sought help or advice or taken time off work. 'These people [Dr Day cited] I suspect are young. I might be wrong, but when I was growing up it was a totally different time and there was no talk about mental health. 'I cannot buy this, people saying 'I'm going to go off sick'. I do not know what pressure they feel or are under.' When he was with Coastwise, Mr Wallis proposed the idea of seeding the coastal land around Trimingham to help stabilise the cliff but Natural England rejected the idea as being bad for the environment. He said: 'I feel that people all along the coast are beaten back and a little bit ignored by these academics that come along and who are all getting paid well and they dismiss our ideas and I can't be bothered. 'I got a leaflet through my door about eight months ago from Coastwise offering to address any mental strain with massage sessions. 'Yes, you heard it here: massage sessions. 'It beggars belief. It's laughable. 'I'm a great advocate for massage but for goodness sake. These people aren't doing it for nothing. 'I begin to think about how much money is left because of all these consultants. I'm sick to the back teeth of them. 'It's frustrating. I would like to know what's causing them to have mental health issues. I really would.' TRIMINGHAM: Locals have claimed that they are being dictated to by academic TRIMINGHAM: Many locals are understandably, as in Covid, now 'tired of experts' His comments were echoed by Liz King, chair of Trimingham parish council, who said: 'Most people who have lived here for a long time are practical. Common sense does not come into it. We very much know local government so we don't expect too much. 'Local knowledge is everything and it's people who have lived 60 plus years here who have seen things and understand the sea and the earth. 'Of course you then get people who have ideas like seeding the cliffs and making things grow on it and it slows things down but Natural England do not want unnatural plants going on their cliffs.' A North Norfolk District Council spokesperson said: North Norfolk District Council and the Coastwise project are working closely with the communities in our area affected by coastal erosion. 'We have multiple programmes running to develop strategies in collaboration with affected communities which will help address the impact of the changing coastline. 'The Government has made it clear that building new sea defences is not a long-term viable solution, so our priority is to support our communities and empower them to make decisions about managing the threat of erosion within the funds that are available. 'This is a complex and sensitive issue with different circumstances in different locations - there is no one size fits all solution. Coastwise was also approached for a response to residents concerns. The woman set alight by a lunatic on a Chicago metro train is a 26-year-old who suffered burns to 60 percent of her body. Bethany MaGee, 26, was doused in gasoline and set alight on the city's Blue Line on Monday night, but managed to flee the train and survive. MaGee, from Upland in Indiana, is an animal lover and churchgoer who graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She is close to her parents Emily and Gregory, and two brothers Mark and John, her social media profiles revealed. Her father Dr Gregory MaGee is a professor of Biblical studies at Taylor University, a Christian college in Indiana. The man police named as her attacker, 50-year-old Lawrence Reed, is a serial criminal with 72 prior arrests freed months earlier by a judge after he allegedly attacked a social worker. Monday's attack has drawn comparisons to the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22. That prediction now appears to have been borne out, with MaGee now seriously-ill in hospital with her family by her side. Bethany MaGee's family and friends have asked for prayers as she recovers from her horrific injuries Lawrence Reed is the suspect accused of setting MaGee alight. He has a slew of previous arrests and was branded a danger to society by prosecutors at his most recent court appearance on an assault charge in August MaGee suffered the most serious burns on her left arm and hand, according to an update from her church community. She had surgery earlier this week and is expected to be in hospital for at least three months for treatment and rehabilitation. The victim was publicly identified by Transport Secretary Sean Duffy on Sunday. He wrote in a statement, alongside a photo: 'It is devastating that a career criminal with 72 PRIOR ARRESTS is now accused of attacking 26-year-old Bethany MaGee on Chicagos L train, and setting her on fire. 'This would never have happened if this thug had been behind bars. Yet Chicago lets repeat offenders roam the streets. Chicagos carelessness is putting the American people at risk. No one should ever have to fear for their life on the subway.' Her theologian father wrote in his biography that MaGee and her family enjoy spending time with one another, 'hiking, being involved in their church, and playing games together.' MaGee's father is also a Sunday school church teacher and has authored multiple books on Christian scriptures and teachings - including St Paul's letters. MaGee's suspected attacker Reed was released on an ankle monitor after the August assault. Surveillance footage showed MaGee sitting in the train car before Reed, a complete stranger, allegedly poured gasoline over her head and body. In a horrifying chain of events, MaGee attempted to fight off her attacker while Reed allegedly tried to set her on fire. Reed approached MaGee and repeatedly yelled 'burn alive b***h,' a criminal affidavit filed in federal court alleged. Horrified locals now believe MaGee's ordeal could have been avoided, had a female Illinois not judge ignored a prosecutor's warnings about Reed. Despite the prosecutor warning Cook County Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez that Reed had a lengthy rap sheet and his next crime would 'likely be violent,' she allowed him to walk free. The Trump Administration seized on the attack and Reed being out on bail to bolster its claim that the National Guard should be deployed to Chicago. 'As President Trump has long said, violent crime in Chicago is out of control,' White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told the Daily Mail. 'Local Democrat leaders, like (Illinois Governor JB) Pritzker, should spend their time addressing violent crime and welcoming the president's help on the issue instead of succumbing to their Trump Derangement Syndrome and letting violent crime run rampant. 'This tragic crime should have never happened and it sadly highlights the dangers of Democrat control.' Surveillance footage shows the attack on MaGee. The incident has drawn comparisons to the murder of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte, North Carolina Bethany MaGee, pictured, was set alight while traveling on a Chicago metro train on Monday Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, had her throat cut while traveling on a light rail train in August. Police say the man who killed her is DeCarlos Brown Jr - a serial criminal with a lengthy history MaGee was seen running to the front of the train car to escape before her attacker allegedly ignited the bottle in his hand, according to the affidavit. Reed then allegedly ran to the front of the train car and watched his victim as her body was 'engulfed in flames.' MaGee attempted to extinguish the flames by dropping to the ground, and fled the train car when it stopped at Clark and Lake. The victim collapsed when she arrived at the station, and multiple witnesses attended to her while she waited for emergency responders. Her family put out a statement saying, 'We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and well-wishes as our daughter receives care for injuries sustained earlier this week.' 'We are also grateful for the excellent care and support of the burn team at Stroger Hospital.' Other commuters wrote harrowing accounts of witnessing the attack on MaGee and the aftermath. 'I was there and I took my coat off and smothered the flames with it. It was not ideal as it was synthetic fibers but it was what I had and it put the fire out,' one wrote. MaGee, of Upland in Indiana, worked as an analyst for heavy goods giant Caterpillar 'I had started to run inside the train when I saw her but then I snapped out of it and realized someone had to help her. 'There were a ton of people there but everyone was just standing around. 'After I got the flames out I sat with her and the other women mentioned in other comments sat by her head and talked with her which was really important.' Another said they were at the train station that MaGee got off at moments after she escaped from her attacker. 'Her upper body and head had severe, third-degree burns. The entire station smelled like burnt hair. It was horrific,' they wrote. 'What was even more saddening were the people taking videos and pictures. If you were there and one of the people doing it, well, I hope you find the humanity you were lacking in that moment. 'To the woman sitting with her, and comforting her, good on you. Thankfully, she was talking which is a good sign.' Reed was hit with a federal terrorism charge. Investigators obtained additional security footage of Reed allegedly filling a container with gasoline at a gas station 20 minutes before the attack. As Judge Molina-Gonzalez released Reed in August, she said: 'I can't keep everybody in jail because the state's attorney wants me to', according to court transcripts. Cook County Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez (pictured) allowed Lawrence Reed, 50, to be released on an ankle monitor after he assaulted a social worker in August Investigators said he attacked MaGee at random and obtained additional security footage of Reed allegedly filling a container with gasoline at a gas station 20 minutes before the attack 'This horrific attack is EXACTLY why we need communities to take safety seriously. Blue cities cannot allow another Iryna Zarutska to happen,' Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X. In both cases, each suspect has a lengthy criminal background. Reed has been arrested almost 50 times and has had multiple felony convictions over the last three decades. US Attorney Andrew Boutros confirmed on Wednesday that the latest attack Reed is accused of was completely random. 'We've watched the video and different angles of the video. And what we could say is this young woman was on her phone, going through her phone, minding her business, when [Reed] approached her and began throwing gasoline on her,' Boutros said at a press conference. 'I've seen reports that there was an altercation or that there was some kind of disagreement or argument that took place. Those statements are inaccurate and false.' Reed has been arrested almost 50 times and has had multiple felony convictions over the last three decades He approached the victim, who has not been identified, and repeatedly yelled 'burn alive b***h,' according to a criminal affidavit The victim ran to the front of the train car to escape before her attacker allegedly ignited the bottle in his hand Reed was arrested on Tuesday afternoon and appeared to be wearing the same clothes he was seen in on the night of the attack. The complaint also noted that he had 'fire-related injuries' on his hand. Reed is accused of setting fire to the woman around 9.24pm on Monday, which is outside of the hours he was allowed out of the house while on the ankle monitor. In September, records show that Judge Ralph Meczyk increased the hours he was allowed out of the home, but Mondays were not included on that list. The Daily Mail has contacted the judges and the Circuit Court of Cook County for comment. It was the first murder on the island of Orkney for 25 years and sent shock waves across Scotland. The shooting of 26-year-old Bangladeshi waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood on June 2, 1994, became infamous, not least due to the cold-blooded violence involved but also the astonishing truth of the killers identity. In 2008, at the end of a 14-year inquiry, a decorated Black Watch soldier and member of a well-known family from the island was convicted of Mr Mahmoods murder. Michael Ross, who was a 15-year-old schoolboy at the time of the point-blank execution, was jailed for a minimum of 25 years. Now a new BBC documentary features the first audio recordings of 47-year-old Ross discussing the shocking case. However, rather than show any remorse, Ross, whose grainy prison mugshot stands in contrast to the proud photos from his military service, insists he is innocent. In a blatant denial, he said: I cant be any clearer. I never murdered Shamsuddin. Theres a view that I had done this, to see how it felt to kill somebody. The thought of doing something like that was just totally out of the question. All I ever wanted was to join the Army, be a soldier. Get married and have a family and have a normal family life. The case against Ross relied on three pieces of evidence. Firstly, that he was seen in the islands Papdale Woods two weeks before the murder, wearing the same kind of balaclava as the killer. A recent prison mugshot of Michael Ross as he continues to serve time for the murder Bangladeshi waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood was gunned down on June 2, 1994 Secondly, he had access to the same make and calibre of bullets used in the killing. Finally, witness William Grant who came forward 12 years after the murder said he saw Ross with a balaclava and gun in the public toilets near where Mr Mahmood was murdered. Addressing his presence in Papdale Woods, Ross says he was there to confront a boy going out with his ex who had been beating her up. He said: I went to sort him out and give him a scare to try and stop him from hurting her. The balaclava, he claims, was to avoid people recognising him and telling his father Edmund who was a local policeman at the time that hed been in the woods. Ross says he later put stones into the balaclava and threw it in the sea, but claims this was because his father had reprimanded him for taking it into school. In the audio recording, he states: I know now the police will be thinking thats me getting rid of evidence. It was me getting rid of something that Id gotten a b********* for from my dad. Rosss father received a four-year jail sentence in 1997 after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice by hindering the murder inquiry. As for Mr Grants evidence, Ross states he didnt know who he was and had never met him. One aspect of the murder that kept it in the headlines was the suggestion that Mr Mahmoods murder had a racist motive. During the trial, jurors heard that Ross had told a fellow Army cadet as a schoolboy that blacks should be shot and had textbooks scrawled with Swastikas, SS symbols and slogans suggesting death to the English. Ross pictured in 2008 prior to being convicted for the decades-old murder The Skorpion machine pistol which was found in the car hired by Michael Ross Ross claims he doesnt remember his comments but said he can imagine having said something similar because he was a child. He also dismisses the drawings, saying: It was simple, daft, silly little doodles that I had done. One of which was a small swastika I mean its absolutely tiny. It was in just the O of my name Ross. Interest in Rosss case has also been fuelled by his attempts to evade justice. On hearing his guilty verdict in 2008, he made a dramatic bid to flee the High Court in Glasgow but was caught by a court official and police. A hired car with grenades, 450 rounds of ammunition and a Skorpion machine pistol loaded and ready to fire was later found in a nearby Tesco car park. However, Ross now claims the deadly haul was purely to help him live off-grid, adding that he was only thinking of going away and living away in the Highlands. He adds: When the verdict came down as guilty it was just a real shock to my system. The automatic flight reaction just kicked in. So thats why I ended up jumping the dock and tried to run away. I was a serving soldier. I had regular access to assault rifles, pistols, machine guns, sniper rifles. At no point was there any risk or threat to the public. Ross, whose earliest release date is in 2035, has since made several other attempts to escape jail. None has proved successful. The recordings were provided to the documentarys production team rather than being taken by its journalists. As such, he is at no point challenged on his assertions. The documentary will also feature key figures from the investigations and court hearings. It promises to provide new insights. Relatives of Ross and Mr Mahmood also share their recollections of the people and events at the centre of the case. However, in the case of the latter, it is hard to see how any of it could ever bring them comfort. The Man in the Mask: An Orkney Murder will be broadcast on BBC Scotland on Tuesday at 9pm and BBC Two on Thursday at 9pm. It will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Tuesday. An Ohio grandmother died after being attacked by a deer that she was attempting to rescue. Jodi Proger, 64, was mauled after she got trapped inside of a pen with a buck that she was trying to rehabilitate at her home in Stewartsville. The Belmont County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of an animal attack on the evening of November 15, according to a statement from Sheriff James Zusack. Proger's son-in-law discovered her stuck with the aggressive animal and immediately noticed that she had been brutally beaten. He grabbed his gun and attempted to kill it in order to get to her and stop any further injury. However, the deer was ultimately put to death by law enforcement who arrived around 11pm. 'Tragically, Ms. Proger succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene,' the statement continued. No foul play was suspected. Proger's daughter Jennifer Bryan explained on social media that the unidentified deer had escaped from his enclosure and the family was unsure how it had happened. Jodi Proger was trapped and brutally killed by a deer that she was trying to rehabilitate The 64-year-old had been inspired to rehabilitate wildlife by her beloved deer Wheezer (pictured) Proger had been rehabilitating deer for the last 12 years. Pictured is her companion Wheezer, who was not responsible for her death Bryan said that her husband went to Proger's house when the family couldn't get in contact with her. 'My husband went instead of me, because when I realized she had not been active in FB [Facebook], my heart dropped and unfortunately I have suffered tremendous loss and witnessing it has changed me,' she said. The culprit was one of many deer that Proger had kept and cared for on the five acre farm she lived on with her husband. 'My mother knew the risks, but she enjoyed every minute of loving and nurturing these animals,' wrote Bryan on social media. She said her mother had obtained all of the proper permits to keep and rehabilitate animals in Ohio. Proger dedicated the last 12 years of her life to deer rehabilitation after rescuing her beloved companion Wheezer in 2013. Proger lived on a five acre farm with her husband and their horses Proger and Wheezer earned legions of fans online after she shared photos of the duo dressed up together, celebrating holidays, and lounging in Proger's home. According to a 2015 article from The Dodo, Proger found Wheezer in 2013 while driving down the highway. Wheezer's mother was killed in a road accident, leaving the fawn panicked and alone. With no deer sanctuaries in Ohio, Proger felt she had no choice but to take him in. Bryan confirmed that it was not Wheezer who had killed her mother. Wheezer was neutered, trained, and even housebroken. The deer behaved like the average American dog, according to Proger. 'He'll climb up on the loveseat and he'll watch a little TV and he'll crash on the loveseat,' Proger told the outlet. According to her obituary, Proger was 'an avid animal lover' who liked to ride horses and rescue injured creatures. Proger's daughter confirmed that it was not Wheezer who had attacked her mother Wheezer was completely domesticated and house broken according to Proger 'Over the years, Jodi has spent her time advocating for animals and wildlife,' the tribute read. 'Jodi provided her knowledge of caring for injured animals and offered assistance to others, which often included advocating and providing resources during their time of need. Jodi was appreciative and thankful for all of her Wheezer Warriors.' She was survived by her husband, daughter, and three grandchildren. Her family asked for contributions to local animal shelters in her honor. The Daily Mail contacted the Belmont County Sheriff's office and Proger's family for comment. A University of Texas freshman took his own life after months of 'demeaning and cruel hazing' which saw him burned with cigarettes and beaten, a lawsuit claims. Sawyer Lee Updike was allegedly 'speared with a fishhook' during an alcohol-fueled event and had his hip pierced with a staple gun, according to the filing from his parents. The lawsuit also alleges that he was forced to take cocaine. Updike, 18, died alone in a convenience-store parking lot just months after joining UT Austin's Sigma Chi's Alpha Nu. His parents Sheryl Roberts-Updike and Lee J. Updike claim their son was treated so badly that he was ultimately pushed him into a fatal psychological collapse. Now almost two years after their son's death, the devastated couple have filed a lawsuit against one of the country's most prominent fraternities. 'I live every day with the weight of his absence,' his mother, Sheryl Roberts-Updike, said in a statement. 'What happened to Sawyer was cruel, senseless, and preventable.' Updike arrived at UT Austin in the fall of 2023 as a promising student, the lawsuit states but by January 2024 he was dead. His final months were marked by violence, threats and coerced drug use, the filings allege. Sawyer Lee Updike, 18, is seen with his mother Sheryl Roberts Updike. Sawyer's parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Texas at Austin which claims brutal hazing led him to take his own life Sawyer Lee Updike is pictured with bruises to his back after an alleged hazing incident Court filings describe how Sawyer was allegedly 'speared with a fishhook' during an alcohol-fueled event Some members of the fraternity members threatened to sexually assault his girlfriend if he didn't obey they commands, the lawsuit claims. The alleged hazing was systematic, relentless, and according to the lawsuit as seen by People, carried out with the knowledge and participation of older members who 'forcefully dominated over pledges.' By mid-January, the damage had sent Sawyer into a full-blown psychological crisis, the complaint claims. On or around January 16, 2024, just two weeks into the spring semester, Sawyer returned to the Sigma Chi house. According to the complaint, fraternity members gave him cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms, intensifying the spiral that had already left him anxious and fearful. He staggered out of the house a short time later, intoxicated. The lawsuit describes his crisis as being 'exacerbated' after being forced to take drugs, reports Fox 7. Soon afterwards he got into his car and drove to a nearby convenience store. In the parking lot, Sawyer died by suicide, the lawsuit says. Sawyer's parents say they replay their son's final hours constantly as they try to understand how their child who left for college full of promise could end his life in a parking lot. The lawsuit details how Sawyer's hip was reportedly pierced with a staple gun A photo of a staple gun allegedly pressed up against Sawyer skin is included in the legal documents Sawyer is seen in a bathtub surrounded by beer bottles during an alleged hazing ritual Sawyer is seen in a photo from the lawsuit with burn marks apparently from lit cigarettes In one message, Sawyer writes how he is being 'alcohol hazed' 'No parent should ever lose a child, and certainly not because of hazing disguised as brotherhood,' mom, Sheryl, said in a statement. 'It is unbearable to know that a young man with so much promise was put through something so dangerous in the name of belonging.' Their attorneys argue that the pattern of hazing was so extreme and so well known within the fraternity that his death was 'the combination of demeaning and cruel hazing and the introduction (forced providing) of illegal drugs.' In the months after Sawyer's death, Sigma Chi conducted its own internal investigation. The fraternity confirmed the UT Austin chapter has since been closed and that several members were expelled. Sigma Chi International Executive Director Michael J. Church issued a statement to the Daily Mail, as first reported by CBS Austin. 'Sigma Chi International Fraternity was devastated by the tragic death of our brother, Sawyer Lee Updike, at the University of Texas in January 2024. 'In the months that followed, credible allegations of inappropriate behavior from members in that chapter emerged, prompting a thorough investigation by Sigma Chi International Fraternity that resulted in the closure of this chapter and the expulsions of several members of the organization,' the statement reads. Sawyer's parents want to understand how their bright, eager first-semester student ended up dying by suicide The lawsuit describes Sawyer's crisis as being 'exacerbated' after being forced to take drugs 'For Sigma Chi, our central principles call us to hold each other to the highest possible standards and to care especially for our brothers. Any individual who fails to do so betrays not only himself but also his brothers and the values we hold sacred. 'As these matters proceed through the court system, we will expect and encourage that any individuals who are found responsible for any of the actions described in it will face the fullest consequences that our justice system demands.' The Daily Mail has contacted both the University of Texas at Austin for further comment. As the granddaughter of President John F Kennedy, Tatianna Schlossberg is no stranger to the spotlight. In 2013, she used her high profile to help raise money for blood cancer research by completing a three-mile charity swim through the Hudson River in her native New York. But she could never have imagined the deeply personal significance her fundraising would have just over a decade on. In a candid and moving essay for The New Yorker on the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather's assassination, Schlossberg, 35, disclosed that she has been diagnosed with blood cancer and given just a year left to live. The diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia, a rare genetic mutation known as Inversion 3, came shortly after the birth of her second child in May 2024. In harrowing detail, she described her elation at meeting her daughter being overtaken by the panic of her shock diagnosis. What followed was a grueling cycle of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and participation in clinical trials, including CAR-T-cell therapy. The endless rounds of hospital visits is a far cry from the life she was leading just over a year ago as a prominent member of the Kennedy clan. Tatiana Schlossberg, 35, the granddaughter of John F. Kennedy, revealed she has been diagnosed with terminal cancer She graduated from Yale University, where she met her husband, George Moran, now a physician at Columbia University Tatiana is Caroline Kennedy's daughter (pictured here together). Caroline 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 is the daughter of former US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, JFK's daughter and designer Edwin Schlossberg. But beyond her famous lineage, Schlossberg, born in New York City, has carved out a path as an accomplished American journalist and author focused on climate change and environmental issues. In 2019, she published the critically acclaimed book, Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don't Know You Have. Her last article in The Times was published in 2023 and titled 'The Importance of Protecting Ocean Life'. The environmental reporter revealed in her op-ed that, before she got sick, she had been planning to write a book about the oceans and has focused much of her journalistic work on the importance of protecting oceans. Before covering climate change and the environment for the science section of the Times, she wrote the publication's morning column, New York Today, and reported on New York City in the metro section. Her work has also been featured in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Vanity Fair, The Boston Globe, Bloomberg, and Yale Environment 360. She continues her mission to make climate issues accessible through freelance pieces and her newsletter, News from a Changing Planet. Pictured: Schlossberg's mom, Caroline (right), with her late uncle, John Jr. and grandparents, former president and first lady John and Jackie Kennedy 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 is a fierce advocate for the environment and wrote for the science section in the New York Times until 2023 Schlossberg began her journalism career in 2012 in New Jersey for The Record in Bergen County. A year later, she was named the Rookie of the Year by the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists and the second-best first-year reporter by the New Jersey Press Association. 'We all know which group we can trust,' she joked on her website. Schlossberg's byline first appeared in The Yale Herald during her undergraduate tenure at the university. She also received her master's degree in United States history from the University of Oxford. While attending Yale University, Schlossberg received the prestigious Charles A. Ryskamp Travel Grant Award. It was during these years where she met her husband, George Moran, now a physician at Columbia University. The two were married in 2017 at the Kennedy compound on Martha's Vineyard. Deval Patrick, the former governor of Massachusetts, officiated their nuptials. Schlossberg married George Moran in 2017 in Martha's Vineyard. The two met while studying at Yale University Schlossberg and Moran are parents to two children, a one-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son Moran and Schlossberg have two children, a one-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son. Schlossberg praised Moran for his support throughout her treatment, writing: 'George did everything for me that he possibly could. 'He talked to all the doctors and insurance people that I didn't want to talk to; he slept on the floor of the hospital.' She also revealed that she has a close relationship with her family, particularly her sisters who offered to donate their stem cells. Her older sister, Rose, an artist and filmmaker, turned out to be a match, while her younger brother, Jack, who launched his Congressional campaign earlier this month, was only a half-match. Despite that, Schlossberg joked that her brother still asked every doctor if he could still donate. Jack broke his silence on his sister's diagnosis on his Instagram story on Saturday, reposting the New Yorker article and writing, 'Life is shortlet it rip.' Schlossberg's familial praise fell short of her estranged cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services divided their family. In her essay, Schlossberg revealed that her older sister, Rose (pictured), donated stem cells to her during treatment Schlossberg thanked her siblings for their support during her grueling treatment (Pictured: Rose and Tatiana in 2011) She wrote that RFK Jr. was 'mostly an embarrassment to me and the rest of my immediate family'. Part of Schlossberg's initial disbelief at her diagnosis was due to her love of exercise. In her essay she recalled how she had swum a mile in the pool while nine months pregnant the day before she found out she was sick. A fitness fanatic, Schlossberg said she regularly ran five to ten miles through Central Park in her native New York. When not pounding the pavements, she enjoyed hitting the slopes and completed Birkebeiner, a fifty-kilometer cross-country race in Wisconsin. Her essay closed on a poignant personal note: 'I remind my son that I am a writer,' she wrote, 'so that he will know that I was not just a sick person.' Labour MPs increasingly believe that Sir Keir Starmer could quit as Prime Minister in the New Year before facing a leadership challenge, The Mail on Sunday has been told. At the start of a crunch week for the PM, with one of the most anticipated Budgets of modern times taking place against the backdrop of plots against his premiership, MPs say they are suspicious about what they call Sir Keir's 'new zen-like mood'. Despite Labour languishing at 18 percent in the polls level-pegging with the Greens and Cabinet colleagues openly jostling for his job, one backbencher who met him recently said: 'He was very chilled. 'Not like someone who had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Or expects to have them for that much longer.' And a minister highlighted the letter that Sir Keir wrote to his son to mark International Men's Day last week, saying: 'I thought that was an odd thing for him to do. He's not keen on talking about his family like that. 'I thought there was something valedictory about it.' May's local elections in which Labour is expected to do badly are being eyed as the most likely time for a contest if Sir Keir is still in post. The PM responded to reports that former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham are planning bids by telling reporters at the G20 in Johannesburg this weekend that he wants to be in No 10 until 2034. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday at the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa A new poll from former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft shows that just nine percent of voters think that Sir Keir will be Prime Minister after the next election, compared with 30 per cent for Nigel Farage Downing Street chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has told MPs 'the situation can be turned around' and briefed journalists that Sir Keir would fight any challenge a briefing some MPs believe was intended to encourage the Prime Minister to fight rather than 'quit at the first sign of gunsmoke'. It comes as exclusive polling data from former Conservative deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft, published in tomorrow's Mail on Sunday, finds that just nine percent of voters think that Sir Keir will be Prime Minister after the next election, compared with 30 per cent for Nigel Farage. A whopping 69 percent think that Sir Keir's party is divided. Voters also feel deeply pessimistic about Chancellor Rachel Reeves' statement on Wednesday, with 68 percent thinking that they will be worse off personally after the Budget and 63 percent that the country will be poorer. Meanwhile, a total of 61 percent are opposed to Ms Reeves' plan to lift the two-child benefit cap. The poll also covered the row over the BBC's apology to Donald Trump after it spliced two parts of a 2021 speech together. More than a third said that the BBC displayed Left-wing bias, with only 22 percent saying it was impartial. A separate poll of Labour members by Survation for LabourList today confirmed the PM's perilous position, finding that Andy Burnham, Ed Miliband, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting would all win any head-to-head leadership contest against him. Sir Keir Starmer and other European leaders set themselves on a collision course with Donald Trump last night after rejecting the US Presidents peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. They said the proposals, which critics claim blatantly favour Russia, would leave Ukraine vulnerable to attack and could not be accepted in their current form. Under the White House-Kremlin plan, Ukraine would cede territory its troops have defended since February 2022, including the Donbas region in the east, and slash the size of its military. Sanctions against Russia would be lifted and, crucially for Vladimir Putin, the country would be reintegrated into the global economy. As part of Mr Trumps plan, no Nato troops would be stationed in Ukraine, foreign fighter jets would only be allowed to be based in Poland, Ukraine would be limited to 600,000 troops a cut of 25 per cent and it would be banned from having long-range weapons that could reach Russia. Sir Keir, French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz were among the leaders who issued a joint statement at the G20 summit in South Africa, insisting the US President cannot make demands relating to Nato and the EU without their consent, adding that borders cannot be changed by force. Sir Keir told reporters he was worried about the plans to cap the size of the Ukrainian military, adding: We are concerned about that because its fundamental that Ukraine has to be able to defend itself if theres a ceasefire. Critics have called the proposals a betrayal of Ukraine, with former prime minister Boris Johnson saying the 28-point plan amounted to military castration. Former Royal Anglian Regiment soldier Shaun Pinner, who fought for Ukraine against Russian forces at Mariupol, called the plan surrender dressed up as diplomacy. He added: Its repugnant. Im sick with anger. Sir Keir Starmer and other European leaders set themselves on a collision course with Donald Trump last night after rejecting the US Presidents peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. Pictured left to right: European Council President Antonio Costa, Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Finnish President Alexander Stubb Sir Keir spoke to Mr Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky last night, and may try to act as a bridge between Europe and the US in building the proposals into a more suitable plan. Mr Zelensky said: We had a long conversation and covered many nuances of diplomatic work in planning the peace process. Co-ordination will continue, and I am grateful to the British society for their support. In a phone call to Mr Trump, Mr Merz said he made it clear that Europe must be part of any process to end the war. He added: If Ukraine loses this war and possibly collapses, it will have an impact on European politics as a whole, on the entire European continent and that is why we are so committed to this issue. Asked yesterday whether the plan was his final offer to end the war, Mr Trump said: No, not my final offer. Wed like to get to peace. It shouldve happened a long time ago. One way or the other, we have to get it ended. US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said: No deal is perfect, but it must be done sooner rather than later. US officials have told Nato allies they will push Mr Zelensky into agreeing to the deal by threatening that if he does not sign, he will face a much worse deal in future. Mr Trump has given him until Thursday to make up his mind. Delegates from Kyiv will hold talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Geneva, Switzerland, today, along with officials from Britain and Europe. Mr Zelensky said he would work around the clock to find a path, but would not betray his country. Sir Keir said the focus was now on Geneva, adding: We need to see how far we get with that. As part of Mr Trumps plan, no Nato troops would be stationed in Ukraine, and the country would have to cede territory its troops have defended since February 2022 Mr Zelensky said he would work around the clock to find a path to peace, but would not betray his country in any final settlement No 10 said: We want a ceasefire and we have been pushing for that. But it insisted: There can be no let-up in support for Ukraine. US Vice-President JD Vance hit back at critics of the deal, saying peace wont be made by failed diplomats or politicians living in a fantasy land but by smart people living in the real world. He insisted the White Houses approach was rooted in pragmatic diplomacy rather than unrealistic expectations, adding: Every criticism of the peace framework... either misunderstands the framework or mis-states 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. Sir Keirs spokesman denied Britain had been cut out of Mr Trumps peace negotiations, and highlighted the excellent relationship between the leaders. Ray Hadley's young granddaughter is back in hospital after she suffered a devastating setback in her cancer battle, the Sydney radio legend and his family have revealed. Just weeks ago, the family was celebrating four-year-old Lola's recovery following a major breakthrough in her leukaemia treatment. Now, their only wish is for Lola to be home in time for Christmas after she recently experienced chemotherapy complications. Doctors at Newcastle's John Hunter Children's Hospital diagnosed Lola with veno-occlusive disease (VOD), a serious liver condition that can occur after high-dose chemotherapy. Hadley's daughter Laura Clark said the 'ultimate Christmas wish' is to 'have all my children home with me, happy and healthy'. 'Materialistic things just don't mean anything any more. Perspective, that's actually a gift that we've received, and the ultimate wish is that she's home with us, and with her sisters, and her grandparents, and to just be surrounded by her family that love her so very much,' Ms Clark told the Daily Telegraph. 'I said to our oncologist at one point, 'what is the worst case scenario here' and he said: 'If we don't get on top of this, she could die.' Former top-rating 2GB host Hadley added: 'The other thing people dont understand is that after six months, people ask if she is better now.' Radio star Ray Hadley with his granddaughter Lola, who has suffered a devastating setback in her cancer battle Former 2GB morning host Ray Hadley said he feels 'helpless' after Lola's diagnosis 'It is a two-year journey at the very least, and all through that journey there are ups and downs obviously my daughter and son-in-law have to contend with, and they are doing that absolutely magnificently. As is this little girl, she is just an inspiration to all of us.' It's been almost a year since the usually bubbly and energetic Lola, then aged three, was first rushed to hospital. Tests revealed Lola had leukaemia and would need chemotherapy - an illness 280 Australian children are diagnosed with every year, according to the Children's Cancer Institute. Although Hadley has dedicated countless hours to helping other sick children throughout his decades-long career, nothing prepared him for the heartache of seeing his own grandchild 'stricken' with the aggressive blood condition. The family's spirits were bolstered in May with news that Lola had responded well to chemotherapy but the doctors warned it would be a 'rugged' path for the remaining year of treatment. The latest diagnosis came just a week ago after Lola had been lethargic, sleeping for most of the day and in constant pain. Her mother described the last two-and-a-half weeks as the worst since Lola's diagnosis and a stark reminder that you're never out of the woods. Little Lola, pictured with grandfather Ray Hadley was diagnosed with leukaemia on January 6 'I can't actually articulate the pain and the helplessness that you feel as a parent, not being able to save your child and you can't do anything but just sit there and hope that the medication works,' Ms Clark said. Lola is currently responding well to treatment and on Monday will officially launch John Hunter Children's Hospital's festive season by lighting its Christmas tree. She was able to leave her ward and see the tree for the first time on Friday - a moment that brought much joy for the young patient and her family. Hadley admits he remains 'deeply worried' and helpless about Lola's future. 'I feel helpless, it is in the hands of oncologists and specialists,' Hadley said. 'You have these highs and lows and what we've learnt as a family is don't get too excited about the highs and don't get too disappointed about the lows because there is going to be that trough all of the time.' Lola's setback comes weeks after Hadley welcomed his eighth grandchild. His youngest daughter Sarah gave birth to her second child, a girl named Indy Ray, last month. This photo taken on Nov. 23, 2025 shows a residential apartment damaged by an Israeli airstrike in Haret Hreik, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon. An Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs killed senior Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Al-Tabtabi on Sunday, the Israeli military and the Lebanese group said, a high-profile assassination that further strains a year-old ceasefire. Hezbollah confirmed Al-Tabtabi's death in what it termed a "treacherous Israeli attack" on the Haret Hreik district, stating he died "in sacrifice for Lebanon and its people." The group described him as one of its most prominent commanders, a central figure in its military operations against Israel since the organization's early years. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that the strike hit a residential apartment in Haret Hreik, killing at least five people and wounding 28 others. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs killed senior Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Al-Tabtabi on Sunday, the Israeli military and the Lebanese group said, a high-profile assassination that further strains a year-old ceasefire. Hezbollah confirmed Al-Tabtabi's death in what it termed a "treacherous Israeli attack" on the Haret Hreik district, stating he died "in sacrifice for Lebanon and its people." The group described him as one of its most prominent commanders, a central figure in its military operations against Israel since the organization's early years. The Israeli military stated its air force struck the suburb based on intelligence from the Military Intelligence Directorate, identifying Al-Tabtabi as Hezbollah's de facto chief of staff. A veteran of the group since the 1980s, he previously led the elite Radwan Force and oversaw operations in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Al-Tabtabi "led the organization's force build-up and armament efforts," adding that Israel "is determined to pursue its objectives anywhere and at any time." The Israeli military claimed that Al-Tabtabi was appointed chief of staff after its operations eliminated the majority of Hezbollah's senior command between September and October 2024. In the statement confirming Al-Tabtabi's death, Hezbollah vowed that his death would strengthen its fighters' resolve to continue confronting Israel. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported that the strike hit a residential apartment in Haret Hreik, killing at least five people and wounding 28 others. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack as "another sign of disregard for repeated calls to halt attacks and implement international resolutions," urging foreign intervention to prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, Israel maintained that it remains committed to the ceasefire agreed upon in November 2024, which halted large-scale Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and Beirut. However, since the ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27, 2024, Israel has conducted near-daily strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as several attacks in Beirut, citing threats from Hezbollah. On Friday, Lebanon's Health Ministry stated that Israeli strikes and other violations have killed more than 330 people and wounded over 940 since late November 2024. Earlier this week, a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people. Sir Keir Starmer has said he is 'absolutely confident' the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will not lead to 'vexatious prosecutions' of former soldiers amid a threat of legal action from veterans over the planned reforms. A commission to investigate Troubles-related killings and a separate information recovery body are due to be set up under the Government's proposals, which had their second reading in the House of Commons this week. But the plans could face legal action from the SAS Regimental Association, which claims the Bill lacks protections for former armed service personnel, police officers and security service members who served in operations associated with the Troubles. The Prime Minister told reporters travelling with him to the G20 summit in South Africa that the legislation strikes the right balance. He said: 'I'm absolutely confident that there will be no vexatious prosecutions, and that is because the legislation carefully sets out the balance that must be struck, and particular protections for veterans who served, in terms of the approach, the process and the protections we have put in place for them. 'So I am absolutely clear that we have got the right balance in the legislation, and there will not be vexatious prosecutions.' Sir Keir's administration aims to replace aspects of the Conservative government's Legacy Act, which shut down all UK police investigations into Troubles-related killings in May last year. It also included a contentious conditional offer of immunity for the perpetrators of Troubles crimes in exchange for co-operation with a truth recovery body. Sir Keir Starmer, pictured at the G20 in South Africa, has said he is 'absolutely confident' the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill will not lead to 'vexatious prosecutions' of former soldiers Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn seen earlier this week at Downing Street Supporters of Soldier F leave Belfast Crown Court following the not-guilty verdict last month Labour's Bill was agreed as part of a framework with the Irish Government and will put in place a reformed Legacy Commission with enhanced powers. But the SAS Regimental Association, which represents the SAS and its veterans, argued in a letter threatening legal action that it could lead to prosecutions for former soldiers. The veterans said the Bill as it stands now contains barely any protections for them beyond those that already exist for criminal investigations and inquests. They said the lack of safeguards could breach veterans' protections under Article 6 (right to a fair trial), and Article 8 (right to private and family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights. Last week, the Mail revealed there has been a dramatic drop-off in Army officers applying to join the SAS over fears of lawfare. On Friday, as the Troubles Bill returned for a second reading and a vote by MPs, the Mail revealed eight vastly experienced Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) have resigned in the three months citing the same issue. The Mail has campaigned passionately for protections for former soldiers while a petition for the same cause attracted 210,000 signatures. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a recently retired SAS soldier said: 'Some of our finest servicemen and women are resigning rather than continue in a Regiment and wider organisation that is no longer permitted or able to stand by them. Veterans who served in the British Army during the Northern Ireland troubles were seen at a protest in London over the repealing of the Legacy Act earlier this year 'Having been arrested and humiliated in front of my family on a number of occasions, on charges that were nothing more than rumour, I know first-hand the damage this is doing. 'The damage being done to the morale and fibre of the UK's Special Forces and wider Armed Forces by the proposed Troubles Bill must be understood by the public. 'What the Government wants to put into law diminishes trust and poses a direct threat to national security. Human rights lawyers are not going to defend the public against terrorists, they are the people defending the terrorists in court. 'As a nation we must collectively reverse this course of action an reassure our allies we can still be relied upon as their most valued partner to 'take the shot'. Last week, nine four-star generals wrote to the Prime Minister accusing him of undermining the Army's effectiveness and creating a 'national security threat'. General Sir Nick Parker said the Northern Ireland legislation would make military personnel fearful of legal claims later in life, potentially putting their own lives at risk. Soldiers' trust in the legal system has been eroded following cases such as Soldier F, a former paratrooper who was subjected to what was described as a 'show trial' in Belfast over events on Bloody Sunday in 1972. A British soldier scuffles with a Catholic protester during the "Bloody Sunday" killings on January 30, 1972, in Londonderry Northern Ireland After five weeks in the dock, Soldier F, who is in his 70s, was cleared of all charges. Sitting without a jury, the judge criticised evidence presented by the prosecution as not up to the required standard. Soldier F had been accused of murdering two unarmed protesters and attempting to kill five others more than 50 years ago. The Mail has also highlighted how as many as a hundred SAS veterans involved in operations during the Troubles face the agony of further inquests and possible criminal investigations, despite Labour's claims they will be 'protected'. One person is dead and four others are fighting for their lives after a horror house fire north of Brisbane. Emergency services were called to Darcy Way at Lawnton in Queensland's Moreton Bay region shortly after 5.30am on Sunday. The blaze was so fierce that the roof had partially collapsed by the time firefighters arrived. Neighbouring properties were evacuated as dozens of firefighters battled to contain the blaze, which threatened to spread. Firefighters confirmed that one person trapped inside died at the scene. Emergency responders found two teenagers, a boy and a girl, and a man and a woman both aged in their 30s on the front lawn of the property. They were rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital in a critical condition with serious burns and life-threatening injuries. Neighbours were evacuated from their homes but were allowed to return just before 7am. Emergency services were confronted with harrowing scenes at a fatal house fire in Queensland's Moreton Bay region The ferocious fire caused the roof of the Lawnton home (pictured) to collapse Enes Seferovic from the Queensland Fire Department said the heat from the fire was intense. 'When we arrived we have seen a number of casualties on the front lawn, with one person confirmed missing inside,' he told Nine's Today show. 'Our crews went into into action, and obviously we couldn't get them in time.' Emergency services remain at the scene as a crime scene was declared. The road remains closed in both directions as authorities launched an investigation into what sparked the deadly fire. Instagram is under mounting pressure after an investigation found that pro-Nazi, Holocaust-denying and openly anti-Semitic reels were being pushed to millions of users. A report by Fortune found that the offensive content has been placed directly alongside ads from some of America's largest corporations, including JP Morgan and SUNY. The posts even appeared alongside advertisements for the US Army. The revelations come just months after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg drastically loosened content rules and dismantled the company's US fact-checking program. Zuckerberg defended the shift as a return to 'prioritizing free speech', but critics say it has resulted in extremist propaganda being more readily available on the platform. At the center of the controversy is a now defunct account for a fashion brand known as @forbiddenclothes. The account appears to have been deleted, but previously posted fascist-themed memes to massive engagement, Fortune reported. One of its pinned reels as seen by Fortune along with 31 million others, featured a Nazi SS Officer from the film Inglorious Basterds being used as part of a meme captioned, 'When the family is arguing about politics and they ask for my expert opinion'. Comments condemning the clip's use for glorifying Nazism were largely outnumbered by positives responses according to the report, which also said that engaging with the reel opened a gateway to more egregious content. Instagram is facing intense scrutiny after an investigation found that the app's algorithms were circulating openly anti-Semitic, pro-Nazi, and Holocaust-denial videos to vast audiences The revelations come just months after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg drastically loosened content rules and dismantled the company's independent fact-checking program shortly before President Trump returned to office One reel which followed showed an AI-fabricated 'translation' of an alleged Adolf Hitler speech, with graphics claiming to identify Jewish people in Trump's cabinet and at major media organizations. The video, viewed 1.4 million times, featured stars of David photoshopped onto people's faces. Comments included: 'We owe the big man an apology', referencing Hitler. Another user wrote: 'He was right about everything.' A Fortune reporter found Holocaust-denial memes including one featuring a 'small-brain' figure saying 'He gassed millions of people. Read a history book,' and a 'big-brain' figure replying, 'Who wrote the history books?' The post, which suggests that the Holocaust was fabricated by Jewish people by playing into racist conspiracy theories about Jewish people controlling media, amassed 3.2million views and more than 250,000 interactions. After Fortune flagged the posts to Meta, the clips quietly disappeared but not before they had been circulated widely. The content appeared in a pattern that experts say is a result of Instagram's algorithm reward system. Once a user interacts with even a single fascist-coded reel, Instagram's recommendation engine 'personalizes' a feed that rapidly morphs into a stream of anti-Semitic conspiracies, racist jokes, and glorification of Nazi imager, often packaged as humor or as an edgy, ironic aesthetic. The investigation found that this content was overlaid with paid advertising for some of the country's most respected brands, from JPMorgan Chase to Nationwide Insurance, SUNY, Porsche and even the US Army. The extremist content and corporate ads played back-to-back, per the investigation. There is no suggestion that the companies knew what content their ads were being placed next to. Indeed a spokesperson for Porsche stated: 'We have zero tolerance of discrimination of any kind. Advertising on social media platforms is managed by our marketing agencies who work with the social media companies to apply rigorous guidelines on where and how our advertising appears. In this case, Meta is responsible for the placement of the advertising and ensuring controls are working in practice.' Meta took the posts down once they were flagged, though the videos had already reached a massive audience Meta which owns both Facebook and Instagram was once a platform that poured money into moderation but has since reversed course A US Army spokesperson said the military does not control Meta's ad placement. Meta issued a statement to the Daily Mail: '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, well over 90 percent of which we detected proactively before anyone ever reported it. The company said it added the flagged posts to its database of banned material. 'Our commitment to tackling antisemitism is unchanged; this type of violent and hateful material has no place on our platforms and we have removed the violating content and accounts flagged to us.' In regard to having the offensive content placed next to adverts, Meta says it is actively ensuring such incidents will be rare. 'We dont want this kind of content on our platforms and brands dont want their ads to appear next to it. We have included the relevant violating content in our database so we can detect and remove copies if someone tries to upload them again,' a company spokesperson explained to the Daily Mail. The Daily Mail has also contacted JPMorgan Chase, Nationwide Insurance and SUNY. The Instagram owner's own policies explicitly prohibit Holocaust denial, claims that Jewish people control financial institutions, and any content that glorifies Hitler. The investigation also revealed the financial gains of pushing out offensive content. A UK meme-page operator explained to Fortune how he had made 'over 10,000 [$13,000]' selling T-shirts and shout-outs, adding that Hitler-themed posts 'always get more traction.' A US-based tech worker said he made nearly $3,000 from Instagram bonuses before being demonetized. He even admitted that he is Jewish and does not believe the content, but posted it because 'offensive and political' reels grow accounts fastest. Several creators said they saw their earnings skyrocket after Zuckerberg decided to end third-party fact checking. President Trump and Mark Zuckerberg are seen during a dinner with US tech leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC in September Zvika Krieger, Meta's former director of responsible innovation, told Fortune that after the rule change, moderation systems were 'intentionally made less sensitive'. 'Whatever creates the most engagement is going to get rewarded in this algorithm,' Krieger said. Zuckerberg's sweeping policy reversal came on January 8, 2025, just two weeks before Donald Trump returned to the White House. In a five-minute video that stunned civil-rights groups and cheered portions of MAGA world, Zuckerberg announced that Meta was ending its use of independent fact checkers on Facebook and Instagram. Instead, they have been replaced with X-style 'community notes' where the commenting on the accuracy of posts is left to users. Zuckerberg also noted the the threshold required to remove hate speech would be raised in an effort to 'restore free expression' on the platform. He said the 2024 elections 'feel like a cultural tipping-point toward once again prioritizing speech,' adding: 'We're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies, and restoring free expression on our platforms.' However, critics including the Anti Defamation League noted an increase in anti-Semitic content following the policy shift. In May, the ADL said that Jewish members of Congress had experienced a fivefold increase in harassment on Facebook. Meta has defended its policing of content on its site. 'In just the first half of 2025, we actioned nearly 21 million pieces of content for violating our prohibition on Dangerous Organizations and Individuals,' Meta said in a statement. Having initially claimed a 99 percent proactive detection rate, the company later admitted the true figure was 'in the low 90s' At least ten people were injured including one person who was seriously wounded after an explosion rocked an senior living facility in Ohio. The blast ripped through Phoenix House Senior Apartments in Austintown at around 12.45pm on Saturday. Residents told Fox8 that the rumbling 'felt like an earthquake' which culminated in a 'big, loud blast then boom.' The rupture knocked out the walls, ceilings, and floors of a major chunk of the building at the fourth floor. Pictures showed that the powerful blast had left interior walls and rooms exposed. Residents said that it toppled their bookshelves, tore out their air conditioning and left debris all over the parking lot. Dozens of people and pets evacuated as they waited for the Austintown Fire department to arrive. 'I didn't know how bad it was until I got out,' resident Michael Kosach told Fox8. An explosion shook an apartment complex in Austintown, Ohio on Saturday afternoon Firefighters quickly responded and helped to evacuate the residents. At least ten people sustained injuries Austintown Fire Assistant Fire Chief Tom O'Hara classified one person's injuries as 'serious' and said the victim was immediately rushed to the hospital. There were several 'walking wounded' who were treated for minor injuries. No deaths have been reported. Firefighters did multiple searches of the building to make sure no one had been left behind in the debris. Crews from surrounding cities joined the Austintown fire department to assist with injuries and evacuation. Nearly 130 residents lived in the low-income complex which catered to seniors and the disabled, according to WFMJ. One resident, who does not have legs, described scooting down the staircase 'on his butt' while waiting for help to arrive. Video footage shows visibly shaken residents in the parking lot holding onto blankets, personal items, and pets as emergency responders moved in. The cause of the explosion is still being investigated. Some witnesses described a gas odor in the area, according to WKYC. Witnesses said the blast felt like an earthquake and knocked over book shelves and damaged walls The explosion was traced to the fourth floor of the building, but no cause has been determined Residents may not be back in their homes for several days, while officials determine whether the building is structurally stable. Resident Ken Balakoff called the stressful situation pure 'pandemonium'. 'Probably wont get back in for several days,' he told Fox8. 'Forgot my wallet, my wallet, and my Kindle with all my information on it.' The victims were bussed to Austintown Senior Center and Austintown Elementary School as the explosion was being assessed. Austintown trustees met at an emergency meeting Saturday night and allocated town funds to make sure everyone had a place to stay. No one will be left at the school overnight. Local businesses even chipped in to make sure each of the displaced citizens had what they needed. Residents gathered in the parking lot with blankets, pets, and personal items Emergency response crews from surrounding cities arrived to assist residents County officials warned other Austintown locals to avoid the area as they continue to investigate the scene. 'The Commissioners are devastated by this incident and are focused on the safety and well-being of the residents and our community,' wrote the Board of Mahoning County Commissioners in a statement on social media. The commissioners added that the county Dog Warden and Animal Charity were working together to provide shelter for any affected pets. The Daily Mail contacted the Austintown Fire Department, Phoenix House Senior Apartments, and Mahoning County Commissioners for more information. The Bureau of Meteorology has copped more backlash after the new boss admitted that its disastrous and unpopular weather app cost almost $100million to roll out. The BoM came under fire last month after the agency unveiled a major redesign of its website, which was slammed by users as 'too difficult to use'. Now, the federal government's weather agency is again on the back foot after it was revealed the loathed app cost taxpayers $96million to redesign and launch. The staggering cost, significantly higher than the figure originally declared, was revealed as Tropical Cyclone Fina wreaked havoc on Darwin over the weekend. The original $4.1million figure did not include a $78million website design contract for 'private consultation' by Accenture Australia. New bureau chief Dr Stuart Minchin has admitted that the total cost of the redesign, completed under his predecessor Dr Andrew Johnson, was much higher. 'I've looked into it. The total cost, when you add the Accenture work, the security testing and everything else, it's about $96million,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. Going forward, Mr Minchin has vowed to be more upfront with taxpayers and admit whenever the weather bureau gets it wrong. The Bureau of Meteorology has been blasted after its disastrous weather app reportedly cost almost $100million to roll out New bureau chief Dr Stuart Minchin vowed to be more open and honest with taxpayers 'I'm really coming in trying to be open and transparent about how we approach things, being open to saying when we've got things wrong,' Mr Minchin said. 'When you're criticised and bashed regularly, it's easy to get defensive, but I don't think that's helpful.' Federal Nationals leader David Littleproud slammed the spending, adding that Australians 'deserve transparency' regarding the much-maligned website. 'It is unbelievable a private consultancy was paid $78million to redesign the website, but then security and system testing meant that Australian taxpayers actually paid $96 million,' Mr Littleproud said. 'The seriousness of this cannot be understated. This isn't just about a clunky website, the changes actually put lives and safety at risk. 'Let's not forget the BoM predicted the east coast was going to have a drought, creating panic where a whole lot of farmers offloaded all their livestock. We then had one of the best seasons we have ever had. This was devastating for farmers who had already sold everything. 'When government failure destroys lives, serious questions need to be answered. Australians deserve to know how this latest disaster unfolded.' A BoM spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail on Sunday that it cost a staggering $96.5million to develop the new website. Nationals leader David Littleproud (centre) slammed the spending and said Australians 'deserve transparency' regarding the much-maligned website Many Aussies complained they couldn't see the forecasted weather in their area on the revamped website 'The redevelopment of the Bureau website was part of a large program of work to improve the long-term security, stability and resilience of critical bureau services,' the spokesperson said. 'A complete rebuild was necessary to ensure the website meets modern security, usability and accessibility requirements for the millions of Australians who rely on it each day.' They added that BoM had 'continued to listen to and analyse community feedback' to 'inform prioritisation and development for the next release and future planned releases' after the website was rolled out on October 22. 'We changed the radar map (on October 31) to show rain reflectivity... as the standard setting,' the spokesperson said. 'This brought back the visual style that the community said they found intuitive and reliable for interpreting weather conditions. This option was already available the new site, but not as the default setting when visiting the page. 'In addition to making ongoing improvements, we will continue to develop and promote support material to address common themes in community feedback. 'The bureau has always planned to continually improve the new website over time through regular feature releases. Feedback received since launch will shape what is prioritised for future releases.' Mr Minchin's startling admission came after the revamped website sparked a wave of backlash online and on talkback radio just hours after going live last month. Aussies complained that simple features, including the much-loved rain radar, were too difficult to locate on the redesigned platform. Many users complained they couldn't see the forecast weather in their area on the website, with the new version only showing the past 40 minutes of weather. And on October 30, the website's weather radar crashed as brutal thunderstorms threatened parts of south-east Queensland. Then acting-BoM chief executive Dr Peter Stone defended the redesigned website shortly after it was rolled out in October The radar on BoM's mobile phone app went down with some residents reporting significant lags and others seeing nothing but a loading wheel. A message displayed on the radar app warned users to 'note the time shown with the map' as 'some information is not complete but we're working on it'. A bureau spokesperson told the Daily Mail the outage was not 'related in any way to the adoption of the new website'. Then acting-BoM chief executive Dr Peter Stone defended the new website shortly after it was rolled out. 'It's clear we need to do more to help people through the change, both by making adjustments to the website and by helping users to understand its new features,' Dr Stone said last month. 'We are moving quickly to act on the feedback received, and I am confident the community will start to see more improvements in the coming weeks,' he said. A spokesperson for the Bureau previously told the Daily Mail the changes came off the back of user research and testing and a 15 month beta trial. 'During that time, community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,' they said. They added a dip in user satisfaction was to be expected following the changes and said it expects it will increase as users become more familiar with the site. People from Pakistan are using holiday, work and student visa 'loopholes' to submit a record number of UK asylum claims, according to newly revealed figures. Almost 10,000 people from Pakistan have entered the UK with work, student or temporary visitor visas before switching to claim asylum in a bid for permanent residency last year, government data suggests. The country also tops the list for asylum applications, with 11,324 made from Pakistani nationals in the year to June. People from the South Asian nation account for one in ten of all 111,000 asylum applications - topping the list of all 175 countries from which migrants seek refuge status. It is also the highest number since records first began. Asylum applications from Pakistan are also five times higher since 2022, having increased from 2,154 to over 11,000 - beating out Afghanistan, Iran and Eritrea. In the last year, 40,379 migrants claimed asylum after arriving on British shores using legitimate visas or by being granted other forms of leave to come into the UK. According to data obtained by the Conservatives through Freedom Of Information requests, more than 16,000 individuals arrived on student visas and about 11,400 on skilled worker equivalents. People from Pakistan are using holiday, work and student visa 'loopholes' to lodge a record number of UK asylum claims, new figures show (file image) Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'Britain's broken border and visa system is being openly abused' Your browser does not support iframes. Meanwhile, more than 9,400 entered the country on visitor visas, meaning around 37 per cent of asylum applications submitted in 2024 came from individuals who had arrived in the UK via legal routes. And the only nationality to land in the top three for work, visitor, student, and other visa routes into the UK before switching to asylum was Pakistan. People from Pakistan represented nearly a quarter of switches from visa to asylum claims in 2024. The nationality topped the list for those who switched from a student visa to asylum, with a total of 5,888 claims. The total was more than both India and Bangladesh combined, which came in second and third place with 2,295 and 2,374 claims, respectively. Among those who switched from visitor visas to seeking asylum, Pakistan placed second with 902 claims. First was China, which had 1,094 nationals make switches. Meanwhile, Pakistan also came in second place with individuals who switched their work visas to asylum, with 2,578 claims. Bangladesh topped the list with 3,268. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: 'Britain's broken border and visa system is being openly abused. Tens of thousands are walking straight through the front door, exploiting legal visas and staying for good. It's a complete failure.' The Tory MP said 'decisive action' was required now, before stressing asylum could not be used as a 'back door route' for those not wanting to leave after their student visa came to an end. It comes after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (pictured on November 18) insisted she is bringing in 'sweeping' reforms with Channel boat arrivals Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Jamie Jenkins, former head of health and employment statistics at the ONS, said: 'With 162,000 visas granted to Pakistani nationals in the past year, the numbers reveal a clear loophole: the UK's generous visa system is feeding directly into record asylum claims.' He added that the new data suggests that Britain's immigration system was not only 'failing at the borders' but also falling short within them as well. 'Yes, small boats matter. But 'legal entry, then asylum claim' shows how the system is being gamed from inside,' he told The Telegraph. Peter Walsh, a senior researcher at Oxford University's Migration Observatory, said it was hard to pin down why there had been such a hike in people from Pakistan claiming asylum. He said there were reports of economic and environmental decline as well as a lack of security in some regions of the South Asian country. It comes after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood insisted she was bringing in 'sweeping' reforms with Channel boat arrivals facing a 20-year wait for permanent settlement in the UK - quadrupling the current period. There will also be reviews every 30 months of whether refugees' home countries have become safer - potentially allowing them to be sent back. It comes after Labour was accused of covering up the full extent of a backdoor to Britain which allows foreign students to claim asylum here. In June, the Conservatives' Mr Philp said there was rampant abuse by those granted a temporary student visa who then go on to claim they are a refugee in a bid to stay in the UK permanently. The Conservative frontbencher asked the Home Office to reveal new figures on the numbers making such claims, after the Mail revealed last year that nearly 5,000 foreign students claimed asylum in the year to March 2023. The Daily Mail has approached the Home Office for comment. Children as young as 11 are now stuck on a growing waiting list for Britains first specialist vaping-addiction clinic. Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool opened its pioneering e-cig cessation pilot earlier this year amid a surge of under-16s hooked on vapes. But figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show the service has already hit full capacity, with at least 15 children waiting to be seen. Around 27 are receiving treatment, including 17 aged between 14 and 15, and some, fewer than 10, aged 11 to 12. It comes as the number of school-aged Brits hooked on the devices continues to soar, with 1.1million admitting theyve puffed on at least once. Professor Rachel Isba, who leads the Alder Hey service, warned of the impact of nocotine in young brains still being developed. She added: "More research needs to be done to look at the impact of vaping on under-16s if we are going to be able to effectively provide the support they are asking for, to enable them to become nicotine-free, and improve their health and wellbeing." Professor Isba had previously made the shocking revelation that children as young as seven are taking up vaping. Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool opened its pioneering e-cig cessation pilot earlier this year amid a surge of under-16s hooked on vapes But figures obtained show the service has already hit full capacity, with at least 15 children waiting to be seen. Pictured: Stock image Your browser does not support iframes. According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), around 18% of children aged 11-17 have vaped before and around 7.2 per cent have vaped. The clinic launched in February after schools across Merseyside reported a spike in nicotine-dependent pupils. Treatment is tailored to each child and can include nicotine substitutes, therapy, support around peer pressure and behavioural habits. Staff also work directly with schools to track dependency levels and help refine the service. Although the pilot funding from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside has now ended, Alder Hey will keep running the service until everyone on the waiting list is treated, according to the Mirror. Trust bosses are also examining long-term funding options to roll out similar clinics in Merseyside and potentially across other NHS trusts. Meanwhile vaping among adults continues to climb, with 5.6 million Britons now using e-cigarettes, the highest level on record. Ministers have brought in measures, including a ban on single-use vapes introduced in June, to try to curb nicotine addiction. Despite concerns, the NHS still views vaping as a valuable tool for adult smokers trying to quit. A major 2024 evidence review concluded nicotine e-cigarettes remain more effective than traditional nicotine-replacement therapies such as patches or gum. Children who regularly vape are three times more likely to become smokers later in life, reports suggest, while studies have linked the habit to respiratory illness and substance abuse. Meanwhile, data from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) indicates vaping has tripled among children since 2021. In September, experts began calling for e-cigarettes to be banned worldwide to protect children from irreversible harm. Previous studies suggest vaping can increase the risk of stroke by a third and asthma and cardiovascular disease by a quarter. Researchers speaking at the worlds largest heart conference warn the impact on developing brains and hearts is likely to be even greater. Previous studies suggest vaping can increase the risk of stroke by a third and asthma and cardiovascular disease by a quarter Professor Maja-Lisa Lchen, a senior cardiologist at University Hospital of North Norway, said she fears vaping could become a new epidemic. She said: There is an additional risk of vaping in children [compared to adults] when it comes to effects on the body. Because we know that the nicotine and other elements in e-cigarettes have a very harmful effect on developing brains. Not only in the foetus, but during childhood and into your 20s. So that is something we are extremely concerned about. We also know that when children and young people start vaping, they may become dependent on the nicotine and it can become a gateway to smoking.' Security officials censored a submission to the Covid Inquiry which highlighted the failure of intelligence agents to gather evidence which points to the virus having originated in a laboratory in Wuhan. The heavily criticised 200 million inquiry by Baroness Hallett stifled any discussion of the origins of Covid, with lawyers shutting down ex Cabinet Minister Michael Gove when he tried to tell them a significant body of judgment believed the virus was man-made. Last week, Lord Gove, who was at the heart of the Governments response to the crisis, publicly reasserted that the view of most intelligence agencies was that the virus had leaked after being super-charged by Chinese scientists to become ultra-infectious. Now Whitehall sources have revealed that Dominic Cummingss evidence to the inquiry was redacted by the security services to remove criticism of the fact that MI6 and MI5 had falsely dismissed the lab leak hypothesis as a conspiracy theory. In his censored evidence, Mr Cummings wrote: The PM and I were told categorically that, considering all intelligence, including the most highly classified, the agencies were extremely confident that the lab leak hypothesis could be ruled out as, effectively, a conspiracy theory without scientific basis. I pushed on this issue because I was worried this was a mistake and some serious people were publicly arguing the opposite. The blacked-out submission went on: We now know that many scientists working in the UK and US systems were emailing each other saying that they thought a lab leak was the most likely cause. The reasons for this overconfidence among the intelligence community and, potentially, a decision somewhere... not to explore ongoing debates with the PM should be properly explored. Intelligence agents failed to gather evidence which points to the virus having originated in a laboratory in Wuhan In April 2020, two weeks into the first lockdown, The Mail on Sunday became the first media outlet in the world to report the lab leak theory, revealing that the Governments Cobra committee had been told Covid could have come from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Last night, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: This is the biggest cover-up known to man. There is no way the agencies were as ignorant as they claimed. They accepted Chinese assurances that they had the pandemic under control and didnt want to jeopardise that. But they didnt have it under control, which is why it turned out to be such as disaster. Earlier this year, this newspaper revealed that a former spy chief submitted a secret dossier to No 10 early in the pandemic reporting that the virus had originated with a leak from a Wuhan facility. But Lord Vallance, the science minister who was the Governments chief scientific adviser at the time, is said by sources to have ignored the report possibly for fear of offending the Chinese or jeopardising research funding from Beijing. A classified dossier compiled by Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, was passed to then Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the start of the outbreak in March 2020, which stated: It is now beyond reasonable doubt that Covid-19 was engineered in the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The file, marked Secret Recipients Eyes Only argued that Beijing was pushing a fake narrative that the virus had originated in an animal market. The dossier, compiled by eminent academics and intelligence experts, said China retrospectively manipulated viral samples to give credence to the deception. The heavily criticised 200million inquiry by Baroness Hallett (pictured) stifled any discussion of the origins of Covid A source close to Mr Johnson pointed the finger at Lord Vallance for rubbishing the lab-leak theory. The source said: Boris repeatedly asked the [intelligence] agencies to do more work on the origins of Covid. It struck him as simply too much of a coincidence that a mutant Covid virus appeared in a city that just happened to possess one of the only labs in the world that engineered mutant Covid viruses. Looking back, he now wonders why the scientists and the agencies were so emphatic. In America, the CIA has concluded a leak is the most likely explanation for the pandemic. Still no one will point the finger at real villains of this grisly saga By Ian Birrell I recently met a friend tormented by long Covid. A brilliant and brave journalist, Joses life has been devastated by the disease that emerged six years ago from China, leaving him exhausted by the simplest daily tasks. He is one of an estimated 400 million sufferers around the world struggling with this debilitating condition after being struck by the novel coronavirus that killed millions, shut down much of the world and shattered economies. As Joses fight shows, this disease still reverberates round our planet after the pandemic that impacted on so many aspects of life, from health systems, schools and society through to trust in democratic politicians and science. Now we have the second of ten reports by the 192 million Covid inquiry. It is a damning verdict on the lamentable political leadership and dysfunctional system of government that plagues our country and inflamed the pandemic. Yet this costly, overblown and slothful inquiry deliberately ducks the central question we need to answer to avoid another pandemic: what was the origin of the disease that ravaged the world? There is such stifling official silence and fear of the truth that when Lord Gove mentioned at the inquiry that a significant body of judgment believed Covid was man-made, he was shut down by a lawyer for straying into the somewhat divisive issue of origins. Two weeks into the first lockdown, The Mail on Sunday became the first media outlet in the world to report the lab leak theory Yet as Gove told the BBC last week, it is now the view of most intelligence agencies that the virus leaked from a laboratory in Wuhan and this raises deep questions over our relationship with a callous regime that covered up the diseases outbreak. He is right. Imagine if such global disruption and so many deaths had been caused by a nuclear leak. Yet Britain, like every other country, seems content to brush aside the cause of the most devastating public health disaster for a century, as it kowtows to a bullying Communist dictatorship. The Mail on Sunday led the way in exposing the Covid cover-up by the Chinese regime, which was carrying out high-risk gain of function experiments into bat coronaviruses amid shockingly low levels of biosecurity at a secretive Wuhan lab. We revealed how this duplicity was assisted by a shameful cabal of Western scientific leaders who helped fund these dangerous experiments then smeared those discussing the lab leak concept as conspiracy theorists, cranks and racists. We do not have a definitive verdict on Covids origins yet. The case is not closed. But the lab leak theory has grown stronger with each crumb of evidence while the alternative idea it crossed over from animals has failed to find any firm proof. Early in the pandemic, we saw how Beijings goons covered up the late 2019 emergence of a new virus in Wuhan by silencing medical whistle-blowers and hiding crucial data with horrifying consequences for the rest of humanity. One analysis by British academics claimed China could have cut cases by 95 per cent if action to contain the virus had been taken three weeks earlier. Other studies suggested pandemics permit only a narrow window for pre-emptive intervention. Yet Chinese scientists had sequenced the genome of the virus even before Taiwanese health authorities alerted the globe and then their officials lied about knowledge of human transmission at this critical early juncture. This deliberate suppression of the truth puts all the tomfoolery and tussles in Downing Street into perspective, even if it does not excuse our dismal response. Yet dismissal of the lab leak theory seemed strange given the likelihood of human error when at least 300 lab-acquired infections and 16 pathogen escapes have occurred in the first 21 years of this century. It was inherently suspicious how a lethal new virus appeared suddenly in Wuhan hundreds of miles from the nearest colonies of wild bats with similar coronaviruses. And it happened in the city containing the maximum biosecurity lab that was Asias biggest repository of bat coronaviruses, had known safety concerns, removed its database of samples just before the disease emerged and was doing risky research to boost infectivity of mutant bat viruses in mice. Michael Gove, who was at the heart of the Governments response to the crisis, publicly reasserted that the view of most intelligence agencies was that the virus had leaked after being super-charged by Chinese scientists to become ultra-infectious Early studies found the virus uniquely adapted to infect humans and days after we disclosed them, China confirmed that a Wuhan wet market was a spreader (but not the source) of Sars-CoV-2, the strain of coronavirus causing Covid-19. Suspicions of open-minded scientists were raised by its furin cleavage site, which makes it ultra-infectious to humans but is not found on scores of similar coronaviruses. Some instantly saw this as a smoking gun, pointing to engineering. Then came a stunning discovery that scientists in Wuhan and their key Western collaborators had sought additional funding from Washington to insert this defining feature into Sars-like viruses just a year before the disease exploded. One US expert told me a document submitted as part of the funding request looked like the blueprint for creating the virus that causes Covid-19. The request was rejected due to risk. But Chinas top bat researcher who sequenced thousands of Sars-like bat coronaviruses, according to a US collaborator refused to reply when asked if they pushed ahead with experiments anyway in Wuhan. Now we know leading figures in both China and the West suspected lab origin from the start of the pandemic. Some knew gain of function research was being conducted under Wild West biosecurity conditions, in the memorable phrase of a key player. Yet despite privately-held concerns and discussions, some of the most influential scientists in the US and Britain used their prominence to push statements into compliant media outlets and journals to dismiss conspiracy theories about a lab leak in order to protect their own backs. Here was the real conspiracy underpinned by collusion between China and its cabal of useful idiots in the West. Slowly but surely, the truth gets glimpsed through clouds of official obfuscation. Yet despite all the deaths, misery and suffering over these past six years, there seem to be deep fears over pointing the finger of blame at the biggest villains of this grisly saga. This is a betrayal of democracy, freedom and science and of all the British families bereaved by the pandemic, since all signs suggest Covid was made in China just as surely as all the cheap toys, computer parts and electric cars that it exports around the globe. Metropolitan Police detectives are poring over the posthumous memoirs of the woman who accused Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of sexual abuse. The Mail on Sunday has learnt that officers are examining Virginia Giuffres book as part of a scoping exercise into revelations by this newspaper about Andrews links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The Mail on Sunday last month revealed a bombshell email in which Andrew asked his taxpayer-funded Met bodyguard to investigate Ms Giuffre and passed him her date of birth and confidential social security number. The Met said at the time that it was actively looking into the claims. Days later, the memoirs of Ms Giuffre who took her own life in April aged 41 were published, in which she accused Andrew of being entitled, as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright. The book, Nobodys Girl, also described three occasions when Ms Giuffre alleged Andrew had sex with her. Andrew has repeatedly and vehemently denied her claims. Sources this weekend said that as well as probing the email Andrew sent about his accuser, officers are also looking closely at Ms Giuffres book to see whether it contains any new leads. The MoS understands that detectives have not yet spoken to Andrew. Virginia Giuffre with a photo of herself as a teenager, when she says she was abused by Jeffrey Epstein, Virginia Giuffre and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, among others Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (pictured), formerly the Duke of York, has been stripped of all of his royal titles The Met is, however, expected to announce before Christmas whether it is launching a formal investigation. The late Ms Giuffre, in her book Nobody's Girl, described how she dressed in outfits that reminded her of her idols Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera to first meet Andrew when she was 17. She was pictured in the 'pink V-necked, sleeveless mini T-shirt and a sparkly, multicolored pair of jeans embroidered with a pattern of interlocking horses' in the famous photo showing the then-duke with his arm around her waist at Ghislaine Maxwell's London flat in March 2001. Ms Giuffre also recounted how the death of Diana, Princess of Wales left her scared, amid unproven claims the royal family was involved, and she alleged she had sex with Andrew, four years after the princess died, to keep 'powerful' people happy while she was in the UK. She claimed she was forced to have sex with the prince on three occasions, including when she was 17 and also during an orgy after being trafficked by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein who died in a US prison in 2019. Andrew vehemently denies the allegations. He previously paid millions to Ms Giuffre to settle a civil sexual assault case, despite claiming never to have met her. Ms Giuffre wrote how he hid behind 'the well-guarded gates' of Balmoral Castle, making it difficult for her lawyers to serve him with papers. Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre was published on October 21, 2025 She also said of her 2022 legal settlement with Andrew: 'After casting doubt on my credibility for so long - Prince Andrew's team had even gone so far as to try to hire internet trolls to hassle me - the Duke of York owed me a meaningful apology as well.' She added: 'We would never get a confession, of course. That's what settlements are designed to avoid. But we were trying for the next best thing: a general acknowledgment of what I'd been through.' Ms Giuffre described how she took part in two days of mediation, and her lawyer read the duke's agreed settlement statement at 2.30am Florida time 'through tears, both hers and mine'. Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, wrote an email to her co-writer Amy Wallace at the start of that month shortly after being involved in a car crash that said it was her 'heartfelt wish that this work be published, regardless of my circumstances at the time', and that it was still to be released in the event of her death. 'The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders,' she said in the email. Ms Giuffre added: 'In the event of my passing, I would like to ensure that Nobody's Girl is still released. I believe it has the potential to impact many lives and foster necessary discussions about these grave injustices.' Traditional toys could soon be banished as technology takes over to 'infinity and beyond', a leading children's author warned yesterday. Frank Cottrell-Boyce said he was increasingly hearing that children no longer played with toys. The Children's Laureate previously warned that the government must give children access to more books because of 'a recession of happiness' from a lack of reading. Reflecting on the theme of the new Toy Story 5 film recently revealed in a trailer 30 years after the first movie Mr Cottrell-Boyce, whose books include Millions and Cosmic, said: 'Toy Story 1 was the first completely computer-generated animation story it was the magical curtain up on the digital age. 'The films are the story of what happens when one child grows out of his toys, but more and more I am hearing the phrase, "children don't play with toys any more they have ditched their toys for screens".' In the film, due in UK cinemas next June, a green frog-shaped tablet called Lilypad is delivered to the play room terrifying the traditional toys. The hugely successful franchise introduced generations of children to the adventures of wooden cowboy Woody and the space age superhero toy Buzz Lightyear. But Toy Story 5's trailer suggests it will reflect the modern era rather than being a coming-of-age tale like the original. The moment in Toy Story 5 when Buzz Lightyear and Woody are shocked when at realising children are not playing with toys the same anymore Instead, in Toy Story 5 the creators wanted to reflect society and introduced a green frog-shaped tablet called Lilypad to show a shift from traditional toys Referencing Buzz's famous catchphrase, Mr Cottrell-Boyce told BBC Radio 4 yesterday: 'Are we on our way to a digital toyless infinity and beyond?' It is six years since the last film in a franchise which has netted $3.3billion (2.5billion) for Pixar and Disney. Toy Story 5 director Andrew Stanton said the latest instalment was 'simply trying to reflect where we are'. He told Empire magazine: 'It's not even really about a battle so much as the realisation of an existential problem nobody's really playing with toys any more. Technology has changed everybody's lives, but we're asking what that means for us and to our kids.' He added: 'We can't just get away with making tech the villain.' LONDON, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Royal Navy has intercepted a Russian warship and a tanker off the British coast in a shadowing operation in the past fortnight, local media quoted Britain's defense ministry as saying on Sunday. HMS Severn, a Royal Navy patrol vessel, shadowed the RFN Stoikiy corvette and a tanker vessel, which sailed through the Dover Strait and westward through the English Channel, the ministry said, without specifying the time of interception. HMS Severn later handed over monitoring duties to "a NATO ally," said the ministry, but continued to observe from a distance. It came after British Defence Secretary John Healey said on Wednesday that a Russian ship, Yantar, which was sailing on the edge of British waters, pointed lasers at the Royal Air Force pilots monitoring its movement. While Britain labelled Yantar as a "Russian spy ship," the Russian embassy in Britain stated that it was merely an "oceanographic research vessel" operating in international waters, adding that Russia's actions did not impact Britain's interests and were not intended to undermine the country's security. Three 'Islamist' extremists have successfully argued being held in solitary confinement in prison is unlawful - because it makes them depressed, anxious and traumatised. The Mail on Sunday can reveal the trio used the controversial European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) to argue their cases at a cost of more than 500,000 to the taxpayer. The true bill, including legal aid and other court costs, is likely to be far higher as the men await enormous compensation payouts from the state. Last night, critics demanded the Labour government withdraw from the European convention amid fears terror sympathisers were gaming the system. Gangland murderer and 'extremist enforcer' Denny De Silva, 32, converted to Islam after he was jailed in 2016 but was put in a 'separation unit' after sharing Islamic State material with other convicts. Fuad Awale, 37, who shot two men in the head in a planned 'execution', was isolated after taking a prison officer hostage and requesting to associate with one of the killers of Fusilier Lee Rigby behind bars. And aspiring rapper Sahayb Abu, 31, who also goes by the name the 'Masked Menace', was sent to solitary confinement after guards feared he was attempting to radicalise other inmates. All three of the men have successfully persuaded high court judges that keeping them separate from the general prison population is unlawful under ECHR rules. Gangland murderer Denny De Silva (pictured) converted to Islam after he was jailed in 2016 Sahayb Abu (pictured) was sent to solitary confinement after guards feared he was attempting to radicalise other inmates Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick branded the rulings 'insane' and said: 'Not a single penny of taxpayer's money should be going to these evil men. 'Lammy must bring forward emergency legislation and leave the ECHR so this doesn't happen, and we can keep the most dangerous prisoners in isolation. 'If he doesn't, more and more murderers and terrorists will abuse the law at the British people's expense.' The Labour government admitted the staggering costs of the legal challenges brought by the three men in response to a request for information by Mr Jenrick, seen by this newspaper. He had asked how much public money legal challenges brought under the European laws by Silva and Awale had cost, and was told the figure came to 489,000 by a Ministry of Justice minister. The cost of Abu's court hearings is yet to be calculated - and compensation payments for the trio could spiral into the tens of thousands. Murderer Silva was first placed in a separation unit a year after arriving at HMP Full Sutton, East Yorkshire, after he was found to have shared Islamic State material with other convicts. In January, he argued at the High Court, with financial backing from the public purse, that limiting his access to the gym and the library contravened his right to a private life enshrined in the ECHR. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick (pictured) branded the rulings 'insane' He also said that separating him from other prisoners made him feel anxious. His challenge was accepted by Mrs Justice Hill. Meanwhile, Awale, who was jailed for a minimum of 38 years after he shot two men in the head in 2011, was isolated from other prisoners after he attempted to take a guard hostage in 2013. Awale was also said to have requested to make contact behind bars with Islamic extremists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, who killed Lee Rigby in Woolwich that same year. He was placed in supervision at HMP Manchester, but became 'depressed' and punched a prison officer in the face. He has been held at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes since 2021 and was in solitary since March 2023. Last year, judge Mrs Justice Ellenbogan concluded that Awale's rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights had been breached. And Abu, whose case was heard last week, was jailed for a minimum of 19 years for planning a knife rampage during the pandemic. The fanatic bought an 18-inch sword and body armour online while calling himself the 'masked menace' and writing a rap song in which he admitted he was a 'straight Isis supporter'. He was segregated in HMP Frankland last April to prevent him spreading extremist beliefs after fellow inmate Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester arena suicide bomber, is said to have attacked several prison officers. Labour MP and Ministry of Justice minister Alex Davies Jones said the government is considering appealing the case of Abu Abu was segregated in HMP Frankland (pictured) last April to prevent him spreading extremist beliefs He was transferred to HMP Woodhill segregation unit where he claimed he suffered 'panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and acts of self-harm'. On Tuesday, Mr Justuce Sheldon ruled in Abu's favour. 'Separation units' were created in 2017 by the Conservatives to tackle extremism in prisons. There are only three separation units made up of 28 cells found in HMP Frankland, Full Sutton and Woodhill- Britain's toughest prisons. During an 'urgent questions' session held in parliament last week, Labour MP and Ministry of Justice minister Alex Davies Jones said the government is considering appealing the case of Abu. A Government spokesman said: 'We won't be cowed by legal threats from prisoners. When dangerous radicalisers pose a risk, they will be placed in separation centres. 'We are committed to the ECHR but its application is kept under review to ensure it is not acting as a barrier to us protecting national security.' Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's former personal protection officers face police trawling through their emails, phone records and notebooks. The Metropolitan Police is investigating allegations that the disgraced former duke asked a police bodyguard to 'dig up dirt' on his teenage sex accuser, Virginia Giuffre. A bombshell email previously obtained by The Mail on Sunday exposed how Andrew asked a taxpayer-funded Met officer to probe Ms Giuffre and shared her date of birth and confidential social security number. Andrew then told Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeth's deputy press secretary, that he had asked one of his personal protection officers part of the Met's elite SO14 Royalty Protection Group to dig up information about Ms Giuffre. He emailed Mr Perkins hours before this newspaper first published the infamous picture of the duke with 17-year-old Ms Giuffre in 2011, which would ultimately bring about his downfall. At least two of Andrew's ex-bodyguards have been spoken to by the force probing the allegations as they consider 'whether any further assessment or review' is needed, it has been reported. Andrew, who was sensationally stripped of his royal titles earlier this month, wrote in an email to Mr Perkins: 'It would also seem she has a criminal record in the [United] States.' 'I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer].' Virginia Giuffre with a photo of herself as a teenager, when she says she was abused by Jeffrey Epstein, Virginia Giuffre and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, among others Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (pictured), formerly the Duke of York, was stripped of all of his royal titles earlier this month It is not suggested that the officer complied with the prince's request, while Ms Giuffre's family have since said she did not have a criminal record. If the request had been carried out, it would have broken data protection laws, which could potentially amount to a misconduct in public office offence. In turn, the former duke of York could also be accused of assisting misconduct in a public office. And if the case is probed by the Met, it would be the first time the former royal has been interviewed by officers since his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein came to light. A source told The Sun: 'As part of the initial examination of the case, officers are currently trying to establish what material is available. 'They are actively seeking to find emails and communications from Andrew's royalty protection team, as well as their notebooks.' It is understood that internal Met emails are deleted after six years. However, notebooks of royalty protection and electronic devices are held for three decades, the insider added. Ex Metropolitan Royal Protection Command head Dai Davies said there was now enough evidence for the ex-prince to be 'interviewed under caution'. 'I have to ask why the Met are taking so long to start a proper investigation as there's a clear prima facie case here,' he told the newspaper. He added that had it been a general member of the public asking a police officer to do such a thing, the force would 'have been knocking at our door'. Virginia Giuffre photographed with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in early 2001 Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Giuffre was published on October 21, 2025 He also believes the notebooks, as well as other documents held by Andrew's bodyguards, could pinpoint his whereabouts when Ms Giuffre claimed she had sex with the former duke. It comes after the Mail on Sunday revealed that Met detectives are poring over the posthumous memoirs of Ms Giuffre. The MoS learnt that officers are examining her book as part of a scoping exercise into revelations by this newspaper about Andrews links to sex offender Epstein The memoirs of Ms Giuffre who took her own life in April aged 41 were published in October. In the book, Nobody's Girl, she detailed being trafficked at age 17 and also accused Andrew of being entitled, as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright. She also described three occasions when Ms Giuffre alleged Andrew had sex with her. Andrew has repeatedly and vehemently denied her claims. Sources this weekend said that as well as probing the email Andrew sent about his accuser, officers are also looking closely at Ms Giuffres book to see whether it contains any new leads. The Mail on Sunday understands that detectives have not yet spoken to Andrew. The Daily Mail has approached Buckingham Palace for comment. The biological mother of the Florida teen mysteriously found dead on a Carnival cruise ship has revealed that she wasn't even called after the horror unfolded. Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead on November 7 while her family was vacationing in international waters between Mexico and Florida. She was traveling with her father, Christopher Kepner, stepmother Shauntel Hudson, and stepsiblings, including her stepbrother, who has been investigated in connection with the teen's death. Anna's mom, Heather Wright, revealed in a new interview that Kepner never called her to tell her their daughter had died and that she found out through Google. Wright also said that her youngest son was told at school by a friend that his sister was murdered, according to her shocking interview on NewsNation. She then received a text asking her to check whether her daughter was on a cruise, which sent her on a desperate search for Anna. After failing to get in touch with her daughter or her ex-husband, Wright searched online for an '18-year-old died on cruise ship'. 'And thats when my daughters face popped up all over Google,' she revealed. Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests, in her cabin on board a Carnival cruise on November 7 Anna's mom, Heather Wright, revealed in a recent interview that she wasn't notified about her daughter's death and found out by Googling '18-year-old died on cruise ship' The Florida teen was traveling with her father, stepmother, siblings, and stepsiblings on the Carnival cruise and was found dead in international waters between Mexico and Florida (file photo) Wright explained that her fraught relationship with her ex-husband kept her from being close to her daughter. She confessed that she only called Anna on her birthday and holidays. Wright said she didn't even know Anna was living with stepsiblings at the time of her death. Wright told NewsNation that Kepner had remarried a woman named Tabitha after their divorce. She added that Tabitha had primarily raised her daughter. Wright had no idea that they were divorced, and that Kepner had remarried again to Hudson. 'Christopher and I do not talk whatsoever, and he made it extremely difficult for me to even have a relationship with my daughter,' she told NewsNation. Wright, who now lives in Oklahoma, claimed that she wasn't allowed to attend Anna's memorial and was told by Kepner that she'd be arrested 'immediately for back child support' if she set foot in Florida. However, Wright told the outlet that the threat didn't stop her, and she showed up to the service in disguise. Anna's biological mother added that she also wasn't notified by the authorities of her daughter's death. Wright also told NewsNation that she wasn't allowed to attend her daughter's memorial, but snuck in disguised The teen's cause of death was found to be from asphyxiation via a bar hold, which is an arm across the neck, ABC News first reported. She was found wrapped in a blanket and stuffed under a bed in her cabin. Anna's ex-boyfriend, Josh Tew, 15, previously told the Daily Mail that her little brother heard yelling and chairs being thrown in the cabin before she was found dead. Josh added that Anna had been in the cabin with her 16-year-old stepbrother, who Daily Mail previously reported was being investigated in connection with her death. 'And that's when he knew something was going on. There was screaming going on. Something was banging around, like chairs were getting thrown around in the room,' Josh said. 'But he wouldn't talk to me any more. He said the FBI told them that if they talk they'll get arrested because it's tampering with an investigation or something.' Anna was living with her father in Florida at the time of her death. Her new stepmom and stepsiblings had recently moved into their home Anna's ex-boyfriend previously told the Daily Mail that her 16-year-old stepbrother had tried to get on top of her one night while they were FaceTiming Josh said he called the Federal Bureau of Investigation to report what he was told. He added that the 16-year-old stepbrother was obsessed with Anna, and he even caught him trying to get on top of her one night while they were FaceTiming. 'He [the stepbrother] walked in there and tried to get on top of her ... but he got caught by me in the process of it. I was like, "What the hell are you doing in her room?" Then he got scared and ran away. And I heard his footsteps running through the house because he got caught.' 'She told me that she was uncomfortable with them [his step relatives] being at the house because she didn't fully know who they were,' Josh said. He added that Anna's father met her stepmother less than a year before the two families began living together. Hudson is currently in a dispute with her ex-husband, who has filed for custody of their other child, a nine-year-old girl. Wright admitted that she wasn't close to her daughter because of the estranged relationship she had with her ex, Christopher Kepner 'The respondent took the remaining minor children on a cruise with a stepchild of her paramour,' his filing says. 'The sixteen-year-old child is now a suspect in the death of the stepchild during the cruise. While released from custody, the sixteen-year-old child is residing with a third party.' Hudson filed a response to the allegations, denying any abuse or neglect in the home, but confirming that there was an investigation into her 16-year-old son. The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner lists Anna's time of death at 11.17am on November 7, but has not revealed its findings. Police haven't filed charges against Anna's stepbrother or publicly named him as the suspect in her death. An airline passenger exploded at a staffer at Denver International Airport leaving her in tears after she was denied boarding due to a common airport mishap. The woman went into meltdown after she was informed that her Southwest flight bound for Boise had been overbooked. The explosive showdown was caught on a video posted by social media influencer Taylor Graboyes. 'Do you guys feel safe,' the unhinged passenger hollered at the terminal, while clutching her phone and appearing to record. 'How dare you treat me this way?' she demanded of the gate agent. The unruly woman proceeded to ask the beleaguered airline employee a series of questions at increasing volumes. 'Who are you?' she screamed. 'Why is our plane late? 'Why are not we boarding?' The woman even ridiculed the employee for 'shaking' as she yelled. A woman in the Denver airport went viral for her meltdown at the terminal. Image via @UnacceptableTay on TikTok A passenger at the Denver airport berated gate agents and other flyers when she was not allowed on her original flight The unruly customer demanded that someone 'come and get [her] fired' and claimed that she was going to be sued. The passenger loudly announced in the video that she was denied boarding because the flight was full and her seat was given to another passenger. 'You tell me I cannot board now? Because I questioned why it is late,' she hollered with a camera in the gate agent's face. Airlines occasionally bump passengers when they've sold more tickets than there are seats on the aircraft. In many cases, airlines will oversell flights to compensate for predicted 'no shows'. On rare occasions an airline will wrongly estimate the number of people that actually show up for their flight and have to bump a passenger. Graboyes said that airport security did not arrive for thirty minutes to take the woman away, leaving her ranting the entire time. But when security finally marched down the terminal, they were met with cheers. Passengers in the terminal bound for Boise on a Southwest flight could not escape the rant One commenter claimed that the same woman had been on her flight earlier this week. They alleged that she was kicked off for arguing with people in her row during beverage service. 'She was screaming in another passengers face and spitting on her calling, her names and telling other passengers that she will be waiting for them once they get off the flight as like a threat,' the comment said. While there is no confirmation that it was definitely the same woman, Graboyes confirmed that they were wearing the identical shoes. Graboyes said in the comment section that the airline employee was visibly upset after the nightmare passenger screamed at her. 'She had tears in her eyes when I went over to check on her afterwards I felt so bad,' she wrote. Several people noted that this display of attitude was an excellent way to end up on a no fly list. 'The airport is the last place Im letting my demons loose,' one viewer noted. 'You gotta keep yourself off the no fly list mama.' Passengers can be put on the US government's No Fly List for many reasons. Most notably if they make a terrorism threat to an airplane, airline, passenger, or airport security, according to Travel & Leisure. The federal No Fly List is a private list created by the government as a part of the larger terrorist watch list. Specific airlines may also have lists of passengers they no longer welcome on their flights. The Daily Mail contacted to Southwest Airlines and Graboyes for more information. Marco Rubio was forced on the defensive last night after a bipartisan group of senators claimed he told them the US's peace plan for Ukraine was authored by Russia. The US Secretary of State denied their account, with a spokesman calling it "blatantly false", but the dispute threatens to derail President Trump's push for a peace deal to be achieved this week. Rubio 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, which has faced push back in Europe for being so favorable to Moscow. The widely leaked 28-point US-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 accepts 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." Marco Rubio took the extraordinary step of suggesting online that the senators were mistaken, even though they said he was their source for the information Rounds said "it looked more like it was written in Russian to begin with." 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 Rubio's 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. 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. British prime minister Keir Starmer, one of Ukraine's most vocal allies, was among the European leaders who said the leaked plan 'will require work' Ukraine has faced regular bombardment from Russia since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion began on 24 February, 2022 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. "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. 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. Aussie billionaire and media tycoon James Packer has launched a blistering attack on former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews describing him as 'human filth' during a tell-all interview. Speaking with Rampart host Joe Aston on his $200million superyacht, Mr Packer claimed that Andrews almost ruined his life by imposing a last minute increase in casino tax rates during the $8.9billion takeover of Crown Resorts by Blackstone in 2022. 'Daniel Andrews is about my least favourite person in the world. I think Daniel Andrews not only ruined Victoria, he almost ruined my life,' he said. 'With three weeks to go (on the sale to Blackstone) f**ing Daniel Andrews changes the tax rates on Crown and rips $50million out of Crown and gives no compensation. 'It's a miracle that Blackstone didn't activate the material adverse change clause.' Packer was the majority owner of Crown, which operates casinos in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, until the company was sold to Blackstone. Andrews also presided over the Victorian Royal Commission in 2021, which found the Crown casinos in Melbourne and Perth had engaged in illegal and exploitative conduct. Mr Packer described Andrews actions as 'appalling' and looked forward to confronting him 'far more aggressively' in person. Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured with wife Catherine) was described by billionaire James Packer as 'my least favourite person in the world' 'What he's done to the balance sheet of Victoria is impossible to fix I couldn't speak more lowly of Daniel Andrews. I think he's human filth I hope he sues me,' Packer said. In September, Andrews drew widespread criticism, including from senior Labor figures within his own party when he posed for a class photo alongside Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in China. While Mr Packer gave Andrews a damning assessment, he was much more glowing of US President Donald Trump, He recalled how the pair initially crossed paths at a dinner during the President's first term, adding that Trump, 'couldn't have been nicer'. 'I rented a house in Palm Beach, and it actually happened to be a house that's owned by Donald and Eric Trump, and it shares a fence with Mar-a-Lago,' Packer recounted. 'The President was nice enough he invited me for dinner.' Years before Andrews' photo-op with global leaders drew fire, Packer had already slipped from the spotlight. Following the inquiries into the operations of Crown casinos in Melbourne and Perth, Packer retreated to his super yacht, named IJE after the initials of his children - Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle. Billionaire businessman James packer (pictured) opened up about his life during a tell-all interview with Joe Aston on the Rampart podcast Packer claimed that Daniel Andrews almost ruined his life by imposing a last minute increase in casino tax rates during the $8.9billion takeover of Crown Resorts by Blackstone James Packer conducted a wide-ranging interview with Rampart host Joe Aston on his $200million superyacht (pictured) named after his three children He now splits his time between his $175m megamansion in BelAir, California, and his superyacht Now a non-resident for tax purposes, Packer plans to return to Sydney this Christmas to visit his mother Roslyn, now 87, and sister Gretel, despite what he calls a 'bittersweet' relationship with the Australian Tax Office. 'I've probably spent six weeks in Australia in the last 10 years,' he said. 'I'm told that if I spend any more than a couple of weeks in Australia...they're (ATO) is going to be difficult now. 'My mum's not getting younger. I'm her only son, I want to come back and see her and my sisters in Australia.' The wide-ranging interview also touched on Packers battle with substance abuse, revealing he has been sober for two years. He spoke about a 2016 incident when outgoing Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes found him in Aspen in a 'very bad way'. Stokes temporarily took control of Consolidated Press Holdings to prevent a financial collapse and stopped Packer's wedding to US pop star Mariah Carey. 'I was under a lot of pressure in business, so I had a lot of debt, I had a lot of obligations, I was under a lot of pressure, and I was drinking way too much,' Packer recalled. 'I was in a bad place.' James Packer remains very close to ex-wife and the mother to his children Erica Baxter (pictured together in 2008) Mariah Carey (pictured left) and her then-fiance James Packer (pictured right) attending the 2016 G'Day Los Angeles Gala At the time, Stokes said a very senior Israeli figure helped arrange medical care for Packer. While widely interpreted as referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Packer stopped short of confirming that, though he acknowledged Netanyahus divisive reputation. 'All I'll say is...the Prime Minister of Israel was a dear friend to me when I needed help,' he said. 'I will never forget that. 'I think he's probably the most impressive man I've ever met.' A self-proclaimed Muslim 'influencer' who commended Hamas in the wake of the October 7 terror attack claims the Australian government is the 'oppressor' after his visa was torn up. Canadian-Palestinian Ousama Alshurafa was at the airport ready to board a flight to Australia, where he was due to commence a speaking tour of capital cities on Friday, when he found out he could not board the plane. Alshurafa told his more than 3million social media followers he was stopped by security at an airport in Canada and told Australian officials had cancelled his visa. 'Recently the Australian Government revoked my visa without warning, despite it being approved months ago and based on the information they provided, it's clear that this decision was made because I spoke publicly and unapologetically about Gaza,' Alshurafa said on a video shared to his Instagram page. 'I'm disappointed obviously that I can't be with my brothers and sisters in Australia but I do not see this as a setback. 'I see it as proof as how powerful one single voice can be, when truth shakes the ground beneath oppression, the first instinct of the oppressor is always the same, silence the speaker. 'And they've tried to silence us at the airport gates, but what they fail to understand is that truth does not need a boarding pass to travel. 'They might block one path, but Allah... will open a hundred more. Know this, if there is anything more powerful than the spoken word then Allah would have given it to the prophets. Canadian-Palestinian Ousama Alshurafa had his visa to travel to Australia revoked Alshurafa is a supporter of terror group Hamas (two Hamas fighters pictured) 'He didn't, he gave them a voice, a voice that carried across deserts, empires and centuries because truth does not need permission to travel. 'And even when they try to mute the sound of truth it carries a divine echo. They want to restrict our movement because they fear the power and reach of a voice that carries truth because the one who carries truth is the Almighty himself. 'He [said] to make the call to prayer in an empty desert as if saying ''you make the call and I'll handle the delivery''. 'So they may try to cripple our steps, but they can't cripple the truth that Allah himself carries to every heart willing to listen, it's his promise. This isn't about one visa or one country, this is about the global attempt to police Muslim speech, especially Palestinian speech.' Alshurafa promised his Australian supporters they could still hear similar content to his speaking tour online. 'At the moment the world is desperate for moral clarity, to my supporters in Australia and beyond, your love and solidarity reached me long before any airplane could have,' Alshurafa said. 'So don't be discouraged, our message was never limited by borders and it will not be halted by those who fear it, so let this moment strengthen your resolve to amplify the voices from Gaza. 'Support those documenting the truth, keep speaking peacefully, courageously and relentlessly, this cancellation will not silence me, it's only confirmed why we must continue and we will continue together globally and louder than ever. Alshurafa promised his Australian supporters they could still catch his rhetoric online 'Even if I can't be there physically, we're still going to meet and I'm still going and we will still stand together, our pursuit for justice is unstoppable.' Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler welcomed the decision to cancel Alshurafa's visa. 'Under no circumstances should he have been allowed to come into our country and have a platform to spread hatred, anti-Semitism, and division within our community,' he told The Herald Sun. 'It is truly sickening that this individual posted content online with Hamas terrorists boasting about shooting Israelis in the head on October 7.' It's been reported Alshurafa had his visa revoked after the controversial influencer made comments supporting Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Hamas murdered 1,200 people and kidnapped hundreds more during deadly surprise raids on a peaceful music festival and nearby community. Alshurafa later posted a video to his X account which depicted a Hamas terrorist boasting about 'trampling on the heads of Israelis and shooting their skulls with bullets'. The graphic footage depicted an elderly Israeli woman lying on a bed while another woman kneels on the floor as the Hamas terrorist proclaims they 'spared women, children, and the elderly'. Homes Affairs Minister Tony Burke previously blocked a far-right Israeli politician from travelling to Australia 'In this video the Palestinian Resistance shows how they are following and abiding by the rules of war set by #sharia and the prophet Muhammad pbuh,' Alshurafa posted. 'They entered an Israeli soldier's home and killed him but spared the older lady, the young lady, and the child.' Alshurafa also posted on X that Hamas were 'freedom fighters'. 'The audacity to occupy our land and then call us terrorists. We are freedom fighters. All of us,' he posted. 'Don't worry, your hostages are eating cornflakes and sipping on Kombucha while our hostages are having their nails pulled out.' Alshurafa insists he does not preach violence and that his message is one of peace and the protection of innocent life. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has previously blocked high profile figures from travelling to Australia who have made controversial statements online or in the media. These included US far-right figure Candace Owens, US rapper Kanye West, and Israeli politician Simcha Rothman, who is a member of Israel's far-right wing Mafdal-Religious Zionism party, and was set to arrive in Australia for a speaking event. A teenage girl has been revealed as the victim of a deadly housefire north of Brisbane that left four others fighting for life, as a lithium battery is investigated as the potential cause. Emergency services were called to Darcy Way at Lawnton in Queensland's Moreton Bay region shortly after 5.30am on Sunday. The blaze was so fierce that the roof of the house had partially collapsed by the time firefighters arrived. Neighbouring houses were evacuated as dozens of firefighters battled to contain the blaze, which threatened to spread to other properties. Firefighters confirmed one person, understood to be a teenage girl, was trapped inside and had died at the scene. Emergency responders also found two teenagers, a boy and a girl, and a man and woman, both aged in their 30s, on the front lawn of the property. Residents had gathered around them and poured water on their burns before emergency crews arrived. Several witnesses said they heard screaming and banging coming from the burning home before the four people escaped. Emergency services were confronted with harrowing scenes at a fatal house fire in Queensland's Moreton Bay region One person died in the blaze and four others were critically injured (pictured, the charred remains of the home) 'It went from black smoke, within a minute, to flames,' neighbour Keiran McWha told The Courier Mail. He said there was a small explosions, which he guessed might have been a gas bottle, which cause the fire to spread rapidly. The four survivors were rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a critical condition with serious burns and life-threatening injuries. All four were in a critical but stable condition as of 3pm. Neighbours were evacuated from their homes but were allowed to return shortly before 7am. One neighbour, Steven Cannon, described the scene as 'insane'. 'I just didn't know how to think or how to process it, honestly,' he said. 'I heard people arguing, and then I came out and saw the smoke. Then all hell broke loose.' The ferocious fire caused the roof of the Lawnton home (pictured) to collapse Not all occupants of the home at the time of the fire were related but the deceased person is believed to have lived there. The road was closed in both directions as authorities launched an investigation into what sparked the deadly fire. One line of inquiry will focus on an e-scooter and e-bike found on the property and their batteries. Enes Seferovic from the Queensland Fire Department said the heat from the fire was intense. 'When we arrived we have seen a number of casualties on the front lawn, with one person confirmed missing inside,' he told Nine's Today show. 'Our crews went into into action, and obviously we couldn't get them in time.' Premier David Crisafulli sent his thoughts to all those involved in the blaze. 'It involves young people, it's a tight-knit part of the city and it's a tight-knit community,' he said. 'It's just so incredibly sad that we can have a situation like this. 'It involves young people and that is heartbreaking.' Former TV anchor Stephanie Hockridge has been sentenced to ten years in jail following her conviction for a multi million dollar Covid fraud scheme. Hockridge, 42, will serve out her sentence in the same soft-touch penitentiary which houses sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, the New York Post reports. Hockridge is due to report to Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas on December 30. She has also been ordered to pay $64 million in restitution for the fraudulent loans she obtained during the pandemic. The ex KNXV-TV anchor was facing the prospect of up to 20 years in jail after a jury found her guilty of of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors said she orchestrated a vast scheme to exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the height of Covid which she used to fund the purchase of luxury beachfront homes. Damning pictures which emerged also showed her posing in a bathtub flashing wadges of cash The sentence marks a dramatic fall from grace for the Emmy-nominated journalist who once graced magazine covers as 'Arizona's Favorite Newscaster.' Stephanie Hockridge was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She had pleaded not guilty but could now be jailed for decades She and her husband Nathan Reis who was also convicted ran a vast scheme to exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) during the height of Covid But behind the studio lights and on-air smiles, federal prosecutors said Hockridge was running a Covid cash-grab empire alongside her husband, fintech founder Nathan Reis, 46. Reis was convicted of the same charge earlier this year and is due to be sentenced in November. The US government's case centered on Blueacorn, the fintech firm Hockridge co-founded with Reis in April 2020 just weeks after leaving her anchor job at ABC15. The company claimed to help small businesses navigate the PPP loan process, a lifeline created by Congress to keep workers employed during the Covid crisis. In reality, investigators say Blueacorn became a fraud factory. According to a congressional subcommittee, the company processed over $12.5 billion in loans and pocketed up to $300 million for its ownership group, including Hockridge, while spending virtually nothing on fraud prevention. While many small businesses struggled to survive during the pandemic, Hockridge and her husband were living large, filming videos with bricks of cash, flaunting Rolex watches, and vacationing on the balconies of tropical locales. Who the f*** cares,' Hockridge allegedly said in one message about improperly rejected applicants. 'We're not the first bank to decline borrowers who deserve to be funded They can go elsewhere.' Hockridge and fintech founder Nathan Reis, obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in PPP loans Another text cited by prosecutors reportedly described her as 'the MVP' of the operation. According to court filings, Hockridge and her husband submitted fraudulent PPP applications for themselves, including one claiming Reis was both African American and a military veteran - both lies. The couple received at least $300,000 in personal PPP funds. They also charged borrowers illegal 'success fees,' violating SBA rules, and even struck kickback deals with banks, collecting percentages of loans that were funded, prosecutors alleged. Blueacorn's practices were so brazen that Congress launched a formal investigation, revealing that while the company collected over $1 billion in taxpayer-funded processing fees, it spent only $8.6 million on fraud prevention - less than 1 percent of its intake. One congressional report summarized the company's internal directive succinctly: Speed over accuracy. Some employees, with zero financial training, were reportedly processing hundreds of loans in under 30 seconds each. 'This was not about helping small businesses,' a federal official close to the investigation said. 'It was about siphoning off a national crisis for personal gain.' The glamorous former television news anchor that was known to millions of viewers in Phoenix Hockridge could be seen wearing an ankle monitor as she left court during her trial Hockridge transformation from trusted journalist to convicted felon has gripped Arizona's media community. She spent seven years as a respected anchor for KNXV-TV, and previously worked for CBS News Radio in London. During the trial, federal attorneys introduced a superseding indictment alleging that Hockridge and her husband fabricated payroll records, tax documents, and bank statements. In one application, the couple claimed to own an Amazon business generating six figures. Another loan was issued to a nonexistent company they claimed had multiple employees. The couple allegedly rerouted money through a chain of bank accounts, using interstate wires to disguise their tracks. 'Nathan Reis and Stephanie Hockridge knowingly devised and intended to devise the scheme to defraud,' the indictment states. Hockridge is due to enter Federal Camp Bryan, which also houses notorious sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell 'To obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses.' At the heart of the prosecution's case was an alleged attitude of impunity. Prosecutors said Hockridge once described the PPP program as '$100 billion of free money'. Firefighters are battling a large factory fire in Sydney. Emergency crews were called to Brookvale on the Northern Beaches about 5.20pm. Firefighters have been working at the scene for over an hour but have been unable to enter the factory due to the strength of the blaze. It's understood the building is a surfboard glasser and manufacturer, meaning it is full of flammable material, and its roof has collapsed. Everyone has been accounted for and the only reported injury, so far, has been a boy who suffered burns to his hand. It's understood 11 fire trucks and 40 firefighters are at the scene. More to follow... A factory fire broke out in Brookvale on the Northern Beaches ABU DHABI, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The UAE Cyber Security Council has warned that travellers who charge their devices at unsecured public ports are likely exposing their personal data to hackers, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Sunday. WAM cited the Council as saying that 79 percent of travellers using untrusted public charging stations face potential data breaches because some ports may carry malicious software or hidden systems that enable "juice jacking" attacks. These attacks exploit media or image-transfer protocols that trigger automatically when a device is plugged in. The Council said neglecting basic cybersecurity measures can result in stolen data and passwords, or allow malware to be installed on phones without users' notice. According to WAM, the Council listed several signs that a device may have been compromised: rapid battery drain, sluggish app performance, repeated system crashes, and unfamiliar icons or messages appearing on the screen. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that the controversial 28-point peace plan for Ukraine was 'authored by the US'. He doubled down on US ownership of the plan, pushing back against claims from several senators that it amounted to a 'Russian wish list'. 'It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine,' Rubio said. Donald Trump declared the proposal was 'by far' not the 'final offer' as Western leaders scrambled to coordinate a response during frantic G20 summit diplomacy in South Africa. The plan, drawn up by the Trump administration and the Kremlin, has alarmed European governments after it emerged Ukraine was being pushed to accept terms that mirror long-standing demands from Moscow. In a joint statement on Saturday, European and other Western leaders cautiously acknowledged that the document could serve as a possible basis for ending the war but stressed that it would require 'additional work'. Washington has strongly denied accusations that it echoes Russian objectives. A crisis meeting has now been hastily arranged in Geneva on Sunday, where national security advisers from the E3 - France, Britain and Germany - will convene with EU, US and Ukrainian officials for urgent talks on the proposal. Sir Keir Starmer has backed both Ukraine and Donald Trump after a call with Volodymyr Zelensky about a US-backed peace plan Pictured left to right: European Council President Antonio Costa, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Finland's President Alexander Stubb Ahead of the gathering, Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a video address insisting that Ukraine's negotiators '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,' he said. The 28-point blueprint closely mirrors positions repeatedly put forward by the Kremlin over nearly four years of full-scale war, including demands that Ukraine hand over territory and drastically reduce the size of its armed forces. Trump has insisted Kyiv respond by Thursday, though he hinted an extension may be possible. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, he dismissed suggestions the proposal was final. He said: 'We'd like to get the peace, it should've happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should've never happened. If I was president, it would have never happened. We're trying to get it ended. One way or another, we have to get it ended.' Leaders across Europe have been trying to strike a careful balance praising Trump's efforts to end the war while acknowledging that key parts of the plan are unacceptable to Kyiv. 'There are many things that cannot simply be an American proposal, which requires broader consultation,' Emmanuel Macron warned on the sidelines of the G20, saying any deal must deliver peace for Ukrainians and 'security for all Europeans'. German chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed the stakes for Europe, warning of the wider fallout should Kyiv be forced into defeat. 'If Ukraine loses this war and possibly collapses, it will have an impact on European politics as a whole, on the entire European continent. And that is why we are so committed to this issue,' he said. 'There is currently an opportunity to end this war, but we are still quite a long way from a good outcome for everyone.' It comes as residents in Moscow were hit with power blackouts and heating disruption for the first time today after a Ukrainian strike A dramatic swarm of drones exploded the Lenin Shatura thermal plant - mostly fired by gas - as temperatures dipped below freezing point Pro-Kremlin media outlet Readovka and others admitted that power and heating disruptions were felt by residents Keir Starmer, speaking in Johannesburg, voiced particular concern over proposed limits on Ukraine's armed forces. '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 plan 'requires additional work', adding: 'And that's why there's been the agreement that in Geneva tomorrow [Sunday], you'll have senior US personnel, you'll have European NSAs [national security advisers], including the UK NSA, and obviously Ukrainians there to work further on the draft.' Starmer has spoken directly with Trump about the matter and is expected to speak with him again on Sunday, Downing Street said. It comes as residents in Moscow were hit with power blackouts and heating disruption for the first time today after a Ukrainian strike. A dramatic swarm of drones exploded the Lenin Shatura thermal plant - mostly fired by gas - as temperatures dipped below freezing point. 'A fire broke out at the facility,' admitted regional governor Andrey Vorobyov, referring to the Shatura strike. He admitted emergency workers scrambled to bring in 'backup' power and heating supplies after the damage to the power plant, east of Moscow. Pro-Kremlin media outlet Readovka and others admitted that power and heating disruptions were felt by residents - a rare event near the Russian capital but regular for Ukrainians after constant strikes by Putin's forces. Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin admitted the capital was under attack by Ukrainian drones with at least three shot down. The first saplings grown from the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree have been planted as National Tree Week gets under way. Five saplings went 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 Hadrian's 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. Earlier this year, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were found guilty over the illegal felling and were sentenced to more than four years in prison. The saplings - which number 49 to mark the sycamore's 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 charity's plant conservation centre. The first places to receive 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 city's trees. Saplings were also set to 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. The famous Sycamore Gap tree pictured before it was felled Volunteers at The Tree Amigos group planting the first of the Trees of Hope - saplings grown from the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree Each of the 49 'trees of hope' were designated at the National Trust Plant Conservation Centre Pictured: the Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland after it was felled illegally Shoots appearing to grow on the base of the Sycamore gap tree Pictured left to right: Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, who were found guilty of the illegal felling of the Sycamore Gap tree and were sentenced to more than four years in prison The 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, which set up a tree sanctuary for unwanted trees in 2023, and planted their tree of hope on Sowe Common North on Saturday. 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 UK's national parks in early 2026, including one in Northumberland where the original sycamore stood. The world's largest dog show has banned flat-faced designer pugs that can't breathe from competing. Crufts, run by the Kennel Club, will now force three breeds to undergo a respiratory function grading (RFG) assessment - with any animal graded a two or three excluded. The new rules have caused fury among some dog owners who claim it targets pugs and other flat-faced dogs while overlooking health conditions common in many other breeds. Guidance issued by the Kennel Club reads: '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.' The assessment, developed with the University of Cambridge, will examine the breeds for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) - a respiratory disorder linked to flat faces. Dogs will be looked at before and after the exercise then graded from zero, meaning no signs of the condition, to three, the most severe. A submission of assessments will be a condition of entry, with Crufts scheduled to take place from from March 5 to 8 at the NEC in Birmingham. The world's largest dog show has banned flat-faced designer pugs that can't breathe from competing (file image) Sue Smith, a pug owner, called the move 'unfair', claiming it was 'just because of the way they look' (file image) Angela Taylor, from Staffordshire, who owns for Pugs, argued the breed was no more prone to health issues than others. She told The Telegraph: 'There are many breeds of dogs that are. West Highland white terriers usually get skin conditions, Cavalier King Charles spaniels are prone to heart conditions and breathing health issues. '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.' Ms Taylor went on to list several other dog breeds with 'their own common health issues'. These included labradors with hip and elbow dysplasia, Great Danes with bone cancer, dachshunds with spinal issues and border collies with 'behaviour issues'. Suggesting the singling out of pugs and French bulldogs would set a dangerous precedent, she pointed out all dogs attending shows are required to be fit and healthy but added 'if you're going to ban certain breeds, then where does it stop?' Sue Smith, another pug owner, called the move 'unfair', claiming it was 'just because of the way they look'. The new rules follow the revelation that breeds with flat faces, bulging eyes and wrinkly skin will disappear over the next 10 years under plans to eradicate extreme traits in dogs. A health assessment launched this week scored dogs across 10 physical traits, with only those ranking eight or above permitted for licenced breeding under the voluntary scheme. A Royal Kennel Club spokesman said: 'We are committed to promoting the health and wellbeing of all dogs. Given Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are significantly more prone to breathing issues than other breeds, we developed and launched the RFG scheme in 2019, in conjunction with University of Cambridge after a decade of research investment. 'As the largest dog show in the world, we want to ensure that the healthiest and happiest dogs compete and represent their breed. 'To that end, we announced in October that from next year, all Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs will need to complete mandatory veterinary testing of the RFG Scheme as part of their entry criteria and only those with a 0 or 1 grade will be allowed to compete. 'This decision was taken to ensure the healthiest ambassadors for their breeds will be exhibited at Crufts. 'The Kennel Club is working closely with breed clubs and assessors both in the UK and internationally to ensure all dogs have the opportunity to be assessed for RFG Scheme ahead of entries closing and we will be announcing further developments to the RFG scheme for other breeds in due course.' A father and son who smuggled 20million worth of heroin into Britain using pomegranate juice cartons have been spared jail. Colin Bartlett, 54, and Lee Bartlett, 30, from Birmingham, operated in an organised crime gang that imported pomegranate juice laced with heroin from Afghanistan. Detectives from the National Crime Agency - Britain's FBI - seized heroin weighing more than 420kg with a street value of 20,350,000 from a shipping container in Birmingham in May 2023. Officers arrested the father and son as they unloaded the container which had 2.6 tonnes of pomegranate juice. The heroin was concealed within the liquid and mixed with legitimate juice cartons. The father and son, from Bordesley Green, were found guilty of participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group in August 2025. They were found not guilty of conspiracy to evade the prohibition on the importation of a controlled drug. Colin Bartlett was sentenced to 24 months in jail, while Lee Bartlett was handed 18 months. However, both have avoided prison time as their sentences were suspended for two years. 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. Colin Bartlett (pictured), 54, and Lee Bartlett, 30, from Birmingham, operated in an organised crime gang that imported pomegranate juice laced with heroin from Afghanistan Lee Bartlett (pictured) was handed 18 months, suspended for two years NCA officers seized heroin weighing more than 420kg with a street value of 20,350,000 from a shipping container in Birmingham in May 2023 The heroin was concealed within the liquid and mixed with legitimate juice cartons '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 also hunting for two other men in connection with the investigation. 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 added: '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.' A man from Melbourne has gone missing at sea after going overboard on a Disney cruise headed to Auckland. The 73-year-old man, from Moonee Ponds, is understood to have jumped over the side of the boat about 4.30am on Saturday. The ship, the Disney Wonder, was headed to Auckland, New Zealand, from Melbourne, but turned around in the Tasman Sea to search for the man. He was unable to be located. The roughly 600 passengers aboard first noticed the cruise had turned around about midday on Saturday. It's understood the crew spent roughly five hours searching the water, including with thermal imaging cameras, for the Melbourne man before announcing he could not be found. 'The captain came on and updated the boat and basically stated that there was someone, a passenger had fallen overboard ... (but) that they were unable to find them,' passenger Mitch Talbot told 7News. 'It was quite sombre and it was just a bit eerie for the rest of the day. A lot of the staff kind of took some time.' A Melbourne man went overboard from the Disney Wonder (pictured leaving Melbourne) in the Tasman Sea The Disney Wonder (pictured) is a five-day trip from Melbourne to Auckland with capacity for 1,750 passengers Disney Cruise Line will not operate voyages from Australia in the 2026/27 season The Disney Wonder will continue to New Zealand and is expected to arrive a day later than expected on Wednesday, November 26. The initial itinerary was a five-day trip to Auckland, one of the last cruises offered in Australia by Disney. The large vessel has capacity for 1,750 passengers across 11 decks. Disney Cruise Line earlier this year announced it would not operate voyages from Australia in the 2026-27 season. 'While Disney Wonder will not return to Australia and New Zealand for the 2026-27 season, we want to reassure you that sailings from this region remain a strong consideration for future itineraries,' it said in August. 'The response from guests during our local seasons has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are looking forward to a fantastic upcoming season starting on 19 October 2025.' The final local Disney cruise will depart Sydney on January 30, 2026. If you need support, free help is available 24/7 at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. A former Bank of England chief economist today warned the 'fiscal fandango' around Rachel Reeves's Budget had caused 'paralysis' in the UK economy. Andy Haldane, who worked in Threadneedle Street for more than 30 years, said 'costly' speculation about tax rises had caused growth to 'flatline' in recent months. Ahead of her second Budget on Wednesday, Ms Reeves is facing a multi-billion pound black hole in the public finances. As she scrambles to balance the books, the Chancellor is expected to raise billions of pounds by freezing income tax thresholds for an extra two years to 2030. She is also said to be plotting a raid on salary sacrifice schemes, including pensions; a 'mansion tax' on expensive homes; and a pay-per-mile levy on electric cars. But, following a chaotic U-turn, Ms Reeves is no longer thought to be planning a Labour manifesto-busting 2p hike to income tax rates. Paul Johnson, the ex-boss of the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank, was another top expert to blast the Chancellor's handling of the Budget as he branded it a 'shambles'. But one of Ms Reeves's fellow Cabinet ministers defended the pre-Budget process and blamed the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) watchdog for uncertainty. A former Bank of England chief economist today warned the 'fiscal fandango' around Rachel Reeves's Budget had caused 'paralysis' in the UK economy Andy Haldane, who worked in Threadneedle Street for more than 30 years, said 'costly' speculation about tax rises had caused growth to 'flatline' in recent months But Heidi Alexander, one of Ms Reeves's fellow Cabinet ministers, defended the pre-Budget process and blamed the Office for Budget Responsibility watchdog for uncertainty Speaking on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show ahead of Wednesday's Budget, Mr Haldane said: 'We've had month upon month of speculation - fiscal fandango, basically. 'And that's been costly for the economy. It's caused paralysis among business and consumers. 'It's the single biggest reason why growth has flatlined, it's been grounded in the second half of the year.' After announcing a slew of tax rises at her Budget last year, Ms Reeves told businesses she would not be 'coming back' with tax hikes in the coming years. But, as she battles a huge hole in the public finances, she has since paved the way for a series of fresh levy hikes when she reveals her latest fiscal package in three days' time. Mr Haldane demanded Ms Reeves's use her Budget on Wednesday to deliver 'decisive action that puts to bed and beyond reproach any notion of further tax rises'. He also called for a 're-engineering' of the Budget process, which he said was 'too lengthy, too leaky, with real costs'. 'So let's fix, for the foreseeable future, the possibility of tax rises and fix the Budget process,' he added. Mr Haldane suggested financial markets were concerned about the Labour Government's ability to control public spending as he warned of a 'Wile E. Coyote moment'. It is widely expected that Ms Reeves will splurge around 3billion a year extra on welfare at her Budget by axing the two-child benefit cap in a bid to appease Labour MPs. 'Financial markets do need to see some signs that this Government is capable of getting its arms around public spending. It really does,' Mr Haldane said. 'This is a vulnerable moment. There is a risk of a Wile E. Coyote moment. The ground disappears beneath their feet in the financial markets. That is to be avoided at all costs.' Lord Ken Clarke, the former Tory chancellor, warned there was a risk of a 'serious financial crisis' if the Budget went wrong. He told Times Radio: 'We run the risk if we get it wrong, and continue to get it wrong, of a serious financial crisis. 'It's all very well saying we're not going to be in hock to the bond markets. 'We've piled up such a mountain of debt over the last decade or so that we are in hock to the bond markets.' Lord Clarke added that, ahead of the Budget, Ms Reeves and her team had given the impression 'they've no idea quite what they're going to do'. 'They have spread an atmosphere of gloom and dismay and uncertainty,' he continued. Mr Johnson criticised the 'extraordinary' speculation about Ms Reeves's plans over the past few months. 'We've had months and months of speculation about this might happen, that might happen - virtually everything might happen,' he told Sky News. 'And then, of course, we had the extraordinary U-turn on the U-turn with regards to the manifesto commitment. This is genuinely damaging. 'The Bank of England, in its latest report, the very first thing it said about the reason for slow growth in the last few months is speculation about the Budget. 'This has been really poorly handled.' Asked to sum up the Budget process in a single word, Mr Johnson replied: 'Shambles'. Tory shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride on Sunday dismissed Ms Reeves's objections about 'mansplaining' as 'a smokescreen' But Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander defended the pre-Budget process, saying it has taken place on 'shifting sands'. The Cabinet minister highlighted how the OBR is reported to have to delivered to Ms Reeves a larger-than-expected downgrade to its productivity forecasts. It is estimated this has left a fresh gap in the public finances of more than 20billion. 'The review that the OBR have done about the productivity forecasts has meant that this whole process has really taken place on shifting sands to start off with, and we've got a very challenging global economic environment,' Ms Alexander told the BBC. In a recent newspaper interview, Ms Reeves said she was 'sick of people mansplaining how to be Chancellor to me' as she prepares for her Budget. But Tory shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride on Sunday dismissed Ms Reeves's objections as 'a smokescreen'. 'This is just all chaff that's being thrown up in the air,' he told Sky News. 'A smokescreen to try and get us off what's really happening. This isn't about gender. 'This is about mismanagement of the economy. And what Rachel Reeves can't step away from is the fact that we've now got unemployment at a five year high, spiralling inflation, people feeling worse off, business confidence rock bottom, anaemic growth. 'And all of those challenges, which are down to her choices, I'm afraid.' Sir Mel said he wanted to see Ms Reeves user her Budget to 'stand up and explain how she is going to control public spending, particularly welfare'. 'In order to make sure that we're not having to put up taxes and she's not going to be breaking all these promises that she's made,' he added. An Australian council is calling for the state and federal governments to buy back homes after a massive colony of flying foxes descended on the regional city. Residents in Gympie, in southeast Queensland, have been increasingly plagued by the animals in recent years, which has made the area unlivable for some residents and reduced the value of many properties to 'basically zero'. Commissioners Gully, a parkland near the centre of the city, has become home to one of the largest flying fox roosts in Australia, according to Gympie Regional Council, which said their numbers reached 320,000 during a count in 2021. The bats have caused huge amounts of noise and filth, with their incessant screeching and their droppings, which could spread infectious diseases including Lyssa and Hendra viruses, which can be fatal. Christopher Nevin told 7News he and his partner bought a home in Gympie knowing the area had bats but were shocked to see the flying fox population boom in the last four years. The couple have scooped three dead bats from their yard, posing a severe health risk, and suffered damage to their home from fallen branches, caused by the bats. Mr Nevin called on the council to 'bulldoze the dead trees' and 'reclaim the area'. Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig pointed the finger at state and federal governments for failing to help residents. Residents neighbouring the Commissioners Gully area of Gympie are plagued by a huge flying fox colony Property owners are rallying for a buyback scheme after an unchecked bat population rendered the value of their homes to 'basically zero' (pictured, bats flying overhead in Gympie) He said the government should be pulling out their 'chequebook' and launching a buyback scheme. 'It's a problem we've been dealing with for a number of years, we're looking to advocate to the state and federal government to change legislation so that the residents there will no longer continue to suffer,' Hartwig said. 'The residents were there first and the bats have moved in, and they've created a circumstance for them where their mental health is suffering, their properties have been devalued to basically zero and the opportunity to move these bats on is restricted significantly by the legislation in place.' However, Mr Nevin argued a buyback scheme would only work if homeowners were offered a decent price. 'We have a mortgage, it would only be okay if we could pay off the entire mortgage and set ourselves up for a new place, because if we are financially worse off that would be horrible,' he said. Hartwig urged the government to show Gympie property owners 'their lives are more important than the bats'. Flying foxes are protected by the Nature Conservation Act in Queensland and at a federal level. Some species, including the grey-headed Flying-fox, are categorised as vulnerable. Flying foxes (pictured) are a protected species in Australia and councils are only allowed to use non-lethal population control measures The bats are considered an essential part of the ecosystem as they are pollinators and seed dispersers. Flying foxes are most common in northern and eastern Australia and typically form camps in mangrove islands in river estuaries, paperbark forests, eucalypt forests and rainforests, according to the Australian Museum. Councils are permitted to manage flying fox numbers in populated areas through non-lethal measures - like trimming tree branches and using sprinklers. A major airline is set to axe all flights from Manchester airport - affecting 200 jobs. Aer Lingus - an Irish airline which operates long-haul routes from Manchester to New York, Barbados and Florida, as well as flights to Dublin and Belfast - will close its operating base at Manchester Airport, the company has confirmed. The move would potentially impact around 200 jobs and airline bosses have since issued a statement confirming the company has entered into a consultation process with unions. They also confirmed they had met with staff. The firm said its Manchester long-haul operating margin performance 'continues to significantly lag behind that of Aer Lingus's Irish longhaul operating margin'. Aer Lingus launched its long-haul flights from Manchester in 2021. The closure would see the loss of flights from Manchester to Disney World in Orlando. In a statement, Aer Lingus said: 'Aer Lingus can confirm that the company met with staff at its Manchester base to brief them on the performance of the base. 'Despite all of the work and best efforts of the team, the Manchester longhaul operating margin performance continues to significantly lag behind that of Aer Lingus's Irish longhaul operating margin. A major airline is set to axe all flights from Manchester airport - affecting 200 jobs (stock image) Aer Lingus - an Irish airline which operates long-haul routes from Manchester to New York, Barbados and Florida , as well as flights to Dublin and Belfast - will close its operating base at Manchester Airport, the company has confirmed (stock image) 'This situation has prompted a necessary consideration of the long-term viability of the Manchester base. 'Colleagues at the Manchester base were advised that Aer Lingus will now enter into a collective consultation process with their representatives. 'This process will explore all the options in respect of the base, however, staff were also advised that it will also include the possibility of a base closure. 'We acknowledge and fully appreciate that this is an uncertain and difficult time for colleagues based in Manchester and we will work closely with the management team and the staff in Manchester over the coming weeks, ensuring that they are kept fully informed and supported.' Vladimir Putin was said to have been personally 'impressed' after a disgraced former Reform UK figure managed to line up a series of British MEPs to appear on a pro-Kremlin television station, according to WhatsApp messages exposed in court. Nathan Gill, 52, was jailed for more than ten years on Friday after admitting he accepted up to 40,000 in bribes from Oleg Voloshyn, an alleged Russian agent, to push Moscow's interests inside the European Parliament. The messages show Voloshyn praising Gill for his apparent influence, claiming a 'person' close to Viktor Medvedchuk, a key Putin ally, had been wowed by the stunt. Investigators believe the individual referenced was Putin himself. Prosecutors revealed that Gill recruited at least seven pro-Brexit MEPs to appear on 112 Ukraine, a channel pushing a pro-Moscow line. There is no suggestion any of these MEPs were paid or knew Gill was secretly taking bribes. Voloshyn, 44, is said to have approached Gill in the months leading up to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He was operating on behalf of Medvedchuk, the wealthy Ukrainian opposition figure and longtime Putin associate. Gill had first entered the European Parliament with Ukip in 2014 before defecting to Nigel Farage's Brexit Party, which later became Reform. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Farage. 'If you get three or four, I will request and secure at least 5k for you' Former Reform UK Wales leader Nathan Gill arrives at the Old Bailey Viktor Medvedchuk is a close ally of Putin On March 22, 2019, Voloshyn asked Gill to round up some 'friendly MEPs' for interviews about the importance of maintaining Russian gas supplies to Western Europe and rebuilding 'trust and partnership between Kyiv and Moscow'. He added: 'If you get three or four [MEPs], I will request and secure at least 5k for you.' Prosecutors say Gill duly secured five interviews including three from British politicians: Jonathan Bullock, former Ukip energy spokesman who later joined the Brexit Party; Julia Reid, another Brexit Party MEP; and Steven Woolfe, an independent who had also previously served with Ukip. Speaking to the Mail Mr Bullock defended his interview saying: 'The TV interview I did was supporting Ukraine Sovereignty and nuclear power, precisely the opposite of what it seems Gills handlers wanted.' After the broadcasts, Voloshyn sent another message on March 28: 'V [Medvedchuk] asked to pass you his gratitude. He literally said it was 'awesome'. He even boasted with those MEP comments to his friend you know where and that person was impressed.' He added a smiley face emoji. Investigators say the 'friend' referred to was Putin, who is godfather to Medvedchuk's youngest child. Medvedchuk, 71, was later charged with treason in Ukraine and detained before being handed back to Russia in a prisoner swap after the 2022 invasion. Bullock, 62, insisted on Saturday night that he had long been a critic of Moscow and believed his comments on the channel supported Ukrainian sovereignty. He said he did not remember who asked him to appear and had no idea the outlet held pro-Kremlin views. He denied receiving any payment and said he was 'shocked' to learn Gill had been taking bribes. 'I'm disgusted with Nathan Gill,' he said. 'He deserves everything he gets.' Friends of Woolfe, 58, said he felt 'played' by Gill and had only agreed to the interview to highlight issues around freedom of speech for Ukrainian MPs. He did not respond to requests for comment. Reid, 73, was contacted for comment. Viktor Medvedchuk with his hands in cuffs and dressed in a Ukrainian army uniform from 2022 Nigel Farage (L) and Nathan Gill, pose for a picture before a plenary session at the EU headquarters in Brussels on June 28, 2016 Nathan Gill with Reform leader Nigel Farage Gill's activities were uncovered after he was stopped by counterterrorism officers at Manchester Airport in September 2021 while attempting to fly to Moscow, claiming he was attending a scientific conference. A search of his phone revealed payments from Voloshyn disguised as 'Xmas gifts', 'postcards' and, in one instance, 'a small sack of paper gifts'. On Friday, Keir Starmer called for Farage to launch an internal investigation into 'what other links there are between his party and Russia'. Reform UK issued a scathing statement: 'Mr Gill's actions were reprehensible, treasonous and unforgiveable.' The Metropolitan Police said: 'There have been no other arrests or interviews under caution and the investigation is ongoing.' An NHS hospital at the centre of an investigation into poor maternity care spent a decade chasing a 'normal birth' ideology that allegedly led to a spike in newborn deaths. In the period that Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LHT) had the lowest number of caesareans - between 2012 and 2023 - its rate of stillbirths and newborn baby deaths soared to the worst in Britain. In its own maternity strategy, published in 2015, hospital chiefs requested maternity doctors to promote a natural or vaginal birth, with minimal medical interventions, The Sunday Times reports. The approach has been blamed for contributing to poor maternity care amid concerns midwives and doctors were waiting too long to intervene in labour or putting mothers through prolonged use of forceps to avoid a caesarean. Leeds's strategy was published months after Morecambe Bay Trust, in Cumbria, was criticised for pursuing normal birth 'at any cost' in a damning report into its maternity care. 'All birth environments will share a philosophy of promoting 'normal birth', Leeds's strategy said. The hospital's home birth team still states that 'we believe that birth is a natural and physiological process'. Fourteen NHS trusts - including LHT - are at the centre of an investigation into maternity failures in England. Hundreds of babies have died or been left brain-damaged due to poor maternity care across England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has described the scandal as a 'cause of national shame'. Fiona Winser-Ramm (pictured) and her husband Daniel believe a normal birth ideology played a part in the death of their daughter, Aliona, who was killed by serious neglect and gross failures by midwives at Leeds Mr Streeting last month announced an independent inquiry into the maternity units at LHT. The parents say they felt gaslit, dismissed and even blamed for what went wrong there. Mr Streeting said the Government was aware that the 'culture has been a problem at Leeds' and around the country, adding that 130million was being spent on improving maternity care. He said: 'This stark contradiction between scale and safety standards is precisely why I'm taking this exceptional step to order an urgent inquiry in Leeds. 'We have to give the families the honesty and accountability they deserve and end the normalisation of deaths of women and babies in maternity units. 'These are people who, at a moment of great vulnerability, placed their lives and the lives of their unborn children in the hands of others and instead of being supported and cared for, found themselves victims.' The families are waiting for the terms of reference of the investigation to be confirmed, but feel the police should be involved. They also called for it to be chaired by the 'rigorous' leadership of midwife Donna Ockenden, who is heading the independent review of maternity services at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. LTH is among 14 hospital trusts which will be examined in a national investigation into 'failures' in NHS maternity and neonatal services led by Baroness Amos. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Leeds Teaching Hospitals (LTH) NHS Trust has two maternity units - at Leeds General Infirmary and St James's University Hospital A range of services will be put under the spotlight in the investigation, which comes after various independent reviews across multiple trusts found failings, including women's voices being ignored, safety concerns being overlooked and poor leadership, which has created toxic cultures. More than 150 families have complained about their maternity care at Leeds. Fiona Winser-Ramm and her husband Daniel believe a normal birth ideology played a part in the death of their daughter, Aliona, who was killed by serious neglect and gross failures by midwives. 'Essentially, the steer to continue with a vaginal birth at every opportunity was evident throughout my labour,' Ms Winser-Ramm told The Times. An inquest found Aliona, who died on January 1 2020, should have been delivered by caesarean section from 10.30pm on New Year's Eve, but was not born until 3.32am. Ms Winser-Ramm endured a 72-hour labour during which midwives dismissed her concerns and failed to act on key warning signs in Aliona's heart readings. The inquest heard that there was a 'wait-and-see culture' at Leeds. The rate of caesarean sections at Leeds between 2012-13 and 2023-24 was 19 per cent, significantly lower than the national average of 24 per cent. Separately, it also had one of the highest rates of spontaneous births - not using instruments or C-sections since 2015-16. The number of stillborn babies per 1,000 births is among the highest in England at 4.36 compared with the national average of 3.25. Neonatal deaths have consistently been the highest in the country, going back to 2017. In the most recent data up to January 2023, Leeds had a neonatal death rate of 5.6 deaths per 1,000 births - the worst of any trust. The average is 1.7. Dr Magnus Harrison, Chief Medical Officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 'We are deeply sorry to all families who have been harmed in our maternity and neonatal services. We recognise we need to make improvements, and we are committed to providing safe, compassionate and high-quality care to all families. 'The Trust offers families a choice of delivery options in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance, and we respond to any changes in this guidance. The last NICE update in 2023 relating to caesarean births included a revision to strengthen the emphasis on supporting the family's choice, which we follow. We recognise that the number of caesarean births in Leeds during 2023/24 were lower than the national average but we are now seeing an increase in this number. 'We are committed to conducting an external review of our stillbirth and neonatal mortality (MBRRACE) data to understand more about how we compare with other similar organisations, and whether there are areas we can improve. 'Following the CQC and MSSP reviews of our services, we have already made a number of improvements in our maternity and neonatal departments and are developing a future improvements programme. 'We are committed to work openly, honestly and transparently with the independent inquiry into maternity and neonatal services in Leeds, and we want to work with the families who have used our services to understand their experiences so we can make real and lasting improvements.' Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to work with South Africa to firmly support each other and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Sunday. Li made the remarks when meeting with South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile on the sidelines of the 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit held here on Saturday and Sunday. China and South Africa are good friends and brothers enjoying a deep friendship, Li said. In September last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, in Beijing and reached important consensus on advancing bilateral ties, Li said. China stands ready to work with South Africa to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, further enhance mutual political trust, firmly support each other, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and deliver more outcomes of their all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. Li noted that China is ready to step up alignment with South Africa, and help more quality and competitive South African products enter the Chinese market by negotiating and signing an agreement on economic partnership for shared development and advancing in South Africa the early implementation of China's zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines for African countries having diplomatic relations with China. China supports more competitive Chinese companies in investing in South Africa and enhancing cooperation in such areas as new energy, automobiles, healthcare, digital economy and infrastructure, with a view to broadening and upgrading bilateral cooperation to better serve the modernization of both countries, Li said. He expressed the hope that South Africa will better protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and the safety of their personnel. China-South Africa cooperation has long played a leading and demonstrative role in China-Africa cooperation, Li said, pledging that China is ready to strengthen communication with South Africa within frameworks including the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), promote the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and jointly create a bright future of development and prosperity for China and Africa. Li called on the two sides to step up multilateral coordination and work with the wider Global South countries to promote a more just and equitable international order. For his part, Mashatile expressed gratitude for China's strong support for South Africa as the host of the G20 Summit. Stressing that South Africa firmly upholds the one-China policy, Mashatile said that his country stands ready to take China's implementation of zero-tariff treatment in African countries as an opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, industry, agriculture, digital economy and green development, and to enhance people-to-people exchanges so as to advance the continuous and in-depth development of the all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era between the two countries. Chinese enterprises are welcome to invest and operate in South Africa, and South Africa will spare no effort to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and companies, he said. Mashatile also said that South Africa highly commends the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi, and is willing to work with China to promote multilateral communication and coordination, uphold multilateralism, safeguard the authority of the United Nations and promote the common development and prosperity of Global South nations. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) The Russian spy ship lurking in British waters tried to jam the Royal Navy frigate's GPS. Defence Secretary John Healey last week revealed the research vessel Yantar had been spotted lurking north of Scotland and attempted to blind RAF pilots using military-grade lasers. The lasers were directed at the pilots of RAF P-8 Poseidons, long-range reconnaissance aircraft that were sent with HMS Somerset to track the Yantar. Healey said it constituted a 'deeply dangerous' provocation and the first time a Russian crew had used lasers against UK forces. It has now been revealed they also attempted to disrupt the GPS on HMS Somerset. The Russian spy ship used jamming technology to interfere with the global position systems of the Royal Navy vessel, a defence source told the Telegraph. Warships run using a mixture of civilian and military-grade GPS systems, which help with accurate navigation as well as the deployment of precision-guided weapons. It is understood only civilian-grade systems were impacted, as the military systems are encrypted and almost impossible to jam. The source said it was 'more low-level disruption, causing a nuisance'. An infrared photograph of Russian spy ship Yantar taken following its recent arrival to the edge of British waters. It is thought to be capable of mapping underwater cables Defence Secretary John Healey said a Russian spy ship had been spotted on the edge of UK waters However, commercial vessels near the Yantar, including fishermen, are also believed to have had their systems disrupted. The boat, operated by Russia's elusive deep-sea research unit GUGI, has been situated on the edge of the UK's waters for 'the last few weeks', Mr Healey said. It is suspected by the West to map vital undersea infrastructure such as internet cables. A Royal Navy frigate and RAF P-8 reconnaissance planes were deployed to monitor and track the Yantar's moves, and to capture infrared photographs. The Russians responded by directing lasers at pilots - an unprecedented escalation that the Defence Secretary was taking 'extremely seriously'. 'That Russian action is deeply dangerous, and this is the second time this year that this ship, the Yantar has deployed to UK waters,' Mr Healey said. He has changed the Navy's rules of engagement to allow them to track the Yantar more closely. 'We have military options ready should the Yantar change course,' he added, though he would not go into detail, citing security reasons. He did confirm, however, that a Royal Navy submarine was surfaced close to the ship the last time it was seen in British waters. Mr Healey concluded: 'My message to Russia and to Putin is this: we see you, we know what you're doing, and if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.' This is the second time this year the Yantar has been sighted in waters close to Britain. Last November, the ship was sent packing after 'loitering over UK critical undersea infrastructure' off the coast of Cornwall, having been chased out of the Irish Sea - and it was then seen again in January. Actions to intercept and monitor the boat once more were a 'demonstration of a British readiness to act, a British capability to act', Mr Healey said. He said of the boat: 'It isn't just a naval operation - it's part of a Russian programme... that is designed to have capabilities which can undertake surveillance in peacetime and sabotage in conflict. 'Make no mistake: we will not tolerate a threat to the British people's essential connections underwater.' The Yantar (pictured, front of image, followed by a Royal Navy vessel) is a Russian spy ship operated by the elusive GUGI unit Downing Street has not said what representations the Government has made to Russia following the appearance of the Yantar off British waters. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: 'Our position on Russian interference is clear... (but) I'm not going to get into conversations on the diplomatic level.' The Yantar is thought to be capable of launching submersibles capable of cutting undersea cables - which could cripple the UK's telecoms infrastructure. Moscow claims it is an 'oceanographic research vessel'. It also passed through the English channel in 2018, and has been seen near Brazil and in the Mediterranean in areas where underwater infrastructure lies. Some 99 per cent of all internet traffic is passed through undersea cables, making them particularly vulnerable if attacked - and a potent target for Putin should he wish to cripple Western nations. Hundreds of furious residents have taken to the streets to protest against government plans to move hundreds of lone male asylum seekers into an army training camp. The Home Office intends to transfer around 600 migrants to the military site in Crowborough, East Sussex by the end of next month - a move locals say has been forced on the community with virtually no consultation. The mounting anger follows revelations that cadets based at the camp could be removed to make way for the arrivals. Protesters turned out in their hundreds this morning, many draped in English flags and holding placards, marking the third consecutive weekend of demonstrations as frustration reaches boiling point. Today, 600 marchers wore numbered bibs to highlight the number of asylum seekers expected to be housed at the site next week. Crowborough is one of two locations earmarked to take in small-boat arrivals with minimal warning, leaving families, councillors and campaigners scrambling for answers. Furious residents have taken to the streets once again in a major backlash against government plans to move hundreds of lone male asylum seekers into an army training camp on the edge of Crowborough, East Sussex The Home Office intends to transfer around 600 migrants to the military site in Crowborough, East Sussex by the end of next month Residents say the proposal is particularly alarming in light of reports that at least 200 people living in asylum hotels had been charged with criminal offences UKIP Leader Nick Tenconi joined the protesters today wearing numbers to signify the amount of asylum seekers expected at Crowborough Army Camp A sign during an anti-immigration protest near Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex A general view of Crowborough Training Camp, East Sussex The Government plans to use the army training camp to house hundreds of migrants Residents say the proposal is particularly alarming in light of reports that at least 200 people living in asylum hotels had been charged with criminal offences - including sexual assaults - up to August this year. Adult cadet instructors are now considering suspending all training once the migrants are moved in, warning that they cannot guarantee the safeguarding of youngsters on site. Senior instructors have voiced deep concern about mixing the youth detachments with an influx of adult males and say the risks remain unresolved. In recent days, large fences have gone up around the perimeter and security guards with dogs have been seen patrolling the area as preparations continue for the arrival of more than 500 asylum seekers. Parents and cadet volunteers none of whom have official training have reportedly taken it upon themselves to carry out 'counter patrols' near pick-up and drop-off times to monitor any potential risks. Crowborough Shield, a residents' group opposing the plans, warned that cadets 'will be displaced, with no alternative location offered'. The Ministry of Defence told the Telegraph it takes the 'safety and wellbeing of all cadets extremely seriously and that it 'continues to work with the Home Office to assess the potential impact that housing asylum seekers on military bases could have on our Cadet Forces.' Crowborough locals have been seen sporting signs with messages such as 'stop rewarding, start deporting'. Crowborough has a population of around 22,000 and locals believe their way of life could be threatened by the asylum seekers. Crowborough has a population of around 22,000 and locals believe their way of life could be threatened by the asylum seekers People attend a protest against asylum seekers being housed at an army training camp Today, 600 marchers wore numbered bibs to highlight the number of asylum seekers expected to be housed at the site next week Crowds on the village green started to dwindle when UKIP leader Nick Tenconi started speaking Organisers handed out 600 numbered cards to marchers. Penny Saunders, 58, an office administrator carried number 600. She said: 'I'm Crowborough born and bred. I haven't marched before but I'm in total agreement with it. It will make a huge difference to our community. 'I've seen catastrophic changes already. Our local services can't cope as it is. I've seen crime rise and it'll only get worse. 'This is about community and the fact these men will be undocumented. It is about safety. The reason people want to live here is about the community and safety. It is not about racism,' Penny said. Adam, who declined to give his surname, carried number one. The 43-year-old company director from Crowborough said: 'I wanted to make a stand against what is being imposed on our community. 'I want to protect my mum, my wife and daughter. We will be here until we don't have to come any more.' Wearing a top with 'Stand your ground' written on the back, campaigner Sarah White told the crowd she has stopped paying council tax. Ms White, 40, was arrested earlier this year after climbing the steps of a council building to unfurl a Union flag following her speech at the Bell Hotel in Epping. The charges were later dropped. Speaking at the protest on Sunday, Ms White said: 'I've spent months outside the Bell Hotel along with loads of other people. We have protested there, and what has it done? 'Has it stopped these undocumented, illegal men being housed in Bell Hotel? No, it hasn't. 'Has it stopped crimes being committed in our community? No, it hasn't, because the councillors and the police don't care.' She added: 'I am making a stand. I've stopped paying my council tax. I would encourage every single person to stop paying their council tax. 'It's not indefinitely, it's just you saying, 'At the moment, you are not putting us as a priority.'' Councillor Andrew Wilson, who represents Crowborough South East Ward, said Sunday's protest was 'a fantastic sight to see' from a community 'kept in the dark' about Home Office plans. He said: 'It's been a fantastic community response to a Home Office plan that is completely inappropriate. 'If you look across the country at other places where asylum seekers have been housed, such as asylum hotels in Epping, there have been issues. 'There's not a lot to do in Crowborough - we're a very small town... This is introducing a level of risk which I'm not sure the Home Office has appreciated.' Cllr Wilson, who has lived in the town for 11 years, added he is concerned Crowborough lacks the police presence he believes will be needed if asylum seekers are housed at the base. Two marches started in Crowborough in pouring rain before converging in the town centre and heading to a rally. Organisers estimated up to 3000 people braved near torrential rain. Crowds on the village green started to dwindle when UKIP leader Nick Tenconi started speaking. He told the crowd his home town of Eastbourne was now full of 'invader hotels' whose owners had taken 30 pieces of silver from the Home Office to house migrants. 'We don't want our daughters and wives raped and murdered,' he said. Organisers estimated up to 3000 people braved near torrential rain Two marches started in Crowborough in pouring rain before converging in the town centre and heading to a rally Chair of the Crowborough Shield campaign group Kim Bailey said: 'We have never wanted this to become a political campaign. This is still all about Crowborough' Police said they are investigating reports of windows being smashed at the army camp Chair of the Crowborough Shield campaign group Kim Bailey said: 'We have never wanted this to become a political campaign. This is still all about Crowborough.' The chair of campaign group Crowborough Shield, Ms Bailey said: 'Lots of people have reported that police were handing out rape alarms in the town yesterday. 'If 'everything is safe, legal and compliant', why on Earth do women in a sleepy little town like Crowborough need rape alarms.' A spokesman for Sussex Police said officers were in the town at an event not connected to the army camp. 'The local neighbourhood policing team attended a community event in Crowborough as part of its routine crime prevention and engagement work. 'Our officers regularly attend similar community events providing crime prevention advice across Sussex,' a spokesman said. Security guards started patrolling the army camp on the edge of Crowborough with dogs this week. Windows at the army camp on the edge the Sussex town have been smashed. Campaign organisers told marchers they are now collecting money to provide CCTV cameras to any businesses who want them in the town. Marchers chanted You're Going Home to the tune of Three Lions as they took to the streets of Crowborough for a third weekend. Another march and rally are planned next weekend. Police said they are investigating reports of windows being smashed at the army camp. A spokesman for Sussex Police said: 'We are aware of a number of windows having been smashed at a Crowborough Training Camp. 'Any reasonable lines of enquiry will be investigated and we will continue to work with local partners to keep our communities safe.' Green Party leader Zack Polanski today revealed he could attempt to oust the Prime Minister from the House of Commons at the next general election. The self-described 'eco-populist' said it would be 'very tempting' to 'take Keir Starmer down' by challenging the Labour leader in his north London seat. Since becoming Green leader, Mr Polanski has said he will 'absolutely' try to become an MP at the next general election by standing in a constituency in the capital. A recent poll suggested Labour is currently on course to lose Holborn and St Pancras, the constituency held by Sir Keir since 2015, to the Greens. Asked about that poll during an appearance on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Polanski said: 'It would be very tempting to take Keir Starmer down.' He added of his future ambitions to enter the House of Commons: 'I'm tempted to take on any Labour MP that's a disaster. 'And ultimately replace them with a better MP who will stand for people and planet, rather than vested interests.' It came as a separate poll showed the danger the PM faces from within his party's own ranks, amid intense scrutiny of Sir Keir's political future. A survey of Labour members revealed Sir Keir would lose a head-to-head leadership contest against four different rivals, including his former deputy Angela Rayner. Green Party leader Zack Polanski today revealed he could attempt to oust the Prime Minister from the House of Commons at the next general election A recent poll suggested Labour is currently on course to lose Holborn and St Pancras, the constituency held by Sir Keir Starmer since 2015, to the Greens The Survation poll for the LabourList website found Ms Rayner, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband would all win a head-to-head battle with Sir Keir. It showed Mr Burnham and Ms Rayner would defeat the PM by comfortable margins, should a Labour leadership election take place. Mr Streeting and Mr Miliband, who previously led Labour between 2010 and 2015, were found to have a slight advantage over Sir Keir, but within the margin of error. More than half of Labour members (54 per cent) said there should be a new party leader in place before the next general election. This included 41 per cent of those who backed Sir Keir for the Labour leadership in 2020, while 40 per cent of the PM's supporters wanted him to stay. A clear majority (58 per cent) opted for Mr Burnham over Sir Keir (32 per cent) in a head-to-head contest - a 26-point margin, with 10 per cent undecided. Ms Rayner would defeat Sir Keir by a 19-point margin, with the former deputy Labour leader attracting 52 per cent support to the PM's 33 per cent, with 15 per cent undecided. She was forced to quit as Labour deputy leader, deputy PM and Housing Secretary in September following her admission she didn't pay enough tax when buying a new flat. Mr Burnham would first need to be an MP before taking on Sir Keir for the Labour leadership, under the party's rules. Last week, rebel Labour MP Clive Lewis dramatically offered to give up his Norwich South seat so Mr Burnham could make a Westminster comeback. A Survation poll found Angela Rayner, Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband would all win a head-to-head leadership contest against Sir Keir Emma Burnell, editor of LabourList, said: 'Starmer's team have made it clear that he would contest a leadership contest were one to arise. 'Of course, that was a week ago and we all know that's a long time in politics. 'It may well be that if it came to it Starmer would decide a contest in which he ran - and was possibly defeated - was too damaging to the party in the long term. 'However, the two leading contenders to Starmer both face significant challenges. 'Rayner because it may be that not enough time has passed since she, very unfortunately, had to step down. 'Burnham because he faces several hurdles to being able to run. If things move quickly, he may not be able to return to Parliament in time to be a candidate. 'This might give Starmer and his team hope. If there is no obvious candidate that can beat him, he will feel much more secure in place.' A Georgia woman lost her leg in a blood-curdling crash while she was on an early morning bike ride with her boyfriend. Chloe Garcia, 20, was riding her bike to a store in Alpharetta when the careless driver of a black Mercedes AMG mowed her down on October 30, around 6 am. Garcia was thrown from her bicycle, and her leg was severed entirely from the hip upon impact, according to her heartbroken family. The young victim was rushed to the hospital, where she has remained in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) since the harrowing event. According to a GoFundMe post created to support Garcia's grueling road to recovery, she lost so much blood that doctors said 'it's a miracle she's even alive.' Garcia has undergone at least three surgeries. Ross wrote that her medical expenses have already topped $350,000. Her sister, Kiara Ross, and her mother, Shanta Watson, are now demanding answers about the crash they say ruined Garcia's life. 'I can't even believe this is real life,' Ross told WTSP. 'My sister's only 20 years old, and now she has to go about her life with one leg.' Chloe Garcia, 20, was riding her bike to a store in Alpharetta when the careless driver of a black Mercedes AMG mowed her down on October 30 Garcia pictured with her boyfriend in the hospital after the crash Garcia's family claimed that the driver was not given a sobriety test or cited at the scene, and that they only learned about the vehicle involved once they hired a lawyer. Ross and Watson said that both Garcia's bike and the scooter her boyfriend rode alongside her on had lights. 'She had lights on, so how did you not see her?' Ross said to WTSP about the driver. 'And there's no way that at minimum, he wasn't speeding.' 'Somebody has to pay for this. This is not right,' Watson chimed in. 'My daughter was on the sidewalk. She wasn't even on the street.' Watson continued: 'She hasnt even seen her 21st birthday. [The driver] ruined her life, but yet [he] walk around like nothing happened.' Cobb County Police have launched an investigation into the crash as Watson and Ross seek out justice for Garcia. 'I want him to pay, and it's not just money,' Watson told WTSP. 'I want him to understand what he has done.' The fundraiser created on Garcia's behalf has raised more than $4,790 to help her family pay for her surgeries, rehabilitation and prosthetics. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Cobb County Sheriff's Office and Ross for comment. Garcia was on her way to the store when she was hit by the Mercedes AMG Garcia was admitted to the ICU and has undergone multiple surgeries since the crash The harrowing collision that left Garcia without a limb came just weeks before a California grandmother, who survived cancer, was decapitated by a garbage truck while crossing the street near a 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, which was steps away. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were roughly 39,345 traffic fatalities in 2024. No longer seen as the preserve of older, male drinkers, social media influencers and celebrity endorsements have helped Guinness to a remarkable resurgence. But with the iconic Irish stout's new Generation Z fans having to pay 7 or more for a pint in some venues, anything which keeps prices in check is likely to receive a warm welcome. Now pub bosses have revealed that Murphy's - owned by brewing giant Heineken - is trying to persuade them to switch to the rival brand. They have complained that Guinness is 'incredibly expensive' for them to buy in, meaning small profit margins at a time when the hospitality sector is under pressure from soaring bills and the cost of living crisis. With Guinness owner Diageo struggling amid weak sales for its spirits brands, soaring sales of pints of the 'black stuff' have been a rare silver lining. So its new generation of fans will be hoping the renewed competition will help when it comes to covering the cost of a round of drinks. Celebrities such as Olivia Rodrigo, Kim Kardashian and even the Princess of Wales have been seen sipping on glasses of Guinness in recent years. The Irish export's iconic appearance has also gone down a storm on social media, including thousands of videos on TikTok as people share their search to find the perfect pint. Soaring sales mean Guinness now accounts for a reputed one in every nine pints poured at British pubs Pub chiefs say bigger profit margins are tempting them to switch to rival Irish stout brand Murphy's So successful has the craze been that Guinness is now the best-selling beer in British pubs, accounting for a reputed one in every nine pints poured. However the brand's unlikely transformation has led to complaints from publicans. They say the price per keg charged by Guinness is about 15 per cent higher than for Murphy's, leaving them struggling to make much profit on each pint sold. Murphy's - which traces its roots back to 1856 - stole a march when its rival was hit by supply shortages last Christmas. Since then, Heineken bosses have been wooing pub bosses keen to slake customers' thirst for stout while making more money themselves, according to the Sunday Times. As a result, the number of pubs stocking Murphys has surged to 1,550 outlets, it reported. James Nye, the managing director of pub company Anglian Country Inns, which has swapped to Murphys in a handful of pubs, told the paper that Guinness had been 'putting price increase after price increase through'. 'I wouldnt say Heineken are undercutting Guinness, I would say Guinness are outpricing themselves in the market,' he added. The Prince and Princess of Wales drinking glasses of Guinness on St Patrick's Day in 2017 But the dilemma for hospitality chiefs is the fear business will go elsewhere if they abandon Guinness, with drinkers steadfastly loyal to the brand. 'The least amount of retail profit I get is off Guinness,' Phil Thorley, owner of Thorley Taverns, which runs 18 pubs in south-east England, told the Sunday Times. 'But if I take it out I could lose customers that go somewhere else because thats the brand they want to be drinking.' Industry experts say Guinness could face pressure if drinkers are persuaded to switch brand. However whether that will save consumers money remains to be seen. While some London venues charge 7 or even 8 for a pint of Guinness, across the country the average price is 5.75, according to pint-prices.com, compared to 5.83 for Murphy's. A Diageo spokesman said: 'Guinness is priced very competitively in the marketplace and the average price of a pint in the UK is 8 per cent lower than the average for world premium lagers. 'We have invested significantly in building the brand and in delivering high-quality pints in pubs across country, all of which has made Guinness a footfall generator for pubs and bars.' Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman has long been unafraid to call out the left of his own party, and his latest appearances on the Fox News Channel are no exception. During interviews on the channel that aired Friday and Saturday, the Senator rejected anti-Israel and anti-capitalist ideas that some Democrats are pushing. Leading figures in the party, including New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani and Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have been vocal about their socialist views and condemnation of Israel. Fetterman appeared on 'Saturday in America' with Kaleigh McEnany, during which he was asked about a vote in the US House of Representatives on Friday to condemn socialism. After the vote tally, it was found that 47 percent of Democrats in the lower chamber did not vote to condemn the ideology. Fetterman told McEnany that if you 'go to any place that live or have lived under socialism, 100 percent would vote to condemn it. I've spoke to people when I've been in those kind of former countries and they say it's a disaster and they can't believe America is even having this conversation. 'You know, there's that expression, you know, bad ideas just won't die. And I don't know why our party is going to talk about it for these things, but I would strongly reject it. And, obviously I would have voted to condemn that if that was ever part in the Senate,' Fetterman added. That rejection of his party's extreme wing was also present during a Friday segment of Fox News Channel's 'The Story,' during which Fetterman noted that parts of the Democratic Party are 'becoming more and more anti-Israel.' Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) appears on Saturday In America on FOX News. Fetterman responded to calls to pack the Supreme Court and discussed the future of his party on Saturday November 22, 2025 US Senator John Fetterman (L) and his wife Gisele Barreto Fetterman arrive for the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner at the Washington Hilton, in Washington, DC, on April 27, 2024 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks at a rally endorsing Jamaal Bowman at St. Mary's Park in the Bronx on June 22, 2024 in New York City Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) appears on FOX News prior to the meeting between President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani on Friday November 21, 2025 New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani delivers remarks during a meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on November 21 in Washington, DC He called out the fact that a significant number of new Democratic Party candidates are making it 'front and center in their campaign to be anti-Israel.' Fetterman additionally described the pressure the Democratic Socialists of America has put on Mamdani regarding Israel as absurd and arrogant. The Pennsylvania Senator also commented on the fact that Mamdani has 'no authority' to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu because 'the United States [is] not a part of the ICC (International Criminal Court.) 'So, it's - again, it's empty kinds of threats.' The ICC, which is backed by the United Nations (UN), issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin just over a year ago, on November 21, 2024, for actions alleged to be 'war crimes' in Gaza under his watch. Fetterman's comments come as health battles have plagued the Pennsylvanian during his time both running for office and serving in the Senate. He was rushed to the hospital with a life-threatening heart problem after falling over earlier this month. The Pennsylvania Senator was on a walk on November 13 when he 'sustained a fall near his home in Braddock,' per a statement issued by the Democrat's spokesperson at the time. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman posts a photo of himself on Nov. 15, 2025, after a fall Injuries from a fall are seen on the face of Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., second from left, as he walks through a hallway on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in Washington Fetterman was transported to a hospital in Pittsburgh after the accident, where doctors determined he suffered a ventricular flare-up, his team said. A ventricular flare-up in this context refers to an episode of a ventricular arrhythmia, an abnormal heart rhythm, that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest which can cause the heart to stop pumping blood effectively. The medical episode caused the 56-year-old lawmaker to feel light-headed and fall to the ground, 'hitting his face with minor injuries,' the spokesperson said. Senator John Fetterman and Gisele Barreto Fetterman are seen on October 11, 2023 in New York City Following the incident, Fetterman issued a cheeky statement and appeared to be in good spirits. 'If you thought my face looked bad before, wait until you see it now!' he said. His latest medical scare comes after he opened up about thinking about quitting politics following a terrifying stroke in 2022. In his recently released book Unfettered, Fetterman offered an eye-opening glimpse into the inner battles he has faced in private, despite his public-facing role. It also provided additional insight into why Fetterman has been unafraid to be at odds with his party and side with Republicans and Trump on issues such as immigration, Israel, and his unwavering commitment to reopening the government amid the shutdown that plagued Washington for nearly a month and a half this fall. Tributes have poured in for a 'wonderfully kind' mental health worker found dead at her home. Sarah Forrester, 55, was found unresponsive after police were sent to her address following reports of disorder. The entrance to her pebbledash fronted, three-bedroom home was today cordoned off by police tape and an officer stood in front of the gate to the property. A 13-year-old girl was arrested by police on suspicion of murder but has since been bailed. Neighbours told the Daily Mail that a 13-year-old girl was heard yelling just days before Sarah was killed. There were no other reported injuries, and police said the victim's next of kin have been informed. Friends and neighbours of the popular mother-of-two described her as 'a wonderfully kind woman'. Daniella Silva, 29, said: 'A few days ago, I heard someone in the street shouting at Sarah. 'The next day Sarah called round and apologised for the argument. Sarah did not deserve to be treated like that. She was a wonderfully kind, big-hearted woman. Sarah Forrester, who was in her early 50s, was found unresponsive after police were sent to her address following reports of disorder Sarah Forrester, who was in her early 50s, was found unresponsive after police were sent to her address following reports of disorder Police are seen in Baydon Close in Moredon, Swindon, on Sunday 'The odd thing is that I was home all day on Friday and I didn't hear a thing. The first I knew of it was when the police arrived at about seven o'clock in the evening.' Another neighbour, Kerry Marsh, 53, who also works in mental health, said: 'I am not going to speculate on what may have happened, but Sarah was a wonderful friend 'Sarah was an incredibly kind person and she had a big, warm heart. I was lucky enough to be a good friend of hers for seven years.' A statement from the Kelly Foundation read: 'Everyone at The Kelly Foundation is heartbroken at the sudden loss of our lovely Sarah. 'She was completely committed to the charity and devoted to her two young children. 'Sarah was pivotal in the work that we do here at the Kelly Foundation and her loss is a hugely traumatic event, not just for us and her colleagues but more especially for her children and family. 'Sarah was an incredible person, kind, thoughtful, considerate, caring and funny and she embodied everything that we hope our charity is and can be. 'She enjoyed her role with us and we all loved working with her, she will be truly, truly missed. 'Out of respect for her family, we will not be making any further comment at this time.' Detectives from Wiltshire police were making house-to-house enquiries in Baydon Close, Moredon, where the murder happened. The property has been cordoned off while enquiries are carried out to establish what happened. Detective Inspector Darren Ambrose, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: 'This is a serious incident in which a woman has sadly died. 'We have set up a cordon at the address while an investigation is carried out. 'I can confirm that we have arrested a teenage girl in connection with this incident and we are not looking for anyone else.' Tributes have poured in for a 'wonderfully kind' mental health worker Sarah who was found dead at her home on Saturday Police are seen in Baydon Close in Moredon, Swindon, on Saturday night 'We would encourage people not to speculate on the circumstances around this incident', he added. 'We appreciate the concern that this may cause the local community. If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to speak to an officer.' In a statement, Wiltshire Police said: 'A 13-year-old girl arrested in connection with the death of a woman in Baydon Close, Moredon, has been bailed while enquiries continue. 'An increased police presence remains in the area today while an investigation continues into the woman's death. 'There is no wider risk to the public and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident. 'As this is a live investigation, please refrain from speculating online as this could prejudice the ongoing case.' A furious Donald Trump has today accused Ukraine of showing 'zero gratitude' over his peace plan to end the war with Russia. The US President called the conflict 'a loser for everyone' and said that he had 'inherited a war that should have never happened'. Trump's 28-point plan to end Moscow's nearly four-year invasion has been heavily criticised by several senators as being a 'Russian wish list', with it including demands that Ukraine hand over territory and drastically reduce the size of its armed forces. It has led to Washington having to deny claims Russia had authored the controversial deal, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier insisting that the plan for Ukraine was 'authored by the US'. However, following Sunday's talks, Rubio stated that the meetings have been 'the most productive and meaningful' of the peace process so far for him. Trump, writing in capital letters on his Truth Social platform, also appeared to take a swipe at Volodymyr Zelensky, saying the war would 'never have happened' if there was 'strong and proper US and Ukrainian leadership'. He said: 'I inherited a war that should have never happened, a war that is a loser for everyone, especially the millions of people that have so needlessly died. 'Ukraine 'leadership' has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts, and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia.' His statement came as top officials from the United States, Ukraine, and national security advisers from France, Britain and Germany held talks in Geneva to discuss the draft plan. Ukrainian President Zelensky said his delegation was 'focused on finding doable solutions'. Donald Trump has today accused Ukraine of showing 'zero gratitude' over his peace plan to end the war with Russia The US President launched his tirade on his Truth Social platform, where he repeated unfounded claims that the 2020 election was 'rigged' Sir Keir Starmer held talks with President Trump today where the two leaders discussed the peace deal. A Downing Street spokesperson said: 'The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States Donald Trump today. 'The leaders discussed various aspects of the high level discussions taking place in Geneva today on the US peace plan for Ukraine. They agreed that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace. 'They agreed to keep in touch.' Just minutes after Trump unleashed his tirade, top Kyiv security official Rustem Umerov declared that Ukraine 'appreciates our American partners'. Writing on X, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council said: 'Our current proposals while still not finalised include many Ukrainian priorities. We appreciate our American partners working closely with us to understand our concerns to reach this critical point and we expect to make more progress today.' Ursula von der Leyen had earlier warned that Ukraine's borders cannot be changed by force. The European Commission President said any deal with Vladimir Putin's Russia should not be 'sowing the seeds for a future conflict'. 'Any credible and sustainable peace plan should first and foremost stop the killing and end the war, while not sowing the seeds for a future conflict,' Ms von der Leyen said. 'We have agreed on the main elements necessary for a just and lasting peace and Ukraine's sovereignty. Let me highlight three of them. 'First, borders cannot be changed by force. 'Second, as a sovereign nation there cannot be limitations on Ukraine's armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attack and thereby also undermining European security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his delegation was 'focused on finding doable solutions' Sir Keir Starmer is pictured attending the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 22 US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff (second from the left), and US Secretary of state Marco Rubio (right) at the beginning of talks with the Ukrainian delegation in Geneva Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak (centre) ahead of talks with the US delegation in Geneva 'Third, the centrality of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected. Ukraine must have the freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny. They have chosen a European destiny.' The Ukrainian delegation today held their first meeting with Britain's national security adviser Jonathan Powell and his French and German counterparts. US, Ukrainian and European counterparts are meeting in Geneva, with special envoy Steve Witkoff, army secretary Dan Driscoll and US secretary of state Mr Rubio expected to represent Washington. Mr Zelensky posted on X: 'The Ukrainian and American teams, as well as the teams of our European partners, are in close contact, and I do hope that there will be a result. 'The bloodshed must be stopped, and we must ensure that the war is never reignited.' Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the deal 'requires some additional work'. 'We have been clear that there are elements of the peace plan that he has proposed that are essential for a just and lasting peace,' she said. Ms Alexander said allies of Ukraine need to 'find a way to secure that ceasefire and open up space for meaningful negotiations'. Mr Rubio earlier insisted that the controversial peace plan for Ukraine was 'authored by the US'. He doubled down on US ownership of the plan, pushing back against claims from several senators that it amounted to a 'Russian wish list'. 'It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine,' Rubio said. Your browser does not support iframes. Sir Keir Starmer has backed both Ukraine and Donald Trump after a call with Volodymyr Zelensky about a US-backed peace plan European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks with Sir Keir at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 22 Pictured left to right: European Council President Antonio Costa, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Finland's President Alexander Stubb Trump declared the proposal was 'by far' not the 'final offer' as Western leaders scrambled to coordinate a response during frantic G20 summit diplomacy in South Africa. The plan, drawn up by the Trump administration and the Kremlin, has alarmed European governments after it emerged Ukraine was being pushed to accept terms that mirror long-standing demands from Moscow. In a joint statement on Saturday, European and other Western leaders cautiously acknowledged that the document could serve as a possible basis for ending the war but stressed that it would require 'additional work'. Washington has strongly denied accusations that it echoes Russian objectives. Ahead of the gathering, Zelensky issued a video address insisting that Ukraine's negotiators '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,' he said. The 28-point blueprint closely mirrors positions repeatedly put forward by the Kremlin over nearly four years of full-scale war, including demands that Ukraine hand over territory and drastically reduce the size of its armed forces. Trump has insisted Kyiv respond by Thursday, though he hinted an extension may be possible. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, he dismissed suggestions the proposal was final. He said: 'We'd like to get the peace, it should've happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should've never happened. If I was president, it would have never happened. We're trying to get it ended. One way or another, we have to get it ended.' Leaders across Europe have been trying to strike a careful balance praising Trump's efforts to end the war while acknowledging that key parts of the plan are unacceptable to Kyiv. 'There are many things that cannot simply be an American proposal, which requires broader consultation,' Emmanuel Macron warned on the sidelines of the G20, saying any deal must deliver peace for Ukrainians and 'security for all Europeans'. It comes as residents in Moscow were hit with power blackouts and heating disruption for the first time today after a Ukrainian strike A dramatic swarm of drones exploded the Lenin Shatura thermal plant - mostly fired by gas - as temperatures dipped below freezing point Pro-Kremlin media outlet Readovka and others admitted that power and heating disruptions were felt by residents German chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed the stakes for Europe, warning of the wider fallout should Kyiv be forced into defeat. 'If Ukraine loses this war and possibly collapses, it will have an impact on European politics as a whole, on the entire European continent. And that is why we are so committed to this issue,' he said. 'There is currently an opportunity to end this war, but we are still quite a long way from a good outcome for everyone.' Keir Starmer, speaking in Johannesburg, voiced particular concern over proposed limits on Ukraine's armed forces. '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 plan 'requires additional work', adding: 'And that's why there's been the agreement that in Geneva tomorrow [Sunday], you'll have senior US personnel, you'll have European NSAs [national security advisers], including the UK NSA, and obviously Ukrainians there to work further on the draft.' Starmer has spoken directly with Trump about the matter and is expected to speak with him again on Sunday, Downing Street said. It comes as residents in Moscow were hit with power blackouts and heating disruption for the first time today after a Ukrainian strike. A dramatic swarm of drones exploded the Lenin Shatura thermal plant - mostly fired by gas - as temperatures dipped below freezing point. 'A fire broke out at the facility,' admitted regional governor Andrey Vorobyov, referring to the Shatura strike. He admitted emergency workers scrambled to bring in 'backup' power and heating supplies after the damage to the power plant, east of Moscow. Pro-Kremlin media outlet Readovka and others admitted that power and heating disruptions were felt by residents - a rare event near the Russian capital but regular for Ukrainians after constant strikes by Putin's forces. Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin admitted the capital was under attack by Ukrainian drones with at least three shot down. An 18-year-old girl was arrested after she allegedly hurled a drink at a police officer's head in North Carolina during an anti-ICE protest. Emily Cervantes Ramos was chased, tackled and placed in handcuffs after she was seen in now-viral video allegedly throwing a large fountain drink at an unidentified male Kannapolis Police Officer. The dramatic scene unfolded around noon Friday when about 75 students from A.L. Brown High School, including Ramos, walked out of class in protest of ICE agents infiltrating nearby Charlotte. The students were in the downtown area of Kannapolis, about 30 minutes outside of Charlotte, during the demonstration, Kannapolis Communications Director Annette Keller told the Daily Mail. Officers were called to the area 'to ensure everyone's safety,' according to Keller, who said a majority of students involved were peacefully protesting until things took a turn for the worst. Footage shared online showed a white male police officer standing in the middle of a sidewalk as a group of people shouted at him. The group could be heard repeatedly cursing and screaming at him as the officer just stood quietly, making faces at times. 'You not even an officer, you just a no life a** b****,' one girl was heard yelling at the cop. They continued to shout when all of a sudden Ramos came up behind him and smashed a large drink on the top of his head. Emily Cervantes Ramos, 18, was arrested on Friday after she allegedly threw a drink at a police officer's head in Kannapolis, North Carolina during an anti-ICE protest Ramos is seen being chased down by the white male police after she allegedly hurled the drink at him The crowd then screamed in shock as the officer immediately ran after the long-haired girl. The group quickly followed behind as many of them screamed at the top of their lungs and ran across the street. Footage then showed the male officer handcuffing Ramos, dressed in blue jeans and black t-shirt. Other officers soon surrounded the area as the cop involved continued to arrest Ramos. 'That's what you get you f***ing d***head,' a man recording the incident shouted at the cop as he tried to control Ramos who was seen squirming on the pavement. 'She didn't even do nothing,' another woman was heard saying. The officer involved then took Ramos, whose arms were seen awkwardly bent behind her back, away as protestors screamed. A man shouted: 'F** you! F*** you!,' as the cop walked away with Ramos. Ramos was charged with assault on a government official and two counts of resisting public officers. She has since been released A crowd of about 75 students from A.L. Brown High School, including Ramos, walked out of class in protest of ICE agents recently infiltrating nearby Charlotte Another chimed in: 'Yo, fix her arms! Fix her arms!' Ramos was charged with assault on a government official and two counts of resisting public officers. She has since been released. Following her arrest, a GoFundMe page, which has since been deleted, was launched to help her family who experienced a 'heavy burden' after she was taken into custody. According to the page, which has circulated online, the incident unfolded 'when an officer intervened aggressively, snatching a bullhorn from a young girl and dragging her to the ground.' 'It was one of the most distressing things many of us have ever witnessed, and it should never have happened to someone peacefully exercising their rights,' the page read, referring to Ramos' arrest. No one else was arrested, but according to Keller, three driving citations were issued throughout the protest. No injuries, weapons or property damage were reported in connection to the demonstration, according to the Salisbury Post. 'We believe in every individuals first amendment rights but if any persons actions become illegal in situations such as these, we have no choice but to take appropriate action in order to protect the people and property of our city,' Kannapolis Police Chief Kerry Spry said. The Daily Mail contacted the Kannapolis Police Department, Keller and Bret Butch, the principal of A.L. Brown High School, for comment. Just before being slammed in the head with the drink, the officer remained quiet and made faces at the protestors Ramos is seen being escorted from the scene after she was arrested on Friday The incident comes as more than 250 migrants have been arrested in Charlotte and 30,000 students have been absent from school following Border Patrol descending on the city. A bloodied migrant was seen being arrested in The Queen City on Wednesday as part of the federal agency's task force called Operation Charlotte's Web, which specifically targets 'criminal illegal aliens who flocked to the Tar Heel State,' the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said. The agency said illegal migrants have made their way into the U.S. state 'because they knew sanctuary politicians would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets.' Soon after he was taken into custody, ICE agents made their way to a local Home Depot parking lot in the city. A group of anti-ICE protestors met the officers there as they questioned shoppers outside the home improvement store. One male activist was seen shouting at Border Patrol agents and filming them while others held up signs that read 'ICE out of Home Depot protect our communities.' Others, including former Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts, held up signs saying 'We stand with migrants.' Charlotte's current Mayor Vi Lyles has shared a similar message to residents as she's taken to social media in recent days to speak to the public about the increased presence of ICE agents. A bloodied migrant is seen being arrested in The Queen City on Wednesday as part of the federal agency's task force called Operation Charlotte's Web 'First and foremost, the rights and constitutional protections of every person in Charlotteregardless of immigration statusmust be upheld,' Lyles post on X Monday. She added: 'Our city has a long-standing commitment to fairness, dignity, and justice. I am deeply concerned with many of the videos Ive seen, and I urge all agencies operating here to conduct their work with respect for those values.' In addition to North Carolina, President Donald Trump's administration plans to 'surge' Louisiana with Border Patrol agents and armored vehicles in its latest escalation against illegal immigration. Internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents obtained by CBS News revealed that Border Patrol agents will be deployed to Charlotte before shifting to New Orleans to take a leading role in ICE operations across both cities. Along with Operation Charlotte's Web, the name of the task force in New Orleans is called Catahoula Crunch - both titles officials chose to reference the childrens novel and Louisianas official state dog, according to the documents. People smugglers are reportedly handing out a 'cheat' manual to migrants telling them how to exploit a loophole to boost their chances of claiming asylum in Britain. A 25-page booklet, written in Arabic, is said to tell migrants how to pretend to be from the Bidoon, or Bedoon, a largely stateless Arab minority in Kuwait. The document has also been revealed to include practice answers for asylum interviews. Bidoon people were not granted citizenship at the time of the Kuwait's independence in 1961. They are classed as 'illegal residents' by the Kuwaiti state. The Home Office's 2024 country policy and information note for Kuwait and Bidoons says they are 'a particular social group under the Refugee Convention'. It also differentiates between documented Bidoon and undocumented Bidoon. The latter group are said to face 'a real risk of persecution and breach of their human rights' in Kuwait. It also warns 'some people may claim to be Bidoon when they are nationals of another country, such as Iraq'. A group of people thought to be migrants pictured on board a small boat near Gravelines, northern France, earlier this month Home Office figures show a rise in the number of people from Kuwait claiming asylum in Britain over recent years, with 2,440 people doing so in the year to June 2025. This includes 845 people who claimed asylum in Britain after arriving via small boats. The manual being circulated on Telegram and other messaging apps is said to tell migrants that claiming to be Bidoon is a 'guaranteed way' to gain asylum in the UK. It also details the questions applicants may be asked about their journey to Britain, as well as information about Kuwait and the Bidoon, according to The Telegraph. The newspaper reported the document advises applicants to claim they 'don't have a birth certificate nor does my family because we are stateless'. It is also said to contain phrases to repeat to officials, including 'in Kuwait no passports for Bidoon', 'no school', 'no hospital', 'police beat us' and 'I had to leave'. A Home Office spokesman said: 'We will not tolerate abuse of our immigration system. 'Manuals like this will not stop the Home Office deporting and removing people who have no claim for asylum. 'We use biometric checks, fingerprinting, official documentation, language analysis, and detailed asylum interviews to verify nationality and identity. 'We are spearheading a major reform to the immigration system, both removing the incentives that draw illegal migrants to Britain in the first place and making it easier to deport illegal migrants.' DAR ES SALAAM, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Eighty young Tanzanians have graduated from a one-year vocational training program, marking a new milestone in efforts to strengthen local workforce skills and expand economic opportunities, one of the program's organizers said on Sunday. The initiative, jointly implemented by Panyu Chu Kong Steel Pipe Co., Ltd. (PCK), a Chinese company, and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), was delivered in partnership with Tanzania's Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA), EACOP said in a statement. EACOP is a 1,443-km crude oil export pipeline that will transport Uganda's crude oil from Kabaale-Hoima to the Chongoleani peninsula near Tanga, Tanzania, for export to international markets. According to the statement, the training program provided hands-on training in eight technical fields, namely welding and metal fabrication, plumbing and pipe fitting, electrical installation, plant operation, motor vehicle mechanics, masonry, painting, and electronics. Graduates were drawn from communities neighboring the pipeline route and attended VETA centres in Moshi, Kilindi, and Shinyanga, said the statement. Launched in January 2025, the program is part of EACOP's local content strategy aimed at building a competitive workforce capable of supporting Tanzania's expanding industrial and infrastructure sectors. The new graduates received nationally recognized certifications designed to enhance employability and enable them to contribute meaningfully to community development, the statement said. Geofrey Mponda, acting general manager of EACOP's Tanzania branch, reaffirmed the project's commitment to long-term skill development. "Investing in people lies at the core of EACOP's mission," he said, noting that 1,250 km of line pipe have already been welded and overall project progress has reached 74 percent. The PCK, the Chinese company contracted to manufacture and supply approximately 1,542 km of line pipe for EACOP, completed deliveries in 16 batches between 2023 and 2025, meeting all milestones without delays, the statement added. Volodymyr Zelensky has sent his gratitude to a fuming Donald Trump following his proposed peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine as the EU presents a counter-proposal containing key differences. Following talks on Sunday in Geneva between the Ukrainian and US delegations, the president of the war-torn country took to X to share his appreciation for the swathe of countries working towards peace for Ukraine. It came after Trump today accused Ukraine of showing 'zero gratitude' over his 28-point proposal. Zelensky said Ukraine is 'grateful to the United States, to every American heart, and personally to President Trump for the assistance', while also thanking those in Europe and the G20 who are providing assistance. But he added: 'It is important not to forget the main goal to stop Russia's war and prevent it from ever igniting again. And to achieve that, peace must be dignified.' He said this is not just a fight about territory for Russia, but about their 'right to wage war' and to 'subjugate'. 'That is why we work so carefully on every point, on every step toward peace. Everything must work out the right way so that this war is truly ended and so that it does not happen again,' he says, before repeating his thanks to the US and others. However, following the main talks on Sunday, the US Secretary of State confirmed: 'We've had probably the most productive and meaningful meeting so far in this entire process.' Speaking to media following the discussions, he also stressed that 'tremendous progress' had been made, but there was still work to be done. He also praised the Ukrainian attitude towards talks and said Trump was 'quite pleased' after the US president previously said Ukraine's leaders had expressed 'ZERO GRATITUDE'. Volodymyr Zelensky has sent his gratitude to a fuming Donald Trump following his proposed peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine The US Secretary of State confirmed: 'We've had probably the most productive and meaningful meeting so far in this entire process' Rubio said they have a 'product' built on a 'foundation of input' from all the parties involved and they have 'made good progress' going through the points it contains. The administration is set to go through 'some of the suggestions that were proffered to us' and making some 'changes' and adjustments to get closer to something both Ukraine and the US are comfortable with, he said. Rubio added that there is also the Russian side of the equation, but they think they have some 'pretty substantial insights' into what is important to them. 'I think the takeaway from it is, I think this was a very, very meaningful, I would say probably best meeting and day we've had so far in this entire process going back to when we first came into office in January,' he said. It comes as the EU put forward a counter-proposal to the US' 28-point Ukraine plan. Drafted by Europe's E3 powers of Britain, France and Germany, the rival plan differs drastically from the one earlier presented by the Trump administration with suggested changes and deletions. The US proposals have been widely criticised as being too favourable to Moscow, from handing over Ukraine's key Donbas region, slashing the size of its army and barring NATO troops from Ukrainian soil. In a stark contrast, the European plan is far more supportive of Ukraine, suggesting a that Ukraine receive a security guarantee from the US similar to NATO's Article 5 clause and pushing back on the US proposal for the use of Russian assets frozen in the West. The Ukrainian President later took to X to share his gratitude following a conversation with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, and Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden. 'It is very important that now practically all European countries are closely following the process toward achieving peace and are ready to engage. I am grateful for their support,' he said. 'I informed them about our diplomatic work on the American proposal and the meetings in Geneva. We are counting on an outcome that will pave the way to a real and lasting peace. 'We are also preparing for contacts in the Coalition of the Willing format. The work must be as substantive as possible, and we will ensure that. 'I am grateful to every leader and to everyone around the world who supports Ukraine and our principled stances. We are working to ensure full coordination among our friends.' One of the key differences in the European plan is a requirement for 'no restriction' to be placed on the size of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Unlike the Trump plan, which would see Ukraine's military capped at 600,000 personnel, the EU proposal suggests there are no restrictions imposed on the country's defence forces, including international co-operation. The EU plan also does not ban Ukraine from joining NATO, with the final decision subject to 'consensus within the alliance'. This long-running flashpoint is sure to provoke fury in Russia, which has repeatedly accused the West of provoking war by expanding NATO right up to its borders. Even more strikingly, the European plan states that Kyiv would 'not be forced to be neutral', and could even invite 'friendly forces' onto its territory if desired - potentially opening the door for British troops to deploy under the so-called 'coalition of the willing' championed earlier this year by Sir Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron. In a move likely to upset hawks in Washington, Brussels and Kyiv are pushing for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire that would freeze current front lines, overseen by monitors from the US and Europe. Ukraine, meanwhile, would receive 'robust, legally-binding security guarantees, including from the US, to prevent aggression' by Russia. By contrast, there is no mention of a ceasefire in the US-Russia plan. Instead, Trump's camp demands a territorial concession that would deprive Ukraine of it's strategically vital, mineral-rich towns in eastern Donbas. Europe's plan does concede that sanctions on Moscow could be eased 'gradually' - but only if Russia complies. Any breach would see punitive measures 'snap back' instantly. Trump's proposal, drafted by his special envoy Steve Witkoff alongside Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev - and controversial enough to draw fire from fellow Republicans - adopts a far softer stance. It envisages sweeping sanctions relief, lucrative US-Russia joint ventures in mining and AI, and even sees Moscow returning to the G7. It also calls for NATO Article 5-style defence guarantees for Ukraine, while vaguely assuring that 'it is expected that Russia will not invade neighbouring countries and Nato will not expand further.' Under Europe's proposals, Kyiv would regain control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the Kakhovka Dam, while enjoying 'unhindered passage' along the Dnipro River. In the longer term, Ukraine would be 'fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine.' Meanwhile, three people were killed on Sunday night in a massive Russian drone attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. 'There is a massive attack on Kharkiv,' Mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Terekhov said three people had been killed, and regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said eight people were injured. Fifteen strikes were recorded in six areas of the city in northeastern Ukraine. Donald Trump has today accused Ukraine of showing 'zero gratitude' over his peace plan to end the war with Russia The US President launched his tirade on his Truth Social platform, where he repeated unfounded claims that the 2020 election was 'rigged' It comes after a furious Trump today accused Ukraine of showing 'zero gratitude' over his peace plan to end the war with Russia. The US President called the conflict 'a loser for everyone' and said that he had 'inherited a war that should have never happened'. Trump, writing in capital letters on his Truth Social platform, also appeared to take a swipe at Volodymyr Zelensky, saying the war would 'never have happened' if there was 'strong and proper US and Ukrainian leadership'. He said: 'I inherited a war that should have never happened, a war that is a loser for everyone, especially the millions of people that have so needlessly died. 'Ukraine 'leadership' has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts, and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia.' Sir Keir Starmer held talks with President Trump today where the two leaders discussed the peace deal. A Downing Street spokesperson said: 'The Prime Minister spoke to the President of the United States Donald Trump today. 'The leaders discussed various aspects of the high level discussions taking place in Geneva today on the US peace plan for Ukraine. They agreed that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace. 'They agreed to keep in touch.' Just minutes after Trump unleashed his tirade, top Kyiv security official Rustem Umerov declared that Ukraine 'appreciates our American partners'. Writing on X, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council said: 'Our current proposals while still not finalised include many Ukrainian priorities. We appreciate our American partners working closely with us to understand our concerns to reach this critical point and we expect to make more progress today.' Ursula von der Leyen had earlier warned that Ukraine's borders cannot be changed by force. The European Commission President said any deal with Vladimir Putin's Russia should not be 'sowing the seeds for a future conflict'. 'Any credible and sustainable peace plan should first and foremost stop the killing and end the war, while not sowing the seeds for a future conflict,' Ms von der Leyen said. 'We have agreed on the main elements necessary for a just and lasting peace and Ukraine's sovereignty. Let me highlight three of them. 'First, borders cannot be changed by force. 'Second, as a sovereign nation there cannot be limitations on Ukraine's armed forces that would leave the country vulnerable to future attack and thereby also undermining European security. US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff (second from the left), and US Secretary of state Marco Rubio (right) at the beginning of talks with the Ukrainian delegation in Geneva Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak (centre) ahead of talks with the US delegation in Geneva Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his delegation was 'focused on finding doable solutions' 'Third, the centrality of the European Union in securing peace for Ukraine must be fully reflected. Ukraine must have the freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny. They have chosen a European destiny.' The Ukrainian delegation today held their first meeting with Britain's national security adviser Jonathan Powell and his French and German counterparts. US, Ukrainian and European counterparts are meeting in Geneva, with special envoy Steve Witkoff, army secretary Dan Driscoll and US secretary of state Mr Rubio expected to represent Washington. Mr Zelensky posted on X: 'The Ukrainian and American teams, as well as the teams of our European partners, are in close contact, and I do hope that there will be a result. 'The bloodshed must be stopped, and we must ensure that the war is never reignited.' Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that the deal 'requires some additional work'. 'We have been clear that there are elements of the peace plan that he has proposed that are essential for a just and lasting peace,' she said. Ms Alexander said allies of Ukraine need to 'find a way to secure that ceasefire and open up space for meaningful negotiations'. Mr Rubio earlier insisted that the controversial peace plan for Ukraine was 'authored by the US'. He doubled down on US ownership of the plan, pushing back against claims from several senators that it amounted to a 'Russian wish list'. 'It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine,' Rubio said. Your browser does not support iframes. Sir Keir Starmer has backed both Ukraine and Donald Trump after a call with Volodymyr Zelensky about a US-backed peace plan Trump declared the proposal was 'by far' not the 'final offer' as Western leaders scrambled to coordinate a response during frantic G20 summit diplomacy in South Africa. The plan, drawn up by the Trump administration and the Kremlin, has alarmed European governments after it emerged Ukraine was being pushed to accept terms that mirror long-standing demands from Moscow. In a joint statement on Saturday, European and other Western leaders cautiously acknowledged that the document could serve as a possible basis for ending the war but stressed that it would require 'additional work'. Washington has strongly denied accusations that it echoes Russian objectives. Ahead of the gathering, Zelensky issued a video address insisting that Ukraine's negotiators '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,' he said. The 28-point blueprint closely mirrors positions repeatedly put forward by the Kremlin over nearly four years of full-scale war, including demands that Ukraine hand over territory and drastically reduce the size of its armed forces. Trump has insisted Kyiv respond by Thursday, though he hinted an extension may be possible. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, he dismissed suggestions the proposal was final. He said: 'We'd like to get the peace, it should've happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should've never happened. If I was president, it would have never happened. We're trying to get it ended. One way or another, we have to get it ended.' Leaders across Europe have been trying to strike a careful balance praising Trump's efforts to end the war while acknowledging that key parts of the plan are unacceptable to Kyiv. 'There are many things that cannot simply be an American proposal, which requires broader consultation,' Emmanuel Macron warned on the sidelines of the G20, saying any deal must deliver peace for Ukrainians and 'security for all Europeans'. Sir Keir Starmer has backed both Ukraine and Donald Trump after a call with Volodymyr Zelensky about a US-backed peace plan European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks with Sir Keir at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 22 Pictured left to right: European Council President Antonio Costa, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Finland's President Alexander Stubb German chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed the stakes for Europe, warning of the wider fallout should Kyiv be forced into defeat. 'If Ukraine loses this war and possibly collapses, it will have an impact on European politics as a whole, on the entire European continent. And that is why we are so committed to this issue,' he said. 'There is currently an opportunity to end this war, but we are still quite a long way from a good outcome for everyone.' Keir Starmer, speaking in Johannesburg, voiced particular concern over proposed limits on Ukraine's armed forces. '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 plan 'requires additional work', adding: 'And that's why there's been the agreement that in Geneva tomorrow [Sunday], you'll have senior US personnel, you'll have European NSAs [national security advisers], including the UK NSA, and obviously Ukrainians there to work further on the draft.' Starmer has spoken directly with Trump about the matter and is expected to speak with him again on Sunday, Downing Street said. It comes as residents in Moscow were hit with power blackouts and heating disruption for the first time today after a Ukrainian strike. A dramatic swarm of drones exploded the Lenin Shatura thermal plant - mostly fired by gas - as temperatures dipped below freezing point. 'A fire broke out at the facility,' admitted regional governor Andrey Vorobyov, referring to the Shatura strike. He admitted emergency workers scrambled to bring in 'backup' power and heating supplies after the damage to the power plant, east of Moscow. Pro-Kremlin media outlet Readovka and others admitted that power and heating disruptions were felt by residents - a rare event near the Russian capital but regular for Ukrainians after constant strikes by Putin's forces.Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin admitted the capital was under attack by Ukrainian drones with at least three shot down. One of the attackers behind the infamous 2014 Slender Man stabbing has gone missing after cutting off her ankle monitor and escaping her group home in Wisconsin. Morgan Geyser, 23, fled the facility, located in Sun Prairie, a suburb of Madison, on Saturday night, according to authorities. She was last seen near the home with an adult acquaintance, and her whereabouts remain unknown as of Sunday morning. Geyser was granted conditional release from a mental institution earlier this year and sent to the group home to continue treatment for a psychotic spectrum disorder. More than 10 years ago, she and Anissa Weier lured their friend, Peyton Leutner, into the woods of Waukesha during a sleepover and stabbed her 19 times. They were all 12 years old at the time. During the vicious attack, Geyser carried out the stabbing while Weier cheered on the cold-hearted act of violence. The sinister duo then abandoned Leutner - leaving her to die - but she miraculously survived. She managed to crawl out of the woods, where a cyclist found her. Weier and Geyser had conspired for months to slaughter Leutner in the name of the fictional horror character Slender Man. Morgan Geyser appeared in court in January, when a judge ruled that she could be released if three experts testified that she was making progress in her battle against mental illness Police shared a photo of Geyser, capture by a security camera, from earlier this month Peyton Leutner, pictured as a child, miraculously crawled her way out of the woods and survived The pre-teens told detectives they had to kill Leutner to become Slender Man's 'proxies,' or servants, and that the character would kill their families if they did not comply. They were both charged in adult court with first-degree attempted intentional homicide. Slender Man is a fictional horror character Weier had pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of attempted second-degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime, but the jury found her to be not guilty by mental disease or defect in 2017. She was sentenced to 25 years in a mental hospital but was granted release in 2021 after agreeing to live with her father and to wear a GPS monitor. She was freed from electronic monitoring two years later. Geyser, who has schizophrenia, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, but as part of her plea deal, was found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in 2018. Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren, who has since retired, had committed her to a psychiatric hospital for 40 years - a sentence she only served about 25 percent of. In January, Bohren said Geyser could be released after three experts testified that she was making progress battling her mental illness. Geyser, pictured at age 12, stabbed her friend 19 times as a sacrifice to Slender Man During the same hearing, Geyser also came out as transgender, but female pronouns have continued to be used for court consistency, Dr Brooke Lundbohm, who psych evaluated Geyser, explained. At the time, Dr Kenneth Robbins claimed that Geyser no longer had the psychosis symptoms that played a significant role in the violent assault she committed. Lundbohm's treatment team came to the same conclusion. 'I think either she was experiencing transient psychotic symptoms, which is to say psychotic symptoms that didn't persist and gradually went away,' Robbins explained. 'Or the intensity of her fantasies based on some of the trauma she had experienced were so intense that she believed them to be true.' The trauma Robbins referred to was Geyser's claims of sexual abuse by her father, who died in 2023. Geyser's father had also reportedly been diagnosed with schizophrenia, Stacie Leutner told ABC. But Geyser's symptoms more closely align with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and autism, Robbins said. Anissa Weier, pictured after the attack, cheered on Geyser as she stabbed the helpless victim While Bohren agreed to Geyser's release to a group home - effectively slashing her sentence by about three decades - the plan had to be reworked several times. The judge approved it in July, but the process to remove Geyser from the secure mental hospital was difficult, as multiple group homes had turned her away. But the decision was not made without pushback. In March, state health officials argued that Geyser was in no condition to walk free from the institution after evidence emerged of an unsettling correspondence she was having with an 'older man' called Jeffrey, who sold murder memorabilia. Jeffery, who first visited her in June 2023, sent her a letter after she was granted conditional release in January 2025. Geyser reportedly ripped it up and threw it away, Nicole Whiteaker, her conditional release program supervisor, testified in March. Whiteaker said Geyser then asked for a no-contact order from Jeffrey, adding that she found details about Geyser on the man's Facebook that were 'concerning.' Geyser, pictured in 2017, pleaded guilty, but was found not guilty by reason of mental illness Nicole Whiteaker claimed Geyser drew a concerning image of a decapitated man that she sent to Jeffery Geyser had sent him her own sketch of a decapitated body and a postcard saying she wanted to be intimate with him. The drawings were described as 'horror' art. Jeffrey was reportedly selling the pieces that Geyser sent him. One of the drawings, shown in court, depicted an unearthly creature with the message 'they crumble as they crawl.' Rachel Reeves will sound the death knell for North Sea oil and gas unless she scraps the windfall energy levy in her budget, the Scottish Tories have warned. The Chancellor was also urged to heed a new analysis showing reforming the Energy Profits Levy would raise an extra 16billion for the Treasury by safeguarding jobs. The EPL was introduced as a stop-gap measure in 2022 after Russias invasion of Ukraine sent energy prices soaring, but is still in place. As well as hiking it by 3 per cent to a headline rate of 78 per cent in her budget last year, Ms Reeves also extended it a year to 2030. Offshore Energies UK, which represents oil and gas firms, has warned keeping it in place that long could cost the industry 1,000 jobs per month and see a 40 per cent drop in output as investors go elsewhere. Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: The one non-negotiable in this budget ought to be the end of the Energy Profits Levy. The EPL, along with Labours ban on new oil and gas projects, is costing an estimated 1,000 job losses every month. Unless the Chancellor removes it, she will sound the death knell for a sector thats on its knees and devastation for communities across the North East. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has been urged to scrap plans for a windfall levy The North Sea oil and gas industry could be badly impacted if a levy is imposed The new OEUK analysis suggests reforming the EPL in 2026 rather than keeping it to 2030 would yield an extra 15.7 billion in tax over 10 years as more jobs would survive. It calculated receipts would be 32.9billion between 2026 and 2035 if current plans led to the sector shrinking, but 48.6 billion if EPL was overhauled. The plan could raise an extra 7.5billion in payroll taxes, 6.3 billion in corporation tax and 4.6billion from a new oil and gas price mechanism and other supply chain taxes. Despite a short-term revenue dip, the changes would pay for themselves in five years by maintaining jobs and investment, with wider economic benefits, OEUK said. Chief executive David Whitehouse said: Our proposal will unlock immediate investment, secure tens of thousands of jobs, and deliver more tax, not less for essential services like schools and hospitals. Reforming the Energy Profits Levy will also support the UKs wider energy future by sustaining the supply chain and industrial capabilities needed for offshore wind, carbon storage, and hydrogen projects. The future of the North Sea is in our hands. Our message to government is simple: Reform the EPL in 2026 to unlock more tax not less, support more jobs not less and deliver more homegrown energy not less. But Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwary defended the EPL, suggesting his Westminster colleagues will keep it in place. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has backed the levy, saying oil and gas companies are 'still making billions of pounds in profits' The Mossmorran gas plant near Cowdenbeath, Fife, is also under threat The Glasgow MSP told BBC Scotlands Sunday Show: Many of the larger oil and gas companies are still making billions of pounds in profits at the same time as peoples energy bills are going up. Weve got to have the right balance. Other political parties want to give a tax cut to some of the most profitable companies in the world, whilst they want to increase income taxes for some of the poorest people in this country. I dont think that is the right balance. He added: It has to be a Budget that confronts the cost-of-living crisis and improves living standards. Thats why we need a package to bring down energy bills. Mr Hoy added: Its astonishing that Anas Sarwar has admitted that energy costs are strangling growth and causing a cost of living crisis, but carries on stubbornly defending the policies that created the problem. Mr Sarwar also criticised the UK Governments handling of the run-up to the budget, which has seen kite-flying over multiple taxes and a U-turn on income tax hikes. I think its been far too long a drawn out process and far too much speculation, he said. A UK Government spokesman said: The Chancellor will deliver a Budget that builds stronger foundations to secure Scotland and the whole United Kingdoms future, focusing on the priorities of working people: cutting waiting lists further, cutting the national debt and cutting the cost of living. Thousands of Australians will soon receive texts from the Australian Tax Office confirming their student debts have been reduced by 20 per cent. The policy, central to Labor's re-election campaign, passed Parliament earlier this year. The ATO began applying the 20 per cent reduction to higher-education debt balances in mid-November, with most adjustments expected to be finalised by mid-December. Under the policy, a graduate with an average student debt of $27,600 will see their loan reduced by $5,520. The changes apply to all Higher Education Loan Program debts, vocational education and training loans, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans, and other income-contingent student loans. 'Our whole nation benefits when we make it easier for people to access education. This is about opening the doors of opportunity and widening them,' he said when announcing the plan. The reforms will also raise the threshold for repayment from $54,453 to $67,000 for the 202526 financial year, and lower the rate to be repaid. For someone on a middle income of $70,000, this will mean they pay around $1,300 less a year in repayments. How much your student debt will be wiped by is revealed in the table above Anthony Albanese's government has reduced all student loan debt by 20 per cent Education Minister Jason Clare said Aussies would not have to do a thing to get the money. 'They don't have to do a thing, just wait for that ding, wait for that text message or email and then you'll know that it's happened,' he said. 'The legislation will cut 20 per cent off your student debt and backdate it to 1 June, before indexation was applied. 'This is a game-changer for the more than three million Australians with a student loan.' The gap between the newly discounted repayments and what tertiary institutions charged students will be funded by taxpayers and government borrowing. This builds on a $3billion policy introduced last year, which links student debt indexation to the lower of the wage price index or the consumer price index. Without it, graduates could have faced another steep increase, like in 2023, when indexation soared to 7.1 per cent, up from 3.9 per cent the year before, adding $1,759 to the average student debt of $24,770. The Higher Education Contribution Scheme, introduced in 1989, replaced the system of free university education that had existed since 1974. Graduates pay a higher proportion of their salary on their student debt the more they earn, rising from one per cent under the existing $54,435 minimum repayment threshold to 10 per cent for those earning more than $159,664. An urgent safety alert has been issued at wind farms across Australia after asbestos was discovered in Chinese-made wind turbines. The deadly material was first found in brake pads used in wind turbine tower lifts at the Goldwind Cattle Hill wind farm in central Tasmania. WorkSafe Victoria and SafeWork NSW confirmed on Friday that white asbestos was also found at a number of wind farm sites. The state regulators, along with renewable energy company Goldwind Australia, launched an investigation into the issue. Goldwind, which is a subsidiary of Chinese firm Goldwind Science and Technology, claimed the brake pads were supplied by 3S Industry. 3S Industry is a major Chinese-based supplier and one of a few brake pad suppliers in Australia. The supplier has provided brake pads to numerous wind farms across the country and has been involved in several projects, including White Rock, Gullen Range and Biala in NSW, Clarke Creek in Queensland, and Moorabool and Stockyard Hill in Victoria. The discovery has sparked fears the problem could be more widespread, with the hazardous material potentially affecting turbines throughout the country. White asbestos was discovered in brake pads used in wind turbine tower lifts at the Goldwind Cattle Hill wind farm in central Tasmania (stock image) The brake pads are part of the turbine's internal mechanism, with the level of risk of asbestos exposure to workers and contractors unclear. There is also no suggestion the community has been exposed to the asbestos or that the environment has been contaminated. Upon discovery, a Goldwind spokesperson explained that access to the wind turbines was restricted and the company immediately notified authorities. The company added it would engage specialist asbestos removalists and that it had also notified other energy providers who were supplied by 3S Industry. Goldwind wind farms are responsible for about five per cent of Australia's yearly renewable energy generation. WorkSafe confirmed it was working with interstate and national regulators and the product supplier to determine control measures. Further monitoring is set to continue, with WorkSafe inspectors to determine whether more action is needed under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Gullen Range and Biala wind farms, run by Beijing Energy International, in NSW's Southern Tablelands, have also been affected. The discovery has sparked fears the problem could be more widespread, with state and national regulators launching an investigation to determine affected locations (pictured, wind turbines seen at a wind farm in Tasmania) 'BJEI Australia is aware that the presence of asbestos has been identified in spare brake pads used on some of the internal service lifting devices, which are located inside our wind turbines at Biala Wind Farm,' the company said. 'Since being advised of this issue, our focus has been on the health and safety of our staff, contractors and the community; and ensuring that all relevant authorities are informed and investigations and testing undertaken. 'We have remained in constant communication with Goldwind to understand the steps they have taken to ensure the relevant regulatory authorities have the information, access and support they need to undertake a thorough investigation and assessment. 'While initial indications suggest that the risks posed are extremely low, the health and safety of our staff, contractors and wider community remain our ultimate focus and priority.' Since 2003, Australia imposed a blanket ban on the importation of goods containing asbestos into the country. A friend of Dezi Freeman has revealed the alleged cop killer's chilling words in the months before he allegedly gunned down two police officers. It has been nearly 90 days since what should have been a routine warrant in Victoria's high country turned deadly when two officers were shot dead, and Freeman disappeared without a trace. A source told The Australian that long before the shootout on August 26, Freeman vowed he would 'do anything rather than be caught by police' and even kill himself if cornered. 'He had his own form of spirituality,' the friend said, adding Freeman was 'Rambo, 10 times over.' Those close to the family say that as Freeman fled, he told his wife Mali, 42, that he would 'see her in heaven' and urged her to run. She then fled along nearby Barrett Lane, carrying their three-year-old in her arms. Three months on from the alleged murders of officers Vadim de Waart-Hottart and Neal Thompson at Freeman's Porepunkah property, police remain no closer to knowing whether he is dead, alive, being harboured, or even still in the state. A third officer was seriously injured, and Freeman is accused of attempting to kill a fourth policeman before fleeing into the dense bush. Special Operations Group teams have scoured caves, mine shafts, huts and rugged terrain around Freeman's wilderness retreat in the shadow of Mount Buffalo. Never-before-seen photographs obtained by the Daily Mail reveal the secret life of fugitive cop killer Dezi Freeman as he honed his elite survival skills in the wild that have kept him one step ahead of the massive police hunt to find him. (Freeman is pictured handling a lethal tiger snake) Freeman has evaded police detection for months despite an unprecedented search effort The search for fugitive cop killer Dezi Freeman is the largest ever tactical policing operation in Australian history Speculation that Freeman had taken his own life emerged last month when his brother, James 'Jimmy' Filby, took to social media declaring he believed the fugitive was dead somewhere on Mount Buffalo. Mr Filby is reported to have said he hoped Freeman was 'now at peace' but feared he spent his last hours 'cold, lonely, fearful'. Locals say police have deployed drones in the area, sparking speculation they are searching for signs of a body. Detectives insist they are leaving no stone unturned, investigating more than 1,700 pieces of intelligence, including public tips. Dead or alive, police say there is nothing to indicate Freeman is being assisted by a specific person, though given the difficult terrain and the need for ongoing supplies, this remains a possibility. Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro said the suicide theory is complicated, arguing Freeman's narcissism makes self-harm unlikely. 'This is a bloke who thinks he's above it all,' he told The Australian. Watson-Munro, like police, is keeping an open mind about what has happened, adding that it was possible Freeman had stored food and supplies in the bush. Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro (pictures) says it is unlikely a narcissist like Freeman would kill himself Dezi Freeman (pictured) allegedly shot and killed two police officers at a Porepunkah property in August. Despite a tireless search effort, he remains at large He said it was possible Freeman was 'so full of himself' that he wouldn't want to end his life, and that it's also possible 'he's alive somewhere'. Earlier this month specialist police fired off dozens of shots in vast bushland in a renewed effort to track down Freeman. The secret operation, led by Taskforce Summit, took place near the Porepunkah property with police carrying out controlled firing of up to 30 shots from a range of weapons, aiming to replicate a shot heard by a witness about 20 minutes after the deadly ambush. 'Police attended the Porepunkah area on November 5 to conduct firearms testing as part of the ongoing investigation into the fatal shooting of police and subsequent search for Desmond Freeman,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail on Sunday. 'The testing took place in the vicinity of Barrett Lane and Rayner Track due to reports of a gunshot in that vicinity at about 11.45 am on August 26. 'The area has since been searched by police, however no trace of Freeman was located.' Information from the public will be crucial to ongoing search efforts, Victoria Police Crime Command Assistant Commissioner Martin O'Brien said last month. Those close to the family say that as Freeman fled, he told his wife Mali, 42, (pictured) that he would 'see her in heaven' A $1million reward for information leading to Freeman's arrest remains up for grabs 'I strongly urge anyone with any information at all, no matter how small you think it may be, to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers,' he said. 'This could be sightings of Freeman, information you're hearing in your local communities, even suspicious activity on your property - whatever it is, we want to hear from you. As always, this can be done anonymously. 'It has been an extremely challenging investigation but we are incredibly determined to see this to resolution.' A $1million reward for information leading to Freeman's arrest remains up for grabs. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has reignited his feud with Donald Trump just weeks after getting back on his good side after stating the world can move forward without the U.S. Carney, who assumed office in March, made the comments during the G-20 summit that wrapped up on Sunday in Johannesburg, South Africa. While leaders from across the world came together over the weekend, Trump's administration boycotted the event after South Africa defied the commander-in-chief by releasing a declaration, despite consistent and robust U.S. objections, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said. But Trump's absence was something Carney used as a way to hit out at the president. 'This year's G20 summit brought together nations representing three-quarters of the worlds population, two-thirds of global GDP and three-quarters of the worlds trade, and thats without the United States formally attending,' Carney said during a press conference Sunday. He added: 'Its a reminder that the center of gravity in the global economy is shifting.' When asked by a reporter if Trump's decision to not show up to the summit would cause 'damage to multilateralism,' the prime minister made it a point to focus on who did attend. 'That's multilateralism. And the job, I look at it more from who shows up, who engages, who does the work, and who builds,' Carney added. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has sparked up drama with President Donald Trump again, just weeks after apologizing to him over an advert Trump called 'misleading' Trump boycotted the G-20 Summit in South Africa over the weekend after South Africa defied the commander-in-chief by releasing a declaration they did not approve of for the meeting 'And Canada shows up and Canada engages. I think collectively we made a lot of progress.' The latest jab at the commander-in-chief comes just weeks after Carney apologized to Trump over an anti-tariff TV advertisement that included remarks made by former U.S. President Ronald Regan. Trump was so infuriated by the ad, which aired in the US, that he increased tariffs on the country and halted US-Canada trade talk. Canada is the only G7 country which has yet to reach a trade deal with the US in the face of tariffs. The advert, which was broadcast during the World Series, used a 'voiceover' from fellow Republican Reagan U.S. President between 1981 and 1989 saying tariffs caused trade wars and economic disaster. Created by the Ontario government to hit back at trade tariffs, it used comments Reagan had made in a 1987 radio address about tariffs imposed on Japan, apparently edited out of sequence. Trump went on to call the ad 'misleading,' posting on his Truth Social network: 'Because of their serious misrepresentation of the facts, and hostile act, I am increasing the Tariff on Canada by 10% over and above what they are paying now.' Carney, former Bank of England governor, apparently sanctioned the commercial which had been commissioned by anti-tariff campaigner, Ontario Premier Doug Ford. The jab at the commander-in-chief comes just weeks after Carney apologized to Trump over an anti-tariff TV advertisement that included remarks made by former U.S. President Ronald Regan. (Pictured: Carney and Trump in the Oval Office in October) Carney (pictured November 17) made it clear Trump and the U.S. is not one of his top priorities right now Ford has heavily criticized the Trump administration, claiming its tariffs are hurting Ontario's carmakers and steel industry. The ad was pulled following Trump's reaction. Carney then went on to confirm that he did 'apologize to the president' although he tempered his apology with a claim that he had told Ford he did 'not want to go forward with the ad.' Speaking at the Asia-Pacific summit in South Korea, he said he had apologized privately to Trump at a dinner hosted by South Korea's president the week prior. 'I did apologize to the president,' Carney admitted. Trump then said he had accepted Carney's apology but would not be restarting trade talks, commenting: 'I like him [Carney] a lot but what they did was wrong. He apologized for what they did with the commercial because it was a false commercial.' Meanwhile Ford boasted that the ad campaign was 'very effective' because it had upset Trump. 'You know why President Trump is so upset right now? Because it was effective. It was working, it woke up the whole country,' said Ford. Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau earlier this year, ran a campaign that often pushed back at the president, specifically sharing his opposition of tariffs and Trump's suggestion Canada would one day become the 51st state of the U.S. Now that he's in office, Carney has focused on trying to steer away from America and not rely on it as much as his country has in the past. Instead, he has looked toward strengthening ties with other nations, including South Africa, China and India. According to Carney, following a November 20 meeting in Abu Dhabi with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the country committed to investing $70 billion ($50 billion US) in Canada. 'Were signing new deals and finding new investors to fuel our plans for Canadas economic ambition,' he said without going into specifics. 'Well expand trade and catalyze investment in increased partnerships across a range of areas from AI to energy in the Indo-Pacific and Europe.' During the summit, Carney went on to tell South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of the great job he and his country did hosting the G-20, according to a statement, Bloomberg reported. He also told Ramaphosa how much Canada supports his presidency and that Canada wants to continue to build closer ties with South Africa. Carney also met with Indian leader Narendra Modi on Sunday Carney also met with Indian leader Narendra Modi on Sunday as they work to strengthen their relationship after Canada said Indian agents allegedly were involved in the assassination a Canadian citizen of Indian descent on its soil. Modi has rejected this accusation. At the end of it all, Carney made it clear Trump and the U.S. is not one of his top priorities right now. 'Ill speak to him again when it matters. I dont have a burning issue to speak with the president about right now,' he stated. 'When America wants to come back and have the discussions on the trade side, we will have those discussions.' Two Texas men allegedly planned to recruit homeless people to invade a remote Haitian island where they would murder all the men and turn the women and children into their sex slaves. Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, 21, of Allen, and Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, of Argyle, were indicted Thursday in the US District court for the Eastern District of Texas in connection with their alleged scheme. Authorities say they devised their plan in August 2024 to travel by sailboat to Gonave, an island of about 87,000 people that is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Haiti, and overtake it with the help of a homeless army. The men even allegedly started learning skills they thought would be helpful to accomplish their goal, including learning Haitian Creole. Weisenburg also allegedly joined the North Texas Fire Academy in August 2024 to learn 'command-and-control protocols,' but failed out of the program and was dismissed in February 2025. At that point, he allegedly traveled to Thailand to learn how to sail - as he and Thomas had originally planned to buy a sailboat to reach Gonave, but because of the cost, Weisenburg never actually enrolled in the classes. Meanwhile, Thomas joined the US Air Force in January 2025 and reportedly messaged Weisenburg to tell him he joined the military to help further their plans. He was originally stationed in Germany, but managed to get his placement changed to Maryland. The duo were then planning to recruit and pay homeless people from around Washington DC to join their coup. Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, and Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, 21, are facing federal charges for their alleged plan to recruit homeless people to invade a remote Haitian island, where they would murder all the men and turn the women and children into their sex slaves Weisenburg and Thomas also researched guns and ammunition, and planned to buy military-style weapons, federal investigators allege. Once they would then gain control of the island, the men allegedly planned to murder the men and turn the women and children into their sex slaves to 'carry out their rape fantasies.' It also remains unclear how federal authorities became aware of their plans. The indictment does mention other co-conspirators, but did not identify them or say what roles they may have played in the plot. However, it notes that Weisenburg and Thomas worked to recruit others both online and in-person to carry out their coup through July 2025. The two men are now facing charges of conspiracy to kill or kidnap persons in a foreign country and sexual exploitation of children for producing a sexually-explicit video of a child. If convicted, they face up to life in prison. Authorities say they devised their plan in August 2024 to travel by sailboat to Gonave (pictured), an island of about 87,000 people that is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Haiti, and overtake it with the help of a homeless army In a statement to KDFW, David Finn, an attorney representing Weisenburg, said he encourages 'everyone to hold their horses and stay tuned. 'An indictment is simply an allegation. And while there is some truth to the allegations, I believe that it will become clear what actually did, did not and could not have happened,' he noted. 'If your initial response to the government's press release was "That sounds crazy, impossible and absurd," you might be onto something important,' Finn continued. 'Reserve judgment and don't buy into the hype - at least not yet.' John Helms, an attorney for Thomas, also said he would be entering a not guilty plea on Monday. He said he will be defending his client 'vigorously' against the charges. David Cameron has revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. The ex-PM was urged to get a prostate test by wife Samantha after she heard a radio interview with Soho House founder Nick Jones in which he told how a check had picked up his cancer. Lord Cameron, 59, had a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), which looks for proteins associated with prostate cancer, and the results came out concerningly high. 'You always hope for the best,' said Lord Cameron, who is now cancer free. 'You have a high PSA score, that's probably nothing. You have an MRI scan with a few black marks on it. You think, "Ah, that's probably OK". 'But when the biopsy comes back, and it says you have prostate cancer? You dread hearing those words. And then, literally as they're coming out of the doctor's mouth, you're thinking, "Oh, no, he's going to say it. He's going to say it. Oh God, he said it".' He is now calling for a targeted national screening programme. The Conservative peer's wife encouraged him to get checked out after listening to a radio interview with Mr Jones, 62, in which he said a PSA test picked up his cancer in 2022 and he had it treated. Samantha Cameron, Lord Cameron's wife, urged her husband to get checked out by his GP The Daily Mail is campaigning to end needless prostate cancer deaths and has called for a national screening programme to be introduced Mr Jones, founder of private members' club Soho House, is a supporter of the Daily Mail's campaign to stop needless prostate cancer deaths with the introduction of a national screening programme. A trustee for the charity Prostate Cancer Research, he is marshalling contacts, using his influence, getting diverse groups of people together to endorse male testing. He said he wanted to make sure men didn't 'die of embarrassment'. Lord Cameron said it was important to reveal his diagnosis because 'I've got a platform'. He added: 'This is something we've really got to think about, talk about, and if necessary, act on. I don't particularly like discussing my personal intimate health issues, but I feel I ought to. 'I sort of thought, "Well, this has happened to you, and you should lend your voice to it".' He said men were not good at discussing their health and tended to put things off, adding: 'We're embarrassed to talk about something like the prostate, because it's so intricately connected with sexual health and everything else. 'I would feel bad if I didn't come forward and say that I've had this experience I had a scan. It helped me discover something that was wrong. It gave me the chance to deal with it.' Once the biopsy confirmed he had cancer, Lord Cameron said he had to decide on whether to watch and wait or take action. His older brother Alexander, a barrister, died from pancreatic cancer aged 59 in March 2023. 'It focuses the mind. I decided quite quickly,' Lord Cameron said. 'I wanted to move ahead and that's what I did.' Lord Cameron opted for focal therapy, and was given another MRI scan after treatment, which showed it had been successful. Focal therapy uses needles to deliver electric pulses to destroy cancerous cells and is less invasive and gruelling than radiotherapy or a prostatectomy. The peer said: 'I want to, as it were, come out. 'I want to add my name to the long list of people calling for a targeted screening programme.' He is now putting his weight behind a campaign by the charity Prostate Cancer Research for screening to be offered to men at high risk of the disease. Lord Cameron believes technology has transformed early testing and increases the importance of a national programme. He does not think it will be long before routine screening could be rolled out to all older men and help save the lives of the 12,000 who die from the cancer in the UK each year. 'The circumstances are changing,' he said. 'The arguments are changing, and so it's a really good moment to have another look at this.' It comes amid news that the first NHS screening programme for prostate cancer could be given the green light this week. On Thursday, the Government's National Screening Committee (NSC) will make a decision that could revolutionise early detection and treatment. The country's top oncologists, economists and medical ethicists are expected to issue a recommendation on whether to roll out widespread screening. But it would likely only be approved for people at highest risk such as those with a family history or particular genes. Chiara De Biase, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: 'We're glad to hear that David Cameron found his prostate cancer at an early stage and had successful treatment. 'We thank him for sharing his story and raising vital awareness of this disease, which is completely curable if found early. But men's lives should not be left to chance.' The Daily Mail has long campaigned for a national screening programme similar to that in place for breast, bowel and cervical cancer to be implemented. Lord Cameron was vocal about his support for prostate cancer awareness during his time in No10. His government established the Cancer Drugs Fund to provide access to drugs not routinely available on the NHS. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK as more than 56,000 are diagnosed each year. There is no screening programme because of concerns about the accuracy of PSA tests. But Mr Cameron told The Times: 'I know it's not a slam dunk. There are respectable arguments against a screening programme. You've always got to think how many cases do we discover and how many misdiagnoses are there and how many people will be treated unnecessarily. 'But it seems to me that quite a lot of things have changed over the last few years.' A radical Islamic group is set to be designated as terrorists under President Donald Trump's leadership. Speaking with Just The News on Sunday, Trump noted that the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) will be designated as a foreign terrorist organization 'in the strongest and most powerful terms.' Trump also added that the 'final documents are being drawn.' Trump's plans are a stark departure from the policy practiced by at least one former US administration. Representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood met with a number of US officials, including staffers from former President Barack Obama's White House, back in 2012 after Egypt's revolution. Back during the Obama era, White House spokesman Tommy Vietor told Politico that 'Following Egypt's revolution' the US 'broadened ... engagement to include new and emerging political parties and actors.' Lawmakers in both chambers of Congress, mainly Republicans but also a few Democrats, have pressed the State Department to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in August that the designation was 'in the works,' noting that the review remains extensive and deliberate because the MB operates through numerous branches and affiliates that must be evaluated individually. U.S. President Donald Trump arrives on the South Lawn of the White House on November 22, 2025 in Washington, DC People march towards Al-Nahl Square in solidarity with Palestine called by the Islamic Labor Front Party, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood (Ikhwan) after Friday prayers in front of Al-Husseini Mosque in Amman, Jordan on December 01, 2023 U.S. President Barack Obama signs the bipartisan budget bill 2015 into law in the Oval Office of the White House November 2, 2015 in Washington, DC Rubio also noted in an August interview that the State Department was 'constantly reviewing for groups to designate for what they are: supporters of terrorists, maybe terrorists themselves, whatever it may be. ' 'We haven't done this in a long time, so it's we've got a lot of catch-up to do. And you've mentioned a couple names, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, that are of grave concern,' Rubio also noted at the time. Several Middle Eastern governments have already moved against the group. Egypt and Jordan have banned the Muslim Brotherhood outright, while Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain have formally classified it as a terrorist organization. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has already certified both the MB and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations in the Lone Star State. Abbott noted that the goals of the groups were 'to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islams mastership of the world,' and that the designation meant they were no longer 'welcome' in the state and were 'prohibited from acquiring any real property interest in Texas.' U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 23, 2025. After further talks with the Ukrainian delegation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday evening declined to reveal any details of the day's discussions in Geneva between the United States, Ukraine, and European partners on a 28-point peace plan. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) GENEVA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- After further talks with the Ukrainian delegation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday evening declined to reveal any details of the day's discussions in Geneva between the United States, Ukraine, and European partners on a 28-point peace plan. At a press briefing at around 6 p.m. local time, both the U.S. and Ukrainian sides confirmed "progress" in their earlier talks about the U.S.-proposed plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Although they told reporters to wait for updates later in the evening, only Rubio returned to the press two and a half hours later. He said he was not prepared to provide any details on the specific issues under negotiation. Rubio reiterated that the day's negotiations had been "productive," adding that he remained "very optimistic" about reaching an agreement within a "very reasonable period of time very soon." However, he also noted that "There's no agreement yet (some) require higher-level decisions and consultation." He added that the differences include semantics or language, and there are still issues "need more time to work through." "The items that remain open are not insurmountable," he emphasized. He added that some contents involve equities or the role of the European Union or of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, requiring further discussion with the European partners. The Ukrainian delegation did not return for a second briefing. Following the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media that it was essential to ensure that "the steps to end the war are effective, and that everything is doable." GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING Sandy Shaw was just 13 years old when she came home from a sleepover with the blood and brains of a woman matted in her hair, after surviving a triple homicide inside one of Las Vegass most exclusive gated communities. A year later, the 14-year-old now racked by PTSD watched helplessly as a man shot a pregnant girl point-blank in the head while waiting for her mom to pick her up from school, cradling the critically-injured victim in her arms until an ambulance arrived. By 15, Shaw was facing murder charges of her own in a case that quickly joined the ranks of the most notorious crimes to blight Sin City. Dubbed the Show and Tell killer by the Vegas press, she became the youngest female prisoner ever incarcerated in the state - sentenced to a lifetime behind bars and sent to an adult prison before her 17th birthday. She would emerge from prison aged 36 after first having her sentence reduced, then being freed on parole. At 51, she was granted a pardon in light of new evidence not presented at trial. Finally free and speaking to the Daily Mail from the home she shares with her two big babies - her pit bull mix pups Zion and Aria - 54-year-old Shaw looks back on the teenager who became a magnet for murder following that September 1984 night in the Rancho Circle private community. I feel like that experience definitely ruined my life. I lost who I was. I became emotionally detached, she said. I was a straight-A student, a cheerleader, I played volleyball and softball. I just lost interest in everything and became untrusting of people. And I put myself in situations I would not have normally put myself in - hanging out with the wrong type of people and things like that. Sandy Shaw became the youngest female inmate in Nevada when she was jailed for murder aged 15 Shaw served 21 years behind bars and another 15 on parole. She was finally pardoned in 2022 It was a deeply traumatic moment that Shaw believes likely changed the whole course of her life. I would like to think that, had that not happened, life would have turned out differently. But, at the same time, they say everything happens for a reason, right? In her new memoir, Life Without, Shaw recalls that sliding door moment when she attended a sleepover that changed everything. It was Saturday, September 23, 1984, and Shaw had gone for a sleepover at her best friend Jessicas huge ranch-style home in the Rancho Circle complex. With round-the-clock security and a gated perimeter, the rich enclave should have been one of the safest places in the city. In the early hours of Sunday morning, business magnate Alex Egyed - the estranged husband of Jessicas mother Virginia Mallin Egyed - went on a murderous rampage inside the home. Shaw recalls the moment he burst into a room with a gun and shot Virginias friend Betty diFiore point blank in the head. The 13-year-old was so close that bits of Betty landed on her, as her body slumped to the floor like a rag doll, she wrote. Shaw and Jessica desperately hunkered down in a bathtub and then under a bed to hide as the crazed, jealous husband continued his killing spree, murdering Virginia and her friend Jack Levy before turning the gun on himself as police swooped in. Sandy Shaw is now speaking out and telling her story - four decades after she was dubbed the 'Show and Tell' killer Shaw shares her story in her new book 'Life Without' available now The two young teens narrowly escaped with their lives - but were left with the scars of seeing three people executed before their eyes. It was very traumatic. I thought it was going to die that night, Shaw told the Daily Mail. With the lack of victims resources in the 1980s, Shaw did not have access to counseling. She suffered severe PTSD and night terrors and self-medicated with alcohol and drugs to numb the trauma. It was a chain of events that saw her fall in with a bad crowd and led to a chance meeting with James Cotton Kelly along the Vegas strip in 1986. That meeting was the beginning of what Shaw describes as months of stalking and harassment of a 15-year-old girl by a 21-year-old man. It started with numerous phone calls all throughout the day and the night, she said. Then, he started showing up at my school and my house. One night she saw Cotton staring through her bedroom window. Another day, he tried to convince her to let him photograph her nude - claiming he could launch her modeling career. I was 15. I was terrified, she said. It was creepy. I didn't know what he was going to do. Shaw said she confided in her mom and they reported Cotton to the police. But, due to a lack of stalking laws at the time, she said they were told there was nothing they could do. Sandy Shaw said James Cotton Kelly (pictured) had been stalking and harassing her for months She had asked her friend Troy Kell (pictured) to rough Cotton up so he would leave her alone. Instead, Kell shot and killed Cotton Shaw took matters into her own hands, making a decision that set the wheels in motion for the dark day that fall - a day when Cotton would lose his life and she would lose her freedom. It was never supposed to turn out the way it did. Shaw said she simply wanted to scare Cotton into leaving her alone. The plan had seemed so simple. Shaw would agree to go on a date with Cotton and they would meet up with her old childhood friend Troy Kell. The 18-year-old would rough up Cotton and warn him to stay away from the teenager for good. But nothing went to plan on the night of September 29, 1986. Kell didnt come alone - bringing his friend Billy Merritt, 17. And unbeknown to Shaw, Kell was armed with a gun. The four drove to the desert outside Vegas, pulled over and got out. Then, Shaw heard the first gunshot ring out. It took me back to when I was 13, to that moment when I witnessed the triple murder, she said. Kell shot Cotton six times, then left his bullet-ridden body in the desert. It was the fourth murder - and third shooting - Shaw had witnessed in just two years. Sandy Shaw with her family. Two years before Cotton's murder, the 13-year-old witnessed a triple homicide She believes that night changed the course of her life. I feel like that experience definitely ruined my life. I lost who I was. I became emotionally detached, she said Five days later, Shaw, Kell and Merritt were arrested and charged with Cottons murder. Shaw was sensationally dubbed the Show and Tell killer after prosecutors falsely alleged she took friends to view Cottons body and boasted about his murder. From the moment of her arrest, Shaw feels the justice system was stacked against her. Her defense attorney was a civil real estate lawyer who had never even worked a criminal case - let alone a murder trial - before. Multiple prosecution witnesses lied on the stand, several of them later confessing and accusing prosecutor Dan Seaton of threatening them with prison time if they didnt tell the story he wanted to hear. And, despite Merritt - who cut a deal and pleaded guilty - confirming it was Kell who pulled the trigger, the jury was told that the teenage temptress Shaw was the mastermind of the plot and had fired a bullet straight between Cottons eyes. No such wound even existed. The 15-year-old was painted as a cold-blooded murderer while Cotton was an innocent victim of a botched robbery by three teens trying to steal his recent gambling win. Shaw said she learned years later Cotton was actually James Thiede - a member of a major Canadian drug smuggling family. Shaw also believes several aspects of her trial were illegal: there was no pre-sentencing investigation, she was never certified to be tried as an adult and, under Nevada law, juveniles under the age 16 at the time of the crime could not be sentenced to life without parole. But Shaw was convicted of capital murder and use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a robbery. She was handed two life sentences with no possibility of parole. The outcome was historic, making Shaw the youngest female ever incarcerated in Nevada. From the moment of her arrest, Sandy Shaw feels the justice system was stacked against her Inside prison, she began losing hope - as appeals were delayed, hearings postponed and parole and pardons denied Inside prison, her legal losses mounted - appeals delayed, hearings postponed, parole and pardons denied. I started thinking I was going to be there forever, she said. It was a grueling, long fight for her freedom. After 21 years behind bars she was resentenced to life with parole and granted freedom in 2007. When she walked out of prison just before her 37th birthday, she had spent more of her life behind bars than not. I missed out on the normal things - all the time with my family, being able to move out and get an apartment with my sister or brother, having relationships, getting married, having kids, she said. But I was determined not to let my past define my future. Another 15 years went by before, on June 28, 2022, the state of Nevada granted Shaws request for a pardon. It had been 13,056 days - around 35 years - since Cottons murder. It was only then that she finally felt free again. Over the years, several of the states key witnesses walked back their testimony - apologizing to her for their part in her conviction. Shaw has forgiven them, saying they were just kids themselves at the time. Her pardon was supported by retired Las Vegas homicide Detective David Hatch who said the only crime Shaw should have ever been charged with was conspiracy to commit misdemeanor assault. Shaw life is somewhat simple now. She enjoys going to work and spending time with her dogs Meanwhile, Merritt and Kell remain incarcerated. Merritt cut a plea deal to testify against Kell and ended up serving just four years for Cottons murder. But he is now back behind bars, serving life in prison for sexual assault. Kell was sentenced to life in prison for Cottons murder. Inside, he joined a white supremacist gang and murdered a black inmate, stabbing him 67 times. He is now on death row in Utah. For Shaw, life is somewhat simple now - and thats just the way she likes it. She works six days a week in a management role at a company she has worked at for the past 18 years. For me, life now is pretty simple. I go to work, come home, spend time with my dogs, she said. Though she often wonders how her life could have turned out differently, its something she tries not to dwell on. Im happy. I try not to focus on the past and just keep moving forward. And, surprisingly, to some extent shes thankful for the hand she was dealt - believing that her 21-year stint in prison may well have actually saved her life. For, it was only once inside prison that she was finally able to face the trauma from the Rancho Circle triple murder, she explained. She was diagnosed with severe PTSD and has since received counseling. It did make me a better person, and I was able to work through a lot of my traumas, she said of her time inside. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Beloved by royals and fashion editors alike, Penelope Chilvers is celebrated for footwear that blends practicality with timeless style - and now, the British brand is bringing that same elegance to its first clothing capsule. It's no surprise that the Duchess of Edinburgh, a longtime fan of the label, was among the first to champion the launch. She debuted the Monday blouse in Monaco and reached for it again on her recent visit to Peru. With its romantic silhouette and floral print, this blouse immediately caught my attention. Naturally, I had to try it on - along with a few other pieces from the range. For anyone who already loves the brand's footwear, this clothing collection is one to make space for in your wardrobe. With classic silhouettes, feminine prints and easy-to-style pieces, it slots seamlessly into everyday dressing. And something tells me we'll be seeing Duchess Sophie in a few more pieces very soon Monday blouse It's easy to see why this floral blouse is a favourite of Sophie's. It's just as captivating in person - if not more so. The textured organic cotton feels high-quality - far from flimsy or sheer. What really makes this blouse shine is the detailing - delicate rose motifs, a soft ruffled neckline, concealed buttons and puff sleeves that all come together seamlessly. This is a true wardrobe hero: a ditsy floral blouse with vintage-inspired elements that work effortlessly from season to season. It can be dressed up with tailored trousers or paired with denim for a polished everyday look. The Daily Mail's Senior Features Writer, Rebekah Absalom, tries on the floral print blouse that caught the Duchess of Edinburgh's eye Silk bow blouse and skirt What a stunning co-ord! The first thing I noticed was the beautiful sheen of the pure silk fabric - the photos really don't do it justice. The shade of blue is just perfect, flattering on every complexion. I was a little concerned at first since the pieces arrived quite creased, but they smoothed out with a quick steam. The elegant blouse incorporates a tie-neck, which can be worn at the front or the back, and softly structured puff sleeves. Meanwhile, the matching skirt features a comfortable elasticated waist and delicate ruffle accents, adding to the romantic aesthetic. It has just the right amount of swoosh as you walk - enough to feel elegant without being fussy. This outfit works for daytime, paired with the Blanca boots as I have, or glammed up for a Christmas party - just layer with a fur coat, and you're ready to go. The first thing Rebekah noticed about Penelope Chilvers' new co-ord was the beautiful sheen of the pure silk fabric Garsington striped jumper If you're on the hunt for luxe knitwear, the Garsington jumper is a standout. Made from a soft alpaca blend, it's really thick and has that cocooning feel you want in winter. The fit is generously oversized, so you may wish to size down if you prefer something more streamlined. I love the earthy, autumnal tones and the timeless striped pattern. It's one of those throw-on-and-go pieces that works for everything - dog walks, brunch, the office, and everything in between. If you're on the hunt for luxe knitwear, the Garsington jumper is a standout. Made from a soft alpaca blend, it's really thick and has that cocooning feel you want in winter Tuesday shirt As with the Monday blouse, the quality of the Tuesday cotton twill shirt is immediately apparent. The fabric feels smooth, while the delicate hand embroidery adds a touch of refinement to the relaxed silhouette. It also has a pie crust collar - a detail favoured by royal women - and any creases were easily removed with a steamer. With its charming vintage feel, this shirt would make a great wardrobe staple all year round. The quality of the Penelope Chilvers' Tuesday cotton twill shirt is immediately apparent - it's perfect for autumn styling Bloomsbury cord trousers No autumn wardrobe feels complete without a pair of corduroy trousers, and these make a serious statement. The Bloomsbury trousers, cut from weighty organic cord, sit high on the waist with front darts and a dramatic wide-leg silhouette that elongates the frame. Stylish yet effortless, they work equally well with a blouse and boots for the office as they do with a simple tee or cosy knit at the weekend. A note on fit: these trousers are exceptionally long. At just under 5'8', I found them too lengthy even with heels - though a tailor or a quick DIY hem would fix that. Knitted tank A timeless essential with a contemporary edge, this knitted tank is ideal for transitional dressing. It's warm, cosy and completely itch-free, thanks to its alpaca, merino wool and nylon blend. It can be worn alone with jeans or - as I've styled it - teamed with the Tuesday shirt and Bloomsbury corduroy trousers. Made in limited quantities, this piece embodies Penelope Chilvers' commitment to craftsmanship and slow fashion, so you'll want to act quickly to secure one. Penelope Chilvers' knitted tank is ideal for transitional dressing. It's warm, cosy and completely itch-free, thanks to its alpaca, merino wool and nylon blend The perfect finishing touches I'm a huge fan of Penelope Chilvers' cowboy boots, but I haven't seen anything quite like the new Blanca style before. Their striking metallic finish has shot them to the top of my wish list. Made from supple suede, they have a pull-on design incorporating the brand's signature embroidery. Chic and comfortable, these boots elevate any outfit and are certain to draw endless compliments. For the finishing touch, I recommend the Western-inspired Caramelo belt, featuring laser-cut detailing and a classic tan hue. Meghan Markle has revealed a new 'favourite' food item in her home while making a holiday breakfast using her own products. In the latest video uploaded to the As Ever Instagram page, the Duchess of Sussex, 44, can be seen setting up a luxurious breakfast station in her home kitchen. She begins by encouraging those who are planning on hosting group breakfasts this festive season to create stations where people can help themselves. In a vintage serving dish, Meghan scooped out a few spoonfuls of her 9 raspberry spread and claimed it was 'a really nice way to add to a little yogurt parfait station'. Demonstrating how to set out the glamorous parfait dish, the Duchess scooped some of the jam into a coupe glass before adding a layer of yogurt, granola, raspberries, blueberries and drizzling it with her As Ever sage and honeycomb honey. 'Yes, you could do a yogurt parfait in a normal bowl or you could just make it a little bit more special,' she said, before telling viewers 'all of this is great for kids'. Moving on to the next dish, Meghan walked around her kitchen table, where a board of fresh fruit and pancakes were laid out. She told her followers: 'If you don't want to make pancakes, don't make pancakes, you just get the ones from the freezer section.' In the latest video uploaded to the As Ever Instagram page, the Duchess of Sussex , 44, can be seen setting up a luxurious breakfast station in her home kitchen She told her followers: 'If you don't want to make pancakes, don't make pancakes, you just get the ones from the freezer section' In a vintage serving dish, Meghan scooped out a few spoonful's of her 9 raspberry spread and claimed it was 'a really nice way to add to a little yogurt parfait station' She again suggested to viewers that they could simply purchase a quiche from a supermarket if they did not want to make one themselves Meghan then went on to decorate the board with a selection of chopped and whole fruits, including strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, and a bowl of whipped cream. Picking up a small waffle, she topped it with a dollop of the cream and a spoonful of As Ever strawberry jam which she said was a 'favourite' in her home. Moving on, she opened up her oven and took out a quiche, telling her fans it was a staple for breakfast with a large group. She again suggested to viewers that they could simply purchase one from a supermarket if they did not want to make one themselves. 'You can leave it out if you know people are going to wake up right around now, otherwise I will just write a little note that says: "Morning, help yourselves, quiche is in the oven".' Lastly, Meghan makes a tall glass of iced coffee topped with her As Ever honey, describing the presentation of her breakfast as 'enticing' and as a way 'people can wake up in the morning and feel a little more cared for'. Daily Mail has approached the Sussexes for comment. It comes after 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'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 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. 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' 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 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) 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.' 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. 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.' A tiny Nebraska town with less than 4,000 residents was left in ruins after softball-sized hail storm battered homes, shattered windows, and caused $100million damage an almost unthinkable loss for a community that small. The disaster in Cozad is part of a far larger, and largely overlooked, crisis. Unlike Floridas hurricanes and Californias wildfires, hailstorms rarely make national headlines. They typically strike a single town at a time, often without triggering federal disaster aid, and are less deadly than floods or fires. But experts warn these monster storms are becoming more frequent, more destructive and more expensive across the central US and insurers are pulling out. Hail now causes more home-damage dollars nationwide than hurricanes in some years, and is driving insurance premiums in the Great Plains to the highest levels in America. Nebraska now has the highest home insurance premiums in America at an average of $6,400 a year $4,000 above the national average, according to Bankrate. Deductibles, the amount you have to pay out of pocket before accessing insurance, run from $1,000 to $5,000. Locals say it the Cozad storm unlike anything theyve ever seen and experts warn it's only getting worse. 'People say that they have PTSD from that storm. It looked like someone took a machine gun to the side of the houses,' longtime Cozad local Jennifer McKeone, who used to own two rental houses in town, told Daily Mail. Cozad, Nebraska, was left in ruins after softball-sized hail storm battered homes, shattered windows, and caused $100 million in property damage Combine harvests corn in rural Nebraska where a 2024 hail storm took out all the area's corn crops and left farmers with a ruined season The storm blew into Cozad in June 2024, ripping off roofs, peeling house paint and blowing over trees The June 2024 storm ripped roofs clean off, peeled paint from houses, flattened garages and nearly destroyed the towns school and hospital, forcing the ER to shut for hours. McKeone said both her rental homes were so badly damaged that insurance wouldnt cover repairs and then her insurer dropped her altogether. She was forced to sell. Families in the town, 200 miles from Omaha, suffered broken windows, trees falling on homes from the wind, and many still haven't been able to afford repairs and are living in boarded up homes with tarps on the roof. 'There was a lot of glass inside people's homes, a lot of windows got hit and the glass flew in not out, and they still have the boarding up from after the storm which was a year ago now,' McKeone said. After the storm, homeowners and business owners say they were dropped by their insurers and forced to scramble for new, more expensive policies. Others saw their premiums soar overnight. 'When insurance prices rise, the overall cost of homeownership goes up, limiting the pool of potential buyers able to afford the monthly expense. What's missing is political urgency,' said Dean's professor of resilience Zhigang Feng, who researches post-disaster recovery. That forces sellers to slash prices or leave properties sitting empty, which also drags the value of neighboring homes down. But the hailstorms are becoming more common across the US. Across the central and eastern states, the atmospheric conditions that produce hail the size of billiard or pool balls are on the rise, Deborah Bathke, Nebraska's state climatologist told NPR. After windows shattered dirt and debris blew into the houses, causing even more damage that homeowners were responsible for A Nebraskan homeowner holds a bowl of hail following a storm that caused over $100 million in damages to the town which has just 4,000 residents Residents come to Nebraska for the picturesque farmland and rolling hills, but the state comes with major weather problems and has the highest insurance premiums in the US Cozad local Jennifer McKeone And as the planet warms, the Great Plains are expected to face even more frequent hail. That growing threat is driving up home insurance prices across the entire middle of the country and 'saddling average Americans with huge bills,' according to a US Treasury report. 'In Nebraska, the prices have increased, because everything to do with owning a home has gotten more expensive, the price of homes, of mortgages, of insurance, the weather is a huge factor,' Josh Tapio, an agent at All Lines Insurance in Omaha, told Daily Mail. 'The damage to roofs alone should be its own category. 'It's unaffordable for many homeowners here, and it's only getting more expensive.' Hailstorms caused an estimated $160 billion in damage to homes across the US in 2024 alone, according to the Insurance Information Institute. And the weather conditions that can produce large hail have only gotten more common as the planet warms up, Deborah Bathke, Nebraska's state climatologist, told NPR. That comes at an enormous cost for property insurance companies who have been refusing to provide insurance, especially in Nebraska. Hailstorms caused an estimated $160 billion in damage to homes across the US in 2024 alone, according to the Insurance Information Institute In addition to home insurance many people had cars parked outside when the hail storm struck and battered cars too, making them undrivable until they were fixed 'The risk is too high,' said Tapio. 'Many people stayed uninsured.' For McKeone, who sold the two rents due to insurance costs, she said it's going to have a ripple effect for years to come. 'Now with insurance companies they only reimburse you on the depreciable amount of say, your roof so if your roof is like seven years old they're gonna factor that in and lower the value of the roof and the home,' she said. 'Then it's too expensive for people and the home sits in disrepair. 'Also, a lot of people had insurance that they didn't realize didn't cover cosmetics, like paint and siding damage, that they can't pay to replace themselves. 'It's obviously a financial burden, especially when you have other bills. A lot of people I know their cars were outside and many have more than one car and the hail battered the cars and now they're trying to pay for that too. 'If you own a business and that got hit now you're waiting on that insurance and not running it until it's fixed. 'Then you have landlords that didn't do repairs after the storm on their rentals.' Damages inside homes became even worse after windows busted in, and the bad weather followed, flooding houses and ruining property Meanwhile, the Cozad area has had 45 reports of hail by trained spotters and has been under severe weather warnings 30 times during the past 12 months, according to the Interactive Hail Map. Doppler radar has also detected hail at or near Cozad on 107 occasions ove that time period. 'Insurance companies don't wanna touch you because we have this bad weather,' McKeown said. 'If you want it you have to pay. 'They've got you. Your hands are tied.' Everyone has their own unique approach to cooking the Thanksgiving turkey. But with time short and oven space at a premium, experts have turned to an unlikely source to find a better way of roasting your bird. In the comedy classic, Bean, Mr Bean crams an enormous turkey into a microwave with hilariously disastrous results. And as baffling as it may seem, Mr Bean may have been on to something. Scientists say it is perfectly safe to cook your turkey in the microwave, and it certainly won't explode as Mr Bean's bird does. Using the right techniques and proper seasoning, you can make a roast that tastes almost as good as one made in the oven in a fraction of the time. Dr Primrose Freestone, a microbiologist at the University of Leicester, told Daily Mail: 'Turkey can be cooked in a microwave, either whole or in parts. 'But there are some safety points that need to be considered to avoid food poisoning from an undercooked turkey.' With Thanksgiving just around the corner, busy cooks are looking for any way to save a few extra minutes. Now, scientists say that Mr Bean might have shown us a better way to cook our birds How to cook a turkey in the microwave In terms of safety, as long as you heat it all the way through, it doesn't matter how you cook your turkey. Dr Freestone says: 'The turkey is cooked when the food thermometer reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165F or 75C in the thickest part of the turkey thigh or breast. 'Reaching this temperature is essential as this heat will ensure the killing of food poisoning bacteria that may be present on and within the turkey.' For a large bird like a turkey, it is particularly important to ensure heat penetrates all the way through to the body cavity, which Dr Freestone calls a 'jungle of food poisoning bacteria'. So make sure you don't stuff the bird, or try to cook a turkey that is too large for your microwave. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that a 5.4 to 6.4 kilogram (1214 lbs) turkey is the maximum that should be cooked in a microwave. Make sure there is about two to three inches of clearance around the bird at the top and sides. In the comedy classic, Bean, Mr Bean crams an enormous turkey into a microwave with hilariously disastrous results. But experts say this would really work How to safely cook a turkey in the microwave Take a turkey that is no larger than 6.4 kilograms, season thoroughly, but do not stuff the cavity. Place the turkey inside a microwavesafe steam bag and rest on a plastic or ceramic tray. Microwave turkey for 22 minutes per kilogram (10 minutes per pound), rotating every 15 minutes if needed. Check the temperature of the thigh and breast, and cook further until both reach 75C (165F). Once cooked, rest for 20 minutes before carving. Advertisement This is probably where Mr Bean went wrong, stuffing a huge bird into the small appli For the best results, season the turkey thoroughly and place it in a microwavesafe plastic bag with plenty of aromatics. This will keep all the steam in and distribute the heat evenly so that you get a juicy and flavourful 'roast'. To cook it thoroughly, place the turkey in the microwave and set it to 50 per cent power for about 22 minutes per kilogram (or 10 minutes per pound). If your microwave doesn't rotate, take it out and turn it around every 15 minutes to ensure it is heated evenly. Once the time is up, check the thickest part of the breast and thigh with a meat thermometer. It is really important that you check the internal temperature of the bird since different microwaves will cook at different rates, and you need to ensure it reaches a safe level. If it is ready, remove it from the microwave and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving. The turkey is cooked when the food thermometer reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165F or 75C in the thickest part of the turkey thigh or breast. This should take about 22 minutes per kilogram in the microwave (stock image) According to the USDA, you shouldn't microwave a turkey that is larger than 5.4 to 6.4 kilograms (1214 lbs). That means Mr Bean's enormous turkey Is this safe? Although cooking a turkey with a microwave might sound dangerous, there is no reason to be concerned. Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light, but with a significantly larger wavelength. This type of radiation is readily absorbed by the water molecules in our food, which causes them to vibrate. As the molecules vibrate, they heat up and cook the food from the inside out. Even though you are blasting your food with quite powerful radiation, this isn't the same type of radiation that produces lingering harmful effects. Unlike socalled 'ionising' radiation, microwaves don't cause molecules to become radioactive. That means eating turkey that has been cooked in the microwave is no more dangerous than one that was cooked in the oven. Cooking a turkey in the microwave is perfectly safe so long as the meat reaches the right temperature. Remember, do not put anything metal in the microwave Remember, do not put anything metal in the microwave since the electromagnetic radiation from the microwaves will produce powerful sparks. That means you must not place your turkey on a metal roasting tray or use a leavein meat thermometer. The only potential danger of using the microwave is that the meat won't cook evenly, and there will be some cooler areas where bacteria can thrive. That means cooking an entire large bird does have an increased risk of food poisoning if you don't want to overcook some parts of the animal. Dr Freestone added: 'I would never cook a whole chicken or turkey just in the microwave as you can't be sure how far the microwave heat penetrates into the bird's gut cavity. 'Turkey joints can be cooked in a microwavable dish with a lid or clingfilm cover.' A Frankenstein-like milk that comes from lab-grown 'mammalian cell cultures' is just months away from being sold in US grocery stores, but it's already facing fierce resistance. Dubbed UnReal Milk, the new beverage is not produced by real animals, but comes from large lab tanks called bioreactors that use special animal cells which produce the same proteins, fats, and carbs found in regular cow's milk. The makers of the milk alternative, Brown Foods, plan to start selling UnReal Milk in US stores in 2026, with public taste tests happening now. The company revealed it has a green light to sell their milk because it is using 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS) ingredients and self-affirming its own safety data. It's a common path many new food companies use instead of waiting years for full FDA approval. Co-founder of Brown Foods Sohail Gupta even told Forbes: 'Though we are starting with cow milk, using our technology we can produce milk of any mammalian species, including human milk.' The announcement of a cow's milk that doesn't actually come from cows has been met with skepticism by many on social media, including some calling on lawmakers to outlaw the product before it even goes on sale. 'Ban that c*** now,' one person on X wrote. 'I want nothing to do with this "Lab grown garbage" I don't trust these biotech mad men and women!' another person declared. Bhavna Tandon (Pictured), Chief Scientific Officer at Brown Foods, showcased the world's first test tube of lab-grown milk Until now, researchers have been making milk alternatives using plant-based proteins or through a process called precision fermentation (Pictured) Brown Foods and scientists testing UnReal Milk at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) said the product is better for the planet than cow's milk because it cuts greenhouse gases, uses less water to produce, and needs less land than traditional dairy farming. Advocates of the lab-grown drink also claimed it was more reliable, not being affected by droughts, illnesses within cows, or major price swings because of supply issues, adding it could help feed people in places where real cows cant live. However, critics, especially dairy farmers and some nutrition experts, have argued that there are still no long-term studies proving lab-grown whole milk is as healthy as drinking cows milk, especially for growing children. Board-certified family physician Dr Kat Lindley took to X after it was announced that UnReal Milk would go on sale next year and simply replied: 'NO!' 'Good grief, they're willing to process all our food under the guise of climate change. Disgusting,' one commentor replied. Other critics claimed that UnReal Milk was the latest lab-grown product being pushed on consumers with the financial backing of billionaire and climate change advocate Bill Gates. Gates has previously backed foods and drinks created to allegedly decarbonize the food and agriculture sector through his company Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV). However, Daily Mail has not been able to confirm that Gates has backed the creation of UnReal Milk. We have reached out to Brown Foods for comment. UnReal Milk, created by Brown Foods, is set to go on sale in the US in 2026 Billionaire Bill Gates has been an advocate of moving away from food and drinks which contribute to climate change To this point, most milk alternative products have been plant-based drinks, using proteins from almond, oat, soy, coconut, pea, and rice. However, some new lab-grown products use precision fermentation, making milk by putting cow milk protein genes into tiny yeast or bacteria microbes and then growing them in big tanks, just like beer is brewed. In 2023, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) pushed the FDA to ban precision-fermented dairy products such as Perfect Day or Bored Cow from labeling their drinks as 'milk.' They argued the drinks were synthetic blends that confuse shoppers and don't meet the official definition of cow's milk as natural secretions from healthy cows. UnReal Milk sidestepped that battle with the FDA by not using precision fermentation at all. Instead, Brown Foods grew actual milk-producing cells from a cow in lab tanks, letting those cells make the full, natural composition of whole milk without mixing in extra ingredients like oils or sugars. This approach positions UnReal Milk as more 'authentic' under the FDA's standards for identifying products, potentially allowing it to be labeled and sold as real milk in 2026. At least 90 small earthquakes have shaken California's Bay Area this month, prompting scientists to dig into what's driving the unusual burst of activity. San Ramon in the East Bay has been the epicenter of this seismic activity, which sits on top of the Calaveras Fault, an active branch of the San Andreas Fault system. The Calaveras Fault is capable of producing a magnitude 6.7 earthquake, which would impact millions of people in the San Francisco Bay Area. The US Geological Survey estimates there is an 18 percent chance of this happening by 2030. This month's seismic activity began on November 9 with a 3.8 magnitude, and the tremors have not stopped since. Although small quakes can sometimes whisper warnings of a looming 'big one,' California scientists say this swarm does not fit that script. Sarah Minson, a research geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Earthquake Science Center at California's Moffett Field, told SFGATE: 'This has happened many times before here in the past, and there were no big earthquakes that followed. 'We think that this place keeps having earthquake swarms due to a lot of fluid-filled cracks, thanks to very complex fault geometry, unlike, say, the San Andreas Fault, which is this nice clean edge.' At least 90 small earthquakes have shaken California 's Bay Area this month, prompting scientists to dig into what's driving the unusual burst of activity The last major earthquake on the Calaveras Fault was a magnitude 5.1 event in October 2022 near M. Hamilton. While not the largest in California history, it was the biggest on the Calaveras fault since 2007 and the largest in the Bay Area since 2014. The largest historical quake on the fault was a magnitude 6.6 in 1911. And scientists consider the Calaveras Fault to be overdue for a major earthquake. This month's activity marks at least the sixth swarm to rattle the area since 1970, the most recent one shaking loose in 2015. Scientists studying the 2015 San Ramon earthquake swarm found that the area contains several small, closely spaced faults rather than a single big one. The quakes moved along these faults in a complex pattern, suggesting the faults interact with each other. The study also found evidence that underground fluids may have helped trigger the tremors. Researchers looked into other possible causes, like tidal forces, but found no clear connection. San Ramon in the East Bay has been the epicenter of this seismic activity, which sits on top of the Calaveras Fault, an active branch of the San Andreas Fault system Overall, the findings showed that the fault system under San Ramon is more complicated than previously thought, which could help explain why these earthquake swarms occur. Roland Burgmann, a UC Berkeley seismologist who worked on that study, told SFGATE that because the first quake in November was the strongest, he believes the entire series is more than just a swarm; it's a tense aftershock sequence, each tremor echoing the power of the one that started it all. Minson echoed the conclusion, saying the smaller earthquakes were likely aftershocks from the 3.8 magnitude earlier this month. Clusters of earthquakes often appear in regions with volcanic or geothermal activity, but San Ramon does not fit that profile. Scientists suggested the tremors could be driven by underground fluids forcing their way through the crust and triggering a series of small faults. Minson noted that the area's fault system is intricate, with the Calaveras Fault ending nearby and the movement potentially leaping to the Concord-Green Valley Fault to the east. 'We think that what's going on, which makes this like geothermal areas or like volcanic areas, is that there are a lot of fluids migrating through the rocks and opening up little cracks to make a bunch of little earthquakes,' Minson told SFGATE. Emily Brodsky, a seismologist at UC Santa Cruz, warned that the recent tremors in San Ramon are puzzling, making it hard for scientists to draw any firm conclusions about what's really happening beneath the surface. Although small quakes can sometimes whisper warnings of a looming 'big one,' California scientists say this swarm does not fit that script 'Although it's the kind of thing you might expect to happen before a big earthquake, we can't distinguish that from the many, many times that have happened without a big earthquake,' she told SFGATE. 'So what do you do with that?' The analysis of the 2015 seismic activity also found that the dangerous Hayward Fault is essentially a branch of the Calaveras Fault that runs east of San Jose, which means that both could rupture together, resulting in a significantly more destructive earthquake than previously thought. The Hayward Fault, stretching roughly 43 miles through densely populated parts of the East Bay, is considered one of the nations most dangerous faults. It runs from Richmond on the northern edge of San Pablo Bay down to just south of Fremont. In a seismic hazard update released last month, the USGS estimated a 14.3 percent chance of a magnitude 6.7 or higher earthquake on the Hayward Fault within the next 30 years, while the Calaveras Fault carries a 7.4 percent risk. These calculations assume the two faults act independently, with the largest Hayward quake expected to reach around magnitude 6.9 to 7.0. However, because the Hayward and Calaveras faults are connected underground, a simultaneous rupture could unleash far more energy, potentially triggering a magnitude 7.3 earthquake, 2.5 times stronger than a solo Hayward event. A Louisiana cheer mom will spend 26 years in prison after she had sex with her daughter's 14-year-old classmate and sexted other teenage boys. Leeann Yammarino, 45 was sentenced 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. Shocking: 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, of Prairieville, near Baton Rouge, had sex with a 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. The affidavit said: '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.' Horrifying: The mother-of-one also sent explicit photos to the boy and to three other teenage male students 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. 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. Disgusting: One of the photos sent was of her in a bathtub with exposed breasts 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'. He wrote in November 2020: 'Leeann has been a true blessing for us since day one. '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.' The Daily Mail has contacted Mr Yammarino for comment. George Clooney selected a gray suit as he joined a casually-dressed Adam Sandler in London on Friday ahead of the release of their movie Jay Kelly. The actor, 64, plays movie star Jay Kelly in the upcoming Netflix film opposite Adam, 59. Jay Kelly sees George taking on the role of a movie star who 'always plays himself'. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Out for dinner: George Clooney on Friday in Mayfair ahead of the Jay Kelly release His look: Adam Sandler dressed down for the event 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 honor, joined by his manager, played by Adam, he's hailed as the 'hero of cinema' before being 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 friend embark on a whirlwind trip through Europe, as it appears the glamour of showbiz has lost its appeal. The movie is directed Noah Baumbach, who wrote the script alongside British actress Emily Mortimer. Smart: George added a black shirt, a black scarf to his look Warm: Adam chose a large green padded coat over a blue shirt His job: Jay Kelly sees George taking on the role of a movie star who 'always plays himself' Struggle: The actor is seen questioning his life choices In the first trailer for the film But during a recent interview with Variety, Clooney was asked about the doubts about his range as an actor, with Clooney snapping back: 'Do people say that I only play myself? I don't give a s***.' Echoing a quote from his character in the upcoming movie, Jay Kelly, he added: Have you ever tried playing yourself? It's hard to do.' He 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. It seems theres an almost endless amount of choice when it comes to visiting Christmas markets this festive season. Do you want a fairground-style option with bright lights galore? Or are you looking for a traditional, local German feel, with delicious homemade food and handmade crafts available to stock up on Christmas gifts? Maren Schullerus, 35, is GetYourGuide's Christmas Market expert, and shes on hand to help. Having grown up in Germany, festive markets have been a huge part of Marens life - so much so that shes visited more than 60 in her lifetime so far. She says her interest was sparked by visiting Christmas markets with her family from a very young age. Maren adds: It also happens that my birthday is on December 21, so by the time I got older, I spent all my birthdays on Christmas markets, because it's literally the only thing you want to do during that time. Shes certainly right, with festive markets experiencing a boom in popularity at this time of year, popping up in seemingly every town and city. Her favourite market of all? The Esslingen medieval market and Christmas market in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany. Having grown up in Germany, festive markets have been a huge part of Marens life - so much so that shes visited more than 60 in her lifetime so far Her favourite market of all? The Esslingen Medieval market and Christmas market in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany Maren explains: It is close to my hometown in southern Germany, and the city used to be a very rich medieval town, and they still do a medieval Christmas market until this day. 'So, it is very different from your traditional Christmas markets, because you don't pay in euros, but they ask you for medieval currency. You have medieval-themed food, people are dressed up in medieval costumes. That is definitely my favorite one. You can also take a bath in a medieval jacuzzi. GetYourGuide also offers Christmas market experiences in Germany in cities such as Baden-Baden, Dresden, Munich, Berlin and Nuremberg - all of which have proved popular and ranked among some of the best. Maren says the company runs guided tours in different languages, so you could get a more immersive experience regardless of the language barrier. If youre after a unique experience, Maren suggests Santa Pauli in Hamburg, which is adult-only, so it's a little bit more of an erotic experience. She says you can buy sex toys there, making it a unique experience for those aged 18 and up. She says you can buy sex toys there, making it a unique experience for those aged 18 and up. She also recommends small markets that pop up just for a weekend, as these can be particularly special - and says there are lots of options in Berlin. Or for the LGBTQ+ community try out Christmas Avenue in Berlin, she advises. Maren advises how to find the best mulled wine when visiting a Christmas market Mistakes people make at Christmas markets Falling for tourist traps Maren says you should look for stalls that wont let you photograph their crafts, tradespeople that can tell you how they made it and make sure youre allowed to pick it up and have a look. Getting mulled-wine hangover-headache Maren explains in Germany, you should look for high-quality Winzer-Gluhwein. She says: 'This is real wine from your local wineries. Youll get the tastier options without the headache. Sticking to foods you know In Germany, markets arent just about bratwurst. Maren adds: Try freshly caught fish along the German Coast. Visiting at peak hours The best time to visit a Christmas Market is on a weekday, mid-December at 4pm, Maren explains. Advertisement Maren adds: I would point out the market in Strasbourg, in France, very close to the German border, but a very pretty city during Christmas time. 'I've been to Christmas markets in the Czech Republic, in Austria, in Canada, and in Spain. They're all very different, they take the Christmas tradition but then bring their local intel a little bit into it. 'I think Prague is a very nice city to visit during Christmas time. It also has a very rich Christmas culture with a long-standing Christmas market there. And which markets should people avoid? Maren says: 'I'd say, each market has its own festive charm, so I can't share any one particular market to avoid. But, if there's a particular vibe you're after, such as those that are more traditional with fewer crowds, definitely visit markets in smaller, more regional towns versus sticking to only the big cities. 'Often times, clues like the presence of multi-colored and brightly lit carousels are a tell-tale sign of a busier, more commercial experience.' Those small ones that last just a weekend are really, really great, but again, if you really want to avoid the crowds, those are probably not the ones for you, Maren adds. I would also say try to avoid the really commercial Christmas markets, where you just see carousels and flashing lights. There are also ways to improve your experience wherever you are. Number one? Layer up. Maren has visited markets around the world, including in Canada Maren explains: Wear different layers of clothing to adjust to the temperature, you want to be able to take layers off when going inside and still be warm when outside. 'While Christmas Markets are beautiful, it can get pretty cold. Depending on where you are, temperatures could drop to -15. Extra tip: Bring some pocket warmers to warm your hands. Plus, always bring cash - to avoid high ATM charges - as well as a reusable cup or mug. Some booths at Christmas markets even offer a discount when you bring your own, according to Maren. And above all? Maren says: 'Just immerse yourself.' Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to work with South Africa to firmly support each other and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Sunday. Li made the remarks when meeting with South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile on the sidelines of the 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit held here on Saturday and Sunday. China and South Africa are good friends and brothers enjoying a deep friendship, Li said. In September last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, in Beijing and reached important consensus on advancing bilateral ties, Li said. China stands ready to work with South Africa to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, further enhance mutual political trust, firmly support each other, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and deliver more outcomes of their all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. Li noted that China is ready to step up alignment with South Africa, and help more quality and competitive South African products enter the Chinese market by negotiating and signing an agreement on economic partnership for shared development and advancing in South Africa the early implementation of China's zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines for African countries having diplomatic relations with China. China supports more competitive Chinese companies in investing in South Africa and enhancing cooperation in such areas as new energy, automobiles, healthcare, digital economy and infrastructure, with a view to broadening and upgrading bilateral cooperation to better serve the modernization of both countries, Li said. He expressed the hope that South Africa will better protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and the safety of their personnel. China-South Africa cooperation has long played a leading and demonstrative role in China-Africa cooperation, Li said, pledging that China is ready to strengthen communication with South Africa within frameworks including the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), promote the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and jointly create a bright future of development and prosperity for China and Africa. Li called on the two sides to step up multilateral coordination and work with the wider Global South countries to promote a more just and equitable international order. Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) A soap writer has shared the secrets to a lasting and captivating career in the business - and the brutal reason why so many of the creators behind your favourite shows get sacked. Opening up candidly about what makes soaps so enduring, Julie Poll, a scriptwriting teacher who has worked for the likes of Disney and Universal, explained that the first rule of making any soap opera is understanding that it is a continuous story. This will inevitably make a lot of sense for fans of British soaps in particular - Coronation Street, for example, has been following the ups and downs of life in Weatherfield since 1960. She explained: 'There is no hiatus and no repeats [when telling a soap opera]. 'It's the novel that never ends and there are some essential plot twists that every soap opera writer learns to respect.' Julie then listed some examples of the tricks and dramatic devices used by writers to keep their audiences entertained. Julie Poll, a scriptwriting teacher, explained that the first rule of the job is understanding that soaps are a continuous story Julie then listed some examples of the tricks and dramatic devices used by writers to keep their audiences entertained and how soaps keep viewers coming back to places like the Rovers in Coronation Street time and time again This will inevitably make a lot of sense for fans of British soaps in particular - Coronation Street, for example, has been following the ups and downs of life in Weatherfield since 1960 Julia explained that car journeys present a great opportunity for drama and typically people don't get to their destinations, especially if it's raining. Another trope of soap operas is the one-night stand, which she says 'will likely produce a child.' She said: 'Rarely does a woman give birth in a hospital. Elevators, remote cabins, and the kitchen floor are some favourite places.' Julia also pointed out that the people in soap operas are typically related, something that is certainly the case in the likes of Emmerdale, Corrie and more. She also explained that soaps contain a phenomenon known as SORAS - soap opera rapid aging syndrome. This was actually noted in a recent episode of Emmerdale when viewers pointed out that actor Kai Assi, who is 15 years old, looked significantly older in his recent scenes as Jai Sharma's son Archie. Julie said: 'For example, a ten-year-old girl goes to boarding school and when she returns home several months later, shes eighteen, because there are more stories for teenagers than for ten-year-olds.' Julia explained that car journeys present a great opportunity for drama and typically people don't get to their destinations - pictured above is an example from Emmerdale Julie also explained that soaps contain a phenomenon known as SORAS - soap opera rapid aging syndrome This was actually noted in a recent episode of Emmerdale when viewers pointed out that actor Kai Assi, who is 15 years old, looked significantly older in his recent scenes as Jai Sharma's son Archie Naturally, there are some rules around character deaths, and she said it's a common occurrence for characters who have died without their body being found to return from the dead. We recently saw this in Coronation Street when Becky returned from the dead, threatening Swarla's relationship. Julie said: 'In one of my favourite story meetings, a new executive producer wanted to bring back a character who had been killed by a jealous wife and turned into a shrunken head. 'The shrunken head had been seen on air, but the producer was adamant. Make it work, he said. And so we did.' However, while the job of a soap writer certainly provides opportunities to get creative, Julia explained that working on particular shows can be a short-lived experience. She said: 'Painful as it was for me, it was not unusual to be fired when new head writers or executive producers came on board and wanted to hire their own people. Therefore every time a 13-week cycle ended there was a chance you'd be let go'. The rule about character deaths recently played out on Coronation Street when Becky returned from the dead, threatening Swarla's relationship However, while the job of a soap writer certainly provides opportunities to get creative, Julia explained that working on particular shows can be a short-lived experience as she experienced when working as a writer on As the World Turns for the first time Thankfully, she managed to keep herself afloat after being brutally axed until she landed a regular job on the show, which, this time, lasted for a number of years Julia said this is something she personally experienced while working on the popular US soap As The World Turns. Thankfully, she managed to keep herself afloat working for other programmes until she landed a regular job on the show, which, this time, lasted for a number of years. She described working on a soap as a writer as being like part of an 'assembly line', with each person playing an important role in a machine that, overall, creates captivating stories that keep viewers tuning in time and time again. Julie explained: 'The head writer writes long term story projections of up to two years. 'Following these story lines the head writer maps out the week scene by scene. She (or he) has a staff of six to ten associate writers. Each writer writes one day of the week.' It is very nearly the most wonderful time of the year and that means that our favourite streaming platforms are gearing up to delight us this festive season with a new selection of Christmas films. Netflix has, of course, garnered a reputation over the years for including classics like Elf as well as more modern rom-coms like A Castle for Christmas and this year is no different. Naturally, however, there's a lot to choose from, so in a bid to reclaim some of your time over the holidays, we've complied a list of the best Christmas films on all the major platforms in 2025. From old flames that rekindle against the odds to a festive matriarch learning the true meaning of Christmas when she finally decided to put herself first, there's almost certainly guaranteed to be something you'll enjoy on this list. 1. A Merry Little Ex-Mas If you're looking for a feel-good film to get you in the festive spirit, Netflix's A Merry Little Ex-Mas is a great place to start - and it's already streaming on Netflix. If you're looking for a feel-good film to get you in the festive spirit, Netflix's A Merry Little Ex-Mas is a great place to start Centered around a couple who are divorcing amicably, it soon becomes clear that this is not quite so simple when they bring their new beaus to their family Christmas celebration Centered around a couple who are divorcing amicably, it soon becomes clear that this is not quite so simple when they bring their new beaus to their family Christmas celebration. Its synopsis reads: 'All Kate and Everett want for Christmas is an amicable divorce and one last holiday as a family, but new flames and old feelings complicate their plans.' 2. Champagne Problems Another romantic comedy that's a new 2025 release on Netflix is Champagne Problems and it's yours to enjoy, as it launched on November 19. It centres around a busy businesswoman who is in the process of buying a champagne house, Chateau Cassell. But when she decides to take a rare night off, she meets a stranger in Paris who immediately grabs her attention. Despite spending the night together, her focus immediately returns to the champagne house and away from her new lover. So she's naturally floored when she discovers that he's actually the son of the champagne company's founder... Another romantic comedy that's a new 2025 release on Netflix is Champagne Problems - it centres around a busy businesswoman who is in the process of buying a champagne house, Chateau Cassell Despite spending the night together, her focus immediately returns to the champagne house and away from her new lover. So she's naturally floored when she discovers that he's actually the son of the champagne company's founder... 3. A Very Jonas Christmas Fans of the Jonas brothers will be delighted to see the trio star in this musical comedy that's streaming on Disney+ this Christmas and you can watch it right now. Its synopsis reads: 'Three famous brothers race against time and face challenges during a chaotic journey from London to New York, desperate to make it home in time for Christmas with their loved ones.' The film features seven original songs from the brothers and also stars the likes of Will Ferrell, Billie Lourd, Laverne Cox and KJ Apa. With a score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes the film has managed to impress both critics and viewers alike since its debut on 14 November. It marks the brothers' return to Disney after a string of projects during their formative years, including the Camp Rock films and sitcom Jonas. Fans of the Jonas brothers will be delighted to see the trio star in this musical comedy that's available to watch on Disney+ 4. Jingle Bell Heist If you are looking for a more dramatic film to watch this Christmas, however, then Jingle Bell Heist might be right up your street. Streaming on Netflix from November 26, it centres around two thieves whose plans are foiled before they even get off the ground when they realise that they're planning to rob the same shopping mall. Netflix explained: 'Two down-on-their-luck hourly workers team up to rob a posh London department store on Christmas Eve. 'Will they steal each other's hearts along the way? This genre-buster should keep action fans gripped, marking some variety from the usual rom-com format. Sex Education star Connor Swindells, Motherland's Lucy Punch and Peter Serafinowicz are among the famous faces in the cast. If you are looking for a more dramatic film to watch this Christmas, however, then Netflix's Jingle Bell Heist might be right up your street Jingle Bell Heist centres around two thieves whose plans are foiled before they even get off the ground when they realise that they're planning to rob the same shopping centre 5. Tinsel Town Sky's offering to the line-up of Christmas films this year is Tinsel Town - following a washed-up actor learns the true meaning of Christmas when he starts in a small-town's production of Cinderella. Here, he encounters a colourful cast of oddball locals, who slowly come to hold a special place in his heart Starring Rebel Wilson and Kiefer Sutherland, Danny Dyer and Katherine Ryan, the all-star cast contains a mix of British and US stars. It was shot entirely in Yorkshire and is directed by Chris Foggin, who was also behind the camera for Netflixs hit m movie Bank of Dave. He also directed Sky Cinemas 2022 movie This is Christmas and 2019s Fishermans Friends. Tinsel Town will be available to stream on Sky from December 5. Sky's offering to the line-up of Christmas films this year is Tinsel Town - a washed up actor learns the true meaning of Christmas when he starts in a small-town's production of Cinderella 6. Oh. What. Fun Naturally, Amazon Prime is also releasing a Christmas film in 2025 on December 3 and like other classics such as the National Lampoons, Oh. What. Fun centres around a family Christmas gone wrong. Its synopsis reads: 'Claire plans a special Christmas, but is forgotten by her family. When they realise that she's missing, their holiday is at risk until she returns to give them the celebration they deserve.' If you're thinking that plot sounds familiar, it's fair to say there's more than a passing resemblance to classic film Home Alone. With an impressive cast of Hollywood's finest, it stars: Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Longoria, Chloe Grace Moretz and Felicity Jones. Naturally, Amazon Prime is also releasing a Christmas film in 2025 and like other classics such as the National Lampoons, Oh. What. Fun centres around a family Christmas gone wrong Our final recommendation for Christmas 2025 is Netflix's Goodbye June - which has already proven itself to be a tearjerker from the trailer alone AND it's directed by Kate Winslet 7. Goodbye June Our final recommendation for Christmas 2025 is Netflix's Goodbye June and it is the last film to be released on this list - dropping on December 12. The film has already proven itself to be a tearjerker from the trailer alone AND it's directed by Kate Winslet. Netflix explained: 'The film takes place just before Christmas, when an unexpected turn in their mother's health thrusts four adult siblings and their exasperating father into chaos as they navigate messy family dynamics in the face of potential loss. 'But their quick-witted mother, June, orchestrates her decline on her own terms - with biting humour, blunt honesty, and a lot of love. Following the release of the trailer last week, fans praised: 'I'm already bawling my eyes out and this is just the trailer '; 'This looks really good! One of the best lines in this trailer in my opinion: "If there are any heavens, my mother will, all by herself, have one!"' Ant McPartlin was forced to break his silence on his bitter fallout with Kelly Brook on the Im A Celebrity after show after he accidentally made a dig at her by calling the cooking rancid. Kelly, 45, is thought to have been at loggerheads with Ant and his longtime hosting partner, Declan Donnelly, both 50, since she accused them of getting her fired from her role as judge on Britains Got Talent. Ant appeared on Im A Celebrity Unpacked last night to discuss the nights episodes with hosts Joel Dommett and Kemi Rogers. He made the point that the celebs were particularly bad at cooking this year and said: What theyve got given hasnt been awful, has it? Even octopus, if you cook it right, its nice. They just cooked it badly. Every dinner theyve made Ive thought That looks rancid. Kelly Brook is thought to have been at loggerheads with Ant and Dec when she accused them of getting her fired from her role as judge on Britains Got Talent Ant McPartlin was forced to address the resurfaced feud last night on I'm A Celeb Unpacked when he insisted, 'I don't have a problem with Kelly Brook' Kelly was a judge on Britain's Got Talent for two shows in 2007 before she was unceremoniously dumped, pushed by Ant and Dec who were annoyed they weren't consulted by her hiring Kemi, 30, pointed out that the comment would be aimed at Kelly and Martin Kemp, who are currently the camp cooks. Dec then turned to Ant and pointedly said: Whats your problem with Kelly Brook? Exasperated, Ant said: Dont you start! I dont have a problem with Kelly Brook, thank you. In their 2010 autobiography, Dec was candid about the feud - insisting he could not understand why she had been recruited on to BGT. Kelly joined the third series of Britain's Got Talent in 2009 as the first ever fourth judge alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan - however, she was axed after just one week when the format was deemed 'too complicated'. Despite the explanation, Kelly insisted Ant and Dec were behind the departure due to an awkward exchange. Dec wrote in his memoir, Ooh! What a Lovely Pair: Our Story: 'Kelly looked nervous, so I told her it was going to be great fun and to just relax... 'She nodded, then looked at me and said, "And what do you do on the show?" I looked at Simon, who was sitting next to me. He turned to Kelly and said, "Kelly, you have seen the show, haven't you?" To which she replied, "Yeah well, bits".' 'I don't want to sound like an egomaniac, but the last person who said, "And what do you do?" was the Queen when I met her at the party for ITV's fiftieth anniversary.' Kelly insisted Ant and Dec were behind the departure due to an awkward exchange during which she asked them what they did on the show Kelly soon hit back saying: 'There was nothing I could do in this country after Britain's Got Talent. The people at ITV were telling me that I had upset Ant and Dec and that was it. I would love to have stayed on the show... 'I really felt it was working out. Ant and Dec had never been anything but pleasant to my face but, clearly, they didn't want me on the show. 'Their egos are such that they were saying to themselves "How dare she think she can come on to our show?", and since then they've been very vocal about their displeasure at me being there.' When watching the scenes some fans began remembering that they had history with one viewer penning on X: 'Do people realise Kelly Brook & Ant and Dec have serious beef with each other?' Further on in their book, the duo confessed they were 'annoyed' they hadn't been consulted about Kelly joining the show. Dec wrote: 'We had two questions: "Why is there a fourth judge?" and "Why is it Kelly Brook?" None of them could answer us... 'Obviously, as hosts of the show, we have to justify that kind of thing to the audience, and no one could give us a good reason why Kelly was on board. 'The simple answer was that Simon, without talking to anyone, had decided it was a good idea. We didn't agree.' She also took a swipe at the duo for writing about her in their book, writing: 'As for Ant and Dec, good luck to them. They are rich and they are happy, but they won't be in my autobiography, even if I am in theirs!' Strictly Come Dancing have given fans their first look at the much-anticipated return of four of the show's most famous finalists, as they return to the dancefloor for a spectacular group routine. Ashley Roberts, Danny Mac, Layton Williams and Jay McGuiness are set to perform a rendition of their most famous numbers with the professional dancers in Sunday's results show. It was revealed on Saturday that after La Voix was forced to withdraw from the competition due to injury, none of the remaining six couples would be voted off. All four dancers will join forces for the pros for a dazzling routine that will see them each revisit one of their most famous Strictly moments, before coming together for a joyful celebration in the lavish surroundings of The Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Jay McGuiness was crowned Strictly champion in 2015, with Danny Mac and Ashley Roberts reaching the finals of their Strictly series in 2016 and 2018 respectively, and Layton becoming a Strictly finalist most recently, in 2023. All four danced in Blackpool as part of their series, and the new routine will feature elements of Jay and Ashley's iconic Jives, Danny's famous Samba, and Layton's showstopping Quickstep. Strictly Come Dancing have given fans their first look at the return of four of the show's most famous finalists, as they return to the dancefloor for a spectacular group routine Ashley Roberts, Danny Mac (pictured), Layton Williams and Jay McGuiness are set to perform a rendition of their most famous numbers in Sunday's results show Jay will join forces with Jowita Przystal to reprise his famous Pulp Fiction-inspired Jive, while Danny will be performing a new take on his Samba, which he originally danced with Oti Mabuse. Meanwhile Ashley will dance with Neil Jones in a rendition of her Jive, which she danced during her series in Blackpool, while Layton Williams will be reunited with Nikita Kuzmin to dance his Quickstep. Viewers will also to get bid farewell to La Voix with a special ode to the drag star's stint on the show, after she was forced to withdraw from the competition due to injury, while Lewis Capaldi will also take to the stage for a performance. On returning to Strictly, Ashley Roberts said: 'I'm so excited and grateful to be back on the shiny floor in Blackpool again. Nearly a decade later, let's see if these jive legs can still do their thing! Sequins always help, I'm sure.' Danny Mac said: 'Dancing in Blackpool was an absolute highlight of my time on Strictly. To be heading back up to The Tower Ballroom once again is as thrilling as it is terrifying, but I can't wait to be reunited with all the wonderful people who make this show.' Jay said: 'I feel extremely lucky to be part of the Strictly alumni that are going to shake our booties again. I'm ready to have some fun with the old gang and the new gang.' Layton said: 'I'm absolutely buzzing to be back on THE most iconic dance floor there is. Blackpool brings back so many fab memories and it's a true honour to be invited back... Let's hope I've still got it, eh?!' During Saturday's live show, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman dazzled in stunning ballgowns for their last ever Blackpool Week - after the duo announced they are leaving the show after the end of this series. After making it to the final in 2018, Ashley will return to dance a new version of her famous Jive, which earned her a perfect 40 when she danced it in Blackpool Danny will reprise his famous Samba that he previously danced with Oti Mabuse in 2016, this time joined by an army of professional dancers Jay will dance his Pulp Fiction-inspired Jive, this time with Jowita Przystal, after winning Strictly back in 2015 Layton will reunite with his pro partner Nikita Kuzmin after they reached the final in 2023, with a reprisal of their energetic Quickstep Danny said: 'Dancing in Blackpool was an absolute highlight of my time on Strictly. To be heading back up to The Tower Ballroom once again is as thrilling as it is terrifying' On returning to Strictly, Ashley said: 'Nearly a decade later, let's see if these jive legs can still do their thing! Sequins always help, I'm sure' Jay said: 'I feel extremely lucky to be part of the Strictly alumni that are going to shake our booties again. I'm ready to have some fun with the old gang and the new gang' Layton said: 'I'm absolutely buzzing to be back on THE most iconic dance floor there is. Blackpool brings back so many fab memories and it's a true honour to be invited back' All four dancers will join forces for the pros for a dazzling routine that will see them each revisit one of their most famous Strictly moments However Strictly fans were met with disappointing news as the pair confirmed that La Voix had been told by medics she could not continue on with the competition. The drag queen was spotted in the front row of the audience looking forlorn as the announcement was made. Minutes later the remaining celebrities were left shocked as Tess revealed that nobody would be going home this week, with the dance off cancelled and all scores rolling over to next week's show. Taking to Instagram minutes after the announcement of her exit was made, La Voix shared a statement. She wrote: 'I'm absolutely devastated to be withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing. This isn't the glittering exit I ever imagined, and it breaks my heart to feel like Ive let people down. 'My spirit wanted to keep dancing but my foot had other ideas! Thank you for every cheer, every vote and every sparkle of support its meant the world to me. This isnt the ending I imagined but Ill cherish this forever.' First to take to the dance floor was Lewis Cope and his professional partner Katya Jones who performed a Charleston. The astounding dance gave Lewis his second perfect score of 40, after he was the first celebrity to achieve it this series. Next up was Balvinder Sopal and her dance partner, newbie Julian Caillon, with a very racy Argentine Tango. Despite looking disappointed with her performance, Balvinder impressed the judges, with Motsi Mabuse calling her the 'comeback queen' - as a result of facing four dance offs. Balvinder came back with a bang and achieved her highest score of the series so far, with three eights and a nine. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin then performed a bouncy Quickstep to S Club 7 hit Reach For The Stars. As is tradition with Blackpool week, the celebrities were joined on the dance floor by a group of other professional dancers. Craig was met with a sea of boos as he criticised Amber's gapping but he went on to say her timing and ability to cover the floor were 'exceptional'. The pair scored 36 out of 40. During Saturday's live show it was revealed that after La Voix was forced to withdraw from the competition, none of the remaining six couples would be eliminated this week Lewis Cope earned his second 40 of the series as he kicked off Strictly's Blackpool show, after impressing with his Charleston with Katya Jones Next to perform were Lioness Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu, who danced a very dramatic Paso Doble, and the dance was met with a standing ovation from the crowd - as did Motsi and Shirley. 'Darling that's how you score a goal that's for sure. Insane,' said Craig, before Motsi added: 'I do not have a paddle that can express how good that dance was.' Meanwhile Shirley said the show will go down in history and Anton said he wished he could score her 25 points. She bagged a score of 39 for the dance. Alex Kingston and her partner Johannes Radebe were next with their Couple's Choice dance, a glamorous and sultry number - for which they scored 35 points. George Clarke closed the iconic Blackpool show with a salsa, accompanied by his dance partner Alexis Warr. The YouTuber impressed the judges with his energy in the routine, with Shirley hailing it a 'new day with a new George and a new vibe'. She confessed she wasn't expecting that level of performance from him. The pair achieved a huge score of 39 for the routine, their highest yet. A woman held prisoner in Iran, a family torn apart, a heartrending six-year fight for justice Year: 2025 Certificate: 15 Watch now on BBC iPlayer In April 2016, as she prepared to fly home to the UK from Iran with her 22-month-old daughter, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested at Tehran airport. Falsely accused of being a spy, she was detained for six years, while her husband Richard fought tirelessly for her release, and to keep her in the news. Even if you're familiar with the Zaghari-Ratcliffes from the news coverage, and understand the political pinballing at play, this dramatisation unveils the full horror of what happened to a confused and bewildered Nazanin. Made with the couple's blessing, and informed by their upcoming joint memoir, it's crucial to have Nazanin's side of the story, of what she endured - including torture, solitary confinement and hunger strikes. Iranian-born actress Narges Rashidi as Nazanin and Joseph Fiennes as Richard are both superb in a four-parter that is sensitively handled, and keeps the couple's love story at its core, but that also pushes the anger and frustration that surrounds the story's political angle. (Four episodes) Justin Hemmes has continued construction on the expansion of the former Cheeky Monkey's nightclub in Byron Bay amid a pending Development Application. The bar baron, 53, was recently slapped with a fine from Byron Shire Council for performing unauthorised works on the site while waiting for a second DA approval. Exclusive photos now show his tradespeople have powered ahead with their work, which Daily Mail understands has been authorised under a prior 2023 DA approval. Images taken on October 21 showed tradies working on site shortly after the Merivale boss was hit with an enforcement action, but these new works are council-approved. Work vehicles were also parked on the property, which the billionaire Sydney hotelier purchased for $13million in 2021 with grand plans of expansion. A privacy fence around the site promised locals they would be able to enjoy the new and improved hospitality hub 'soon'. Justin Hemmes, 53, has continued construction on the expansion of the former Cheeky Monkey's nightclub in Byron Bay amid a pending Development Application. (Pictured with girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel) 'We're cooking up something great. See you soon, Byron,' the message read. It is unclear exactly what kind of work the tradespeople were doing on the site, but Daily Mail understands it was authorised by an initial DA approval in 2023, with Hemmes now awaiting a second DA approval for further construction. It comes after the local council slapped the billionaire with a fine for performing certain works on the site without the second DA approval. 'Some works undertaken on the site have been the subject of recent enforcement investigation and action,' said Shannon Burt, Byron Bay Council's director of sustainable environment and economy. At the time of writing, the DA application has an amendment which says there has been a 'formalisation of works undertaken without consent, and alterations and additions to existing restaurant and commercial premises involving two restaurants, removal of seven planted trees being six small to medium sized Coast Banksia, and one Bangalow Palm.' Daily Mail has reached out to Hemmes' representatives and Byron Shire Council for further comment on the matter. Hemmes has grand plans of turning the old backpacker's nightclub into the largest venue to ever open in Byron Bay. In 2023, a few years after he purchased Cheeky Monkey's in 2021, Hemmes splashed $11.9million on the neighbouring Red Ginger, Bell & Ford, and Johnsons storefronts. The bar baron was recently slapped with a fine from Byron Shire Council for performing unauthorised works on the site while waiting for a second DA approval Exclusive photos now show his tradespeople have powered ahead with their work, which Daily Mail understands has been authorised under a prior 2023 DA approval Images taken on October 21 showed tradies working on site shortly after the Merivale boss was hit with an enforcement action, but these new works are council-approved Work vehicles were also parked on the property, which the billionaire Sydney hotelier purchased for $13million in 2021 with grand plans of expansion A privacy fence around the site promised locals they would be able to enjoy the new and improved hospitality hub 'soon' Merivale is now working to transform the 1,700 square metre retail lot into a bustling hospitality centre. According to the DA, the expansion is expected to cost $1.49million, with Hemmes featuring his Sydney favourites, Totti's and Jimmy's Falafel, at the finished venue. The application insists the development will 'contribute to the character and vibrancy of the town centre', accommodating up to 545 patrons from 10am until 2am daily. However, Hemmes has received pushback from the local Byron Bay Public School, which has kindergarten classrooms situated less than 70 metres from the venue. Parents have spoken out against the build, saying they were blindsided by the project and have concerns about the 'potential safety risks for children' at the school. 'I'm gobsmacked. It's the first time I've ever been vocal about a development application,' Byron Bay parent Rachael Calvert told The Sydney Morning Herald. Byron Bay Public P&C president Laura Cima added: 'We've been completely overlooked. We obviously have concerns about the size and scale of this development and the potential safety risks for children at a school less than 100 metres from the venue. 'That part of the school is where our youngest students are in classrooms: our kindergarten, year one and year two kids.' It is unclear exactly what kind of work the tradespeople were doing on the site, but Daily Mail understands it was authorised by an initial DA approval in 2023, with Hemmes now awaiting a second DA approval for further construction It comes after the local council had slapped the billionaire with a fine for performing certain works on the site without the second DA approval Hemmes has grand plans of turning the old backpacker's nightclub into the largest venue to ever open in Byron Bay In 2023, a few years after he purchased Cheeky Monkey's in 2021, Hemmes splashed $11.9 million on the neighbouring Red Ginger, Bell & Ford, and Johnsons storefronts Merivale is now working to transform the 1,700 square metre retail lot into a bustling hospitality centre According to the DA, the expansion is expected to cost $1.49 million, with Hemmes featuring his Sydney favourites, Totti's and Jimmy's Falafel, at the finished venue The application insists the development will 'contribute to the character and vibrancy of the town centre', accommodating up to 545 patrons from 10am until 2am daily Cheeky Monkey's was originally a backpackers nightclub, but closed its doors in March 2020 due to the Covid outbreak Merivale addressed the concerns in a statement last month, saying they had kept Byron Bay Public School 'fully informed' on the 'refurbishment plans'. 'Merivale's development application is a straightforward refurbishment of two existing food and beverage venues with existing licences and three small retail spaces,' a spokesperson said. 'The result will be two beautiful, family-friendly restaurants that bear no resemblance to the former infamous Cheeky Monkey's nightclub.' However, parents are still concerned over the all-day dining and drinking aspect of the hub, with the former Cheeky Monkey's backpacker club only operating at night after schoolchildren had returned home. Los Angeles woman Stella Barey has revealed the shocking moment she had sex with one of her father's closest friends at his wedding about six years ago. The tech founder, 28, tells Daily Mail she had just graduated from college and was attending her dad's wedding to his new wife when she spent the night with his Swedish best man, who is 40 years her senior. But when he 'started making moves' on her at an afterparty, Stella, who was 21 at the time, threw caution to the wind and had a one-night stand with the man. 'I remember thinking: "What the f*** just happened?" He was hot, but it was so weird. He fully initiated it,' she says. 'I know he had a family and stuff in Sweden, but they were separated because he lives in London. 'I never imagined that sleeping with my dad's friend would ever be on the table.' Los Angeles woman Stella Barey, 28, (pictured) has revealed the shocking moment she had sex with one of her father's closest friends at his wedding about six years ago Stella goes on to say she had hoped to forget it ever happened the next morning, but her lover, who was 'around 56 to 65', became smitten with her. 'The next morning, we all had a group activity for the wedding, and I thought we'd hardly interact,' she recalls. 'But then afterwards he told me he was going to miss me so much and things like: "I don't know what I'm gonna do without you." 'I was like: "What the hell, dude?" Like, I'm trying to wipe this from the slate.' Stella said their roll in the hay took place after she and one of her friends went back to an Airbnb with the Swedish man following the afterparty. They were accompanied by another of her father's friends and his wife, but Stella and her friend soon split off with the best man. 'We ended up trying to escape my dad's other friend, who's known me since I was young, and was grabbing my friend's leg while his wife was there,' she claims. 'We ended up hanging out with my dad's best man, and my friend ended up falling asleep. The tech founder told Daily Mail she had just graduated from college and was attending her dad's wedding to his new wife when she shacked up with his Swedish best man, who is 40 years her senior 'Then the best man started making moves on me, and we slept together that night, like, with my friend asleep next to us.' Stella says she never told her father what happened between her and his best man on the night of his wedding, but suspects he may have found out. 'I never told my dad or anything, but I think he probably knows now. We don't talk very much we'll occasionally say "I miss you" or "I'd like to see you,"' she says. 'But my dad definitely has some resentment towards me.' Stella says her father is 'a very private person' but she often tells the story of how she slept with his best friend in videos she shares on TikTok. 'It might be one of those things, because he's a very private person, and now all over the internet it says I slept with his best friend slash best man,' she says. But Stella insists the romp was 'his best friend's fault, not mine'. At the time of the incident, Stella had just graduated from New York University and moved to Los Angeles to study pre-med at the University of California. Nowadays, she calls herself an adult content creator and tech founder after she created an alternative to OnlyFans called Hidden. With another Schoolies week just around the corner, the question on many Australians' lips is: 'Where is Bonnie Blue?' The controversial OnlyFans creator was banned from Australia last year over her smutty Schoolies plans after a Change.org petition was signed by tens of thousands of furious Aussies. In the lead-up to Schoolies 2025, Bonnie has teased a return Down Under, with her notorious 'Bang Bus' already spotted on Queensland roads. She even hinted, in a recent 60 Minutes interview with Alison Langdon, that she would be back Down Under within a 'matter of weeks'. Speaking to Daily Mail this week, Bonnie confirmed that while the Bang Bus may have made it to our shores, she will be more than 4,000 kilometres away. 'I am in Bali,' she said, also admitting that she would be staying in Indonesia for the duration of Schoolies. With another Schoolies week just around the corner, the question on many Australians' lips is: 'Where is Bonnie Blue?' However, the canny marketer cryptically added: 'I plan on doing Australian Schoolies you've probably seen the Bang Bus has made its way to Australia and is currently in Surfers Paradise. 'I want to make sure it is very interactive and entertaining for everyone going to Gold Coast Schoolies. And In terms of Bali, I'll be doing the exact same as if I was a schoolie, but I'm not I'm 26.' Bonnie could also potentially run into issues in Bali, too, with sex work legally considered a 'crime against morality' in Indonesia, despite it being tolerated and regulated in some regions of the country. One of the stops on the Bang Bus' raunchy Down Under sojourn is an appearance at the upcoming Sxhibition event in Brisbane. There were reports this week that Bonnie would be selling vials of her own saliva alongside a raft of racy merch from the Bang Bus while it is Down Under. However, the ever-magnanimous Bonnie is going one worst. 'It definitely won't be for sale it'll be for free,' Bonnie declared. However, despite her admission, Bonnie is doing her best to maintain the claim that she is heading Down Under. In the lead-up to Schoolies 2025, Bonnie has teased a return Down Under, with her notorious 'Bang Bus' already spotted on Queensland roads Bonnie recently falsely claimed to have obtained a government waiver to overturn her three-year ban from entering Australia. In a video posted online, Blue thanked her lawyers and displayed what she described as a 'special letter' from the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, which she claimed approved her return. The document, allegedly signed by 'Sarah Donnelly, Assistant Secretary, National Entry Integrity Division,' was presented as proof of her clearance to enter the country. However, the Department of Home Affairs confirmed to Daily Mail that the letter is fabricated, stating that no such official exists and that the division named in the letter does not exist. The publication also understands that Bonnie does not hold a valid visa. Bonnie also opened up about her escalating feud with Australian adult content creator Annie Knight. The pair locked horns in a fiery clash on Wednesday's Kyle and Jackie O Show with Annie declaring that she would never work with her former pal again as the pair 'have different morals.' Speaking about the fracas, Bonnie told Daily Mail that there was little hope of the pair mending their relationship. She even hinted, in a recent 60 Minutes interview with Alison Langdon, that she would be back Down Under within a 'matter of weeks' 'It's not a priority,' she said. 'My priority is for the people I'm sleeping with and the people I'm entertaining with.' Bonnie also called out Annie for claiming that she supports women something that Bonnie strongly refuted. 'She was saying she supports women and doesn't drag anyone down,' she said. 'It only takes two minutes to look at her social media to see what she's posting about me recently saying: "Bonnie Blue is a liar. Bonnie Blue isn't doing Schoolies". However, that's not factual at all. 'The one thing I do do is stick to the facts so consistently calling me a liar, and then telling me I'm in Thailand when I'm in Bali is very confusing.' 'She knows more than I do, but apparently, I'm the liar,' continued Bonnie. 'Everyone can read into that however they want to, but the facts are, I'm not in Thailand, and I am doing schoolies.' In a video posted online, Blue thanked her lawyers and displayed what she described as a 'special letter' from the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, which she claimed approved her return When asked if such infighting was common in the adult industry, Bonnie said that the tall poppy syndrome was rife. 'I think whenever you're doing well, there is bitterness and sourness across multiple people, unfortunately,' she said. 'A lot of people like to say: "Oh, I support women. I do this. I don't bring women down", but then they also can't keep my name out of their mouth. 'I don't know. I'm pretty sure the word for that is hypocrite.' For Bonnie, courting controversy is something that is second nature so is, she explained, dealing with harsh criticism. 'It can, a hundred per cent, be frustrating because I'm the villain. No matter which way it's looked at I'm always made out to be the bad one.' Adding that she has faced more restrictions than other adult content creators attempting similar stunts, Bonnie said that she has 'given up' on convincing people of 'the truth'. 'As long as you know the truth, that's all that really matters,' she said. 'It can, a hundred per cent, be frustrating because I'm the villain. No matter which way it's looked at I'm always made out to be the bad one,' she said 'It really is as simple as if I'm happy and people I'm shooting content with are happy, then who cares if everyone thinks I'm the villain? 'You people are talking about me and you're watching it. So, I just want to continue being able to offer people either pleasure in the bedroom or just a laugh on the sofa whilst watching my TikToks.' So, what advice does Bonnie have for anyone thinking about visiting the Bang Bus on its Australian trip? 'Maybe bring a peg for your nose and some rubber gloves if you're going to go searching inside of it.' Though he has been overshadowed by his younger sister, Julia Roberts, and his daughter, Emma Roberts, Eric Roberts has more acting credits to his name than either of them combined. While the 69-year-old doesn't have the name recognition of his Oscar-winning sister, he has emerged as the hardest-working actor in Hollywood, amassing a whopping 891 screen credits according to IMDB - with 42 this year alone. While he doesn't quite hold the record for the most screen credits internationally - currently held by Indian star Brahmanandam with 1207 - Eric does have more than any Hollywood star working today. The star has become infamous for never saying 'no' to a role, appearing in a range of films and roles, after kicking off his career five decades ago. Eric made his acting debut at just 17 years old, appearing on the soap opera How to Survive a Marriage in 1974. His big break came when he was cast in his first film, playing the lead role in 1978's King of the Gypsies, and seemed poised to end up a bona fide star, after scoring a Golden Globe nomination for his performance. Though he has been overshadowed by his younger sister, Julia Roberts, and his daughter, Emma Roberts, Eric Roberts has more acting credits to his name than either of them combined (seen in 2021) While the 69-year-old doesn't have the name recognition of his Oscar-winning sister, he has emerged as the hardest-working actor in Hollywood, amassing a whopping 891 screen credits according to IMDB - with 42 this year alone (pictured with Julia) The star has become infamous for never saying 'no' to a role, appearing in a range of films and roles, after kicking off his career five decades ago (seen in 2006) He was nominated again five years later for his performance in Bob Fosse's Star 80, and third in 1986 for playing runaway redneck, Buck McGeehy in Runaway Train, which landed him an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor. Eric began to appear in an increasing number of projects in the mid-1990s, with the number steadily rising in the noughties, going from five a year to 25 to 45, with his record year being in 2017, where he had 74 screen credits. Notable films he's appeared in include The Pope of Greenwich Village (1984), Best of the Best (1989), The Cable Guy (1996), National Security (2003), The Expendables (2010), Lovelace (2013), Inherent Vice (2014) and The Human Centipede 3 (2015). He has also had somewhat of a late-career renaissance with supporting roles in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice and Damien Chazelle's Babylon opposite Margot Robbie. But despite his extensive filmography and their shared careers, Eric has only made one film with Julia - the 1989 Western, Blood Red, in which they played brother and sister onscreen. While he's also starred on a slew of television shows, including reoccurring roles in Heroes, Suits, The Young and the Restless and The Righteous Gemstones - which he has named as his favourite job he'd ever had. Eric has even appeared in a mini-movie pretending to be a resident in a multi-million-dollar house, to help it sell. But thought it seems like he says yes to everything, he has revealed that he did turn down the lead role in 9 1/2 Weeks - which ended up being played by Mickey Rourke - and came to regret the decision. He said: 'I always wished I had [taken that role], but I thought Mickey was awesome in that movie.' He was nominated for a Golden Globe an an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as runaway redneck, Buck McGeehy in Runaway Train (seen in film with Jon Voight) Eric began to appear in an increasing number of projects in the mid-1990s, with the number steadily rising in the noughties, going from five a year to 25 to 45, with his record year being in 2017, where he had 74 screen credits (seen in The Expendables) As well as starring in film and TV, Eric has also appeared in music videos for the likes of Rihanna, Ja Rule and Enrique Iglesias, as well as megahits Mariah Carey's We Belong Together, Smack That by Akon ft. Eminem and The Killers' Mr. Brightside. Calling himself a lucky charm' for musicians, he later explained: 'Well, let me tell you what happened. I get offered a video. I say instantly, "No". 'My wife says, "Of course youre doing it. Theyre called the Killerstheyre huge. And youre doing the video, no questions asked." And its a huge hit. 'I do Akon next. Another huge hit. I do Mariah Carey. It goes to No. 1. So I was like a lucky charm for a while. I got a whole new audience.' And he has even ventured into reality TV, appearing on The Celebrity Island With Bear Grylls back in 2018 and last year competing on Dancing with the Stars, where he was partnered with Britt Stewart and came in 11th place. Despite looking like he'd go on to be an A-list star at the beginning of his career, Eric has seen his star eclipsed by that of both his sister and his daughter. While he's appeared in a wide range of projects, from blockbuster hits to independent productions, the majority of his movies are direct-to-digital or direct-to-video. His complex career was influenced by his issues with drugs, with his biggest vices being cocaine and marijuana. He has also had somewhat of a late-career renaissance with supporting roles in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (pictured), Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice and Damien Chazelle's Babylon opposite Margot Robbie While he's also starred on a slew of television shows, including reoccurring roles in Heroes, Suits (pictured), The Young and the Restless and The Righteous Gemstones - which he has named as his favourite job he'd ever had Eric has admitted that his career was stalled by his substance abuse, with him blowing important meetings with famed directors because he was high. He confessed to Vanity Fair: 'I would go to meetings with people that mattered, like Oliver Stone and Sean Penn, and I would go stoned. 'Woody Allen. I met him very stoned, and he dismissed me, as well he should have.' He went on: 'I did that for about 10 years. The whole point being I was asking for help, saying, "You see where Im atnow help me, because Im worth helping." I get it now. I just didnt get it when I should have.' 'Everybody from executives to craft service was doing cocaine,' he continued, 'I was doing it to the point where my wife said, "Its me or the coke." I did all the psychotropics. 'I got myself arrested [in 1987 for possession of pot and cocaine and resisting arrest]. I went back to pot. Ive been a pothead all my life, with several sober breaks I refer to as binge sobriety.' Detailing how he first began racking up the screen credits, Eric told Vanity Fair in 2018 that it came about after offers for big roles dried up. He said: 'I start making a bunch of B moviesbam bam bam bam bam bamone after the other, and then suddenly two, three years have passed, and I made like 30 films in two, three years. 'Now, in the past two years, Ive made around 70 movies. I started having fun at the craft. Im a f***ing groupie for it! I can do it every day, all day.' As well as starring in film and TV, Eric has also appeared in music videos for the likes of Rihanna, Ja Rule and Enrique Iglesias, as well as megahits Mariah Carey's We Belong Together (seen), Smack That by Akon ft. Eminem and The Killers' Mr. Brightside And he has even ventured into reality TV, appearing on The Celebrity Island With Bear Grylls back in 2018 and last year competing on Dancing with the Stars, where he was partnered with Britt Stewart and came in 11th place (seen) He added: 'I went from being a joke thatll do anything to being "Is there anything he cant do?"' Eric has admitted he'd long lost track of how many films he'd been in and resorts to checking IMDB when he wants to know what projects he has coming up, saying: 'I dont really know what I have out there thats still in the can because Im always working, so I dont keep track of whats where.' But he has insisted that despite his prolific career, he only works 'around 200 days a year' and has 'never been happier'. Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter in 2022, he said working was what 'gets me out of bed in the morning and stressed how incredibly lucky he was, adding: 'I have seen the planet three times for free.' He said: 'The way I look at it is that Im one of the luckiest guys in Hollywood. We get anywhere from eight to 30 offers every single day from all over the world. 'Its just so much fun to have all these offers and get to play such an extreme range of characters.' Eric also gave an insight into how he fits in so many projects, explaining how fast-moving the turnarounds. He said: 'I treat every project as seriously as I can with whatever time I have available. Because nowadays an offer can come in real fast. I can get an offer on Friday to come on the Saturday. Eric has admitted that his career was stalled by his substance abuse, with him blowing important meetings with famed directors because he was high (seen in Dark Angel 1990) 'Often I get something on Friday, do all the homework over the weekend so Im happy and read to impress on Monday morning. You have to be prepared to learn your lines very quickly. And you know what, every time its fun.' And in an interview in November last year, Eric explained how he was able to keep all his characters and projects straight, while going from one set to the next in quick succession. He said: 'I use method all the time. I use many techniques. Whatever works on that given day, for that scene, for that given role and also that given director. Some directors help, but some directors dont. You have what you have. 'As far as having different mindsets for different roles, when its been two or three parts in a single day, thats just an appearance in the movie. It is not carrying the film. Its a cameo. 'When I carry a film, I give it everything Ive got, because thats my job, and I want to leave everybody just blown away. Thats my goal every day, and its really fun because its a goal I can achieve every day. Its so rewarding.' While he also described the system he and his wife Eliza have for choosing roles, revealing he made her the boss 20 years ago, because she's 'smarter than I am, so I depend on her for everything.' He went on: 'By 1997 or 98, my wife came to me and said, Eric, were getting 30 to 50 offers every day from all over the world. Shall we start reading these ton of scripts, and pursuing this? I said, Hell, yeah. Eric he's said he's long lost track of how many films he'd been in and resorts to checking IMDB when he wants to know what projects he has coming up (seen in Justified) And in an interview in November last year, Eric explained how he was able to keep all his characters and projects straight, while going from one set to the next in quick succession (seen in Babylon) Weve got a little system where we have readers, then I get a synopsis, and if I like the synopsis, I read the script. If I like the script, my wife makes the deal, and there we go. 'I can work every day, somewhere all over the world, and its just been a dream come true for an acting junkie, which I am. I meet great people and I have great times.' Meanwhile, Eric has also rebuilt his relationship with his Hollywood star sister Julia, after their previous estrangement. He has admitted how his drug use damaged his relationship to Julia and their other sisters Lisa Roberts Gillan and Nancy Motes. He told Vanity Fair previously: 'I wouldn't characterize it as a falling-out. I was crazy about my sisters. Loved them, adored them. They were precious to me, and we had times of great closeness. 'We all felt very protective of each other, but the hardest person to protect yourself from is yourself.' The actor continued: 'I was exhausting to be around: complainy, blamey, unable to enjoy enjoyment. Everyone in my world needed a break sometimes, and that must have included Julia.' Eric added: 'I was your basic drug addict. I was not responsible for what I was taking responsibility for. So I made my family hate me? My sisters (Lisa and Julia) decided I was more trouble than I was worth. And personally, I can't blame them.' Meanwhile, Eric has also rebuilt his relationship with his Hollywood star sister Julia, after their previous estrangement (seen together) He has admitted how his drug use damaged his relationship to Julia and their other sisters Lisa Roberts Gillan and Nancy Motes (seen with Lisa, Julia and Jon Voight in 1985) While he later added in his memoir: 'I wouldnt be surprised if they suffered from PTSD from when it was dangerous to be around me. Lisa and Julia needed love and protection instead they got fear and uncertainty.' Eric also said some of his public actions pushed him and Julia apart, including how he would claim that their mother, Betty Lou Bredemus, was dead during the early years of his career, because he was 'still angry' at her after their parent's split. Reflecting on the impact of his words in the memoir, Eric wrote: 'I'm only now beginning to realize the impact it must have had to Julie and Lisa, who were 11 and 13 years old, who were living with our mom but hearing their big brother... saying in public that their mom is dead. 'It was the great undoing of my relationship with my sisters. That I was unconcerned about them and focused only on my mom reading that I'd killed her off was such a selfish thing to have done.' The relationship with Julia was further fractured when she sided with Eric's ex-girlfriend Kelly Cunningham during a 1993 custody battle over the couple's daughter Emma. And in the early 1990s while discussing the success of her classic film, Pretty Woman, Eric made a sarcastic comment, that he later insisted had been taken out of context. Reiterating this in 2022 on the Behind The Velvet Rope with David Yontef podcast, he said: 'Julia and I have always been fine. I think years and years ago, I was doing a press tour for some movie 'It was just when Pretty Woman just got released and so they're asking a bunch of questions about Julia. And I said, "Hey, excuse me. Can we talk about me?"' The relationship with Julia was further fractured when she sided with Eric's ex-girlfriend Kelly Cunningham during a 1993 custody battle over the couple's daughter Emma (pictured with Emma and wife Eliza) While Eric famously took credit for the stellar careers of both Julia and Emma in a profile for Vanity Fair in 2018, insisting 'everybody knows I was first' (seen last year) The Suits alum explained that his comment was misinterpreted as he added: 'Of course, then it's like, "Oh, they have a problem."' While the siblings 'don't agree about a lot of things,' the actor insisted that they still have a close bond. 'I love knowing my sister,' he said. 'She's a cool chick, my sister. I just stay out of her hair with the press. That's all. Simple. And she stays out of mine.' While Eric famously took credit for the stellar careers of both Julia and Emma in a profile for Vanity Fair in 2018, insisting 'everybody knows I was first'. He declared: 'If it wasnt for me, there would be no Julia Roberts and no Emma Roberts as celebrities, as actresses, and Im very proud of that. 'When Julia first came to New York, I went into William Morris and I said, "Which one of you is going to sign my sister Julia?" 'And I am so proud that everybody knows I was first, because I was first by a long shot. I was first to get Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, so Im proud of that.' He later apologised to Julia for the comments in his 2024 memoir, Runaway Train, writing: 'One of the things I'd like to apologize for in this book is for publicly saying on more than one occasion, "If it wasn't for me, there would be no Julia Roberts." 'That's not only unfortunate, but it's also untrue. And I hope Julie will accept this more public apology. It was an asinine thing to have said...' The siblings reunited about years of estrangement when Julia gave birth to her twins Hazel and Phinnaeus in 2004. Eric explained that he visited the hospital after his younger sister gave birth 'to drop off gifts.' He added: 'Instead I was ushered into their room and was immediately awash in brotherly and uncle-ly love.' The performer went on to say that after that visit, they spent several Thanksgivings together and became 'email buddies.' Back in May 2020, he spoke fondly about how much he loved to see the bond between Julia and his daughter Emma. He told Us Weekly: 'Its really cool to look at them. I love seeing them together.' Eric has previously revealed Emma and Julia have told him not to talk about them in interviews. He said: 'I love my sister, but I can't talk about her. She doesn't wanna talk about it.' 'My daughter told me also not to talk about her, but I stumble and do. I'm not supposed to talk about either of them. But I do.' Pia Whitesell ensured all eyes were on her on Saturday night when she boarded a water taxi for a late-night ride to a Rufus Du Sol concert in Sydney. The former Home and Away actress, 42, turned heads in an all-white ensemble that made the most of her flawless physique. Pia dressed to impress in a tiny cropped singlet that clung to her figure, teaming it with low-slung trousers that showcased her tiny waist. The brunette beauty added to her look with a delicate belly chain that drew focus to her taut abs. She accessorised with a quilted powder-blue Chanel purse worn crossbody, layered gold necklaces and bracelets, and a pair of metallic sneakers. Pia attempted to go under the radar, donning a pair of oversized black sunglasses for her night out. Pia Whitesell (right) ensured all eyes were on her on Saturday night when she boarded a water taxi for a late-night ride to a Rufus Du Sol concert in Sydney The former Home and Away actress, 42, turned heads in an all-white ensemble that made the most of her flawless physique Pia returned to Australia last week to attend the marie claire Women of The Year awards. On Tuesday, she marked her homecoming by uploading images showing off her jaw-dropping bikini body. 'Hello again,' she wrote over a scenic shot of Gordon's Bay, capturing bright blue skies and crystal-clear water. She later shared a photo of herself exploring the coastline in a bikini top and denim shorts. It's not known how long Pia will remain in Australia before heading back to the States. Her return also follows a surprising revelation about her weight and dress size earlier this week. Taking to Instagram Stories to answer a fan's question, Pia confirmed she is 5'10" but admitted she doesn't own scales. 'I jump around between three different sizes in jeans,' she told followers. Pia dressed to impress in a tiny cropped singlet that clung to her figure, teaming it with low-slung trousers that showcased her tiny waist The brunette beauty added to her look with a delicate belly chain that drew focus to her taut abs She accessorised with a quilted powder-blue Chanel purse worn crossbody, layered gold necklaces and bracelets, and a pair of metallic sneakers Her brunette hair fell in effortless waves The Home and Away star was seen getting some assistance stepping on the boat Pia and Patrick secretly wed in 2021, and she then moved to Los Angeles Pia's career skyrocketed in 2014 when she landed the role of Kat Chapman on Home and Away. She went public with her relationship with Patrick Whitesell in late 2019, before the pair secretly tied the knot in 2021. Patrick is the Executive Chairman of William Morris Endeavor and is considered one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood, with clients including Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale, and Ben Affleck. He was previously married to journalist Lauren Sanchez, who is now wed to Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos. JERUSALEM, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israel said on Sunday its forces had killed Haytham Ali Tabatabai, a senior Hezbollah military commander, in an airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs that killed at least five. Hezbollah has yet to comment on the Israeli claim. The Israeli military said the air force carried out the strike using intelligence from the Military Intelligence Directorate. Israel described Tabatabai as Hezbollah's de facto chief of staff. A veteran who joined the group in the 1980s, he previously led its elite Radwan Force and oversaw operations in Syria. He was appointed chief of staff after Israel killed much of Hezbollah's senior military leadership during Operation Northern Arrows, the statement said. Israel added that Tabatabai had played a central role in rebuilding the group's forces and restoring its combat readiness. "Tabatabai was a key source of knowledge and influence within Hezbollah," the military said. "Israel will continue to act against Hezbollah's efforts to rebuild and rearm." Hezbollah did not immediately comment. The Israeli military said it remained committed to understandings reached with Lebanon, referring to the ceasefire agreed last November that halted large-scale Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and on Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold. Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least five people were killed and 25 wounded in the strike, which hit a residential apartment in the Haret Hreik district of southern Beirut. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strike, calling it "another sign of disregard for repeated calls to halt attacks and implement international resolutions." He urged the international community to intervene to stop the strikes, ease regional tensions, and prevent further bloodshed. Since a ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27, 2024, ending roughly 13 months of cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has launched several attacks in Beirut and carried out near-daily strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, saying they are aimed at eliminating Hezbollah threats. Israel has also maintained forces in five positions along the border. On Friday, Lebanon's Health Ministry said Israeli strikes and other violations had killed 331 people and wounded 945 since Nov. 28, 2024. Friends of pop star Lily Allen believe her former husband David Harbour may have rekindled his relationship with Madeline, The Mail on Sunday understands. Sources close to Lily and the Stranger Things actor have turned detective and conclude there is enough evidence online to suggest American costume designer Natalie Tippett the woman who inspired one of the most talked-about songs on Allens hit new album was in touch with Harbour as recently as September. It was previously believed their relationship had ended two years ago when Allen uncovered her ex-husbands affair. But alarm bells rang, they say, when Tippett shared photographs of herself at what appears to be the exclusive Thermea Spa Village in Winnipeg around the same time that Harbour, 50, is also known to have visited while filming in the Canadian city for his new film, Violent Night 2. The actor was spotted on numerous occasions at the spa resort by fans, who claimed online that they saw him there during breaks from filming. The shoot finished on October 15 and Allens new album with its devastating accusation that her husband was unfaithful with a mystery woman named Madeline was officially released nine days later. Ms Tippett, 34, who has admitted that she was the Madeline in question and that the lyrics featured real texts exchanged between herself and Allen, shared pictures on Instagram of herself sitting by an outdoor campfire on September 4, which sources have matched to images of the spa. It is understood that Ms Tippett, who lives in New Orleans with her two-year-old daughter 1600 miles away was not working on the film. David Harbour at the Stranger Things Season Five world premiere earlier this month Lily Allen's new album West End Girl accused Harbour of being unfaithful with a mystery woman named 'Madeline' It has led friends of the couple to deduce that she was there to visit Harbour. At least one source in their circle believes that, in fact, the pair have remained in touch since and that, in a bizarre twist, they may have even been brought closer together by the notoriety of the song. As one source told the MoS last night: We know that he and Natalie have been together recently. The MoS revealed last month that the Madeline on Allens album is Ms Tippett, who met Harbour when she worked as a costume designer on his 2023 film We Have a Ghost, which was filmed in her home city of New Orleans. It was thought that Harbour had ceased all contact with Ms Tippett after Allen discovered the affair. When the MoS tracked her down at her home she confirmed that she was the woman cited in Allens song, adding: Of course Ive heard the song. I have a family and things to protect. Its a little bit scary for me. She has also reposted messages from friends which refer to her as Madeline. One friend posted a birthday tribute saying: Happy birthday Madeline, oops, I mean Natalie! Natalie Tippett, left, has admitted that she was the Madeline in question The exclusive Thermea Spa Village in Winnipeg where Ms Tippett was photographed Another friend shared a picture of the character Madeline from the classic childrens stories by Ludwig Bemelmans, which again Tippett reposted to her own followers. Allen dressed up as Bemelmans character for Halloween in an apparent swipe at her ex-husbands mistress. It is not clear whether Harbour and Ms Tippett remain in touch, but it seems unlikely that they both visited the same remote Canadian spa by coincidence. Harbour is said to have been living in the Canadian city during September and October to film at Polo Park, just six miles from the spa. He is reprising his role as Santa Claus for the sequel of the Christmas action comedy, alongside The Good Place actress Kristen Bell. One fan who spotted him at the resort wrote on Facebook on October 13: Its a good thing for stars like David Harbour that you cant have your cell phone with you at Thermea Spa. He was sitting right beside my wife and I in the sauna! Hes in Winnipeg shooting a movie. Others confirmed he had been seen there several times during the previous weeks, suggesting he was also there in September. One added: A few weeks ago he sat right beside me in the sauna as well. The pictures posted by Ms Tippett feature her make-up free and wearing a brown leather jacket over a cream jersey top while sitting outside in front of a wooden lodge building. They also feature an outdoor cauldron over a firepit, which appears to be one of the resorts firepit reset areas. The spa does not have accommodation, but recommends a number of nearby hotels. Harbour met Allen on the celebrity dating app Raya in 2019, and the couple married a year later in Las Vegas. In lyrics from her album, Allen suggests her husband first went astray in the summer of 2021 while she was starring in the West End play 2:22 A Ghost Story. After that, she claims, he asked for an open marriage and she reluctantly agreed. Allen has said the album is a work of autofiction which was inspired by the split. Former Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson has revealed she will never be able to have another child following the severe birth trauma she suffered four years ago. Influencer Louise, 35, who now campaigns for women's health and maternity rights, nearly died giving birth to her son Leo in 2021, and developed post-traumatic stress as a result of the horrific complications she endured. She has now revealed that her injuries which include developing Asherman's Syndrome, in which scar tissue in the uterus becomes 'glued' together, worsening bowel problems and emergency surgery after a post-natal haemorrhage means that she cannot carry another child. After speaking about her ordeal to the Birth Trauma All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the summer, Louise who serialised her memoirs in The Mail on Sunday's You magazine last year teamed up with former Conservative MP Theo Clarke. Together, Louise and Ms Clarke, who set up the APPG and led the first national inquiry into birth trauma, are launching a petition in two weeks' time calling on the Government to appoint a commissioner to oversee maternity care and they hope to reach the 100,000 signatures required to prompt a Parliamentary debate. Louise told this newspaper that a generation of women are being put off having children after reading horror stories. She said: 'It's something that a lot of people within my circle are talking about fairly regularly the population problems we have. Former Made in Chelsea star Louise Thompson (right) has revealed she will never be able to have another child after her son Leo's birth in 2021 Louise (pictured) serialised her memoirs in The Mail on Sunday's You magazine in 2024 The influencer is launching a petition calling on the Government to appoint a commissioner to oversee maternity care 'Thousands of women are crying out to me about this topic. Speaking on my own personal experience, I won't be able to carry another child. So immediately that puts us in a position where we are part of that problem now.' Ms Clarke, 40, ended up with incontinence and a third-degree perineal tear after having her three-year-old daughter Arabella. The niece of politician Jacob Rees-Mogg, she became a viral sensation after she broke down in tears in the House of Commons talking about her experience. 'Women have lost trust for the system and, unfortunately, they probably don't feel safe to give birth in British hospitals today,' she said To sign up to the maternity petition newsletter, visit: theo-clarke.org.uk/newslettersubscribe. Dazzling Lindsay Lohan, Gisele Bundchen and Emma Roberts led the glamorous stars at The Fashion Trust Arabia awards ceremony. Lindsay oozed glamour at the event - which took place in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, in a dark brown figure-hugging velvet gown, featuring a bejewelled bra. The Freaky Friday star, 39, paired the gown with open-toe black heels and swept her strawberry blonde locks into an up-do. Meanwhile Brazilian supermodel Gisele opted for a striking gold floral metallic gown for the event. Her gown featured dramatic shoulder pads and a cut-out at the bodice, as well as ruching and a high-leg split. Gisele accessorised her ensemble with a pair of gold metallic strappy heels and a bejewelled clutch bag. Dazzling Lindsay Lohan (pictured), Gisele Bundchen and Emma Roberts led the glamorous stars at The Fashion Trust Arabia awards ceremony in Doha on Saturday Meanwhile Brazilian supermodel Gisele (left) opted for a striking gold floral metallic gown for the event - and American Horror Story star Emma (right), 34, looked sophisticated in a blush punk halterneck dress American Horror Story star Emma, 34, looked sophisticated in a blush punk halterneck gown, featuring a structured rope design bodice. The gown had buttons at the front and ruching around the waist, paired with neutral accessories. Also in attendance was beauty guru Trinny Woodall, 61, who wore a silver metallic gown with shoulder padded capped sleeves. The skincare owner's dress had an asymmetric tiered ruffled hemline on the skirt and she wore an array of silver jewellery. Meanwhile TikTok star Dixie D'Amelio turned heads, 24, in a nude halterneck dress with a totally sheer bodice covered in floral overlays. Vogue editorial director Anna Wintour joined Italian director and photographer Francesco Carrozzini at the event. Anna wore a stunning yellow and brown desert patterned gown. Oscar winner Adrien Brody also made an appearance, looking dapper in an all-black suit. Lindsay oozed glamour at the event - which took place in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, in a dark brown figure-hugging velvet gown, featuring a bejewelled peek out bra The Freaky Friday star, 39, paired the gown with open-toed black heels and swept her strawberry blonde locks into an up-do Also in attendance was beauty guru Trinny Woodall, 61, who wore a silver metallic gown with shoulder padded capped sleeves Meanwhile TikTok star Dixie D'Amelio turned heads, 24, in a nude halterneck dress with a totally sheer bodice covered in floral overlays Vogue editorial director Anna Wintour joined Italian director and photographer Francesco Carrozzini at the event Oscar winner Adrien Brody also made an appearance, looking dapper in an all-black suit Emma Thynn attends the Fashion Trust Arabia 2025 Awards Ceremony Sabrina Elba wore a sleek black dress Georgina Rodriguez attended without her famous husband Ronaldo Neelam Gill attends the Fashion Trust Arabia 2025 Awards Ceremony Lori Harvey wore a ruffled gold dress Tyra Banks commanded attention in a gold corset dress Model Shanina Shaik opted for a sparkling silver number Selma Blair rocked a black sequin skirt Adrien Brody attends Fashion Trust Arabia 2025 Award Ceremony Natalia Vodianova wore a dazzling gold dress Lindsay's elegant appearance comes after she shared a very rare photo of her son Luai, aged two. The actress and her family were all dressed as Batman characters while posing in a group as she wished her followers a Happy Halloween last month. Lindsay looked youthful with a Batgirl mask covering much of her face while her blonde hair was worn down. She was clad in a black mini dress with a Batman logo on front and yellow belt as she added over-the-knee platform boots and handless opera gloves. Selma Blair is looking back at the early days of her Hollywood career. The 53-year-old actress who is planning a comeback reflected on previously losing roles to Katie Holmes and Jennifer Connelly. She told News.com about starting out in show business, 'Everything was almost. Almost.' Selma almost landed the role of Joey Potter in Dawson's Creek, but the role went to Katie Holmes. And she told News.com.au about the 2000 film Requiem for a Dream, 'It was between me and the lovely and wonderful Jennifer [Connolly], who got it. [Director Darren Aronofsky] wrote me a letter. I had said, "Id give my left arm to be in your movie!" 'And hes like, "Well, you dont have to give your left arm! The next one I do" And that was like 30 years ago.' Selma Blair is looking back at the early days of her Hollywood career; pictured November 21 Looking on the positive side, Selma said about working in films like Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde, 'I was happy at the time to get [the parts] I got. I didnt have a huge amount of ambition, I was happy to be in a supporting role.' She added, 'And now I am a little greedier.' The mother-of-one added about her parts in the memorable films: 'It was really fun to be part of something that feels like such Americana.' Following her Multiple Sclerosis, diagnosis in 2018, the movie star said she's been relapse-free for a 'couple of years' and is ready to return to acting. She treated the auto-immune disease with chemotherapy and stem cell treatment. 'That, of course, means the world to me that Im not, at this moment, accumulating more damage in my brain. I have also made a lot of strides with the vibe of neuroplasticity,' she shared. Selma noted, 'Im very, very lucky. Everyones experience with MS is different. I think I do have a certain place [to speak publicly]. My big mouth likes to see what I can do about stigma.' Fans will see the star in three upcoming projects: war drama Stay Forte, There There and Silent, a supernatural thriller. 'There are some [roles] coming up that I never saw coming. I am excited about getting back into movies,' she gushed. Selma almost landed the role of Joey Potter in Dawson's Creek, but the role went to Katie Holmes And she told News.com.au about the 2000 film Requiem for a Dream, 'It was between me and the lovely and wonderful Jennifer [Connolly], who got it' Pictured at Elle's Women in Hollywood event in Los Angeles on November 17 Selma shares 14-year-old son Arthur Saint Bleick with ex-boyfriend Jason Bleick While attending Elle's Women in Hollywood event in Los Angeles earlier this week, Selma told People: 'I'm getting my stamina back all the time and traveling around and doing collaborations.' The Detroit native said her 'joy is always gonna be from' her 14-year-old son Arthur Saint Bleick, and joked: 'I wish he felt the same way.' She told the outlet in September that she's 'really in awe of how brave' Arthur has been: 'He takes great care of me, too, when at times I need it.' Selma welcomed her only child during her two-year relationship with ex-boyfriend Jason Bleick, which ended in 2012. There's nothing like a fry-up for spilling the beans, and Kelly Brook did just that yesterday when the I'm A Celebrity camp was treated to a proper breakfast. Appropriately enough, after three years as a glamour model, Ms Brook, 45, had made a name for herself hosting the Big Breakfast on Channel 4 in 1999. In a welcome change from the usual morning meal of rice and beans, the campmates were treated to scrambled eggs, baked beans, mushrooms and sausages. Back on cooking duty, Jack Osbourne, 40 the son of rocker Ozzy gave his fellow jungle-dwellers a little taste of home. Although they've had their differences, Ms Brook was full of praise, saying: 'The mushrooms were to die for!' The former Page 3 girl was all smiles and make-up free as she chatted to campmates in last night's episode about being a 'pin-up'. Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley, 49, joked: 'You've always been a sex kitten... you've made a career out of it!' Ms Brook replied: 'It's weird it doesn't match your soul, what you portray. The face and the facade and the body doesn't match the person. I'm a clown inside!' Former Page 3 girl Kelly Brooks (right) enjoys a breakfast in the I'm a Celebrity camp Back on cooking duty, Jack Osbourne (pictured) the son of rocker Ozzy Osbourne After modelling, Ms Brook (right) hosted the Big Breakfast with Johnny Vaughan (left), but was let go after six months to be replaced by Denise van Outen After modelling, at 19, Ms Brook hosted the Big Breakfast with Johnny Vaughan, but was let go after six months to be replaced by Denise van Outen, who returned to the show after a two-year break. Also in last night's episode, a 'terrified' Vogue Williams, 40, had to lie in a box with 15 snakes for her first Bushtucker Trial. The ordeal left the Irish broadcaster screaming, but she won all 12 stars for the camp alongside reality TV star Tom Read-Wilson, 39, EastEnders actress Shona McGarty, 34, and former Lioness Alex Scott, 41. Alex Dalton and Madison Orchard have taken their relationship to the next level, revealing they are officially engaged after a romantic proposal in the Philippines. The couple, who first met on the Stan dating experiment Love Triangle in 2022, shared the happy news on Instagram on Sunday, posting a series of stunning photos from a candlelit beachfront set-up in Boracay. 'Sooo.. this kinda happened!!!! 22/11,' Madison wrote alongside a white heart emoji. In the photos, Madison looks effortlessly chic in a cream-coloured bandeau crop top paired with flowing white trousers, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. Alex, dressed casually in a pale blue shirt and white shorts, is seen on bended knee inside a cave illuminated with fairy lights, lanterns and a glowing heart-shaped sign reading 'Will you marry me?' Another image shows the couple sharing a private celebratory dinner surrounded by candles. Alex Dalton and Madison Orchard have taken their relationship to the next level, revealing they are officially engaged after a romantic proposal in the Philippines A final clip features Alex proudly holding up the engagement ring moments before popping the question. The engagement marks a major milestone for the pair. Alex famously described meeting Madison for the first time as a lightning bolt moment. But their journey wasn't without its hurdles. During the experiment, Alex momentarily doubted the relationship after meeting Bec, his other match, and seeing what he described as a different side of Madison. At the time, he expressed concerns over her becoming jealous, possessive and less honest. 'That's a worrying thing for me because if that's part of her character, you can't really build a strong relationship with someone like that,' he said. The couple, who first met on the Stan dating experiment Love Triangle in 2022, shared the happy news on Instagram on Sunday, posting a series of stunning photos from a candlelit beachfront set-up in Boracay 'Sooo.. this kinda happened!!!! 22/11,' Madison wrote alongside a white heart emoji However, the pair worked through their issues and ultimately realised their bond was too strong to ignore. By the end of the show, Alex and Madison walked away from the experience as officially boyfriend and girlfriend. Two years on, their love story has come full circle in the most romantic way possible. The Stan dating show will not be returning for a fourth series. This year's Strictly Come Dancing is still weeks from its end, but it seems that judge Craig Revel Horwood is already tipping some stars for next year's lineup. Following the show's glitzy Blackpool Special, the outspoken judge revealed he enjoyed late-night drinks with comedy star Paul Chuckle and Gogglebox favourites Pete and Sophie Sandiford. Joined by one of this year's contestants, Lewis Cope, Craig posed for a group snap with the stars who joined him in the bar after watching the Strictly show from the audience. It was an eventful evening as it was also announced that none of the remaining couples would be eliminated this week, after La Voix was forced to withdraw from the show due to injury. Posting the snap on Instagram, Craig wrote: 'I didn't think anything could top one of the best #bbcstrictly episodes I've ever seen except a late night catch up with the phenomenon that is @lewiscope AND the growing Chuckle TV Dynasty that is @officialpaulchuckle @sophiesandiford1 @sandifordpete who are all as hilarious as each other. Perfect candidates for 2026 if you ask me.' Gogglebox fans were also recently stunned to learn that Paul is actually Pete and Sophie's uncle. Strictly judge Craig Revel-Horwood has tipped Paul Chuckle and Gogglebox stars Pete and Sophie Sandiford for the 2026 series after enjoying late-night drinks with them in Blackpool Joined by one of this year's contestants, Lewis Cope, the judge posed for a group snap with the stars who joined him in the bar after watching the Strictly show from the audience Known formally as Paul Elliott, 77, he appeared on BBC programme ChuckleVision from 1987 to 2009 with his late brother Barry. The children's TV icon shared a throwback photo of himself with Pete and Sophie, both 30, on Instagram recently as he wished his niece a happy birthday. He captioned the picture: 'Happy 30th birthday my lovely grand niece Soph you were only 24 here. Lots of love from us both [Paul and his wife Sue] xx' Sophie replied to the heartfelt post: 'Thank you uncle Paul and auntie sue love you both xxxx' Pete and Sophie, from Blackpool, have been regulars on Gogglebox since 2018. As the show kicked off, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman dazzled in stunning ballgowns for their last ever Blackpool Week - after the duo announced they are leaving the show after the end of this series. However Strictly fans were met with disappointing news as the pair confirmed that La Voix had been told by medics she could not continue on with the competition. The drag queen was spotted in the front row of the audience looking forlorn as the announcement was made. Minutes later the remaining celebrities were left shocked as Tess revealed that nobody would be going home this week, with the dance off cancelled and all scores rolling over to next week's show. Craig was also seen leaving the glitzy wrap party after Strictly's Blackpool special, where it was revealed that none of this year's couples would be eliminated this week Paul Chuckle, who previously performed in a comedy duo with his late brother Barry, was also seen leaving the wrap party Taking to Instagram minutes after the announcement of her exit was made, La Voix shared a statement. She wrote: 'I'm absolutely devastated to be withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing. This isn't the glittering exit I ever imagined, and it breaks my heart to feel like Ive let people down. 'My spirit wanted to keep dancing but my foot had other ideas! Thank you for every cheer, every vote and every sparkle of support its meant the world to me. This isnt the ending I imagined but Ill cherish this forever.' First to take to the dance floor was Lewis Cope and his professional partner Katya Jones who performed a Charleston. The dance left judge Anton Du Beke speechless and Craig Revel Horwood had just one word for it, 'fabulous'. The astounding dance gave Lewis his second perfect score of 40, after he was the first celebrity to achieve it this series. Next up was Balvinder Sopal and her dance partner, newbie Julian Caillon, with a very racy Argentine Tango. Despite looking disappointed with her performance, Balvinder impressed the judges, with Motsi Mabuse calling her the 'comeback queen' - as a result of facing four dance offs. Balvinder came back with a bang and achieved her highest score of the series so far, with three eights and a nine. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin then performed a bouncy Quickstep to S Club 7 hit Reach For The Stars. As is tradition with Blackpool week, the celebrities were joined on the dance floor by a group of other professional dancers. Craig was met with a sea of boos as he criticised Amber's gapping but he went on to say her timing and ability to cover the floor were 'exceptional'. The pair scored 36 out of 40. Next to perform were Lioness Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu, who danced a very dramatic Paso Doble, and the dance was met with a standing ovation from the crowd - as did Motsi and Shirley. 'Darling that's how you score a goal that's for sure. Insane,' said Craig, before Motsi added: 'I do not have a paddle that can express how good that dance was.' Lewis earned his second 40 of the series as he kicked off Strictly's Blackpool show, after impressing with his Charleston with Katya Jones Meanwhile Shirley said the show will go down in history and Anton said he wished he could score her 25 points. She bagged a score of 39 for the dance. Alex Kingston and her partner Johannes Radebe were next with their Couple's Choice dance, a glamorous and sultry number - for which they scored 35 points. George Clarke closed the iconic Blackpool show with a salsa, accompanied by his dance partner Alexis Warr. The YouTuber impressed the judges with his energy in the routine, with Shirley hailing it a 'new day with a new George and a new vibe'. She confessed she wasn't expecting that level of performance from him. The pair achieved a huge score of 39 for the routine, their highest yet. Gordon Ramsay, his wife Tana and their daughter Tilly put on a united display at the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend - but there was no sign of F1 superfan Holly amid the ongoing drama over her wedding to Adam Peaty. Holly, 25, is usually seen with her chef father Gordon, 59, at racing events across the world but instead chose to keep a low profile on Saturday. Holly and her swimmer fiance Adam are currently embroiled in a feud with his family. The Olympic star has banned his mother Caroline from their wedding after an astonishing family row over Holly's failure to invite her future mother-in-law to her hen party. But the Gordon family looked in good spirits as they stepped out together at the event, with Tana, 51, looking smart in a black suit. Tilly, 24, opted for a white jacket and dark trousers while Gordon wore a casual khaki jacket. Gordon Ramsay, his wife Tana and their daughter Tilly put on a united display at the Vegas Grand Prix this weekend But there was no sign of F1 superfan Holly amid the ongoing drama over her wedding to Adam Peaty (seen on Friday) It comes after earlier this week Adam broke his silence amid the toxic family rift that has overshadowed his upcoming wedding. He took to Instagram on Wednesday as he insisted there are 'two sides to every story' and that he and Holly 'will get through' the 'challenging times'. He penned: 'For those who know me personally, you know that I work so hard on trying to improve myself as a person who wants to contribute to making the world a better place. 'I am continuing to learn about myself and how I can be the man I want to be; a worthy partner, father, businessman, friend and athlete; even through these challenging times. 'Bethany [his sister], Holly and I will get through this - we do not ask for sympathy. We just need people to be aware that there are always two sides to every story. 'To those of you who have reached out and shown kindness and understanding - thank you. It is deeply appreciated.' He also explained that he, Holly and Bethany cannot go into detail due to 'an ongoing police investigation into serious matters that arose long before recent events'. Last week it was revealed Holly and Adam had banned his mother from their wedding after the hen party issue. The influencer daughter of fiery chef Gordon welcomed her own mother Tana, family friend Victoria Beckham and Adam's sister to her pre-nuptial celebrations at the celebrity hotspot Soho Farmhouse. Holly, 25, is usually seen with her chef father Gordon, 59, at racing events across the world but instead chose to keep a low profile on Saturday They shared a snap at the event to Instagram The Gordon family looked in good spirits as they stepped out together at the event, with Tana, 51, looking smart in a black suit Tilly, 24, opted for a white jacket and dark trousers while Gordon wore a casual khaki jacket for the event The family posed with Terry Crews at the F1 event A source close to Adam's working-class family claimed the apparent snub happened after the swimmer, who was once close to his mother, had distanced himself from her after being seduced by the fame and glamour of the Ramsays. When the row came to light, Adam's aunt Louise blasted her nephew and his fiancee Holly in a series of Instagram comments, where she also detailed the reason why her sister was not invited to the bride's hen party. Last weekend, Caroline also broke her silence on the rift in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, breaking down in tears as she claimed Holly's family are 'pulling him away from her'. You can read the full interview here. Meanwhile Adam hunkered down at his father-in-law Gordon's home after the feud intensified when his brother James was arrested over claims he sent Peaty a barrage of verbal threats while the swimmer was celebrating his stag weekend in Budapest. It's understood that Peaty's brother James, who works as a builder, was questioned for two days before being released on conditional bail. A family source told the Daily Mail: 'The boys have always been close, and Jamie, who is a builder, even helped Adam renovate his house. 'They've always got on, but Adam has changed with his new celebrity lifestyle and family. 'Now James has a potential charge hanging over his head and his parents have the headache of being disinvited and banned from their son's wedding. 'This is so hurtful and distressing for our family.' Peaty was reportedly granted a huge police escort at Manchester airport on Sunday night after flying back home from his stag do. A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police told the Daily Mail: 'We arrested a 34-year-old man, from the Uttoxeter area, on 11 November 2025, on suspicion of harassment. 'The man was released on conditional bail while our enquiries continue.' The couple have also been accused of 'body shaming' his mother by his family, after it was claimed she wasn't invited to their wedding due to her appearance and not having the correct 'look'. As it stands only one member of his family is set to attend on the day as a feud between the two families rumbles on. Caroline recently broke her silence to the Daily Mail on the bitter rift that has emerged between her family and the one her son is marrying into. She told us: 'I know it's the end. 'But please, the message I want Adam to hear is no matter what happens in the future, please know I love you, your dad loves you, you can come home and talk to me at any point. 'There's nothing you've done that I would not forgive. I love you so much. They looked like they were having a great time as they laughed and joked around It comes after a tough time for his daughter Holly It comes after earlier this week Adam broke his silence amid the toxic family rift that has overshadowed his upcoming wedding Last week it was revealed Holly and Adam have banned his mother from their wedding after an astonishing family row over Holly's failure to invite her future mother-in-law to her hen party (pictured with his mother Caroline and Holly in 2024) 'I hope your marriage is a good one, I don't wish any ill on you and I want you and Holly to have a long and happy marriage, like your dad and me. The reason I'm speaking out is I want all this to end.' Caroline is acutely aware of how different her world is from the one that her son now inhabits, and the family are said to be worried sick about the power and influence of the Ramsay family. 'He's in Gordon's clutches,' Caroline said. 'I can't help but feel like they are pulling him away from me. Their family is very insular.' Strictly Come Dancing star La Voix showed off the results of her nasty injury as she joined the cast for the Blackpool wrap party on Saturday. It was revealed during the live show that the drag star, 45, whose real name is Christopher Dennis, has been forced to withdraw from the show after sustaining the injury during rehearsals. Despite the devastating news, which was revealed during Saturday's live show, La Voix painted on a smile as she headed to the party with the rest of this year's stars. Following her exit, it was also revealed that there would be no dance-off this week, meaning none of the remaining eight couples would be sent home. Ditching her silver sequinned gown, La Voix changed into an eye-catching black sheer lace jumpsuit as she made her way into the party. The performer showed off the recovery boot she'd been sporting after sharing on social media her upset at having to quit the show on medical advice. Strictly Come Dancing star La Voix showed off the results of her nasty injury as she joined the cast for the Blackpool wrap party on Saturday It was revealed during the live show that the drag star whose real name is Christopher Dennis, has been forced to withdraw after sustaining the injury during rehearsals Despite the devastating news, which was revealed during Saturday's live show, La Voix headed to the party with the rest of this year's stars, showed off her recovery boot Taking to Instagram minutes after the announcement of her exit was made, La Voix shared a statement. She wrote: 'I'm absolutely devastated to be withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing. This isn't the glittering exit I ever imagined, and it breaks my heart to feel like Ive let people down. 'My spirit wanted to keep dancing but my foot had other ideas! Thank you for every cheer, every vote and every sparkle of support its meant the world to me. This isnt the ending I imagined but Ill cherish this forever.' For their final ever Blackpool week, Tess wowed in a white glitzy cut-out gown featuring a cape design. Meanwhile Claudia opted for a striking bright red boat neck gown with draping. First to take to the dance floor was Lewis Cope and his professional partner Katya Jones who performed a Charleston. The dance left judge Anton Du Beke speechless and Craig Revel Horwood had just one word for it, 'fabulous'. The astounding dance gave Lewis his second perfect score of 40, after he was the first celebrity to achieve it this series. Amy Dowden was later seen arriving at the Blackpool wrap party in the city after the show went live Claudia Winkleman was also seen arriving, wearing a pair of black patent chunky boots with baggy blue jeans and a coat Meanwhile Tess Daly could also be seen arriving at the party, wearing a black and white spotted fur coat and carrying a white Prada bag Dancer Kai Widdrington and his girlfriend Chloe Wells arrived for the party hand in hand in a sweet display Jowita Przysta was among those at the party, where she wore grey suede chunky boots with leggings and a leather jacket Meanwhile Nadia Bychkova wore a black knitted set for the party with a huge dryrobe style jacket Having returned to Strictly this year as one of the show's alumni taking part in a special group number, Layton Williams was in high spirits heading to the wrap party Judge Craig Revel Horwood was also pictured making his way into the bash, after delivering only his second 10 of the series to Lewis Cope Luba Mushtuk was bundled up against the chilly weather as she made her way to the party Danny Mac was joined by his wife Carly Stenson, as he returned to the show for a special number after reaching the final with Oti Mabuse in 2016 Next up was Balvinder Sopal and her dance partner, newbie Julian Caillon, with a very racy Argentine Tango. Despite looking disappointed with her performance, Balvinder impressed the judges, with Motsi Mabuse calling her the 'comeback queen' - as a result of facing four dance offs. Balvinder came back with a bang and achieved her highest score of the series so far, with three eights and a nine. Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin then performed a bouncy Quickstep to S Club 7 hit Reach For The Stars. As is tradition with Blackpool week, the celebrities were joined on the dance floor by a group of other professional dancers. Craig was met with a sea of boos as he criticised Amber's gapping but he went on to say her timing and ability to cover the floor were 'exceptional'. The pair scored 36 out of 40. Next to perform were Lioness Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu, who danced a very dramatic Paso Doble, and the dance was met with a standing ovation from the crowd - as did Motsi and Shirley. 'Darling that's how you score a goal that's for sure. Insane,' said Craig, before Motsi added: 'I do not have a paddle that can express how good that dance was.' Meanwhile Shirley said the show will go down in history and Anton said he wished he could score her 25 points. She bagged a score of 39 for the dance. Alex Kingston and her partner Johannes Radebe were next with their Couple's Choice dance, a glamorous and sultry number - for which they scored 35 points. George Clarke closed the iconic Blackpool show with a salsa, accompanied by his dance partner Alexis Warr. The YouTuber impressed the judges with his energy in the routine, with Shirley hailing it a 'new day with a new George and a new vibe'. She confessed she wasn't expecting that level of performance from him. The pair achieved a huge score of 39 for the routine, their highest yet. The show kicked off with a special performance from Steps - who took to the ballroom floor with a medley of their hit tracks, which included Tragedy. The Strictly professionals wowed the audience with a very glitzy accompanying number, where they were later joined on the dance floor by the judges and celebrity contestants. Just a day before the Blackpool live show, La Voix took to Instagram to share an update with fans. She said: 'Good morning my darlings. As I'm looking on social media and everyone is on their way to Blackpool, I am off for an MRI scan to see what is actually going on with my foot. 'I have a bone bruise, which is basically from the repetition of being in the heels and its on where my toe joins my foot. 'It's like a deep bone bruise, which basically if I keep working on could become a stress fracture. Which obviously means a broken foot which is six to eight weeks off my foot in a boot. 'Which would be awful, so luckily theyve caught it up before it has got to that stage. 'And as I said on It Takes Two to the physio team, the whole of the BBC Strictly team have been amazing.' Rebel Wilson has opened up about her bombshell claim that the lead actress on her upcoming movie The Deb was sexually harassed by the film's producer. The Sydney-born actress, 45, appeared on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes on Sunday night and made the shock claim that actress Charlotte MacInnes, 26, was treated inappropriately by producer Amanda Ghost, 51, while in a shower. 'I felt that in my position as director I had to report that, and the moment I did, it started all the retaliation against me,' Rebel told the program. Rebel claimed that Ghost had an adverse reaction to swimming in the chilly Bondi Beach waters and so jumped into a shower to warm up, after which lead actress MacInnes was asked to join her - and what happened next is in dispute between Rebel and the other women. 'Charlotte MacInnes came to me and said, "Last night Amanda Ghost came to me and asked me to have a bath and shower with her and it made me feel really uncomfortable",' Rebel said. 'One-hundred percent she told me that. She came to me and made what I inferred as a sexual harassment complaint.' Rebel Wilson (pictured) has opened up about her bombshell claim that the lead actress on her upcoming movie The Deb was sexually harassed by the film's producer in a shower The Sydney-born actress, 45, appeared on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes on Sunday night and made the shock claim that actress Charlotte MacInnes was treated inappropriately by producer Amanda Ghost. Pictured with MacInness However, MacInnes and Ghost deny that anything 'uncomfortable' happened and refute Rebel's version of events. 'I never complained to Ms. Wilson or anyone else that Ms. Ghost "made me feel uncomfortable" or caused me any trauma whatsoever,' MacInnes said in a statement. Rebel also spoke out about claims she had launched an online 'smear campaign' to discredit Ghost, after several websites appeared online, making horrific claims against the producer. 'Obviously, I had zero to do with the websites. I don't even know how to create a website, I had nothing to do with what was on it,' Rebel said. 'I read it like a lot of people in the business did, but it is categorically false to say I had anything to do with it.' In response to the claim that Rebel requested her publicist to create a series of 'malicious' websites with these claims, she said: 'That is absolutely untrue.' 'I read the websites and I think it is very interesting what is on there. I might have gossiped about it to friends,' Rebel added. The actress at the centre of an extraordinary legal spat between Wilson and the producers of The Deb has previously slammed the Aussie star's claims she was sexually harassed on the set of the film. Rebel claimed that Ghost (pictured) had an adverse reaction to going in Bondi Beach waters and so jumped into a shower to warm up, after which lead actress MacInnes was invited to join her - and what happened next is in dispute between Rebel and the other women However, Charlotte MacInnes and Ghost deny that anything 'uncomfortable' happened Rebel was sued in July 2024 by producers Amanda Ghost, Gregory Cameron and Vince Holden, who allege she falsely claimed they had embezzled funds from the movie and had behaved with 'absolute viciousness and retaliatory behaviour'. Wilson has denied their allegations. In a countersuit, Rebel has accused the producers of sabotaging the film project, embezzling funds and sexually harassing the lead star. In documents filed to the Los Angeles superior court and obtained by The Guardian, MacInnes claims she informed Wilson, who was the director of the movie, that she was never sexually harassed by one of the film's producers, Ghost. Despite informing Wilson this behaviour had never occurred, she allegedly still accused Ghost of sexually harassing MacInnes, according to court documents. 'I was deeply disturbed by this behaviour by Wilson, who was the director of the film and in a position of authority over me,' MacInnes alleged. 'Nothing that I told Wilson could reasonably have conveyed that I was reporting any misconduct, because there was no misconduct. 'I also understand [there were] claims that I was subjected to 'depraved sexual demands' and that 'MacInnes remains captive by Ghost and (fellow producer) Cameron as she is shuttled from city to city with them, including Boston, New York and London'. 'These statements are completely false and absurd. I have no idea what could cause Wilson and her attorney to make up such lies about me.' The three producers of The Deb have filed a defamation lawsuit against the Australian comedian, slamming her claims as 'fictitious' and having 'no basis in reality.' They accuse her of bullying and falsely accusing Ghost of 'inappropriate behaviour' towards MacInnes, with Ghost noting in the defamation suit that the actress strongly denied being subjected to such when asked about Wilson's claims. A legal complaint obtained by DailyMail.com alleges the feud broke out following a series of disputes over writing credits and Wilson's alleged behaviour on the set of The Deb, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2024. BAGHDAD, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The conclusion of Iraq's parliamentary elections has confirmed the Construction and Development Coalition, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, as the frontrunner with 46 seats. Yet, a complex and protracted phase of government formation has just begun, according to election results and political analysts. The Nov. 11 vote allocated 329 parliamentary seats among competing blocs, with former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's State of Law Coalition securing 29 seats and former Sunni Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi's Taqaddum (Progress) Alliance winning 27. Kurdish parties, led by the Kurdistan Democratic Party, retained influence in the new parliament. In response, the Coordination Framework, an umbrella alliance for Shiite parties and the current ruling coalition, has declared itself the largest parliamentary bloc and initiated the delicate task of forming a government through cross-sectarian alliances and vetting candidates for premiership. Opinions are divided on whether al-Sudani will secure a second term. Sabah al-Sheikh, a politics professor at Baghdad University, predicted that al-Sudani will be excluded due to strong opposition from al-Maliki and armed groups. "I believe a consensus will be reached on a candidate for the premiership, but it is not al-Sudani," he told Xinhua, highlighting the significant political weight held by armed groups within the parliament. Meanwhile, Yasir Mutlag al-Jiboury, chairman of Fawasil Foundation for Research and Studies, believed that al-Sudani has a "chance for a second term" given his campaign on executive performance, but acknowledged the process will be "long and complex" due to multiple forces within the Shiite scene and the need for cross-bloc agreement. Analysts noted that external influences will play a crucial role in the government formation. Ali Mousa, political analyst at the al-Rafid Center for Media and Strategic Studies, stressed that "whether the waiting period for a new government is long or short, whether the people approve it or reject it, will not be born before the blessing of Washington and Tehran." Al-Sheikh said Washington will remain engaged in the government formation, while Tehran will exert influence through its robust ties with major Shiite parties and armed groups. The power-sharing formula also requires resolving demands from Sunni and Kurdish components for the parliament speaker and presidency positions respectively. Iraq's government formation relies on consensus under the Muhasasa "quota system," which allocates top offices by sect and ethnicity. Mousa pointed out that the alliance structure is tied to "achieving the interests of the winning parties," predicting "arduous negotiations to obtain concessions." Al-Jiboury said the formation period may take "weeks to months," prolonged by political actors prioritizing their interests over public interest. The true test for the new parliament will be its ability to curb corruption and enforce state authority over all groups, delivering on the national mandate for stability and development. Lady Colin Campbell now faces being unable to walk for six months after a horror fall at a hotel last month that shattered her pelvis and hip. The I'm A Celeb star, 76, was rushed to hospital with the injuries after the tumble at a film screening in the basement of the Soho Hotel in London. She is currently still at the private King Edward VII's Hospital receiving treatment and is on morphine to help control the 'excruciating' pain. Lady Campbell has now said that she plans to sue the hotel amid claims the room was 'so badly lit' that she didn't see there was a step with a 15 inch drop to her seat. She told The Sun: 'I had acclimatised myself to the room - I am a cautious person - but the room is designed to look like it is all on the same level. 'Where I fell was a radically different level. It was like falling into an abyss. Lady Colin Campbell now faces being unable to walk for six months after a horror fall at a hotel last month that shattered her pelvis and hip The I'm A Celeb star, 76, was rushed to hospital with the injuries after the tumble at a film screening in the basement of the Soho Hotel in London 'It wasn't like tripping down a step, which is five to seven inches, it was more like a 12 to 18 inch drop. 'They (the hotel) have put style before safety. There was no lighting, no member of staff with a torch to indicate there was a plunge. I'm in bad shape now. The pain is excruciating.' She added that she hopes to resolve the issue nicely but if not 'it will be resolved either way'. The Daily Mail has contacted the hotel for comment. She had been a guest at a screening of filmmaker Amanda Eliasch's new project at the hotel. She was taken to St Thomas' hospital in London after the incident before being transferred on. She had an X-ray at the hospital and doctors then confirmed she had broken her pelvis. Lady Campbell was one of the most memorable contestants of all time on I'm A Celeb and managed to clash with almost all of her fellow campmates. Lady Campbell has now said that she plans to sue the hotel amid claims the room was 'so badly lit' that she didn't see there was a step with a 15 inch drop to her seat She is currently still at the private King Edward VII's Hospital receiving treatment and is on morphine to help control the 'excruciating' pain While normally private about her personal life, earlier this year she shed further light on her affair with Gavin And Stacey star Larry Lamb in their younger years. She appeared on Best Magazine's I Suddenly Single podcast, where she detailed her six-month romance with the actor, 77, which occurred when she was '28 or 29'. She said: 'I had a roaring affair with Larry Lamb', before lavishing him with praise, saying: 'Larry is a great guy, he was gorgeous and is still good looking.' The Jamacian aristocrat previously said of their affair: 'He was very appealing and gloriously attractive. Pumping testosterone in all directions... Larry was absolutely rampant, he was a very naughty boy'. As well as her impassioned stance on their romance, she added that while they did not come from the same background, he was 'one of nature's aristocrats'. She continued: 'My cousin and my brother both agreed that daddy would have loved Larry. He was decent person, intelligent, hard working. When I was 27 or 28, I had a roaring affair with Larry Lamb... 'Larry is a great guy, he was gorgeous and is still good looking. He has impeccable manners. The fact he didn't come from our world is neither here nor there. Larry, I used to say, is one of nature's aristocrats'. Back in 2016, Lady C revealed that she called an end to her romance with Larry after she realised he wanted to get married. Divulging details, she said: 'Larry and I had a small romance in 1978 and I was about 28 and he was about 30 or 29. I think he's a year or two older than me so he was at the peak of his masculinity. He is gorgeous. I can't sing his praises highly enough.' Revealing how their romance came to be, she added: 'We met at the opening of the Ritz casino and he saw me across the room ... As soon as I caught his eye, he caught mine more accurately, he came over and didn't let go.' However, the blonde star wasn't prepared to jump into bed with him straight away and made him wait until she returned from her trip to Jamaica before they did the deed. 'I absolutely [didn't go home with him that night],' she dished. 'I believe in letting a man wait. Larry is lovely and he's very intelligent and very focused. He is one of natures true gentleman.' Although she was enjoying the passionate romance, Lady C decided to call time on their relationship shortly afterwards because she realised Larry wanted to get married. She explained: 'You know what men are like when they want to get married, they want to get married. I realised that wonderful as Larry was, I didn't think we were going to make it in the long haul.' But the pair have remained friends and the former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star even dished out a few tips to actor ahead of his stint in the jungle in 2016, although he failed to reply to her email and text message. She explained: 'I converted him - and he was a willing convert - into a great, great, friend. And we were great, great, friends for years after.' The conversation took a darker turn later in the show as she discussed her fractured relationship with her mother, Gloria. She had been a guest at a screening of filmmaker Amanda Eliasch's new film at the hotel when the accident happened and she is now being looked after in hospital (Amanda seen at the event) She explained: 'My mother became a big problem... She was a complete narcissist. When I broke free her narcissisticness came out and it was tough to get out.' However, she revealed that after going to therapy at the age of 32 she found a way to move on from her heartache. 'Once you realise you're carrying around lots of pain, I think go to therapy so you release yourself. You don't want to be a problem bore, poor me.' Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Ballas has declared the show will continue 'long after she's gone,' despite concerns for its future following a string of scandals. It was revealed on Sunday that bosses have been left in a 'panic' after the news that a former star was arrested on suspicion of raping a woman following a BBC event. The scandal was the latest to hit the Bafta-winning programme, coming just three months after another unnamed male star was arrested on suspicion of rape. But Shirley has declared that she has no concerns that Strictly will remain on screens for many years to come. The dancer added that 'no one is bigger' than the beloved show, noting similar doubts that surrounded Strictly when she replaced Len Goodman as head judge in 2017. Shirley said: 'Nobody is bigger than Strictly Come Dancing. Not me, not any presenters, not any dancers that show belongs to the people. Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Ballas has declared the show will continue 'long after she's gone,' despite concerns for its future following a string of scandals It was revealed on Sunday that bosses have been left in a 'panic' after the news that a former star was arrested on suspicion of raping a woman (Shirley and the judging panel pictured) She went on to tell The Sun On Sunday: 'When I came on the show in 2017, nobody knew me and it was, 'Oh will it fail? Will it be this? Will it be that?' 'It carried on ticking and it'll carry on ticking long after I'm gone and kicked my clogs.' It comes as The Mail On Sunday revealed whether there is any truth to rumours that Strictly could face the axe following its recent scandals. You can read Katie Hind's full report here. On Thursday it was revealed that a Strictly Come Dancing star had been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman following a BBC event. The man, who is not being named, was arrested last month. The alleged victim was not a contestant or dancer but the pair met because of the man's involvement in the BBC show. Hertfordshire Police confirmed a man had been arrested, adding that inquiries were ongoing. The scandal is the latest to hit the Bafta-winning programme, coming just three months after another unnamed male star was arrested on suspicion of rape. But Shirley has declared that she has no concerns that Strictly will remain on screens for many years to come In August, police said a man was arrested on suspicion of rape and for possessing 'non-consensual intimate image abuse'. The latest arrest 'is an absolute nightmare for the BBC a heartbreaking situation,' an insider told The Sun. 'Bosses have done their utmost to steady the ship and make the show as scandal-free as possible, and yet now this has happened,' they said. 'The BBC is taking this very seriously and will absolutely offer support to all concerned.' Strictly has been plagued by a string of drug and bullying controversies in recent years. During the last series, Wynne Evans was accused of inappropriate behaviour and forced to apologise for making an unacceptable sexual remark on stage at a press event. He denied it was a sexual remark but was later sacked by the BBC. And in 2023, Amanda Abbington complained about Giovanni Pernice being 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'. Whilst he was cleared of the 'overwhelming majority' of allegations, a probe did uphold some of her complaints of verbal bullying and harassment. The same year, former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott was left 'incredibly distressed' following her experience in the training room with Graziano Di Prima, who admitted to kicking the documentary maker, resulting in his axing. The broadcaster has already launched an inquiry into the family show amid claims two of its stars had used cocaine. One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelled alcohol on their breath. EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick was also axed from the BBC soap after 19 years when a video emerged of him using a slur against disabled people on the set of Strictly. The dance show was forced to bring in chaperones to watch over training sessions under the corporation's duty of care plans ahead of the 2024 series. The measures also included a member of the production team being present during training room rehearsals at all times, and increased support for both celebrity contestants and the professional dancers. A Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer were also introduced. Meanwhile, long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced that they were leaving Strictly just days after the latest arrest, which took place on October 13. A BBC spokesperson said: 'It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.' A Hertfordshire Police spokesperson said: 'The allegations relate to an incident which happened in Hertfordshire. 'Meanwhile inquiries by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary's Public Protection team will continue. 'Given the nature of the allegations, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this time.' Nicola Peltz Beckham flaunted her flexibility as she dropped to the splits in an Instagram snap on Sunday. The actress, 33, cut a casual display as she wore a grey jumper and leggings for the stretching session. She also shared a picture of her glaring down the camera as she hid behind a mirror. Nicola's flexible display comes after she and Brooklyn snubbed his mother Victoria's new Netflix documentary for a date night at The Mondrian Hotel in LA last month. The eldest son of Victoria and David Beckham, 26, enjoyed a spot of dinner with his wife on the same day his mum's self-titled show released, amid their ongoing family feud. The fashion designer, 51, was surrounded by her nearest and dearest at the screening before partying the night away at an exclusive London hotspot - but there was one notable absence. Nicola Peltz Beckham, 33, flaunted her flexibility as she dropped to the splits in an Instagram snap on Sunday The actress cut a casual display as she wore a grey jumper and leggings for the stretching session While Victoria and her inner circle gathered together for the occasion in London, Brooklyn was thousands of miles away in Beverly Hills. And on the day of its release, the happy couple showed unity in their matching outfits as they enjoyed quality time together. Brooklyn looked smart in a tailored blazer and suit trousers, while his stunning wife, 30, added a pair of heeled boots. Victoria's premiere was another poignant moment and perhaps a painful reminder that things have changed for the Beckham gang. For it was just over two years ago that Brooklyn and Nicola were in attendance for the premiere of David's show, Beckham, which was held at the same venue. While Victoria and her husband have reconciled that they won't see their eldest son for the foreseeable future, he and Nicola are 'always missed' at family gatherings following the fallout, which came to a head when the pair shunned all of David's 50th birthday celebrations. Speaking at the premiere, Victoria thanked Brooklyn, along with her other children, for their support. Paying tribute, she said: 'Thanks to my husband for convincing me and forcing me giving me no choice, David. Nicola's flexible display as she and Brooklyn snubbed his mum Victoria's new Netflix documentary for a date night at The Mondrian Hotel in LA last month 'My children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, Harper and David. Oh no, he's not a child. It has taken this process to realise I am enough.' She added: 'This process really forced me to reflect on my journey and it has been emotional. 'It's been a year of intense therapy and it really made me realise a lot. I want to thank my mum and dad, my brother and my sister. 'I'd like to thank the Spice Girls, I love you.' Her stunning mother was a top television presenter and a regular in lads mags, even landing a gig as an FHM and Maxim cover shoot model. She had a brief pop career in girl group Faith Hope & Charity, singing alongside Diana Barrand and future Xpansions member Sally Ann Marsh. A TV career followed, and after making an appearance on Grange Hill, she went on to become one of the most recognisable faces on screens in the 90s. She presented top shows like The Word, The Big Breakfast and Hotel Babylon, before taking part in the eighth series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. And the cover girl has a mini-me daughter who seems to have inherited the same signature pout. Channelling her famous mum in a striking Victorias Secretstyle look, the young star posed for racy Instagram snaps this week... but can you work out which iconic 90s star she takes after? Her stunning mother was a top television presenter and a regular in lads mags, even landing a gig as an FHM and Maxim cover shoot model Channelling her famous mum in a striking Victorias Secretstyle look, the young star posed for racy Instagram snaps this week... but can you work out which iconic 90s star she takes after? She is Coco Harwin, the 20-year-old daughter of Dani Behr, 55. Dani made a huge career change, now working as an estate license agent, selling million dollar mansions to the rich and famous. She lives in the celebrity-favourite suburb of Bel Air, where the likes of Kim Kardashian also own homes. As well as Coco, Dani who famously dated Ryan Giggs from 1994 to 1995, shares a son Zane, 18, with restaurateur Carl Harwin. The pair tied the knot in 2005 but divorced nine years later in 2014. Her Instagram account features glossy snaps after setting up home in Tinseltown 20 years ago to raise her children as a single mum. Her glamorous life across the pond sees her travelling regularly on a private jet, taking part in dance classes, as well as enjoying time with famous friends including influencer James Charles, 26. Alongside real estate Dani runs her own TV production company with a friend, where she's revealed she has several real estate shows in development. It's Dani Behr of course - who swapped her TV career for a glamorous life in sun-soaked LA where she now works in real estate and runs her own TV production company Dani who famously dated Ryan Giggs from 1994 to 1995, was one of the regular faces of 90s telly, after making her first TV appearance on Grange Hill She presented top shows like The Word, The Big Breakfast and Hotel Babylon, before taking part in the eighth series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here (pictured with Robbie Williams) She moved to Tinseltown 20 years ago to raise her children Coco, 20, and Zane, 18, as a single mum following her divorce from husband Carl Harwin Channelling her famous mum, Coco, 20, has also perfected the pout and inherited the model looks She's also a regular face on reality realtor show Million Dollar Listing LA and spent a two years presenting her own podcast The Behr Essentials about life in the city. The stunner relocated to LA in the noughties, at first spending time jetting back and forth between the UK and US while she juggled TV work in both countries. After stints living in Costa Rica and Australia, it was after her 2014 divorce from husband Carl Harwin, that she decided to settle in LA permanently with her two young children to allow her and her ex to co-parent from the same city. And Dani explained that debt from her divorce and her TV work drying up led her to forge a new career in real estate. The star had experience in the industry, with her dad working in real estate and her mum as an interior designer. On her glossy website advertising her work, Dani states that her 'love for the business dates to when she was just 11yrs old, assisting her Father before and after school at his successful London R.E Brokerage'. The star actually bought her first property at just 16 and continued her investments throughout her '90s TV years. Speaking on White Wine Question Time in 2020, she told Kate Thornton that she made the switch full time to real estate when her on screen work dried up around the time of her divorce. 'TV here [in America] had completely changed. There wasn't really a TV market for me anymore,' she revealed. 'They don't have careers as presenters out here, like back home. You're either a news journalist or a sportscaster or a late night comedian, those were the hosts of all the shows here and I didn't fit into any of those categories. She continued: 'What else do I know how to do? I didn't go to college. So, I was like, "I know real estate" so I thought, "OK, I'll just get my license" so I studied. You have to study and do all these exams and get your license. Dani admitted though that it's an equally tough business to TV, pointing out: 'I've jumped out the frying pan and into the fire - I went into another commission-only business.' 'Some years you do OK and others you're like, "What am I going to do?" - especially if the market dies here.' She continued: 'If you do big here, you do big because the commissions are higher. Last year, I showed eight different buyers properties for nine months and they all decided not to buy in the end, so I worked for free essentially for nine months. 'Then you can just work with one person, show them one day and they go, 'Let's buy it' and that's just one day's work. It's brutal, so that's why there's only like a handful of people that really survive in it.' Dani has proved to be a huge success in her second career with her past sales listed on her website including a $7,900,000 five bed home in LA. Maria Shriver has penned a moving message praising her cousin Tatiana Schlossberg, who just announced her battle with terminal cancer at age 35. Schlossberg, 35, revealed she was diagnosed last year in a candid New Yorker essay entitled 'A Battle With My Blood.' Now her cousin, whose mother Eunice Shriver was siblings with Schlossberg's grandfather John F. Kennedy, has shared a message of support. Shriver described her cousin as a 'beautiful' person whose piece offered insight into the ordeal she had been enduring for more than a year. 'If you can only read one thing today, please make take the time for this extraordinary piece of writing by my cousin Carolines extraordinary daughter Tatiana,' Shriver began in an Instagram post shared Saturday. 'Tatiana is a beautiful writer, journalist, wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. This piece is about what she has been going through for the last year and a half. 'Its an ode to all the doctors and nurses who toil on the frontlines of humanity. Its so many things, but best to read it yourself, and be blown away by one womans life story. And let it be a reminder to be grateful for the life you are living today, right now, this very minute. Link to the full piece in my stories,' she wrote. Maria Shriver has praised her cousin Tatiana Schlossberg as 'extraordinary' after the younger Kennedy heir announced her battle with terminal cancer Schlossberg, 35, revealed she was diagnosed last year in a candid New Yorker essay entitled 'A Battle With My Blood'; pictured 2022 Accompanying the post were screenshots from Schlossberg's New Yorker article. In a piece published on the 62nd anniversary of JFK's assassination, Schlossberg 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. In her piece, 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.' 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. Shriver's mother Eunice Shriver was siblings with Schlossberg's grandfather John F. Kennedy (Shriver pictured with her late parents Eunice and Sargent Shriver in 2001) The journalist urged her followers to read Tatiana's New Yorker piece 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. 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. Schlossberg, 35, revealed she was diagnosed last year in a candid New Yorker essay entitled 'A Battle With My Blood' 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: '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. 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. Tessa Thompson brought the glamour as she joined supermodels and fashion designers at the Franca Fund Gala in Doha, Qatar on Sunday night. The actress, 42, caught the eye in a shimmering green dress which she teamed with white evening gloves and heels as she posed on the pink carpet with designer Pier Paolo Piccioli at the Museum of Islamic Art. Gisele Bundchen, 45, put on a dazzling display in a sparkly black dress which showcased her model figure. Tyra Banks also attended the fundraiser, which is being held to held to honour the late editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzanis legacy. The supermodel wowed in a black velvet gown with silver embellishment and matching evening gloves. All proceeds from the event will support The Franca Fund, which has been a partner of Dr. Robert Green at Harvard, advancing research in preventive genomic medicine. Tessa Thompson brought the glamour as she joined supermodel Gisele Bundchen and fashion designers at the Franca Fund Gala in Doha, Qatar on Sunday night Tyra Banks also attended the fundraiser, which is being held to held to honour the late editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzanis legacy Lady Amelia Spencer, 33, and Lady Eliza Spencer, 33, pulled out all the stops in embellished dresses. Azza Slimene, 27, put on an edgy display as she showed off her curves in a corset and long skirt. The charity was set up by Franca's son Francesco Carrozzini after his mother's cancer was too advanced to be successfully treated. 'I was looking to do something with someone who understood my mothers values and what she did for the arts and for fashion,' Francesco told Vogue ahead of the event. Dedicated to making some of the most fascinating, boundary-pushing fashion spreads in Vogue history, Franca spent a record-breaking 28 years at the helm of the Italian fashion bible. Her illustrious career began with Vogue Bambini in 1976 after graduating in literature and philosophy at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. She was appointed editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia in 1988, around the same time as Anna Wintour was appointed editor of US Vogue. The American editor paid tribute to their three-decade long friendship when Franca passed away in 2016, revealing that the two didn't immediately become 'BFFs'. The supermodel wowed in a black velvet gown with silver embellishment and matching evening gloves She upped the glamour with two heavily embellished necklaces and a bouncy blow out Gisele Bundchen, 45, put on a dazzling display in a sparkly black dress which showcased her model figure Gisele wore silver earrings and a diamond necklace to the event Tessa posed on the pink carpet with designer Pier Paolo Piccioli The duo appeared in high spirits as they arrived the bash Tessa wore her hair up in a high bun and accessorised with drop earrings She added iches to her frame as she slipped into a pair of white heels and accessorised with white dress gloves Gisele was joined by Christian Louboutin, who kissed her hand Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer pulled out all the stops in embellished dresses Pom Klementieff (left) and Izabel Goulart (right) turned heads in their black ensembles Izabel slicked her hair back and showed off her figure in the criss cross design dress Azza Slimene put on an edgy display as she showed off her curves in a corset and long skirt Regina King wowed in a bright red pleated dress with matching cape Anna Wintour was also in attendance and looked stylish in a green and purple patterned dress Keni Silva put on a dazzling display in a silver and gold floor-length gown which she paired with a silver clutch Ons Jabeur looked effortlessly chich in a sparkly off-the-shoulder red dress which feature a slit up the leg Shanina Shaik looked sophisticated with a silk black gown that she paired with an elegant diamond necklacee Precious Lee commanded attention in a champagne rhinestone mesh cut out dress with feature trimmed sleeves Paula Bezerra de Mello looked incredible in a floor-length red dress and toted around her belongings in a red clutch Chriselle Lim showcased her sense of style in a white silk caped gown which featured a gold detail around the chest Razane Jammal stepped out in a black and white dress which featured a long black train made of tulle All proceeds from the event will support The Franca Fund, which has been a partner of Dr. Robert Green at Harvard, advancing research in preventive genomic medicine Franca Sozzani passed away in 2016 aged 66 after a year-long battle with illness (pictured with Anna in September of that year) 'Franca and I found ourselves falling into a friendship that I am so happy and honoured to say sustained itself for 30 years', she wrote at the time. 'Thats one thing that Franca taught me about friendship: Sometimes, you really have to earn it.' It comes after Tessa stepped out hand-in-hand with her new boyfriend Brandon Green as the couple packed on the PDA at the Grand Palais Party in Paris. The Creed actress couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she cosied up to the businessman, 31, on their arrival at the star-studded bash during Fashion Week earlier this month. The star showcased her toned legs as she wrapped up in a silky black buttoned dress, which she teamed with matching knee-high boots. She completed the stylish ensemble with dark shades and a clutch bag, while the son of Sir Philip Green also opted for an all-black look. Tessa and Brandon - who previously dated Emma Watson - were first linked in March 2024 and have been spotted together countless times since. While Tessa famously keeps tight-lipped on her romantic endeavours, she has been linked to Brandon for more than a year. 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 Nepals 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. Pope Leo XIV 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. It didnt say why, but Zornoza submitted his resignation to the pope last year. It hadnt been accepted, though, until the El Pais newspaper reported earlier this month that Zornoza had been recently placed under investigation by a church tribunal. 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 to 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 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, since the Spanish church began reckoning in recent years with a decades-long legacy of abuse and cover-up that has rocked the once-staunchly Catholic Spain. Leo didnt 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 apologised 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. Indian-origin steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, until now based in Britain and a regular on the countrys richest billionaires tally, has decided to quit the UK as the Labour Party-led Governments feared tax shake-up for the super-rich nears, according to a UK media report on Sunday. Rajasthan-born Mittal is a resident in Switzerland for tax and will now spend much of his future in Dubai, according to the The Sunday Times. The founder of ArcelorMittal steelworks is worth an estimated 15.4 billion pounds as per the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List, which ranked him the UKs eighth richest man. Now, the newspaper references sources close to the 75-year-old industrialist to claim he has become the latest billionaire to leave the UK ahead of a much-anticipated Budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday. Mittal already has a mansion in Dubai and has now bought up tracts of an intriguing development on the nearby Naia Island in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the newspaper claims. The news of Mittals exit comes ahead of expected tax rises on the wealthy as Reeves tries to address a 20 billion pounds hole in the UKs finances. In her first Budget tabled last year after Labours general election win, there were increases to capital gains tax, a reduction of the tax relief for entrepreneurs selling their ventures and new taxes on the way family companies are passed down to future generations. Rumours of further levies in her second Budget as Chancellor next week, including a possible 20 per cent exit tax on those leaving the UK, have caused much unease among the wealthy. It wasnt the tax on income (or capital gains) that was the issue, one adviser familiar with the Mittals move is quoted by The Sunday Times as saying. The issue was inheritance tax. Many wealthy people from overseas cannot understand why all of their assets, wherever they are in the world, should be subject to inheritance tax imposed by the UK Treasury. People in this situation feel they have little choice but to leave and are either sad or angry to be doing so, the adviser said. While death duties are levied at up to 40 per cent in the UK, there is no inheritance tax in Dubai and in Switzerland. Reports of Mittals relocation from the UK follow other entrepreneurs, including India-born tech entrepreneur and investor Herman Narula. The 37-year-old, who has lived and grown up in England since the age of two, recently revealed his plans to shift to Dubai. Its completely insane. Im being told Id have to pay a tax if I leave even if I havent sold the shares, Narula, who founded AI-focussed Improbable, told the newspaper. Even as it emerged that the Government had scrapped plans for a so-called exit tax, for entrepreneurs like Narula it wasnt enough to change their plans. Im still leaving. The thing is, theyre clearly thinking about it, right? What if they change their mind? What stops them doing it in the next Budget, he questioned. The idea of an exit tax appears to have been prompted by the departure of Nik Storonsky, co-founder of the London-based financial services group Revolut, for the UAE. His exit means he will avoid a potential capital gains tax liability of about 3 billion pounds were he to sell his shares in the hugely successful company. Ultimately, a series of flip-flops by the UKs Treasury Department in the days and weeks ahead of Wednesdays Budget, or Autumn Statement as it is known, is said to have severely undermined the Governments assurances of making the UK a stable and predictable place to invest in businesses. Accusing the NPP Government of failing to deliver on its pre-election promises, Sri Lankas Opposition party, led by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, has warned that it would move to topple the administration at the first opportunity. Since sweeping the 2024 elections, the National Peoples Power (NPP), led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has pursued cases against members of the previous Rajapaksa administration. Several have been jailed or granted bail on corruption charges, including two who received 20-year prison terms following convictions. We are ready and we warn the Government that we will topple the Government at the first opportunity, Namal Rajapaksa, son of Mahinda Rajapaksa, told a well-attended rally in the Colombo suburb of Nugegoda on Friday. Namal, 39, seen as the political heir to the Rajapaksa family, accused the NPP Government of failing to deliver on its pre-election promises. We tell the Government, please fulfil what you promised to the people a year ago, he said. In an apparent reference to several of his party members being jailed or on bail for corruption, Namal said he would not be intimidated by Government actions. We will continue our fight, he said. The large turnout came despite the main opposition SJBs decision to stay away. The SJB, led by Sajith Premadasa, is ideologically opposed to the Rajapaksas SLPP and has sought to avoid joint appearances due to ongoing corruption investigations. This rally is the indicator that all people have united despite the differences among the political parties, said Udaya Gammanpila, the organiser of the rally. The rally was the first since the main opposition came out onto the streets against the NPP. Harin Fernando, representing the Ex-president Ranil Wickremesinghes UNP, claimed the rally was a roaring success despite alleged attempts by the Government to scuttle it. Loudspeakers were silenced, and power was cut to deter us. But look at the turnout, he said. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, meet the press at the United States Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 23, 2025. U.S. and Ukrainian representatives said on Sunday that their talks in Geneva on the 28-point plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict had "made progress," but details are unsettled as differences need to be narrowed down. GENEVA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. and Ukrainian representatives said on Sunday that their talks in Geneva on the 28-point plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict had "made progress," but details are unsettled as differences need to be narrowed down. Following a meeting between the Ukrainian delegation and national security advisers from Britain, France, and Germany, the Ukrainian side held bilateral talks with the U.S. representatives later in the day. In the evening, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, briefed reporters and issued separate statements. Rubio said the talks were the "most productive and meaningful" since the process began, noting that the delegations had worked through key points one by one and made "good progress." He said the teams were now reviewing suggestions raised during the meeting and making efforts to narrow down some remaining differences. He added that both the U.S. and Ukrainian sides were moving closer to a text they could agree on, although the final outcome would still require approval from the two presidents. Yermak described the talk with U.S. delegations as "very productive," confirming that "very good progress" was made toward achieving a "just and lasting peace." He said both sides would continue working through proposals in the coming days and would also engage European partners as the process moves forward. Both sides refused to take questions from reporters, explaining that their teams were still working on updates and preparations regarding several issues. They are expected to return later in the evening to provide further information. BBVA Banco Frances (NYSE:BBAR Get Free Report) will likely be announcing its Q3 2025 results after the market closes on Tuesday, November 25th. Analysts expect BBVA Banco Frances to post earnings of $0.20 per share and revenue of $871.0998 billion for the quarter. Interested persons can check the companys upcoming Q3 2025 earningsummary page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET. BBVA Banco Frances (NYSE:BBAR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 20th. The bank reported $0.24 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by ($0.13). BBVA Banco Frances had a return on equity of 10.24% and a net margin of 6.65%.The company had revenue of $524.41 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $727.31 billion. On average, analysts expect BBVA Banco Frances to post $2 EPS for the current fiscal year and $3 EPS for the next fiscal year. Get BBVA Banco Frances alerts: BBVA Banco Frances Trading Down 5.4% Shares of BBAR opened at $13.94 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.40 and a beta of 1.19. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $11.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.81. BBVA Banco Frances has a 12-month low of $7.76 and a 12-month high of $25.01. BBVA Banco Frances Increases Dividend Institutional Trading of BBVA Banco Frances The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st will be given a $0.033 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 21st. This is a positive change from BBVA Banco Francess previous monthly dividend of $0.03. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. BBVA Banco Francess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.10%. A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BBAR. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of BBVA Banco Frances by 66.2% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 24,523 shares of the banks stock worth $444,000 after purchasing an additional 9,764 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of BBVA Banco Frances by 17.1% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 93,265 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,690,000 after purchasing an additional 13,594 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in BBVA Banco Frances by 171.8% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 177,455 shares of the banks stock worth $2,921,000 after buying an additional 112,161 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its position in BBVA Banco Frances by 9.8% during the second quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 2,021,521 shares of the banks stock worth $33,274,000 after buying an additional 180,137 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in BBVA Banco Frances by 229.9% in the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 60,156 shares of the banks stock valued at $990,000 after buying an additional 41,920 shares in the last quarter. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts recently issued reports on BBAR shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded BBVA Banco Frances from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, November 15th. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of BBVA Banco Frances in a research note on Wednesday. They issued a hold rating and a $18.00 price target for the company. Citigroup raised shares of BBVA Banco Frances from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded BBVA Banco Frances to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, HSBC upgraded shares of BBVA Banco Frances from a hold rating to a buy rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $21.00 to $17.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, BBVA Banco Frances currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $20.00. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BBAR About BBVA Banco Frances (Get Free Report) Banco BBVA Argentina SA provides various banking products and services to individuals and companies in Argentina. The company provides retail banking products and services, such as checking and savings accounts, time deposits, credit cards financing, consumer and pledge loans, mortgages, insurance, and investment products to individuals; and small and medium-sized companies products and services, including financing products, factoring, checking accounts, time deposits, transactional and payroll services, insurance, and investment products to private-sector companies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for BBVA Banco Frances Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BBVA Banco Frances and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. B&M European Value Retail S.A. (LON:BME Get Free Report) insider Tjeerd Jegen purchased 29,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 164 per share, for a total transaction of 47,560. Tjeerd Jegen also recently made the following trade(s): Get B&M European Value Retail alerts: On Tuesday, November 18th, Tjeerd Jegen acquired 31,850 shares of B&M European Value Retail stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 155 per share, with a total value of 49,367.50. On Monday, November 17th, Tjeerd Jegen bought 31,450 shares of B&M European Value Retail stock. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 158 per share, for a total transaction of 49,691. On Friday, November 14th, Tjeerd Jegen bought 31,650 shares of B&M European Value Retail stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 161 per share, for a total transaction of 50,956.50. On Wednesday, September 17th, Tjeerd Jegen bought 50,400 shares of B&M European Value Retail stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 250 per share, with a total value of 126,000. On Friday, September 12th, Tjeerd Jegen purchased 61,500 shares of B&M European Value Retail stock. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 242 per share, with a total value of 148,830. On Tuesday, September 9th, Tjeerd Jegen purchased 79,500 shares of B&M European Value Retail stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 250 per share, for a total transaction of 198,750. On Tuesday, September 2nd, Tjeerd Jegen acquired 43,480 shares of B&M European Value Retail stock. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 228 per share, for a total transaction of 99,134.40. On Wednesday, September 3rd, Tjeerd Jegen acquired 22,500 shares of B&M European Value Retail stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 231 per share, with a total value of 51,975. B&M European Value Retail Stock Performance Shares of BME opened at GBX 168.15 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 208.74 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 246.64. The stock has a market cap of 1.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.29 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 315.77, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 0.38. B&M European Value Retail S.A. has a one year low of GBX 154 and a one year high of GBX 378.50. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In B&M European Value Retail ( LON:BME Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported GBX 7.20 EPS for the quarter. B&M European Value Retail had a net margin of 5.81% and a return on equity of 43.85%. On average, equities research analysts expect that B&M European Value Retail S.A. will post 38.4814815 earnings per share for the current year. A number of analysts have recently issued reports on BME shares. Shore Capital restated a buy rating on shares of B&M European Value Retail in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Canaccord Genuity Group dropped their price target on B&M European Value Retail from GBX 395 to GBX 245 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Peel Hunt restated an add rating and set a GBX 200 price objective on shares of B&M European Value Retail in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on B&M European Value Retail from GBX 207 to GBX 205 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reduced their price target on shares of B&M European Value Retail from GBX 590 to GBX 450 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 245.63. Get Our Latest Report on B&M European Value Retail About B&M European Value Retail (Get Free Report) B&M European Value Retail SA operates general merchandise and grocery stores. The company operates a chain of stores under the B&M, Heron Foods, and B&M Express in the United Kingdom; and stores under the B&M brand in France. It also provides property management services. The company was founded in 1978 and is based in Munsbach, Luxembourg. See Also Receive News & Ratings for B&M European Value Retail Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for B&M European Value Retail and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Canadian Utilities Limited (TSE:CU Get Free Report) passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$38.56 and traded as high as C$42.06. Canadian Utilities shares last traded at C$41.68, with a volume of 387,779 shares traded. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CU has been the topic of several research analyst reports. TD Securities upped their target price on Canadian Utilities from C$40.00 to C$41.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Canadian Utilities from C$42.00 to C$44.00 in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, CIBC raised their price objective on shares of Canadian Utilities from C$42.00 to C$43.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Canadian Utilities currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$41.40. Get Canadian Utilities alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Canadian Utilities Canadian Utilities Stock Up 0.4% The stock has a market cap of C$11.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.35, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.47. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$39.63 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$38.60. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 158.34. Canadian Utilities (TSE:CU Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported C$0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$792.00 million for the quarter. Canadian Utilities had a return on equity of 7.21% and a net margin of 13.41%. As a group, analysts expect that Canadian Utilities Limited will post 2.4063556 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Canadian Utilities (Get Free Report) Canadian Utilities Ltd, a subsidiary of holding company Atco, offers gas and electricity services. The companys main divisions include electricity (generation, transmission, and distribution), pipelines & liquid (natural gas and water), and Retail Energy. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, the firm mainly operates in Canada and Australia, along with some operations in the United States and Mexico. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Utilities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Utilities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Western Bank (OTCMKTS:CBWBF Get Free Report) crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $39.71 and traded as low as $39.71. Canadian Western Bank shares last traded at $39.71, with a volume of 4,161 shares changing hands. Canadian Western Bank Trading Up 1.3% The business has a 50-day moving average price of $39.71 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $39.71. Canadian Western Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) Canadian Western Bank provides personal and business banking products and services in Western Canada. The company offers current, savings, US dollar, chequing, flex notice, organization, business trust, and trust fund investment accounts. It also offers commercial lending and real estate, equipment financing and leasing, aviation financing, and dealership financing products; agriculture lending products and AgriInvest savings account; variable and fixed rate mortgages; line of credit; registered retirement savings plan, consolidation, and vehicle loans; and credit cards. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Western Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Western Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE:FSS Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the six ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $123.00. A number of research firms have recently commented on FSS. Wall Street Zen raised Federal Signal from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, August 2nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Federal Signal in a report on Wednesday. Raymond James Financial upped their price target on shares of Federal Signal from $120.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. DA Davidson lifted their price objective on shares of Federal Signal from $100.00 to $112.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, CJS Securities reiterated a market perform rating and issued a $125.00 target price on shares of Federal Signal in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Get Federal Signal alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Federal Signal Federal Signal Stock Up 2.3% Shares of NYSE:FSS opened at $108.65 on Thursday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $118.22 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $112.94. The firm has a market cap of $6.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.27, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 1.28. Federal Signal has a 12-month low of $66.47 and a 12-month high of $132.89. The company has a current ratio of 2.60, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Federal Signal (NYSE:FSS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The conglomerate reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.07 by $0.07. Federal Signal had a net margin of 11.22% and a return on equity of 18.91%. The business had revenue of $555.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $545.19 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.87 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 17.0% on a year-over-year basis. Federal Signal has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.090-4.170 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Federal Signal will post 3.34 EPS for the current year. Federal Signal Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a dividend of $0.14 per share. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. Federal Signals dividend payout ratio is 14.62%. Insider Activity In other news, COO Mark Weber sold 51,187 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.56, for a total transaction of $5,710,421.72. Following the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 73,874 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,241,383.44. The trade was a 40.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 3.30% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Trading of Federal Signal Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Federal Signal by 4.7% in the first quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 104,238 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $7,667,000 after buying an additional 4,684 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH raised its stake in Federal Signal by 119.2% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 5,700 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $419,000 after purchasing an additional 3,100 shares during the period. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Federal Signal in the first quarter valued at $553,000. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Federal Signal in the first quarter worth $558,000. Finally, Van Berkom & Associates Inc. raised its position in Federal Signal by 2.0% during the first quarter. Van Berkom & Associates Inc. now owns 1,045,565 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $76,901,000 after buying an additional 20,771 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.73% of the companys stock. About Federal Signal (Get Free Report) Federal Signal Corp. engages in the design and manufacture of products and integrated solutions for municipal, governmental, industrial, and commercial customers. It operates through the Environmental Solutions Group and Safety and Security Systems Group segments. The Environment Solutions Group segment is involved in the manufacture and supply of street sweeper vehicles, sewer cleaners, vacuum loader trucks, hydro-excavation trucks, and water blasting equipment. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Federal Signal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Federal Signal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Curaleaf (OTCMKTS:CURLF Get Free Report) and Eagleford Energy (OTCMKTS:GRUSF Get Free Report) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation, risk and dividends. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Curaleaf and Eagleford Energys revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Curaleaf alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Curaleaf $1.34 billion 1.07 -$215.42 million ($0.32) -6.65 Eagleford Energy $27.02 million 2.50 -$11.30 million $0.02 16.25 Profitability Eagleford Energy has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Curaleaf. Curaleaf is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Eagleford Energy, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This table compares Curaleaf and Eagleford Energys net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Curaleaf -19.50% -15.57% -4.74% Eagleford Energy 14.90% 18.13% 7.82% Institutional & Insider Ownership 0.0% of Curaleaf shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 9.3% of Eagleford Energy shares are held by institutional investors. 23.2% of Eagleford Energy shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Curaleaf and Eagleford Energy, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Curaleaf 0 1 0 1 3.00 Eagleford Energy 0 0 0 0 0.00 Summary Eagleford Energy beats Curaleaf on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Curaleaf (Get Free Report) Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. operates a cannabis operator in the United States. It operates through two segments, Domestic Operations and International Operations. The company offers flower, pre-rolls, flower pots, and dry-herb vaporizer cartridges; concentrates for vaporizing which includes pre-filled vaporizer cartridges and disposable vaporizer pens; and concentrates for dabbing, such as mints, distillate droppers, mints, topical balms and lotions, tinctures, lozenges, capsules, and edibles. It also provides hemp-based products and cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol and cannabigerol. In addition, the company engages in the cultivation, production, and sale of cannabis products through retail and wholesale channels. The company is headquartered in New York, New York. About Eagleford Energy (Get Free Report) Grown Rogue International Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells cannabis products in the United States. It offers a range of cultivars for consumers, such as indicas, sativas, and hybrids; strain-specific prepackaged flowers; and pre-roll pack products, as well as provides consulting services. The company sells its products through direct-to-retail delivery and third-party delivery, wholesalers, and processors. Grown Rogue International Inc. is headquartered in Medford, Oregon. Receive News & Ratings for Curaleaf Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Curaleaf and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ithaca Energy plc (LON:ITH Get Free Report)s share price was down 13.1% during trading on Saturday . The company traded as low as GBX 200 and last traded at GBX 203. Approximately 12,338,506 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 502% from the average daily volume of 2,047,964 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 233.50. Analyst Ratings Changes ITH has been the subject of several recent research reports. Peel Hunt reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 200 price objective on shares of Ithaca Energy in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a no recommendation rating on shares of Ithaca Energy in a research report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Ithaca Energy to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from GBX 145 to GBX 220 in a report on Monday, October 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of GBX 210. Get Ithaca Energy alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on ITH Ithaca Energy Stock Performance About Ithaca Energy The stock has a market cap of 3.34 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of -19.15. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 204.87 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of 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. Read More 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. Shares of NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has assigned a hold recommendation, five have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. Several research firms recently commented on NXE. TD Securities reissued a buy rating on shares of NexGen Energy in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of NexGen Energy in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d) rating on shares of NexGen Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of NexGen Energy from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Get NexGen Energy alerts: Get Our Latest Report on NXE Hedge Funds Weigh In On NexGen Energy NexGen Energy Trading Down 1.4% A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NXE. L1 Capital Pty Ltd grew its holdings in NexGen Energy by 10.3% in the 2nd quarter. L1 Capital Pty Ltd now owns 33,816,063 shares of the companys stock valued at $234,683,000 after buying an additional 3,171,558 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of NexGen Energy by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 30,608,861 shares of the companys stock worth $274,103,000 after acquiring an additional 1,189,516 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its position in shares of NexGen Energy by 28.9% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 23,633,124 shares of the companys stock valued at $211,517,000 after acquiring an additional 5,305,263 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of NexGen Energy by 2.1% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,353,712 shares of the companys stock valued at $191,180,000 after purchasing an additional 430,005 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC increased its position in NexGen Energy by 97.8% during the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 10,134,381 shares of the companys stock worth $90,718,000 after purchasing an additional 5,011,890 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 42.43% of the companys stock. NXE stock opened at $7.56 on Tuesday. NexGen Energy has a 12-month low of $3.91 and a 12-month high of $9.95. The businesss 50-day moving average is $8.71 and its 200 day moving average is $7.42. The stock has a market cap of $4.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -30.24 and a beta of 1.44. NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported ($0.03) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.02) by ($0.01). As a group, equities analysts forecast that NexGen Energy will post -0.05 EPS for the current fiscal year. NexGen Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) NexGen Energy Ltd., an exploration and development stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation and development of uranium properties in Canada. It holds a 100% interest in the Rook I project that consists of 32 contiguous mineral claims totaling an area of 35,065 hectares located in the southwestern Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for NexGen Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NexGen Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PressLogic (PLAI) plans to raise $9 million in an initial public offering (IPO) on the week of December 1st, IPO Scoop reports. The company will be issuing 1,800,000 shares at $4.00-$6.00 per share. In the last 12 months, PressLogic generated $14.77 million in revenue and $1.91 million in net income. PressLogic has a market cap of $83.20 million. American Trust Investment Services acted as the underwriter for the IPO. PressLogic provided the following description of their company for its IPO: (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands) We provide digital marketing services to companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Our content marketing solutions include a digital marketing solution segment, which offers editorial content, influencer marketing and display advertising, along with advertisements. We run nine proprietary media brands with over 12 million subscribers and followers, including nine websites, five apps, 11 Facebook fanpages, 11 Instagram profiles and eight YouTube channels, as of the date of this prospectus. Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars (converted from Hong Kong dollars) for the 12 months that ended June 30, 2025. (Note: PressLogic filed its F-1/A on Oct. 14, 2025, and disclosed the terms of its small IPO: The company is offering 1.8 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $9.0 million, if priced at the mid-point of its range. Background: PressLogic filed its F-1 to go public in September.) . PressLogic was founded in 2016 and has 124 employees. The company is located at 26/F, Chinachem Leighton Plaza 29 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay Hong Kong Tel: +852 3709 2787 and can be reached via phone at +852 3709 2787 or on the web at https://www.presslogic.online/. Receive News & Ratings for PressLogic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PressLogic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tourmaline Oil Corp. (OTCMKTS:TRMLF Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Hold from the nine brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have assigned a hold recommendation, two have given a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $65.00. A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley set a $65.00 price objective on Tourmaline Oil in a research report on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Tourmaline Oil in a research note on Monday, October 13th. They set a buy rating for the company. Zacks Research lowered shares of Tourmaline Oil from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. TD Securities downgraded shares of Tourmaline Oil from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, Scotiabank upgraded shares of Tourmaline Oil to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Get Tourmaline Oil alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Tourmaline Oil Tourmaline Oil Stock Up 1.3% Shares of Tourmaline Oil stock opened at $44.01 on Thursday. Tourmaline Oil has a twelve month low of $38.85 and a twelve month high of $50.01. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The companys 50 day moving average is $43.80 and its 200 day moving average is $44.51. The company has a market cap of $17.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.78 and a beta of -0.31. Tourmaline Oil (OTCMKTS:TRMLF Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.47 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $1.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.20 billion. Tourmaline Oil had a net margin of 21.15% and a return on equity of 8.58%. Research analysts anticipate that Tourmaline Oil will post 2.52 EPS for the current year. Tourmaline Oil Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 16th were given a dividend of $0.362 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 344.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 15th. This is a positive change from Tourmaline Oils previous dividend of $0.25. Tourmaline Oils payout ratio is presently 58.17%. About Tourmaline Oil (Get Free Report) Tourmaline Oil Corp. explores for and develops oil and natural gas properties in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. The company holds interests in properties located in the Alberta Deep Basin, Northeast British Columbia Montney, and the Peace River High Triassic oil complex. Tourmaline Oil Corp. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Tourmaline Oil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tourmaline Oil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ANKARA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish authorities seized 470 kg of skunk and 85 kg of cannabis in an operation carried out by the gendarmerie in the southeastern border province of Diyarbakir, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Sunday. Yerlikaya said on the social media platform X that 25 suspects had been detained, including 14 identified as drug traffickers. He did not specify when the operation took place. Video posted on his X account showed gendarmerie troops entering a large yard in a hilly area, supported by sniffer dogs, and seizing large quantities of drugs. Turkiye, a key transit route for illegal narcotics destined for Europe, has stepped up efforts to combat drug trafficking. Authorities say increased border checks and nationwide crackdowns have led to major seizures and a rise in arrests. United Airlines, American Airlines Group, Delta Air Lines, Joby Aviation, Air Lease, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Air Group are the seven Airline stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Airline stocks are shares of publicly traded companies that operate passenger and cargo airlines, representing partial ownership in those carriers. They tend to be cyclical and relatively volatile, with performance strongly influenced by factors such as fuel prices, economic conditions, travel demand, labor costs, and regulation. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Airline stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: United Airlines (UAL) United Airlines Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides air transportation services in North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company transports people and cargo through its mainline and regional fleets. It also offers catering, ground handling, flight academy, and maintenance services for third parties. American Airlines Group (AAL) American Airlines Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a network air carrier. The company provides scheduled air transportation services for passengers and cargo through its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C., as well as through partner gateways in London, Doha, Madrid, Seattle/Tacoma, Sydney, and Tokyo. Read Our Latest Research Report on AAL Delta Air Lines (DAL) Delta Air Lines, Inc. provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. Read Our Latest Research Report on DAL Joby Aviation (JOBY) Joby Aviation, Inc., a vertically integrated air mobility company, engages in building an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft optimized to deliver air transportation as a service. The company intends to build an aerial ridesharing service, as well as developing an application-based platform that will enable consumers to book rides. Read Our Latest Research Report on JOBY Air Lease (AL) Air Lease Corporation, an aircraft leasing company, engages in the purchase and leasing of commercial jet aircraft to airlines worldwide. It sells aircraft from its fleet to third parties, including other leasing companies, financial services companies, airlines, and other investors. The company provides fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios. Read Our Latest Research Report on AL Southwest Airlines (LUV) Southwest Airlines Co. operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a total fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos. Read Our Latest Research Report on LUV Alaska Air Group (ALK) Alaska Air Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates airlines. It operates through three segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company offers scheduled air transportation services on Boeing jet aircraft for passengers and cargo in the United States, and in parts of Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and the Bahamas; and for passengers across a shorter distance network within the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Read Our Latest Research Report on ALK See Also KBC Group NV reduced its holdings in shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYSE:BXMT Free Report) by 39.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,798 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 3,159 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NVs holdings in Blackstone Mortgage Trust were worth $92,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. SVB Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Blackstone Mortgage Trust in the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 45.5% in the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,715 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 536 shares during the period. FNY Investment Advisers LLC grew its position in shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 420.0% during the 2nd quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC now owns 2,600 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 2,100 shares during the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA bought a new position in shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust during the second quarter valued at approximately $68,000. Finally, Wellington Shields & Co. LLC grew its stake in Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 39.8% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Shields & Co. LLC now owns 4,410 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $88,000 after buying an additional 1,255 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.15% of the companys stock. Get Blackstone Mortgage Trust alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Blackstone Mortgage Trust In related news, CEO Katharine A. Keenan sold 4,593 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.49, for a total value of $89,517.57. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 230,006 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,482,816.94. The trade was a 1.96% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 8,818 shares of company stock valued at $171,190. 1.02% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Blackstone Mortgage Trust Trading Up 2.7% NYSE BXMT opened at $18.82 on Friday. Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc. has a 1-year low of $16.51 and a 1-year high of $21.24. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $18.53 and its 200-day simple moving average is $19.03. The company has a market capitalization of $3.16 billion, a PE ratio of 30.35 and a beta of 1.16. Blackstone Mortgage Trust (NYSE:BXMT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.19 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $132.71 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $103.56 million. Blackstone Mortgage Trust had a return on equity of 4.06% and a net margin of 7.53%. As a group, analysts predict that Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc. will post 1.65 EPS for the current year. Blackstone Mortgage Trust Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were issued a dividend of $0.47 per share. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.0%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. Blackstone Mortgage Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 303.23%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have commented on BXMT shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust from $18.50 to $19.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Blackstone Mortgage Trust from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $20.00 to $21.00 in a report on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust in a report on Wednesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $20.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on BXMT About Blackstone Mortgage Trust (Free Report) Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc, a real estate finance company, originates senior loans collateralized by commercial properties in North America, Europe, and Australia. The company originates and acquires senior floating rate mortgage loans that are secured by a first-priority mortgage on commercial real estate assets. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Blackstone Mortgage Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blackstone Mortgage Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC lessened its holdings in Kemper Corporation (NYSE:KMPR Free Report) by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 140,735 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 5,500 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLCs holdings in Kemper were worth $9,083,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of KMPR. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Kemper by 37.4% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,258,844 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $84,154,000 after purchasing an additional 342,649 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Kemper by 673.8% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 262,650 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $17,558,000 after acquiring an additional 228,707 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. purchased a new position in shares of Kemper during the 2nd quarter worth about $12,819,000. Boston Partners boosted its position in shares of Kemper by 14.3% in the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,263,961 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $83,357,000 after acquiring an additional 158,102 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. purchased a new stake in Kemper in the first quarter valued at approximately $8,390,000. 86.23% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Kemper alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets KMPR has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Kemper in a report on Wednesday. Piper Sandler cut their target price on Kemper from $50.00 to $35.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. JMP Securities lowered their price target on Kemper from $85.00 to $75.00 and set a market outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of Kemper in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, Raymond James Financial lowered Kemper from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $60.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Kemper currently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $56.67. Kemper Stock Up 2.1% Shares of NYSE KMPR opened at $38.92 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $46.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $55.09. The company has a current ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 0.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. Kemper Corporation has a 12-month low of $33.91 and a 12-month high of $73.01. The company has a market cap of $2.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.33 and a beta of 1.23. Kemper (NYSE:KMPR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by ($1.00). Kemper had a return on equity of 14.39% and a net margin of 7.18%.The company had revenue of $1.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.22 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.62 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Kemper Corporation will post 6.03 EPS for the current fiscal year. Kemper Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 3rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be given a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. Kempers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 33.42%. Kemper declared that its board has approved a share repurchase program on Tuesday, August 5th that permits the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the insurance provider to repurchase up to 12.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Kemper Profile (Free Report) Kemper Corporation, a diversified insurance holding company, engages in the provision of insurance products to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance, Preferred Property & Casualty Insurance, and Life & Health Insurance. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KMPR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kemper Corporation (NYSE:KMPR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kemper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kemper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of Everest Group, Ltd. (NYSE:EG Free Report) by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 25,553 shares of the companys stock after selling 477 shares during the quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLCs holdings in Everest Group were worth $8,684,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. increased its stake in shares of Everest Group by 3.0% in the first quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 1,025 shares of the companys stock worth $372,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Everest Group by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 816 shares of the companys stock worth $277,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the period. Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised its holdings in Everest Group by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft now owns 595 shares of the companys stock valued at $213,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its holdings in Everest Group by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 5,059 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,838,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares during the period. Finally, Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Everest Group by 2.9% during the second quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 1,493 shares of the companys stock worth $507,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.64% of the companys stock. Get Everest Group alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director William F. Galtney, Jr. acquired 11,385 shares of Everest Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $307.38 per share, for a total transaction of $3,499,521.30. Following the transaction, the director owned 45,491 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,983,023.58. This trade represents a 33.38% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Allan Levine bought 3,100 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $306.08 per share, with a total value of $948,848.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 4,153 shares in the company, valued at $1,271,150.24. The trade was a 294.40% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Everest Group Stock Up 2.0% Shares of NYSE EG opened at $311.16 on Friday. Everest Group, Ltd. has a 12 month low of $302.44 and a 12 month high of $392.78. The company has a current ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.70, a PEG ratio of 0.25 and a beta of 0.47. The business has a 50-day moving average of $336.12 and a 200-day moving average of $337.96. Everest Group (NYSE:EG Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The company reported $7.54 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $13.39 by ($5.85). Everest Group had a net margin of 3.12% and a return on equity of 3.81%. The company had revenue of $4.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.86 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $11.80 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Everest Group, Ltd. will post 47.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Everest Group Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 26th will be given a $2.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 26th. This represents a $8.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. Everest Groups payout ratio is 60.93%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In EG has been the subject of several recent research reports. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Everest Group from $380.00 to $384.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Cantor Fitzgerald raised Everest Group to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Citigroup initiated coverage on Everest Group in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. They set a neutral rating and a $362.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Everest Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Everest Group from $425.00 to $365.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 31st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $368.77. Get Our Latest Research Report on EG Everest Group Company Profile (Free Report) Everest Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segment, Insurance and Reinsurance. The Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Everest Group, Ltd. (NYSE:EG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Everest Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Everest Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CenterBook Partners LP bought a new stake in The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 23,393 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $2,134,000. Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Charles Schwab during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. RMG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 97.9% in the first quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 386 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Stone House Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Charles Schwab during the first quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Activest Wealth Management raised its position in Charles Schwab by 6,650.0% in the first quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 405 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 399 shares in the last quarter. 84.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have recently weighed in on SCHW. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Friday, October 17th. Zacks Research cut shares of Charles Schwab from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $119.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on Charles Schwab in a report on Friday, October 3rd. They issued an outperform rating and a $110.00 price target on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Charles Schwab presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $106.45. Charles Schwab Price Performance SCHW stock opened at $90.44 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $93.88 and its 200 day moving average price is $92.75. The firm has a market cap of $160.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.18, a PEG 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 Charles Schwab Corporation has a 1 year low of $65.88 and a 1 year high of $99.59. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 earnings per share 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 company had revenue of $6.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.93 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.71 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 26.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Charles Schwab Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a $0.27 dividend. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is 25.29%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 3,072 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.00, for a total transaction of $301,056.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 11,923 shares in the company, valued at $1,168,454. The trade was a 20.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 50,016 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $97.00, for a total transaction of $4,851,552.00. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 68,938 shares of company stock valued at $6,671,953 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 6.30% of the companys stock. 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 Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). 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. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:TBLL 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 63,406 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 16,258 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers holdings in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF were worth $6,692,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Advyzon Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 14.8% in the second quarter. Advyzon Investment Management LLC now owns 2,783 shares of the companys stock valued at $294,000 after acquiring an additional 359 shares in the last quarter. PFG Advisors raised its stake in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 7.9% in the 2nd quarter. PFG Advisors now owns 4,939 shares of the companys stock worth $521,000 after purchasing an additional 363 shares in the last quarter. Convergence Financial LLC bought a new stake in Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $10,033,000. Astra Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $888,000. Finally, Strategic Financial Concepts LLC increased its holdings in shares of Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF by 106.7% during the second quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC now owns 5,493 shares of the companys stock worth $580,000 after purchasing an additional 2,836 shares during the period. Get Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF alerts: Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Trading Up 0.0% NYSEARCA TBLL opened at $105.87 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $105.71 and a 200-day moving average of $105.64. Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF has a 1-year low of $105.37 and a 1-year high of $105.90. About Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF The Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (TBLL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the ICE US Treasury Short Bond index. The fund tracks a market-weighted index of debt issued by the US Treasury. Remaining maturity must be between 1-12 months. TBLL was launched on Jan 12, 2017 and is issued by Invesco. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TBLL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:TBLL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Short Term Treasury ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR Free Report) by 12.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 39,717 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 4,466 shares during the quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $6,924,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Digital Realty Trust by 1.8% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 52,378,860 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $7,505,367,000 after acquiring an additional 925,674 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,850,818 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,536,795,000 after purchasing an additional 196,579 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 63.0% in the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 7,144,737 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,023,769,000 after purchasing an additional 2,760,286 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in Digital Realty Trust by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 5,301,199 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $759,609,000 after purchasing an additional 220,649 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in Digital Realty Trust by 1.2% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,714,045 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $675,456,000 after purchasing an additional 57,312 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.71% of the companys stock. Get Digital Realty Trust alerts: Digital Realty Trust Price Performance Shares of DLR stock opened at $157.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 2.22 and a current ratio of 2.02. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $129.95 and a fifty-two week high of $198.00. The firm has a market cap of $53.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.60, a P/E/G ratio of 4.13 and a beta of 0.96. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $170.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $170.91. Digital Realty Trust Announces Dividend Digital Realty Trust ( NYSE:DLR Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.15 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.58 billion during the quarter. Digital Realty Trust had a return on equity of 6.41% and a net margin of 23.67%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. Digital Realty Trusts payout ratio is presently 126.10%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on DLR. Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Barclays raised their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $141.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $210.00 price objective on Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Friday, October 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Digital Realty Trust from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $198.14. View Our Latest Analysis on DLR Insider Activity In related news, CEO Andrew Power sold 53,269 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.16, for a total value of $9,330,598.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Digital Realty Trust (Free Report) Digital Realty Trust, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust, which engages in the provision of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. It serves the following industries: artificial intelligence (AI), networks, cloud, digital media, mobile, financial services, healthcare, and gaming. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DLR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Digital Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Digital Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (BATS:NULG Free Report) by 144.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 69,940 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 41,310 shares during the quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF were worth $6,571,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of NULG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF by 24.0% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 79,338 shares of the companys stock worth $7,454,000 after buying an additional 15,336 shares in the last quarter. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF by 15.8% during the 2nd quarter. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC now owns 11,786 shares of the companys stock worth $1,107,000 after acquiring an additional 1,607 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF by 13.2% in the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 92,081 shares of the companys stock worth $8,651,000 after acquiring an additional 10,727 shares in the last quarter. Empower Advisory Group LLC bought a new position in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF in the second quarter valued at $215,000. Finally, L & S Advisors Inc raised its position in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF by 7.1% during the second quarter. L & S Advisors Inc now owns 27,260 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,561,000 after purchasing an additional 1,818 shares in the last quarter. Get Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF alerts: Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF Stock Up 11.7% Shares of NULG stock opened at $94.79 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $99.25 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $95.51. Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF has a 12-month low of $67.66 and a 12-month high of $99.18. The firm has a market cap of $1.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.38 and a beta of 1.17. About Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF The Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Growth index. The fund tracks an index composed of large-cap US companies with growth characteristics that also meet certain environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. NULG was launched on Dec 13, 2016 and is managed by Nuveen. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NULG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (BATS:NULG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its holdings in Knife River Corporation (NYSE:KNF Free Report) by 7.6% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 14,556 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,023 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYSs holdings in Knife River were worth $1,188,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Knife River by 32.1% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 605,274 shares of the companys stock valued at $54,604,000 after acquiring an additional 146,987 shares in the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas raised its holdings in Knife River by 127.2% in the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 128,785 shares of the companys stock worth $10,514,000 after purchasing an additional 72,108 shares in the last quarter. DMKC Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Knife River in the 2nd quarter worth about $358,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Knife River by 9.3% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 41,779 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,769,000 after purchasing an additional 3,543 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Knife River during the first quarter valued at about $416,000. 80.11% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Knife River alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have commented on KNF shares. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Knife River from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $75.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. UBS Group upgraded Knife River to an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Wall Street Zen lowered Knife River from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Sunday, November 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on Knife River from $115.00 to $105.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Oppenheimer dropped their target price on shares of Knife River from $120.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $99.00. Knife River Stock Up 2.2% KNF stock opened at $70.66 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $69.24 and a 200 day moving average of $80.35. The firm has a market cap of $4.00 billion, a PE ratio of 27.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.53. Knife River Corporation has a twelve month low of $58.72 and a twelve month high of $108.83. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 2.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. Knife River (NYSE:KNF Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $2.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.07. Knife River had a return on equity of 9.97% and a net margin of 4.87%.The firm had revenue of $1.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.22 billion. Knife River has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Knife River Corporation will post 4.11 EPS for the current fiscal year. Knife River Profile (Free Report) Knife River Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides aggregates- led construction materials and contracting services in the United States. It operates through Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, Central, and Energy Services segments. The company mines, processes, and sells construction aggregates, including crushed stone and sand, and gravel; and produces and sells asphalt and ready-mix concrete. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KNF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Knife River Corporation (NYSE:KNF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Knife River Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Knife River and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its position in shares of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI Free Report) by 4.7% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 3,254 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 147 shares during the period. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYSs holdings in Group 1 Automotive were worth $1,421,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. IFP Advisors Inc increased its position in Group 1 Automotive by 13.8% during the first quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 749 shares of the companys stock worth $287,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its holdings in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 16.2% during the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 12,787 shares of the companys stock worth $4,884,000 after purchasing an additional 1,780 shares during the period. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of Group 1 Automotive during the first quarter worth approximately $486,000. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its position in shares of Group 1 Automotive by 3.1% in the first quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 3,514 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,342,000 after buying an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Inspire Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Group 1 Automotive in the first quarter valued at approximately $905,000. 99.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Group 1 Automotive alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have commented on GPI shares. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Group 1 Automotive in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. Wall Street Zen cut Group 1 Automotive from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 30th. Barclays began coverage on shares of Group 1 Automotive in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. They set an overweight rating and a $510.00 price objective for the company. Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of Group 1 Automotive from $560.00 to $545.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Group 1 Automotive in a report on Wednesday. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Group 1 Automotive currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $478.88. Insider Buying and Selling at Group 1 Automotive In other news, Director Lincoln Pereira sold 7,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $469.34, for a total transaction of $3,285,380.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 82,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $38,939,731.78. This represents a 7.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 2.10% of the companys stock. Group 1 Automotive Stock Performance NYSE:GPI opened at $399.73 on Friday. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. has a twelve month low of $355.91 and a twelve month high of $490.09. The company has a quick ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $421.76 and its 200 day simple moving average is $435.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.05 billion, a PE ratio of 13.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.91. Group 1 Automotive (NYSE:GPI Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $10.45 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $10.64 by ($0.19). Group 1 Automotive had a return on equity of 18.08% and a net margin of 1.67%.The company had revenue of $5.78 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.67 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $9.90 EPS. The firms revenue was up 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Group 1 Automotive, Inc. will post 41 EPS for the current fiscal year. Group 1 Automotive Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. Group 1 Automotives dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 7.00%. Group 1 Automotive announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, November 11th that permits the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 10.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued. About Group 1 Automotive (Free Report) Group 1 Automotive, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates in the automotive retail industry in the United States and the United Kingdom. The company sells new and used cars, light trucks, and vehicle parts, as well as service and insurance contracts; arranges related vehicle financing; and offers automotive maintenance and repair services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GPI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:GPI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Group 1 Automotive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Group 1 Automotive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Elnur Enveroglu There is a saying that people are born the same, yet over time, desire and temptation can mould a person into something quite different, even reshaping their character. Countries, too, undergo such transformations; once freed from the levers of empires, they often experience a period of distortion before rediscovering who they truly are. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia in 199091, declared both sovereignty and independence. But those who held power at the time succumbed to their own ambitions and to the false nationalist fantasies seeded into public consciousness, making a path that led the nation towards a dead end. Today, it is Armenias constitution that stands as the principal barrier to peace in the South Caucasus. It is no coincidence that, at the very moment Armenia finds itself staring into the abyss, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan now openly admits that the country needs a new constitution. This need has existed for many years, but previous political elites, and a society shaped by decades of misguided ideological propaganda, were unwilling to face the truth. Time, however, has a habit of separating illusion from reality. The same authorities that once occupied Garabagh consoled their public with fantasies of borders stretching to the seas. Yet these delusions left Armenia isolated for more than three decades. As the old saying goes, Time is the best healer. Armenia now recognises that the structures and governance it inherited were fundamentally flawed. Progress cannot be built on conquest or mythmaking, but on mutual respect and constructive relations with neighbours. Even senior American officials have acknowledged this shift. As US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff put it so pointedly, he praised President Ilham Aliyev for liberating Garabagh without pushing into Armenian territory, "though he could have. Aliyev acted with restraint, demonstrating a magnanimity that few leaders in such a moment would have shown," he said at one of his meetings. Indeed, if Azerbaijan had wished, Yerevan, Goycha, even Zangazur could have been taken by force. But that was never Bakus agenda. Instead, Azerbaijan repeatedly urged Armenia to embrace a peace agenda, warning it that the geopolitical chessboard of the South Caucasus was shifting fast. Armenia may have been blind to the checkmate awaiting it, but its former patron, Russia, and the far more perceptive West saw it clearly. Todays Armenian leadership, its illusions finally stripped away, is beginning to confront realities it long dismissed. This wider awakening forms the essential backdrop to the current constitutional debate in Yerevan. Pashinyans argument is that the existing constitution, drafted in 1995 and amended twice since, is viewed by many Armenians as the legacy of discredited regimes. It lacks organic legitimacy and fails to reflect the citizen as the true sovereign. His government argues that a new constitution could create a unified national identity within the boundaries the world actually recognises, not those that Armenian nationalism once imagined. But the constitutional debate is not simply a matter of national introspection. It sits at the heart of the peace process with Azerbaijan. Baku has long maintained that Armenias constitution, through references to the 1990 Declaration of Independence, implicitly asserts territorial claims on Azerbaijan. Pashinyan has cautiously acknowledged this, signalling his readiness to remove ambiguity that undermines the peace treaty both sides say they want. He has also tied constitutional reform to long-overdue changes in the justice system. By his own admission, Armenias courts operate in a bubble, detached from public confidence. The introduction of jury trials is one of several innovations being considered, a sign that this constitutional debate is also about modernising the state itself. A referendum is planned, with a draft expected by 2026 and a nationwide vote pencilled in for 2027. Yet as with any attempt to shake up entrenched systems, fierce opposition has emerged. Critics accuse Pashinyan of capitulation to Azerbaijani demands, while others see an attempt to consolidate power under the guise of reform. For now, Armenias Justice Minister, Srbuhi Galyan, has confirmed that work on the draft is underway. Armenia stands at a crossroads. It can cling to the outdated narratives that brought it isolation, war, and economic stagnation. Or it can embrace a constitutional transformation that reflects geopolitical reality and opens the door to lasting peace. Change is seldom easy, and there will always be those who prefer to live in the past. But the writing is on the wall: only through political maturity and constitutional clarity can Armenia hope to secure a future defined not by conflict, but by stability, growth, and genuine sovereignty. Currys plc (LON:CURY Get Free Report)s stock price passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 125.55 and traded as low as GBX 124. Currys shares last traded at GBX 126.40, with a volume of 990,468 shares traded. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth CURY has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Berenberg Bank raised their price target on Currys from GBX 175 to GBX 200 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Citigroup increased their target price on Currys from GBX 150 to GBX 166 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 165.33. Get Currys alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Currys Currys Stock Down 0.5% The company has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 137.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 125.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 45.83. The company has a market capitalization of 1.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.31 and a beta of 1.31. Currys declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, September 4th that permits the company to buyback 0 shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued. Currys Company Profile (Get Free Report) Currys plc is a leading omnichannel retailer of technology products and services, operating online and through over 800 stores in 8 countries. We Help Everyone Enjoy Amazing Technology, however they choose to shop with us. In the UK & Ireland we trade as Currys; in the Nordics under the Elkjp brand and as Kotsovolos in Greece. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Currys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Currys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cynosure Group LLC increased its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 22.0% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 2,034 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 367 shares during the quarter. Cynosure Group LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,586,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.0% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,359,653 shares of the companys stock worth $4,178,010,000 after buying an additional 103,119 shares during the period. Soundwatch Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter worth about $3,814,000. Enterprise Financial Services Corp grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter. Enterprise Financial Services Corp now owns 1,906 shares of the companys stock worth $1,486,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC increased its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 14,898 shares of the companys stock valued at $11,613,000 after purchasing an additional 553 shares during the period. Finally, Cowa LLC purchased a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter valued at about $220,000. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on LLY shares. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,038.00 to $1,182.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued an outperform rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Hsbc Global Res raised Eli Lilly and Company from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,010.00 to $900.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 11th. Finally, DZ Bank upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,027.95. Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 1.4% Shares of NYSE:LLY opened at $1,058.05 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $855.89 and its 200 day moving average is $787.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.00. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $623.78 and a 1 year high of $1,066.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.00 trillion, a P/E ratio of 69.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. 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 the consensus estimate of $16.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.18 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend The business 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 dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is currently 29.35%. About Eli Lilly and Company (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Further Reading 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. DNB Asset Management AS increased its position in shares of Public Storage (NYSE:PSA Free Report) by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 30,263 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 1,731 shares during the quarter. DNB Asset Management ASs holdings in Public Storage were worth $8,880,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Public Storage in the 1st quarter valued at about $271,196,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Public Storage by 68.9% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,164,992 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $348,670,000 after buying an additional 475,342 shares during the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new stake in shares of Public Storage during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $94,297,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Public Storage by 0.7% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 20,735,896 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $6,206,046,000 after acquiring an additional 143,575 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG grew its position in Public Storage by 9.8% in the first quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 1,546,240 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $462,774,000 after acquiring an additional 138,486 shares during the period. 78.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Public Storage alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth PSA has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Evercore ISI reduced their target price on Public Storage from $317.00 to $315.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Public Storage from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $325.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Public Storage from $320.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Raymond James Financial dropped their price target on shares of Public Storage from $350.00 to $330.00 and set a strong-buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Public Storage from $321.00 to $316.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $325.21. Public Storage Stock Performance NYSE PSA opened at $269.77 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.04, a current ratio of 1.77 and a quick ratio of 1.77. The company has a market cap of $47.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.01, a P/E/G ratio of 4.72 and a beta of 0.91. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $287.01 and a two-hundred day moving average of $290.78. Public Storage has a 1-year low of $256.60 and a 1-year high of $355.87. Public Storage (NYSE:PSA Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $4.31 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.24 by $0.07. Public Storage had a net margin of 39.53% and a return on equity of 35.67%. The companys revenue was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $4.20 earnings per share. Public Storage has set its FY 2025 guidance at 16.700-17.000 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Public Storage will post 16.7 EPS for the current year. Public Storage Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $3.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $12.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.4%. Public Storages dividend payout ratio is currently 124.61%. Public Storage Company Profile (Free Report) Public Storage, a member of the S&P 500 and FT Global 500, is a REIT that primarily acquires, develops, owns, and operates self-storage facilities. At December 31, 2023, we had: (i) interests in 3,044 self-storage facilities located in 40 states with approximately 218 million net rentable square feet in the United States and (ii) a 35% common equity interest in Shurgard Self Storage Limited (Euronext Brussels: SHUR), which owned 275 self-storage facilities located in seven Western European nations with approximately 15 million net rentable square feet operated under the Shurgard brand. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PSA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Public Storage (NYSE:PSA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Public Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Public Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DNB Asset Management AS lowered its holdings in shares of Lennox International, Inc. (NYSE:LII Free Report) by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 13,818 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 1,275 shares during the period. DNB Asset Management ASs holdings in Lennox International were worth $7,921,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of LII. AdvisorShares Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lennox International during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. raised its holdings in Lennox International by 175.9% during the 2nd quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 80 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. boosted its position in Lennox International by 125.0% during the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 81 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Lennox International by 52.9% in the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 107 shares of the construction companys stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Steph & Co. purchased a new position in shares of Lennox International in the second quarter valued at about $80,000. Institutional investors own 67.07% of the companys stock. Get Lennox International alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently issued reports on LII. Weiss Ratings cut Lennox International from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. Oppenheimer cut their price objective on Lennox International from $730.00 to $675.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Wolfe Research upgraded Lennox International from an underperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Lennox International from $501.00 to $493.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Lennox International from $575.00 to $545.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $600.17. Insider Activity In other news, Director Todd J. Teske sold 600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $491.85, for a total value of $295,110.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 7,581 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,728,714.85. The trade was a 7.33% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 9.73% of the companys stock. Lennox International Price Performance LII opened at $465.23 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The company has a market cap of $16.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.10. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $511.48 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $558.27. Lennox International, Inc. has a 12-month low of $443.19 and a 12-month high of $689.44. Lennox International (NYSE:LII Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The construction company reported $6.98 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.69 by $0.29. The firm had revenue of $1.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.54 billion. Lennox International had a net margin of 15.74% and a return on equity of 91.96%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $6.68 EPS. Lennox International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 22.750-23.250 EPS. Research analysts predict that Lennox International, Inc. will post 22.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Lennox International Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Lennox Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.95%. Lennox International Profile (Free Report) Lennox International Inc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets a range of products for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The Home Comfort Solutions segment provides furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, packaged heating and cooling systems, indoor air quality equipment, comfort control products, and replacement parts and supplies; residential heating, ventilation, cooling equipment, and air conditioning; and evaporator coils and unit heaters under Lennox, Dave Lennox Signature Collection, Armstrong Air, Ducane, AirEase, Concord, MagicPak, Advanced Distributor Products, Allied, Elite Series, Merit Series, Comfort Sync, Healthy Climate, iComfort, ComfortSense, and Lennox Stores name. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LII? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lennox International, Inc. (NYSE:LII Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lennox International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lennox International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rhumbline Advisers lessened its position in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK Free Report) by 0.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,282,585 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 8,355 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Duke Energy were worth $151,347,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GQG Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Duke Energy by 17,880.0% in the first quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 10,249,508 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,250,133,000 after acquiring an additional 10,192,503 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of Duke Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $702,351,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Duke Energy by 88.1% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 4,861,309 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $592,934,000 after acquiring an additional 2,276,948 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Duke Energy by 2.3% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 74,562,000 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $9,094,327,000 after acquiring an additional 1,676,061 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. raised its position in Duke Energy by 359.1% during the first quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 1,132,613 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $138,145,000 after purchasing an additional 885,900 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.31% of the companys stock. Get Duke Energy alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages have recently issued reports on DUK. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Duke Energy from $138.00 to $141.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Scotiabank set a $137.00 target price on Duke Energy and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. BTIG Research raised shares of Duke Energy to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Evercore ISI started coverage on shares of Duke Energy in a report on Monday, October 6th. They set an outperform rating and a $143.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Duke Energy from $132.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $138.44. Duke Energy Price Performance Shares of NYSE:DUK opened at $122.78 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a current ratio of 0.66. Duke Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $105.20 and a 52 week high of $130.03. The firm has a market cap of $95.48 billion, a PE ratio of 19.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.45. The firms fifty day moving average is $124.37 and its 200-day moving average is $120.97. Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.75 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $8.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.51 billion. Duke Energy had a return on equity of 9.85% and a net margin of 15.51%.Duke Energys revenue for the quarter was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.62 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 earnings per share for the current year. Duke Energy Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a dividend of $1.065 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $4.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 66.98%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Robert Alexander Glenn sold 8,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total value of $1,015,160.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 11,367 shares in the company, valued at $1,407,234.60. The trade was a 41.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.14% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Duke Energy Company Profile (Free Report) Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DUK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Duke Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duke Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eisler Capital Management Ltd. raised its position in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report) by 44.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 19,743 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,047 shares during the period. W.W. Grainger accounts for approximately 0.1% of Eisler Capital Management Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. Eisler Capital Management Ltd.s holdings in W.W. Grainger were worth $20,484,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Hilltop National Bank acquired a new stake in shares of W.W. Grainger in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Quaker Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in W.W. Grainger by 196.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 24 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in W.W. Grainger in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of W.W. Grainger by 316.7% during the 2nd quarter. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. now owns 25 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nova Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of W.W. Grainger in the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.70% of the companys stock. Get W.W. Grainger alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other W.W. Grainger news, SVP Jonny M. Leroy sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $992.86, for a total value of $496,430.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 1,771 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,758,355.06. The trade was a 22.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 6.10% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts recently commented on GWW shares. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on W.W. Grainger from $1,006.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Loop Capital reduced their price target on W.W. Grainger from $1,000.00 to $950.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 4th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,035.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein initiated coverage on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. They set a market perform rating and a $975.00 target price on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and an average target price of $1,018.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on GWW W.W. Grainger Stock Performance NYSE GWW opened at $951.30 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $959.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1,008.05. The company has a current ratio of 2.82, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The stock has a market cap of $45.23 billion, a PE ratio of 24.14, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 1.17. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a twelve month low of $893.99 and a twelve month high of $1,227.44. W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $10.21 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $9.95 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $4.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.64 billion. W.W. Grainger had a net margin of 10.99% and a return on equity of 49.63%. W.W. Graingers revenue for the quarter was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $9.87 earnings per share. W.W. Grainger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 39.000-39.750 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 40.3 earnings per share for the current year. W.W. Grainger Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th will be given a dividend of $2.26 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th. This represents a $9.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.35%. W.W. Grainger Company Profile (Free Report) W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GWW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for W.W. Grainger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for W.W. Grainger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in shares of OneMain Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:OMF Free Report) by 30.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 60,125 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 13,963 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLCs holdings in OneMain were worth $3,427,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Forum Financial Management LP grew its stake in shares of OneMain by 4.6% in the 2nd quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 4,749 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $271,000 after purchasing an additional 209 shares during the period. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division boosted its stake in OneMain by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 8,079 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $461,000 after buying an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Vista Finance LLC boosted its stake in OneMain by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Vista Finance LLC now owns 7,073 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $403,000 after buying an additional 279 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG grew its position in OneMain by 0.8% in the first quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 36,581 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,788,000 after acquiring an additional 290 shares during the period. Finally, Independent Advisor Alliance raised its stake in OneMain by 2.2% during the first quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 16,479 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $805,000 after acquiring an additional 357 shares in the last quarter. 85.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get OneMain alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, COO Micah R. Conrad sold 5,000 shares of the companys 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 owned 88,221 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,222,683.20. This represents a 5.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Douglas H. Shulman sold 35,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.54, for a total value of $2,083,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 231,600 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,789,464. This represents a 13.13% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock. OneMain Trading Up 3.5% OMF opened at $59.82 on Friday. OneMain Holdings, Inc. has a 1-year low of $38.00 and a 1-year high of $63.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.04 billion, a PE ratio of 10.80, a PEG ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.37. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $57.79 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $56.76. OneMain (NYSE:OMF Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $1.90 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.58 by $0.32. The business had revenue of $747.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.24 billion. OneMain had a net margin of 12.63% and a return on equity of 20.65%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.31 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that OneMain Holdings, Inc. will post 6.46 EPS for the current year. OneMain Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a $1.05 dividend. This is an increase from OneMains previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.0%. OneMains payout ratio is 71.19%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. JMP Securities set a $70.00 price objective on OneMain in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of OneMain from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Citigroup reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of OneMain in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of OneMain from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on OneMain in a report on Monday, August 25th. They issued an equal weight rating on the stock. One 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 company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $63.13. View Our Latest Research Report on OneMain OneMain Company Profile (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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OMF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for OneMain Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:OMF Free Report). 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. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 15,648 shares of the transportation companys stock, valued at approximately $3,593,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 48.1% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 154 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the period. CWM LLC raised its position in Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 41.5% in the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 174 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its holdings in Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 2,973 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $552,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,334 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,684,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico by 24.9% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 596 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $137,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.73% of the companys stock. Get Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico alerts: Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico Stock Up 2.2% Shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico stock opened at $225.06 on Friday. Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, S.A. de C.V. has a 1 year low of $168.62 and a 1 year high of $259.33. The company has a market cap of $11.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.60, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a current ratio of 2.01, a quick ratio of 2.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.21. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $226.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $230.95. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico ( NYSE:PAC Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The transportation company reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.96 by ($0.10). The business had revenue of $520.69 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.04 billion. Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico had a net margin of 25.27% and a return on equity of 42.07%. As a group, analysts expect that Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, S.A. de C.V. will post 10 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of brokerages recently weighed in on PAC. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 2nd. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Citigroup reissued a hold rating on shares of Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $210.00. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico Company Profile (Free Report) Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, SAB. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, holds concessions to develop, operate, and manage airports in Mexico and Jamaica. The company operates twelve international airports in Guadalajara and Tijuana areas, Mexico; and two international airports in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE:PAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its stake in Xerox Holdings Co. (NYSE:XRX Free Report) by 7.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 667,923 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 48,542 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLCs holdings in Xerox were worth $3,520,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of XRX. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in Xerox by 110.8% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 5,539 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 2,911 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Xerox during the second quarter valued at $31,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Xerox in the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. Plato Investment Management Ltd purchased a new position in Xerox in the 2nd quarter worth $44,000. Finally, FORA Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Xerox during the 1st quarter worth about $49,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.36% of the companys stock. Get Xerox alerts: Xerox Stock Up 12.0% Shares of XRX stock opened at $2.62 on Friday. Xerox Holdings Co. has a twelve month low of $2.32 and a twelve month high of $9.91. The stock has a market cap of $335.46 million, a P/E ratio of -0.24 and a beta of 1.80. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $3.34 and a 200 day moving average of $4.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.61. Xerox Announces Dividend Xerox ( NYSE:XRX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The information technology services provider reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.18) by $0.38. Xerox had a negative net margin of 21.24% and a positive return on equity of 7.57%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.25 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 28.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Xerox has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Xerox Holdings Co. will post 1.07 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a $0.025 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.10 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. Xeroxs dividend payout ratio is -1.28%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup cut their price objective on Xerox from $4.50 to $3.50 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 10th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Xerox from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Xerox currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $3.50. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Xerox Xerox Company Profile (Free Report) Xerox Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a workplace technology company that integrates hardware, services, and software for enterprises in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Print and Other; and FITTLE. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding XRX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Xerox Holdings Co. (NYSE:XRX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Xerox Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Xerox and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enlightify (NYSE:ENFY Get Free Report) is one of 46 publicly-traded companies in the CHEM DIVERSIFD industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Enlightify to related companies based on the strength of its institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, risk and dividends. Volatility & Risk Enlightify has a beta of 0.96, indicating that its stock price is 4% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Enlightifys rivals have a beta of 0.93, indicating that their average stock price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Enlightify alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Enlightify and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Enlightify 1 0 0 0 1.00 Enlightify Competitors 715 2921 3344 110 2.40 Valuation and Earnings As a group, CHEM DIVERSIFD companies have a potential upside of 21.36%. Given Enlightifys rivals stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Enlightify has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. This table compares Enlightify and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Enlightify $79.21 million -$28.41 million -0.11 Enlightify Competitors $10.46 billion $486.03 million -93.41 Enlightifys rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Enlightify. Enlightify is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Insider and Institutional Ownership 0.1% of Enlightify shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 62.5% of shares of all CHEM DIVERSIFD companies are owned by institutional investors. 14.0% of Enlightify shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 4.5% of shares of all CHEM DIVERSIFD companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares Enlightify and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Enlightify -22.98% -18.78% -11.03% Enlightify Competitors -38.49% 0.48% 0.07% Summary Enlightify rivals beat Enlightify on 9 of the 13 factors compared. About Enlightify (Get Free Report) Enlightify, Inc. engages in the research, development, production, and sale of various types of fertilizers and agricultural products. It operates through the following segments: Jinong, Gufeng, and Yuxing. The Jinong segment includes fertilizer products, with focus on humic acid-based compound fertilizer. The Gufeng segment refers to the compound fertilizer, blended fertilizer, organic compound fertilizer, slow-release fertilizers, highly concentrated water-soluble fertilizers, and mixed organic-inorganic compound fertilizer. The Yuxing segment develops and produces agricultural products, such as top-grade fruits, vegetables, flowers, and colored seedlings. The company was founded by Tao Li on February 6, 1987 and is headquartered in Xian, China. Receive News & Ratings for Enlightify Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enlightify and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BERLIN, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Saturday that ending the crisis in Ukraine requires the consent of both Ukraine and its European partners, rather than major powers. Speaking at a press conference during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Merz said that the conflict unfolding on the European continent and its outcome concerns the security of Europe as a whole. "Wars cannot be ended by great powers over the heads of the countries involved," Merz said, adding that the end of this crisis can "only occur with Ukraine's unconditional consent." Merz said that foreign policy advisors from Germany, France, Britain, and representatives from the EU are scheduled to hold further consultations with U.S. and Ukrainian representatives on Sunday in Geneva. Merz noted that reliable security guarantees must be established for Ukraine. While acknowledging there is currently a chance to end the conflict, Merz cautioned that the parties remain far from a common, satisfactory result. Entropy Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 12,054 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,478,000. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of EHC. Congress Asset Management Co. purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health during the second quarter valued at approximately $92,691,000. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Encompass Health during the first quarter worth $50,665,000. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Encompass Health by 25.6% in the first quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,080,918 shares of the companys stock valued at $210,756,000 after purchasing an additional 424,691 shares during the period. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in Encompass Health in the first quarter valued at $34,364,000. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Encompass Health by 78.6% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 723,169 shares of the companys stock worth $73,243,000 after buying an additional 318,251 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.25% of the companys stock. Get Encompass Health alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades EHC has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. KeyCorp upped their price objective on shares of Encompass Health from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $141.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Raymond James Financial raised shares of Encompass Health to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $142.86. Encompass Health Stock Performance Shares of EHC stock opened at $114.44 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The company has a market cap of $11.51 billion, a PE ratio of 21.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 0.91. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $121.34 and its 200-day simple moving average is $119.56. Encompass Health Corporation has a 52 week low of $87.85 and a 52 week high of $127.99. Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 16th. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $136.30 million during the quarter. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 18.19% and a net margin of 9.33%. Encompass Health has set its FY22 guidance at $3.83-$4.19 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Encompass Health Corporation will post 4.8 EPS for the current year. Encompass Health Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.19 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. Encompass Healths payout ratio is 14.37%. Insider Transactions at Encompass Health In other Encompass Health news, EVP Patrick William Tuer sold 1,020 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.59, for a total value of $126,061.80. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 18,846 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,329,177.14. This trade represents a 5.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 2.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Encompass Health Profile (Free Report) Encompass Health Corporation provides post-acute healthcare services in the United States and Puerto Rico. It owns and operates inpatient rehabilitation hospitals that provide medical, nursing, therapy, and ancillary services. The company provides specialized rehabilitative treatment on an inpatient basis to patients who have experienced physical or cognitive disabilities or injuries due to medical conditions, such as strokes, hip fractures, and various debilitating neurological conditions. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EHC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Encompass Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Encompass Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Entropy Technologies LP raised its position in Crane (NYSE:CR Free Report) by 19.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,512 shares of the conglomerates stock after buying an additional 904 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LPs holdings in Crane were worth $1,047,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of CR. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in shares of Crane by 63.4% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 219 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in Crane by 15.4% during the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 390 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $74,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Westpac Banking Corp bought a new position in Crane in the 1st quarter valued at $76,000. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. acquired a new position in Crane in the second quarter worth $96,000. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group grew its holdings in shares of Crane by 35.7% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 809 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $124,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.14% of the companys stock. Get Crane alerts: Insider Transactions at Crane In other news, VP Alejandro Alcala sold 20,791 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.74, for a total transaction of $4,007,257.34. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 33,526 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,461,801.24. The trade was a 38.28% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 2.12% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently issued reports on CR shares. DA Davidson set a $235.00 price target on Crane in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of Crane from $200.00 to $202.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Crane from $220.00 to $225.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $230.00 price target (up previously from $215.00) on shares of Crane in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Crane in a report on Wednesday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $223.60. View Our Latest Report on CR Crane Trading Up 1.5% CR opened at $178.89 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $184.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $184.63. Crane has a fifty-two week low of $127.04 and a fifty-two week high of $203.89. The company has a market cap of $10.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.18 and a quick ratio of 0.88. Crane (NYSE:CR Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The conglomerate reported $1.64 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $589.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $578.54 million. Crane had a net margin of 13.10% and a return on equity of 24.45%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.38 EPS. Crane has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.750-5.950 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Crane will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current year. Crane Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a $0.23 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. Cranes dividend payout ratio is presently 14.74%. Crane Company Profile (Free Report) Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Crane (NYSE:CR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Crane Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crane and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP increased its holdings in Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas (NYSE:LND Free Report) by 750.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 18,624 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 16,435 shares during the period. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLPs holdings in Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas were worth $71,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Separately, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas by 66.2% in the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 36,799 shares of the companys stock worth $141,000 after purchasing an additional 14,651 shares during the last quarter. 1.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Itau BBA Securities cut Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Reduce. Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas Stock Performance LND stock opened at $3.51 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $359.89 million, a PE ratio of -116.83 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The business has a 50 day moving average of $3.73 and a 200-day moving average of $3.78. Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas has a 12-month low of $3.47 and a 12-month high of $4.18. Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas (NYSE:LND Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported ($0.11) EPS for the quarter. Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas had a return on equity of 6.47% and a net margin of 11.99%. About Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas (Free Report) BrasilAgro Companhia Brasileira de Propriedades Agricolas engages in the acquisition, development, exploration, and sale of rural properties suitable for agricultural activities in Brazil and internationally. It operates through six segments: Real Estate, Grains, Sugarcane, livestock, Cotton, and Other. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brasilagro Cia Brasileira De Propriedades Agricolas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP decreased its holdings in Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR Free Report) by 63.1% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 2,248 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 3,837 shares during the period. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLPs holdings in Emerson Electric were worth $300,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AXQ Capital LP bought a new position in shares of Emerson Electric during the second quarter valued at about $1,141,000. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC grew its position in Emerson Electric by 16.2% during the 2nd quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC now owns 3,100 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $413,000 after acquiring an additional 432 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc increased its stake in Emerson Electric by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 3,600,518 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $480,057,000 after purchasing an additional 172,507 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management lifted its position in Emerson Electric by 2.2% in the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 52,967 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $7,062,000 after purchasing an additional 1,135 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of Emerson Electric by 75.0% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 12,538,402 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,671,762,000 after buying an additional 5,371,585 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.30% of the companys stock. Get Emerson Electric alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have commented on the stock. Wolfe Research raised their price objective on shares of Emerson Electric from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company restated an equal weight rating and issued a $140.00 target price (down previously from $150.00) on shares of Emerson Electric in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on Emerson Electric from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Emerson Electric from $127.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Emerson Electric from $150.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $148.13. Emerson Electric Price Performance EMR opened at $128.19 on Friday. Emerson Electric Co. has a 1 year low of $90.06 and a 1 year high of $150.27. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $131.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $131.34. The firm has a market cap of $72.02 billion, a PE ratio of 27.57, a P/E/G ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.63. Emerson Electric (NYSE:EMR Get Free Report) last released 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%. Sell-side analysts predict that Emerson Electric Co. will post 5.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Emerson Electric Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.555 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. This is a positive change from Emerson Electrics previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. Emerson Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 54.95%. Emerson Electric declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Wednesday, November 5th that allows the company to repurchase $0.00 in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the industrial products company to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued. Emerson Electric Company Profile (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EMR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR Free Report). 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. Franklin Resources Inc. decreased its stake in shares of Moodys Corporation (NYSE:MCO Free Report) by 21.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 429,377 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 114,641 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. owned approximately 0.24% of Moodys worth $215,369,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Moodys in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. ORG Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Moodys by 50.0% during the second quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 66 shares of the business services providers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division raised its position in Moodys by 42.9% in the 2nd quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 80 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Maryland Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Moodys in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in Moodys by 132.6% during the 1st quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 107 shares of the business services providers stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. 92.11% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Moody's alerts: Insider Activity at Moodys In other news, CEO Robert Fauber sold 1,167 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $478.95, for a total value of $558,934.65. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 61,082 shares of the companys stock, valued at $29,255,223.90. This represents a 1.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders have sold 2,569 shares of company stock valued at $1,253,848 in the last 90 days. 0.14% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Moodys from $580.00 to $560.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of Moodys from $531.00 to $535.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $528.00 price target on shares of Moodys and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded Moodys to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Raymond James Financial upgraded Moodys from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and six have issued 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 $543.07. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Moodys Moodys Trading Up 1.1% Shares of NYSE:MCO opened at $479.91 on Friday. Moodys Corporation has a 52-week low of $378.71 and a 52-week high of $531.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.84 and a current ratio of 1.84. The company has a market capitalization of $85.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $483.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of $491.82. Moodys (NYSE:MCO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The business services provider reported $3.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.70 by $0.22. Moodys had a return on equity of 63.58% and a net margin of 29.92%.The firm had revenue of $2.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.92 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.21 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Moodys has set its FY 2025 guidance at 14.500-14.750 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Moodys Corporation will post 13.95 earnings per share for the current year. Moodys Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 21st will be given a dividend of $0.94 per share. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 21st. Moodyss payout ratio is 30.23%. About Moodys (Free Report) Moodys Corporation operates as an integrated risk assessment firm worldwide. It operates in two segments, Moodys Analytics and Moodys Investors Services. The Moodys Analytics segment develops a range of products and services that support the risk management activities of institutional participants in financial markets. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MCO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Moodys Corporation (NYSE:MCO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Moody's Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Moody's and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Geode Capital Management LLC trimmed its stake in shares of Sonoco Products Company (NYSE:SON Free Report) by 9.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,749,352 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 180,849 shares during the quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC owned approximately 1.77% of Sonoco Products worth $76,214,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vise Technologies Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Sonoco Products during the second quarter worth $220,000. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its position in Sonoco Products by 15.0% during the 2nd quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 727,027 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $31,669,000 after acquiring an additional 94,924 shares during the last quarter. Midwest Trust Co acquired a new position in Sonoco Products in the 2nd quarter worth about $9,660,000. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC raised its position in Sonoco Products by 527.3% in the second quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC now owns 49,459 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,154,000 after purchasing an additional 41,574 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AGF Management Ltd. raised its position in Sonoco Products by 12.9% in the second quarter. AGF Management Ltd. now owns 65,248 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,842,000 after purchasing an additional 7,440 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.69% of the companys stock. Get Sonoco Products alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Sonoco Products news, Director John R. Haley purchased 2,506 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 28th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $39.87 per share, with a total value of $99,914.22. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 23,310 shares in the company, valued at $929,369.70. This represents a 12.05% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Paul Joachimczyk purchased 20,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $39.50 per share, for a total transaction of $809,750.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief financial officer directly owned 20,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $809,750. This represents a increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.74% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on Sonoco Products from $61.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 24th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Sonoco Products from $50.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Sonoco Products in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research cut shares of Sonoco Products from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Bank of America restated a neutral rating and issued a $56.00 price objective on shares of Sonoco Products in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $54.43. Get Our Latest Research Report on SON Sonoco Products Stock Up 3.2% Shares of NYSE SON opened at $41.04 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $41.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $44.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.92. Sonoco Products Company has a 52-week low of $38.65 and a 52-week high of $52.77. The company has a market capitalization of $4.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 0.67. Sonoco Products (NYSE:SON Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, June 22nd. The industrial products company reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter. Sonoco Products had a net margin of 8.82% and a return on equity of 20.49%. Sonoco Products has set its Q2 2022 guidance at $1.60-$1.70 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Sonoco Products Company will post 6.1 earnings per share for the current year. Sonoco Products Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.53 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.2%. Sonoco Productss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.65%. Sonoco Products Profile (Free Report) Sonoco Products Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells various engineered and sustainable packaging products in North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company operates Consumer Packaging and Industrial Paper Packaging segments. The Consumer Packaging segment offers round and shaped rigid paper, steel, and plastic containers; metal and peelable membrane ends, closures, and components; thermoformed plastic trays and enclosures; and high-barrier flexible packaging products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sonoco Products Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sonoco Products and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wabash National (NYSE:WNC Get Free Report) and Autoliv (NYSE:ALV Get Free Report) are both auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation and profitability. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Wabash National and Autoliv, as reported by MarketBeat. Get Wabash National alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Wabash National 2 1 0 0 1.33 Autoliv 0 6 10 2 2.78 Wabash National presently has a consensus price target of $9.00, indicating a potential upside of 7.72%. Autoliv has a consensus price target of $128.00, indicating a potential upside of 9.75%. Given Autolivs stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Autoliv is more favorable than Wabash National. Earnings and Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Wabash National $1.64 billion 0.21 -$284.07 million $6.08 1.37 Autoliv $10.61 billion 0.83 $647.00 million $9.68 12.05 This table compares Wabash National and Autolivs revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Autoliv has higher revenue and earnings than Wabash National. Wabash National is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Autoliv, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Institutional and Insider Ownership 97.1% of Wabash National shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 69.6% of Autoliv shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.2% of Wabash National shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Autoliv shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Dividends Wabash National pays an annual dividend of $0.32 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Autoliv pays an annual dividend of $3.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Wabash National pays out 5.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Autoliv pays out 36.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Autoliv has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Wabash National is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Profitability This table compares Wabash National and Autolivs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Wabash National -6.38% -7.91% -1.65% Autoliv 7.09% 31.22% 9.20% Risk & Volatility Wabash National has a beta of 1.73, meaning that its stock price is 73% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Autoliv has a beta of 1.35, meaning that its stock price is 35% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Autoliv beats Wabash National on 13 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks. About Wabash National (Get Free Report) Wabash National Corporation provides connected solutions for the transportation, logistics, and distribution industries primarily in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Transportation Solutions and Parts & Services. The Transportation Solutions segment designs and manufactures transportation-related equipment and products dry and refrigerated van trailers, platform trailers, tank trailers, and truck-mounted tanks; truck bodies for dry-freight transportation; cargo and cargo XL bodies for commercial applications; refrigerated truck bodies; platform truck bodies; and used trailers, as well as laminated hardwood oak flooring products. The Parts & Services segment provides aftermarket parts and services; steel flatbed bodies, truck body mounting, shelving for package delivery, partitions, roof racks, hitches, liftgates, thermal solutions, and others; truck body repair parts; and door repair and replacement, collision repair, and basic maintenance services. It also develops and scales a digital marketplace for the transportation and logistics distribution industry; operates a parts and services distribution platform; and stainless steel storage tanks and silos, mixers, and processors for the dairy, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, craft brewing, and biotech markets; trailers as a service; and composite products, including truck bodies, overhead doors, and other industrial application products, as well as used trailers. The company offers its products under the Wabash, DuraPlate, DuraPlateHD, DuraPlate AeroSkirt, and AeroSkirt CX brands, as well as EcoNex brand. It serves its products to truckload common carriers, leasing companies, private fleet carriers, less-than-truckload common carriers, and package carriers. Wabash National Corporation was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana. About Autoliv (Get Free Report) Autoliv, Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and supplies passive safety systems to the automotive industry in Europe, the Americas, China, Japan, and rest of Asia. It offers passive safety systems, including modules and components for frontal-impact airbag protection systems, side-impact airbag protection systems, seatbelts, steering wheels, and inflator technologies. The company also provides mobility safety solutions, such as pedestrian protection, battery cut-off switches, connected safety services, and safety solutions for riders of powered two wheelers. It primarily serves car manufacturers. Autoliv, Inc. was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Receive News & Ratings for Wabash National Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wabash National and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd increased its stake in shares of HubSpot, Inc. (NYSE:HUBS Free Report) by 394.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 6,366 shares of the software makers stock after acquiring an additional 5,079 shares during the period. Mediolanum International Funds Ltds holdings in HubSpot were worth $3,505,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in shares of HubSpot by 17.0% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 4,910,062 shares of the software makers stock worth $2,805,070,000 after purchasing an additional 714,980 shares in the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC grew its holdings in HubSpot by 548.6% during the 2nd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 794,677 shares of the software makers stock valued at $442,341,000 after purchasing an additional 672,158 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in HubSpot by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,246,734 shares of the software makers stock worth $2,997,407,000 after buying an additional 201,994 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in HubSpot in the 1st quarter worth $99,963,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in HubSpot by 64.2% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 341,957 shares of the software makers stock worth $191,431,000 after buying an additional 133,720 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.39% of the companys stock. Get HubSpot alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently weighed in on HUBS. Raymond James Financial lowered their target price on HubSpot from $825.00 to $655.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on HubSpot from $675.00 to $650.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Macquarie dropped their price objective on HubSpot from $730.00 to $660.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Citigroup upped their target price on HubSpot from $650.00 to $658.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Rothschild Redb cut HubSpot from a strong-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, twenty-eight have given a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, HubSpot presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $617.23. Insider Buying and Selling at HubSpot In related news, CTO Dharmesh Shah sold 17,253 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $500.66, for a total transaction of $8,637,886.98. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer owned 1,275,805 shares of the companys stock, valued at $638,744,531.30. This represents a 1.33% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Yamini Rangan sold 2,387 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $500.00, for a total transaction of $1,193,500.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 56,277 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,138,500. This trade represents a 4.07% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 51,098 shares of company stock valued at $24,062,552. Corporate insiders own 4.00% of the companys stock. HubSpot Trading Down 0.6% Shares of NYSE HUBS opened at $355.09 on Friday. HubSpot, Inc. has a twelve month low of $344.41 and a twelve month high of $881.13. The company has a market capitalization of $18.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4,438.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 12.05 and a beta of 1.60. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $453.30 and a 200-day simple moving average of $511.18. HubSpot (NYSE:HUBS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The software maker reported $2.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.58 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $809.52 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $786.80 million. HubSpot had a positive return on equity of 1.21% and a negative net margin of 0.12%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 20.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.18 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that HubSpot, Inc. will post 1.01 earnings per share for the current year. About HubSpot (Free Report) HubSpot, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform for businesses in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company's CRM platform includes Marketing Hub, a toolset for marketing automation and email, social media, SEO, and reporting and analytics; Sales Hub offers email templates and tracking, conversations and live chat, meeting and call scheduling, lead and website visit alerts, lead scoring, sales automation, pipeline management, quoting, forecasting, and reporting; Service Hub, a service software designed to help businesses manage, respond, and connect with customers; and Content Management Systems Hub enables businesses to create new and edit existing web content. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for HubSpot Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HubSpot and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report) and Japan Airlines (OTCMKTS:JAPSY Get Free Report) are both transportation companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, risk, earnings and dividends. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Delta Air Lines and Japan Airlines, as reported by MarketBeat. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Delta Air Lines 0 0 20 1 3.05 Japan Airlines 0 1 0 1 3.00 Delta Air Lines currently has a consensus target price of $71.68, suggesting a potential upside of 22.59%. Given Delta Air Lines stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Delta Air Lines is more favorable than Japan Airlines. Dividends Earnings and Valuation Delta Air Lines pays an annual dividend of $0.75 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. Japan Airlines pays an annual dividend of $0.21 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Delta Air Lines pays out 10.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Japan Airlines pays out 22.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Delta Air Lines has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. This table compares Delta Air Lines and Japan Airliness revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Delta Air Lines $62.92 billion 0.61 $3.46 billion $7.10 8.24 Japan Airlines $12.11 billion 0.68 $706.45 million $0.95 10.00 Delta Air Lines has higher revenue and earnings than Japan Airlines. Delta Air Lines is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Japan Airlines, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Risk and Volatility Delta Air Lines has a beta of 1.52, indicating that its stock price is 52% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Japan Airlines has a beta of 0.42, indicating that its stock price is 58% less volatile than the S&P 500. Insider & Institutional Ownership 69.9% of Delta Air Lines shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.9% of Delta Air Lines shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Profitability This table compares Delta Air Lines and Japan Airlines net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Delta Air Lines 7.36% 23.83% 5.14% Japan Airlines 6.48% 12.66% 4.57% Summary Delta Air Lines beats Japan Airlines on 14 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Delta Air Lines (Get Free Report) Delta Air Lines, Inc. provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. The company sells its tickets through various distribution channels, including delta.com and the Fly Delta app; acts as a reservations specialists; and operates online travel and traditional brick and mortar agencies. It also provides aircraft maintenance and engineering support, repair, and overhaul services; and vacation packages to third-party consumers. The company operates through a fleet of approximately 1,273 aircrafts. Delta Air Lines, Inc. was founded in 1924 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia. About Japan Airlines (Get Free Report) Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides scheduled and non-scheduled air transport services in Japan, Asia, Oceania, North America, and Europe. The company operates through Air Transportation and Other segments. It offers passenger, ground handling, cargo and mail handling, and maintenance services. The company is also involved in the aerial work and other related business; airport peripheral business; and sale of travel package tours. As of March 31, 2023, it operated a fleet of 224 aircraft. The company was formerly known as Japan Airlines International Co., Ltd. and changed its name to Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. in April 2011. The company was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KBC Group NV cut its position in shares of Enersys (NYSE:ENS Free Report) by 38.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,138 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 725 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NVs holdings in Enersys were worth $98,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. purchased a new position in Enersys during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its stake in shares of Enersys by 2,500.0% in the 1st quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 338 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares in the last quarter. Gen Wealth Partners Inc purchased a new position in Enersys during the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in Enersys by 80.6% during the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 773 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $66,000 after acquiring an additional 345 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd boosted its stake in Enersys by 34.0% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,036 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $95,000 after acquiring an additional 263 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.93% of the companys stock. Get Enersys alerts: Enersys Price Performance Shares of NYSE ENS opened at $138.17 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $5.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.77, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.13. Enersys has a twelve month low of $76.57 and a twelve month high of $141.81. The company has a quick ratio of 1.91, a current ratio of 3.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The company has a 50 day moving average of $121.28 and a 200 day moving average of $102.59. Enersys Announces Dividend Enersys ( NYSE:ENS Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The industrial products company reported $2.56 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.36 by $0.20. Enersys had a return on equity of 21.99% and a net margin of 9.60%.The business had revenue of $951.30 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $890.27 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.12 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Enersys has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 2.710-2.81 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Enersys will post 9.99 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a $0.2625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $1.05 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. Enersyss payout ratio is 12.28%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ENS has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Enersys in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Roth Capital restated a buy rating and issued a $120.00 price target on shares of Enersys in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Zacks Research raised Enersys from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Wall Street Zen raised Enersys from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating on shares of Enersys in a research note on Friday, November 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have issued a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $126.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Enersys Enersys Profile (Free Report) EnerSys engages in the provision of stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates in four segments: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty, and New Ventures. The Energy Systems segment offers uninterruptible power systems (UPS) applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, as well as telecommunications systems; switchgear and electrical control systems used in industrial facilities and electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, and energy pipelines; integrated power solutions and services to broadband, telecom, data center, and renewable and industrial customers; and thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ENS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Enersys (NYSE:ENS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Enersys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enersys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LJUBLJANA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- A majority of Slovenian voters on Sunday rejected a law that legalizes assisted dying, the State Electoral Commission said. According to preliminary results of the national referendum, 53.4 percent voted against the law, while 46.6 percent supported it. Voter turnout reached almost 41 percent. The legislation, adopted by the center-left government coalition in July, would have allowed adults of sound mind suffering from incurable diseases to request medically assisted death under regulated conditions. Supporters argued it offered dignity and relief to terminally ill patients, while opponents warned of possible misuse and insufficient safeguards. The result marks a setback for the ruling coalition, which is preparing for a general election in March and had framed the law as part of broader social reforms. Ales Primc, an activist who spearheaded the referendum initiative, welcomed the outcome. "This is a big victory for the disabled, the sick and the elderly, because people said today that they are not a burden, but loved and respected," he told reporters. The opposition Slovenian Democratic Party, the largest centre-right party and a vocal critic of the legislation, also hailed the defeat of the law. In contrast, Andrej Pleterski, a campaigner who supported the reform, expressed regret. He said he believed Slovenia would eventually adopt such legislation, noting that several European countries have already legalized some form of assisted dying. Slovenia has debated end-of-life rights for years. A few European countries that have approved similar assisted-dying laws include the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Slovenia's neighbor, Austria. KBC Group NV reduced its holdings in shares of Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE:MUR Free Report) by 40.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,197 shares of the oil and gas producers stock after selling 2,818 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NVs holdings in Murphy Oil were worth $94,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of MUR. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Murphy Oil by 210.8% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,610,766 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $159,346,000 after acquiring an additional 3,805,565 shares during the last quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Murphy Oil by 72.9% in the 1st quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC now owns 4,812,267 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $136,668,000 after purchasing an additional 2,029,685 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Murphy Oil by 8,530.7% during the 1st quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 1,763,345 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $50,079,000 after purchasing an additional 1,742,914 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Murphy Oil by 111.6% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,157,707 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $61,279,000 after purchasing an additional 1,137,882 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management increased its position in Murphy Oil by 29.4% during the 1st quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 3,633,023 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $103,178,000 after purchasing an additional 825,746 shares in the last quarter. 78.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Murphy Oil alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have weighed in on MUR shares. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Murphy Oil from $28.00 to $27.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Murphy Oil from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Murphy Oil from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday. Mizuho upped their target price on Murphy Oil from $29.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Piper Sandler reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $34.00 target price on shares of Murphy Oil in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $28.50. Murphy Oil Stock Up 2.1% Shares of NYSE:MUR opened at $30.72 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $4.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.92 and a beta of 0.99. Murphy Oil Corporation has a 12-month low of $18.94 and a 12-month high of $34.52. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $28.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of $25.46. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. Murphy Oil (NYSE:MUR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, March 21st. The oil and gas producer reported ($0.09) EPS for the quarter. Murphy Oil had a net margin of 10.20% and a return on equity of 5.25%. The company had revenue of $440.08 million during the quarter. Analysts predict that Murphy Oil Corporation will post 2.94 earnings per share for the current year. Murphy Oil Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.325 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 17th. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.2%. Murphy Oils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 132.65%. Murphy Oil Company Profile (Free Report) Murphy Oil Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an oil and gas exploration and production company in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It explores for and produces crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. The company was formerly known as Murphy Corporation and changed its name to Murphy Oil Corporation in 1964. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Murphy Oil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Murphy Oil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Koninklijke Philips (NYSE:PHG Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning. Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Koninklijke Philips in a research note on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy. Get Koninklijke Philips alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Koninklijke Philips Koninklijke Philips Trading Up 2.1% PHG opened at $27.26 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $27.92 and a 200 day moving average of $26.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. Koninklijke Philips has a 12 month low of $21.48 and a 12 month high of $29.54. The firm has a market cap of $26.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 136.31, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 0.82. Koninklijke Philips (NYSE:PHG Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The technology company reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.37. The business had revenue of $4.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.30 billion. Koninklijke Philips had a return on equity of 12.14% and a net margin of 1.07%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Koninklijke Philips will post 1.63 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Koninklijke Philips A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in PHG. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in Koninklijke Philips by 2.5% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,396,095 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $111,662,000 after buying an additional 106,044 shares during the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Koninklijke Philips during the first quarter valued at $333,000. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Koninklijke Philips by 15.1% during the 2nd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 189,720 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $4,549,000 after acquiring an additional 24,931 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in Koninklijke Philips by 18.0% in the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 72,276 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,836,000 after purchasing an additional 11,018 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Koninklijke Philips by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,351,015 shares of the technology companys stock worth $32,397,000 after acquiring an additional 32,663 shares in the last quarter. 13.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Koninklijke Philips Company Profile (Get Free Report) Koninklijke Philips N.V. operates as a health technology company in North America, the Greater China, and internationally. The company operates through Diagnosis & Treatment Businesses, Connected Care Businesses, and Personal Health Businesses segments. It also provides diagnostic imaging solutions, includes magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray systems, and computed tomography (CT) systems and software comprising detector-based spectral CT solutions, as well as molecular and hybrid imaging solutions for nuclear medicine; echography solutions focused on diagnosis, treatment planning and guidance for cardiology, general imaging, obstetrics/gynecology, and point-of-care applications; integrated interventional systems, and interventional diagnostic and therapeutic devices to treat coronary artery and peripheral vascular disease. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Koninklijke Philips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Koninklijke Philips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legal & General Group Plc raised its position in shares of Manulife Financial Corp (NYSE:MFC Free Report) (TSE:MFC) by 0.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,920,228 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 14,265 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc owned about 0.64% of Manulife Financial worth $348,476,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Eastern Bank boosted its holdings in Manulife Financial by 156.1% during the 2nd quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 968 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 590 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Manulife Financial during the second quarter worth about $38,000. William B. Walkup & Associates Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Manulife Financial in the first quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group purchased a new position in shares of Manulife Financial in the second quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Finally, Carderock Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Manulife Financial in the second quarter valued at approximately $58,000. 52.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Manulife Financial alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on MFC shares. Morgan Stanley set a $47.00 target price on shares of Manulife Financial in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a research report on Friday, November 14th. UBS Group initiated coverage on Manulife Financial in a report on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered Manulife Financial from a buy (a-) rating to a buy (b) rating in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $49.50. Manulife Financial Trading Up 2.0% Shares of MFC stock opened at $34.54 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $58.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.42, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.98. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $32.38 and a 200 day moving average price of $31.55. Manulife Financial Corp has a 12 month low of $25.92 and a 12 month high of $35.57. Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC Get Free Report) (TSE:MFC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.10. Manulife Financial had a net margin of 10.46% and a return on equity of 15.77%. The company had revenue of $12.90 billion for the quarter. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.00 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Manulife Financial Corp will post 2.87 EPS for the current year. Manulife Financial Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 26th will be given a $0.44 dividend. This is a boost from Manulife Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 26th. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.1%. Manulife Financials payout ratio is presently 55.56%. Manulife Financial Profile (Free Report) Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in the United States, Canada, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Manulife Financial Corp (NYSE:MFC Free Report) (TSE:MFC). Receive News & Ratings for Manulife Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Manulife Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legal & General Group Plc lowered its holdings in shares of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU Free Report) by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,638,750 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 106,036 shares during the quarter. Legal & General Group Plc owned approximately 0.75% of Prudential Financial worth $283,507,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Meeder Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Prudential Financial by 90.2% during the first quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 234 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. Cheviot Value Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Prudential Financial during the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. AlphaQuest LLC increased its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 12,250.0% in the 1st quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 247 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC raised its holdings in Prudential Financial by 350.8% in the 1st quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 266 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares during the period. Finally, N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Prudential Financial during the first quarter valued at $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.83% of the companys stock. Get Prudential Financial alerts: Prudential Financial Trading Up 2.6% Prudential Financial stock opened at $106.83 on Friday. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a 1 year low of $90.38 and a 1 year high of $130.55. The firms 50 day moving average price is $103.49 and its 200-day moving average price is $104.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.16 and a quick ratio of 0.16. The stock has a market cap of $37.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.67, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 1.05. Prudential Financial Announces Dividend Prudential Financial ( NYSE:PRU Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $3.58 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $8.35 billion during the quarter. Prudential Financial had a net margin of 4.65% and a return on equity of 16.98%. On average, equities analysts predict that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 14.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 18th will be paid a dividend of $1.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 18th. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.1%. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 74.18%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have commented on PRU. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Prudential Financial from $120.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Prudential Financial in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Prudential Financial from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $117.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $120.73. View Our Latest Report on PRU Insider Activity at Prudential Financial In other Prudential Financial news, EVP Ann M. Kappler sold 4,000 shares of Prudential Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.65, for a total value of $438,600.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 21,506 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,358,132.90. The trade was a 15.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Charles F. Lowrey sold 48,164 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.39, for a total value of $5,172,331.96. Following the transaction, the chairman owned 165,564 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,779,917.96. This represents a 22.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock. Prudential Financial Profile (Free Report) Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses segments. Further Reading 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. MAI Capital Management increased its holdings in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 5.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,313 shares of the insurance providers stock after purchasing an additional 704 shares during the quarter. MAI Capital Managements holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $3,829,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TRV. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. bought a new position in Travelers Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co lifted its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 122.2% in the second quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 100 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 200.0% during the second quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. Flaharty Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Travelers Companies during the first quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Nova Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in Travelers Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. 82.45% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Travelers Companies Stock Performance NYSE:TRV opened at $290.21 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.74 billion, a PE ratio of 11.41, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.55. The stocks fifty day moving average is $276.41 and its 200 day moving average is $270.39. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $230.23 and a fifty-two week high of $292.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 0.35. Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 company had revenue of $12.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.15 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $5.24 earnings per share. Travelers Companiess quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be issued a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 10th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 17.30%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 1,803 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.55, for a total value of $522,058.65. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 255,086 shares in the company, valued at approximately $73,860,151.30. This represents a 0.70% 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, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 25,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $278.25, for a total value of $6,956,250.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 26,932 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,493,829. This represents a 48.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 37,375 shares of company stock valued at $10,374,006 in the last ninety days. 1.46% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have commented on TRV shares. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Travelers Companies from $284.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Wolfe Research started coverage on Travelers Companies in a report on Monday, September 15th. They set a peer perform rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed a positive rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, October 19th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Travelers Companies presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $292.73. Read Our Latest Research Report on Travelers Companies Travelers Companies Profile (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Featured Articles 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. MAI Capital Management raised its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 47,511 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,144 shares during the quarter. MAI Capital Managements holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $3,279,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in NVO. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC raised its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 301,443.6% in the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 10,005,216 shares of the companys stock worth $690,560,000 after purchasing an additional 10,001,898 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $370,272,000. Amundi raised its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 49.1% in the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 4,938,507 shares of the companys stock worth $331,576,000 after buying an additional 1,627,051 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 101.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,475,300 shares of the companys stock worth $170,845,000 after buying an additional 1,246,467 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 15,919.9% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 1,044,658 shares of the companys stock worth $72,523,000 after buying an additional 1,038,137 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.54% of the companys stock. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have weighed in on NVO. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Monday, October 27th. They issued an underperform rating on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Berenberg Bank raised shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. HSBC set a $70.00 price objective on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Monday, November 17th. Two investment 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 assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Novo Nordisk A/S presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $59.20. Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance Shares of NVO stock opened at $47.65 on Friday. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 1 year low of $45.05 and a 1 year high of $112.52. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The firms 50 day moving average is $53.92 and its 200-day moving average is $60.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $212.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.09, a PEG ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.65. Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.25. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 35.60% and a return on equity of 78.64%. The business had revenue of $11.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.98 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Novo Nordisk A/S (Free Report) Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MAI Capital Management boosted its position in Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH Free Report) by 0.8% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 9,246 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the period. MAI Capital Managements holdings in Parker-Hannifin were worth $6,458,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of PH. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Parker-Hannifin in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Interchange Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Parker-Hannifin during the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in Parker-Hannifin in the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Parker-Hannifin by 56.1% in the second quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 64 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Accent Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Parker-Hannifin during the first quarter worth $41,000. 82.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Parker-Hannifin alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently commented on PH. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Parker-Hannifin from $840.00 to $925.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Parker-Hannifin from $930.00 to $960.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. KeyCorp increased their price target on Parker-Hannifin from $825.00 to $935.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price target on Parker-Hannifin from $726.00 to $723.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a report on Friday, August 29th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $860.71. Parker-Hannifin Stock Performance Shares of PH opened at $839.98 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 1.19. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $773.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $729.58. The stock has a market cap of $105.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.97, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.37. Parker-Hannifin Corporation has a one year low of $488.45 and a one year high of $869.36. Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $7.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.62 by $0.60. Parker-Hannifin had a return on equity of 26.80% and a net margin of 17.79%.The firm had revenue of $5.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.94 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $6.20 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Parker-Hannifin has set its FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS. FY 2026 guidance at 29.600-30.400 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Parker-Hannifin Corporation will post 26.71 EPS for the current year. Parker-Hannifin Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be paid a dividend of $1.80 per share. This represents a $7.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. Parker-Hannifins payout ratio is presently 25.65%. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Joseph R. Leonti sold 4,625 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $750.84, for a total value of $3,472,635.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 13,878 shares in the company, valued at $10,420,157.52. This represents a 25.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Berend Bracht sold 3,507 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $864.58, for a total transaction of $3,032,082.06. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 2,580 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,230,616.40. This trade represents a 57.61% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 9,569 shares of company stock valued at $7,730,464 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock. Parker-Hannifin 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 Stories 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. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd cut its stake in Dover Corporation (NYSE:DOV Free Report) by 35.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 12,685 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 6,843 shares during the quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltds holdings in Dover were worth $2,325,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Machina Capital S.A.S. increased its holdings in Dover by 38.8% during the 2nd quarter. Machina Capital S.A.S. now owns 8,779 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,609,000 after acquiring an additional 2,452 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its holdings in shares of Dover by 9.3% in the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 124,031 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $22,701,000 after purchasing an additional 10,581 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its position in shares of Dover by 77.9% in the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 614,098 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $107,677,000 after buying an additional 268,931 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Dover by 1,034.4% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 34,237 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $6,012,000 after buying an additional 31,219 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. grew its position in Dover by 4.8% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 171,766 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $30,176,000 after buying an additional 7,903 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.46% of the companys stock. Get Dover alerts: Dover Trading Up 3.1% NYSE DOV opened at $183.59 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $25.18 billion, a PE ratio of 11.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.29. Dover Corporation has a 1-year low of $143.04 and a 1-year high of $222.31. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $173.02 and a 200-day moving average of $178.11. The company has a current ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Dover Announces Dividend Dover ( NYSE:DOV Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 30th. The industrial products company reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.78 billion for the quarter. Dover had a return on equity of 17.62% and a net margin of 28.37%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Dover Corporation will post 9.45 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Dovers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 12.79%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings lowered Dover from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Dover from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. UBS Group set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Dover in a research report on Friday, October 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Dover from $217.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on Dover from $190.00 to $195.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $212.27. View Our Latest Research Report on DOV Dover Company Profile (Free Report) Dover Corporation provides equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services worldwide. The company's Engineered Products segment provides various equipment, component, software, solution, and services that are used in vehicle aftermarket, waste handling, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, industrial winch and hoist, and fluid dispensing end-market. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Dover Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dover and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nemes Rush Group LLC increased its holdings in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Free Report) by 133.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,241 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 8,717 shares during the quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLCs holdings in Vistra were worth $2,954,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Vistra by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. now owns 1,734 shares of the companys stock worth $333,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Vistra by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,256 shares of the companys stock worth $631,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the period. Fogel Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Vistra by 0.9% during the second quarter. Fogel Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,897 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,531,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Red Mountain Financial LLC grew its holdings in Vistra by 3.1% during the second quarter. Red Mountain Financial LLC now owns 2,435 shares of the companys stock valued at $472,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the period. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Vistra by 3.1% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 2,528 shares of the companys stock valued at $490,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Vistra alerts: Vistra Trading Down 3.2% VST stock opened at $168.28 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.74, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.88. Vistra Corp. has a 1-year low of $90.51 and a 1-year high of $219.82. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $195.37 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $187.88. The company has a market capitalization of $57.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.75, a PEG ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.30. Vistra Increases Dividend Vistra ( NYSE:VST Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $1.75 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.78 by ($0.03). Vistra had a return on equity of 64.04% and a net margin of 6.70%.The company had revenue of $4.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.60 billion. Research analysts anticipate that Vistra Corp. will post 7 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.227 per share. This is a boost from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 22nd. This represents a $0.91 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. Vistras payout ratio is currently 32.49%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Vistra from $179.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Vistra from $227.00 to $248.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, September 24th. Daiwa America upgraded shares of Vistra from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and issued a $230.00 price objective (down from $241.00) on shares of Vistra in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Vistra from $237.00 to $243.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Vistra presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $234.36. Get Our Latest Research Report on Vistra Insider Activity In related news, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 56,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.86, for a total transaction of $9,456,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 306,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $51,772,476. This represents a 15.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO James A. Burke sold 43,074 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.75, for a total value of $8,991,697.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 217,025 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,303,968.75. The trade was a 16.56% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 860,120 shares of company stock worth $171,817,820 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.42% of the companys stock. Vistra Company Profile (Free Report) Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 2,948 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $214,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Analyst IMS Investment Management Services Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 48.3% in the second quarter. Analyst IMS Investment Management Services Ltd. now owns 721,671 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $52,415,000 after purchasing an additional 235,093 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can grew its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 10.7% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 406,318 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $29,511,000 after buying an additional 39,117 shares in the last quarter. Washburn Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $949,000. Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 46.3% in the 2nd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 18,927 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,374,000 after acquiring an additional 5,994 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SYM FINANCIAL Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $359,000. 96.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Alexandria Real Estate Equities alerts: Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Up 4.0% NYSE ARE opened at $50.81 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. has a 52 week low of $48.66 and a 52 week high of $112.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -20.57, a PEG ratio of 5.06 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a fifty day moving average of $70.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of $74.01. Alexandria Real Estate Equities Announces Dividend Alexandria Real Estate Equities ( NYSE:ARE Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.31 by ($0.09). Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a negative return on equity of 1.89% and a negative net margin of 13.43%.The firm had revenue of $751.94 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $752.90 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.37 EPS. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess revenue was down 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.980-9.040 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. will post 9.32 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were paid a dividend of $1.32 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $5.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 10.4%. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio is currently -213.77%. Analysts Set New Price Targets ARE has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group set a $62.00 target price on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Zacks Research lowered shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $98.00 to $65.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Citizens Jmp cut shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane lowered their price target on shares of Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $82.00 to $72.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Alexandria Real Estate Equities currently has an average rating of Reduce and an average price target of $79.38. Get Our Latest Report on Alexandria Real Estate Equities Alexandria Real Estate Equities Company Profile (Free Report) Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since our founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology mega campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ARE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alexandria Real Estate Equities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Key Points Health and sugar regulations are Coca-Cola's most significant long-term headwind. Currency fluctuations continue to be a recurring drag on reported earnings. Coca-Colas reliance on bottlers introduces operational risk. 10 stocks we like better than Coca-Cola Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) has established one of the most resilient business models in the consumer goods industry. But even a company with a century of brand strength and global distribution isn't immune to long-term risks. Some are slow-moving structural trends, while others come from economic or regulatory forces that may reshape the beverage landscape over time. There are three most significant risks investors should keep on their radar. Here's why each one matters for Coca-Cola's long-term outlook. Image source: Getty Images. 1. Health trends and sugar regulation are long-term headwinds Coca-Cola's most significant risk isn't new, but it's becoming more critical: Global consumption is shifting toward healthier beverages. Governments are becoming more aggressive about sugar regulation, and many consumers -- especially younger ones -- are cutting back on sugary sodas. Around the world, sugar taxes have already been introduced in dozens of countries. More regulations are expected, from front-of-pack warning labels to restrictions on advertising and portion sizes. These rules raise prices, reduce affordability, and ultimately weigh on volumes. Coca-Cola has made progress with Coke Zero Sugar and reformulated products, but its identity is still closely tied to its core cola products. That's both a strength and a constraint. While health-focused trends evolve slowly, they have a marginal impact on consumption, and their cumulative effect over many years can be significant. For investors, this risk isn't about a sudden collapse in demand -- it's about structural volume pressure that may limit how quickly Coca-Cola can grow, especially in developed markets. 2. Currency fluctuations can drag on reported earnings More than half of Coca-Cola's revenue comes from outside the U.S., and that global footprint exposes the company to foreign exchange volatility. When the U.S. dollar strengthens, Coca-Cola's reported revenue and profits fall -- even if the company sells the same number of units overseas. FX volatility is a recurring issue that investors often underestimate. In many years, FX alone has cut Coca-Cola's reported revenue growth by a few percentage points. For instance, currency fluctuations reduced groupwide revenue by 5% in 2024, driven by a 14%-16% impact in the Europe, the Middle East & Africa regions, as well as Latin America. Over time, that creates a real drag on earnings momentum. Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPR Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund purchased 10,507 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $401,000. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ethic Inc. acquired a new position in Spirit Aerosystems in the second quarter valued at $400,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Spirit Aerosystems during the second quarter worth about $3,272,000. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Spirit Aerosystems during the second quarter worth about $340,000. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Spirit Aerosystems in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,747,000. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new stake in Spirit Aerosystems during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $6,803,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.59% of the companys stock. Get Spirit Aerosystems alerts: Spirit Aerosystems Trading Down 1.3% Shares of SPR stock opened at $34.80 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $38.61. 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 Holdings, Inc. has a 12-month low of $27.00 and a 12-month high of $42.33. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Spirit Aerosystems ( NYSE:SPR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The aerospace company reported ($4.87) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.37) by ($4.50). The company had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.92 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted ($3.03) EPS. Spirit Aerosystemss quarterly revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. will post -11.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of research firms have weighed in on SPR. Zacks Research raised Spirit Aerosystems from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Spirit Aerosystems in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Spirit Aerosystems from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $38.63. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on SPR Spirit Aerosystems Profile (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 Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SPR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPR Free Report). 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. Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 953 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $125,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Primecap Management Co. CA boosted its position in shares of Jacobs Solutions by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 4,749,829 shares of the companys stock valued at $624,365,000 after purchasing an additional 96,387 shares in the last quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd lifted its stake in Jacobs Solutions by 17.1% during the second quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 2,549,219 shares of the companys stock valued at $335,095,000 after purchasing an additional 372,275 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in Jacobs Solutions by 1.3% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,458,958 shares of the companys stock worth $326,181,000 after buying an additional 32,043 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in Jacobs Solutions by 5.3% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,147,078 shares of the companys stock worth $259,560,000 after buying an additional 108,366 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its position in Jacobs Solutions by 15.9% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,954,861 shares of the companys stock worth $256,966,000 after buying an additional 268,504 shares during the last quarter. 85.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Jacobs Solutions alerts: Jacobs Solutions Stock Down 0.2% NYSE:J opened at $128.87 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $152.83 and its 200 day moving average price is $141.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.14, a PEG ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Jacobs Solutions Inc. has a 1-year low of $106.23 and a 1-year high of $168.44. Jacobs Solutions Dividend Announcement Jacobs Solutions ( NYSE:J Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 20th. The company reported $1.75 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.67 by $0.08. Jacobs Solutions had a return on equity of 17.13% and a net margin of 4.16%.The firm had revenue of $3.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.14 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.37 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Jacobs Solutions has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.900-7.300 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Jacobs Solutions Inc. will post 6.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. Jacobs Solutionss payout ratio is presently 52.89%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Truist Financial cut their price objective on Jacobs Solutions from $163.00 to $152.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen raised Jacobs Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday. KeyCorp increased their price target on Jacobs Solutions from $157.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reissued a neutral rating and issued a $146.00 price target (down previously from $161.00) on shares of Jacobs Solutions in a research note on Friday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $155.10. Get Our Latest Analysis on Jacobs Solutions About Jacobs Solutions (Free Report) Jacobs Solutions Inc provides consulting, technical, engineering, scientific, and project delivery services for the government and private sectors in the United States, Europe, Canada, India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Critical Mission Solutions, People & Places Solutions, Divergent Solutions, and PA Consulting segments. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding J? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:J Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Jacobs Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jacobs Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Neo Ivy Capital Management reduced its stake in Tri Pointe Homes Inc. (NYSE:TPH Free Report) by 80.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 5,648 shares of the construction companys stock after selling 22,898 shares during the quarter. Neo Ivy Capital Managements holdings in Tri Pointe Homes were worth $180,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its position in Tri Pointe Homes by 2,659.4% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,904 shares of the construction companys stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 1,835 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Tri Pointe Homes by 56.5% during the 1st quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,096 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $67,000 after buying an additional 757 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Tri Pointe Homes by 19.6% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,377 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $76,000 after acquiring an additional 389 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in shares of Tri Pointe Homes by 16.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,982 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $95,000 after acquiring an additional 424 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC increased its holdings in Tri Pointe Homes by 67.8% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,797 shares of the construction companys stock worth $121,000 after acquiring an additional 1,534 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.01% of the companys stock. Get Tri Pointe Homes alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI reaffirmed an in-line rating and set a $34.00 price target (down previously from $38.00) on shares of Tri Pointe Homes in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Tri Pointe Homes from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Sunday, July 27th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Tri Pointe Homes from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Tri Pointe Homes in a report on Thursday, October 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $39.25. Tri Pointe Homes Trading Up 6.4% Shares of TPH opened at $32.61 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $2.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 2.01 and a quick ratio of 2.01. Tri Pointe Homes Inc. has a 1 year low of $27.90 and a 1 year high of $45.28. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $32.62 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $32.66. Tri Pointe Homes (NYSE:TPH Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The construction company reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $836.87 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $782.22 million. Tri Pointe Homes had a net margin of 8.44% and a return on equity of 9.79%. Tri Pointe Homess revenue for the quarter was down 26.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.18 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Tri Pointe Homes Inc. will post 3.58 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Tri Pointe Homes Profile (Free Report) Tri Pointe Homes, Inc engages in the design, construction, and sale of single-family attached and detached homes in the United States. The company operates through a portfolio of six regional home building brands comprising Maracay in Arizona; Pardee Homes in California and Nevada; Quadrant Homes in Washington; Trendmaker Homes in Texas; TRI Pointe Homes in California, Colorado, and the Carolinas; and Winchester Homes in Maryland and Northern Virginia. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TPH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Tri Pointe Homes Inc. (NYSE:TPH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Tri Pointe Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tri Pointe Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KBC Group NV reduced its holdings in shares of Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE:NOG Free Report) by 98.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,034 shares of the companys stock after selling 201,103 shares during the period. KBC Group NVs holdings in Northern Oil and Gas were worth $86,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in NOG. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Northern Oil and Gas during the second quarter worth about $421,000. Savant Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Northern Oil and Gas in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $543,000. EFG Asset Management North America Corp. boosted its stake in Northern Oil and Gas by 18.0% in the 2nd quarter. EFG Asset Management North America Corp. now owns 115,536 shares of the companys stock worth $3,275,000 after purchasing an additional 17,585 shares in the last quarter. Ellevest Inc. purchased a new stake in Northern Oil and Gas during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $334,000. Finally, Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors increased its stake in Northern Oil and Gas by 33.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors now owns 33,763 shares of the companys stock valued at $957,000 after purchasing an additional 8,550 shares in the last quarter. 98.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Northern Oil and Gas alerts: Northern Oil and Gas Price Performance Shares of NOG opened at $21.45 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $23.20 and its two-hundred day moving average is $26.03. The company has a market capitalization of $2.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 1.48. Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $19.88 and a fifty-two week high of $44.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 1.21. Northern Oil and Gas Announces Dividend Northern Oil and Gas ( NYSE:NOG Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Monday, March 6th. The company reported $1.06 earnings per share for the quarter. Northern Oil and Gas had a return on equity of 22.12% and a net margin of 23.62%.The business had revenue of $319.19 million for the quarter. Research analysts predict that Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. will post 5.18 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th will be given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 30th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.4%. Northern Oil and Gass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 101.69%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have recently commented on NOG shares. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating and set a $26.00 price objective (down from $27.00) on shares of Northern Oil and Gas in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. William Blair began coverage on Northern Oil and Gas in a research report on Monday, August 25th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Piper Sandler reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $25.00 price target (down previously from $31.00) on shares of Northern Oil and Gas in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Citigroup dropped their price target on Northern Oil and Gas from $32.00 to $28.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Mizuho cut their price objective on Northern Oil and Gas from $32.00 to $28.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $33.00. View Our Latest Research Report on Northern Oil and Gas Northern Oil and Gas Company Profile (Free Report) Northern Oil and Gas, Inc, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas properties in the United States. It primarily holds interests in the Williston Basin, the Appalachian Basin, and the Permian Basin in the United States. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NOG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE:NOG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Northern Oil and Gas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Northern Oil and Gas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH lessened its stake in shares of ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE:OGS Free Report) by 46.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 58,793 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 50,715 shares during the quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.10% of ONE Gas worth $4,225,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Avalon Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of ONE Gas during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $51,000. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in shares of ONE Gas by 36.1% during the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 856 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $62,000 after buying an additional 227 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in shares of ONE Gas by 5,362.5% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 874 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $63,000 after buying an additional 858 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of ONE Gas by 20.1% in the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 910 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $65,000 after buying an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ONE Gas in the 1st quarter valued at $76,000. 88.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get ONE Gas alerts: ONE Gas Stock Up 1.4% Shares of NYSE:OGS opened at $82.96 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $80.37 and a 200-day simple moving average of $76.36. ONE Gas, Inc. has a twelve month low of $66.38 and a twelve month high of $83.62. The company has a current ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The company has a market capitalization of $4.98 billion, a PE ratio of 19.34, a P/E/G ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.85. ONE Gas Dividend Announcement ONE Gas ( NYSE:OGS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.44. The firm had revenue of $379.13 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $404.19 million. ONE Gas had a return on equity of 8.06% and a net margin of 10.76%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.34 EPS. ONE Gas has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.340-4.400 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that ONE Gas, Inc. will post 4.26 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. ONE Gass dividend payout ratio is 62.47%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have weighed in on OGS shares. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an underperform rating and issued a $75.00 target price on shares of ONE Gas in a research report on Thursday. UBS Group upgraded shares of ONE Gas from a sell rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $66.00 to $86.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of ONE Gas from $89.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of ONE Gas from $86.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of ONE Gas in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, ONE Gas currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $81.72. Read Our Latest Stock Report on OGS ONE Gas Company Profile (Free Report) ONE Gas, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a regulated natural gas distribution company in the United States. The company provides natural gas distribution services to approximately 2.3 million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. It serves residential, commercial, and transportation customers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for ONE Gas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ONE Gas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pettyjohn Wood & White Inc. acquired a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 1,140 shares of the semiconductor companys stock, valued at approximately $258,000. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in TSM. 1248 Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the first quarter valued at $28,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 174.1% during the 2nd quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 159 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Keener Financial Planning LLC bought a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the first quarter worth approximately $39,000. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have recently weighed in on TSM shares. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and set a $360.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Itau BBA Securities started coverage on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. They set an outperform rating for the company. Barclays raised their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Susquehanna raised their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $371.67. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $275.01 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $1.43 trillion, a P/E ratio of 28.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 2.15 and a current ratio of 2.37. The stocks fifty day moving average is $287.83 and its 200 day moving average is $245.76. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a one year low of $134.25 and a one year high of $311.37. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 36.06% and a net margin of 43.72%.The business had revenue of $32.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $951.89 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.94 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.9678 per share. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.97%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile (Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others. Read More 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. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk (NYSE:TLK Free Report) by 55.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 36,811 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 13,068 shares during the quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc.s holdings in PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk were worth $624,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk by 1,032.4% during the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 2,412 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 2,199 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk by 1,258.9% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,446 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 2,266 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk by 146.2% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,656 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 1,577 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. grew its stake in PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk by 1,368.7% during the first quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 3,701 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $55,000 after acquiring an additional 3,449 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC grew its stake in PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk by 54.3% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,709 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $80,000 after acquiring an additional 1,658 shares in the last quarter. Get PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk alerts: PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk Trading Down 1.0% TLK stock opened at $20.90 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $19.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.32. PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk has a fifty-two week low of $13.15 and a fifty-two week high of $21.62. The firm has a market cap of $20.70 billion, a PE ratio of 14.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.84 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.71. Analysts Set New Price Targets PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk ( NYSE:TLK Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The utilities provider reported $0.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by ($0.01). PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk had a net margin of 15.49% and a return on equity of 14.72%. The business had revenue of $2.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $38,172.05 billion. Sell-side analysts anticipate that PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk has a consensus rating of Reduce. Get Our Latest Report on TLK About PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, Tbk (Free Report) Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk provides information and communications technology, and telecommunications network services worldwide. The company operates through mobile, consumer, enterprise, Wholesale and International Business, and Other segments. The Mobile segment offers mobile voice, SMS, value added services, and mobile broadband services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Providence Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 1,750 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $293,000. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Traub Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Abound Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 566.7% during the 2nd quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 160 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA bought a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Briaud Financial Planning Inc increased its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 266.7% during the second quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 165 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $220.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Philip Morris International currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $189.56. Philip Morris International Stock Down 0.3% NYSE:PM opened at $155.24 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $241.65 billion, a PE ratio of 28.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.43. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12 month low of $116.12 and a 12 month high of $186.69. The companys 50-day moving average price is $156.42 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $167.29. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.33% and a negative return on equity of 122.14%. On average, research analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. Philip Morris International Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were paid a $1.47 dividend. This is an increase from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 3rd. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is presently 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. Recommended Stories 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. Prudential Financial Inc. lessened its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report) by 10.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,827,439 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 327,543 shares during the period. Prudential Financial Inc. owned 0.09% of Wells Fargo & Company worth $226,534,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of WFC. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt lifted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2,735,254.3% in the second quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 949,769,723 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $76,095,550,000 after buying an additional 949,735,001 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 54.9% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,635,681 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,332,851,000 after acquiring an additional 5,894,747 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $109,643,000. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 34.6% in the 1st quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 5,307,366 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $381,016,000 after purchasing an additional 1,365,629 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.4% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 302,092,955 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $24,203,688,000 after purchasing an additional 1,341,222 shares during the period. 75.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance Shares of Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $83.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84. Wells Fargo & Company has a fifty-two week low of $58.42 and a fifty-two week high of $88.64. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $84.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $80.29. The company has a market cap of $260.98 billion, a PE ratio of 13.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.22. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.11 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.18% and a return on equity of 12.51%. The businesss revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.42 EPS. Analysts expect that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is currently 29.61%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have commented on the company. Bank of America increased their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $87.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b) rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $89.57. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Wells Fargo & Company Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Wells Fargo & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wells Fargo & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quantum Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report) by 51.8% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 15,180 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 5,178 shares during the quarter. Quantum Private Wealth LLCs holdings in Dell Technologies were worth $1,861,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in DELL. Cynosure Group LLC boosted its holdings in Dell Technologies by 8.0% in the second quarter. Cynosure Group LLC now owns 3,970 shares of the technology companys stock worth $487,000 after purchasing an additional 293 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Dell Technologies by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,097,849 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $257,196,000 after buying an additional 10,709 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 4.0% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 31,163 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,821,000 after buying an additional 1,201 shares during the period. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 20.2% in the 2nd quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. now owns 6,639 shares of the technology companys stock worth $814,000 after buying an additional 1,117 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sfmg LLC bought a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the second quarter worth $480,000. 76.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Dell Technologies alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley reissued an underweight rating and issued a $110.00 target price (down previously from $144.00) on shares of Dell Technologies in a report on Monday, November 17th. Fox Advisors cut shares of Dell Technologies from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Argus raised their price objective on shares of Dell Technologies from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Seventeen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $160.85. Dell Technologies Stock Up 4.4% Shares of Dell Technologies stock opened at $122.57 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $82.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.03, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.02. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $143.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $129.65. Dell Technologies Inc. has a 52 week low of $66.25 and a 52 week high of $168.08. Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 5th. The technology company reported $1.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 236.21% and a net margin of 4.73%.The company had revenue of $26.43 billion for the quarter. Dell Technologies has set its FY24 guidance at $6.10-6.50 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.93 earnings per share for the current year. Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 21st were issued a $0.525 dividend. This represents a $2.10 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 21st. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is 30.88%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Director V (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 565,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.32, for a total transaction of $74,760,800.00. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Iv (Gp) L.L.C. Slta sold 824,999 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, September 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.98, for a total transaction of $112,183,364.02. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 4,537,755 shares of company stock valued at $642,644,973. 42.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Dell Technologies (Free Report) Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DELL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dell Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dell Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Nov. 21 notice warning airlines of a "potentially hazardous" and "worsening security situation" in Venezuela. This follows Reuters reports of looming U.S. action in the country. U.S. military jets and warships are also gathering by the country's coast along the Caribbean Sea, according to BBC. While the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) does not go so far as calling for the cancellation of flights over Venezuelan airspace, it urges any carrier flying into the South American country to "exercise caution" over "heightened military activity in or around Venezuela." As a result, several international airlines have proactively called off their flights to Venezuela. American carriers have not flown directly into the country since 2019 when the United States officially severed all diplomatic ties after President Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner in a highly contested election in 2019. "Safety conditions in Venezuelan airspace are not guaranteed" Avianca, the flag carrier of Colombia, canceled its flights between Bogota and the Venezuelan capital of Caracas starting from Nov. 21. TAP Air Portugal, Spain's Iberia, and Brazil's GOL Linhas Aereas have all temporarily suspended their services to Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS) in Caracas. "This decision follows information issued by the United States aviation authorities, which indicates that safety conditions in Venezuelan airspace are not guaranteed," a TAP Air Portugal spokesperson said to Reuters. Related: Airline to cancel all flights to country over geopolitical instability An Iberia spokesperson also issued a statement saying that it "will assess the situation to decide when to resume flights to that country." While no U.S. airline has flown directly into Venezuela since 2019, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have both stopped flying over its airspace in the last two months. While known for Angel Falls, Venezuela has lacked diplomatic relations with the U.S. since 2019.Image source: Shutterstock What's happening with Venezuela under President Trump All this comes at a time when the entire region around the Caribbean coast is on edge, as the Trump administration continues to ramp up pressure on the Maduro government and build up military presence in the waters around Venezuela. While the president's statements over the last few weeks have ranged from threatening attacks to expressing openness to a diplomatic solution, multiple members of the Trump administration have now suggested upcoming military action, CNN reports. On Nov. 20, the U.S. military flew planes, including a F/A-18E fighter jet and a B-52 strategic bomber, in the latest display of force to the country's leadership. Representative Jake Auchincloss (D-Massachusetts) recently sold shares of State Street Corporation (NYSE:STT). In a filing disclosed on November 18th, the Representative disclosed that they had sold between $15,001 and $50,000 in State Street stock on November 17th. State Street Price Performance Shares of NYSE STT traded up $1.02 during trading on Friday, hitting $114.32. The company had a trading volume of 2,183,949 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,016,833. State Street Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $72.81 and a fifty-two week high of $122.69. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $115.25 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $109.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.47. Get State Street alerts: State Street (NYSE:STT Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The asset manager reported $2.78 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.57 by $0.21. State Street had a return on equity of 13.37% and a net margin of 13.14%.The business had revenue of $3.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.43 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.26 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that State Street Corporation will post 9.68 earnings per share for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have issued reports on STT shares. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of State Street from $109.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. TD Cowen began coverage on shares of State Street in a research note on Thursday, September 25th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of State Street in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of State Street from $130.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of State Street in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, State Street presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $125.92. Check Out Our Latest Report on State Street Insider Activity at State Street In related news, EVP Michael L. Richards sold 1,500 shares of State Street stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.24, for a total value of $175,860.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 38,626 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,528,512.24. The trade was a 3.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.29% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Assetmark Inc. grew its stake in shares of State Street by 61.9% in the first quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 934 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $84,000 after buying an additional 357 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB boosted its holdings in State Street by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,273,567 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $241,862,000 after acquiring an additional 49,475 shares during the period. Inspire Trust Co. N.A. grew its position in State Street by 25.8% in the 1st quarter. Inspire Trust Co. N.A. now owns 45,000 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $4,029,000 after acquiring an additional 9,224 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in State Street by 0.9% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,891,862 shares of the asset managers stock worth $169,378,000 after purchasing an additional 16,926 shares during the period. Finally, LPL Financial LLC increased its stake in State Street by 6.6% during the first quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 123,407 shares of the asset managers stock worth $11,049,000 after purchasing an additional 7,656 shares during the period. 87.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Representative Auchincloss Jake Auchincloss (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Massachusetts 4th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2021. His current term ends on January 3, 2027. Auchincloss (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Massachusetts 4th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election. Jake Auchincloss was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Auchincloss served in the United States Marine Corps from 2010 to 2015 and reached the rank of captain. He earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard College in 2010 and a graduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2016. Auchincloss career experience includes working as a product manager with a cybersecurity startup and as a senior manager for new products with Solaria Labs at Liberty Mutual Insurance. About State Street (Get Free Report) State Street Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial products and services to institutional investors worldwide. The company offers investment servicing products and services, including custody, accounting, regulatory reporting, investor, and performance and analytics; middle office products, such as IBOR, transaction management, loans, cash, derivatives and collateral, record keeping, and client reporting and investment analytics; finance leasing; foreign exchange, and brokerage and other trading services; securities finance and enhanced custody products; deposit and short-term investment facilities; investment manager and alternative investment manager operations outsourcing; performance, risk, and compliance analytics; and financial data management to support institutional investors. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for State Street Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for State Street and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. International Consolidated Airlines Group (OTCMKTS:ICAGY Get Free Report) and Corporacion America Airports (NYSE:CAAP Get Free Report) are both transportation companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings and analyst recommendations. Insider & Institutional Ownership 0.0% of International Consolidated Airlines Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 13.0% of Corporacion America Airports shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get International Consolidated Airlines Group alerts: Earnings & Valuation This table compares International Consolidated Airlines Group and Corporacion America Airportss revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio International Consolidated Airlines Group $34.74 billion 0.66 $2.96 billion $3.30 3.02 Corporacion America Airports $1.84 billion 1.99 $282.67 million $0.85 26.40 International Consolidated Airlines Group has higher revenue and earnings than Corporacion America Airports. International Consolidated Airlines Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Corporacion America Airports, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Risk & Volatility International Consolidated Airlines Group has a beta of 2, suggesting that its stock price is 100% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Corporacion America Airports has a beta of 1.38, suggesting that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for International Consolidated Airlines Group and Corporacion America Airports, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score International Consolidated Airlines Group 1 2 4 0 2.43 Corporacion America Airports 1 0 5 0 2.67 Corporacion America Airports has a consensus target price of $24.40, indicating a potential upside of 8.74%. Given Corporacion America Airports stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Corporacion America Airports is more favorable than International Consolidated Airlines Group. Profitability This table compares International Consolidated Airlines Group and Corporacion America Airports net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets International Consolidated Airlines Group 9.52% 84.18% 11.63% Corporacion America Airports 7.53% 9.06% 3.25% Summary International Consolidated Airlines Group beats Corporacion America Airports on 7 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About International Consolidated Airlines Group (Get Free Report) International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of passenger and cargo transportation services in the United Kingdom, Spain, the United States, and rest of the world. It also provides aircraft leasing, aircraft maintenance, tour operation, air freight operations, call centre, ground handling, trustee, retail, IT, finance, procurement, storage and custody, aircraft technical assistance, human resources support, and airport infrastructure development services; and manages airline loyalty programmes. The company operates under the British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL brands. It operates a fleet of 582 aircrafts. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Harmondsworth, United Kingdom. About Corporacion America Airports (Get Free Report) Corporacion America Airports S.A., through its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, and operates airport concessions. It operates 52 airports in Latin America, Europe, and Eurasia. The company was formerly known as A.C.I. Airports International S.a r.l. and changed its name to Corporacion America Airports S.A. in September 2017. The company was founded in 1998 and is based in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. Corporacion America Airports S.A. is a subsidiary of A.C.I. Airports S.a r.l. Receive News & Ratings for International Consolidated Airlines Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Consolidated Airlines Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 444,156 shares of the insurance providers stock after buying an additional 3,989 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $118,829,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co grew its stake in Travelers Companies by 122.2% in the second quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 100 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Travelers Companies by 200.0% during the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. Flaharty Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Travelers Companies during the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Nova Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies in the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. 82.45% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Insider Activity In other news, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 1,803 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.55, for a total value of $522,058.65. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 255,086 shares of the companys stock, valued at $73,860,151.30. This trade represents a 0.70% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 8,572 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 33,638 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,106,815.74. This trade represents a 20.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last quarter, insiders sold 37,375 shares of company stock worth $10,374,006. Insiders own 1.46% of the companys stock. Travelers Companies Stock Up 0.8% NYSE:TRV opened at $290.21 on Friday. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $230.23 and a fifty-two week high of $292.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $64.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.41, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 0.35. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $276.41 and its 200-day simple moving average is $270.39. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 analyst estimates of $11.15 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $5.24 EPS. Travelers Companiess revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be issued a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 10th. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 17.30%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have recently commented on TRV. Wall Street Zen lowered Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, October 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $304.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Barclays set a $313.00 target price on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Travelers Companies from $289.00 to $297.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research note on Friday, October 17th. 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 issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Travelers Companies has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $292.73. Read Our Latest Stock Report on TRV Travelers Companies Profile (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Further Reading 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. Robert Half Inc. (NYSE:RHI Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, October 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 25th will be paid a dividend of 0.59 per share by the business services provider on Monday, December 15th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 25th. Robert Half has raised its dividend by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 22 years. Robert Half has a dividend payout ratio of 88.1% indicating that its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the companys earnings tumble. Analysts expect Robert Half to earn $3.57 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.36 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 66.1%. Get Robert Half alerts: Robert Half Trading Up 5.9% Shares of Robert Half stock opened at $27.27 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $30.54 and its 200 day moving average price is $37.24. Robert Half has a twelve month low of $25.22 and a twelve month high of $78.41. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.71 and a beta of 1.01. Analyst Ratings Changes Robert Half ( NYSE:RHI Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The business services provider reported $0.43 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.43. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.36 billion. Robert Half had a return on equity of 11.76% and a net margin of 2.85%.The firms revenue was down 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.64 earnings per share. Robert Half has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.250-0.350 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Robert Half will post 2.48 EPS for the current year. A number of research analysts have weighed in on RHI shares. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price target on shares of Robert Half from $36.00 to $31.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Zacks Research lowered shares of Robert Half from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Wednesday. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Robert Half from $31.00 to $27.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Truist Financial cut their price objective on Robert Half from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 13th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price objective on Robert Half from $30.00 to $27.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $38.25. View Our Latest Research Report on Robert Half About Robert Half (Get Free Report) Robert Half Inc provides talent solutions and business consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti segments. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Robert Half Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Robert Half and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rock Creek Group LP lifted its stake in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Free Report) by 33.7% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 312,676 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 78,775 shares during the period. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF makes up approximately 2.2% of Rock Creek Group LPs portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest position. Rock Creek Group LPs holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $18,793,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new stake in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $33,000. S.A. Mason LLC purchased a new position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $44,000. Knuff & Co LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the first quarter valued at about $49,000. Kentucky Trust Co increased its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 68.8% during the second quarter. Kentucky Trust Co now owns 908 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 370 shares during the period. Finally, Painted Porch Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF in the second quarter worth about $61,000. Get iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Trading Down 0.1% IEMG stock opened at $65.58 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $66.90 and a 200-day moving average of $62.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $110.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.65 and a beta of 0.65. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a 12 month low of $47.29 and a 12 month high of $69.46. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Company Profile The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of emerging-market firms, covering 99% of market capitalization. IEMG was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of OppFi Inc. (NYSE:OPFI Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 70,663 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $989,000. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.08% of OppFi as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of OppFi in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of OppFi in the first quarter worth $27,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL increased its holdings in shares of OppFi by 65.5% during the first quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 3,227 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 1,277 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP increased its holdings in shares of OppFi by 393.4% during the first quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 7,169 shares of the companys stock valued at $67,000 after acquiring an additional 5,716 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey raised its position in shares of OppFi by 56.7% in the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 5,384 shares of the companys stock worth $75,000 after purchasing an additional 1,948 shares during the last quarter. 7.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get OppFi alerts: OppFi Price Performance OppFi stock opened at $9.20 on Friday. OppFi Inc. has a one year low of $6.65 and a one year high of $17.73. The businesss fifty day moving average is $10.33 and its 200 day moving average is $11.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $794.51 million, a PE ratio of -12.27 and a beta of 1.69. Insider Buying and Selling OppFi ( NYSE:OPFI Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $155.09 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $153.42 million. OppFi had a return on equity of 55.59% and a net margin of 0.68%. OppFi has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.540-1.600 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that OppFi Inc. will post 0.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other OppFi news, CFO Pamela D. Johnson sold 5,497 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.21, for a total transaction of $61,621.37. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 154,521 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,732,180.41. The trade was a 3.44% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Christopher J. Mckay sold 9,030 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.21, for a total value of $101,226.30. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 172,129 shares in the company, valued at $1,929,566.09. The trade was a 4.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 16,763 shares of company stock worth $185,042. 72.00% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes OPFI has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Zacks Research raised shares of OppFi from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of OppFi in a research note on Monday, November 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $13.63. View Our Latest Stock Report on OPFI OppFi Company Profile (Free Report) OppFi Inc operates a cialty finance platform that allows banks to offer credit access. Its platform facilitates the OppLoans, an installment loan product; SalaryTap, a payroll deduction secured installment loan product; and OppFi Card, a credit card product. OppFi Inc was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OPFI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for OppFi Inc. (NYSE:OPFI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for OppFi Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for OppFi and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC bought a new position in Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 11,060 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $1,223,000. A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in LEN. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lennar in the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. Disciplina Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Lennar by 179.8% in the 1st quarter. Disciplina Capital Management LLC now owns 333 shares of the construction companys stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 214 shares during the last quarter. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Lennar in the second quarter worth approximately $43,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its position in Lennar by 190.9% during the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 573 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $63,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new position in shares of Lennar during the first quarter worth approximately $66,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.10% of the companys stock. Get Lennar alerts: Lennar Trading Up 5.8% LEN opened at $123.04 on Friday. Lennar Corporation has a one year low of $98.42 and a one year high of $180.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 4.49 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $124.17 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $119.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.16, a PEG ratio of 5.78 and a beta of 1.33. Lennar Announces Dividend Lennar ( NYSE:LEN Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, September 18th. The construction company reported $2.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.14 by ($0.14). Lennar had a net margin of 7.72% and a return on equity of 11.09%. The business had revenue of $8.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.01 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.90 earnings per share. Lennars quarterly revenue was down 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Lennar Corporation will post 12.48 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 10th were paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. Lennars payout ratio is presently 19.76%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Lennar from $97.00 to $92.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 22nd. Wedbush reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $130.00 price objective on shares of Lennar in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. Raymond James Financial downgraded Lennar from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a report on Monday, September 22nd. Wall Street Zen cut Lennar from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Lennar in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned 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 an average target price of $121.75. Get Our Latest Research Report on Lennar Lennar Profile (Free Report) Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The companys homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LEN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lennar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lennar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Swiss National Bank lifted its position in Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR Free Report) by 12.0% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 1,324,968 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 141,800 shares during the period. Swiss National Banks holdings in Ventas were worth $83,672,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VTR. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its holdings in shares of Ventas by 1.7% during the second quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 278,571 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $17,592,000 after buying an additional 4,717 shares in the last quarter. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new stake in Ventas during the 2nd quarter worth about $558,000. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc grew its stake in Ventas by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 268,012 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $16,925,000 after acquiring an additional 12,153 shares in the last quarter. Dorsey Wright & Associates acquired a new position in shares of Ventas in the 2nd quarter valued at about $265,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Ventas by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 71,796,312 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,533,937,000 after purchasing an additional 2,854,751 shares during the period. 94.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Ventas alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Ventas from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 15th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Ventas from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Ventas in a research report on Wednesday. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Ventas from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on Ventas from $80.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Ventas presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $77.36. Ventas Price Performance Shares of Ventas stock opened at $79.25 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $71.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of $67.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $37.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 152.41, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.88. Ventas, Inc. has a 1-year low of $56.68 and a 1-year high of $80.50. Ventas (NYSE:VTR Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.88 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.87 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.44 billion. Ventas had a return on equity of 2.10% and a net margin of 4.28%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 20.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.80 EPS. Ventas has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.450-3.480 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Ventas, Inc. will post 3.4 earnings per share for the current year. Ventas Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a $0.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Ventass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 369.23%. Insider Activity In related news, CEO Debra A. Cafaro sold 41,294 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.01, for a total value of $3,262,638.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,145,695 shares in the company, valued at approximately $90,521,361.95. This represents a 3.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Peter J. Bulgarelli sold 2,229 shares of Ventas stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.08, for a total transaction of $178,498.32. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 106,488 shares in the company, valued at $8,527,559.04. This represents a 2.05% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 698,912 shares of company stock worth $51,454,499. Company insiders own 0.80% of the companys stock. Ventas Company Profile (Free Report) Ventas Inc (NYSE: VTR) is a leading S&P 500 real estate investment trust focused on delivering strong, sustainable shareholder returns by enabling exceptional environments that benefit a large and growing aging population. The Company's growth is fueled by its senior housing communities, which provide valuable services to residents and enable them to thrive in supported environments. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VTR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ventas Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ventas and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Swiss National Bank increased its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR Free Report) by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 354,200 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 24,500 shares during the period. Swiss National Banks holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions were worth $86,081,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 28,222.6% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 949,657 shares of the business services providers stock worth $230,254,000 after purchasing an additional 946,304 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 577.9% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 1,035,938 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $251,513,000 after buying an additional 883,125 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 3.1% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,733,147 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,572,199,000 after acquiring an additional 438,381 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in the first quarter worth $91,445,000. Finally, McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions during the second quarter valued at $53,467,000. Institutional investors own 90.03% of the companys stock. Get Broadridge Financial Solutions alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have weighed in on BR shares. DA Davidson restated a neutral rating and set a $240.00 price objective on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of 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. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC boosted their price target on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $300.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $259.83. Insider Activity In other news, CEO Timothy C. Gokey sold 5,674 shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $258.37, for a total transaction of $1,465,991.38. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 143,285 shares of the companys stock, valued at $37,020,545.45. The trade was a 3.81% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, President Christopher John Perry sold 3,984 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.00, for a total transaction of $900,384.00. Following the completion of the sale, the president directly owned 44,829 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,131,354. This represents a 8.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Broadridge Financial Solutions Price Performance NYSE BR opened at $228.34 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.24 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.93. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a 1-year low of $212.33 and a 1-year high of $271.91. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $231.17 and its 200-day moving average price is $241.03. Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 3rd. The business services provider reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a net margin of 13.11% and a return on equity of 43.28%. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter. On average, equities analysts predict that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 8.53 earnings per share for the current year. Broadridge Financial Solutions Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.975 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $3.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. Broadridge Financial Solutionss payout ratio is 49.94%. Broadridge Financial Solutions Profile (Free Report) Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. Featured Articles 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. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA (OTCMKTS:USNZY Get Free Report)s share price was down 10.7% on Friday . The company traded as low as $0.92 and last traded at $0.92. Approximately 59,000 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 5% from the average daily volume of 62,247 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.03. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Zacks Research upgraded Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold. Get Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on USNZY Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais Price Performance The companys fifty day moving average is $0.96 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 2.64 and a current ratio of 4.21. The firm has a market cap of $520.43 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.94 and a beta of 1.48. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais (OTCMKTS:USNZY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 24th. The basic materials company reported $0.01 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.01) by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.20 billion. Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais had a positive return on equity of 1.22% and a negative net margin of 12.91%. Equities research analysts forecast that Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA will post 0.09 EPS for the current year. About Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais (Get Free Report) Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais SA manufactures and markets flat steel products in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Mining and Logistics, Steel Metallurgy, and Steel Transformation. It extracts and process iron ore, such as pellet and sinter feed and, granulated iron ore; provides storage, handling, and road cargo transportation services; and operates highway and railway cargo terminals. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Usinas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BK Technologies stock has recently undergone a price target review, with the Fair Value estimate holding steady at $97 and only a slight adjustment in the Discount Rate from 8.05% to 7.98%. This change comes as analysts weigh the companys consistent performance in light of an evolving competitive landscape. Stay tuned to discover practical ways to remain informed as BK Technologies story continues to unfold. Stay updated as the Fair Value for BK Technologies shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on BK Technologies. What Wall Street Has Been Saying The latest analyst insights provide a closer look at how the investment community is viewing BK Technologies following recent price target revisions and management interactions. Bullish Takeaways Lake Street raised its price target on BK Technologies to $83 from $74. This reflects increased confidence in the companys ability to sustain both top and bottom line growth. Analysts at Lake Street maintained a Buy rating. They cited a strong year-to-date performance and improved growth durability following their engagement with BK Technologies management at an investor conference. Bearish Takeaways While Lake Streets commentary was largely positive, the acknowledgment of the stocks strong performance suggests that some near-term optimism may already be reflected in the share price. 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! NYSEAM:BKTI Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025 What's in the News BK Technologies Corporation (NYSEAM:BKTI) has been added to the S&P Global BMI Index, marking a notable step in the companys visibility among institutional investors. The companys inclusion in a major global index is expected to boost liquidity and attract increased attention from the financial community. Analysts point to this development as a signal of BK Technologies steady performance and strengthening fundamentals in a competitive market environment. How This Changes the Fair Value For BK Technologies The Fair Value estimate remains unchanged at $97. The Discount Rate has decreased slightly, moving from 8.05% to 7.98%. Revenue Growth projections are stable at 10.4%. The Net Profit Margin forecast holds steady at 15.2%. The future P/E ratio has declined marginally from 29.01x to 28.95x. Never Miss an Update: Follow The Narrative A Narrative is a story investors create to explain how a companys numbers connect to its future prospects and fair value. Narratives on Simply Wall St let you link the latest financial forecasts directly to a companys story, giving clear buy or sell signals as price and fair value evolve. Narratives are always dynamic and easy to follow, updated when news or earnings land, and available for millions on the Community page. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO Free Report) by 2.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,724,707 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 286,942 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,576,035,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 12.0% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 38,881,222 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,135,043,000 after purchasing an additional 4,155,522 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Valero Energy by 276.9% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,795,436 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,425,754,000 after purchasing an additional 7,931,018 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 16.7% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,141,511 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,089,897,000 after buying an additional 1,164,217 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 3.0% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 5,024,322 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $675,369,000 after buying an additional 148,195 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Valero Energy by 34.1% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,905,145 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $647,823,000 after buying an additional 1,247,196 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Valero Energy alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades VLO has been the topic of several research reports. TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $162.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $216.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $135.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Friday, September 19th. Barclays upped their price target on Valero Energy from $169.00 to $184.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Mizuho raised their price objective on Valero Energy from $166.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $182.00. Valero Energy Stock Up 1.5% VLO stock opened at $173.46 on Friday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $168.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $149.71. Valero Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $99.00 and a 52-week high of $185.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $52.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.01. Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The oil and gas company reported $3.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.15 by $0.51. Valero Energy had a net margin of 1.21% and a return on equity of 8.69%. The firm had revenue of $32.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $28.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.14 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 EPS for the current year. Valero Energy Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 20th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 20th. Valero Energys payout ratio is presently 94.36%. Valero Energy Company Profile (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. acquired a new position in Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B Free Report) (TSE:ABX) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 70,110,624 shares of the gold and copper producers stock, valued at approximately $1,459,633,000. Vanguard Group Inc. owned about 4.11% of Barrick Mining as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of B. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC grew its position in shares of Barrick Mining by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 28,724 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $558,000 after buying an additional 710 shares during the last quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Barrick Mining by 5.9% in the first quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 18,629 shares of the gold and copper producers stock worth $362,000 after acquiring an additional 1,031 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in Barrick Mining by 38.4% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 198,146 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $3,852,000 after acquiring an additional 54,976 shares during the last quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd. increased its position in Barrick Mining by 72.6% during the 1st quarter. Phoenix Financial Ltd. now owns 41,500 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $811,000 after purchasing an additional 17,455 shares during the period. Finally, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ increased its position in Barrick Mining by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ now owns 237,119 shares of the gold and copper producers stock valued at $4,610,000 after purchasing an additional 2,200 shares during the period. 90.82% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Barrick Mining alerts: Barrick Mining Trading Up 1.6% NYSE:B opened at $36.56 on Friday. Barrick Mining Corporation has a 12 month low of $15.11 and a 12 month high of $38.78. The company has a current ratio of 3.21, a quick ratio of 2.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $61.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.99, a PEG ratio of 0.40 and a beta of 0.28. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $33.62 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $26.10. Barrick Mining Increases Dividend Barrick Mining ( NYSE:B Get Free Report ) (TSE:ABX) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The gold and copper producer reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.01. Barrick Mining had a net margin of 19.99% and a return on equity of 8.19%. The company had revenue of $4.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.20 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.09 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 23.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Barrick Mining Corporation will post 1.47 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.175 per share. This is a positive change from Barrick Minings previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. Barrick Minings dividend payout ratio is presently 33.82%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on B. TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of Barrick Mining from $38.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets restated a market perform rating on shares of Barrick Mining in a report on Monday, September 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Barrick Mining from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Barrick Mining in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Finally, National Bank Financial raised Barrick Mining from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Barrick Mining currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $42.90. View Our Latest Analysis on Barrick Mining Barrick Mining Profile (Free Report) Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX. In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding B? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Barrick Mining Corporation (NYSE:B Free Report) (TSE:ABX). Receive News & Ratings for Barrick Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barrick Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. trimmed its position in ITT Inc. (NYSE:ITT Free Report) by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,998,324 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 279,720 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. owned 10.25% of ITT worth $1,254,377,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Select Equity Group L.P. lifted its stake in ITT by 4.4% in the first quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 4,765,602 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $615,525,000 after acquiring an additional 200,676 shares during the period. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of ITT by 97.1% in the 1st quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,835,894 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $237,125,000 after purchasing an additional 904,654 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ITT in the 1st quarter worth approximately $156,406,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of ITT by 5.0% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 960,394 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $150,619,000 after purchasing an additional 45,826 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Findlay Park Partners LLP increased its holdings in ITT by 94.7% during the first quarter. Findlay Park Partners LLP now owns 795,600 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $102,760,000 after buying an additional 387,000 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.59% of the companys stock. Get ITT alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ITT has been the topic of several recent research reports. TD Cowen increased their target price on ITT from $170.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. DA Davidson set a $190.00 price objective on ITT and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, August 4th. KeyCorp lifted their target price on ITT from $200.00 to $215.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of ITT in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of ITT from $202.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, ITT currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $201.25. Insiders Place Their Bets In other ITT news, CAO Mesa Graziano Cheryl De sold 238 shares of ITT stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.08, for a total transaction of $43,573.04. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 5,062 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $926,750.96. The trade was a 4.49% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Emmanuel Caprais sold 5,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $185.23, for a total value of $1,018,765.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 36,830 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,822,020.90. The trade was a 12.99% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.47% of the stock is owned by insiders. ITT Trading Down 0.1% ITT stock opened at $178.76 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.52. The stock has a market cap of $13.94 billion, a PE ratio of 29.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.40. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $180.13 and a two-hundred day moving average of $166.54. ITT Inc. has a one year low of $105.64 and a one year high of $197.07. ITT (NYSE:ITT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The conglomerate reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $999.10 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $973.69 million. ITT had a net margin of 12.67% and a return on equity of 18.96%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.46 earnings per share. ITT has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.620-6.680 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that ITT Inc. will post 6.51 EPS for the current fiscal year. ITT Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.351 per share. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. ITTs payout ratio is presently 23.26%. ITT Profile (Free Report) ITT Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered critical components and customized technology solutions for the transportation, industrial, and energy markets in the United States and internationally. The Motion Technologies segment manufactures brake pads, shims, shock absorbers, and energy absorption components; and sealing technologies primarily for the transportation industry, including passenger cars, trucks, light- and heavy-duty commercial and military vehicles, buses, and trains. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for ITT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ITT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Victoria PLC (LON:VCP Get Free Report)s stock price passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 67.49 and traded as low as GBX 40.60. Victoria shares last traded at GBX 40.60, with a volume of 62,238 shares traded. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 170 price objective on shares of Victoria in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Victoria currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 170. Get Victoria alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on VCP Victoria Stock Performance About Victoria The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of -4,210.81. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 57.07 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 67.40. The firm has a market cap of 46.40 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.17 and a beta of 0.98. (Get Free Report) Established in 1895 and listed since 1963 and on AIM since 2013 (VCP.L), Victoria PLC, is an international manufacturer and distributor of innovative flooring products. The Company, which is headquartered in Worcester, UK, designs, manufactures and distributes a range of carpet, flooring underlay, ceramic tiles, LVT (luxury vinyl tile), artificial grass and flooring accessories. Victoria has operations in the UK, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Turkey, the USA, and Australia and employs approximately 6,750 people across 30 sites. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Victoria Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Waterloo Capital L.P. cut its stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Free Report) by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 235,101 shares of the companys stock after selling 21,469 shares during the quarter. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF accounts for about 1.1% of Waterloo Capital L.P.s portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. Waterloo Capital L.P.s holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF were worth $14,113,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rock Creek Group LP increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 33.7% during the second quarter. Rock Creek Group LP now owns 312,676 shares of the companys stock worth $18,793,000 after buying an additional 78,775 shares in the last quarter. Boston Research & Management Inc. grew its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Research & Management Inc. now owns 107,008 shares of the companys stock worth $6,423,000 after acquiring an additional 1,521 shares during the last quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. increased its holdings in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 39.3% in the 2nd quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 22,018 shares of the companys stock worth $1,322,000 after purchasing an additional 6,213 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 16.3% in the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 42,710,758 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,563,927,000 after purchasing an additional 5,997,621 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Heritage Wealth Advisors boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF by 0.3% during the second quarter. Heritage Wealth Advisors now owns 847,755 shares of the companys stock valued at $50,891,000 after purchasing an additional 2,747 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF alerts: iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Price Performance iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF stock opened at $65.58 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $66.90 and a 200-day moving average of $62.43. The company has a market capitalization of $110.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.65 and a beta of 0.65. iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF has a 1 year low of $47.29 and a 1 year high of $69.46. About iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of emerging-market firms, covering 99% of market capitalization. IEMG was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:IEMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Waterloo Capital L.P. lessened its holdings in iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:SHYG Free Report) by 4.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 219,280 shares of the companys stock after selling 11,051 shares during the quarter. Waterloo Capital L.P.s holdings in iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF were worth $9,460,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. TD Private Client Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $45,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 30.6% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 2,059 shares of the companys stock valued at $89,000 after acquiring an additional 482 shares in the last quarter. Wells Financial Advisors INC grew its holdings in shares of iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 29.0% in the 1st quarter. Wells Financial Advisors INC now owns 2,135 shares of the companys stock valued at $91,000 after acquiring an additional 480 shares in the last quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF in the second quarter valued at about $113,000. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF by 134.7% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 4,530 shares of the companys stock valued at $195,000 after purchasing an additional 2,600 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF alerts: iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF Stock Up 0.3% SHYG stock opened at $42.79 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $7.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.74 and a beta of 0.30. iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $40.38 and a twelve month high of $43.39. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $43.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $42.90. iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF Profile The iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (SHYG) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a market-value-weighted index of high-yield USD-denominated bonds with 0-5 years remaining in maturity. SHYG was launched on Oct 15, 2013 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SHYG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:SHYG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wiser Advisor Group LLC lowered its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Free Report) by 16.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,192 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,192 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. makes up 3.1% of Wiser Advisor Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th largest holding. Wiser Advisor Group LLCs holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $1,795,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. purchased a new position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the second quarter valued at $26,000. MJT & Associates Financial Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the first quarter valued at $28,000. University of Illinois Foundation purchased a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Ryan Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc boosted its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 212.0% in the 2nd quarter. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc now owns 156 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.55% of the companys stock. Get JPMorgan Chase & Co. alerts: Insider Transactions at JPMorgan Chase & Co. In other news, insider Robin Leopold sold 966 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $311.92, for a total transaction of $301,314.72. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 58,479 shares of the companys stock, valued at $18,240,769.68. This represents a 1.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Linda Bammann sold 9,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $297.94, for a total transaction of $2,830,430.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 82,207 shares in the company, valued at $24,492,753.58. This trade represents a 10.36% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Trading Down 0.2% NYSE:JPM opened at $297.82 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $810.74 billion, a PE ratio of 14.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $307.43 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $291.49. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 12 month low of $202.16 and a 12 month high of $322.25. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $5.07 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.83 by $0.24. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 17.18% and a net margin of 20.90%.The firm had revenue of $47.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $44.42 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $4.37 EPS. The companys revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 earnings per share for the current year. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 6th were given a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 6th. This is a positive change from JPMorgan Chase & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s payout ratio is 29.72%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have issued reports on JPM shares. Wolfe Research lifted their target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $342.00 to $346.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Daiwa Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $330.00 to $332.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group upped their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $339.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. DZ Bank reiterated a neutral rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $300.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $326.38. View Our Latest Analysis on JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Profile (Free Report) JPMorgan Chase & Co is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:WH Free Report) by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 143,298 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 931 shares during the period. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLCs holdings in Wyndham Hotels & Resorts were worth $11,637,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Boston Partners lifted its holdings in Wyndham Hotels & Resorts by 8.7% during the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,117,752 shares of the companys stock worth $253,424,000 after buying an additional 248,909 shares during the last quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. raised its position in shares of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. now owns 2,369,461 shares of the companys stock valued at $214,460,000 after acquiring an additional 68,172 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in Wyndham Hotels & Resorts by 3.1% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,539,476 shares of the companys stock worth $125,021,000 after purchasing an additional 46,966 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Wyndham Hotels & Resorts by 5.0% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,462,126 shares of the companys stock worth $118,757,000 after purchasing an additional 70,135 shares during the period. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. increased its stake in Wyndham Hotels & Resorts by 0.6% during the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,364,127 shares of the companys stock valued at $110,782,000 after purchasing an additional 7,522 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.46% of the companys stock. Get Wyndham Hotels & Resorts alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Truist Financial set a $98.00 price objective on shares of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts from $93.00 to $89.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They set an equal weight rating and a $82.00 target price for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $91.00 price target on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $96.77. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Price Performance NYSE WH opened at $72.73 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $77.12 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $82.49. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has a 52 week low of $69.21 and a 52 week high of $113.07. The stock has a market cap of $5.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.43. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:WH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.42 by $0.04. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts had a return on equity of 61.12% and a net margin of 23.54%.The business had revenue of $764.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $406.29 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.39 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.480-4.62 EPS. Analysts forecast that Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will post 4.79 EPS for the current year. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Wyndham Hotels & Resortss dividend payout ratio is presently 37.70%. Insider Activity at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts In related news, General Counsel Paul F. Cash sold 36,379 shares of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.66, for a total transaction of $2,606,919.14. Following the sale, the general counsel directly owned 39,123 shares in the company, valued at $2,803,554.18. The trade was a 48.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.46% of the companys stock. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Profile (Free Report) Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc engages in the franchise and operation of hotels under the Wyndham brand. It operates through the Hotel Franchising and Hotel Management segments. The Hotel Franchising segment focuses on licensing the companys lodging brands and providing related services to third-party hotel owners and others. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE:WH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Both across the United States and in countries around the world, smaller low-cost airlines are having a particularly difficult time staying around amid a rising cost of operations and competition from a new basic economy model offered by mainstream competitors. In October 2025, British regional carrier Eastern Airways canceled all of its flights to Scotland and Northern England as it turned to courts to fight off liquidation. A month later, Blue Islands of the British Channel Islands was forced to do the same in a sudden shutdown that left thousands of travelers from the remote community off the coast of mainland United Kingdom stranded. The airline had been subsidized by the local Government of Jersey and, after years of running up debts and struggling to bring in profit, was informed that the latter would be "unable to provide further support. "We will have no choice but to liquidate": Sunflower Aviation In an entirely different part of the world, charter airline Sunflower Aviation was also ordered to shut down all operations and cancel any remaining flights, FBC News reported. Changing names and owners several times since being founded in 1981, the Fiji-based carrier provided everything from resort transfers and regular scheduled service to charter flights to the most remote parts of the country made up of over 300 inhabited and uninhabited islands in the South Pacific. As Director Tim Joyce said to local FBC News, the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji has pulled their right to fly over an audit around the Sunflower's safety inspections the CAAF claims that Sunflower allowing pilots in remote parts of the country conduct airplane safety checks themselves is against regulation while Sunflower says it has tried working with the agency to find a solution and enlisted two additional engineers to conduct the safety inspections. Related: Airline cancels all flights in bankruptcy, passengers stranded "[CAAF] would not answer emails or phone calls, and then close to six oclock on Friday night they came back and said they were not renewing the approval, Joyce said to the local news outlet. "Over a hundred students are now shut down, and we have six aircraft on the ground. If this cannot be resolved, we will have no choice but to liquidate." The airline last had a recorded fleet of 12 aircraft including a recently-acquired eight-seat GippsAero GA8 Airvan. The students referenced by Joyce are future pilots undergoing training in the country as Sunflower Aviation also operates the local Pacific Flying School. Recent drilling activity shows glimmers of hope but underscores how little has been done in recent years. The first offshore hydrocarbon exploration well since 2023 Chevrons Deep 1 and Dino South 1 was drilled only in May 2025. In November, ConocoPhillips, alongside 3D Energi and Korea National Oil Corporation, spudded its first well under the Otway Basin Program near shores of Victoria province (53 km offshore from Port Campbell, 12 km from existing gas production wells), a government-funded initiative designed to shore up southeastern supply. Just two weeks later, on November 17, the company announced it had struck gas in the two target reservoirs (Waare A and Waare C) the first discovery in the region in four years adding that six wells are planned across two permits. However, the potential flow rates and ultimate resource recovery are still to be determined. For decades, exploration was one of Australias greatest strengths: since the 1960s, hydrocarbons were discovered at a rate of roughly a billion barrels of oil-equivalent per year. But after 2015 that trend began to change. Offshore exploration has declined and is now concentrated almost entirely in the west and northwest regions with little population, limited domestic industrial demand, and a direct pathway into Asia-facing LNG terminals. Australias geography has amplified this imbalance: the most prolific basin, North Carnarvon, lies off the western coast, while nearly two-thirds of the population and most of the countrys industrial load are located in the east, with no pipeline linking the two. As a result, most new offshore discoveries naturally flow into LNG export plants rather than the domestic market, deepening the divide between where gas is produced and where it is consumed. This structural disconnect has become the central fault line in Australias energy system, and it has grown more severe as LNG exports have expanded. Australia may still stand as the worlds third-largest LNG exporter (behind Qatar and the United States) but the foundations of that success are faltering. The September 2025 start-up of the Barossa Project, designed to feed Darwin LNG, and ConocoPhillips November drilling success in the Otway Basin offer welcome headlines, but they do little to offset the deeper structural imbalance now shaping Australias national gas landscape. Most production remains concentrated in Western Australia and Queensland, far from the south-eastern population centres that depend on it, while new developments struggle to keep pace with both export commitments and rising domestic demand. At the same time, new investment is increasingly deterred by regulatory tightness and stringent environmental requirements, leaving Australias long-term gas outlook more fragile than its export rankings suggest. Story Continues The consequences of waning exploration activity are increasingly visible in production trends. While national gas output more than doubled between 2015 and 2021, rising from around 5.5 million cubic metres per month to roughly 13 million cubic metres, it has since plateaued. Over the last 4 years production has hovered around an average of 13 million m3/month, signalling that without new exploration, the country has already reached a stagnation point and risks slipping into structural decline. With national output flattening, the weakest point in Australias gas system is increasingly the east coast, where demand keeps rising even as local supply fails to keep pace. Eastern Australias gas system is built around Queenslands CSG (coal seam gas)-LNG plants, which draw from the domestic market and have steadily increased their intake. When long-term lower-priced contracts expired between 2016 and 2019, domestic prices rose sharply and began tracking regional Asia LNG netback values the price LNG exporters could earn overseas, minus regasification and shipping. That linkage now defines the market: in Queensland, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, gas started behaving like a globally traded commodity, not a locally priced utility. Each winter, gas flows southward, but the constrained pipeline network cannot meet peak demand, causing local tightness and sharp price spikes. Government have required CSG-LNG exporters to offer uncontracted volumes to the domestic market before selling spot cargoes abroad. An east-coast price cap of A$12/GJ, introduced in summer 2023 and extended up to 2033, aims to protect consumers from global volatility. Despite the cap having exemptions, allowing undeveloped fields to be priced under a reasonable price mechanism, the result is a system that suppresses price signals just when investment is needed most. Pressure on supply is exacerbated by state-level environmental opposition. In NSW and Victoria, local resistance has prevented new projects for years. The Narrabri CSG development, which could supply up to half of NSWs demand, spent a decade stalled by protests, litigation and political friction before finally being approved in 2020. Victorias ban on onshore gas exploration from 2017 to 2021 still prohibiting coal seam gas ensured that Queensland remains the only state producing CSG. This geographic bottleneck forces the market to rely on higher-cost southern basins and long-distance interstate flows, raising prices, increasing winter risks, and tightening supply further. At the same time, the electricity system has become more fragile. This summer, wholesale power prices reached A$107 per MWh a decade high as supply stress collided with ageing coal-fire power stations that still make up around 65% of the energy mix. Outages during high demand are becoming more common, amplifying the consequences of any gas shortage. The unstable regulatory environment is beginning to scare away investors. In September, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company abandoned its planned US$19 billion acquisition of Santos, deterred by regulatory risk, domestic gas obligations and environmental pressures. Without major external investment, Australian producers face stagnation and an increasing likelihood of failing to meet both domestic commitments and international contract terms. ExxonMobil has already paused recent investments, citing the unpredictability of approvals and fiscal settings. Woodsides North West Shelf expansion project the largest export facility in the country only received provisional clearance in May after more than six years in the approvals pipeline. The final irony is that Australia may soon need to import LNG to stabilise the very market it once dominated. Several regasification projects are advancing. Squadron Energys Port Kembla terminal is expected to begin operations in mid-2026. Vopak has acquired an FSRU (floating storage and regasification unit) for its Port Phillip Bay project in Victoria, with imports projected to begin in 2029. Four additional import terminals are under construction across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. But FSRUs are costly and scarce, and any imported LNG would force domestic prices to track not only global spot levels (already volatile) but also shipping and regasification costs. For this reason, expanding domestic local supply (by projects similar to the Otway Basin exploration near to the southeast coast) remains the lowest-cost, lowest-emission, and most strategic solution. Yet approvals are slow, regulatory obligations are heavy, and investor confidence is wavering. If Australia cannot reset its approach, capital will migrate to more welcoming jurisdictions. Timor-Leste is already preparing a new exploration bidding round for 2026, having secured revised maritime boundaries and signalling its capability to attract upstream investment that Australia appears unable to accommodate. Australias gas system is entering a decisive phase. A decade of declining exploration, increasing regulatory intervention, environmental constraints and infrastructure fragmentation has pushed the market toward structural imbalance. The Barossa start-up and the Otway discovery show that new supply remains possible but unless the policy framework shifts, these isolated wins will not prevent deeper shortages, higher prices and eroding investor confidence. The country must choose whether to remain a global LNG power with a secure domestic market or allow its system to drift toward chronic vulnerability. By Natalia Katona for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oilprice Intelligence brings you the signals before they become front-page news. This is the same expert analysis read by veteran traders and political advisors. Get it free, twice a week, and you'll always know why the market is moving before everyone else. You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here. National Australia Bank Ltd. (OTCMKTS:NABZY Get Free Report) shares gapped up prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $12.98, but opened at $13.56. National Australia Bank shares last traded at $13.15, with a volume of 15,466 shares trading hands. Get National Australia Bank alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently commented on NABZY shares. National Bankshares assumed coverage on National Australia Bank in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. They set a sell rating and a $38.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of National Australia Bank to a strong sell rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Sell and an average target price of $38.00. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on NABZY National Australia Bank Price Performance About National Australia Bank The company has a 50-day moving average price of $14.25 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $13.34. (Get Free Report) National Australia Bank Limited provides financial services to individuals and businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. The company operates through Business and Private Banking; Personal Banking; Corporate and Institutional Banking; New Zealand Banking; and Corporate Functions and Other segments. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for National Australia Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Australia Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. decreased its stake in Terreno Realty Corporation (NYSE:TRNO Free Report) by 25.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 325,356 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 113,541 shares during the period. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. owned 0.31% of Terreno Realty worth $18,243,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get Terreno Realty alerts: Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Allianz Asset Management GmbH purchased a new stake in Terreno Realty in the first quarter valued at $3,651,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in shares of Terreno Realty during the first quarter worth about $7,613,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS lifted its holdings in shares of Terreno Realty by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS now owns 20,600 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,311,000 after purchasing an additional 700 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of Terreno Realty by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 4,448 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $281,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the period. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its position in shares of Terreno Realty by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 64,057 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,050,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the period. Terreno Realty Trading Up 3.1% Shares of TRNO opened at $61.94 on Friday. Terreno Realty Corporation has a twelve month low of $48.18 and a twelve month high of $69.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.58, a PEG ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 1.07. The firms 50-day moving average is $59.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $57.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Terreno Realty Dividend Announcement Terreno Realty ( NYSE:TRNO Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.00 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.34. The company had revenue of $116.25 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $114.62 million. Terreno Realty had a return on equity of 6.71% and a net margin of 59.56%. On average, research analysts predict that Terreno Realty Corporation will post 2.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. Terreno Realtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 66.03%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. UBS Group set a $71.00 price objective on Terreno Realty in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Terreno Realty from $56.00 to $57.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Terreno Realty from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and set a $67.00 price target for the company in a research note on Monday, November 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Terreno Realty from $64.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Piper Sandler upgraded shares of Terreno Realty from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $75.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Terreno Realty has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $67.00. Get Our Latest Report on Terreno Realty Insider Activity at Terreno Realty In related news, EVP John Tull Meyer sold 4,758 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.95, for a total transaction of $285,242.10. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 119,949 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,190,942.55. This trade represents a 3.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 2.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Terreno Realty Profile (Free Report) Terreno Realty Corporation (Terreno, and together with its subsidiaries, the Company) acquires, owns and operates industrial real estate in six major coastal U.S. markets: Los Angeles, Northern New Jersey/New York City, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Miami, and Washington, DC All square feet, acres, occupancy and number of properties disclosed in these notes to the consolidated financial statements are unaudited. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Terreno Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Terreno Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dr. Sameh Sayed Ali Hassan has said that the depiction of Muslims in the western media has resulted in many misconceptions. A true Muslim is one who promotes peace, is patient with others, and shows forgiveness when wronged. Muslims believe this life is only a test, he explained to see who is the righteous and who deserves Gods mercy and eternal life. Dr Ali Hassan, the chairperson of the North-West Islamic Association, was speaking at the Gasyard Centre in Derrys Bogside last Tuesday as part of the Did Ye Hear About..Mythbusting Conversations series of talks which are aimed at dispelling many of the myths surrounding various organisations and communities. The chair for the event was Pat McArt, former editor of the Derry Journal. Before a packed house Dr. Hassan explained that almost one quarter of the world population is Muslim. That is 2.04 billion people. There are four million in UK, 82 thousand in Ireland, and around 1, 000 Muslims in Derry from over 25 countries Contrary to popular perception only 20% of Muslims are Arab. And he suggested that much of the media has implied that, somehow, Islam is a new religion. That is totally incorrect. He stated: Islam comes from the same root as Judaism and Christianity. All these three religions can be traced back to prophet Abraham, who is known as the father of prophets. Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad are all important figures in Islam. Referring to the prophet Muhammed, Dr. Ali Hassan said his message could be boiled down to a simple one - worship one God, do good, prepare for the hereafter. He did, however, acknowledge there were practices in the Islamic world that had contradicted this message, things such as dowries where property/money was expected to be paid by a bride or her family. Forced marriages and honour killing had also received much publicity. But, he insisted, many of these issues arose from the culture in various countries and regions, not from the Muslim religion. There was clear contradiction here, he said, as the Prophet had extolled mercy, respect, and justice in every dealing Asked about the status of women in Islam, Dr Ali Hassan insisted that too was another misconception. Muslim women wear hijab as a devotion to the God. Hijab is totally a woman's own choice. Hijab is not a symbol of inferiority or subordination of women. He pointed out that Mary, mother of Jesus, wore a hijab as do Catholic nuns. The myth that Muslims did not contribute to society could be dispelled by one simple statistic - in recent times the Muslim community in the UK has contributed more than a billion pounds to various charities. And he concluded that many western writers and intellectuals who had studied Muhammads teachings had been impressed. The playwright George Bernard Shaw had stated: I have studied him and in my opinion far from being the anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of Humanity The Did Ye Hear About..? series is to continue and will return in January. The mythbuster lectures are part of the Connections A Peace Barrier Project, organised by the Neighbourhood Management Team and funded by the International Fund For Ireland. The Stormont Executive must be serious when it comes to revenue raising measures, the Finance Minister has said. John ODowd said difficult decisions would have to be taken within the powersharing administration if the challenges facing frontline public services in the region are to be addressed. However, Mr ODowd again made clear that he did not support the introduction of water charges as a way to generate extra revenue for Stormont. The Sinn Fein minister said the Executive was facing a projected shortfall of around 400 million for the current financial year. He said that figure did not include an estimated 120 million compensation bill for the 2023 PSNI data breach, although he said that issue was likely to crystallise in the next financial year. Mr ODowd was commenting ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiling her Budget in London on Wednesday. The Budget delivered here by Westminster is not sufficient, he told BBC NIs Sunday Politics programme. And I suspect the Budget which is delivered on Wednesday will further confirm the poor state of the economy in Britain, which were hitched to. The minister unveiled a series of measures last week intended to raise more revenue through the rating system in Northern Ireland. He said he had made a proposal to the Executive in June that included raising the high level cap on the rates paid by the owners of expensive homes. The present cap applies to all homes valued in excess of 400,000. The move could see the valuation at which the cap applies rise to 485,000. It was brought to the Executive in June, he said. Its still a live document. There has been some discussions in that regard. But if we are going to face the challenges in relation to our frontline public services, then ministers are going to have to and collectively as an Assembly and our society are going to have to be serious in terms of raising revenue and redirecting it towards frontline services. That at times is a difficult decision but it has to be taken. Mr ODowd insisted he did not believe water charges were the right way to raise added revenue. Theres differences of opinion in relation to whether we should introduce water charges, he said. My view, my partys view, is we wont be introducing water charges. Why would we place another 50-a-month bill on hard-pressed workers and families at this stage when the cost of food is rising and the cost of energy is rising, and all other elements of cost of living are rising? So, it cant be a simple equation of saying OK, you can introduce water charges and youll raise X. You have to look at the consequences on the broader economy and on family budgets as well. Mr ODowd was also asked about recent comments from DUP Education Minister Paul Givan who said he did not consider his party to be partners with Sinn Fein in the mandatory coalition. The Finance Minister said he did consider the arrangement with his party and the DUP to be a partnership. Theres only one way this Executive is going to be able to support our public services workers and families and communities out there through the next period of time, and thats working in partnership, he said. We are in a mandatory coalition. Im actually proud to be in a powersharing executive. Ive said it before, and Ill say it again Im proud to serve the powersharing executive. I believe it is the best way forward for this society. 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. Network Ireland Louth, in partnership with AIB, recently hosted a highly engaging and informative event at AIBs Drogheda branch on Dyer Street. The event, titled Support Your Reason Why, brought together members and guests for an evening focused on financial wellbeing and personal resilience. Paul Mernagh of AIB delivered a practical and insightful session on financial planning, sparking an engaging discussion among attendees. When we talk about financial planning, its about more than numbers its about protecting the life you have built and the people you love, Paul explained. Speaking to an audience of mainly self-employed female solopreneurs, he stressed the importance of doing a review of where youre at, looking at the whole household, helping you and your partner align on your future goals, and being confident that youre on track. Its never too early or too late to start. Paul highlighted that life events such as illness, changes in income, buying a home, children starting college, or planning for retirement all demonstrate why financial preparedness is essential. Read also: Louth students miss out on place at preferred secondary school Following Pauls engaging presentation, Fiona McShane of Just Breathe led a thoughtful and uplifting session on the importance of self-care in the midst of busy professional lives. She opened with the poem Walk Slowly, reminding attendees to go gently with themselves and consciously make time for rest and reflection. Sharing practical advice, Fiona encouraged the group with the message that practice makes progress and added, when you say yes to others, make sure youre not saying no to yourself. Fiona finished the evening with a guided Yoga Nidra meditation session. Miriam McCabe, on behalf of AIB, also expressed her admiration for Network Ireland Louth and the support and encouragement it provides to its members. She thanked Nicola Connolly Byrne, President of Network Ireland Louth, for the stellar job she has done during the year and expressed her excitement for 2026, when Pauline Clarke, of KooKee, will take over as branch President. The event offered the perfect balance of professional guidance and personal wellbeing, leaving participants informed, motivated, and re-energised. Network Ireland is a progressive, dynamic organisation supporting the professional and personal development of women. With over 1,200 members and a strong nationwide presence, the group holds regular events, workshops, and networking opportunities that promote empowerment and leadership for women in business. They are always open to new members joining, who can avail of all the supports and benefits available. It doesnt matter if someone is an established businesswoman or just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey. To join Network Ireland, go to: www.networkireland.ie and become a member. It was a chaotic week across Bitcoin mining and AI infrastructure, marked by Nvidias blowout Q3 earnings, a sharp market reversal not a day later, and the most sobering hashprice print in bitcoin mining history. Meanwhile, a new report suggests U.S. load growth could hit a staggering 166GW by 2030, driven overwhelmingly by AI demand, while Cipher Mining inked an $830 million hosting extension backstopped by Google. Youre reading a recap of The Mining Pod. Watch here on YouTube! Hashprice collapses to all-time low The week opened with unwelcome news: hash price plunged to $36.97 per PH per day, its lowest reading ever recorded, breaking the prior trough of $38/PH/day in August 2024 . Difficulty ticked down last epoch and is pacing toward another negative adjustment, but relief remains limited. Transaction fees have dried up, ordinals-driven activity has vanished, and the fee marketonce the lifeline of miner revenuesis a barren wasteland, The Mining Pod hosts said on the latest Mining Pod news roundup. Despite severe compression in mining economics, global hashrate continues climbing, raising questions about when the long-anticipated capitulation event might arrive. Nvidia smashes Q3 earnings, then the market flips Nvidia delivered what should have been a market-moving quarter: revenue up 62%, data-center sales hitting $51.2 billion, and a Q4 forecast of $65 billion (2%) . CEO Jensen Huang said the company remains sold out for the foreseeable future, and initially markets reacted with enthusiasm: AI stocks, Bitcoin miners, and high-growth tech all surged. But by Thursday morning, the entire move had been wiped out. Nvidia and its peers retraced the earnings rally within hours, a sign that even stellar chip demand cant override deeper investor fears around AI payback periods, capital intensity, and market concentration risk. As noted on the show, if Nvidia cant hold a market bid for more than five hours, sentiment may be worse than expected . U.S. load growth blows past 166GW AI accounts for more than half A new Grid Strategies report highlighted one of the most staggering energy projections yet: 5-year U.S. load growth forecasts jumped from 24GW (2022) to 166GW (2025) a nearly 7x increase in three years. According to the report: Data centers account for 55% of demand growth (90GW of the 166GW total) Total U.S. electricity consumption is expected to rise 32% by 2030 Six regions drive 80% of the growth: ERCOT, PJM, SPP, MISO, Georgia Power, CAISO with ERCOT alone at 53GW. To break down the findings, the pod welcomed Haley Thomson, Director of Energy Trading at Luxor Technology. Thomson described the ERCOT market as entering a new era defined by rising gas prices, a shift toward higher power costs, and unprecedented AI-driven demand for both electrons and molecules. Omeath based Cuchulainn Gaels senior GAA team is celebrating a successful fundraiser, after swapping their traditional farmers tans for a flawless glow in support of the clubs development plans. The event, held at Radiant Tan in Omeath at the weekend, marked the launch of local businesswoman Niamh McCloskeys innovative new self-automated spray tanning booth - the first of its kind in Ireland - and drew an enthusiastic crowd for the special Sip and See opening. From bronze beginners to overnight glow-ups, the senior squad bravely embraced the challenge, stepping into the booth to banish tan lines and show off their polished side. Their newly enhanced looks will feature in a fundraising calendar, now eagerly anticipated by supporters near and far. The community turned out for the occasion, enjoying free walk-ins, and the chance to win a trio of free tans via the Radiant Tan app. Read Next: Teachers Union welcomes Dundalk ITQueens University Partnership The fundraiser shone a spotlight on the teams commitment to raising funds, and also boosted efforts to secure an extended pitch, walking tracks, and new clubrooms, essential developments for the future of the club. With Radiant Tans state-of-the-art, 24-hour self automated spray booth now officially launched, the event marked a bright beginning for both the business and the club. The disclosure of counselling notes to criminal trials serves little purpose other than re-traumatising victims of sexual and gender-based violence, a Louth Fine Gael TD has said. Deputy Paula Butterly, who is Vice-Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, said that the practice of admitting counselling notes in court must be banned in totality. Deputy Butterly said: As we approach International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women next week, it is heartening to see the unanimous support of the Justice Committee to recommend banning the use of counselling notes during its recent pre-legislative scrutiny phase. There is no middle ground on this issue. There must be no half measures counselling notes must go. There should be no space within our judicial system for victims to have their inner thoughts questioned and examined. As things currently stand, before any sentence is passed down in any courtroom, the victim must sit through all the evidence, which is in itself harrowing. But that their counselling records can be requested and potentially admitted as evidence is deeply traumatic. This can and does prevent people from coming forward, for fear that their innermost thoughts and fears will be dissected in a full courtroom. We cannot have any barriers to potential victims of sexual crimes feeling that they cannot come forward and report an assault. Read Next: Ukrainian refugee numbers in Louth stands at over 2000 Deputy Butterly said she is calling upon Justice Minister Jim O Callaghan and the Department of Justice to take on the Committees proposals and ban the use of counselling notes in all forms during criminal trials. We must ensure that our legal system is respectful of victims dignity and maintains a consideration for the effects and sensitivities of trauma, she added. Minister OCallaghan has now received a copy of the committees report, which will be considered in the finalisation of the Departments Draft Bill. Tanaiste Simon Harris accused Sinn Fein of hypocrisy as they claimed the Irish government had made it impossible for people to stay warm this winter. Sinn Fein finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said the number of those in energy arrears, published by the energy regulator on Wednesday, was a flashing red light for what was to come during the cold months. He said the 180,000 households in arrears with their gas bills did not include those who are only managing to keep up. He said the Tanaistes advice in the Dail that people should not be afraid to turn on their heating would be of cold comfort and that without intervention, there would be a serious winter of disconnect discontent for so many, many families. He criticised the government not issuing energy credits again, as they had helped people survive last winter. Mr Harris said the government was conscious of the low-temperature warnings issued for 10 counties from 11pm on Thursday until Friday morning. He said the government had intervened on fuel poverty, referencing the fuel allowance, now worth more than 1,000 euro a year; expanding the working family payment so that they can qualify for the fuel allowance, meaning 450,000 homes, or around a quarter of all homes, would qualify for the payment; a freeze on the VAT rate at 9% for gas and electricity bills for the next five years; and a reduced PSO (Public Service Obligation) levy. He said energy minister Darragh OBrien had met the four largest energy companies who said they each have hardship funds in place for vulnerable customers, and there was a disconnection moratorium in place for registered vulnerable customers from November until March 31. I want to be very clear this winter, nobody should be afraid to turn on their heat during the cold weather, Mr Harris said. Mr Doherty said that his advice would be cold comfort to people. Dont be cold this winter. Do you not listen to the facts? Do you not listen to what has been said by the CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities), the hard, unvarnished facts: 70,000 more households, more families, more individuals, more houses, real people cannot pay their electricity bill in the first six months of this year. The record number that were seeing is from the middle of July, the warmest month of the year. He added: I put it to you, you have consciously made it impossible for people to stay warm this winter, and I would ask you to bring forward energy credits to support these families and provide them with a lifeline during these winter months. Mr Harris said Sinn Feins call for more to be done for those struggling to pay energy bills this winter was hypocrisy. You have a partitionist approach when it comes to energy policy, Mr Harris said. Read Next: Louth GAA club swap farmers tans for flawless glow in fundraising calendar You dont think its enough for somebody in Co Louth to have 1,000 euro in fuel allowance this winter, but you think someone up the road in Armagh should get by on just 100? He said the Northern Ireland Executive was led by Sinn Fein and both the finance and economy minister roles at Stormont are held by Sinn Feins John ODowd and Caoimhe Archibald. Youre the largest party in the Assembly. You havent put forward a cost-of-living package. The fuel allowance is a paltry 100 to 300 compared to the 1,000 euro here. So to the people at home this winter access our supports, but dont fall for their hypocrisy, Mr Harris said. Fine Gael ministers were heard saying you dont like the truth as members on the Sinn Fein benches objected while Labour TD for Kildare South Mark Wall began speaking during his time slot. So heres the tea: Sicilian Roast just hit its 10-year milestone, and instead of quietly blowing out candles somewhere, they decided to go big as in, brand-new-branch-in-Molito big. As someone who has eaten my fair share of Italian comfort food (and then some), I had to check out what a decade of honest, soulful cooking looks like when a restaurant decides to glow up. Lets rewind a bit. Sicilian Roast opened back in 2015 in Makatis Legazpi Village literally a humble neighborhood spot serving handmade pizza, hearty pasta, and the kind of food you order once and then keep coming back for without even realizing it. Fast forward to today and they now have branches in Makati, San Juan (Santolan Town Plaza by Rockwell), Quezon City (The Arton Strip), and now Alabangs Molito Lifestyle Center. Not gonna lie, thats some solid relationship-building with diners. What I love is that even after ten years, theyve kept that same warm, generous vibe. You know that feeling when a restaurant doesnt try too hard but still nails it? Thats them just a little more refined now, thanks to years of practice and a lot of menu polishing. During the launch, I got to listen to CEO Lorenzo Vega talk about how the brand has grown, especially in the past year. He said something that stuck with me: Weve always believed in serving honest food with soul and warmth. Ten years in, its still that passion that fuels us. And honestly? You can taste that. A huge part of Sicilian Roasts evolution is Executive Chef Matt Navarro a guy with almost two decades of experience cooking everywhere from New York neighborhood spots to five-star hotels. When he got back to Manila, he went all-in on building his craft across fine-dining, bars, pizzerias, and basically every type of restaurant you can imagine. So yes, the man knows his flavors. And now, hes using all that expertise to push Sicilian Roast into a new era: classic Italian flavors, modern technique, still comforting, and still very them. Now heres where it gets exciting: the Molito branch isnt just a new location its also the debut of a refreshed menu that will roll out everywhere. Were talking: a fine-tuned pasta lineup, an expanded steak menu, and a newly engineered pizza dough (yes, dough engineering is real and apparently delicious). Everything I tried felt like the perfect balance between refined and I just want good food without pretense. Bright flavors, generous portions, and dishes that dont need overexplaining because they shine on their own. One standout? Bottarga alla Carmen. Its an angel hair pasta tossed with cured fish roe, but what makes it special is the story behind it. It was created in memory of Lorenzo Vegas late mother, Maria del Carmen Vega a woman who loved simple, well-made food and Aperol Spritzes. Theres even a mural in the Molito branch dedicated to her and Lorenzos father, and honestly, it adds a sentimental touch you dont normally see in restaurants. Another thing worth mentioning Sicilian Roast is one of the few places in the Philippines certified to serve Ito Ranch Matsusaka Beef, also known as the Queen of Wagyu. Thanks to their partnership with Prime Cuts by Doubleday, their steak game is no joke. During the media preview, we got a first look (and taste) of what the next decade looks like for Sicilian Roast. The updated bar program, the generous servings, the warmth everything hinted at a brand that knows who they are but isnt afraid to evolve. Walking into the Molito branch felt like stepping into Sicilian Roast 2.0 still homey, still comforting, but with a sleeker kitchen, upgraded menu, and a vibe that says, Weve learned a lot, and were ready for the next chapter. And what is that next chapter? According to the team: expansion, more menu improvements, and staying true to the values that built this brand care, consistency, and food that brings people together. If youre craving honest Italian food that refuses to be complicated, check them out. For reservations and updates, you can visit sicilianroast.com or follow @sicilianroastmanila on Instagram and Facebook. Bandon Grammar School is one of the oldest secondary schools in Cork, and this year the Holly Bough invited students from the school to create the artwork for this years fiction section. Under the guidance of art teachers John Twomey and Rosanna Devoy Pullen, students from second year right up to sixth year created original artworks to accompany our short stories and poems. The project was one that Mr Twomey said the students embraced and relished. Among those students was Emily Nunan who said the idea of creating the artwork was something which was exciting for people but daunting at the same time as the students were aware they were trying to interpret and represent someones story. Emily created the artwork for Fly High Flamingo, and said it was important to her to try capture the authors friend in her strength rather than weakness. Phoebe Buttimer and Emily Noonan are pictured in Bandon Grammar School with the artwork they created for this years Holly Bough. Picture: Chani Anderson Another challenge for students was trying to capture the stories without giving away the endings, said Saoirse McShane. Saoirse created one of two artworks for A Christmas Romance. Harry Good created the second artwork to accompany this piece and in doing so tried to capture a moment of teenage love set in the 1960s to show the passage of time. Ryan Farrell and Wolfie Tyndale, Bandon Grammar School students, pictured with their artwork for the fiction section of this years Holly Bough. Picture: Chani Anderson Ryan Farrell and Wolfie Tyndale were tasked with the artworks for Bells a ringin- and created two very different interpretations of the work. Lily Crowley and Saoirse McShane, Bandon Grammar School students, pictured with their artwork which features in the fiction section of this years Holly Bough. Picture: Chani Anderson Isabel Grunwell created the artwork for The Story of Our Floors and said she tried to capture the graininess of the memory of that one moment in time. Students used a variety of methods in their artwork. Lucy Murphy used ink in her piece for Leavin Blues, Odhran Sheridan created artwork for the story The Christmas Candle in felt, Kate Bebbington used watercolours to create the artwork for Woman, Christmas as did Phoebe Buttimer who created the artwork for One Foggy Winters night. Kate Bebbington, Bandon Grammar School art student, whose work features in the fiction section of this years Holly Bough. Picture: Chani Anderson Lily Crowley used chalks in a bid to capture the image for Life and loss aboard the Mermaid ship and Poppy Buttimer used mixed media to try recreate the texture in Last Call for Youghal- All Aboard. Isabel Grunwell and Harry Good, Bandon Grammar School, whose work was chosen for the fiction section of this years Holly Bough. Picture: Chani Anderson Mr Twomey said he was incredibly proud of the students. This was echoed by Bandon Grammar School principal, Niamh McShane. I am the proudest principal in Ireland, because they are just such talented young people and so generous with their spirit, you know, and their talent, in the way that they will open up and be brave and show their work, I think, thats courage, said Ms McShane. Odhran Sheridan, Bandon Grammar School, whose artwork features in the fiction section of this years Holly Bough. Picture: Chani Anderson She praised teachers John Twomey and Rosanna Devoy Pullen for their support of the students. I know there was a journey to the finished artworks. They came up with their initial concept and then they consulted, they came back and they talked about it and then they got braver, she said. Poppy Buttimer and Lucy Murphy, Bandon Grammar School art students, who created illustrations for the fiction section of this years Holly Bough. Picture: Chani Anderso Ms McShane said that there is an important tradition of art in school and there is a big emphasis at Bandon Grammar on the power of art in education. Art teacher John Twomey and principal Niamh McShane, Bandon Grammar School, pictured in the foyer of the school. Picture: Chani Anderson Were ambitious for the development of a STEAM learning centre here because we see the arts as pivotal, and creative skills and authenticity in terms of skills for the future. Giving the students agency in that, we feel, will be very beneficial for them for the world theyre going into to be authentic, to be brave, to be creative, we feel will be the value in the future. See hollybough.ie. Technology to improve rowing athletes performances and a safer, more comfortable intrauterine device (IUD) were among the start-ups highlighted at this years University College Cork (UCC) Ignite autumn showcase. The third-level graduates, supported by the universitys flagship incubation programme, began working on their ideas this year and are hoping to develop them in to a company with the assistance of Ignite. The 2025 Autumn Showcase follows Ignites recent success in securing a 1m Higher Education Authority (HEA) award for exemplary performance and impact. The HEA evaluated impact-assessment case studies that were submitted by higher-education institutions earlier this year, and Ignite emerged as one of five winning submissions. Ignite is based at UCC and is open to anyone who has graduated from a third-level institution in recent years and has the passion and ambition to work on an idea that has the potential for economic, environmental, or social impact. The annual showcase gives the Ignite participants an opportunity to network with other Ignite and potential investors. Ignite has supported nearly 250 founders since it was established in 2011 through the programme, a joint initiative by Cork City Council, Cork County Council, the Local Enterprise Offices of Cork City, South Cork and North and West Cork and University College Cork. Eamon Curtin, director of Ignite, said: We are proud at Ignite to support talented founders in developing their innovative business ideas in to scalable and sustainable start-ups that deliver real social and economic value. The HEA Award is testament to not only the great work carried out by our community of entrepreneurs, but also to the support provided to us by the local enterprise offices, Cork County Council, Cork City Council, and Bank of Ireland, without whom the programme would not be possible. Among the 14 start-ups currently supported by UCCs Ignite Start-Up Incubation Programme are Roteq, founded by Will Gunnarson and Sam ONeill, which empowers rowing athletes to reach their full potential by providing actionable insights in to their performance; and Elithiya, founded by Isabelle Curran, a womens health innovation focused on redesigning the IUD experience. A flood-warning system for Bantry, similar to one that previously operated in Bandon, should be considered as an interim measure while the town waits for a flood-relief scheme to be completed, says Independent Ireland councillor John Collins. Mr Collins raised the issue in a motion proposed to the recent meeting of Cork County Councils western division, which stated: I am calling for an early-warning and communication system for Bantry town, when, and if, flooding is expected. Mr Collins said that a system was previously in place in Bandon, before flood-relief works were completed, and that it provided information for residents and businesses by text message when flooding was expected. The Bandon flood warning system used river sensors and sent SMS alerts when river levels reached a certain threshold. The motion was supported by Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins, who said that many people in Bantry had no warning of the most recent flooding in the town. Fine Gael councillor Caroline Cronin said something needs to be done, as there could be 10 or 12 more floods in Bantry before relief works were in place. Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said the constant worry for people in Bantry about flooding was mentally draining and such a system could alleviate some of the stress. Council engineer Catherine Murphy said: The development of an early-flood-warning system for Bantry is challenging, due to the nature of the catchment, which is steeply sloping and prone to rapid onset of flooding. Bantry is also vulnerable to flooding from rainfall, and coastal and river flooding. Cork County Council operations teams monitor the tidal, river, and rainfall gauges and engage directly with Met Eireann during periods of potential flooding and implement response procedures as appropriate depending on the level of risk identified. Cork County Council will engage with OPW and Met Eireann, Ms Murphy said, to review the gauging infrastructure within the catchment and identify if additional stations would allow for the development of a flood-warning system to predict flood events and issue timely alerts. Ms Murphy added: A number of properties in Bantry have received flood barriers from Cork County Council, through funding provided by OPW. Cork County Council would recommend that any property owners who have flood barriers take a precautionary approach and install these any evening where Met Eireann is predicting significant rainfall during the autumn and winter months, in particular if tide levels are high. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. A company director whose vehicle was detected illegally using marked gas oil (green diesel) at a checkpoint in Cork told the district court he put the fuel in the vehicle the night before to deal with an emergency. John OSullivan, of Ballymackowen House, Clonakilty, Co Cork and director of You n Me Milk Ltd of the same address, faced one charge of using marked gas oil as the driver of the vehicle. You n Me Milk Ltd, as owner of the vehicle, faced two charges. By agreement, the State withdrew the charges against the company. Solicitor Darragh Healy, acting for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), told the court that a checkpoint was set up an Ballinascarthy Crossroads, near Clonakilty, on August 3, 2025, at which OSullivan was stopped. A fuel sample was taken that was positive for marked gas oil and Mr OSullivan admitted putting green diesel in the vehicles fuel tank. Representing himself, OSullivan said he had put a small amount of green diesel in the fuel tank at 1.30am, because he had to head west to deal with an emergency, where cattle had become trapped in cubicles. Mr Healy said the reading was relatively high and OSullivan told the court that he was stopped in the morning, after he had put the fuel in the car and had not put any other fuel in afterwards. The court was told OSullivan had no previous convictions. Judge John King convicted OSullivan and fined him 2,500, allowing one month to pay. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme. Borderlands Mexico is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Cross-border boom collides with rising security risks; Mexico sets new quarterly FDI record with nearly $41B in Q4; and La Bonanza Avocados breaks ground on logistics hub in Pharr. Cross-border boom collides with rising security risks NEW ORLEANS Cross-border freight volumes between the U.S. and Mexico continue to surge, but infrastructure gaps, rising cargo theft and tightening compliance requirements are creating a more complex operating environment for shippers, according to industry experts at the 2025 Trimble Insight Tech Conference. The Monday panel discussion, Cross-Border Evolution: Tech, Infrastructure and the Future of USMexico Freight, featured Mark Vickers, EVP and head of international logistics insurance at Reliance Partners, and Ricardo Malacara, sales director at Overhaul. The session was moderated by FreightWaves cross-border reporter Noi Mahoney. The Trimble Insight Tech Conference held Sunday through Tuesday, included 1,260 attendees and featured more than 200 information sessions and product demonstrations. Vickers and Malacara said the current boom in U.S.Mexico trade was years in the making accelerated by global shocks. We had a number of things all happening at the same time, and it ended up being kind of the perfect storm, Vickers said, citing USMCA, COVID-era congestion at the Port of Los Angeles, and the U.S.China trade war. With Asian imports backing up on the West Coast, he added, many shippers rerouted freight through Manzanillo, then Guadalajara, then Laredo, to reach U.S. markets. Malacara said the tariff environment continues to push manufacturing south. Countries that have a huge tariff may find it cheaper just to set up a factory in Mexico and start shipping from Mexico, he said. Laredo alone could see 6% to 7% more traffic this year, he added. The Cross-Border Evolution: Tech, Infrastructure and the Future of USMexico Freight, panel at the 2025 Trimble Insight Tech Conference featured Mark Vickers, EVP and head of international logistics insurance at Reliance Partners and Ricardo Malacara, sales director at Overhaul. The session was moderated by FreightWaves cross-border reporter Noi Mahoney. (Photo: Trimble) A major theme was the liability gap and lack of regulatory parity between the U.S. and Mexico a pitfall Vickers said many first-time cross-border operators overlook. In Mexico, the law is the wild South, where theres almost no law, he said. Under current UMA-based formulas, Mexican carriers are only liable for roughly $2,000 on a typical 40,000-pound load. If youre growing your footprint in Mexico and you dont know that, you shouldnt be in Mexico. Vickers said brokers must be prepared to offer cargo insurance, document refusals, and proactively brief shippers on coverage risks. Vickers also noted that carrier vetting is no longer optional. Unlike the U.S., theres no FMCSA in Mexico, he said, and brokers that unknowingly tender freight to cartel-linked carriers could face legal exposure. A man who died in an overnight fire in Cork city has been described by neighbours as a lovely man who adored his grandchildren, regularly playing football with them outside his southside home. The fire broke out in a two-storey house on Noonans Rd at around 3am on Sunday morning, with units from Cork City Fire Brigade and members of An Garda Siochana attending the scene within minutes of the alarm being raised. Firefighters had to use breathing equipment to gain access to the premises, and the occupant of the house, a man in his early 60s, was found unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom. The man received treatment from paramedics at the scene before being taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital (CUH), where he was subsequently pronounced dead. The office of the state pathologist has been informed, with a postmortem examination to be carried out. The scene was preserved and a garda investigation to determine the cause of the fire is ongoing. It is understood that early indications suggest that the fire was accidental in nature. A file will be prepared for the coroner. Neighbours who spoke to The Echo said the man, who had lived at the house for some time, had been a very kind and caring person who doted on his family. He was an adoring grandfather, adoring, and youd often see him out playing ball with his grandkids outside the house, one woman who declined to be named said. He was a lovely man, and he lived for those children. Another neighbour, who declined to give their name, said the man was a decent neighbour who always looked out for the people around. Theyre a lovely, lovely family, I would know his daughter, shes a fabulous person, and my heart goes out to them at this desperate time, she said. He was always looking after his elderly neighbours, always looking out for people, and youd always see him on the green with his own grandchildren. He was a lovely man, very young in himself, and he loved cars, youd always see him cleaning the car outside the house. Local city councillor Paudie Dineen said the local area was in shock at the news. My sincere condolences go out to the poor mans family and friends and neighbours, its very, very sad, he said. Its an awful tragedy to befall the whole area, and I would like to pay tribute to the fire services, the ambulance crew, and the gardai, who were all so promptly in attendance at the scene. A Cork man with 135 previous convictions pleaded guilty in the district court to three public order offences related to an incident in West Cork in October. Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Clonakilty District Court that gardai were called to John L OSullivan Park, near Rosscarbery, on the night of October 13, 2025. When they arrived at 10.30pm, a man identified as Michael Maughan, aged 34, of John L OSullivan Park, was roaring and shouting in the street. Maughan then went into the house by the back door. Gardai knocked on the door, and they were invited in by a family member. In the living room, gardai attempted to calm Maughan who, the court was told, was clearly intoxicated. Maughan stood up and shouted fuck ye at gardai, pushing past them and leaving the house. Outside, standing by the Garda patrol car, Maughan continued to behave aggressively, stood face to face with a garda while shouting abuse, and was arrested. Maughan resisted arrest, had to be handcuffed, and was taken to Clonakilty Garda Station. In the patrol car en-route, he continued to behave in an aggressive manner. At the Garda station, he head-butted the custody hatch. The court was told Maughan had 135 previous convictions, including two for public intoxication, two for threatening and abusive behaviour, and three for obstruction. The court heard Maughan was pleading guilty to public intoxication, threatening and abusive behaviour, and obstruction. He apologised to the gardai and the court for his behaviour. Defence solicitor Flor Murphy said Maughan had been drinking with his brother, and an argument developed between them. Judge John King said Maughan was working his way through the statute book, and convicted and sentenced him to four months in prison on the obstruction charge. The other two charges were taken into consideration, and the sentence was backdated to October 12 when Maughan went into custody. This article was funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme McDonalds Ireland has reopened its Douglas restaurant in Cork following a major refurbishment project worth over 3 million. Located in Douglas Village, the restaurant has been serving Cork customers since 1989. The restaurant reopened to customers earlier in this month, with friends, families, and McDonalds crew members coming together yesterday, November 22, to mark the reopening in an official celebration event. The significant investment in the new-look restaurant is set to create an additional 30 jobs over the coming months, bringing the total number of employees at the restaurant to more than 130. The refurbishment forms part of McDonalds newest restaurant upgrade programme, which is seeing the brand shake up the way its stores across the UK and Ireland operate. Upgrades to the McDonalds Douglas restaurant includes a new kitchen design with a bigger order assembly area. The refurb also welcomes a remodelled dining area, refurbished customers toilets, separate McDelivery room and an expanded drive-thru lane to accommodate additional orders during busy periods. Improvements have also been made to the crew member room to create a more relaxing and comfortable space for employees. McDonalds Douglas is owned and operated by Franchisee Jim Ronayne, who also manages several McDonalds restaurants across Cork, including Mallow, Commons Road, Blackpool, Musgrave Park in Cork city and Clonmel in Tipperary. Mr Ronayne said: Were thrilled to welcome customers back to our newly refurbished McDonalds Douglas restaurant. "Following an intensive refurbishment of our restaurant, we are excited for our loyal guests to experience the upgrades firsthand. "The enhancements to McDonalds Douglas are designed to deliver a faster, more seamless and more convenient experience for everyone who walks through our doors. A sentencing judge at a Domestic Violence Act case said he would need a risk assessment on the accused man before finalising the matter. Judge John King made this decision at an in camera hearing at Cork District Court as he adjourned sentencing until January 27. A risk assessment will be carried out as part of a probation report on the accused. The 45-year-old man pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a barring order. At 11.30pm on July 30 the defendant went to his wifes bedroom saying he was bringing her food to comfort her. When she asked him to leave he said he would leave in the morning. When his adult son intervened, the defendant said: Walk outside and fight me. The second incident related to a posting on TikTok that was in breach of the barring order on August 25, where her name was the caption and the content included a song where the lyrics were understood to be directed at the woman and the family. Judge King asked what the song was but the title was not indicated during the court hearing. In relation to this incident, defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer said: He accepts he put innocuous TikTok nonsense online. Mr Buttimer said the victim impact statement was self-serving and that the woman had no problem with her ex-husband visiting the house and that on her phone there was a deleted message to him asking him to come up to the house. The defence solicitor said that the defendant had no intention of contacting his wife again and added in relation to the injured party: I am sure she will have no difficulty staying away from him. The best present I ever got from Santa in town was a small, silver, battery-operated torch. When you pressed the little orange button on top, it would flash a bright beam of light, and in the absence of night-time, half the day was spent playing with it under the stairs in make-believe darkness. At that age, reconciling the blatant contradictions and irreconcilable ambiguities that separated the real Santa Claus that came on Christmas Eve and the shop Santa that you visited in the Munster Arcade on Pana, or Buckleys on Academy Street, was no issue whatsoever. When it came to the latter, pure excitement and the prospect of a present quelled any deep enquiry, and the outing just became part of the Christmas festive enjoyment. On November 15, 1965, one of the great old Cork shops, Kilgrews, then on Merchants Quay, placed an ad in the Situations Vacant section of the Cork Examiner that reads as follows: Man required as Santa Claus in toy department, preferably middle-aged; sober habits. State age, letter only. This highlights some of the necessary attributes needed to be a good Santa. However, many a shop Santa left a lot to be desired and tested our abilities to suspend disbelief. A potential Santa who was too young and too thin did little to help the cause, and being portly and rotund filling out the suit was a distinct advantage. As children, we took notice of the fine detail in assessing his authenticity. We looked at his belt to see if it was real leather with a buckle or just some flimsy fake fabrication. We glanced at his boots - invariably black wellingtons but we were especially focused on the depth and quality of the white fur trim that set off his red suit. The latter was often badly faded, and the former simply not plush or luxuriant enough to make him out to be the genuine article. Above all else, we judged shop Santa on the fullness of his white beard and how real it looked. An ill-fitting one was a pure give-away. The position of the moustache over his mouth and how he and his beard were one was essential. To our disappointment, some of the overworked and overheated Santas used to pull their beard down under their chin or leave it hanging from one ear. Moreover, some Santas, incongruously, were wearing dark sunglasses, and with Kilgrews advert sober habits in mind, it has to be noted that a few of the portly Santas breaths regularly gave off the sweet smell of whiskey and porter. Who could blame these men, given the nature of the job contending from one end of the day to the other with an endless parade of children spanning from the shy and terrified to the obnoxious and precocious? Santa Claus at Munster Arcade, St. Patrick's Street, Cork in 1970. The earliest account of Santa Claus distributing presents to children in a department store in Cork dates to November, 1926, when Robertson, Ledlie, Fergusons department store, The Munster Arcade, advertised that Father Christmas from his Villa Residence distributes to boys and girls suitable toys at a cost of 1- each. Within a year or two, the other large Cork shops, Grants, The Queens Old Castle, and Cashs, vying for this trade, installed their own toylands, along with the parcel-gifting Santa. Roches Stores did not start its Santa campaign until the 1950s, while Dowdens, the other large outlet on Patrick Street, never had one. In the late 1920s, the Santa in Grants (beside the Mutton Lane Inn on Patricks Street) was installed, promenading the balcony of our Patricks Street warehouse, where, on paying a shilling, children could walk up the steps, ring the bell and out will come Santa Claus with a lovely present. The Queens Old Castle established its version, the magic Snow Palace of Santas workshop and advised that parents, aunts and uncles should bring the children early to get their parcel and wonder at the range of toys. In the Munster Arcade (now Penneys), one shilling parcels were distributed by Father Christmas from his cosy snow house, made even more special as access was to be gained via the staircase or electric lift. Many will recall the lift in the Munster Arcade was an adventure in itself. Its two accordion-like, open-latticed gates had to be pulled across and closed firmly before the button was pushed, and with a bump one took off to the top floor. An ad for Santa at the Munster Arcade 1926 This Christmas trip to the very top of the building to see Santa has long lived in the memories of many Corkonians. So many have recounted it as one of the stalwart memories of their childhood Christmases. Those visiting in the 1960s remember walking down a long corridor into the dark attic space and while waiting to see Santa, they sat in a small, make-shift cinema, wide-eyed and mesmerised, watching the now forgotten Christmas cartoons, Walt Disneys Santas Workshop (1932) and The Night Before Christmas (1933). While the children were visiting Santa, their parents were busy buying presents. A glance at the advertisements promoting suitable toys for children in Corks toylands and Christmas bazaars some 100 years ago encompasses many classics. They include lovely dolls from the tiniest to almost life-size in addition to racing cars, model aeroplanes, cowboy outfits, railway engines, cranes, teddy bears, doggies, sleeping babies, pedal cars, books, prams, soldiers and lorries. An ad for Santa at Grants in 1928 In addition to buying for the children, the adults were also encouraged to buy their own luxuries. In Cashs and other department stores, the promoted items included ladies and gents umbrellas, handkerchiefs, wool cardigans, silk dressing gowns, which are noted as a very acceptable present, along with brush and comb sets, travelling rugs, railway wraps, trousers stretchers, and ladies handbags. Notably, the now obsolete and maligned wearing of animal furs was then at its height. Suitable Christmas presents included new fur ties in skunk and natural fox, bear, stone marten, wolf, and squirrel tail, along with elegant fur coats in new smart styles in beaver, musquash and coney seal. By the late 1940s and early 1950s, the inspirational innovation of photography was added to the going to see Santa in town experience. Robert Day and Sons on Patrick Street were one of the pioneers of this idea, employing the Movie Snaps photographer and declaring a photograph of your child with Santa Claus is a picture of childish charm to be treasured for ever. Professional photographers grabbed the new lucrative opening for their trade, and some, such as the Healy brothers, worked in Cashs, capturing the eternal moment with Santa. In the mid-1960s, the new instamatic Polaroid camera allowed an immediate no-waiting snapshot of the event. By the 1960s and 1970s, other than the big shops, many of the smaller shops and outlets, such as Kilgrews and Murrays on North Main Street, were offering toyland and photos with Santa. Perhaps the most popular was Buckleys in Academy Street, who cornered the market with the novel idea of getting a young fawn and putting him in a cage. They advertised Visit Santa in his cave and see Rudolf his own live deer and without fail, every child in Cork wanted to visit. My late father Tadg, worked as a commercial artist, and in addition to making cribs at Christmas time, he was the one who painted and decorated the many Santa grottos. He was always imaginative in bringing something new to the diorama, and during the Apollo Lunar missions of the 1960s and 70s, he would paint Santa sitting on a rocket on his way to the moon. His numerous backdrops feature in many of the Santa photographs from the 1950s onwards. David Desmond visiting Santa in Fermoy in 1970. Over the years, I have asked my students to share their Santa photographs with me. A number are reproduced here. While the collection has become an eclectic mix of children sometimes confronted with disconcerting Santas, it is more importantly, a record of each of us at a formative period in our lives, specifically at one repeating point in the cycle of the year. Jim Sheils and Sheila Maguire with Santa on Patrick Street. When you visited Santa in town and had your photograph taken with a shop Santa, you literally have a shared snapshot of innocence and suspended disbelief where you are fully absorbed in an eternal moment of magic. A photograph of any one child at Santa is a photograph of each and every one of our visits to Santa: it is a collective, shared, enduring emotive context of memory. The Casey family visiting Santa; Catriona, John, Pat, Bernadette, Brid, their mum Bridie holding baby Caroline, and dad, Pat It is this detail of the familiar, the nostalgia of the shared sameness, that fixes our attention and widens our eyes in recognition of where we all once have been. Aisling Murphy visiting Santa in Cork. In our habitual repetition of this timeless, magical Santa experience, we are all one, past, present and future.